Chapter 2
1124 Words
3 Months Later
A long procession of sleek, high-end vehicles lined the curb before the grand entrance of the Duskridge Pack’s signature hotel—an imposing structure of glass and marble that gleamed beneath the sun.
Guests in elegant tuxedos and sweeping gowns emerged from each vehicle, guided by artfully dressed ushers into the ornate lobby.
It was the Hunters’ Conclave, the annual gathering of pack leaders from across the globe, all converging on the stronghold of the most eminent pack in the world.
On the hotel’s topmost suite, Kaelyn Manning stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the procession below.
Her body had strengthened dramatically in these past three months.
No trace of the gaunt, tortured woman who had once been held captive remained.
Tonight’s attire was a testament to her resurgence: a silver strapless evening gown that revealed her sculpted collarbones and upper arms in a way that made her look every inch the reigning princess.
A diamond necklace—gifted by her new family—sparkled around her neck, and her skin glowed with vitality.
Rosy cheeks, luminous eyes, and an air of serene confidence completed the transformation.
The door swung open behind her.
Turning, she realized it was her brother, Ronan Manning—the Alpha of Duskridge Pack. He entered with a soft, infectious smile.
“How’s my radiant sister this evening?” he murmured, holding her close and brushing a kiss lightly across her forehead.
Kaelyn smiled back, slipping into his embrace. “I’m well, Ronan.”
He frowned. “You’re pushing yourself too much. The healer said your wounds were nearly fatal. You should rest tonight instead of attending the opening gala.”
She brushed his concern away with a delicate pat on his arm.
“I’m stronger than that, Alpha’s blood flows through me — I recover quickly. But more importantly, I’m the Alpha’s sister now.” Her voice carried pride.
Ronan’s expression softened into one of pride.
“Yes, my fierce sister. You’re mine to protect.”
---
Three months ago, Duskridge patrols had stormed the clearing in the Gladewood Borderlands just as Kaelyn’s vision began to fade.
Blood stained her clothes in rivulets, her breaths coming in shallow gasps.
Recognizing the distinctive lunar birthmark on her lower back, medics realized she wasn’t Kaelyn Galloway but Kaelyn Manning — the long-lost sister of Ronan, the Alpha of Duskridge.
A DNA test confirmed it: a nurse had switched her with another infant in the orphanage wing years ago, an error unveiled only upon her rescue.
Since that fateful reveal, the Manning family had welcomed Kaelyn with open arms.
She returned to their ancestral manor just days ago, leaving behind the opulence-but-cold halls of Silverpine Pack, and embraced her rightful identity fully.
Overnight, she stepped from the shadows of obscurity into a mantle of authority and acceptance, beloved by all.
Ronan squeezed her close. “You’ll attend tonight, right? As our representative?”
Kaelyn brushed a curl from her shoulder and nodded.
“Yes. I’ll speak on behalf of our pack. I won’t let a single stranger stand in my way.”
Ronan’s steel-blue eyes darkened with displeasure. “Especially him.”
Kaelyn followed his gaze outward through the glass, steeling herself.
“He’ll be there,” Ronan said with a low growl.
“That… ex-Alpha from Silverpine. He had chosen to leave you to die, discarded you like trash—and then abandoned your bond when you needed him most. I’ve been clawing at the walls wanting to rip off his throat.”
Kaelyn gave him a reassuring smile.
“Leave it to me. I’m beyond revenge now—your sister, and a leader in my own right. If he crosses me tonight, I won’t hesitate to show him he’s dead wrong.”
Ronan drew her tightly to him. “I’ll always stand with you, Kaelyn. Always.”
She returned his embrace. “I know.”
He offered her his arm, warmth and strength at her back. “Then let’s go. The gala is starting.”
Hand in hand, they left the suite to face the world—and their guests.
---
Luken stepped out of his vehicle, satin tie immaculate, gaze fixed on the hotel’s grand facade.
There was a confidence in his step and pride in his eyes; after all, Silverpine Pack had grown swiftly.
Their new lodges, secured territory, and ambitious expansion efforts had made them one of the most formidable forces on the continent.
Still, beneath his poised veneer, there was tension: the Hunters' Conclave marked his first venture beyond his own domain since the k********g incident.
Ahead of him, Rhea—now Rhea’s stand-in as Luna—exited her car.
Her makeup was impeccable, hair perfectly done, but the weariness was woven into her smile and pale gaze.
“Magnificent building, isn’t it?” she said, modestly dazed by its majesty. “Imagine if we hosted our wedding here?”
Luken spoke coolly: “We have our own grand halls. This is a business meeting, not a reception.”
Rhea’s face flickered between elation and hurt.
Three months earlier, she had finally maneuvered her sister out of her post as Luna, believing this would secure Luken’s devotion.
She expected a proposal—after all, she had rid herself of the “useless” sister, right?
But the expected ring still hadn’t appeared.
Just as worrying, she’d learned he’d spent nights scouring for Kaelyn’s whereabouts.
If he still cared for his “ex”, why hadn’t he made her his Luna? The question gnawed at Rhea like a splinter.
She forced a breath of calm before swiftly falling into step.
“Alpha, wait,” she said breathily. Luken hesitated but allowed her to loop her arm in his.
Upon entering the lobby, an usher greeted them with discreet courtesy. “Good evening, m’lords. Tickets, please.”
Luken extracted his invitation and passed it forward.
Right then, his peripheral vision caught a familiar silhouette down the corridor.
He froze. The heartbeat of his past pounded in his ears.
Without a second thought, he bolted from the usher and Rhea’s hold, racing down the corridor.
“Alpha! Where are you going?!” Rhea yelled in alarm.
The usher gripped Luken’s shoulder.
“Sir—please, you can’t—”
He tore free and rounded the corner.
There stood her: a slender figure in a gleaming silver gown, regal in her composure, pausing before ornate double doors.
“Kaelyn,” he heard himself say with a hoarse voice.
Behind him, Rhea and the usher surged forward.
Rhea’s wide, frantic eyes met Kaelyn’s fiery, heart-calmed gaze.
Kaelyn allowed a small, almost brittle smile to curve her lips.
“Long time… no see,” she murmured.
- Writer
