Chapter 10 The Luna Festival (3)

Amelia's POV

The moonlight streaming through the windows suddenly intensified, as if the moon itself had moved closer. Silver mist curled from the archway entrance, and through it walked a woman who made every wolf in the room stand straighter.

She was breathtaking—tall and graceful, with platinum blonde hair that cascaded in perfect waves down her back. Her silver-white gown seemed woven from moonlight itself, clinging to her form before flowing outward like liquid mercury. But what truly commanded attention was her face—elegant features adorned with intricate silver markings that curved along her cheekbones and temples. These weren't tattoos but ancient sigils that seemed to shimmer with their own inner light. Between her perfectly arched eyebrows sat a small, elegant "E" symbol—the royal mark of Eclipse Pack, said to be bestowed only on those of pure bloodline.

Four female wolves flanked her, their formal attire not quite concealing the predatory alertness in their eyes—royal guards trained from birth to protect their charge.

"My daughter, Cassandra," Richard said proudly as she joined him, his chest visibly swelling with pride.

My stomach dropped as I sensed what was coming even before Richard continued.

"I am honored to announce that my daughter Cassandra will be joined in marriage to the respected Head Alpha Alexander Westbrook."

The room erupted in thunderous applause. Jonathan and Elaine, Alexander's parents, stepped forward to stand beside their son. Jonathan—tall and imposing with silver-streaked hair and the same piercing eyes as Alexander—clapped Richard on the shoulder in what appeared to be genuine pleasure. Elaine, elegant in midnight blue with a silver circlet in her dark hair, smiled graciously, though I thought I detected something reserved in her expression.

I spotted Nathan among the pack officials arranged behind Alexander, his expression carefully neutral. Beside him—relegated to a position clearly below his former rank—stood Daniel.

Though dressed in a tailored suit that matched the other officials, he lacked the Alpha insignia he would normally wear. When his eyes found mine in the crowd, his face transformed into a vicious smirk, eyes glittering with malice. He tilted his head slightly toward Alexander and Cassandra, then back to me, his expression saying everything words couldn't: See what you've lost? This is just the beginning of your punishment.

The sadistic pleasure in his gaze at witnessing my pain was unmistakable—his temporary demotion clearly hadn't dampened his thirst for revenge.

One of the Elders stepped forward with an ancient scroll, his voice resonating through the hall as he spoke of prophecies and the joining of two powerful bloodlines.

"For generations, the seers have foretold this union," the Elder proclaimed. "When Shadow and Eclipse become one, our kind will enter a new era of strength and prosperity."

The other Alphas watched with varying expressions—respect, calculation, perhaps even envy. This alliance would significantly strengthen both packs' positions in the werewolf hierarchy.

Alexander stepped forward, his movements deliberate and controlled. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small box of dark wood inlaid with silver. Cassandra extended her hand, her practiced smile never reaching her eyes. As the box opened, gasps rippled through the crowd—the ring inside was extraordinary, a band of white gold set with a moonstone that seemed to contain actual moonlight.

Jonathan nodded approvingly, while Elaine dabbed discreetly at her eyes. Richard Blackwell stood tall, watching the culmination of what was clearly a long-planned alliance.

As Alexander prepared to place the ring on her finger, his eyes lifted—and for one breathtaking moment, they locked with mine across the crowded room.

Something passed between us—recognition, confusion, and something deeper I couldn't name. Then he blinked, and the connection was gone.

I watched, my heart in my throat, as Alexander Westbrook—my supposed mate—slid the engagement ring onto another woman's finger.

The stone flared with sudden brilliance when it settled on Cassandra's finger, drawing another round of awed murmurs from the crowd. A wave of nausea crashed over me, followed by a piercing pain in my chest so intense I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from making a sound. My wolf clawed desperately inside me, wanting to howl her rejection of this union.

I dug my fingernails into my palms, focusing on that small, controllable pain rather than the tearing sensation in my chest. This wasn't the time or place to cause a scene. I wouldn't embarrass Nathan or myself by breaking down during such an important ceremony. Breathe. Just breathe.

A flicker of something—discomfort, concern?—crossed Alexander's face. His head tilted slightly, as if listening to something only he could hear. With a start, I realized he might be sensing my distress throug mind link between a pair of fated mates that Nathan had mentioned before. His eyes darted toward me again, a flash of golden wolf-light visible for just a fraction of a second before he composed himself, turning back to his new fiancée with perfect Alpha control.

Jonathan Westbrook stepped forward, his voice booming across the hall. "Today marks a historic alliance between two of the oldest and most powerful packs in our territory. Shadow Kingdom welcomes Eclipse Pack not merely as allies, but as family."

"For twenty years," he continued, placing a hand on his son's shoulder, "since taking over as Head Alpha, I have sought ways to strengthen our packs' futures. Today, as I watch my son follow in this tradition, I could not be prouder."

Elaine stepped beside her husband, her gentle smile softening the severe lines of the formal gathering. "The moon goddess has blessed this union," she added, her voice melodic yet carrying authority. "May she guide these two young wolves as they forge a new path together."

Richard Blackwell joined them, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "For generations, our packs have respected each other from a distance. Now, through the union of my daughter and Alpha Westbrook, we forge bonds that cannot be broken. Eclipse brings its ancient magic, its territorial strength to this alliance."

One by one, the visiting Alphas approached to offer congratulations. Each spoke briefly, their words diplomatic but their eyes calculating, assessing how this new alliance would shift the balance of power.

"The Northern Crescent Pack honors this union," declared a severe-looking woman with silver streaks in her dark hair.

"River Valley stands with Shadow and Eclipse," announced a burly man whose handshake with Alexander lasted a beat longer than necessary, a subtle test of strength.

Throughout it all, I remained frozen, my breath coming in shallow gasps that I struggled to control. Nathan caught my eye from across the room, his expression warning me to hold it together. I gave him the smallest nod, though my entire body trembled with the effort of containing my wolf's anguish.

After the formal congratulations concluded, soft music began playing. The atmosphere shifted from ceremonial to celebratory as servers circulated with champagne flutes. Jonathan and Elaine moved among the guests with practiced ease, every inch the diplomatic power couple who had led Shadow Kingdom for decades.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Cassandra, who had been accepting congratulations with perfect poise, suddenly turned toward Alexander. Without warning, she stepped forward, placed her hands on his chest, and rose to her tiptoes. Before he could react, she pressed her lips against his in a kiss that was clearly meant to stake a claim.

The pain in my chest exploded into something unbearable. My vision darkened at the edges, lungs refusing to function. It felt as though someone had reached into my chest and was squeezing my heart until it might burst. My wolf howled in anguish, the sound echoing only in my mind but so loud I feared others might somehow hear it.

Alexander's eyes widened in surprise—clearly, he hadn't expected this public display. For a fraction of a second, his body tensed, but training and political instinct took over. He placed his hands lightly on her waist, not deepening the kiss but not pulling away either.

The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles. Champagne glasses were raised. Someone started a traditional wolf howl that was quickly taken up by dozens of others, the sound echoing through the hall in a primal celebration.

When they finally separated, Cassandra's silver markings seemed to pulse with satisfaction. She kept her hands on Alexander's chest, her eyes locked with his. Then, loud enough for those nearby to hear—including me with my enhanced hearing—she spoke two words that sent a chill through my entire body.

"Mark me," she said, her voice both invitation and challenge.