(3rd person P. O. V)
As Xavier and Oliver guided Elena through the banquet hall, introducing her to key figures, a sudden shift in the atmosphere drew her attention.
Alpha Jason, Oliver’s father, rose from his seat and strode toward the stage. He tapped his glass a few times, the soft chime slicing through the hum of conversation. The chatter faded, the music softened, and all eyes turned to him. Clearing his throat, he spoke with a firm, authoritative tone that echoed through the grand chamber.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please.”
A hush fell over the crowd.
“It is my great honor to introduce Elena as the fated mate of my son, Alpha Oliver, and Alpha Xavier.”
A ripple of reactions coursed through the room. Some guests cheered, elevating their goblets in a toast, at the same time as others exchanged wary glances, murmuring in confusion.
Elena’s breath hitched. She gripped the edge of her dress so tightly that her knuckles became white. Her gaze darted around the room, trying to find a friendly face, however, all she noticed had been expressions of doubt and suspicion.
A bead of sweat trickled down her temple. She could feel the heat of their gazes on her skin, like physical pressure.
Xavier’s hand rested reassuringly on her arm, but Elena barely registered it. Her mind was replaying the Elder’s words: ‘We want you to prove that she really is your mate.’
She glanced at her mirrored image in an elegant empty dish on the table simply Elena, normal and human. No wolf. No mark. The whispers grew louder in her head, echoing her doubts and fears.
Among the crowd, the elders shared grim looks, their gazes sharp with skepticism. Not a single one from either pack seemed pleased with the announcement.
And just the whispers of the guest can turn into an open argument Alpha Jason spoke again.
“To solidify this bond, our packs will merge-united below our destiny Luna, Elena.”
The room falls right into a pin-drop silence. Nothing other than a cripping of grasshoppers and the sound of wind blowing may be heard in the meadow following through the chaos.
A refrain of disbelief rippled via the group. Some jeered. Others whispered in hushed voices. A few stood in bowled-over silence, watching as old wounds and doubts festered into open hostility.
“Are you serious?”
“This is a mistake!”
“How can two Alphas share a human mate?”
“A pack merger? With someone we don’t even know is truly their mate?”
“She has no wolf! No mark!”
“Hell, she doesn’t even smell like them.”
“You expect us to accept this? To unite under an outsider?”
“This is madness!” a warrior roared, slamming his fist against the table. “How can we trust a human to lead us?”
“She has no wolf,” another spat. “No mark! No scent of a mate! What kind of Luna is this?”
The room swayed around Elena. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palm, trying to ground herself. Xavier’s hand tightened reassuringly on her arm, but the panic in her chest only grew. What proof did she have? What could she say?
“Can she even protect herself?” another warrior asked. “How do you expect her to protect us if she can’t even protect herself?”
As if to prove his point he through a bowl towards her.
Xavier’s body moved before his mind could register the action. His hand shot out, fingers closing around the ceramic. With a slow, deliberate motion, he crushed it into dust, his golden eyes burning with fury.
“Watch your tongue,” Oliver warned, voice sharp as a blade.
The warrior hesitated, his bravado wavering beneath Xavier’s severe gaze. But the damage became finished. The seed of doubt was planted, and now it changed into sprouting into open rebellion.
The Elders rose to their toes, their presence commanding the room with an air of authority.
Elder Marin raised her hand, silencing the heated exchange. Her gaze, sharp and piercing, swept across the room. The arguing subsided, replaced by an uneasy quiet. Lord Harrington cleared his throat, his expression stern. “This is unacceptable,” he said, his voice resonating with power.
“Jason, what is the meaning of this?” one of them demanded, his voice laced with disbelief.
“Is this why you were searching through ancient texts? To justify this nonsense?” Elder Adrian scoffed, eyes narrowing in disapproval.
“You’d best have a compelling explanation for this, Jason,” Elder Nitesh added, his tone sharp with expectation.
“Does the elder council member know about this? Did they approve of this?” Elder Ryles asks AlphaJason.
“Did you ask for the elder council members’ permission before deciding to merge the pack?” Elder Nitesh asked Jason leaving speechless.
“I take this as a no, you know that you can’t merge the pack without elder council permission, right? Otherwise, you will have to face dire consequences.” Lord Harrington asked him.
“I never thought I’d see this from you,” another murmured, shaking his head, disappointment etched across his face.
“We need proof, Jason,” another elder declared.
“Proof that she was their mate and do not proceed with the merge of the packs without their permission,” Elder Marin said sternly, leaving no room for negotiation..
Elena’s breath hitched. The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on her. The sea of faces, once a blur of polite smiles, now seemed to be filled with judgment and suspicion. Proof… The word echoed in her mind, a relentless drumbeat. She could feel the weight of their expectations pressing down on her, crushing her. What if they’re right? What if I’m not good enough? Her hands trembled, and she clenched them into fists, trying to stop the rising tide of panic.
Then, a voice cut through the chaos.
One she had not expected.
A hush fell over the hall. Every eye was fixed on the figure emerging from the shadows. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Someone dropped a silver spoon, the clatter echoing in the sudden silence.
Elena felt a chill run down her spine, despite the warmth of the room. She couldn’t make out the figure’s face, but their very stillness, their quiet confidence, radiated an aura of power that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.
And in that moment, she realized the night was far from over.