Chapter 80: Acceptance
Emira stood quietly at the side, her back close to the stone wall, her head still lowered. Yet, despite her lowered gaze, her eyes strayed, drawn almost against her will to the gathering before her.
She’d been apprehensive about coming here, especially after receiving the dress and coat and instructions from Prince Zen. While she thought that the shirt dress was beautiful, if a bit short, she knew it had something to do with the beautiful woman sitting on top of the podium between Alpha Lance and Prince Zen.
She’d felt the laser like gaze on her the moment she had turned to look at her, without even glancing up. Lady Ramona was angry... And her anger was directed at her.
Prince Zen wanted her to make Lady Ramona jealous and make her see Prince Kael in a different light, while Prince Kael had already warned her to steer clear of his mate and not make trouble. How was she supposed to accomplish both tasks?
But as she walked towards her corner, she was pretty sure that she had succeeded in doing both. Just her mere presence had agitated the Lady so she had done nothing to antagonize her.
However, right now, her attention was not on the future Luna or the Princes... It was fixed on the rest of the pack. And what she saw surprised her.
The Stormhold Pack mingled and chatted as though the feast was nothing more than a family gathering.
There was laughter, loud voices overlapping each other and conversations being carried across the tables. Little children were running around, without a care for avoiding making noise or creating trouble... Plates clattered softly, goblets touched in quiet toasts, and the air was alive with warmth she had never known at a mealtime.
Her mother had told her that all packs ate at least one meal together. She’d seen that in her own pack as well, but the similarity ended there.
In the Moonville pack, no one would have dared to talk during meals. No one would have risked breaking the stiff silence for fear of disturbing the alpha.
The hierarchy there was sharp and unyielding, and if a mistake was made, punishable.
Omegas were not allowed at the tables at all. They were made to serve in advance and would be given food only after the rest had taken what they wanted. So usually, there was very little food left.
Here, though...
Emira watched wide eyed, her eyes fixed on a group on the far side of the hall. An omega laughed suddenly, as she stole a bite of meat from the plate of the warrior beside her.
Emira froze, expecting a blow or even a shouting. But instead, the man scowled at her playfully, nudged her shoulder, and then scooped more food onto her plate...
It took her a moment to realize... as she watched the Omega grin... that these two were mates. A mated omega? So... unique...
Emira’s chest tightened.
This... this was indeed different.
In her pack, even mated females were expected to sit still and wait, until their mates had finished.
And Omegas being mated to one partner was obviously unheard of.
Compared to all that, the atmosphere here was almost...like entering a different world. And, in that moment, she understood. Prince Zen had not lied to her or exaggerated that she would be happier here.
Her lips parted as the truth settled in her chest. Were there really packs like this one in the world?
Prince Zen had told her that in his pack, everyone was treated equally- that bonds mattered and so did the hierarchy but they were still family. There were no cruel divisions that kept wolves broken and afraid. And here it was right before her eyes.
She felt something sharp and unexpected twist inside her. A pang. Was this what it could be like?
Her gaze lingered on the laughing omegas, the werewolves who did not sneer at them and the mated pairs who spoke and ate side by side as equals.
Her fingers curled into her shirt and she felt her eagerness rise...She was about to become a part of this pack tomorrow? But she also felt a moment of apprehension.
Would they truly accept her?
Her throat tightened. She wanted to believe it, wanted to believe that this warmth could reach her too.
That she might one day sit among these people without feeling fear.
Just as she was lost in thought, a door on the side opened and she turned her head with interest. Whatever was being carried out smelled delicous... She could practically feel herself and even the others salivating....
She looked on in interest as a woman brought out a large steaming pot, struggling a little under its weight.
But before she could try to get closer, her eyes widened in horror. Because, as the woman turned to take the soup towards the middle of the room, where other dishes had been placed,a small child came dashing forward, weaving through the tables with careless laughter, not looking where his little legs were carrying him, probable simply attracted by the scent.
Emira’s breath hitched. Her eyes widened as she saw their paths crossing. The child was going to collide...
And before she could even think, instinct took over. The little boy crashed straight into the woman, and the pot tipped.
Emira lunged, shoved the child with a strength born from sheer panic, pushing him out of harm’s way.
But she was a heartbeat too late to save herself.
The pot overturned, and the burning liquid splashed down her leg.
The searing heat tore a gasp from her lips and she staggered, clutching at the edge of the nearest table to steady herself. Pain lanced up her calf, and she felt tears fill up her eyes as her entire leg seemed to burn...
The entire placed seemed to have turned silent as the child was hurriedly picked up by someone... and taken to safety. Realizing that the child was safe, Emira breathed a sigh of relief, even as her own mind screamed in agony.. In the next moment, she was lifted by someone and she felt her eyes close.