BOUND BY FATE: Contracted To The Enemy Alpha

Chapter 19— Formerly Ferguson.

Chapter 19— Formerly Ferguson.

Kyra

Elora walked in, chin high. Every step she took exuded that arrogance she’d done so well to hide only now it was out for everyone to see.

Her hair was pinned up and styled in my signature classic chignon style, the very one I always wore on the first day of any occasion. The only thing she left out was the full curls I kept at the front, hers were all pinned back.

Her midnight blue gown sparkled in a way that had this silent command ‘all eyes on me’ the fitted bodice hugged her every curve. Elora was a woman blessed and she knew it. She sashayed, the gown flowing behind her like a wedding veil and I almost snorted. My eyes drifted upward and stopped on her chest, where the embroidery of two interlocked hearts was perfectly stitched, fitting seamlessly with the rest of the dress.

I paused, scanning the dress again. Taking in every single detail.

A fury like no other seized my body.

That b***h.

That f*****g b***h!

That was my mother’s dress. The very one she’d worn to wed my father and Elora had dared to wear it. Where the sleeves had once been long, Elora had shortened them. Where the gown had been fully covered, there was now a high slit that left nothing to the imagination.

Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on mine. Something flickered across her face quickly before she smirked but I could tell it wasn’t real.

I know Elora well enough—or at least, I thought I did. If I’d truly known her, maybe I would have seen what she was planning. But I knew that look of shock too damn well, she couldn’t even conceal it properly. Elora hadn’t thought I’d survive. I gritted my teeth, holding my anger at bay as our eyes locked.

My eyes finally drifted to the male beside her, and my breath stilled. I managed to swallow. I could never forget that face. How could I, when it belonged to the man who’d ripped away my only chance at saving my father?

What was he doing here?

Heck! What were they doing here?

The Alphas were conversing in low tones now. Their Lunas murmuring amongst themselves. Everyone was asking the same question. Who are they? But mine was what the f**k were they doing here?

The council attendant walked up to them. “Should I assume you are representing the last pack?”

Elora gave a small smile. And then the male stepped forward, he bowed slightly. “I am Reed, Alpha of the Umbra Pack formerly known as The Ferguson pack. And this is my companion,” he pointed at Elora whose chin would probably ache later from how wide she was smiling. “Elora.”

Formerly. Alpha of the Umbra pack.

The words kept replaying in my head. So many questions spun through my mind. My eyes grew heavy, my chest grew tight. My father’s legacy, my legacy has ended. No. I couldn’t allow it. I couldn’t just let them take everything away from us like that.

I’d noticed earlier that there was no Ferguson representation and had foolishly assumed they’d chosen to withdraw after what happened. But no, they were here. My pack was here, just under a new name and ruled by the same snake who’d betrayed us.

The Alpha king threw a quick glance at me, although I couldn’t tell what he was thinking then he looked away and nodded to them.

The council attendant quickly scribbled on his sheet, then pointed to the empty seats.

A bitter laugh almost burst from my throat. Elora had kept to her word. She had done it even though it wasn’t exactly as she’d promised, but she’d somehow wiggled her way to the top. If she’s the companion of this Reed— I refuse to acknowledge his title— then she was close enough to power.

“Now that all representatives are present,” Alpha Leonardo addressed, “let us feast!”

Trays clattered softly as servers began to move again, breaking the tension that had hung in the air. I forced myself to follow, to keep my expression blank, my steps measured.

Elora and her man brushed past me, close enough that the scent of her perfume drifted unpleasantly up my nose. She leaned slightly “Never knew a maid uniform would look this good on you, Kyra,” she said, voice low and sickly sweet. Who was she fooling? She was devil dressed in gold and beautiful clothings but that didn’t mask the stink of the rot in her black heart.

“We could’ve had it on you sooner.” Then she chuckled as they walked away.

My blood boiled beneath my skin.

So the Elder Council had allowed Reed to stay in the pack—a witch—yet I was the one banished, branded a danger, a disgrace, a traitor. The hypocrisy of it all, burned like acid down my throat. A witch was acceptable as long as he served their interests. But a witch born from an Alpha’s bloodline? That was the abomination they could never forgive. The abomination that killed my father.

How convenient.

I could call it out now. Tell them who Reed truly was. He was a witch. They couldn’t have him here.

But which one of them could I trust to have my back?

Hell, what if Alpha Damon was on it after all he was our biggest rival, he’d have every motive to see our downfall.

And Alpha Benjamin? The man was on neutral grounds with everyone and you don’t trust neutrality. They aren't stable. Never safe.

And the Alpha king? I didn’t know him that well to count on him. Hell, I didn’t even know him at all. The last convention had been with Alpha Mathew, his father before he passed away three months later and Alpha Leonardo had taken his place.

And Tristan? Well, that would be a mad man’s gamble.

I swallowed the bitter tears of frustration that stung my eyes. I had no ally. I had no one.

The tray in my hands felt heavier now, as though it carried every humiliation I’d ever endured.

Each step echoed with memories I wanted to burn. Standing beside my father at council tables. Debating laws with Alphas who’d once respected me even if they hated my guts. Watching them now glance away, pretending not to recognize the girl who’d once been their equal.

I reached the head of the table and set the tray down carefully, forcing my trembling fingers to steady. From the corner of my eye, I saw Reed lean close to whisper something to Elora. She laughed softly, looked at me, then intertwined their fingers.

The room was filled with low chatter again, the clinking of glasses, and the murmur of politics amongst Alphas.

Across the table, Tristan sat rigid, his shoulders broadly outlined in his button down shirt. His gaze flickered toward me and his lips curled into a smirk.

Bastard!

I knew he did this on purpose.

A familiar drawl sliced through my ears. “Alpha Tristan, I heard you’ve got yourself a new Luna. Where is she?” Eric’s tone was deceptively light, almost playful but I knew Eric to know when he was taunting. “And why isn’t she here with you?”