Provoking

After that, I was left standing alone outside the Silvermoon Pack again. I tried to push aside the pain I was feeling because this night was important to Aldrake. After composing myself, I followed them. As I walked behind them, an old man approached us. 

"You must be the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack?". He asked, and Aldrake nodded. 

"Yes, I'm Aldrake Greywolf, the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack".

"Alright, please follow me". The old man said before turning around. Before following the old man, Aldrake turned to Amber and took her hand. 

"Wait for me here, okay? Don't go anywhere. It'll be quick, and after the appearance, I'll take you around and introduce you to everyone". He smiled at her, then turned to me. "Let's go". 

He didn't wait for me, and instead, he walked ahead to follow the old man. I had no choice but to follow him, looking down. We arrived at the front, where the Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack was standing. If I wasn't mistaken, he was one of Aldrake's friends. When we approached, they greeted each other, and the announcement of the unity between the Moonlight Pack and the Silvermoon Pack began. After that, the party started, and just like Aldrake's plan, he accompanied Amber and introduced her to his friends and acquaintances. Meanwhile, I was left standing alone in the middle of the crowd. 

I barely knew anyone here, except for some of Aldrake's friends and a few relatives. Since I had nothing to do and didn't want to look stupid standing there, watching my husband and sister chat happily, I looked for a place to sit. Luckily, there was a vacant stool at the mini counter-bar, so I sat down. There were too many people tonight. I guessed that all the pack members from different packs were here, along with their Alphas and Lunas. As I looked around, my attention was caught by a man approaching the counter. He had a strong and fit body, and it was clear that he took care of himself. He was tall and fair-skinned, with a dark presence and a cold aura. He was handsome and attractive, but intimidating. If I had to guess, he was an Alpha. His presence screamed elegance, dominance, and power.

"Are you done checking me out?". I was startled and snapped back to reality when I heard his deep and cold voice. I felt a chill run down my spine, and my hairs stood on end. 

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to stare at you".I apologized quickly, avoiding his gaze and looking around for Amber and Aldrake. 

After scanning the venue for almost a minute, I spotted them sitting at a large table with Aldrake's friends and their mates. The pain enveloped my heart again when I saw them laughing and chatting happily. It seemed like Aldrake had already introduced Amber to everyone, and I felt hurt that he hadn't done the same for me. Why couldn't I get used to this situation? I'm always second, I'm always in the shadow, and I'm always left behind while Amber takes what's supposed to be mine. 

"Are you alright?" I was brought back to reality for the second time, when I heard the man's voice again. I turned to him, and I realized he was sitting there, holding a glass of wine. 

"Y-yes. I'm fine". I stuttered, looking at his face. His face was perfect, and everything about him was perfection. I wondered who he was, which pack he came from, and what pack he led. Based on his appearance, stance, and presence, I could tell he was a leader like what I said earlier.

"You're spacing out, while looking in that direction".

He said, glancing in the direction where Aldrake and Amber were sitting. 

"Also, your fists are clenched, like you're furious about something or someone". He turned back to me, and I swallowed hard, feeling suffocated. 

"No, it's just... I'm thinking about something . Sorry". I apologized again, feeling like it was my fault that he was giving me attention, attention that I should be getting from my husband. 

"Your eyes seem so sad...". I got surprised because of what he said while looking at his glass, until his eyes focused on me. "You don't deserve any pain in this world, you deserve better than hurting like now". His words were like a knife to my heart, and I fell silent. 

"W-what do you mean?". 

"You're easy to read". He just said before focusing his attention on the glass he was holding and drinking it up. 

He seemed to understand what I was going through. He is the only person who understands me, just by looking at my eyes. Just...wow!. 

"Excuse me, Your Highness. The Alpha from Neverland Pack wants to talk to you". A new man said, approaching us. 

"Let's go". The mysterious man replied, standing up from the stool. But before he left, he turned to me and said, "See you next time, milady". 

After the encounter with the mysterious man, I headed to the restroom. As I was walking, I met Amber with two other women. I stopped in my tracks, and they did the same. Amber looked at me, then at her companions. 

"You guys go ahead, I'll talk to her". She said, which made one of her companions raise an eyebrow before looking at me.

"You know her?". One of them asked.

"Yeah, she's my stepsister".

"Oh, okay. See you back at our table, okay?".

After they bid Amber farewell and left, I continued walking, but Amber followed me. I didn't know what she wanted, so I ignored her until I entered the restroom. I went into a cubicle to do my business, and when I came out, I was surprised to see Amber standing by the sink. I washed my hands and ignored her presence. 

"Aren't you going to talk to me?". She suddenly asked, which made me turn to her. 

"What for?". I asked back while drying my hands. I was about to leave, but she blocked my way. 

"About me and your husband? Won't you get angry because Aldrake favors me? Have you become numb, my sister?" She asked in an insulting tone. 

I wanted to lash out at her because my hands were itching to hurt her. But I had to control myself because I knew what would happen if I hurt her. 

"Not now, Amber. As long as I can keep quiet, I will, so stop provoking me" I said firmly before sidestepping her. I had already exited the restroom when she suddenly pulled my arm to face her. 

She was angry now, and I didn't know where her anger was coming from, considering I was the one who should be angry. 

"Why? Are you going to hurt me, huh? You know you can't, Livia, or else Aldrake will be mad at you". She said, laughing, which made me breathe a sigh of annoyance. 

"That's why I'm not doing anything to you, Amber. Stop this and go back to your table" 

"Heh! You're being nice now? Are you thinking that if you behave, Aldrake won't get angry and will give you attention? Is that it?".

"I'm not thinking that, Amber. I just want to keep quiet because tonight is important for Aldrake, so stop this and go back to your table". I tried to turn away from her, but she grasped my arms tightly. 

"Listen, my dear stepsister. I want Aldrake, and I'm willing to do everything to get him. And it's not that hard, because he's drawn to me. I have hope that I can take him away from you, actually, I don't even need to try because Aldrake is already giving himself to me". 

"That's enough, Amber. Stop this. Aldrake is my husband--".

"But he doesn't love you, Livia". She cut in, smiling at me. I was taken aback, and my mouth was agape. 

"You got quiet? Why, isn't what I said true? Aldrake doesn't love you--".

"That's enough!" I cut her off, trying to unheard what she said.

"No! You need to hear this, Livia. Aldrake doesn't love you, and he'll never love you. Your marriage is just an arranged one, no strings attached!!".

"Enough!!' I shouted at her, pushing her to the ground, making her cry. I was shocked at what I had done. I froze on my spot, but after a new second I came back to reality. I was about to help her up, but I was even more shocked to hear the loud voice of the person I feared would get angry with me. 

"What have you done, Livia!!!".