Chapter 10 Seraphina's POV

Yes, this is my moment, the very moment I had been waiting for, for ages. I had put my all in meticulously planning for my engagement to Alpha Jaxon. As the soon-to-be Luna of Silver Moon Pack, I made sure to supervise the grand hall, ensuring the hall was adorned with lavish decorations, following every instruction I gave concerning simple details that mustn't be omitted but well executed. Everything sparkled and glowed as I had envisioned it in my imagination. The engagement was a union for most pack members. For Jaxon, I had no idea what it meant to him, but it was a moment of victory for me. I had always wanted to be the Luna; here it was, staring right at me. My opportunity to trample upon anyone who dares challenge my orders. I bent down to adjust my dress, and I could see pairs of eyes all on me. I could sense jealousy, envy, and admiration from those pairs of eyes, but that doesn't matter now. What matters is my engagement. I will handle everyone after I secure my olace already. This is my rightful position, and no one dares challenge me; no one has the power to dethrone me. My place is at the top, beside the Alpha like the Luna, and no one, not even Liora, can stop me. Just thinking of Liora accelerated my blood pressure, my blood boiling in anger, ready to tear her into pieces if I could get a glimpse of her. How can a mere Omega attach so much importance to herself to the extent of trying to steal Jaxon's heart? But where could she be now? I was probably drowning in depression somewhere deep in the forest, a befitting place for anyone who dared challenge my authority. I searched for Jaxon with my eyes roaming round the hall, and right beside the elder Marcus, stood Jaxon, in the grace of his handsomeness. He looked indescribably sharp in his tailored suit. But something looked odd, his eyes did not portray a happy groom. He appeared distant and unconcerned. He has been carrying this look ever since the disappearance of Liora. I gritted my teeth in anger. Why does he still care about her? Liora was nothing, just a mere omega. I thought he rejected her himself. Why is he still bothered? "This very night," I muttered to myself, "I'll make him forget her. I will place him in a tight corner where he will have no choice but to obey." I moved with much grace towards his direction to meet Elder Marcus. Every step I took kept reminding me of the position I was about to assume, about my superiority. As I reached where Jaxon was standing, I seductively slipped my arm around his waist and leaned my head on his back. "You look extremely handsome today," I whispered, as I brushed my lips against his ear. No one knew how to play the part more than I did:the loving and caring bride-to-be, the perfect match created just for an Alpha. "You look beautiful too, Seraphina," he replied bluntly, no tenderness in his voice. It was as if he was forced, always displaying a nonchalant attitude, not even occasional eye contact. He was just saying and doing everything as if forced to do so. This was never in my plan. I never planned my beautiful moment to be like this. The ceremony later began in earnest, and I beat my chest to say that I had made the right choice; the energy of the pack members was increasing, and everyone around seemed happy and in anticipation. I was just waiting for the most important moment, the very moment we would be engaged officially in the presence of the whole pack. I glanced over Jaxon for the hundredth time, to ensure he was still in the hall, and his focus on me. The number of times that I glanced at him was unhealthy, but you won't blame me. I was just marking my space, to make sure no story is told at the end. I am just a few steps to power, and nothing can stop that. I glanced again. This time, his gaze was not steady. At first, I thought he was staring lovingly at me, but on a closer look, I noticed he was watching something or, perhaps, someone at my back. He was keenly staring at what I couldn't figure out. His gaze kept drifting, scanning the crowd, searching. I clenched my jaw. Was he looking for her? Liora was gone. Dead, for all we knew. There was no reason for Jaxon to be acting like this, not today of all days. "Jaxon," I called through gritted teeth, though my voice was low, it was still very dangerous." What exactly are you doing? Just say the words, that's all that is required of you." After what looked like forever, he finally looked at me; his eyes weren't glowing as they used to be, the glow that only appeared when he was with Liora. Cloudy with unreadable emotions, maybe guilt or it could be regrets? But I am sure I wasn't in his thoughts like Liora, or was he thinking about me? Of course not; his thoughts were somewhere very pathetic, a weak and timid wolf. From the look of things, she might be long dead in the woods. "I accept this engagement," he said flatly after a long wait. I was relieved immediately, as the crowd cheered. What would have become of me if he didn't respond positively? It was a done deal. The battle is won. Jaxon has become mine, whether he's pleased with it or not. I turned around to face the members of the pack, showing off my triumphant smile. It was as if I was saying, "Look, we are engaged now. Look, I am engaged now. I conquered this battle." But even with the engagement, I knew there was still a lot to be handled. Jaxon didn't show the expression expected of a happy groom, which means he was not happy and there are a lot of problems ahead. Doubts about making the right choice were all over his face. This wasn't the way I wanted my union to be; something must be done so that Jaxo would not bring his attitude to the big day, the wedding proper. >>>>>>>> Liora's POV There were whispers and rumors of looming war going around the camp, even getting closer and louder every day. As my training in Night Howlers continued, I noticed something strange: a new type of air everywhere. I continued training, pushing beyond my limits and making sure to grab everything my hands could lay hands on and everything they could teach me. I noticed that each time I approached a group, they stopped their conversations immediately, and the warriors kept exchanging strange glances that made me feel old. One day, after my sparring session, I eavesdropped on a conversation between two warriors; they were still talking about war, about invading a particular pack, taking them unawares, and destroying everything in the pack. "We are going to invade the Silver Moon Pack unawares immediately after its dawn. We won't give them any chance to defend themselves," one of the warriors said with much anticipation. I froze in my tracks, my heart threatening to escape from my chest. What, Silver Moon Pack, why my pack? They were meticulously planning to attack my family, my people. My facial expression changed immediately; I tried to maintain my cool to avoid suspense. Confrontation is not the right thing to do as that might become the end of me. Alpha Rhys hasn't relented in watching me at any opportunity that he gets during training hours. For the hundredth time, I had caught him staring intensely at me. To worsen it all, his expressions were always unreadable, and his stares made me not at ease. His eyes never failed to follow each of my movements, maybe assessing my skills or because of the war at the corner, but whatever it was, I was ready to grab everything. At the end of the first training session, Alpha Rhys approached me with confidence. He gazed at me intensely for minutes before he opened his mouth to talk. "Liora," he started, "I must confess, you're rapidly becoming one of the best fighters that we ever produced. I'm personally impressed with the progress you have made." "Thank you so much, Alpha Rhys," I replied, trying to keep calm and undisturbed. "I'm doing my best not to disappoint you but to prove my worth to you, an appreciation for taking me in." He moved closer to me, a broad smile displayed on his lips. "You've done more than is needed to prove your worth. And recently, I've been having some thoughts. What about you becoming a valuable and respected asset not just on the battlefield but also in other profitable ways?" I slowly removed my face from gazing at his eyes directly, my stomach tightening after knowing what he meant. "I'm here for nothing else but to serve the pack and do everything that is required to prove my gratitude on the battlefield and in any way I can." "Good, then," he said, still smiling. "I like what you just said. Loyalty is very paramount in everything one does." "Of course, Alpha, and I will do even more" I replied with a forced smile. He stood on one spot and studied me to dictate any deceit. Nodding after some minutes, he turned to leave in satisfaction. "Just keep up the great work you are doing, Liora. With the skills you've acquired, we are unstoppable." As he finally walked away, I let out the breath I had been holding. With the brewing storm around the corner, the Night Howlers meticulously planning evil on how to attack the Silver Moon Pack, and worst of all, Alpha Rhys doing his best to get closer to me each passing day. I needed to stay alert, stay low and gather enough information before the attack.