Chapter 3 The Bonding Of Alpha Mikos

• Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
• As the car pulls up to the DA's private mansion in Nightfall Square or as we know it; the pack house, my heart beats erratically and there is little or nothing I can do about it.
• The last time I came here, I walked in on my mate in a compromising position with my cousin. This time, I will finally be facing Alpha Mikos again and I am not certain how this visit will turn out.
• Underneath all the anxiety, there is undeniably a sliver of hope.
• 'Perhaps I had gotten it wrong the last time? He may have just been too embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising position. I had left the pack house immediately, giving him no time to explain.' I think to myself.
• Hailey had also advised me to confront Alpha Mikos directly, the rejection in his eyes had been my own assumption after all, no words were exchanged between us.
• 'Even if he wanted to clarify things, the DA would not come searching for you in our little room in a Cafe. You have to go to him, give him a chance to say his piece.' Hailey had said to me.
• It is the only reason I have come to this Moon Gala tonight.
• "Kyra!" Tyler's voice draws me out of my reverie.
• I glance up at Tyler, blinking in confusion and he shakes his head at me, quickly typing something on his cellphone before he returns his attention to me.
• "Focus Kyra, we are here." Tyler says to me.
• Tyler, Lana's only brother is the Beta of our pack and also Alpha Mikos' best friend.
• Tyler was much older than the rest of us, though I had practically grown up in their home, he and I had never been close and were only cordial.
• This time, my uncle had tasked him with picking me up for the event. Before this time, I have not seen Tyler in months but initial pleasantries had already been exchanged.
• "I will spend the night at the pack house. When the event is over, the driver will be waiting here to take you back. Remember... back to our estate and not that Cafe Dad is so annoyed about." Tyler instructed firmly.
• I nod slowly to indicate I understand his words but Tyler's gaze on me only turns stern.
• "I understand, Tyler." I say the words out audibly, knowing Tyler always wanted me to be clear and vocal when conversing with him.
• Tyler got down from the car and rounded over to my end, pulling the door open for me. He offered me a hand to help me down and I took it.
• And once I was down, he guided me into the main hall. Nodding in response to the greetings we received, given that Tyler held such a high and respected rank.
• Once we arrived at the lobby, I unhooked my hand from Tyler's elbow and he passed me a questioning look.
• "I... I will go in a little later." I say.
• Tyler frowned slightly but he did not insist.
• "The gala holds at the main hall, it has already begun and we are late. Do not take too long to come over and make certain you greet Dad as soon as you are in the hall. I trust you won't cause any trouble." Tyler asserts.
• "I'll be good." I promise Tyler, he nods in approval before he strides off, leaving me to my anxious thoughts.
• I glance around for a moment, the gala was down the hallway on the right. Since it is an exclusive event, there would only be werewolves in attendance and so, there are only a few people to be seen moving about the lobby at this time, none of which I am acquainted with, which I am grateful for.
• I take a few moments to catch my breath and steady my thoughts.
• "After the gala, I will speak to Alpha Mikos. Hear him out." I tell myself.
• I was expected to find employment under Alpha Mikos' corporation, I cannot avoid him forever. I will have to confront our situation one day or the next and it is better done much earlier.
• It takes me a short time but I soon feel steady enough and I make my way to the hall where the gala is being held. Though I have only been in the pack house a few times, I still find my way with ease.
• Soon, I am standing in an extravagantly decorated room, crowded with elegantly dressed werewolves, they are clustered in groups and conversing fondly, and there is an intense aura in the hall that boasts of wealth, power and dominance.
• Most were our pack wolves but there were still quite a few external guests from neighboring packs.
• My eyes scan the crowd and I identify a few faces from the pack, including Tyler who was now at the front of the hall, conversing with a group of neighboring Alphas and Betas.
• My Uncle was also in the group, laughing proudly whilst patting Tyler on the shoulder.
• Lana and Alpha Mikos are nowhere to be seen, but I do not think too much about it.
• I remember Tyler's instructions to greet my uncle first, but I know better than to approach such an influential group. A single wrong word would get me killed, the entire gala screams of status and I want no part in any of it, my uncle would just have to understand.
• I fetch myself a glass of champagne and swiftly make my way to the least occupied corner of the hall, in hopes to be as scarce as possible and there, I tune out of my surroundings.
• Everything seems to be going just fine, that is until the hall suddenly goes quiet.
• I look up and trail their gazes and it is then I become aware of Alpha Mikos' arrival and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach as he arrives hand in hand with my cousin Lana.
• They are both smiling brightly, the golden girl and the charismatic Alpha, a sight to behold. The imposing aura they give off is nearly blinding and I see many wolves lower their heads on instinct.
• They climb up to the stage together and there Alpha Mikos addresses the crowd.
• "Warm greetings my beloved family, friends and allies who have stood with me through the test of time. It is my greatest pleasure to have you all gather to commemorate my 28th birthday and third year as Alpha of the Wolves of Everdale city." Alpha Mikos begins, his tone rich and regal.
• All eyes were fixed on him, mystified, in awe and I am no different, but my gaze keeps straying to that point where his hand is still joined with Lana's and my stomach churns in unease.
• "The Moon Gala is such a treasured event to me...to my pack because as a family, existing in the shadows of this fast paced world, how often do we get the chance to come together like this?" Alpha Mikos carries on.
• At this precise moment, his gaze meets mine, somehow through the crowd and I hold his gaze, searching his eyes for something... anything.
• All I see is the very same look from before... disdain, and then the moment was gone.
• "On such a pleasant occasion and in the company of my family, I find it imperative to share joyous news..." Alpha Mikos pauses and passes a tender look to Lana by his side.
• "I, Alpha Mikos Landry has received the moon's blessing. To finally find my mate and the Luna of this pack whom we have long been waiting for..." Alpha Mikos says in a pleased tone.
• I hear his words and somehow, I know what is coming next.
• Lana in turn flips her platinum blonde hair to the side and the light on the stage shines upon the bonding mark that was nestled on the crook of her neck. A bond mark that was nowhere to be seen, just yesterday.
• "Everdale wolves, your Luna and my beloved mate, Lana Carroway!" Alpha Mikos announces.
• And just like that...my world stops spinning.