“I’ll be the one who’ll guide you to the reception party later. It’s specially prepared by the King and will commence at eight o’clock. All the Alphas who’ve come here will be gathered by then.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
I studied the guard. He was a young fellow. I could see how dedicated he was at his job by how loquacious he was as he toured us around the palace. I was pleased to know that rather than be bothered that entertaining us topped his tasks, he was enthused at having us that I was close to giving him the thumbs-up he so deserved.
“What’s your name?” I asked, speaking out of turn.
He was taken aback at my sudden question. If I were in his shoes, I would probably be as shocked as he was. Considering our stations in life, it would be surprising to have his name asked by an Alpha such as me. He stammered with fear, perhaps trying to recollect what he had done wrong in the past couple of minutes. “My name is Ben.”
“Okay, Ben,” I echoed. “You’re doing a good job, so I’ll keep you in mind. I’ll put in a good word for you when I’m with the lycan king.” I patted his oddly frail shoulder for a guard and continued to walk forward.
I caught a glimpse of how his face brightened and became even more effervescent. Perhaps my gentle bearings resonated with him, he became bold and made it more obvious that he was looking at my mask.
A rare shot of embarrassment swept through me as his gaze became more obvious, so I simply told him that my face was marred in an accident just so he could stop looking at my mask. Now that I thoroughly considered how defensive I might have seemed, I silently hoped he would not keep his mouth shut from spreading things about me that did not concern him. His bubbly personality was key to this move.
One look at the guard and I could decipher that he was the type to have compelled a lot of friends. Considering how he blabbered, just listening at him for a few minutes would give away how he was not good at keeping secrets, either. I believed that in a span of just a few days, chattering conversations about me having a disfigured face would soon fill the palace halls.
The guard sported a complex expression. His face was distorted into a mix of regret, pity, and misery for what he thought was an unfortunate tragedy that befell upon me. Not even once did he look again at my face.
At least he was not stupid.
Crystal’s POV
I still had an hour left before the banquet commenced. But the time I had left diminished after wasting some; my thoughts drifted far during the tour with the guard.
I had never been away for too long before. I began to wonder what the kids were doing right now. Would they eventually find out that I was not there? Would they misbehave when they did find out I was not around? But in fact, I hadn’t received any call from the pack, reporting how the kids were. With the absence of the calls, I thought it safe to assume the children were doing just fine and there was simply nothing to report.
I missed the kids so much that I wanted to go back to my room, lock myself there and have a video call with the kids before the banquet. It was decided; I spoke out of turn, interrupting the guard.
“Ben, I’m tired. I want to rest first before engaging with the other guests, so I don’t think I want to visit the rest of the palace. You can ask a servant to usher me to the banquet later.”
The guard studied me for a moment before nodding and leaving me be.
I stood still for another minute before picking my feet and heading towards my room to unpack my luggage. It was a long journey and I was tired, but I had to keep myself busy before the party. I was rummaging through my clothes when I caught sight of the perfume in my bag. It brought flooding memories through me, earning my forehead a slap to shake it off.
Shit! Rufus and I were still mates. Just having our presence near each other’s premises would have us smelling each other’s unique scent. That would be a huge problem! How could I forget this?
I was fortunate enough that I didn’t come across Rufus during our palace tour, or my every attempt at hiding these past few years would have been for nothing.
My heart was racing-not in excitement, but in fear. I was all over the place for a moment that I hurriedly covered my real scent using witchcraft. Not content with the magic I used, I spritzed perfume all over me like crazy. It was better safe than regretting later.
By the time I was pleased that I no longer smelled like my usual self, a knock came reverberating from the door. I opened it to see a slightly bowing servant who was sent to inform me that it was almost time for the banquet.
In the end, I couldn’t chat with my children. The thought of them made me sad, but I knew that the sooner my business here got dealt with, the sooner I would get back to my babies. I prepped myself before going to the banquet hall with the servant.
Warren was the first person I had crossed paths with upon reaching the hall. I studied his expression for any subtle change. Perhaps it was the magic coupled with the perfume I drenched myself in that Warren hadn’t sensed anything wrong. He was, after all, typically sensitive.
He didn’t recognize me. I swept a quick glance at him from up his hair down to his shoes: his appearance didn’t change much, but he looked more mature, more composed, and reserved. Even though he was just standing there, I could judge how he was qualified to be an Alpha.
I was met with changes even as I strolled down the hallway on my way to the banquet hall. Now that I saw Warren, I was slapped with the fact that over the years, everything had changed. Back then, Warren and I were comrades in arms who competed with each other at the military parade. Time sure didn’t take its time flying because right now, so had our identities changed. Either of us back then would have entertained the idea that we would be attending the military parade as Alpha only in our wildest dreams.
I didn’t want to be recognized. As much as possible, I wanted to avoid meeting him, but I didn’t expect that Ben, who happened to lead a werewolf into the banquet hall, saw me first the moment he swept his eyes across the crowd. He approached me, perhaps, to introduce me to the other Alphas.
Before I could even manage to lift a finger to stop him, the guard greeted Warren warmly, attracting the latter’s attention.
My head was about to explode. I suddenly felt the regret of asking his name sink in my gut. It slowly occurred to me how he must have thought that I valued him, and now he was trying his best to impress me further.
Warren gave me a quick side glance before treading towards where I was, each step growing colder as he neared me. He slightly bobbed his head to greet me, reaching his hand and saying, “Hello. I’m Warren Morgan, Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack.”
I was afraid that Warren would recognize my voice, so I deliberately lowered my voice before accepting his hand for a shake. “Crystal Quinn, Alpha of the Red Maple Pack.”
I didn’t feel the need to linger our contact much longer, so I let go of his hand.
Warren was taken aback, but soon he asked in surprise, “Your surname is also Quinn. Are you somehow related to our late Alpha, Leonard Quinn?”
I was stunned for a moment, but then came to my senses. “I’m the daughter of a distant relative of his. I didn’t grow up in your pack, so I doubt you have seen me before.”
Warren’s eyes significantly softened when he heard that I was somewhat related to Leonard. “I see. I’ve heard that you’re very powerful. In just a few years, you managed to pacify a chaotic pack in an orderly manner. I’ve long been looking forward to meeting you, and now, here we are.”
“You flatter me.” I intended to be as laconic as I could be for tonight’s celebration.
Warren was rendered speechless by how aloof I appeared. I knew he was boiling in anger. After all, Warren was reputed to never take the initiative to talk to others. He came to talk to me this time probably because most of the oil in the Silver Moon Pack was imported from the Red Maple Pack.
Since we used to be friends, the price I charged for the Silver Moon Pack was much lower than that of other packs. Perhaps that, too, was why Warren wanted to make friends with me. That much must have earned his presence before me right now.
But I could see from the shock in his eyes that he didn’t expect me to shrug him off that easily.
I coughed awkwardly and didn’t know what to say. Then I just decided to not elaborate myself further.
Crystal’s POV
“I’ve heard that the Silver Moon Pack is a place brimming with art and culture. I’ll definitely visit it if I ever have the chance,” I muttered casually, trying to avoid any awkwardness between us. However, I was terrified that Warren would recognize my voice, so I spoke softly and with pauses. He must certainly feel that I was very arrogant and strange.
The guard next to us was also puzzled. He scratched his head and watched me carefully.
I cleared my throat and asked the guard to leave us, so that Warren and I were alone.
Warren didn’t respond to my comment. He was obviously behaving frostily toward me. The smile on his face had completely disappeared. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and the expression in his eyes was icy.
At this moment, I could see the arrogant and difficult Warren I had met when I had just joined school.
But now, he was more confident and domineering than before. I presumed that he must have adapted well to the role of Alpha in the past five years.
I felt a huge wave of relief. I was glad to see my old friend living a good life.
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