Page 5 of Alpha's Revenge Luna
A middle-aged wolf—one of the council members—steps up to the stage.He’s an Alpha, dressed in an elaborately decorated suit, his smile wide and welcoming.
He begins with a speech about the beauty of finding a mate and the sacred bond it represents.He talks of love and companionship, a bond that goes beyond this life.The crowdsettles down as he speaks, and an air of reverence washes over the hall.I can’t help but roll my eyes at the romantic drivel.It feels so hollow and fake to me like he is reciting words from a script that is read every year.
The Alphas are called up one by one.They ascend the stage and survey the crowd keenly before picking a female.They step forward and present the chosen female with a flower and a promise of courtship.Some women weep with joy, others blush, and some, like me, would rather vanish into thin air than be here.
My mother squeezes my hand, her fear shining in her eyes.I squeeze hers back, offering her a small smile.It doesn’t do much to comfort her, and I don’t blame her.I’m terrified, too.Terrified of the unknown, of the potential disaster this night could turn into.
We wait in silence, as Alpha after Alpha makes their selection.None of them approach our table, which is a small mercy.But the tension remains.Each time a new Alpha steps up, my heart lurches in fear.
However, only nine of the eighteen attending Alphas choose anyone.Two fight over the same woman before she is told to choose between them.She looks like a deer in headlights when put on the spot, and I can tell she doesn’t want to go with either of them.
Since she does not make any motion to choose, the two Alphas fight it out.When the more dominant one takes her, she looks like she wishes she had a choice.I certainly wouldn’t want to be forced to go with that asshole, either.
Mom ends up being right.No man dares to step close to our table.As the ceremony begins to end, everyone mingles.The men who choose mates barter with families or whisk the women away.The rest party and drink, eating their fill and enjoying the music.
Dad even gets up and dances with Mom. I smile goofily as he twirls her around and dips her low.He is now very drunk, and Mom is a little tipsy.She is still light on her feet as she laughs at him and his affections.The ceremony is coming to an end, andI relax.I’ve somehow managed to dodge a bullet.
“We are getting ready to leave, Emery.Grab your things,” Beta Tyson tells me, and I nod.Finally!I am exhausted and glad the event is over, at least for us.However, Mom looks like she wouldn’t mind staying longer.
Gathering my clutch, I go to push my chair in and follow Beta Tyson.But just as I’m beginning to breathe a little easier, the double doors to the hall swing open with a loud bang.
The doors slam audibly against the walls, and silence falls over the room.No sound is made beside the soft music, which is switched off after one growl from whoever enters.
I try to see the commotion, but can’t make out anything past my father’s Beta, who tucks me behind him.
“What’s going on?”I whisper, only to be hushed, and hustled toward the back near the far exit.The Beta pushes on the doors, but they don’t budge.He grips my arm, yanking me to the next set of doors.
What about my parents?
A deep voice fills the air.I glance over my shoulder, the laughter, dance, and chatter are long gone.Everyone backs up and moves out of the new guest’s way, clearing my view.
In steps a man, his presence instantly commanding the room.There’s a collective gasp, as a sudden chill spreads throughout the attendees.
“Alpha Dion.”His name whispers through the crowd like both a chant and a curse.
His eyes are piercing, cold as ice, and they’re set intently on my parents.My father stiffens as his eyes go wide.His grip on my mother tightens.
Alpha Dion walks into the room, his steps measured and controlled, each one exuding complete power and dominance.The silence in the room is crushing.
“You foolish old man,” I hear, the growl out from some unidentifiable source.The dangerously cold voice sends a chill up my spine.
“Alpha Dion, it was a mistake.One I will rectify if givena chance.”I gasp when I hear my father’s voice answer.
“You’re right.You will,” the Alpha says.I stand by, confused at their exchange.
What’s going on?Why is Father having a conversation with Alpha Dion?
“Michael, what did you do?”I hear my mother shriek, before murmurs break out.The sea of people part, shuffling back, revealing Alpha Dion.One of the Alphas who I know rivals my father—his biggest rival actually.
He has instilled fear in every pack because of therumors sayinghelives by the old ways.Not to mention, the ones that claim Alpha Dion isn’t just a werewolf, no, buta Hybrid: a lethal combination of our two mortal enemies.
My bones feel like they have turned to jelly.I can tell I’m on the verge of having a panic attack.Alpha Dion’s anger is plainly directed at my father.
Everyone circles around my father and mother, getting out of their way, as Alpha Dion walks further into the room with slow, calculating steps, his furious gaze still pinned on my father.Some of the attendeesrun for the doors.At the same time, I notice he does not have warriors or guards with him.This man doesn’t need them if the stories I have heard are true.
My father doesn’t answer my mother’s question.He glares the other Alpha down, though I know he fears him.But that won’t stop him from challenging Alpha Dion.Alpha Dion stays out of our business, and we stay out of his.A fight between him and my father would bea war no one wants to see.
“Let’s be reasonable here.We can go out back with the elders to talk this out,” my father offers.
