CHAPTER 5: SECRET ALLIANCE

Amara sat in the brightly lit living room of Serena's residence, surrounded by the familiar comforts of her best friend's home. The soft glow of candles cast flickering shadows on the walls, and the scent of freshly baked cookies, vanilla and dried flowers filled the air. She stared blankly at the photo in her hand, her eyes dry and empty. She had cried until there were no tears left, until her body ached from the sobs.

As she gazed at her daughter's smiling face, Amara felt a wave of melancholy wash over her. She was lost in thought, reliving the moments she had shared with her daughter, wondering what she could have done differently. The sound of Serena's gentle humming in the kitchen brought her back to reality, a comforting reminder that she wasn't alone.

Serena Vogue had been Amara's rock, her confidante since childhood, their bond forged in the shared experiences of growing up as born werewolves. She had witnessed firsthand the cruelty and neglect Amara had suffered at the hands of her own family. Now, as she watched her best friend stare blankly at the photo clutched in her palm, Serena's heart swelled with a mix of grief and guilt. Why had she remained silent when the council had handed down its devastating verdict? True, she held no position of power or status within the pack, but her voice, her support, might have yet made a difference. The weight of her inaction settled heavily on her shoulders.

She blew out a breath, coming to sit by Amara's side, a soft smile touching her lips as her gaze fell upon the photo. "She was such a beauty, wasn't she?" she whispered, her eyes misting as she remembered the vibrant child in the picture, with her milky teeth and jet-black hair billowing in the wind. The photo had captured May's 7th birthday, a day that would now forever be etched in their memories as a bittersweet reminder of what could never be again.

"My little bundle of joy, she never tired," Amara whispered as a sad chuckle fell from her lips, her finger tenderly tracing the curve of May's smile, memories of her daughter's infectious laughter and irrepressible spirit flooding her mind. Serena's gentle hand settled on Amara's shoulder.

"Come now sweetheart, you must eat," Serena coaxed, her voice soft but firm, giving no room for argument. Amara's protest died on her lips as Serena's grip on her shoulder tightened, a subtle reminder that she needed to take care of herself, even in the darkest of times.

Later that evening, she made her way to her parents' residence. The moon cast an eerie glow over the landscape, illuminating the winding paths and the towering trees that seemed to loom over her like sentinels. She needed answers, needed to know why the council had made the decision to banish her. Maybe her parents could provide some insight, or offer some support.

As she stepped onto the grand estate, a mix of nostalgia and trepidation washed over her. The compound's opulent facade, with its manicured lawns and imposing stone walls, seemed only to echo tales of her loveless childhood. The chill in the air only added to the sense of desolation that had long been embedded in her heart. She had not set foot in this place since bonding with Lucas, and the memories that flooded her mind were far from warm. Her father's rejection, his blatant disinterest in her life, had left scars that still lingered. 

With a deep breath, she steeled herself and pushed open the massive double doors, stepping into the grand foyer. The butler, a stern-faced man with a penchant for formality, greeted her with a nod. "Good evening, Miss. Sir Kings said you'd call." he spoke as he proceeded to relieve her of her coat, his movements quick and precise. She simply nodded.

As she ascended the winding staircase, the soft creak of the steps beneath her feet seemed to echo through the silence. She knocked softly on the study door, the sound clear and deliberate.

Sorian's gaze rose from the papers on his desk, his expression a mask of neutrality. Ameria stood beside him, her eyes weary and forlorn.

"Enter" he barked.

The door swung open, revealing his daughter and only child. Her soft footfalls echoed as she made her way into the study.

"Ah, I had wondered when you'd show your face here, we've been expecting you," her father said, his voice measured. "Given the latest happenings." he added as an afterthought 

Amara's emotions swirled inside her, a mix of confusion, anger, sadness, and hurt. "I don't understand why the council made this decision," she said, her voice shaking. "I thought...I thought we were a pack, a family."

Her mother's expression softened. "Amara, we—"

But Sorian interrupted, raising a hand, his voice firm. "We supported the council's decision".

Amara's eyes widened in shock. "You...you supported it?" she repeated her voice barely above a whisper, mouth agape.

Her mother's eyes dropped, avoiding her gaze. "We did what we thought was best for the pack," she said, her voice weak. "Surely you understand". A plea.

Amara felt a wave of breathlessness wash over her. She struggled to stand, her emotions raw and exposed. "Best for the pack?" she repeated, barely controlling her feelings, her voice laced with bitterness. "You call banishing me, your own daughter, best for the pack?"

Sorian's expression turned hard as granite. "You've always been a disappointment, weak and careless…Incompetent. The council's decision was simply a confirmation of what we already knew."

Ameria opened her mouth, trying to intervene, but Amara cut her off. "No, Mother. I don't want to hear it. You and Father have always valued the pack's interests over your own daughter's well-being. And even now, you're willing to discard me like trash."

The room fell silent, the tension between them crackling like wildfire. Amara's father finally spoke up, his voice cold and detached. "You're no longer our daughter, Amara. You would do well to accept that."

Amara felt a stinging sensation in her eyes, but she refused to cry. With a quiet strength, she stood up straight, her eyes locked on her parents. "I may be weak in your eyes," she said, her voice steady, "but I'm not careless. And I'm certainly not a disappointment. I'm your daughter, and I deserve better than to be cast aside."

"You're no child of mine!" Sorian thundered, his face twisted in disgust. "Leave my presence, and never return. You will shame me no more. You're dead to us…to me."

Ameria looked on, tears streaming down her face, but she said nothing. Amara stared in disbelief as she felt a cold numbness wash over her as if she had been stripped bare of all her emotions. She slowly turned and walked away, leaving her parents and their hurtful words behind. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and Amara felt a sense of finality wash over her.

As her footsteps faded into the distance, Sorian's expression remained impassive, his eyes fixed on some point beyond the door. Ameria, however, looked like she'd been punched in the gut, her face pale and her eyes brimming with tears. The silence between them oppressive.

Just as it seemed like he would remain frozen in place forever, a soft rustle came from the adjacent room. The door creaked open, and a figure slipped into the study, her movements silent. Valerie's blonde hair cascaded down her back like a river of gold, and her green eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. She was dressed in a flowing white cloak, its edges embroidered with intricate silver patterns that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.

"Is it done?" Valerie asked, her voice husky and confident, as she glided across the room to stand before Sorian's desk.

Sorian's gaze flicked up to meet Valerie's, eyes narrowing into slits. "It's done," he growled, his tone dripping with disdain. "Amara is no longer our daughter."

Valerie's smile was a thin, cruel line. "Excellent. And the council's decision?"

"Banishment," His visage a mask of indifference. "She's to be stripped of her title and privileges as Luna, and cast out of the pack, alone and without the pack's protection or support."

Valerie's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Perfect. The pack will be in chaos, and we'll be poised to take advantage of the situation."

Ameria's gaze darted between Valerie and Sorian, her eyes wide with unease. "What have we gotten ourselves into, Sorian?" she whispered.

Sorian's gaze never left Valerie's face. "We've made a necessary alliance, Ameria. One that will secure our position and ensure our survival."

Valerie's laughter was a low, throaty purr. "And I'll make sure our...arrangement remains mutually beneficial, Sorian. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

The air in the room seemed to thicken, heavy with the weight of secrets and deceit. Sorian's expression remained impassive, but Ameria's eyes seemed to hold a growing sense of unease.