The morning I selected my enemy
994 Words
Kaelira’s POV
I sensed the difference in the air when Alpha Draeven Nightbane came into Ashthorn territory.
I was standing by the window of my dressing chamber, wearing the same ceremonial gown that I recalled from times past, as the grounds below became filled with pack members and guests. Then I heard it, the murmur of the street, heads turning to the manor entrance.
“Is that...?” Wren's voice was quiet with disbelief behind me. “My lady, is that alpha Nightbane? He finally decided to attend! Why are the guards not stopping him.”
I moved towards the window and watched him get off his horse, looking tall and imposing. No one stopped him. He was not questioned, because I had made sure of it.
I whispered, "It’s about to go down.”
When I arrived an hour later on the ceremonial grounds, there was a lot of whispering going on. As I walked by I heard bits of discussion from the council members leaning in toward each other and from the Alphas, they exchanged uncertain looks.
“What's the point of Vaelor bringing his biggest competitor to something like this?”
"Perhaps it's a peace offering." Someone said.
“The imperial council sent out invites to all alphas…maybe he was bored and decided to come take a look.” I heard another reply.
I spotted Vaelor in the front garden, his face carefully crafted to impress the crowd of attendees, but I saw the tightness around his eyes as soon as I looked at him. He stood away from the council members around him, and gripped my elbow tightly and pulled me aside.
He said, "Kaelira. A word."
"Of course, Uncle."
He took me a short distance away, out of the earshot of the closest guests, and then turned to face me completely. “Would you like to tell me why Ashthorn land is occupied by Alpha Draeven Nightbane today? The council’s invitation letter never reached him… I made sure of that.”
“Well, I invited him,” I replied.
His jaw tightened. "What do you mean you invited him! You did not tell me! You did not tell the organizers... You invited him. Despite knowing the History we share.”
“Yes,” I said, “I did it because I felt it was time our pack started to think about better relations with the Nightbane Pack.”
Vaelor's eyes narrowed. " what ties."
I gave him a small smile. “My parents always felt that it was more important to have unity within the packs than the old rivalry, I thought today of all days would be a good day to be a little bit nice.”
He didn't speak for a long time, and he looked at me as usual, as if he was looking for something. I didn't look away; I tried my best not to.
It wasn't your call to make," he said finally, his voice quiet but sharp.
“Well, maybe not," I replied. “But, surely, you wouldn't want to make a scene in front of the council by turning him away now, that would make the council know that you stole one invitation.”
A flicker of irritation was visible behind his eyes before he straightened and pushed his face into a mask. “Let's talk about it later,” he replied and walked away from his guests without saying another word.
When he turned around I let out a slow exhale, my hands shaking ever so slightly at my sides.
As I walked across the grounds, I noticed Draeven standing away from the crowd, respecting the party. He didn't go around flaunting himself, he was not the center of attention. His golden eyes shifted from me to Vaelor and watched him carefully and silently, a good sign he had read my letter and understood its content.
‘Thank you moon goddess.’
I didn't make my way up to him. Not yet. If all I remember is true, there would be time for that.
The ceremony started shortly after, with the Werewolf Council sitting in front of the elderly and visiting Alphas. I stood on the edge of the ceremonial platform, my heart pounding under the silver pendant that lay against my collarbone: my fathers' pendant, given to me that morning by the very hands that had ordered his death.
He stood with his head held high and his face unblemished, just as he had the first time, at the center of the platform. He did not remember his destiny was to be Like he couldn't remember the blade that he would plunge into my chest before the night was done.
The old man who led the ceremony raised his hands to speak to the people. “Kaelira Ashthorn approach the one you choose to complete the sacred mating bond.”
All the eyes in the ritual area looked at me.
I took a breath and began to walk.
I approached Caedric first, my steps measured, and I could sense the crowd relaxing slightly around me, whispers of approval reverberating through the gathered guests. Caedric's face relaxed, knowing that this day would play out as it was supposed to.
I turned around and then made a turn.
I heard the gasps before I realized that I had moved, that the shocked murmurings were spreading out around me as I walked past Caedric, not looking at him, not slowing. I maintained my focus and kept walking, until I reached a stop directly in front of Alpha Draeven Nightbane.
The whole assembly was completely silent.
“Kaelira!” I heard my uncle’s voice but I ignored him.
“Lady Kaelira Asthorn.” Alpha Draeven said as he placed a kiss on my hand.
I looked into his eyes and they were as gold as they could be, and he gave me a knowing smile.
“I chose Alpha Draeven Nightbane as my mate!”
- Writer
