Chapter 9

I had managed to pull myself together enough to continue following Dan to the open clearing were a good number of pack members were crowded at.

But no matter how much I tried not to let it show, I was crumbling internally.

My legs felt like jelly, my tummy grumbling from nerves like it was a volcano about to erupt, and I was sweating buckets.

If the guard noticed my ghostly expression and the way I was dragging my feet, he didn't say anything.

I was very close to losing my mind, my thoughts spiralling so fast I could barely breathe.

Every sound felt magnified, from the crunch of twigs as I tried to think of every possible scenario that would save me.

What if I pretended to pass out?

Lied that I wasn't feeling so well or worse, bolted off in the direction of the woods and escape all this madness.

We make our way past the people who bow courteously as I walk by, until we're standing right in front of Aurora who had on her usual sinister smile spread out in waiting.

The respect I was getting wasn't heartfelt.

Beneath their bowed heads and averted gazes, I could feel their heated stares and scowls drilling into my back when I walked past.

It was no mistake that Alpha Ethan had probably enforced instructions, making it mandatory to have them treat me politely… I would rather not have it at all.

It would've been far better if they were allowed to be open with their hostility or weren't scared of the Alpha like Aurora.

At least then, I'd be able to draw a fine line between my friends and foes.

“Luna! What an absolute delight to finally have you grace us with your presence! I mean, what screams a better welcome than commemorating one of the packs' traditions? I bet you must be excited.” Her honey like voice feels like charred glass to my ears and I feel my fists clench by my sides.

What I'd give to be able to wipe that stupid smirk off her face and stand my ground against her.

Sadly… I wasn't strong-willed enough to even stand up for myself… Once a wuss, always pathetic… Or maybe just tired of pretending not to be.

“I do wish I had been informed earlier before today… The setup looks nice and all, but I haven't been-” she arches a brow, clapping her hands together as she cuts off my upcoming excuse.

“My mistake! I thought I had a maid pass the news to you last night! Oopsies... we're here now though, I mean you wouldn't want to disappoint the pack members gathered here who are dying to meet your wolf.” There's an unknown glint in her eyes, the tension in the air so thick a knife probably wouldn't even be able to slice through it.

I glanced back at Dan who had stepped aside leaving me and the she-devil head on, and then back at everyone gathered, all doing a poor job of pretending not to be invested in the drama right on the edge of eruption.

She was trying to push me so close to the edge of the bridge, over and over until I finally tumbled down… and she was excellent at it.

What was she playing at even?

She couldn't possibly know something right?

Could her suspicions have anything to do with the locked doors?

Had she too somehow found out about my exploration that had landed me there?

No… whatever she was suspecting, I wouldn't let my reactions feed her hunger.

She could corner me with threats all she wanted in the shadows, but while we stood here today, in the presence of the pack and everyone that Ethan commanded, she wouldn't be careless enough to try anything.

I know the likes of people like her.

Angels to the world and demons when the sun went down.

Seeing as we had too much of an audience for her to lose her cool on me, I decided to put my dear aside for a minute.

I was going to stand my ground.

“I already said-” I raise my head high, meeting her stare point on as I prepare to insist on my decision.

“Put a hold on it, I need to talk to my Luna. And don't you all somewhere else to be? Training? Pack duties? Get a move on.” Ethan's voice booms out from behind me right as I open my mouth and I don't think I've ever been thus relieved to see him.

He would've been an angel fallen from above currently if it wasn't for his deadly aura.

Like a spell, everyone begins to scramble away and soon, Dan, aurora, Ethan and I are the only ones left standing in the clearing.

“Never do something like this again without informing me first, clear?” He walks over until he's standing beside me, his cold tone directed at Aurora.

There he goes again, standing up for me in public only to tear me back down with his words.

She looks taken aback by his words, her eyes flaring over to Dan who I'm surprised hadn't left with the alpha's orders.

The guard averts his gaze but doesn't move, making me believe he was maybe obeying the alpha's instructions?

“But alpha! It's something we-” she starts to speak, looking flustered with embarrassment that not only was I witnessing her get reprimanded, so was a mere guard.

“I asked, are we clear Aurora” chill, composed and deadly…his voice cuts her off leaving no room for argument and the flicker of fear in her eyes is evident as she flinches unmistakably.

Any wise person would know better than to try saying more…thank the goddess, Aurora was still a bit wise.

“Yes Alpha.” She finally murmurs after a second, glaring at me subtlety.

“Good, Dan you're excused. Lyra, let's go.” And then, he turns beginning to walk off, leaving me to pick up my steps and follow, glancing back once more at Aurora whose glares continued to drill holes in my skull and Dan who was making his exit.

Ethan saves the day again! Aurora, zero, Lyra, one.

Ethan doesn't say anything more to acknowledge my presence or explain were in god's name I was following him to, so I try to cover up how it affected me.

It wasn't like I wanted him to suddenly become all chatty, swooping in and saving me like some knight in shining armor was already too much.

I would rather not continue feeling like the list of favors I was owing him was growing by the second.

“Get yourself together and prepare your mind, coming morning, an engagement announcement ball will be organized in our honor.” I took note of how he had stopped walking just before the garden.

Engagement what now? This had to be another of my wicked nightmares…

It was freaking impossible to get any chance of a breather around here.

It was always one thing after the next with them!

“Be extra careful, various packs will be in attendance, neighboring and afar. Do not let anyone get a wisp of your secret, one slip, one wrong word is all it takes.” The weight of his warning doesn't escape me.

And I remain unmoved from my spot, with not a single reply.

He doesn't seem to care for one, or wait even, continue on his way.

I just stand there watching his retreating form dreading the dawn of a new day… tomorrow.

A human in a room filled with wolves from different packs, sacrificial lamb much?