The words "Lycan King" sent Aldrake crashing to his knees, trembling with fear.
"Forgive me! Forgive me, Your Majesty! I didn't know," he begged, crawling forward towards the man who stood tall, his eyes fixed on the ground.
He bowed repeatedly before the Lycan King, before shouting orders to his guards.
"Lower your arms and kneel! Now!" The guards obeyed instantly, dropping their weapons and kneeling with their heads bowed to the floor.
Aldrake continued to beg for forgiveness, his words tumbling out in a desperate plea.
"Forgive me. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn't know it was you. Rumors spread that you wear a mask during meetings. Please forgive me for my lack of respect." He kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead touching the ground as he begged for mercy.
The Lycan King's gaze swept past Aldrake's groveling form and landed on Livia, who looked like she had seen a ghost.
Her eyes were wide with shock, her mouth slightly agape. She couldn't believe what she had just learned.
"He's a... Lycan King," she thought to herself, her mind reeling with the implications.
Just moments ago, she had struggled to reconcile his powerful presence with the rank of Gamma, but now she felt like she had been punched in the gut.
The realization of his true position made her want to shrink away, especially when she thought about her interactions with him. Her wolf, Lilly, shared her panic.
> "We're doomed, Livia!" she thought, her instincts screaming at her to flee. But before she could make a move, the two Alphas stepped forward, blocking her path.
"Where are you going, Luna?" Alpha Sebastian asked, his voice low and calm.
"I'm just going to the restroom," she said, trying to make excuses, but the Alphas didn't seem to believe her.
"Stay here. And aren't you going to help your Alpha?" Alpha Dominick asked, his question making her face sour. Why should she help him, anyway?.
He got exactly what he deserved after his foolish behavior in front of the Lycan King. Even if he hadn't known who he was, he shouldn't have spoken to him like that, especially knowing he was from the Blood Moon Pack.
Her thoughts were a mix of annoyance and wariness, her eyes darting between the Alphas and the Lycan King, who seemed to be watching her every move.
"He can handle himself. Besides, why should I help him when he never lifted a finger to help me when I was humiliated?" she said, her voice laced with bitterness, her eyes flashing with resentment as she glanced at Aldrake, still kneeling before the Lycan King.
"So it's true that your relationship with your mate isn't exactly rosy. But why do you stay with him despite his poor treatment?" Alpha Sebastian asked, his question prompting her to look back at him.
"Because I'm stupid?" she shot back, her tone sarcastic, earning a chuckle from Alpha Dominick.
"I didn't think the Luna of the Moonlight Pack would be so... forthright," he said, his words making her look down, slightly embarrassed.
"Please excuse my rudeness. But may I please be excused to go to the restroom? I really need to go," she asked, trying again to pass between them.
This time, they let her through, their expressions unreadable.
Livia's steps were swift as she made her way out of the hall, but she couldn't resist the urge to glance back at the Lycan King. To her surprise, he was still watching her, his gaze serious and unyielding.
Livia gave him an apologetic look before quickly exiting the hall. She wouldn't waste this opportunity to escape, especially with everyone distracted by Aldrake's foolishness.
There was no turning back for Livia now. She didn't care if it meant severing ties with Aldrake and the pack members.
No need for divorce papers or formal rejection; once she was out of there, she would never show her face again.
Just as she was about to reach the door of the pack house, Amber suddenly blocked her path. Livia stopped and raised an eyebrow, her expression questioning.
"Where are you going, Livia? Is the meeting over? Aldrake and I still have somewhere to go," Amber said with a smirk, seeming to taunt Livia.
"Why don't you find out yourself?" Livia shot back, her response causing Amber's face to flush with annoyance.
"Weren't you just inside the hall with him? Why don't you tell me yourself? Or maybe you're just jealous because Aldrake and I have plans, and you don't want to tell me," Amber said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, followed by a mocking laugh.
"And why would I be jealous, Amber?" Livia asked, her tone even.
"Aren't you his wife? His mate? It's only natural that you'd be jealous..." Amber's words hung in the air, her tone laced with malice.
"But I don't feel any jealousy, Amber," Livia cut in, her voice firm. "I've long since given up expecting to be included in any of his plans. So, don't bother thinking I'll be jealous," she said with a smile, as if she truly didn't care anymore.
Amber was taken aback by Livia's response, unable to muster a reply.
"If you have nothing else to say, I'm leaving," Livia said before turning her back. As she was about to walk away, something occurred to her. She turned back to Amber, her face inches from hers.
"Since you're the one he chose, why don't you go to the hall and help him save face in front of the Lycan King?" Livia's words were laced with sarcasm as she leaned in closer.
"Congratulations on your success, my dear sister," she whispered, patting Amber's shoulder before turning to leave.
But as she walked away, she was met with the familiar faces of her parents, who seemed to be heading towards the hall. For a moment, Livia gazed at them, a mix of emotions swirling within her.
Unexpectedly, tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted to hug them one last time, to bid them farewell properly, but anger still coursed through her veins.
"Goodbye," she said finally, before turning her back and walking out of the pack house.