7. Engagement party

Blake

As I’d exited my vehicle, I was surprised to be met with the most important people of the pack, Leopold standing next to his wife Emma, and behind them his Beta David whom I’d met before, and a looming figure behind them in robes. An elder no doubt, I’d thought to myself as I walked towards them, putting on my best Prince Charming like grin. But truthfully even though it was a happy occasion, and I wanted nothing more than to marry Raven, the engagement party itself has caused me a bit of anxiety.

It had been a ballsy move to ask for the hand of an alpha’s daughter, let alone one that hated you, and some part of me still doubted his true motives. But he greeted me with a happy grin on his face just like the others.

“Blake! So glad you’ve arrived early,” Leopold says, all of them looking like an elegant Victorian painting with the way they were dressed. So much so I worried my own suit— though styled in that sort of time period, wasn’t fancy enough.

“I figured that you might need help with things is all,” I said as David, came to stand next to me. “This is my beta, David.”

Leopold let out a loud, cold cackle. “Oh, my dear boy, that’s what the help is for,” he said, and I felt a shiver of revulsion go down my spine. In my short time of getting to know Leopold, he was a stark contrast to the ray of moonlight that was be my wife. Such a cold and cruel individual, living right up to all the rumors I’d heard my whole life.

“Yes, well, either way we are here,” I asserted.

“Have you met Elder Alistair?” Leopold asked, gesturing towards the robed man as he stepped forward. “He is the connection between ourselves and the moon.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, holding my hand out to shake his. But instead of following my lead, Alistair just bowed his head.

“Nice to make your acquaintance.”

“You as well,” I said.

“Shall we go inside then?” Emma, Raven’s mother suggested. “Little bit of a chill today.”

“Yes, I’m ready when you are,” I agreed, following them inside, the massive, heavy, black steel door slamming shut behind us as we enter the foyer.

“This way,” Leopold says, motioning for David and I to follow. “Will your parents be coming?”

“My mother will yes,” I replied.

“Ah yes,” Leopold responded, as if he’d forgotten his demise. Just another show of how cold the man was.

“Splendid,” Emma says as she opened a door, and suddenly I was in the ballroom of the Silver Moons, decorated from floor to ceiling in massive floral arrangements, silver crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The whole room akin to ballrooms you’d see in old films. “I’ll make sure she’ll have a spot at the front table with us.”

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed. But I wanted this more than anything, wanted her more than anything, so I was willing to deal with Leopold and his extravagance and cold demeanor for the moment.

And then the world stopped.

I heard the clicking of her heels first before I saw her, and then there she was, dressed in a silver, ornate, satin gown that would make anyone in this life or the next green with envy.

“H-Hello there,” I stammered as she approached, and she curtsied to me.

“Good evening, Alpha Blake,” Raven replied. it made me feel a bit uncomfortable with her speaking so formally to me— she never spoke this way otherwise. But she’s warned me that this would happen. Her father very strict in the old ways, just as strict as rumored.

I took her hand in mind, gave it a little kiss, and wished the room was empty so I could do more. The formality of this party an annoyance to me more than anything. I just wanted to get on with it, be engaged, get married, and take my bride home forever. But unfortunately, in wolf society, patience is definitely a virtue even in the more fast and loose of packs like my own.

The night went on and soon the room was full of blood moons and silver moons— a sight I thought I’d never seen in my lifetime, especially sitting at the front table next to my Luna, watching it all. The more people that showed up, the more nervous I got. But surprisingly, Raven was unusually calm, as if she had nerves of steel. Though I supposed you had to living with Leopold.

The time came to announce our engagement, and I’d taken Raven’s gloved hand in mind. “You ready?” I asked.

“Very,” she replied with a smile, but I could tell something was off as we listened to Leopold, halfcocked, drone on about how monumental it was that the Blood Moons and the Silver moons were joining forces through Raven and I’s union, and how much more stronger we will all be for it— which the crowd ate up. Finally, he announced us as a couple, and the two of us stood up, I could see tears in her eyes as we stood up together.

Maybe they’re happy tears, I told myself at the time as everyone clapped and cheered for us, but it was obvious that she was upset about something.

“Are you alright?” I asked as things died down, and the cooks started to bring out our food.

“Yes, my love,” Raven insisted. “I’m just so happy.”

“Then why the tears?” I asked, but before she could answer, I heard Leopold roar in anger.

“Damn it, Emma!” he bellowed. And when I looked it was obvious Emma had knocked over hers or his wine glass, I couldn’t tell which.

“Oh, it’s just wine…” I heard Emma say quietly, and then the two of them began furiously arguing back and forth.

“What’s going on?” I asked Raven.

“Just ignore them,” she replied, rolling her eyes as she picked at her food. But suddenly, it was impossible to ignore as Emma erupted loudly, causing the crowd to hush:

“Freya is your daughter too, Leopold,” Emma insisted. “She’s missing and you are carrying on like it doesn’t matter!”

“Excuse us,” turned to me as said as Leopold grabbed Emma by her arm, escorting her out towards a side hallway. It was obviously a very contentious conversation, and even in the dim light I could see how upset she was.

“You have a sister?” I asked Raven, and Raven’s eyes widened a little, her eyes welling up with tears.

“I can’t… I can’t talk about….” Raven began, but then started to cry and shake her head, leaving me confused.

Finally, after the argument settled down— with everyone staring— the two came back to the table, Emma’s eyes red from crying.

“What the hell is going on here, Leopold?” I asked him, but he just made a little waving motion with his hands.

“Just a little hormonal outburst is all,” Leopold stated, and I could feel myself getting angry.

“Is your daughter just hormonal, too?” I asked, and Leopold looked past me at Raven, who refused to look at him.

“Who is this other daughter Emma is talking about?”

“No one, no one,” Leopold insisted, but I could tell by the look on his face he was lying. “Just upset over a sick cousin not being able to make it.”

After things calmed down, and after Raven did as well, I excused myself to go to the bathroom, signaling to David to follow me.

“Did you see that?” I asked.

“Who didn’t?” David scoffed.

“Something here isn’t right,” I told David. “I distinctly heard Emma say ‘she’s your daughter too and she’s missing…Did you hear anything about them having two daughters?”

“No,” David replied. “Not a peep.”

“That’s so strange…” I said, my brain going back to the scent being off, my initial apprehensions about Raven altogether… “Raven refused to talk about it as well.”

“Sounds like we have a mystery on our hands,” David said.

“Yeah… yeah we do.”