Dinner Disaster

The pack house was even more intimidating at night. Lights glowed from every window, illuminating the massive stone building that sat at the center of Silver Moon territory. It looked less like a house and more like a castle.

As soon as we stepped inside, Luna Alistair appeared. "Livana!" Before I could react, she wrapped me in a hug. Unlike her husband, Luna Alistair had always been kind to me. She held my shoulders and smiled warmly. "You've gotten even more beautiful." "Thank you, Luna." "Nonsense. Call me Aunt Lydia." My mother laughed softly beside me.

The warmth lasted exactly three seconds because Bane appeared. His scent reached me before I even saw him. Then he rounded the corner; tall, handsome, confident. The same boy who had rejected me in front of half the school. “Livana—” I walked right past him. Didn't stop. Didn't answer. Didn't even look at him. The shocked expression on his face almost made me smile. Almost.

As I headed toward the dining room, I noticed Pia standing near the staircase. The smug look she gave me immediately ruined my good mood. Her arm slipped around Bane possessively, like she had won something, like I was supposed to be jealous. Instead, I simply looked away and continued walking.

For the first time since my rejection, I felt... detached. The ache was still there, but it wasn't consuming me anymore. Maybe it was because of Caspian. Maybe it was because I could still feel the memory of his presence: the warmth, the safety, the feeling that I wasn't alone. Whatever it was, it made Pia's little victory seem much less important.

The dining room slowly filled with people. My family sat together near one end of the table, and Genevieve immediately pulled me into the chair beside her. Across the room, Pia practically attached herself to Bane. She laughed at everything he said, touched his arm constantly, and made sure everyone noticed. Pia's father watched them with obvious approval; the man looked like Christmas had arrived early.

Everyone else looked uncomfortable. Very uncomfortable. Alpha Alistair looked furious. His face was turning redder by the minute, and every time Pia leaned against Bane, another muscle twitched in his jaw. The future Alpha of Silver Moon was openly disrespecting him in front of guests, and everybody knew it. I tried not to stare. Really. But it was impossible not to notice. “Hello, Pia,” I said sweetly. Her smile immediately vanished. Worth it.

Dinner was eventually served, and the table filled with food; roasted chicken, fresh bread, vegetables, rice, and several dishes I couldn't even identify. Conversation rose and fell around the room while servants moved quietly between guests. For a little while everything felt almost normal.

Then Alpha Alistair stood. The entire room immediately fell silent. “I have an announcement.” My stomach dropped. Oh no. No. No. No. His gaze settled on me, then on Bane. “As many of you know, Bane and Livana are destined mates.” I closed my eyes. Please stop talking. Please. “As future Alpha and Luna of Silver Moon, it is time preparations begin. I expect them to be marked and mated before the next full moon.”

My heart nearly stopped. The next full moon was less than a week away. Less than a week. Beside me, Genevieve choked on her drink. Across the table, Bane went completely still. Pia looked ready to murder someone. Probably me.

“With all due respect, Alpha Alistair, my family and I would like some time to discuss that.” My head snapped toward my father. Relief flooded me instantly. Thank you. Thank you, Daddy. I said internally.

Alpha Alistair frowned, his voice hardening. “What is there to discuss? They are mates.” His eyes moved toward Bane. “My son should have marked her by now.” The room became painfully awkward. “We have given them enough time. I want my son ready to assume leadership of this pack.”

My father remained calm. Almost too calm. “Still, it is a major decision.” His gaze flicked briefly toward Pia and Bane. “In light of certain circumstances, my family would appreciate time to consider everything carefully.”

Alpha Alistair looked unimpressed. “There is nothing to consider.”

My father's expression changed. Only slightly, but enough. The room suddenly felt heavier. “Enough.” The word cracked through the dining room. Every conversation stopped. Every movement froze. Even Bane looked surprised.

For the first time in years, my father allowed his Alpha authority to show, and everyone felt it. The pressure rolled through the room like thunder, powerful, controlled, impossible to ignore. “I said my family requires time.”

Silence. Complete silence. I had never been prouder. People always forgot who my father used to be. An Alpha. A real Alpha. Not an Omega. Not weak. Not small. An Alpha. And tonight everyone remembered. Finally.

My father rose from his chair, his voice returning to normal, polite, controlled. “Thank you for the dinner. But my family will be leaving now.” The discussion was over. Nobody argued. Not even Alpha Alistair.

The drive home was quiet. Painfully quiet. Mom stared out the window, Dad focused on the road, and Genevieve kept glancing between all of us. Nobody spoke. Not once.

When we finally arrived home, I escaped upstairs immediately. I brushed my teeth, changed into pajamas, and was getting ready for bed when there was a soft knock on my door. “Come in.” My mother entered. She looked exhausted, worried, older somehow. “How are you feeling?” “I'm okay.” She didn't look convinced.

Slowly she sat beside me on the bed. Then her eyes drifted downward, toward my stomach, toward the bruising hidden beneath my shirt. “Livana...” Her voice broke, and my heart sank. I knew what was coming. Carefully she lifted the edge of my shirt.

The room fell silent. Dark bruises covered my skin; some old, some new, some faded yellow, others deep purple. Evidence of every time the bond had punished me for Bane's actions. My mother's hand flew to her mouth, and a sob escaped before she could stop it. “Mom....” “Why didn't you tell me?” Tears streamed down her face. “Livana, this is horrible. He could have killed you.”

I quickly wrapped my arms around her. “It's okay.” “No, it isn't.” Her shoulders shook. “It's not okay.” I hugged her tighter. “I'm fine.” “You're not fine.” The sadness in her voice hurt worse than the bruises.

For several moments neither of us spoke. Then another voice came from the doorway. “What's going on?”

Dad. We both turned. His eyes landed on my stomach, and everything changed. The room became deadly quiet. The expression on his face vanished completely, no anger, no shock, no sadness, nothing. Which was somehow worse. Slowly he stepped closer, studying every bruise, every mark, every injury. When he finally spoke, his voice was terrifyingly calm. “We're leaving.”

Mom looked up. “Derek.....”

“We're leaving.” His eyes never left mine. “Tonight.” The room froze. Dad's jaw tightened, and for the first time since Bane rejected me, I realized just how close my father was to losing his patience. “We're going back to my pack.” Nobody argued, because judging by the look in his eyes, the decision had already been made.