Serena
As we sprinted through the dense woods, the wind whipping past my face, I couldn't help but feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The familiar scent of the Blood Rose Pack was getting stronger with every step we took, and memories began to flood my mind, each one a haunting echo of the past.
“Are you ready to see him?” a voice echoed inside my head. It was Remus, probably sensing the nerve I was feeling.
“I…I don’t know,” I responded with honesty.
But who am I kidding? Knowing that ever since I decided to come to this pack again, my heart raced every time I envisioned his reaction upon laying eyes on me after all this time. Would he even recognize me? What if he doesn’t? Am I ready to endure another possible rejection from him?
After all, he allowed my sister to pose as me. And despite the explanation provided by Ashford about what really happened, I couldn’t shake the thought of him betraying me.
“What about your sister and stepmother? Are you ready to confront them?”
My thoughts drifted to Tori, the one who had stolen my identity and the life that I was supposed to enjoy. I couldn't help but wonder if she had truly believed she could take everything from me and escape without consequences. And then, her mother, Mathilde, who owed me more than anyone else in this world.
She had played a role in my painful past, and I couldn't help but hope that, somehow, she'd make amends for her part in my suffering.
Instead of answering, I remained silent. I didn't want to overwhelm myself with too many emotions, knowing that today, I would put an end to all the bad things Tori and Mathilde had put me through. I promised myself I would be brave until the time came when I would face them once and for all.
Ashford noticed my unease and offered a gentle inquiry, his voice a soothing balm to my racing thoughts. "Are you okay, Serena?"
I took a deep breath, feeling the cool forest air fill my lungs before nodding. "Yes, Ashford, I'm okay." It was a lie, of course, but one I had grown accustomed to telling.
Finally, Ashford led us to the heart of the pack, determined to reveal the truth about Mathilde and my sister. However, as we neared our destination, we were met with a throng of pack members, all heading in the same direction.
Approaching a group of pack members, Ashford leaned in and discreetly inquired, "What's going on? Where is everybody heading?"
An elderly man among them acknowledged Ashford with a respectful nod. "Alpha Roman has something of great importance to announce. The details remain a mystery, but it's significant enough to request everyone's attendance."
"I see, thank you," Ashford replied before withdrawing. Then, he turned to us. “Alpha Roman's announcement seems like a big deal. It might be crucial for us to understand what's going on in the pack before we proceed. What do you think?”
“We can listen to what the Alpha has to say,” Alexei finally opened his mouth for the first time.
"I agree as well. It won't hurt to wait a bit longer. We've come this far; a little more patience won't hurt."
Ashford smiled, appreciative of our understanding. "Thank you both. Let's listen to the announcement first, and once we have a clearer picture of the situation, we can proceed on seeing Damon and go from there.”
So, we decided to follow the crowd to the arena. As people gathered around, anticipation reached its peak as the announcement began. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted Damon standing in the center of the arena. It had been so long since I'd seen him, the man I had given my heart to, and my emotions soared.
Alpha Roman's voice echoed through the arena, breaking my reverie. "My beloved Blood Rose, I have gathered you all here today for very important news," he declared, and the crowd fell silent, hanging on his every word. "A few weeks ago, I met a woman who captured my attention. So, I am here to announce that I am planning to marry her."
A collective gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd, followed by a swell of excitement. It had been years since Alpha Roman's Luna had passed away, and the prospect of a new Alpha pair filled the pack with hope. Meanwhile, Damon appeared to have been caught off-guard. Did this mean he didn't know anything about his father's bride-to-be?
Alpha Roman raised his hand to silence the crowd. We already knew what would happen next as he pointed to the entrance door.
"Allow me to introduce my future Luna," I watched, frozen in shock, as he called out the name that sent shivers down my spine: "Tori Mitchell!"
Damon, too, appeared as stunned as I felt. Tori now stood before us, wearing an indifferent expression as she acknowledged the crowd's cheers with a simple wave.
The enormity of this revelation crashed over me like a powerful wave. How could I ever hope to confront Mathilde when the Alpha of the mightiest pack was about to become her son-in-law?
However, what added an even more intricate layer of complexity to the situation was the single word that slipped from Alexei's lips as he gazed at my sister.
“Mate!” he whispered as if caught in a trance with no apparent escape.
Oh, dear. What was going to happen now?