Chapter 8

"I look like a bitch," I tell Kieran in dislike, as we walk down the hall towards the stairs, to head to the main dining room where dinner will be served in my honor. Never liked to attract attention; it makes me nervous and clumsy, and it is the last thing I need at this moment with so many strange people.

Werewolf.

Hope Richard is present. It wouldn't hurt to see a familiar face, even if I'm still upset by all his lies.

"Yes, but a beautiful bitch,'' he answers near to my ear, placing his hand on my bare back, by the neckline that reaches my black dress waist with three-quarter sleeves and whose pencil-shaped skirt covers the middle thigh.

He is dressed in a black shirt with two buttons opens and rolled up on his arms, which draws all the muscles of his torso and arms. His pants are black too. His dark hair is stylish in a well-organized ponytail with gel.

"A bitch is a bitch," I reply. His closeness makes me dizzy, and I can no longer be upset, I can only think of how good feel his hand and his breath on me.

"No, if you're my bitch," he says again in my ear and I shudder, but I try to keep him from noticing, "of course, if you want to be. Just let me know."

"Don't even dream it," I reply, "besides, you have a girlfriend, remember?"

He clears loudly and I know I managed to shut his mouth. One part of me knows he is not mine. The rest claim every space between us. He growls next to me, and I swallow hard. I think that defines our current relationship well.

We finish going down and arrive downstairs, where Derrick and Frans are waiting for us, who stand behind us until they take us to the dining room. Several persons are waiting for us, although not as many as I expected.

Kieran directs me to a seat near Kayra, who is standing next to a middle-aged woman. Her father is next to the woman and close to Kieran, who is on the table head's right-hand side, which is empty right now, as well as the left side seat and the next seat. Other seats are already taken.

Then Kieran and Maikan start a very lively conversation.

Kayra smiles at me.

"Hi," she says, "are you still angry?"

"I suppose so, although it's useless," I reply.

"You are going to love dinner, the chef is the best," she replies, ignoring what I say.

"Hope they don't serve raw meat," I say sarcastically, and she rolls her eyes.

"You know we eat normal food, don't you?"  she looks at me like I offended her.

"No croquettes?” I keep making fun.

"You know dog bad jokes aren't going to make you very popular here, don't you?" She answers and I try to lower two points my comments intensity.

"I see Astrid hasn't arrived yet," says the woman next to Kayra, who shoots me an unfriendly look, but then she concentrates on Kayra, completely ignoring me.

"I suppose she mustn't have liked at all Kieran said his father that Alanna was his mate," she replies to the woman, "leave her, she will get over it."

"She asked the alpha to force him to reject her and he told her that he was not the one to decide for his son," she replies to Kayra, "he also reminded her that she had not met her mate, yet."

"She must be angry," says her daughter, "I understand if she does not come, so I will stop by her room later."

“Alpha Kyle asked all the main bosses to be at dinner and she is the delta. She has to be here when her alpha calls."

"Mom," says Kayra, "someone just broke her heart, he’ll understand."

"I don't think Kieran broke her heart, Kayra," she says sarcastically, "rather, her plans to become the pack’s Luna."

"That's the risk we all run in having a relationship with someone who is not our destined mate, and she knew it. For now, she is hurt, but I know her, she will throw a couple of tantrums and she will be the same again."

"You say it because you already met your mate, isn't it, silly girl," she says playfully, nudging her and giving her a knowing look.

"Yes," the girl confesses, "Velkan is everything I expected and more."

"I hope your father thinks the same," her mother replies, "he doesn't like guys who prefer to live in the human world."

"He and I talked about it," she replied, "he'll stay with me the moment I become Beta."

"And there is very little left for that, barely a week," her mother tells her, “My girl will become an adult."

Kayra clears her throat a little, but her face is red with embarrassment.

The murmurs are hushed when Kyle makes his appearance through the front door, accompanied by Atea, elegantly dressed. Behind them are two huge men, the same ones who escorted Richard a while ago.

Richard is not present.

Kyle wears a black suit with a black shirt and a silver tie, his hair styled just like his son. Atea has an ankle-length silver dress with a mid-thigh slit and long sleeves down to her wrists. She wears her black hair in various braids.

They both take a seat at the head of the table and the left seat. Kyle looks up and down the table but fixes his gaze to the left side with a frown.

"Do you know anything about Astrid?" He asks Kieran and Maikan, Kayra's father.

"I haven't heard of her," Maikan informs him, "I thought you sent her on some mission."

"No," Kyle replies, "I told everyone to be here, I had several important topics, and I hoped my delta would support me. I'm calling her, but I'm assuming she's asleep because I don't feel her answering me."

Both Kieran and Maikan are silent, but Kyle is upset and calls one of his bodyguards to whisper something into his ear.

My stomach growls with hunger, but I don't see anyone worried about serving dinner. But I'm not the only impatient, as murmurs begin being heard again, but I notice Kyle and Kieran. Both are serene, but their eyes secretly search around for the reaction of everyone present.

After a while Kyle's messenger returns, who approaches and whispers something in his ear, shaking his head negatively. The alpha's face turns red, but he tries to maintain his composure and signs at a waiter who goes to the rear side. Then he enters with an entourage of waiters, who bring trays full of food and serve each of us.

My plate has a huge filet with battered potatoes and green salad.

"Are you okay with that or do you prefer croquettes?" Kayra teases and I try not to choke on laughing with my mouth full.

"It's fine like this, thanks," I reply, rolling my eyes, and she giggles.

When we're all done with dessert, Kyle clinks his glass, and we all look at him.

“We are gathered here because, as someone of you already knows, we have found Adara's daughter, who was in the care of Maddox, the pack's former beta, before his brother, Maikan, took his place. Her name is Alanna, but she prefers to be called Bianca since it was how they knew her in the human world," he says, gesturing in my direction and everyone looks at me, forcing me to nod in greeting.

"You must know, too, that Kieran has felt his wolf proclaim her as his mate, although she has not reached the age yet, so we are waiting for her transformation for finishing the process," he continues, prompting the look restless of all. Someone at the table whispers, "no wonder she's not here."

"While that's happening, you should treat her like your future Luna" Kyle finishes saying and returns to his usual tone.

"Does Einar know she's here?" asks a man with black hair, with a certain resemblance to Kyle.

"No, Ketin," the alpha replies, "and we hope this information does not come out of here. I'll take care of informing him later."

"I understand, my alpha," the man replies.

"I know your concern is she is underage, and Einar has rights over her as her father and as the Silver pack's future alpha," Kyle points out and my eyes go wide. There is hadn't crossed my mind that I might be alpha. Kyle gives the man a meaningful look, "I'm working on that, Ketin. For now, let's celebrate our great friend Adara's daughter is here."

My father, the murderer, has rights over me. From what I've been told, the last thing he wants is me being the alpha of any pack.

My brain is blasting wondering what my options are and how Kyle can do for me, considering my dad is alpha too. It seems that this wolves' world is more complicated than I imagined.

"We have a small reception in the great hall," Kyle announces, his face lit up with happiness, pulling me out of my thoughts, "as part of the welcoming Alanna's celebration," he indicates, and we all move to another part of the house. It is a huge room, with music.

Kieran takes me by the waist and leads me to the living room center.

"You don't lose anything by asking me if I want to dance, do you?" I say sarcastically.

"But we're not going dancing," he answers, "I just want to talk to you without anyone interrupting us," he says, as I wrap my arms around my chest and he runs his fingers up my arms, trying to get me to take them and follow the rhythm.

"We can talk while we sway to the music," he tells me and I give in to his request from him and I put my hands on his chest, while we move from one side to the other, "that's better."

"I heard Kayra will be beta soon after she comes of age in a week," I tell her, trying to make conversation.

"That's right," he replies, "it's what I'm waiting to be the new alpha."

"Will you replace your father soon?" I say in amazement.

"Yes, I should have done it when I became an adult, but I preferred to wait for Kayra, she is my best friend."

"And what about your father and Maikan?"

"They will give up the job, of course, and become advisers," he replies, and I stare at him, "the pack needs young blood to lead it."

"But a person with more experience would know how to lead, or so I've been told," I reply.

"That's why they stay as advisers," he replies with a radiant smile, "just like my Uncle Ketin. My father has been helped a lot by his advice after Grandpa died.”

"I also heard that Kayra and Velkan are a couple," I say changing the subject, "Isn't she supposed to become an adult for her wolf to show up or something like that?"

"That's true, but Velkan's wolf recognized her and that means that Kayra's wolf will recognize her for sure," he answers me, and I raise my eyebrows, so he continues, "Kayra already accepted him as her mate, but her wolf must accept him, too."

"And what happens next? Do they marry and have children?"

"More or less, let's say they'll play house a lot, and when the time comes, they’ll make their own family."

Suddenly, the doors of the living room are thrown open, causing us all to look.

"Alpha Kyle," says a man almost out of breath, "I come from the northern border, a commission from the Silver pack is coming here. Alpha Einar leads them."

The music stops. The murmur in the room rises.

"Don't be afraid, darling," Kieran tells me, “We’ll figure it out, you'll see."