Ethena's POV
As my father climbed the podium to make his announcement, I could already feel my heart pounding in anticipation as I got up, beaming.
My clothes were neatly ironed, my shirt tucked In and my hair was slicked back Into a ponytail, not a strand out of place. The perfect daughter. That was me. Upholding my father as a role model since I was a child, I dreamt of taking his place as Alpha when I was of age, and now the time has finally come.
All those years of trading my childhood in place of Immense training and studying paid off, and now, I was going to be announced as not only the Alpha of Dark Raider's pack but the first female Alpha in the history of Alphas. An honor.
It was a very rare occasion, and as such the place was crowded with people from different packs and territories, all present to witness MY coronation.
I could see my step sister and step mother from across the table biting down on their own teeth as they held back their twisted ugly looks from the public. Of course they couldn't let them know that they weren't in the least happy about my coronation.
Next to them was my mate, Head of the pack warriors, Jackson. He had a proud smile in his eyes as he stared at me in adoration and when he slyly winked at me, I felt my heart soar in the air as I clenched my hand midair like I had caught the wink before placing It to my chest, a loving look in my eyes directed at him.
I love him so much, and seeing him sitting there fully in support of me was the best thing ever.
As soon as the ear piercing sound of the microphone traveled across the room, the whole place went as quiet as a graveyard as we all waited for the long awaited announcement.
"We have all gathered here today to witness the coronation of one of my daughters today who would take upon them the weight of my position and rule what Is the largest pack In the werewolf territory… " Before he went on, an uproar spread across the hall as everyone broke Into an applause.
Excitement was brimming inside of me like a boiling kettle over a fire that I couldn't hold back a smile from breaking out over my face again.
"So I present to you all, my dearest daughter, future Alpha of Dark Raider's pack and first female ruler in the history of Alphas… " Jackson signaled to me to go up, and I was already making my way up the stairs before he had his last words on the stage which left me frozen in my spot.
"AmiraWoods."
A deadly silence residing from mainly our pack settled on the place, because obviously, even the Omegas knew I was the rightful ruler in line.
However, Ruby, my step mother, suddenly erupted in cheers, and the others reluctantly followed suit before the whole hall began another uproar, this time not as loudly as before.
I just stood there, almost falling face first to the ground as Amiraran past me, running up the stairs in her tight mini skirt and crop top, her barely covered boobs bouncing outrageously as my father placed the crown adorned with bones of our enemies and priceless jewels on her head full of blonde strawberry curls.
No…
I pinched my cheek, shut my eyes and shook my head, hoping It was all a dream, hoping the uproar in the background would die down and I would wake up to realize that It was just me hallucinating.
But I opened my eyes and looked around to see the crowd still there, the uproar slowly dying down. Shame clouded my face as I saw their eyes traveling to me. What would they think? I was obviously the first child… It could only mean my father did not find me worthy, and that was just as shameful as being up on the stage, confidently heading up to collect my crown only to be betrayed.
I met Jackson's eyes. It was full of confusion and he was not clapping like the others. Just standing there and staring at me like he wanted an explanation from me.
Ruby was just sitting there, cheering louder than anybody in the hall, and when our eyes met, she gave me an evil snickering look before I bundled my hands into fists and glared at my sister who was standing there and getting all the cheers and praise with Dad looking proudly at her while I just stood there, like a puppet waiting for orders.
"No!" I suddenly yelled, loud enough to make everyone stop midway and focus on me.
I matched up to the stage, but Immediately, two Pack guards from my own pack walked towards me with their weapons In their hands, staring at me like I was an Impostor.
Dad was just standing there without a word as I stared helplessly at the men, knowing I wouldn't be able to put up a fight as everyone was here and I wasn't going to promote violence.
"Let her through. Now." I heard Jackson's voice behind me, and Immediately, the men parted reluctantly before I walked between them, towards my father. The man I had adored from childhood. The man I had tried so hard to make him proud, and yet…
"Is this some kind of a mistake?" I asked, a bitter smile on my face as tears pooled in my eyes. "I was hoping this was a nightmare, but since It's not, then It's probably a prank right?"
"Are you calling Dad a fool? Can't you read between the lines, Ethena? He didn't choose you and you just can't accept It. It's fine because… "
"I wasn't talking to you!!!" I suddenly growl at her, advancing towards her in anger.
How dare she try to make me look bad when It was evident that she did even deserve the crown?
"Ethena 'you' didn't deserve the crown. You didn't deserve to rule in my place. No matter how hard you trained, the fact that you do not have a wolf still stands. You're a weakling." My father said out loud and half the crowd gasped in shock before murmurs traveled across the place.
Of course that was my only flaw. I had no wolf. I was basically a human and had to train to rely on my own strength, whereas my sister had a full fledged wolf and I could never beat her in a fight no matter how hard I tried.
"Then why?" The tears were too much told hold back as they traveled down my cheeks. "Why did you give me hopes all these years making me think I still had a chance. Did you ever even reconsider me?"
"No I didn't Ethena," He lashed out at me and I stepped back In shock, seeing the irritation and anger in his voice before he forced himself to calm down. "I could never have even thought twice about making you an Alpha. This is not a Luna position we're talking about here. Dark Raider's is the largest pack in the whole werewolf territory. A weakling like you can't even be capable of being a Beta talk more of the Alpha."
"But… "
"If your sister allows It, then you can be made her Beta, but as I am alive and still very much your father, I will not watch you take over."
I chewed hard on my lower lip as my angry eyes moved from Ciara's devious smirk to my father's cold eyes.
"You can shove your Beta rank up your ass!" I yelled and could hear the crowd erupt into another round of whispers and murmurs as I left the hall, the sound of my heel echoing as I went through the door, my heart bleeding blood like my eyes bleed tears.
I got to my room and released all the pain I've been holding back, holding my pillow against my chest as I cried, but no matter what, It seemed that the more I cried, the more my heart grew heavier and more painful.
Amirahad not even done up to half of the things I had gone through while training as a child.
While she messed around with the pack warriors and every guy she came across, going to late night parties and coming home drunk, I preserved myself, even denying Jackson my virginity till I succeeded my father.
Even when I was out to important meetings with my father, she barely ever showed Interest and didn't just care.
I admit she was beautiful, more beautiful than I was, but she lacked the decency and wisdom to rule a pack.
Was strength really all that matters?
If so, why couldn't the Moon goddess just give me a wolf rather than my sister who didn't even deserve It?
I regretted ever trying to suck up to my father even though the signs that he wasn't happy about me not having a wolf were clear.
But I was still such a fool to believe someone like him would change his mind.
I didn't realize when I slept off, but waking up hours later, I suddenly realized that the entire time, Jackson hadn't even come to check on me; which was unlike him.
Where could he be?
