Chapter 25

ARIEL


We made sure to take our seats at the table before my father and the Northern Pack’s Alpha arrived at the table. I sat with shaking hands as my nerves were getting the best of me.

I felt apprehensive every time I locked eyes with Xavier or his siblings. Unlike Xavier who had a perpetual scowl on his face whenever our eyes met, his siblings who had introduced themselves already were a lot nicer. Juliet and July gave a small smile whenever our eyes met and my eyes never met with Julius since they were glued to his games and he never looked up even once.

The doors opened after about thirty minutes of waiting and both Alpas walked in together, followed closely behind by their Lunas and finally their Betas.

My eyes widened as there was a surprise among the entourage. One presence that I didn’t expect and that worsened my anxiety.

Asher was here too.

Walking behind everyone, dressed in his usual leather jacket with a stern expression on his face, he looked like the best version of a werewolf than anyone else in this room.

Despite my anxiety, I made an effort to look up at Xavier who was having a conversation with Juliet. “He’s a better werewolf than this giant freak here,” I thought.

We stood up to greet them and for a few seconds, I locked eyes with Asher whose stoic expression seemed to falter for a second before going back to its original form.

“You can all sit,” my dad said as he sat at the head along with the Northern pack’s alpha. My mom and Xavier’s mom sat at the opposite end from the Alpha’s while the rest of the members of both packs sat at either ends from each other.

It was no surprise that the atmosphere was tense among us as some glares were exchanged between members of both packs and everyone else except both Alphas were too awkward to talk to each other. I observed that my mom was finding it difficult to connect with the Northern pack’s Luna despite her best efforts.
Xavier’s mother wasn’t hostile or rude to my mom, she just looked kinda lost and spaced out, or incapable of holding a conversation. It makes me wonder what kind of upbringing Xavier and his siblings had growing up with her, but I know it isn’t my place to judge.

“Ahem!” Dad cleared his throat loud enough to grab the attention of everyone seated at the table. “I would first like to say one thing. To everyone seated at this table, we should all be proud and hold our heads up high because we have made history. Our actions, however small and seemingly insignificant, have culminated into the attainment of an unprecedented event in the entirety of our history. We should be proud that we made it happen in our time.”

The table erupted into a round of applause as everyone except Xavier’s father and the

Lunas begrudgingly celebrated his speech. That is only my opinion though. I can’t be sure how everyone felt but I know that I do feel that way.

He waited with a big smile on his face for the applause to die down before he continued. “Of course, we can’t talk about this great feat without acknowledging the two people who are making the most sacrifice in order to make this possible with the least amount of political troubles.”

Those words drove a chill down my spine and I shared a worried glance with Roseline who was seated behind me. He was going to call us out.

“Play it cool,” she mouthed as I was sure my panic was written on my face.

“The heir to the position of Alpha and the son of the current Alpha of the Northern Pack, Xavier Russell.”

There was a short applause especially on Xavier’s side as my father gestured for him to stand up which he obeyed.

“Also, my beautiful daughter and the apple of my eye,” he smiled proudly as he looked at me. “Ariel.”

I was hesitant to stand up as all eyes fell on me, all except one. Xavier’s eyes were focused on Roseline who was doing her best to avoid his gaze.

“Ariel?” my father called, causing me to stand up slowly, making sure to avoid Xavier’s eyes which fell on me the second I stood up.

“Um, wait,” Xavier said amidst the applause and my heart stopped at that. If he expresses his confusion then we are both done for.

“A toast!” Roseline yelled. “Whatever you have to say can wait until after we celebrate this historic moment, right?”

“Of course,” Xavier’s father said as he raised his glass. “The young lady is right. We should celebrate these two first. Everything else comes later.”

Everyone else listened much to our gratitude and raised their glasses in a toast. Xavier on the other hand, wasn’t in the least thrilled by this as he turned to glare at me. I returned the glare as I saw no reason to shy away from it or be ashamed when everything was out in the open now.

“Ignore him,” Roseline whispered in my ear as the toast continued. “The plan isn’t changing. You must continue to make him hate you. Do everything in your power to keep this plan alive.”

“I fail to see how that is possible,” I whispered back, making my annoyance clear. “Everything is out in the open. It’s about time we give this up.”

“We aren’t giving shit up,” she hissed, still keeping her voice low. “Get him to talk to you in private before he talks here. If he talks then we are done for.”

I glared at her for a few tense minutes before walking around the table over to him like I wanted a conversation. He glared at me as I approached him and once we were a few feet apart, I tripped myself and fell into his arms, spilling my drink on him in the process.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I apologized immediately.

“Follow me. I’ll get you cleaned up in.”
He didn’t budge, glaring at me intensely until his father spoke up.

“Go with her son. You’ll both soon be married,”

“There’s no need to feel shy. We’re all family.”