Chapter 4 Four

(5 years later)

The great hall glittered with gold and silk ribbons. Bright chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and the wide open double mahogany doors soon trooped with guests who streamed from all regions of every pack, to celebrate the naming ceremony of Alpha Henry and His Luna, Lacey Brown's first child.

At the front of the hall, on the raised platform where two sturdy golden beaming thrones sat, the Luna, glowed in her tailored gown cradled a baby in her arms. She softly cooed to the child, her expression serene, captivating several eyes from the crowd.

Alpha Henry sat beside her, the picture of strength and dominance. A stubble to his chin, his expression hard and his eyes cold blue, he swept them over them before returning a softened gaze to his woman.

From below where the gyests resisted, they looked like he embodiment of the dream mate couple. It was no wonder every invitation sent out had been eagerly accepted as everyone wanted to first hand witness the ceremony of the birth of the never generation.

Omegas moved swiftly amongst the crowd, pouring wines, serving refreshments and arranging gifta. The air was light and hearty.

“Something wrong, my love?” Henry reached forward, entwining his hands around hers.

Lacey slowly shook her head,rewarding him a loving smile as she wrapped her fingers tighter around his. Her eyes filled with tears which she quickly blinked away.

“Times like his I wish my sister could be here today. I miss her so much.”

She carefully watched his expressions after her next words, but Henry looked away, his grip loosening from hers. In despair she watched as he barely glanced at her as he replied, “Everyone else is here. That's all that matters.”

Her smile tightened. She said nothing as she faced the crowd, her features flowing with happiness.

As the Shaman waited for the sacred hour where the child will be blessed and named, the following hours was spent receiving their guests and their gifts.

Up on the platform, an exclusive head table was laid out for he Elders of the pack and for their most esteemed guest- Alphas from their packs.

Much later, they arrived, moving through the crowd with ease, exceeding an aura that parted them like a sea before they approached the podium.

*You're too kind, Alpha Anthony,” Lacey was fascinated at the expensive gifts laid out before them by the Alpha's Omegas.

“The honor is all mine,” he turned to Alpha Henry. “It's good to see you doing well.”

The Alpha briefly nodded in response just before Alpha Anthony resided at his sea on the Head table.

The doors of the Hall soon opened again. And this time around. A hush fell.

Alpha Cain stepped in. A long line of Omegas in twos behind him, bearing the most expensive gifts dorned in gold and so much jewels it shone as they walked.

Everyone has frozen to their spots, all in awe as they watched in earnest, curiosity and fascination.

It wasn't just the gifts, it was already expected of the wealthiest man on the surface of the Paranormal Earth. It was the fact that he was here- in their midst.

The war hero was only ever seen once in a blue moon. It was a rare occurrence to accept an invitation although he was often sent many.

Alpha Henry and Luna Lacey instantly got up from their seats, the sock and expectancy palpable in their expression as they simultaneously stood still, watching the Alpha King make his way forward..

Broad shouldered, scars from supernatural devil weapons forming his face and arms, his aura rolling off him in waves, the feared beast casually walked in.

The crowd bowed, lowering as he passed them by, towards the raised platform where both couple and child were already lowered to the ground in greeting.

As the Omegas set down the gifts, Cain grunted. “Rise. It's your naming ceremony goddamn it.”

Both quickly rose and the crowd followed.

“Your highness- “ Lacey spurted. “It's- it's an honor having you here. I didn't think you'd come.”

“Neither did I,” he gruffly replied. “But my daughter insisted I'd grace this one with my presence. So here I am.”

Silence ensued before Henry found his voice.

“It was mentioned you adopted her some years ago. I didn't think it was true. I would have to regard my thanks to her for making it possible you graced us with your presence.”

Whispers stirred in the room. So it was true about the girl he had raised by his side. The female warrior who fought by his side. Some said he had turned her into a miniature of him, some claimed he was moulding her into a perfect killing machine. Many were in expectancy of meeting the legend female beast who went into wars with bare hands and came out victorious.

No one had ever seen her, but they've heard enough tales to throw confusion ad inquisition in every room she was mentioned in.

“You can thank her yourself.” The King smirkwd ruefully before heading for his seat. Even as he sat down, the Alphas bowed profusely to him as he took his place, barely acknowledging them..

After a while of guests trooping in, it was finally time for the naming rites. Just as th Shaman was about to induce the blessing, the double doors were slammed open.

Heels clicked against the polished floor, echoing in the room as everyone's gaze fell on the figure who stepped in.

Lacey, not bothering to hide her irritation at who could have interrupted such a sacred hour, got up, cradling her child with knitted brows.

But she froze when her eyes met with the figure.

Heads turned as the slender muscular figure walked. Radiant. With a dangerous aura about her that repelled people from her as she walked forward, she managed to steal the breath of everyone who looked at her.

Her curves carried with confidence, the scars on her back work with pride- the kind born from the wars she's fought and worn in.

Every gaze followed her as she fwarlesslt moved through the crowd, slow and deliverste, Alpha King Cain watching down from his table in pride from the dias.

Henry instantly got up, his eyes firitveky darting over the woman- who was this? This woman who lit his insides with fire, whose senses drove him to madness- whose beauty caused him to be numb.

His gaze moved to Lacey, seeing her tremble, her eyes fixated on something. He traced it to what the woman clutched in her hands.

She carried a punch bowl.

From the rich red color, it was red cherry flavor

Lacey fel her breath seize in her throat, and for a moment she lost her composure, stumbling backwards into Henry who caught her.

Murmurs rippled in the crowd as everyone wanted the woman set it down before the Alpha and his Luna.

“I apologize for coming at this time, but I bring a gift,” she fixed her gaze boldly into yhe eyes of Lacey, hers unblinking, fille witb mirth. “It's my favorite flavor but I'm sure you'd love it.”

Her gaze shifts to Henry's, and that's when he froze, the color draining from his face. Lacey went pale in his arms, her grip tightening around Henry's.

She was alive.

But how

The person confirmed she was dead. How was she still alive.