Bound by Alpha's Deception: My Step-Brother's Secret Vengeance novel Chapter 4

Mother and Alpha Alfred had known Eloise would be joining the pack feast.

They'd been preparing the ritual meal since midday.

The moment Percival led Eloise through the den entrance, their scents intermingling.

Alpha Alfred and Mother presented her with a ceremonial blessing—a leather pouch containing rare moon stones, worth at least ten hunts' worth of territory tribute.

I remained in my private chamber, using the excuse of pre-shift pains to avoid the gathering.

But Percival tracked my scent, entering my space with a carved wooden box in his hands.

As slipped a silver fang pendant around my wrist, he pulled a rare blue moonflower from his jacket, its petals still warm from his body heat.

He dropped to one knee in the traditional supplicant posture, eyes filled with what I once believed was devotion.

"I know our bond lacks formal recognition, which has caused you pain," he said, maintaining steady eye contact in the way of pack dominants.

"But after the Mating Ceremony, I'll still be your protector. My den will remain yours, just as before."

"Rosiane, don't turn your back on me. Please?"

I stared at the pendant, noticing the Silverfang insignia etched into its surface.

Identical to the marking on Eloise's one.

"Alright. That's okay."

"Let's join the feast. They've been preparing for hours."

From below, celebratory howls echoed through the den.

Mother stood at the edge of the table, her posture submissive, head slightly bowed like a low-ranking pack member.

Percival, fully embracing his future Alpha status, directed her to serve various dishes without a second thought.

The rage I'd suppressed boiled over.

I gathered every gift he'd given me over six years—scent pouches, carved totems, ceremonial hunt trophies—and dumped them into the waste bin.

As the bin tipped over, Eloise appeared in my doorway, her human form leaning casually against the frame.

Seeing the scattered items, she smiled with unveiled triumph.

"What's wrong? Can't handle a little competition from a true wolf?"

"Eloise came to invite you to join the feast, and this is how you respond? Has your half-blood nature finally taken over your reason?"

Alpha Alfred stood nearby, his face hardened into the cold mask of pack judgment.

Mother rushed forward, her posture submissive.

"Please, she didn't mean it. There must be some misunderstanding."

"Rosiane, apologize to your superior immediately!"

Eloise's eyes glistened with tears as she pressed herself against Percival's chest.

"I'm so sorry. I only came to personally invite her to our Mating Ceremony. I don't understand why she attacked me..."

"Please don't blame her. I shouldn't have entered her territory without permission."

My lips curled into a cold smile as I stared directly at the embracing pair.

Percival ignored my expression, his eyes burning with hate and triumph.

"Rosiane Kensington. Submit and apologize. Now!"