Chapter 89

Lisa’s POV

The cheers were still ringing in my ears, but my heart was no longer soaring. The moment I saw him—Mike—everything else blurred. The warm glow of the celebration faded, replaced by a cold, creeping dread.

His posture was composed as he walked toward me, but my stomach twisted violently. His presence alone dragged me back to a past I had fought so hard to escape. He looked exactly like him—our father. The resemblance was uncanny, down to the sharpness of his jaw, the calculating gleam in his eyes.

Memories crashed over me like a tidal wave.

The cold, dark nights.

The punishments.

The final words before I was banished.

A shiver crawled up my spine. My heartbeat slammed against my ribs, too fast, too erratic.

Hunter’s warm grip on my waist tightened. I felt him lean in, his voice low, barely above a whisper. “Lisa? What’s wrong?”

I couldn’t answer. Not yet.

Mike stopped in front of us, his expression unreadable. Then, he bowed his head slightly.

“Greetings, Alpha.” His voice was steady, calm—too calm.

Hunter straightened beside me. His tone was polite but laced with authority. “Greetings. And who are you?”

I swallowed hard, forcing the words out. “He’s my brother.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Hunter’s face, but he recovered quickly. Extending a hand, he said, “Nice to meet you.”

Mike took it, shaking firmly, offering a tight smile.

I didn’t bother with pleasantries. My voice was cold, sharp. “What are you doing here?” My nails dug into my palms. “I thought Dad banished me. Or are you here to see if I survived?”

Mike’s jaw tensed. “Lisa, please—”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

Hunter’s fingers brushed against mine, a silent reminder to stay in control. He glanced at the crowd, ever aware of the eyes on us. “Pumpkin, not here.”

I exhaled sharply. He was right. This night wasn’t just mine—it was Hunter’s too. And I wouldn’t let Mike ruin it.

Mike shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I really need to speak with you.”

My skin prickled with unease. I didn’t want to talk to him. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say.

“I don’t want to speak with you.” The words left my lips like a knife.

Mike’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. Regret? Guilt? I didn’t care.

“Come back after the ceremony is over.” Hunter’s voice cut through the tension, firm and final.

Mike hesitated, then bowed slightly. “Thank you, Alpha.”

As he turned away, I let out a shaky breath. The moment he disappeared into the crowd, I pressed a hand to my chest, trying to steady myself.

It was over.

At least, I thought it was.

Until I saw him.

Angus.

I froze. My entire body locked up, the breath in my lungs turning to ice.

He stood across the room, half-hidden behind a group of guests, a glass of wine in his hand. Watching me.

His ocean-blue eyes were the same—sharp, piercing, impossible to ignore. But there was something else there. Regret. Sadness. Longing.

I felt sick.

Hunter noticed immediately. “Lisa?” His voice was laced with concern. “Talk to me.”

I barely found my voice. “Angus.”

Hunter stiffened beside me. I didn’t need to say more—he knew exactly who that name belonged to.

His head snapped in the direction I was looking, eyes darkening as he found Angus. But before Hunter could take a step, Angus moved first.

He was walking toward us.

Each step felt deliberate, like he had waited for this moment.

My stomach twisted violently. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to turn away, to leave, to make him disappear. But I was rooted to the spot.

Then he was in front of us.

Up close, I could see the slight tension in his jaw, the way he held himself like he was restraining something.

He didn’t look at Hunter. His focus was entirely on me.

“Lisa,” he said, his voice smooth but careful, as if he knew how fragile this moment was. “It’s been a while.”

My throat closed up. I didn’t trust myself to speak.

Hunter, however, was far from silent. He stepped forward, his presence powerful, unwavering. “What are you doing here?”

Angus finally turned his gaze to him. “It was an open invite,” he said simply. “I wanted to see Lisa.”

Hunter’s jaw clenched. “You wanted to see her?” His voice dropped an octave, edged with quiet fury.

“I’m not here to cause trouble,” Angus said, his tone calm but unreadable. “I came for the party. And to congratulate you on your engagement.”

A bitter taste filled my mouth. Angus, congratulating me? What a joke.

I found my voice, though it was barely above a whisper. “Why?”

Angus exhaled softly, his expression shifting for the briefest second—something raw, something unguarded. “Because I needed to.”

My chest ached, but I forced myself to stay steady. I didn’t want to show him that his presence affected me.

Hunter wasn’t as forgiving. His patience was razor-thin, his voice dangerously low. “You have no business here. Leave.”

Angus met his gaze, unflinching. “I will. But Lisa and I—” His voice faltered slightly, as if he wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence.

Hunter’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “There is no ‘Lisa and you.’”

Silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Then, finally, Angus took a step back. “Enjoy your night,” he said, but his eyes lingered on me for a second longer.

Then he was gone.

I exhaled shakily, my hands trembling at my sides. Hunter turned to me immediately, his expression softening. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if it was true.

Because despite everything—despite knowing that my future was here, with Hunter—the past had found a way to come back.

And I had a feeling it wasn’t done with me yet.

And suddenly, everything felt far more complicated.

The atmosphere shifted as the MC’s voice echoed through the grand hall.

“And now, it’s time for the couple’s dance!”

A soft murmur swept through the crowd, followed by the opening notes of Unchained Melody. My heart fluttered. The melody was haunting, filled with a longing that settled deep within my chest.

Hunter’s warm hand reached for mine. “May I have this dance, pumpkin?”

I nodded, allowing him to guide me onto the dance floor. The moment we stepped in, the space around us seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of us. He pulled me close, one hand resting firmly on my waist, the other clasping my fingers.

As we swayed to the rhythm, I let myself melt into his embrace. His scent—earthy, warm, familiar—wrapped around me like a protective shield.

“You’ve been tense all night,” he murmured, his lips grazing my ear.

I exhaled softly. “It’s been... a lot.”

He pressed a kiss to my temple. “You’re safe, Lisa. With me. You don't have to worry.”

My grip on him tightened. Safe. It was something I hadn’t always felt, but with Hunter, those walls I had built over the years cracked, allowing me to feel safe in someone arms.

All around us, werewolves danced with their mates, lost in their own worlds. The sight was mesmerizing—pairs moving in sync, bodies molded together as if they were always meant to be.

The song carried us through a moment I wished could last forever. But reality always had a way of creeping back in.

As the music faded, the guests clapped, signaling the end of the dance. Hunter reluctantly let go, his eyes lingering on mine before we turned to face the crowd.

And then, the wave of greetings began. And sharing of food to the guests. After they finished eating, one by one, guests approached, offering warm smiles and congratulations.

“You two are a sight to behold,” an elder pack member remarked, shaking Hunter’s hand before turning to me. “Lisa, you have a strong mate by your side. And Hunter, you’ve chosen well. ”

Hunter smirked. “That I have.”

I rolled my eyes, but a blush crept up my cheeks.

Then, his parents stepped forward.

His mother, regal and composed, reached for my hands. There was warmth in her touch, something that hadn’t always been there.

“Lisa,” she said, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “You’ve proven your strength, and I see now why my son loves you so fiercely.”

Hunter’s father nodded in agreement. “We welcome you fully into this family. May your union bring prosperity to the pack.”

I swallowed hard. A year ago, I never would have imagined this moment—standing before them, not as an outsider, not as someone to be scrutinized, but as one of their own.

Hunter squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”

His mother smiled, her gaze flickering to the ring on my finger. “And what a fine ring he’s given you.”

I let out a breathless laugh, glancing down at the dazzling diamond. It still felt surreal.

Kate appeared beside me, grinning ear to ear. “You better get used to all the attention,” she teased, nudging my side. “You’re officially the Luna now.”

I shot her a playful glare. “You say that like I had a choice.”

Hunter chuckled. “You didn’t.”

Kate admired the ring, eyes sparkling. “Absolutely stunning. Just like the two of you together.”

Beta Joe suddenly emerged from the crowd, carrying a large bundle wrapped in silk. At his side, his mate Shaki beamed.

“For the future Luna,” Joe said, placing the a wrapped box in my arms.

I hesitated before unwrapping it. Inside, intricate fabrics, delicate gold jewellry, and rare herbs gleamed under the lights. Traditional gifts—symbols of prosperity and strength.

Shakti smiled warmly . “A gift for you miss Lisa .” with a cute little voice

Touched, I met their gazes. “Thank you. This means so much.”

"Come to mama " Kate beams at her daughter.

Joe nodded. “Hunter has always been our Alpha. But now, we see his heart belongs to you.”

Belonging. It was a word I had chased for so long, and yet, standing here, surrounded by people who embraced me, I finally felt it without chasing after it.

As the night wound down, the guests slowly began to depart, leaving behind a lingering warmth. The celebration had been grand, yet all I wanted now was to be alone with Hunter.

He wrapped an arm around me as we watched the last of the well-wishers fade into the night.

“Still with me, pumpkin?” he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

I leaned into him. “Always.”

As the night settled around us, I let go of the past, even if just for a little while. Because this? This was my future.