“Don’t get your hopes up, old man. Those bloodsuckers will be back. Remember the last Council?” Sighs Lysandra.
“Everyone thinks the same?” I ask.
Lysandra nods. “All those who bothered to show up, anyway. The Sapphire Moon Clan really is a bunch of cowards, I tell you!”
Now that I think about it, among all the big Clans of Silver City, the Sapphire Moon Clan is the only one whose wolves didn’t show up at all... They are one of the strongest Clans around, though. I would say they only lose to the Blood Moon, and Gold Moon Clans in terms of power. But other than that, those three are the strongest out there.
“...Even those weaklings from the Jade Moon Clan showed up!”
Liam scoffs. Gosh, I really didn’t need to hear this... Seeing something is wrong, Lysandra frowns and asks aboutit. Liam is only too happy to answer. “Nora is the Jade Moon Clan... how do you call it? Owner?”
“Stop it, I don’t own anything...” I whisper, embarrassed. “They just gave me their allegiance.”
“Wait, you little girl controls half the east territory?” Asks Patrick.
I hesitate and nod. I guess this is a way of putting it... Lysandra suddenly claps her hands. “Right! The boys did tell me someone kicked Greene’s butt a few weeks ago! Well done, whitey!”
...Is she really going to keep on calling me like that?
“Interesting. It seems like the Blood Moon Clan is really working on their connections...” mutters Arthur Seaver.
His father scratches his beard. “Right, son. Can’t blame the kid, though. Times are hard. Lots of little mutts are showing up everywhere.”
“Who cares about the rogues? What he wants is to contain the Sapphire Moon Clan. If they can’t reach an agreement, things might get ugly!” Says Lysandra.
What agreement? I turn to Liam, lost. What is this about? I knew that the Blood Moon Clan and the Sapphire Moon Clan weren’t on good terms, but I didn’t think things were that bad...
“They are a proud Clan, the Sapphires. I doubt they will ever listen to Black. Though I’m not fond of the Gold Clan, either. Too greedy.” grumbles old man Seaver.
“Yeah, I’m not too fond of the idea either...” Says Lysandra
What about the Gold Moon Clan? Is Damian trying to make them his allies? I turn to Liam, asking him with my eyes what this is about, but he shrugs. The two Alphas change subjects, arguing about the limit between their turfs. Liamgently pulls me to the bar, leaving them. One of the barmen immediately walks up to us with a professional smile.
“What would you like, Mister Black?”
Liam is only too happy to answer to that and asks for two cocktails. I frown. We are underage! Plus, my alcohol tolerance is definitely not cocktail proof yet. But before I can even protest, he hands me a turquoise drink that smells a lot like vodka. I’m wondering if I can give it back, when my phone rings. It’s Tonia...
“Nora! Where are you? I’m at your place, and no one is here. Bobo isn’t picking up his phone.”
Uh-oh. I turn to Bobo, not knowing what to say. He probably turned his phone off on purpose. I have a feeling his sister is going to freak out just like Nathaniel. I hesitate and finally answer.
“Tonia, I’m all right. ...I’m at the party.”
“The party... What? At the party? Who told you about the party?”
She yells at the other end of the phone, but I really don’t want to argue with her now. I’m mad at her for not telling me about it, too. Liam grabs my smartphone. I bet he is only too happy to make things worse... I ignore them and take a sip of my cocktail. Gosh, this is strong!
Suddenly, I hear a lot of chatter. A young woman just made her entrance. She is stunning, from what I can see before a lot of people run to her like bees gathering around honey. She has gorgeous brown hair, and golden eyes like Elena, though hers are darker, brownish. I’m not particularly inclined to fashion, but her dress is gorgeous. She looks like an actress, wearing a gold gown and a white fur coat.
“It’s Alessandra King, daughter of the Gold Moon Alpha,” whispers Bobo.
I get the information, but as my eyes follow her, some unease rises in my heart— a pain thumping in my chest. I watch her walk across the room; She has a perfect smile on her face and walks like a queen.
Everyone steps aside to let her through, and at the end of this path, I see Damian. Damian, standing there in a gorgeous black suit. He has a glass of champagne in his hand and is standing a few meters away from me, but I can see his features clearly. He is expressionless, looking at Alessandra. Once she arrives at his side, they slowly bow to each other.
I’m almost choking. My wolf is growling furiously. Something’s wrong. Something’s out of place. My fingers tremble around my drink, and my mind goes blank. She’s putting her hand on his arm. Why does he let her do that? Why do they talk so casually? Why is nobody reacting? Isn’t there something wrong with this? I feel sick, disgusted. Someone else is touching my mate! Why is she standing so close to him, their arms are touching!
While I’m running out of breath, watching them with my thoughts going wild, Liam comes next to me and whispers to my ear. “Welcome to my brother’s engagement party, Nora.”
