Chapter 6 (The Moonlit Feast)

I sat in the backseat with my beta, Eduardo. Just a few more drives and I would be in Lucius territory. Of course, if it were a normal day, a war could have erupted immediately. But today was different, just a boring celebration of the moonlit. "We should keep going," Eduardo said, glancing outside and then at me. I let out a deep sigh and nodded in agreement. He turned back to the driver, who started the car engine and continued driving. "Come on, it's just for the night," he whispered beside me. "Besides, we're going there to see the bride and gather some necessary information we might need." With a nod, I couldn't help but rub the edge of my nose as a snarl escaped my lips. "Are you absolutely certain we'll catch a glimpse of the so-called bride there?" I questioned, my voice laced with doubt. "Of course, why wouldn't the Luna be present when the ceremony is being hosted in her pack?" he nudged my shoulder, winking as I glared at him in response. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the pack sign board emerged in the distance, proudly announcing our arrival at none other than the silly Black Moon pack. "We've reached our destination, Alpha," the driver announced, eliciting a deep sigh from me. "Pack well," Eduardo instructed as we drove towards the carport. Glancing out the car window, I can see the pack members gathering together to celebrate under the shimmering night sky. The air was filled with howls of joy and the rhythmic beat of drums as they danced around a crackling bonfire. The same boring culture! The car came to a halt, and I could hear the engine switch off. "Seems like the ceremony won't be too bad," Eduardo remarked with a mischievous grin. “Will have a lot of damsels warm my bed tonight,” His words made my nose cringe in disgust. I shot him a sharp glare, silently conveying my disapproval. "We're here for business, you moron," I seethed, my frustration boiling over. He winked at me. Damn! If only looks could kill, he could be six feet under. With a swift motion, the side of my door was instantly opened, causing me to tear my gaze away from the annoying dube sitting beside me. The atmosphere suddenly crackled with tension, immediately I stepped out. I could hear a chorus of gasps echoing through the crowd, their fear palpable in the air. A hush fell over the place as if time itself had paused, and all eyes turned towards the entrance, drawn toward my direction. “It is the notorious and ruthless Alpha, Valerio Hawthorne,” A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I caught the familiar murmurings from the crowd. My sharp ear picked up on their daily remarks, and I couldn't help but smirk. As I made my entrance, the atmosphere of the feast shifted, buzzing with newfound uncomfortable energy. I paid no mind to the horror-stricken expressions on their faces, my focus set on finding the bride. It didn't take long to spot the old-fashioned, manipulative elders from afar, their presence unmistakable in the crowd. "Alpha Ravenwood Lucius is nowhere to be found," Eduardo murmured by my side, his voice filled with distaste. "And there's no sign of the bride or Luna from the Black Moon pack." I nodded in agreement, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any trace of them. But before I could react, a voice, deep and filled with a sickening familiarity, echoed from behind us. "Well well well... Who do we have here?" The words dripped from his lips, and both Eduardo and I turned to face the source of the voice. It was none other than Alpha Ravenwood Lucius, the cunning manipulator himself. "I wasn't expecting to see you here, Alpha Valerio Hawthorne," he retorted. A deadly smirk instantly curled up on my lips. It was clear that this manipulative coward of an Alpha thought he could hide his nervousness by maintaining a rigid posture. But I can see through his facade. I could clearly see the effort he was putting into not cowering and searching for a place to hide. It seemed that he had forgotten that a powerful Alpha like myself could detect even the strongest of emotions. I couldn't help but wonder which one of those outdated elders was causing him such nerves, making him believe he could stand confidently in front of me. "Talk," I uttered, the smirk still lingering on my face. "I think you should back down and, of course, cancel the war…" he paused, his words hanging in the air. I couldn't help but widen my smirk as I lightly pinched the edge of my nose. I knew exactly why his mouth was blabbering - we were in public, after all. Besides, I couldn't do anything to him right now due to this tedious feast. Today was considered sacred, and according to the foolish law, any offender would face severe punishment. As ruthless as I may be as an Alpha, those cunning old elders still held a sliver of power, and they were eagerly waiting for the slightest misstep to turn everyone against me. But not when I hadn't yet uncovered the snake lurking in their midst, the one working hand in hand with this cowardly Alpha. "Are you scared that you will lose, Alpha Lucius?" I taunted, my lips curling up in a mocking smile as I scrutinized him. As much as I desired to put an end to him, I couldn't deny that it wasn't the opportune moment to take his life. “Of course not, Alpha Valerio,” he chuckles nervously. The left side of my lips quirks up as I respond, "Then what?" He gulped visibly, I lowered my gaze to his hand, noticing the struggle. It was evident that he was trying hard to keep his hands firmly by his side. "The elder shouldn't be afraid, but the young toddler," he said, his tone brimming with renewed confidence. Fucking impressive! My fists immediately coiled in anger as I felt the rage building up inside me. I knew exactly what he was trying to do, and I was determined to give him a taste of his own medicine. I snarled at him, ready to pounce, but Eduardo quickly stepped in and held me back, preventing me from unleashing my fury. Despite my seething anger, a taunting smirk had found its way onto the coward's dry lips, fueling my anger even more. I glanced at Eduardo's hand on my shoulder and then directed my glare towards that Alpha mutt standing in front of me, grinning. But suddenly, out of the blue, something odd caught my attention from the far end of the ceremony ground, hidden behind the pillars. It piqued my curiosity, drawing my focus away. A petite young girl, her pale complexion captivating my attention for reasons unknown. I couldn't tear my gaze away from her, feeling an inexplicable connection. It was as if something deep within me was calling out to her, a magnetic pull that I couldn't resist. "Please, let us all welcome the Alpha of the Nightshade pack, the vibrant and young Alpha Valerio Hawthorne, along with his beta!" one of the elders announced, his voice echoing through the gathering. “Ahhh!!” The crowd erupted in a mix of fearful howls and excited applause, creating a cacophony of noise around me. But amidst it all, those sounds felt distant and weightless to my ears. My focus was solely on making out who the person hiding behind that pillar might be. I am starting to feel restless within! "Alpha Valerio," Eduardo quietly nudged me, his voice breaking through my thoughts, "Come on, we're being called to the high table." His words registered, but my mind remained occupied with the small figure behind the pillar. However, the annoying voice of that coward brought me back to the present, reminding me that I was still in public and every eye was on me. I turned and locked my sharp gaze on that coward, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at me. A mocking smile spread across his lips as he taunted, "What are you staring at now, Alpha Valerio?" I brushed off his comment, choosing to ignore him as he turned around. Curiosity tugged at me, and I followed his gaze, only to be met with disbelief. The figure that had been there moments ago ha d vanished, leaving me confused. What? She was there a few seconds ago! Where could she possibly go?