Libra Against Luna

Chapter2:Genova Hawthorne

Agatha's POV:

Three nights ago, as I was about to retire to bed, my mother called out for me.

“Agatha!” She beckoned.

“Yes, Mother?” I replied. “Do you need something?”

“No, not really. Actually, your father and I would like to have a word with you.”

“Can't it wait until tomorrow? I have been in the kitchen all day. I am truly exhausted.” I asked, genuinely tired.

“It's urgent.” She replied curtly.

I followed her into the room where Noah was seated on the edge of the bed and mother joined him by his side.

“Good evening.” I greeted, letting out a yawn.

“You appear to be tired, so I shall not waste your time. I have received a marriage proposal from the Hawthorne household.” He began.

I had heard of the Hawthorne's; they are the wealthiest family in Guildford, even richer than the royal family. Tyndall Hawthorne, the former Alpha of the Respawn Pack, now the General of Guildford. His eldest son, Genova Hawthorne, the current Alpha of the Respawn Pack and the wealthiest merchant across twenty-five cities.

The youngest son, Hughelyn Hawthorne, owns a renowned drama and music theater. It is rumored that Hughelyn’s teacher was taught by Apollo, the Greek god of music.

But the question remained: “Which of these males proposed a hand in marriage to the Pennington household? And why?” We were neither worthy nor wealthy enough to catch the eye of such a renowned family.

“That’s splendid news for Caroline. Do I need to prepare anything for a feast?” I asked.

“The marriage proposal did not come for Caroline, Agatha. It came for you.” Noah replied.

“That is not possible. If the proposal came for the Pennington household, it must be for Caroline.” I insisted. “Because, I am not a Pennington, I am an Ainsworth, you should inform them of this. Besides, I do not wish to wed at this time.” I replied.

“Do you realize the consequences of rejecting their marriage proposal? It could cost us our heads.” He warned.

“It is merely a marriage proposal; no one would kill you for declining it. Unless there is something you are not revealing.” I said, trying to be as calm as possible.

There was no way Noah Pennington would allow me to marry into such a wealthy family while his daughter remained unmarried. Something suspicious was definitely going on.

“What nonsense!” He ranted. “Are you accusing me of selling you off to the Hawthorne's ? Even if that were the case, what makes you think the Hawthorne's would want to buy you?” he retorted.

“Exactly my point. Why do you not let your daughter wed instead? Besides, I am no Pennington.” I replied.

Suddenly, he tossed a piece of paper in my face. “I added your name to the family's registry earlier today. From now on, you are a Pennington, so you had better prepare yourself to be married to Genova Hawthorne in the next two weeks.” He declared.

I stood there, rooted to the ground, glancing back and forth between my mother and Noah, in utter disbelief.

“Did you ever love my father?” I questioned. “I doubt you did, for if you ever loved him, you would not sit there while your sorry excuse of a husband takes away the only thing he had left. You let him take you, and now you let him erase his name from the face of the earth. You are a disgrace to motherhood. I wish you had died instead of my father.” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks.

Noah suddenly picked up a teacup from the side table and hurled it at me. It struck me on the side of my head and shattered on the ground.

“You should never speak to your mother like that.” He warned. “Pick up the pieces of that cup and leave. We will discuss your wedding preparations tomorrow.” He commanded as he sat back down on the bed.

Blood began to flow from the side of my head, I could taste the iron on my lips. Turning to face Noah I said. “I pray you die in your sleep.” I cursed, then I walked out of the room without picking up the broken pieces of the teacup.

<<

I refused to adhere to Noah's wishes, so I started putting up missing person flyers all over town, but after waiting nearly three days, I received no response. No one had any idea where my brother was—except Noah.

When I returned home after a day of scouting the forest in search of Elliott I retired to my room. I began to consider Noah's condition, maybe marrying into the Hawthorne's household wouldn't be a bad idea.

But then……

Had Noah disclosed that the marriage proposal was from Tyndall Hawthorne, I might have understood the reason behind why I was to wed from the Hawthorne's household instead of Caroline. Tyndall is quite advanced in years, being over a century old, he is after all, a werewolf. But to be married off to someone as young and prominent as Alpha Genova instead of Caroline only made me suspicious.

Another thing that fueled my doubt is the fact that Jews harbor hatred toward two beings: witches and werewolves. Witches had long been eradicated over three decades ago, their extinction is celebrated annually by the Jews on a day known as The Burning of the Witches. The only beings whom the Jews could not eradicate were the werewolves, who possess superior strength, intelligence, wisdom, and experience. Which was amongst the many reasons Noah despised me, because I had inherited my father's Omega traits.

For centuries, werewolves have ruled the world as kings, generals, wealthy merchants, and council elders. Among the most esteemed packs is the Respawn Pack, led by Alpha Genova, a lineage that has existed since the dawn of humanity. In their early existence, werewolves lived independently without rulers or settlements. The onset of conflict began when humans, fearful of being overthrown by werewolves, waged war against them.