Chapter 03

Chapter 03.

“My lovely niece.” Uncle Xavier called with a laugh, “It's not so easy. You have been gone for so long and let's not forget the fact that you are a taboo to the community.”

His voice and the way his tone was just calm grated on my nerves. I clenched and unclenched my fists before giving him a smile.

“First off, get off my seat Uncle Xavier.” I said, “and I do not care what the lot of you think I am. My father built up this pack - from where his own father left off. Whatever I may be, I am still your Alpha and until I'm dead, no one is fit to sit on this chair!”

His eyes widened but he said nothing.

My smile was still intact as he stood up from the chair and went to stand by the corner but not before whispering “this is war” into my ears.

Bring it on.

With a smile that I was sure didn't reach my eyes I sat on the chair and turned to the elder, whose eyes were as wide as saucers.

“Let's proceed.” I said and squared my shoulders as he stood up and started the festival.

******

Everything went smoother than I expected it to.

No one protested, no one was against me reclaiming my fathers title. Even if they were, no one dared to be verbal about it.

After the whole ritual of oath sweating I was driven to the Alpha’s banquet which was originally hosted for uncle Xavier.

It was the biggest event I have ever been in - there had to be about a thousand people from different packs in there. I guess it is a good thing because ours was one of the biggest packs in the country.

Surely, having an Alpha after six years would be a big deal.

I stood by a dark corner of the room looking at the full hall, and I tried to swallow down my nerves with alcohol - which wasn't working.

It is one thing to act all tough in front of the elders. But the whole pack? How would they take it?

“Why are you hiding out here all alone?” Damon’s soft voice interrupted my thoughts and I smiled. I have not heard him approach - that was how deeply i was thinking.

“It is calmer here. And I am still trying to re-collect my thoughts.”

“I know you are nervous,” he said and took my cold hand in his, “But do not worry. We are right here with you, Rhea.”

I nodded, “What is the update about my sister?”

“The team is bringing her in tomorrow.”

I exhaled shakily because all these still sounded too good to be true.

Tomorrow…

I'd see my sister.

Or perhaps i would just wake up and realise that it was all just a dream.

“Thank you so much Damon, for everything. I do not know how you got all these done - but you have no idea how grateful I am to you for making this possible. For standing up for the truth.”

He squeezed my hand, “your father - rest his soul - died because of greed and because no one was brave enough to defend him. I started this movement in his honour. We might not have done right by him, but we swore not to let his legacy die down like that.”

“The world needs more people like you. Perhaps after all these - we can sit down and talk about what the past few years have been like for you.”

“Sure, Rhea. Now buckle up. Soon you will be announced as the Crescent blood pack Alpha.”

He kissed my cheek and turned leaving me alone once more on my thoughts.

Soon you will be announced as the Crescent blood Pack's Alpha.

I took a shaky breath.

This is really fucking happening.

A movement caught my peripheral vision and I turned, my eyes widening in shock when I saw none other than Darius, walking into the hall, looking as dashing as ever.

I froze, but my shock turned to anger and pain when I saw Amara and none other than Vivienne following behind him.

Bastards.

I turned around, pushing down the hurt I felt.

I'm not going to let Darius and his bitches ruin this day for me.

It is normal for Darius to be here.

He's an Alpha after all - but that doesn't matter because I'm just going to ignore him.

Yeah right.

I turned and was about to walk away when I heard Amara's voice.

“Isn't that Lyra? What's she doing here?”

I saw Darius's eyes widen in surprise when he turned and saw me.

Great!

As if spotting me wasn't enough, Amara and Vivienne walked towards me with a smile that was anything but nice, and Darius followed behind them.

“What is she doing here?” Vivienne sneered.

“Really beats me. How on earth did you get into such an event, Lyra? I mean, they now invite lower classes to these things?”

I rolled my eyes and folded my hand, meeting her gaze are without flinching.

“What do you guys want?”

“Oh nothing, trust me. I am just curious to know how you got in here.”

I shrugged, “That is none of your business, Amara.”

“You are right. Anyways, I am willing to wager that you are here as a help or perhaps with on your numerous lovers.”

Vivienne chuckled and I rolled my eyes.

She will never get tired, this Amara.

I spared Darius a glance and caught him looking at me with an expression i could not quite decipher but i looked away completely ignoring him.

Hell it would be better if i just walked away and ignored all of them.

“Whatever it is that brought you here - i am sure you are now over the moon since my brother have practically given you the freedom to live how you want. Still sad how you repaid us after we pulled you out from dirt and almost made you a luna out of nothing,” She shrugged, “But i count it a blessing that we realised the truth of who you really are on time. Now, Darius can marry Vivienne who is worthy of his love. A Beta, not a low life like you.”

Vivienne chuckled again like an idiot.

I kept my expression as blank and neutral as possible, and took a few steps closer to Amara, “You have succeeded in removing me from your brother's life and yes I agree that I'm nothing. So how about you just leave me the fuck alone and stop pestering me?”

“Pestering you? You are not worth my time!”

“Yet here you are. Still talking to me.”

Her face hardened, “just making sure you know your place, bitch and…”

“It's not your duty nor is it your business to show me my place. I'd suggest you mind your business and let me be.”

Her mouth opened and closed again as she stared at me, obviously short of words.

Then with a smile, she linked her arm through Darius's own, “My brother - will be meeting with the Crescent blood Pack's Alpha today. He got a special invitation.”

My brow raised automatically, “oh really?”

“Yes,” she nodded with a grin, “and he will be proposing a project he's working on with Vivienne. If they can bag the contract, it will be one of the amazing things for us. This - this is what Darius needs. A strong and smart woman by his side.”

I bit the insides of my mouth to keep from laughing, “you mentioned that already.”

“And….”

“Alpha Rhea,” Kate’s voice interrupted whatever Amara was about to say, “It's time for the introduction.”

The look on the three's faces was so comical that keeping a straight face instead of laughing was a real battle.

Darius's jaw dropped and Amara was no better as her eyes darted back and forth between Layla and I.

“Excuse me?” Darius spoke up for the first time, his voice mixed with shock.

Kate squeezed her brows, “What? I thought you were talking about the project already. She is Alpha Rhea. The Alpha of Crescent Blood Pack.”

“WHAT!!”