Elena’s POV
We stepped down from the stage and began weaving through the crowd of pack mbers. The energy around us was electric, conversations flowing like wine as people celebrated my official initiation. Gage appeared beside with a cold bottle of water, and I accepted it gratefully. My throat felt parched from nerves and excitent.
Before I could thank him properly, Chloe materialized at my elbow with that bright smile of hers. She practically bounced on her toes as she tugged away from Gage.
"Co on, you have to et everyone," she insisted, linking her arm through mine. "I want to introduce you to all my friends."
I allowed myself to be pulled along, though part of wondered what the point was. How long would these friendships last? Would they treat like the outsider I truly was, or would this pack be different from my old one? Only ti would tell.
Chloe dragged from group to group, her enthusiasm never wavering as she made introductions. I tried to morize nas and faces, knowing I would be seeing these people regularly now that this was my ho. The conversations were pleasant enough, though I kept them brief, moving from one person to the next without lingering too long.
What struck most was how many of Chloe’s friends seed fascinated by one particular detail about . Their eyes would light up with curiosity when they learned I was living in the packhouse with Damien. I could practically see the wheels turning in their heads, wondering if there was sothing romantic happening between the Alpha and . Their thinly veiled questions and knowing looks made it clear that my living arrangent was the subject of considerable speculation.
The massive scale of tonight’s party probably wasn’t helping matters. Normal initiations were simple affairs, not the elaborate celebration Gage had orchestrated for . I could feel the weight of curious stares following wherever I went, pack mbers trying to figure out what made so special.
During one of my scanning glances across the crowd, I spotted Damien in what appeared to be a heated argunt with a woman I didn’t recognize. Her voice was rising, drawing attention from nearby guests. Damien’s jaw was set in that dangerous way I’d co to recognize, his patience clearly wearing thin. Without warning, he grabbed the woman’s arm and physically dragged her away from the party area, presumably to continue their argunt sowhere private where she couldn’t cause more of a scene.
He returned several minutes later, alone and looking thunderous. His timing was perfect though, as dinner was being announced.
I found myself seated at what was obviously the head table with Damien and Gage. Two older adults approached and took seats across from us, their body language screaming reluctance. The man in particular looked like he’d rather be anywhere else in the world.
"Elena, these are Xander and Martha, our parents," Damien said, his tone as flat and unenthusiastic as theirs appeared to be.
"It’s lovely to et you," I replied politely, though Xander’s response was nothing more than a dismissive grunt as he settled into his chair.
Martha leaned forward, her eyes sharp with curiosity. "So tell , how exactly did you convince my sons to throw such an extravagant party for a simple pack initiation?"
"I didn’t," I answered honestly.
Gage jumped in before anyone could respond. "It was entirely my idea. Elena has beco like family to us, and we love having her here. She deserved sothing special after everything she’s been through."
Xander’s eyebrows rose skeptically. "All this because she ca here seeking asylum? Exactly how terrible was your old pack?"
"Terrible enough," I said simply.
"And what does your forr Alpha think about your little disappearing act?" Xander pressed, his tone taking on a predatory edge.
Damien’s voice cut through the air like a blade. "Don’t ever ntion her old Alpha to my father. He’ll call that bastard and tell him exactly where you are."
Xander’s lips curved into a cold smirk. "So you ran away from your Alpha. That’s typically punishable by death in most packs."
"Not happening," Damien growled, his protective instincts flaring. "She’s under my protection now."
His father t his stare with open defiance, neither man backing down from the silent battle of wills happening across the dinner table.
I decided to stir the pot a little. "So help understand sothing. How co your son is running this pack instead of you?"
Xander’s head snapped toward . "Excuse ?"
"Well, you were the Alpha, and now he is. You look pretty bitter about that arrangent. So what exactly did you do wrong to get stripped of your title?" I asked, eting his hostile stare with calm directness.
I could see Gage fighting back laughter while Damien watched his father with an expectant expression, clearly curious to hear the answer himself.
"That’s classified pack business. Why the hell would I share confidential information with so stranger?" Xander snarled.
I shrugged casually and returned to cutting my food. "Fair enough. I’ll just break into the office later and do so investigating on my own."
"Are you going to allow this disrespect?" Xander demanded, whipping around to face Damien.
Damien’s mouth twitched with barely suppressed amusent. "I can hardly control what she does while I’m sleeping."
Xander turned back to glare at as I continued eating, completely unbothered by his obvious fury. The tension at our table was thick enough to cut with a knife, but sohow I found myself enjoying every second of it.
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