THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN REWRITTEN
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The Alpha and Luna arrive at exactly 6 pm with Moonstreak trailing behind them through the threshold. My father greets them all with a smile, ushering them inside quickly with a brief glance out the door for security.
The company shifts into the entertainment area where I have just finished descending the staircase and stand to wait for them with a polite smile. Our Beta glances at me briefly and gives me a quick smile, gone as soon as it had appeared. His suddenly strained demeanor puts me on edge and I can feel my spine straightening up as I eye our company.
"Accalia!" Moonstreak grins and moves to embrace me, her arms outstretched as she draws closer. The polite but fake smile etched onto my face becomes genuine as I pull her in tightly, my arms wrapped around her neck firmly. As I rest my sight aimlessly over her shoulder in the embrace, I find myself catching eye contact with the Alpha who gives me an inquisitive look. I frown lightly as I pull away from Moonstreak's embrace, unsure of the meaning of the expression.
Have I done something wrong? Surely, this isn't about the small slip up beforehand at the pack house? It's almost impossible for me to believe that to be the reason, Alpha Aeyrgon's much too forgiving to hold a grudge on something so minuscule.
Before I can ponder too deeply into what that look meant for me, the Luna starts moving towards myself and her daughter. I smile at our other leader, heart-warming slightly at the openly loving expression on her face.
"Accalia, how are you?" Luna Aeyrgon says, her voice gentle like the summer breeze. Oh, how she seems so sweet and harmless now but when she is threatened or protecting her pack she can be fiercer than most warriors. I've seen her make my own Warrior's whimper like pups.
I remind myself constantly to be extra respectful around the Luna.
"Very well, thank you. How are you?" I respond immediately, my voice light and sweet. I find it amusing that both of us act so formal towards each other during these meetings. Considering that in a casual setting we'd be uninhibited with each other, it's interesting how there's almost a switch flipped where that attitude is suddenly inappropriate at these conferences.
"Fantastic," she beams, regaining my attention from my thoughts. Luna eyes both her daughter and I with a tender expression before suggesting that we should all proceed with the meeting. Moonstreak nudges me, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Yes! I'm almost completely positive that we're included!" She shrieks excitedly into my mind. I grin at her subtly, as to avoid our elders catching onto the fact that we are having a silent conversation between ourselves. It is considered rude to Mind-Link others when in the direct presence of authority.
Alpha Aeyrgon clears his throat and sets his mouth into a thin line, a sign that what he had to say was not a joyous announcement. I watch as he readjusts his casual stance to one of authority and formality and the light mood in the room dampens considerably. My father swallows and gestures for us all to take a seat at the table before us.
"Something doesn't feel right," I murmur to Moonstreak through the Link, my eyes narrowing slightly as we take our places around the table. Although she doesn't answer, I can feel her looking at me. With a brief glance in her direction, she nods her head fractionally and I know she agrees.
The Luna moves her hand to rest on top of the Alpha's larger one. He turns his wrist so that he can clasp her hand comfortingly, a small hint of affection shown through his actions.
Small actions such as that make things difficult for me. I want to smile. I want to yearn for a Mate of my own. The thoughts are intrusive and unwanted, an extension of my Wolf's most primal desires. But, like always, I cast the thoughts aside and stifle any feelings of longing that arise in my mind.

YOU ARE READING
EMPIRE
Kurt Adam{Previously "Resisting The Alpha"} {Under Construction/Being Rewritten} Accalia Prospero is a respected Beta renowned for her extraordinary Warrior leadership. When Roman Dreycov, the fearsome Alpha of the merciless Blood Rite pack, barges into her...