Chapter 3 The Delectable And Strongest She-wolf Of The Pack

The car suddenly came to a halt as they arrived at their destination, the other end of the woods. Karen's eyes were drawn to the sight of a castle nestled amidst tall trees, and she knew that she was finally home. The building was ablaze with vibrant lights of various hues, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The serene tune of classical music added to the allure, soothing Karen's nerves. Cullen stepped out of the car and opened the door for Karen, taking a moment to admire her appearance and ensuring that nothing was amiss. He was awestruck by her ethereal beauty and could not help but wonder how she managed to maintain it, despite her injuries from training. "Princess, you look absolutely charming and stunning tonight. I had no idea that Alpha Adams had such a breathtakingly beautiful daughter," he complimented her. "May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" he asked. "Karen," she replied. "Hmmm, a nice name for a beauty like you. Your mate is truly lucky. After you, ma'am," he grinned, stepping aside to let Karen enter the castle. "Thank you," she murmured. Marcus followed behind her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder and whispering. "See, I told you everyone would love you. Now let's go inside and rock the party," he said playfully, earning a shy smile from Karen. She was escorted to her room and informed that her parents would join her shortly. While she waited, she took the opportunity to explore her new room. It was spacious, just like her former room at the cabin, but it was much more luxurious. The walls were painted in her favorite color, pink, with a delicate layer of cream. Instead of a bunk, there was a plush queen-sized bed nestled in the corner of the room. As she marveled at her new sanctuary, her eyes caught glimpse of a family photo on the side table. The scene before her seemed oddly familiar; a picture she had once received back then at the cabin looked strikingly similar to this one. She couldn't shake off the feeling of déjà vu as she stared at the people in front of her. A feminine voice, one she didn't recognize, broke the silence. "Do you like your new room?" it asked. Karen turned to face the speaker, surprised to see the person she had been admiring in the photo standing right in front of her. "Mom?" she uttered, her confusion evident in her voice. The woman, elegant and in her mid-thirties, stood at the entrance with open arms and a warm smile. "Come here, darling. I've missed you so much." Without hesitation, Karen rushed into her embrace, not wanting to let go of this precious moment. "Mom, I've missed you too. You have no idea how long I've waited to be able to hug you like this," she said, her voice thick with emotion as tears streamed down her face. "Looks like we're in for a great family reunion," Charlotte exclaimed, entering the room with their father, Alpha Adam, by her side. Karen saw him and immediately ran to hug him as well, but she felt him stiffen in her arms. Unfazed, she held on tightly, refusing to let anything ruin this moment. "Father, I missed you too. You look so handsome in person," she complimented, her voice filled with genuine admiration. Adam cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uhm, the party is about to start and we can't keep the guests waiting," he said, pulling away from her embrace as if her presence was bothering him. Feeling a little hurt but determined to not let it show, Karen stepped back, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She knew her father was still trying to get used to the idea of having her back in his life and she didn't want to push him too much. But before she could leave the room, Charlotte stopped her. "Oh, Karen, I almost forgot. I have a present for you." "Apologies, Charlotte, may we postpone this conversation for a later time? The gathering has begun, and I will soon be required to attend," Karen sulked, reminding her that they were running late for the party. "Very well, I accept," she agreed. "Come on, let's get moving, ladies," Cullen motioned for them to follow, and they exited the room. ***** ***** The grand hall buzzed with life as a plethora of individuals graced the party. The space was adorned with inflated balloons, shimmering ribbons, and vibrant, glowing lights, evenly distributed throughout. The atmosphere was nothing short of magnificent. Prominent alphas from various packs had come to attend in anticipation of meeting the strongest werewolf from the Blood Moon pack. Each lycan was exquisitely dressed, not wanting to be caught underdressed for such a special occasion. The men donned dark tuxedos atop immaculately white shirts, complemented by polished black leather shoes, reflecting their esteemed personalities. The women, on the other hand, exuded glamour in their iridescent gowns of diverse hues and designs, paired with the perfect stiletto to complete their captivating ensembles. They all took their seats at the opulent golden tables in anticipation of the celebrant' arrival. Alpha Adam ascended the elevated floor with a confident stride, his presence commanding attention as he gracefully bowed in a gentlemanly manner, acknowledging the esteemed guests gathered before him. A warm smile broadened on his face as he began his speech, addressing the expectant audience with a sense of gratitude and excitement. "Greetings, esteemed guests, and welcome to our grand celebration. It brings me immense joy to see each and every one of you here tonight, despite your busy schedules and commitments. I know many of you are curious about the purpose of this gathering, and I am here to enlighten you," he announced, his voice carrying a hint of suspense. Pausing for a moment to capture the attention of the intrigued crowd, Alpha Adam continued, his tone filled with paternal pride and affection. "Today marks a momentous occasion in our family, as one of my daughters has reached the significant milestone of her eighteenth birthday. In our Lycan tradition, this day holds great significance, as it symbolizes her transition into womanhood and the auspicious opportunity to meet her chosen mate," he explained, his words resonating with tradition and reverence. "So I give you the delectable and strongest shewolf of our pack, Karen Adam Van Brunt!"