(Not) nice to meet you.

There she was. Slender viper, which slowly crawled into their lives. Camilla. She stood beside her father, offering them her sweetest, welcoming smile. Only Katherine could notice it was not reaching her eyes. They were cold and calculating.

- Welcome to our pack. - She spoke softly, stretching her hand.

Sean quickly took it, kissing it gently, making Camilla blush.

Katherine stood next to her husband, feeling like her blood had started to boil.

~Was it that early when he got interested in her?- She wondered. Seeing her husband could not take his eyes off the woman before him was painful.

- It is nice to meet you, Katherine.- Camilla finally looked at her.

- Luna Katherine. - She corrected the woman in front of her. Katherine would never do it to anyone, as she did not care about the titles, but she wanted to set the boundaries here. They were not equal. 

- Apologies, Luna, you are right. We do not know each other well enough to skip formalities. But I hope soon we will become best friends. - Alpha's daughter waved her hand, pretending that nothing happened.

Katherine tried not to look at her husband, who was giving her a disapproving look. There was no way he was going to let it slip.

But now she didn't care. It is funny how death can change you. You stop bothering with the things that meant a lot to you before.

Like your husband's approval.

- Please, let me show you around. - Alpha William offered her his hand, which she took, allowing him to lead her inside the packhouse.

It was a massive building with a modern interior. A lot of mirrors on the walls made it even more prominent. But the young Luna found it cold and unwelcoming, just like the first time. This feeling was even more robust, as she knew what kind of people lived here.

Alpha proudly showed them everything, constantly talking about their pack's greatness.

Katherine noticed a few omegas since they came in. All of them bowed their heads lowly, standing still until they were passed, quickly returning to their duties. That was something she missed the last time.

After their little tour, Alpha William invited them for dinner, and Katherine was grateful for that, as she was already starving.

They were served in a vast dining room. There was a long table, and they all took their seats at the top.

And again, the young Luna noticed omegas serving them. They were quiet and quick like ghosts, avoiding anyone's eyes.

Alpha and his daughter acted like they didn't notice their presence. It looked like the food was magically appearing in front of them.

- Thank you. - Katherine said to the omega who was serving her food. The young girl almost jumped at the sound of the voice, dropping the fork on the floor.

- You useless i*iot! Can't you even serve our guests like you should?- Alpha stood up from his place while the girl was picking a fork from the floor. She was shaking, and Katherine felt sorry for causing her problems. She could see that the young omega was trembling with fear.

- There will be no food for you today. - Alpha's daughter spoke, not even bothering to look at the servant, who bowed again before leaving the dining room.

Luna looked at her husband to see his reaction, but he was already involved in the conversation with the Alpha.

~ Didn't he notice what just happened in here?~ Katherine asked her wolf.

~ He looks like someone trying to get on their side at any cost. That is pathetic.~ Lucy replied.

The woman was surprised to see him like that.

In their pack, there were also omegas, like everywhere. Most of them worked in the packhouse, not as a servant, but as regular workers who were paid for their work.

They were also involved in the training with the warriors to make sure they could defend themselves.

But what was most important was that they were treated with respect. Every rank was treated that way, as you couldn't control what position you were born with.

Everyone was treated equally as long as they were doing all they could according to their rank. That was what made Katherine proud of their pack.

Here, the rules were different, obviously. That made Katherine wonder why her husband was so impressed with them.

He had to see what was going on there. He always had a soft spot for people who were weaker than others. And now he was paying no heed to everything.

- We are looking forward to joining this alliance. There is nothing more important than the safety of the pack members. - Alpha William said, and Katherine had to focus on not bursting into laughter at his words. -Which pack members did he have in mind while saying that? - Luna covered her mouth, pretending to cough. 

- Are you OK? Do you want some of my wine?- Her mate turned his attention to her. Probably for the first time today.

- Yes, please. - She replied, stretching her hand to take a glass from him. Before she was able to do it, Camilla stopped her, pushing it away.

- Let me offer you some water, Luna. The wine could irritate your throat more. - She said, grabbing another glass and filling it with cool water.

Katherine had no other choice but to take it and drink some. She feared that maybe something was in it, as the Alpha's daughter was watching her closely.

- Your pack is so impressive. Please, Alpha, could you tell us more about it? - The young Luna said, putting the glass on the table, but Camilla looked satisfied with her actions. - What was with that water? I have to be sure not to drink it anymore.- She thought to herself.

~ I don't feel different. But as we know, she cannot be trusted. ~ Lucy said in her mind.

~ She wasn't acting suspicious when we were here before. But you are right. We need to be careful. ~ That was true. When they met for the first time, Camilla was charming, making Katherine believe all she wanted was all that was the best for their packs.

And Katherine fell for her games.

- We believe in strength and power. - Alpha's daughter said, filling her and Sean's glass again.- Do you want some wine, now? - She offered, but Luna was still thinking about the glass of water she had before, and she doubted it was safe to add wine.

- No, thank you, the water is enough. I usually don't drink wine. - She politely declined.

- As you wish. - Camilla replied, putting the bottle down. - As I said, we aim at the power. Our warriors are the best ones, prepared for anything. We offer them the best ways to improve. When we see that some kids are showing talents, we encourage them to develop them.

- In all ranks?- Katherine asked, even if the answer was evident after what she had seen a few minutes ago.

- Of course not! It would be ridiculous to waste time and money on the lowest ranks. Omegas feel grateful when we allow them to serve at the house. They know there would be no chance for them to survive outside the pack.

- That is why my husband and I dreamed about a big alliance to provide everyone with equal opportunities.

- That sounds like a utopian dream. Omegas cannot overreach what they are. - Camilla continued.

- I think you could be surprised by that. - Katherine said.

- Honey, we shouldn't tell others how to lead their packs.- Sean talked to her, gently squeezing her hand. It was their secret sign. Usually, she used this when he was getting into very heated arguments.

Now, her eyes widened in surprise. He was warning her, even if she said nothing. What was going on with him? Forgetting about his own rules and beliefs. Did they enchant him the last time as well? And what was more important, was she so blinded by the mate bond that she overlooked it?

- Alpha Sean, this conversation is fascinating. Maybe we should continue it tomorrow if you would like to stay here for a night. It is late already, and you have a long way ahead before you reach your pack land.

- I think we could... - Sean seemed excited about this idea.

- I think we shouldn't. Your offer is very generous, but it would be better for us to return. We didn't plan to stay, and I was not prepared.

- There is no problem. I can offer you whatever you need to feel at home. - Camilla flashed another smile.

- Honey..- Her husband tried to say something else, but she cut him off.

- As a daughter of the Alpha, you know how vital your duty is. I know that as well as Luna, and I'm not particularly eager to leave our pack for too long. - Katherine gave her one of her dazzling smiles. Two can play this game. - I think it is time for us to take our leave.- She continued, standing up from her seat.

- True, Luna, I do understand your fears. The pack is the most important for me.

- Thank you for understanding.

Camilla and Alpha William accompanied them back to their car.

As soon as they increased their distance from the packhouse, her husband did what she never expected him to do. At least not in the past. He raised his voice at her.

- What were you thinking? Do you want to ruin everything?!? We need this alliance, and you were offending them. - He shouted.

- What was I thinking? Did you see those people? They have no honor or respect for anyone. Did you see how they treat those omegas? - She raised her voice, and now they were even.

- That was not our problem. Their pack, their rules.- She couldn't believe her husband would say such a thing.

- I do not want an alliance with people like them.

- Your feelings don't matter. - She was stunned by his words.

It was the beginning of the war, and her husband looked like a lost bastion to her.

She needs to act on her own.

Camilla was sitting on the chair, slowly sipping her wine.

She made a good choice. This Alpha was an easy target. His Luna was a bit aggressive. She will have fun breaking her will.

- What do you think, Daddy ?- She asked, looking at the Alpha William sitting in the other chair.

He was looking at the wall without a word.

She moved her finger, and his head started to nod.

- I knew you would agree with me. - Camilla said and busted into a cold, heartless laugh.