The girl near Menelyck had her fingers twitch as she watched Radella approach, preparing to strike as she stepped closer.
But before she could move, a gust of wind swept past them, and in the next moment, someone stood like a shield at Radella's side.
Radella stopped as her view was blocked. A firm grip seized her wrist tightly. She tried to pull free, but it was in vain.
She looked up, too irritated to speak. She could only see his shining blond hair.
The man turned briefly toward her, and she met a pair of grey eyes.
The figure bowed to Menelyck. "Please forgive her. She hasn't been in her right mind."
Menelyck raised a brow. What an excuse. What was with this pack? Wasn't it the weakest one? He had never heard of its members being that bold.
"Menelyck," the girl beside him, Celia, called, her patience having reached its end. "Let me deal with them."
"Hey," the man, Adrien, stepped between them with a casual grin. "Don't cause trouble. We're not here for that, remember?"
"Who is he?" Radella inwardly asked Zaphyra.
Zaphyra replied, "Khalien, son of Beta Ghilas." A moment of silence passed before she finished with a growl. "He's our mate. Nalath's… and mine."
Radella frowned. No wonder he had shielded her without hesitation. What a pity he was just meddling in her way.
However, why did Zaphyra seem angered with him?
Menelyck glanced at those two before turning and heading to his seat, as Adrien suggested.
Celia briefly glanced back at Radella. How dare she?
Interesting. If only she were the one for Menelyck. It would have been more fun to see how she put him in place, Adrien thought with amusement.
Then, at that moment, a middle-aged blond man stepped in front of them and bowed slightly before saying, "Please forgive us, as we did not welcome you as you deserved."
Adrien waved a hand. "Just prepare our seats."
Khalien turned to Radella, his anger evident. Her reckless behavior… had she truly forgotten how ruthless these people could be?
"Let go." Her brows knitted in annoyance as she tried to free her hand from his grip.
Khalien looked down and realized her hand had turned red from his tight hold. He finally released her, but then grabbed it again as he noticed a cut and blood on it.
"What happened?"
She glanced at her injury, then pulled her hand away and walked past him. She found a seat facing the three guests.
Near her was Lysha. Remembering Khalien's earlier actions toward Radella, her grip tightened on the fork.
Khalien, you lied to me! She bit her lip and gave Radella a piercing glare. "This wretch! You shouldn't have returned!"
Radella glanced around the hall, feeling the weight of countless gazes on her. Ignoring them, she turned her attention to the guests' table.
Zaphyra spat. "You're going to destroy us."
Adrien spoke, "I heard there's a celebration today."
When he said that, Ghilas stood up and respectfully replied, "That's right. It's my son's birthday." He pointed to Khalien.
Khalien stood up and bowed slightly.
Adrien, seeing that the so-called birthday man was the same one who had shielded that troublesome girl, raised a brow.
Menelyck poured liquor into his cup. "The Eclipse pack once had a strong Alpha. Shame he died." He took a sip before adding, "He left an heir. I'd like to see him."
No one stood up, but eyes landed on Radella.
Noticing their gaze, Menelyck followed it. His hand holding the cup froze.
Her? If she was the mediocre heir, what gave her all that courage? Even now, she only glared.
Menelyck curiously asked, "You don't fear death?"
Radella glanced at him for a moment, trying to fight the urge to reply, In the end, she failed.
"What about you?" she added coldly. "Will you accept it when your time comes?"
The hall erupted in gasps and murmurs.
Even Adrien, who had found amusement in Radella's attitude, now thought she had gone too far. There was no way Menelyck would tolerate that. How could he have forgotten…?
He turned to Celia's seat. She wasn't there.
As Radella waited for the man's reaction, suddenly an invisible force struck her, sending her flying aside.
Celia, who had used her wind element, darkly glared at Radella, who groaned on the floor.
That was the difference between them and the Eon pack.
Werewolves from Eon's pack possess elemental powers. That made them strong, and their pack feared.
Their Alpha made sure their blood was not spread and killed anyone with the same power outside his territory. Unless one lived in Eon, anyone with such powers had to hide.
"Celia," Menelyck called from his seat, "it's supposed to be a celebration."
"Menelyck, I can't tolerate her!" Celia shouted. "Let her be a lesson!"
"Maybe I killed someone she cared about," he added smoothly.
Radella gritted her teeth as she forced herself to stand, but failed due to the pressure Celia was putting on her.
Adrien leaned toward Menelyck and whispered, "Are you sure you're here to find your mate, as the seer said, or to ruin their peaceful days?"
"You're having fun with how she is acting, Adrien," Menelyck calmly told him.
"No way." Then he turned forward. "Don't kill her."
Menelyck casually replied, "I won't." Then he turned to where Radella was. "Take her to the dungeon."
Immediately, the guards stepped in and grabbed Radella's arms, not even considering that she was of the Alpha's blood, and dragged her outside.
She was still alive till now? Now everyone started to believe luck was on her side.
Viola let out a breath.
Ghilas could only smile, then drank his liquor, hiding his disappointment.
Then Menelyck stood up. "I will be staying at this pack until I find what I am searching for."
The other pack members exchanged glances. Eclipse must have made a grave mistake. It had to do with their pathetic Luna.
"Show us our rooms."
When he ordered that, Viola stepped forward. "Please follow me."
Even if they couldn't say it, every member was uneasy. What were the Eon wolves trying to find in their pack, and how long would it take?