CHAPTER 5: FAMILY REUNION

A deathly silence fell over the hall at the voice that spoke, every head turning towards the doorway.

Serena stared at the figure that appeared, her heart hammering in her chest as her eyes swam with tears.

The last time she had seen him, he was strung to the ceiling, scars covering every part of him and his insides fried.

She rushed towards him, enveloping him in a tight hug, unable to stop the tears that streamed down her face as he held her back patting her head fondly.

Uncle Leon. He was fine, alive and well, not being tortured by the demons that stood some paces away.

She stepped back to look at him, etching his features into her mind, a smile lighting up her face before hugging him again.

She pulled back, her gaze catching a figure that stood in the doorway, blocking the rays of light streaming in with his broad shoulders.

Serena’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at his golden bronze skin, his hair a tangle of bleached locks, his jawline shark with high cheekbones and his blazing hazel eyes.

She blinked, her eyebrows furrowed and her lips in a pout as he shot her a scowl, his jaw hardened, tearing down the godlike image her mind built up.

She scanned her memory for a recollection of him but came up blank before turning her attention back to her uncle.

“Looks like my name was conveniently removed from the guest list,” Leon commented as he strolled in, stopping some yards away from her father.

His face was beet red, his outstretched hand now dangling limply by his side while her mother’s eyes widened at the visitor.

She looked excited, her palms fidgeting at her sides but a glance at her husband had her stuck in place, not moving to welcome him.

Anya rose from the ground, her eyes shifty as twisted her fingers into her skirt.

Leon ignored her, his attention on Ashton who shakily rose from the ground, his suit soaked with sweat and his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Serena.

“You bitch! How dare you reject me. Prostitute! Do you think I'm not aware of how many depraved pigs you've slept with? You even have the guts to bring one of your bed warmers to our wedding after you rejected me for making a simple mistake!

You should even be happy I considered marrying filth like you!” Ashton lashed out, his finger pointing furiously at Serena.

Next to her, Leon clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowed at Ashton. He continued, standing a few paces away from her.

“How dare you? I will have you reported to the Gamma general and be punished for the disgrace that you are!”

Anya rushed to Ashton, tugging his shirt nervously as he continued his cursing tirade.

He shrugged her hand off, his fingers still pointing at Leon and Serena.

Anya walked over to where they stood, her hand fiddling with her dress and her head bowed.

“Uncle.”

Ashton suddenly went quiet, his face pale as his eyes darted from Serena to Leon to Anya.

Uncle Leon gave a cold glance to Anya. “ I don't recall having a backstabber for a niece,”

Serena hid a smile at his words. Uncle Leon, the General Gamma to the Alpha king, commander of his armies, and her mother's brother.

She didn't see much of him in her past life, her father never liked Leon, forcing her mother to spend limited time with him.

Over the years the distance between them grew and they barely spoke to each other again.

But despite that, he still came back to find her and her mother and unfortunately met his end in the hands of the scheming couple.

Uncle Leon let go of Serena’s hand and stepped closer to Ashton, who trembled like a leaf as he realized his folly.

“ So, what exactly do you plan to report me for?”

The stranger who accompanied Leon smirked, his arms folded across his chest with an amused expression.

Ashton eyed him angrily before turning to Leon, a twisted look in his eyes.

“Even if you're a gamma or her uncle, you can't get in the way of my wedding. I'm going to report this to the Alpha king!”

At his words, a loud guffaw echoed from the stranger infuriating Ashton more.

He turned to him, his eyes narrowed and his fist clenched.

“Who the hell allowed trash to come in here?” He turned to Leon who had a sneer on his face. “ because you're the alpha king's gamma doesn't give you the right to bring a low life into this premises!”

Serena felt goosebumps travel down her spine as the temperature in the room dropped suddenly.

She held onto Leon who turned to her. “How should I deal with them?”

“It's alright Uncle. I can handle it,” she smiled and stood before Ashton.

A grin bloomed on his face as he mistook her words for accepting him once again.

“I knew you'd come around. We all know this was just a misunderstanding. I don't love Anya or have anything to do with her. You're my true love. I promise I'll treat you well from now on.

We’ll be happy and you will give me an heir as soon as—”

Ashton's head was thrown to the side as Serena raised her hand and whacked him hard across the face.

“You?” She scoffed, her voice sharp as she stared at Ashton with reproach.

“How dare you talk about our future when you and my sister insulted me at my wedding?”

Her hands trembled at her sides as she clenched them tightly, resentment clouding her heart as she recalled the image of her baby's blood mixing with hers, his head split open and his eyes lifeless.

A man who stood by, watching his child murdered by his mistress never deserved to be the father of her child.

Alpha Lucas came forward, stepping between Ashton and a raging Serena.

“It was a mistake. Forgive him. You know this is important for our families—”

“Save it, Father,” Serena snapped. “I have had enough. If a political alliance is necessary, these two who are already rolling in bed can represent the union!”