27. The entry

Kathleen's POV

'Caris, are you ready?' I asked Caris one last time, and she nodded, making me take a deep breath.

"Okay, let's do it then," I said before nodding at Henry, who nodded at the host.

"Next presenting in front of you is one of the chief guests of this year's annual ball. A lady who has repeatedly proven herself and her worth as one of the strongest women in the werewolf species. Everyone here might already know her since the rumors about this strong lady have spread like a wildfire in a forest. The lady who belongs to the Woods family and has maintained their prestige of not bowing down to anyone," The host said, and I really wanted to go up and smack his head for saying all these useless words.

All I wanted was for him to say that Luna woods was coming. Why did he add so many useless things?

"Here comes our one and only Luna of the Callisto pack, the untamed Kathleen woods," He said, and the guards opened the door for me, making me look at all the Alphas and their Lunas with a proud smile as I started descending the stairs.

As I walked down and looked at all the prestigious lycans and Alphas, my eyes stopped at a particular person, not moving away from him.

No, it wasn't Drake Cole or any of the alphas who had pursued me in the past. It was King Alvin, who was looking at me with a strange helpless, angry, and confused expression.

Smiling at him sheepishly, I walked down the last stairs as Henry came by my side, making me scowl at him.

"Did you really have to overdo it?" I asked, and he chuckled before nodding his head.

"Let's go on the stage. The king has been waiting for you," He said, and I nodded before walking ahead.

"Woods," I heard Robin's voice, making me turn around as I saw him stepping towards me.

"It's Luna Woods for you, Alpha Robin. And she'll attend to guests after the dance. I hope you know the basic courtesy," Henry said, and Robin smiled awkwardly, making me nod at him.

"Let's talk after the ball," I said to him before looking at David, who was giving me two thumbs up.

"Kath," I heard Sylvia's voice, and before I could react to her voice, she jumped on me out of nowhere, hugging me like a koala bear. I had expected her to be excited, but she seriously overdid it, given how she is pregnant.

I know she is crazy just like that. However, I didn't expect the Lycan King to growl at her as he held her hand to jerk her away from me, but before he could do that, I held his hand, looking at him in a warning.

"She is a friend," I said, and he sighed before releasing her hand.

"King Alvin," Sylvia said as she bowed to him, and he nodded at her before sighing and looking at her apologetically, his gaze finally landing on her belly, that has started to show now.

"Pardon my behavior. I didn't know you were her friend. I was just making sure she doesn’t get hurt," He said, making Sylvia widen her eyes at him. And believe me, I was not better.

Why was he acting as if he cares about me so much recently? Doesn't he always say he is with me because my life is interesting? Did he really think she was attacking me like a fool in the middle of a ball?

"Kath! He is so hot! And he cares for you too! Aww, I have never seen such a handsome and loving man pursuing you. He has to be one of your best lovers. I am telling you. I totally approve of him for you," Sylvia squealed in my ears, and I felt heat rising to my cheeks.

"Shut up, Sylvia. He can hear you too. And for your kind information, he doesn't care about me. He merely thinks my life is fun, and that's why to add adventure to his life, he is being like this. I'll catch up with you later," I said to end the topic.

As I looked around, my eyes finally settled on Drake, who had a weird envious expression on his face before I looked at his mate Liv, who was trying her best to cling to him.

I know as I was walking towards the stage, people were looking at me with a gaze that was a mixture of envy, hate, jealousy, pride, and lust.

After my breakup, I know I was titled as the available Luna, and not only unmated alphas but some mated alphas were also eyeing me because of the blood that runs in my veins.

The Alpha's whose Luna's died in some kind of mishap was the most obvious among all of them.

Some of the Luna's who were my friends and knew me well were looking at me with pride, some were looking at me with envy while the ones whose husbands were looking at me were looking at me with hate and jealousy.

After the stage ceremony where all the chief guests, including me, introduced ourselves and said a few words about friendship and bond, the ball officially started, and like every time the Alphas, betas, and Lycans got busy with getting to know each other while enjoying things.

As always, most of the Lycans were keeping to themselves and were talking to each other about various issues while I roamed around the hall meeting guests and avoiding Robin the best I could.

According to the person that I have sent on the mission, they were about to reach the Saint wolves pack, and I want them to kidnap the girl before Robin could get a chance to strike the deal with me.

"Kathleen, can I have a word with you?" I heard Drake's voice from behind me, and I froze in my steps.

"Luna Zoey, I'll talk to you after a few minutes. I need to attend to him before his mate thinks it's a good time to create a scene again," I said, and Zoey smiled before holding my hand.

"Best of luck with this thing. I hope you get out of it without spoiling your mood. And Alpha Drake, or should I call you just Drake because you got this position by trapping our Kathleen, you really suck. I hope you reap what you sow," Luna Zoey said, making me look at her helplessly before I sighed.

I turned around, finally meeting Drake's dark gaze before smiling.

"Oh, she is also here. I guess she can't leave you for a second, afraid that someone else might steal you. Right, Liv?" I asked, and she held Drake even tighter.

"Darling Alpha," Liv said, pretending to be scared, and I rolled my eyes at her tactics.

"What is it?" I asked, coming straight to the point.

"When are you coming back to the pack? You know what people have been talking about the pack, about us, about me. Are you able to live peacefully with all of it? You need to come back to the pack and stop these rumors," Drake said, and I looked at him observantly, trying to see if he is the same guy I loved for so long.

Now I really know the meaning of the phrase that love makes a person blind. I was indeed blind to have left so many things for him.

I don't know who my mate is, but I have indeed betrayed the bond by marrying a narcissistic and self-centered person like him. Now I regret all of it, and I would do anything to reverse it.

I thought before smiling at him.

“It’s funny how you think you can put the blame on me to get a good night's sleep at night. Think carefully, Alpha Drake. Who is the causal root for all this?” I asked before smirking.

"Am I the one because of whom these rumors are formed? Was I the one who brought her mate to our wedding night? Was I the one who punished his wife with whippings because I said something wrong to the girl who you met for a week? It’s indeed funny. Was I the one who wronged the bond of 7 years of our love?" I asked before laughing coldly, my laugh making people around me look at us.