Family Gathering

A family gathering was held at the Guevarra Hotel restaurant, where all the members of the Guevarra family attended. The entire restaurant was reserved that evening for their family gathering. It was rare for the elder Guevarra to call for a family dinner, so attendance was mandatory. It was unwise to anger the elder Guevarra, known in the Moonshadow pack for his fiery temper.

When Aleah and her mother arrived at the restaurant, they were immediately greeted by her father in the lobby. Upon seeing her mother, he quickly kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank goodness you're okay. "I was worried sick," he said to her mother, before turning his worried eyes to Aleah.

"I saw the news earlier. "Are you okay? "Were you hurt?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm fine, really," Aleah replied, her voice steady. He was referring to the recent bank robbery, and Aleah had just been discharged from the hospital. If it weren't for her grandfather's insistence on the family gathering, she and her mother wouldn't have attended, knowing they weren't welcomed warmly by her father's family.

"That's good then," he said, relief washing over his face as he held Aleah's hand and gave her a simple, reassuring smile. "Very well, let's go." He then led her mother towards the restaurant, and Aleah quietly followed, her heart heavy with uncertainty. Upon entering the restaurant, they found the elder Damian Guevarra, her grandfather who owned a vast chain of hotels in the country, Guevarra Hotels. He was also the former Alpha and leader of the Moonshadow Pack. His imposing presence filled the room, commanding respect and silence. Present were his children Amanda and Alfredo, Aleah's father. Amanda's daughter Claire, the doctor who had tended to Aleah in the hospital, was also at the family dinner.

Also in attendance were Aleah's father's three children from his legal wife: Meynard, the eldest and CEO of Kingdom; Daniella, a fashion designer; and Natasha, a business student. Their eyes followed Aleah's every move, scrutinizing her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. The tension in the room was palpable, as if the very air was charged with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. 

Aleah couldn't help but feel uncomfortable, especially with the way her father's wife and children looked at her. Her mother was the mistress of Guevarra, Enterprise Chairman, and as an illegitimate child, Aleah always had to endure those hateful gazes.

"I think we are all complete. "Let’s eat then," said the old man as he sat down with her mother and signaled the waiters to bring out the food.

While they ate, Aleah felt as though she was choking on her food. The silence was stifling. She wondered what the reason for this family gathering could be.

"You might probably have heard about my life story in my younger years as the Alpha of Moonshadow pack," the old man began as they ate dessert. Aleah had heard this story from her mother. It was about her grandfather's friend during a massive war between packs. Her grandfather had been the alpha of their pack at that time. He also had an Alpha friend from another pack who fought alongside him during the war, and they had made a promise to each other. Aleah wondered what this had to do with their dinner now. At first, she didn't believe the story, thinking it was something out of novels and movies. It seemed too far-fetched to happen in real life.

"What about it, Grandpa?" asked Meynard.

"Well, I just recently met him. "And we wanted to honor our promise, so I am sending one of my granddaughters as the wife of his son," the old man declared. Everyone looked at him in shock, not expecting such an announcement.

"From what I know, your friend is the famous Alpha Sebastian Bryant, the former leader of the Astral Guardian and the Alpha of Silver Luminaries, the right-hand man of the Alpha King, and now the famous owner of the largest shopping center," said Luis, Amanda's husband, who was a neurosurgeon and director at a hospital. Aleah couldn't help but look at the speaker. It seemed he knew a lot about her grandfather's friend.

"Are they in the country?" asked Melissa, Alfredo's wife, who was a school director. "If we think about the past, aren’t his children around our age?" Melissa added.

Aleah's mind was in turmoil. The weight of the revelation, the silence, the gazes—all of it felt suffocating. She could barely process the enormity of what had just been announced.

"And you want your granddaughter to marry his son?" Amanda asked, clearly shocked.

"Well, you're right, they are about your age. But he still has a son who is currently single. And he is famous among the armed forces as the current leader of the Astral Guardian. "You probably know him by the nickname Grey-eyed Demon," the old man responded.

"The Demon Alpha?" Daniella and Natasha exclaimed in unison. Aleah was taken aback by her sisters' outbursts. Everyone knew who the Grey-eyed Demon Alpha was. He was a master tactician who had never left a case unsolved. He showed no mercy to those who broke the law. His very name struck fear into people’s hearts. The Demon Alpha was famous in the news and newspapers for his high case resolution rate. It was said that he was the new right-hand man of the Alpha King.

He handled cases that ordinary members of the armed forces couldn't touch. Many believed he would become the next Alpha of Silver Luminaries. Yet, his face was never seen on TV or in newspapers because he disliked publicity and interviews. He was always busy enforcing the law. Many admired him, and many were curious about his appearance. It was rumored that he was in his late forties, still single, ruthless, and heartless. This was probably why, out of all Alpha Sebastian's children, he was the only one without a wife.

"Who have you chosen among your granddaughters to send to them?" Melissa asked.

"In terms of age, Daniella and Claire are both of marrying age," the old man began, but Daniella interrupted him.

"No! "I won't allow it. "Mom," Daniella cried out, turning to her mother for support. Aleah watched her sister with a knowing look. She had expected this reaction. Knowing the background of the Demon Alpha, no one would want to marry him—not even her.

"I refuse to let my daughter be a pawn for that Demon Alpha. We have no idea how he would treat her as his wife. His background makes me think he’s nothing more than the Alpha King’s cold, unfeeling robot," Amanda insisted vehemently. "There's no way Claire is going."

"Are you aware of what you're saying? He comes from a respectable family. Breaking my promise would tarnish my reputation and his trust in me. "You know how much I value my word. "I'm here today because of him," the old man replied firmly.

"Why don't we just offer them shares in Guevarra Enterprise? That should suffice as compensation and present a great opportunity for business growth. "Given the Guevarras' vast scope, their business can expand to greater heights," Meynard suggested.

"Their priorities aren't that shallow. They don’t need money. This is about a man’s honor and keeping his word. As a war veteran and a former friend, I must uphold my promise."

"Why not send Aleah as the Alpha's wife?" Natasha proposed, turning her gaze towards Aleah. Aleah, taken aback by the sudden suggestion, looked at Natasha. Her family's eyes turned towards her following the bold declaration.

"Me?" Aleah exclaimed in shock as she noticed everyone staring at her.