5: Merciless Retraction

Elana Moonstone

As I watched his retreating back, I couldn't help but feel like my life was about to take a different course, but still, I couldn't let it bother me. My only thought bordered on reclaiming my place in my pack, a place I had foolishly traded in blind trust.

"Elana, where did you go? I have been looking everywhere for you" I heard Rowan's voice from behind me and shifted my gaze to him. He looked different; he was beginning to resemble the very monster he was acting as.

"You brought me here to humiliate me, you have successfully done that, can't I at least, get a few moments to be alone? Or don't you want the humiliation to wash over me better?" I asked him sarcastically as I moved farther away from him.

"Come with me. We have to get introduced to the Lycan King. He was requested to meet all the smaller packs to discuss with them" he said emotionlessly, almost like he had brought me here to grant him access one last time before dumping me.

"Okay," I responded tonelessly and made my way past him, taking care not to let my body brush against his.

As soon as I got inside, I could feel a pair of eyes boring into my back, but each time I took a quick sweep of the room, there seemed to be no one there paying keen attention to me. The women pooled up in a corner and judged me but, even their malicious stares didn't burn nearly as hot as these eyes. After a few attempts, I gave up and focused on finishing this show of shame so I could return to Moonfang Pack.

"With all respect, I present to you the great Lycan King, King Luca!" A man's voice rang out, and everyone immediately took their rightful positions, and all the side talks stopped.

His aura was different, it was almost like I could hear the cackling of flames around him. He didn't just command respect, he gave off the energy that we owed him respect. Almost like we didn't have any other choice. He was exactly like I had heard of, ruthless and untouchable.

For a second, our eyes met. He stared at me, like he was looking right into my heart. I felt the pain of the betrayal boil up my throat, threatening to choke me. I coughed violently and everyone's attention turned to me. King Luca's eyes were fixed on me and for some weird reason, it only made me more self-conscious.

"Pull yourself together, you are going to get us kicked out of this place" Rowan's harsh whisper filtered its way into my ears. I tried to curtail it but it only got worse and my eyes began to water painfully.

"Here" I heard a calm, steady voice say as a handkerchief appeared in front of me. I grabbed it and wiped my eyes before looking up to thank the one who had offered.

King Luca.

My hands froze in place but he simply gave me a quiet nod and returned to his throne. Rowan had an angry look on his face, that seemed to be directed at me but he moved close to me to say something else.

"If any of these goes wrong, I will not spare you. This is not about you or whatever is going on between us anymore. Pull yourself together" he warned and walked away from me, leaving me alone.

The meeting went by fast and before I knew it, I was standing behind Rowan, bowing to the King. He had his eyes fixed on me, almost as if he could not hear the ramblings Rowan was making.

"...and with that my king, I really hope that the Moonfang Pack gets to experience this act of kindness that you are extending to everyone" Rowan finished, even though I had not heard a word of what he had said.

"But the Moonfang Pack is ruled by a Luna? A Moonstone?" King Luca asked, his forehead twisted in a grimace.

Rowan was immediately unsettled by that question, he yanked me forward with a quiet gentleness, that was firm. I nearly stumbled but I took it all in and moved forward, bowing slightly to him.

"She is here your Highness. You see, she relinquished her position to me a few months ago, we both decided that it was best for me to rule since I was a better leader than she will ever be" Rowan said and my face twisted in disgust.

It was hard to believe that I had trusted someone so vile all of these years. All I had ever been to him was simply a stepping stone to his end goal, which was to take the mantle of leadership away from me.

"Hmmm," King Luca said and didn't say anything else. His eyes washed over me almost as if he was saying that he had not expected me to be that stupid. I swallowed the feeling of self-loathing and stood tall, my back straightening as the humiliation threatened to bend me.

"Thank you very much my king. We do hope to have you in our pack soon enough" one of the other Alphas said and the king nodded his head, his eyes not leaving mine for a second.

I shifted uncomfortably and took a sip of the drink that I had been handed by one of the maids at the party. The warm liquid tasted like disappointment and no sooner had I started, I dropped the cup for lack of interest.

Suddenly, someone pulled me roughly and dragged me to the balcony. Rowan was acting crazily and I didn't know what exactly I had done for him to start throwing a fit.

"What do you think you are doing? Putting us out there like that in the face of everyone? Do you want them to think that we do not have any structure?" He hissed angrily at me, his voice carrying more venom than a viper.

"How have I done that? You have made it your sole mission to embarrass and humiliate me here, do not think that I will let you hold me to Ransom" I fired back.

He raised his hands, my eyes flashed in the brief moment but I didn't scoot back. I closed my eyes and half expected the string of his palm, but it didn't come.

"You wouldn't dare!" King Luca's voice sounded through gritted teeth as we all froze.