Chapter 0071
Beta Sebastian appeared suddenly, taking a position on my left side. Alpha Alexander still held my right hand firmly. His fingers remained tightly interlaced with mine. He stood slightly in front of me, shielding me from the crowd.
Alpha Alexander formally introduced me as his mate. He declared to everyone that he had marked me. Cheers and applause erupted throughout the gathering. I knew this celebration would be short-lived. The moment they discovered what I truly was, they would turn against me. They would turn against their Alpha too.
"Relax." Beta Sebastian leaned in close, his voice a low whisper meant only for me. "Their reactions might surprise you."
"As you all know, we've had ongoing issues with the Silver Creek pack." Alpha Alexander's voice boomed across the clearing. I felt grateful he had suggested I keep the earplugs in. "They failed to uphold their side of the treaty. In fact, it was all a deliberate plot to destroy Obsidian Howl."
"Kill them all!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"In due time, yes." Alpha Alexander responded calmly. "Right now, it's crucial for you to learn some information about my mate."
My heart hammered violently against my ribs. Black spots began dancing at the edges of my vision.
'Is it true?'
I recognized Isabella's voice cutting through the mental chatter.
'That Silver Creek isn't like us?'
"Yes, it's true." Alpha Alexander responded, and I noticed the slight curve of his lips. "They are what's known as Lycans. Part wolf, part human. Like the one killed during the attack on our pack. He belonged to Silver Creek."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.
"What about our new Luna?" another voice called out. I could feel numerous eyes burning into me.
"She isn't a Luna." Alpha Alexander grinned widely. "She is an Alpha."
Whispers immediately spread through the assembled wolves. They shifted positions, murmuring to each other. After several minutes, Alpha Alexander raised his hand for silence.
"Yes, she is a Lycan. One who was torn from her rightful position within her family. Forced into slavery. Beaten daily until her body barely clung to life. A Lycan who had her abilities bound. Not once, not twice, but four separate times."
Tears welled in my eyes instantly. I desperately wanted him to stop speaking.
Theodore stepped forward from the crowd.
"Four times?" He sounded genuinely shocked. His deep green eyes found mine. I couldn't determine if he felt disappointed that I hadn't confided in him after he'd shared his own past.
"Are you certain, Alpha Alexander?" he asked.
The rest of the pack remained completely silent, awaiting Alpha Alexander's response.
"What do you know, Theodore?"
"Stories." he muttered back, his intense gaze still fixed on me. "There's nothing formally recorded about Lycans. I can't recall specifics immediately, but I have books. Storytellers' accounts based on myths and legends about wolves." He paused briefly. "And other creatures. Particularly those who had been bound."
"Go look now." Beta Sebastian snapped. Theodore quickly disappeared between the dense trees.
Mutterings continued among the pack members. I felt their stares and the unspoken questions hanging heavily in the air.
"Is she a threat?"
"Will she shift and kill us?"
"Will she pass information back to Silver Creek?"
"Will she turn against us?"
The questions seemed endless. Alpha Alexander appeared to be deliberately letting them voice everything before he responded.
"Any more questions?" he finally demanded when the inquiries began spacing further apart.
I shouldn't be standing here. I should be far away, hidden from all these judging eyes.
Complete silence fell as Alpha Alexander waited for someone to speak. No one dared. They remained quiet, waiting. They probably knew better than to challenge him now.
"Do you truly believe I would bring a mate into our pack who would attack us? Others have attempted it. They were all dealt with severely. Athena isn't like the others. If anyone here questions my decision, remember this: I will not be kind. I will not hesitate."