Chapter 52 45
Silvana's Point Of View.
I stood there, eyes wide and unfocused, my mind reeled as I stared at the woman in front of me.
Morgana? Here? But how?
"Luna?" Garrick's voice, tinged with a rare note of concern, startled me back to reality. I blinked, forcing myself to focus on the present. I looked up to see him staring down at me in confusion, his usually impassive features creased with a slight frown.
He wasn't used to see me so...uncomposed and startled.
"Right..." I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure, I clutched his arm a little too tightly.
Play it cool, Silvana. Act natural.
The lady bowed her head in a gesture of respect and walked out as we walked in, her movements were graceful but swift. As she passed, I couldn't help but turn and stare at her, my gaze lingering on her retreating figure.
That possibly can't be her...if it was her then....what's she doing here? And why didn't she looked shocked or say anything?
The lady didn't look back, she just kept on walking until she disappeared down the long, white hallway, swallowed by the seemingly endless expanse of the palace. As Garrick and I stepped inside fully, the heavy oak doors closed behind us with a resounding thud, sealing us in with whatever secrets this pack held.
I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart, and kept on walking with Garrick. Everything felt surreal, like a bizarre dream. My mind was racing a mile a minute, struggling to recognize the woman I had just seen with the image of Morgana in my head.
What will happen if Garrick found out that she was Morgana? For some odd reasons, the thought flashed through my mind and I couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in my heart.
He isn't mine, he's hers. I tried to remind myself. He had always been hers to start with, I'm just a replacement, a fake in her steed.
But the mate bond told me otherwise.
"Alpha Garrick and Luna Morgana!" A booming voice echoed through the vast chamber, drawing my attention to the front of the room. A middle aged man, radiating an aura of authority, descended from a raised platform that served as a throne. He walked down to approach us, his every movement exuding power and confidence.
He was dressed in royal robes of pure white, embroidered with intricate silver threads that shimmered in the light. His white hair was nearly combed back from his strong, square face, his piercing eyes held a sharp intelligence. His hands were clasped in front of him, were adorned with heavy silver rings. He looked every bit the powerful and respected leader.
"Alpha Zephyr," Garrick said, his voice strong and resonant, and stretched out his right hand in a gesture of greeting.
The two Alphas clasped hands, exchanging brief pleasantries, their conversation polite but formal. I tried to focus on the exchange, to appear engaged and attentive, but my mind was still reeling from the sight of Morgana. I could barely concentrate, their words were washing over me without truly registering.
It was like trying to listen to a conversation underwater.
"Please, come sit." Alpha Zephyr said as he gestured towards two majestic chairs placed on the right side of his throne. They were crafted from polished silver and upholstered in white velvet, clearly reserved for honored guests like ourselves.
As Garrick and I sat, the entire throneroom stood up and bowed deeply to us, a unified expression of respect and welcome to their pack. If was an impressive display of power and respect, but it did little to soothe my frayed nerves.
Garrick gave a curt nod in acknowledgment, While I waved at him with a small smile tugged on my lips. Immediately, everyone sat down in unison. A hush fell over the room as Alpha Zephyr stepped forward to stand in the center of the room.
"Alpha Garrick," he began, his voice laced with a deep sincerity. "We are truly grateful for you gracing our plea and coming straight to us so immediately. It means everything,"
Garrick nodded. "We are family, Zephyr. You called, so I had to answer. Though, I wonder why an Alpha with an entire powerful pack of ancient white wolves would need help," he added with his brow arched up. "Is something the matter?"
Alpha Zephyr let out a shaky breath as he clasped his hands together, his usual composure momentarily slipping. "I'll be honest and straight to the point. We need you alliance, Alpha Garrick. Our clan is in terrible danger,"
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Garrick shifted slightly in his chair. "How so?"
"Our clan is having conflicts with the Wolfsbane Clan,"
"The rogue wolves?" I blurted out. Immediately, all eyes landed on me.
Alpha Zephyr nodded with a frown. "Yes, the rogue wolves. For weeks, they have been kidnapping our sleeping wolves, and now...." He shook his head as if trying to dispel a terrible thought. "Children are missing, our people are panicking. Our army isn't strong enough to fight thousands of rogues and already we have lost more than 50 men."
A flicker of something akin to rage crossed Garrick's face, his jaw tightened as he clenched his fist. He actually looked angry, and it made me worry. Instinctively, I reached out to take his hand, hoping to offer him a silent gesture of support. He turned to face me, his eyes widening slightly in surprise, as if he hadn't expected such a show of affection from me. Upon realizing what I had done, I quickly removed my hand, a blush crept up my neck. But he quickly reached out and held onto my arm, his grip firm but gentle.
"I'll assist in whatecer you want, Zephyr. Just say what." he said, his eyes still on me.
I heard Zephyr let out a sigh of relief, I turned to face him to see his shoulders visibly relaxing. "We are most grateful, Alpha Garrick. For now, let's enjoy the feast that had been prepared in your honor before the battle. Gentlemen and ladies," he raised his hands in the air and clapped. Suddenly, the heavy oak doors swung open. Maids and guards rushed in, the maids carried trays laden with food, platters piled high with roasted meats and colourful fruits. They dropped each tray on the huge table in front of me and Garrick, and some other trays on the elders table around the room. The guards stationed themselves strategically behind everyone, while some performers strode in.
Alpha Zephyr went back to his throne and sat down, smiling at the unfolding scene. My breath hitched in my throat when I noticed Morgana was one of the performers. She was dancing with an incredible grace and skill, her movements were swift and mesmerizing.
I never knew she could dance.
The moment our eyes met, she offered me a small smile and carried on.
This was unnerving and it felt like something terrible was going to happen soon.