4

Mena's eyes remained fixed on the ancient tome as she murmured the intricate incantation, her hands weaving a complex pattern in the air. The soft glow of candles cast flickering shadows around her, imbuing the room with an aura of mysticism. Just as she reached the crucial juncture of the spell, a knock at the door broke the spell's fragile hold. "Enter," Mena called out, her voice curt and distracted.

The soldier's boots clicked on the stone floor as he entered, his expression a mask of formal duty. "The Alpha requests your presence," he announced, his voice firm but polite. 

A subtle, enigmatic smile spread across Mena's face as she heard the soldier's words. "She's here," she murmured to herself, her eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. With a fluid motion, she rose from her chair, her long robes rustling softly. There was no hesitation, no deliberation. She knew that when the Alpha summoned, one did not delay.

Mena swept into the grand hall, her presence commanding attention. Her gaze scanned the room, locking onto the two figures already seated: Yutu, his piercing eyes fixed intently on some unseen point, and Xander, his expression a mask of calm contemplation. The air was thick with an air of anticipation, the weight of unspoken urgency hanging heavy over the assembly. Mena's lips curled into a wry smile. Yeah, they've got no time to waste. The Alpha's summons was never trivial, and the presence of these two key advisors hinted at a matter of grave importance.

Alpha Obed's deep, resonant voice filled the hall as he acknowledged Mena's arrival. "She's arrived," he muttered, his gaze flicking up to meet Mena's. 

Mena's voice trembled with anticipation as she spoke, her eyes gleaming with an uncontained excitement. "Very good, I'll awaken her wolf and begin the ritual immediately," she declared, her words dripping with an almost palpable enthusiasm. Her gaze locked onto Alpha Obed's, a spark of shared understanding flashing between them. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, the promise of something momentous hanging precariously in the balance.

Yuto's voice was laced with disdain as he spoke, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The rats of other packs, how did they react?" he asked, his tone dripping with contempt. The deliberate use of "rats" instead of "Alphas" was a subtle yet pointed jab, revealing Yuto's scorn for those he considered inferior. Alpha Obed's gaze flicked to Yuto, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, before returning to Mena.

Alpha Obed's expression turned grave, his voice low and measured. "Infuriated, they might find this place at any time," he warned, his eyes clouding with concern. As he spoke, his hands absently reached out to stroke the vibrant plumage of the parrot perched beside him. The parrot, sensing its master's tension, nuzzled Obed's hand reassuringly, its bright, inquisitive eyes watching the gathering with interest.

Xander's brow furrowed, his eyes creasing with worry. "Especially if her scent is restored," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of alarm. His gaze darted to Mena as if seeking reassurance that she was aware of the potential risks. The air seemed to thicken with tension, the weight of their unspoken concerns hanging precariously in the balance.

Yuto's voice dripped with malevolent intent, his eyes gleaming with a feral light. "They can't scent her, or else they'll cross the border," he growled, his tone low and menacing. "I'll keep our wolves on guard, and if they dare to cross... so be it." The last words hung in the air like a challenge, Yuto's hunger for violence and bloodshed palpable. 

:

Mena's expression, normally a mask of stoic reserve, softened ever so slightly, a hint of satisfaction flickering across her face. "It feels so good to step on their ego," she said, her voice low and even, but a note of quiet triumph creeping in. "The pride of the Diamond pack is in our territory. We can only thank the moon goddess for mating you to their precious Jewel." Though she didn't smile, her eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of pleasure, and her entire demeanor relaxed, ever so slightly, as she spoke.

Alpha Obed's voice brooked no further discussion, his tone firm and decisive. "Begin the ritual immediately," he commanded, his eyes sweeping the room to ensure his order was understood. With a swift motion, he rose from his seat, his tall, imposing frame towering over the others. "I will leave you to it," he added, his gaze lingering on Mena before he turned to depart, his presence seeming to draw the attention of the room with him.

Xander's voice was barely audible, but the satisfaction was palpable. "Finally," he muttered, a hint of relief and anticipation creeping into his tone. The air seemed to vibrate with a collective sense of pride and fulfillment as if the very weight of their patience was finally lifting. They were on the cusp of avenging their fallen elders, and the knowledge sent a thrill of determination coursing through their veins. Years of waiting, of planning, of simmering anger and hurt were about to come to fruition.

*

Xenia's slender form was slumped against the cold, dusty ground, her body racked with silent sobs. Tears streamed down her face, but she made no sound as if she'd exhausted her voice in earlier, more fervent cries. When she'd first been brought to this place, she'd raged against her captors, cursing the man who haunted her dreams. But as the hours ticked by, she'd realized the futility of her struggles, and a quiet determination had taken hold. Her modest nature asserted itself, and she'd begun to observe, to wait, and to watch, her eyes fixed on the doorway, wondering what lay ahead.

Xenia's mind struggled to grasp the reality of her situation, her thoughts foggy and disbelieving. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was just another terrible nightmare, one from which she would soon awaken. The events of the past few hours seemed surreal, and she clung to the hope that she would soon open her eyes to find herself safe in her bed. But as the long, dark night wore on, the hardness of the ground beneath her and the dust clogging her nostrils served as harsh reminders that this was, in fact, her new reality. Sleep was an impossibility, and her tired eyes stayed fixed on the darkness all through the night. Her thoughts were consumed by worry for her mother, imagining the devastation that would soon engulf her.

Xenia's heart skipped a beat as the sound of unlocking echoed through the cell, and the door creaked open to reveal a vision of elegance. A tall, fair-skinned young woman stood in the doorway, her statuesque frame draped in a body-hugging gown that cascaded to the ground like a river of silk. Her raven tresses were styled in an intricate updo, adorned with delicate threads of silver that glinted in the faint light. Every inch of her exuded refinement and poise as if she were a queen about to attend a royal ball. Her piercing gaze swept over Xenia, taking in her disheveled state before a small, enigmatic smile played on her lips.

The young woman's voice was like music, melodious and refined, but beneath the polished tone, Xenia detected a hint of pride, a subtle note of superiority. "So you're the one," she said, her words dripping with an air of expectation as if Xenia was a long-awaited revelation. The woman's gaze roamed over Xenia's face, her eyes narrowing slightly as if sizing her up, assessing her worth. The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken meaning, and Xenia felt a shiver run down her spine as she wondered what this woman wanted from her.

Xenia was a product of her mother's strict upbringing, where silence was often golden. As a result, she had grown accustomed to listening more than speaking, observing the world around her with a quiet intensity. This habit had honed her ability to read people, to discern their emotions and intentions from the subtlest cues – a raised eyebrow, a twitch of the lip, or a fleeting glance. By watching and waiting, Xenia had developed a keen understanding of human nature, one that served her well in navigating the complexities of the world. Now, as she sat before the elegant young woman, Xenia's instincts were on high alert, drinking in every detail of the woman's demeanor, searching for clues about what lay ahead.

The question burned on Xenia's lips, but she couldn't bring herself to ask it. "What does she mean by 'the one'?" she wanted to say, but the words remained trapped, silenced by the deeply ingrained habit of reserve her mother had instilled in her. Even though her mother wasn't present, Xenia felt the weight of her obligation, the unspoken rule that dictated she remained quiet and observant. So she sat there, her eyes locked on the young woman, her mind racing with questions, but her lips sealed, waiting for the other woman to reveal more.

Deep down, Xenia appreciated her mother's lesson. She now saw the wisdom in keeping quiet - people often revealed their weaknesses through their words. Her mother's rule had been right all along.

Reyna's glare intensified when Xenia remained silent, her anger palpable. She seemed to crave a reaction, a desperate plea or tears, but Xenia's composure held. Of course; As the daughter of an Alpha, she had been raised to be strong. "Get up and come with me," Reyna snapped, striding out of the cell at a brisk pace.

Reyna's smirk twisted her lips. "Let's see how long you'll keep that eagle of yours," she taunted, her eyes flashing with malice. Xenia's blank expression seemed to infuriate her further.

Reyna's heels clicked to a stop on the stone floor. She spun around, her face creasing into a scowl as she realized Xenia wasn't following her.

Reyna stormed back into the room, her face purpling with rage. "Are you deaf?" she bellowed, her voice echoing off the walls. "Can't you speak?" With a swift, vicious motion, she slapped Xenia across the face, the crack of skin on skin resounding through the air.

Xenia's eyes welled up with tears as the sting of the slap radiated across her cheek. No one had ever laid a hand on her before. Reyna's voice cut through her shock, cold and menacing. "Get up and follow me. I'm in charge here, and you'll obey me. Refuse, and I'll kill you."

Xenia remained seated, her expression unyielding. Reyna's smirk grew wider. "A stubborn one, huh? You want to die quickly, is that it? The Alpha won't think twice about killing you if he finds out you disobeyed me."

"Alpha," Xenia's mind echoed. She wondered which pack this was and why she'd been brought here. The questions swirled in her head, but her expression remained calm, betraying none of her inner turmoil.

"Guards!" Reyna's voice echoed down the hallway as she stepped out of the room. "I need assistance in here, now!"

It didn't take long for a guard to answer her call. 

Reyna's voice dripped with malice as she pointed a slender, manicured finger at Xenia. "Take her to the West Wing, Mena's Court," she commanded, her eyes glinting with a mixture of anger and triumph.

Reyna anticipated a struggle, but Xenia remained eerily still as the soldiers closed in. Her eyes never left Reyna's face, her gaze steady and unnerving, even as she was dragged away.

Reyna's eyes narrowed as she watched Xenia disappear from view. "What a peculiar person," she thought, a mixture of fascination and annoyance swirling in her mind.