chapter 7

Emily..

I could see the shock on his face as I observed how he looked at me. I knew he must be shocked just by seeing that an Alpha is a lady, but I wondered how shocked he would become if he were to find out that I am the real Emily he rejected.

As I smiled at him, I noticed he kept staring at me, and I decided to speak. "Is everything alright?" I asked him as he snapped out of his thoughts and stared at me for a moment.

"It's nothing, I just felt as if I've seen you before," he replied.

I continued to smile at him as I walked toward him. "If you don't mind, please follow me."

I led them inside the castle as all my guards and maids lined up. We walked into the grand dining hall, where we all sat down. I looked at him and smiled. "Is that Alpha Drake our mate?" Nana asked, making feel a surge of anger but deciding to suppress it. How could she still think of Drake as our mate? Didn't she see that he rejected us and made our life a living hell? I should have known that my wolf still had feelings for Drake.

Just then, my son ran towards us as I was about to speak, and I could see the way Drake stared at him. "Mommy, who are they?" he asked, looking confused. I placed a calming hand on his head and spoke.

"My dear, these are the people from the Crimson Pack. They have come to pay us a visit," I explained to my son, noticing how he looked at them and then at me.

"Mom, is that the Alpha of the Crimson Pack?" my son pointed to Drake, prompting me to look up at him and see how he stared back at me.

"Yes, he is the Alpha, son. Why do you ask?" I inquired, puzzled by his question.

Surprised by his query, I was about to respond when he continued, "Mom, is he the one you always talk about teaching a lesson to?"

I was taken aback by his question and struggled to find the right words. "I think it's best if you follow my Beta, Dean. This is not a good place for children to be involved," I finally managed to say.

My son nodded and walked away, leaving me to face Drake's unwavering gaze.

"Is that your son?" Drake asked, breaking the silence. I smiled and nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, he's my son. But I don't believe we came here to discuss my son, did we? Alpha Drake of the Crimson Pack, if you accept my invitation and agree to make peace with our pack, you need to kneel in front of me," I declared, addressing Drake directly.

As everyone in the room turned their attention to them, a lady suddenly stood up, ready to speak.

"You are a lady and asking a man to kneel in front of you goes against the law. I don't understand how the Lycan Pack works, but I think it would be best if you show some respect," Lia, the Luna of the Crimson Pack, expressed with a hint of defiance.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her words. As her defiance sparked a fire within me, I fought the urge to break her into pieces. "And who might you be?" I inquired, my tone laced with controlled anger.

"I am the Luna of the Crimson Pack. My name is Lia," she replied with a confident smile.

At the sound of her name, the betrayal I felt surged through me, igniting a deep sense of anger. I stood up slowly, fixing a piercing gaze on her before turning to face Drake.

"I thought you agreed to make peace, or did you send your wife to insult me?" I questioned Drake, my voice firm with disappointment.

Tension filled the room as I struck the table, locking eyes with Lia. "You come to my castle, and all you do is insult me. I think this meeting is over. You can all leave," I declared, my voice echoing through the hall.

Drake swiftly stood up, pushing Lia gently back into her seat before turning to me. "I am sorry. Please forgive her. I don't want the Lycan Pack and the Crimson Pack to become enemies. I have accepted your invitation, and I will do as you ask," Drake vowed, his voice filled with sincerity and regret.

He walked over to me, and I stared at him, unsure of what to expect. Before I knew it, he knelt down on his knees and spoke, "Please, let the Lycan Pack and the Crimson Pack be as one as before."

I looked at him, at a loss for words, and couldn't help but laugh at how foolish he looked. The pain he caused me over the years was deep, a burden I had carried all my life.

As he remained on his knees, I sat down and extended my leg towards him. "Kiss my feet, and I will forgive you," I demanded, wanting to test his sincerity.

Shock registered on everyone's faces, and just as I smiled, Nana interjected, "Emily, I think it's beneath you to stoop so low. You have had your fun, but do not forget that this is our mate."

A deep growl rumbled within me at the mention of the word "mate." I already had a new mate who his no longer among the living, resting in peace.

"If I do this, you promise to accept my request?" He questioned me, searching my eyes for sincerity. I nodded in response.

"You have my word," I affirmed.

He kissed my toe as I smiled, and then he rose to his feet. I stood up as well and faced him. "Now the Lycan Pack and the Crimson Pack are at peace with each other. Please, Alpha drake, let us enjoy our meal. It will not be nice to let the food grow cold."

I took a seat as I noticed how he kept looking at me, and with a smirk, I turned my face to the other side, where Lia's angry gaze met mine.

"Please, eat. Your food will get cold," I said to her with a smirk on my lips and began to eat.