The Moon Deception

Chapter 3; The Phoenix Alpha

Anaya POV.

Dining room.

"Father, it's been a few days since the members of the Phoenix pack arrived, and yet we don't have any idea what their purpose and who their alpha is!" Shaina furiously complained.

"Shaina is right, my love... They should do the courtesy call! Especially their alpha!" Zera emphasized the 'alpha'.

Calixto sighed. He put his cutlery on and took a glass of wine. "I already know the reason for their visit... They are here to honor the deal they have with Alejandro Lyric..."

"What?! Father!" Shaina was startled, her expression showing her disapproval.

"My dear, don't tell me you will honor that deal?" Zera asked in disbelief.

"Anaya is a disgrace!"

'What the f**k? Did they forget I was here with them?' I uttered to myself as I continued my meal. For the past year, this has been our setup up and with God's grace, I wanted it to stop.

I hate eating with them!.

"No worries... No one will accept Anaya, especially the Phoenix pack." Calixto responded calmly.

"But father!" Shaina did not buy that, so she looked at me and said, "You! Don't you ever, ever dream of being the Luna of the Phoenix pack! You are nothing but a crazy wolf-less b***h!"

'When times come, I will s***h your throat with my own claw! And heck, I will wish to be their Luna! I don't care if Phoenix is the strongest pack in the entire world! I will never dream of being married to someone as old as my father!'

"I know my place..." I answered while bowing my head.

"Good! At least you know where you're going!" Shaina smiled as she continued eating.

For a few seconds, I try not to show any emotion. Why? because I can still feel Zera's sharp gaze on me.

"My love, have you talked to their alpha? Do you have any idea what he likes and dislikes?" Zera asked after staring at me for a few seconds.

Of course, I know what these questions mean... Zera wants that position for her daughter. And I am certain she will do anything and everything to secure the position for Shaina.

"I talk to him on the phone, but I also have no idea what he likes and dislikes," Calixto responded while shrugging.

"Mom, don't worry. Leave everything to me," Shaina confidently declared.

Zera caressed Shaina's cheek. "Of course, my dear... no one can resist your charm."

"Well, like mother, like daughter!" The mother and daughter giggle.

'Anaya, someone is coming,' Hope's voice echoed in my mind, causing me to be distracted from my silent cursing at Shaina and Zera.

"Alpha Calixto, Alpha Ryan from the Phoenix pack, requests your presence," Beta Delfin announced.

"Alpha Ryan?" Shaina whispered with excitement. "Finally, I'll meet my future husband!"

"Dear, remember everything I taught you." Zera reminded while checking Shaina's back.

'He is the alpha of the Phoenix pack?' I couldn't hide my disappointment. Although the guy I imagined was as old as my father, I still couldn't shake off the aura of a ruler. But the guy in front of me is young and normal. Which is uncanny.

'Anaya, he looks normal to me... Also, his wolf is so-so.'

Like me, Hope voiced her disappointment.

'You're overreacting... Perhaps he's hiding his true power... Like you?' I reasoned out, though I doubted my statement. There is no way an alpha of the most powerful pack will hide his aura, especially with the presence of the other pack alpha.

'Thankfully, your bitchy sister snatched him from you!' Hope remarks before disappearing from my mind.

'Hope is right... Alpha Ryan is not what I'm looking for. The Phoenix pack is a waste in my hand.'

It's been five minutes since Alpha Ryan arrived, and it's enough for me to form my conclusion about him.

"Anaya, go back to your room and finish your study," Zera said with her signature smile.

"Oh, right! Mom, Anaya's teacher, told me she failed her exams and needed to retake them..." Shaina added while secretly smirking at me.

"That's not—"

"Anaya! Go back to your room and study!" my father's voice echoed throughout the dining room. Obviously, he didn't want to correct Shaina's remark.

'Study my butt!' I whispered as I stood up to obey the orders of my 'caring' family.

"I'm sorry about that... Anaya's been irresponsible since her mother died..." Zera's voice cracked as she held back tears.

'Lying b***h!' I cursed as I ran outside. Instead of going to my room, I decided to go outside.

Every time my chest felt like it was going to explode, I ran. I let Hope take over. I let her run fast like the wind, enjoying the beauty of nature that I could only see through her eyes.

"Someday I will take back everything that's mine! I'll make sure everyone who hurt me pays-" I was about to remove my t-shirt, but halted because of the rustling sound behind the tree.

"Show yourself!" I tried to brace myself, thinking about what the intruder might have heard.

"Looks like you were robbed... Can you tell me who the culprit is?" From behind the tree, the owner's voice came out. It was Alaric.

's**t! Hope, why didn't you warn me?'

'How could I? I didn't scent him!' Hope responded with terror. It's the first time this has happened. Hope can smell everything and anyone within ten meters.

"Alaric... What are you doing here? This part of the compound is off limits," I asked, trying to divert his attention.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know," Alaric responded while scratching the back of his head. "Your Beta told me it's ok to roam around while waiting for Ryan."

'Ryan? Did he call his alpha by his name?' I asked myself in disbelief. Again, I put on the shoes that I had taken off earlier.

"This part of the forest is dangerous. Some rogues are hiding here," I explained with firmness.

"Really? Then why are you going?" Alaric replied while gazing at me.

"Because I know this place..." I answered quickly and confidently.

"Really? What if a bunch of rogues found you? How can you save yourself?" Alaric snapped at me. His long and firm finger quickly reached for my arm.

I'm caught off guard by the eyes staring at me, and add to this the heat that was bubbling from his hand.

"Are you planning to be killed?"

'What the heck?' I finally came to my senses. I immediately removed Alaric's hands from my arm and stepped backward.

"I told you I can take care of myself! And the hell do you care if I die? We are strangers, so mind your own business!"

"Damn it, Anaya!"

I heard Alaric say, but I ignored him. I decided to go back to my room to sleep.

In my room, I stared at my ceiling for a long time, thinking about what had happened.

'Hope, are you sure you did not know Alaric was there?' I asked again. Until now, I couldn't believe it.

'Are you nuts? Why would I lie to you? Why would I expose our secret to that hot stranger?' Hope teased. Obviously, she felt what I felt earlier when Alaric touched me.

'Hope, we need to be careful. That guy is dangerous to us! If we're not careful, he'll find out our secret.'

'Secret my ass... Did you forget where he found us? We're going to the forest—'

's**t! I forgot about that! What should we do?' For the first time, I felt a deep fear for my life.

'Hey, calm yourself... All you need to do is stay away from him.'

'Right! That's what I'll do!'