"Virema had a prior engagement, so she couldn't come to watch her. And… she's too little to leave home alone. Besides, it's her birthday," she added, almost as if she owed Zara an explanation.
"Happy birthday, Seraphine," Zara said warmly, her eyes softening. "I hope you grow strong and healthy, and become your mum's pride and joy."
She looked a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry I don't have a gift… I didn't know it was today."
"That's fine. I'm sure she appreciates the kind wishes," Valessia replied gently on her daughter's behalf. She gently brushed a strand of hair off Seraphine's cheek.
At the car, Valessia opened the door herself before Zara could do it. Once Seraphine was settled inside, Zara instinctively moved toward the driver's side but Valessia shook her head.
"It is a little ritual," Valessia said with a bittersweet smile. "I always drive on her birthday while she and her Daddy have their special father-daughter moment. He may not be with us anymore, but the ritual still matters."
With that, she slid into the driver's seat, placed her hands on the wheel, and drove off into the night.
After several long minutes passed and they still hadn't arrived at the venue of the supposed party, Zara began to grow uneasy. Her attention slowly drifted from the backseat where she had been keeping little Seraphine entertained with cheerful chatter. Her brows creased with concern as she tilted her head and looked out of the window, scanning their surroundings.
Why on earth are we here? No... it can't be…
Her mouth fell open in shock as the realization hit her.
"Ms. Valessia," Zara said cautiously, trying to steady her voice, "are we headed to Dawn Hill Villa right now?"
It was a question with an obvious answer but she needed to hear it said out loud.
She knew this part of the pack like the back of her hand. On this stretch of road, there were only two houses: Alpha Lucien's residence and the home of his parents. Judging by the turn they had just taken, they were no more than five minutes from the main gate. Another fifteen minutes, and they'd be pulling up in front of the former Alpha's villa.
"Yes," Valessia replied, her tone light. "I was invited to a feast. The invitation clearly stated Alpha Lucien would be in attendance, along with other members of the family." She flicked a glance at Zara through the rearview mirror.
"Weren't you aware of it?"
Zara didn't respond immediately. Her stomach twisted.
"I bet she doesn't even know what the feast is about…" she muttered, her thoughts racing as her mind scrambled for a solution.
"What did you say?" Valessia asked, not catching the words clearly.
"I said I was aware of the feast," Zara lied quickly, masking her anxiety. With trembling fingers, she pulled out her cellphone and typed a message as fast as she could.
"Ms. Valessia was invited to the welcome-back feast of Ms. Arlena and is headed there right now with her daughter. Is it true that Alpha Lucien is expected to be at the feast?"
She read the message silently in her head before sending it to Beta Varek. She kept her phone in her lap and waited anxiously for a reply.
None came, not even as they passed through the iron gates of the estate.
…
Meanwhile, in a spacious meeting room filled with formally dressed men and women, Beta Varek sat at the far end of the table. A presentation was underway, but his mind wandered momentarily when he remembered the soft vibration of his phone earlier.
Reaching into his pocket, he checked the message.
His entire posture shifted as he quickly rose to his feet. Without acknowledging the person speaking, he walked straight to where Alpha Lucien sat at the head of the table.
Bending down, Varek whispered the contents of the message in his Alpha's ear. As he straightened up, he stepped aside immediately, waiting silently.
The effect was instantaneous. Alpha Lucien's expression darkened, his sharp jaw tightening. The man presenting faltered when he caught the Alpha's look.
"Meeting adjourned," Alpha Lucien said coldly, his voice sharp and final.
Chairs scraped back, but no one dared make a sound. One man lowered his gaze entirely, as if eye contact alone might draw punishment.
Lucien strode out of the room, his long coat trailing behind him.
"Get my things. We're heading home now," Alpha Lucien ordered as he moved through the hallway, his voice cold.
All movement on the walkway stopped as soon as he came into view. Only Lucien and Varek continued forward.
When they reached the elevator, Lucien stepped inside while Varek took a different path leading to the Alpha's office.
…
Minutes later, Varek entered a white Mercedes Wrangler. Inside sat Alpha Lucien and his driver.
"Dial Zara's line," Alpha Lucien said as Varek handed over his belongings. He didn't need to raise his voice, the urgency in his tone said enough.
Varek quickly obeyed. The call connected on the first ring.
"I sent that message ages ago. What took you so long to reply or call back?" Zara's voice came through, sharp with worry.
"I was in a meeting. The Alpha wants to speak with you," Varek replied and passed the grey phone to Lucien.
Zara blinked.
If the Alpha is with Varek right now, that means… he was never meant to be at the feast. So…
She covered her mouth with one hand as the pieces clicked into place.
"If Valessia was invited to the feast, why didn't you report it to me sooner?" Alpha Lucien demanded. His voice alone made Zara flinch.
"I only just found out a few minutes ago," she replied quickly. "I think the invitation must have arrived during my day off three days ago. Ms. Valessia never mentioned it. She assumed I knew."
Lucien's next words were stern and final. "Turn the car around. Take her home. That place is no place for someone like her."
Zara hesitated. "Unfortunately, Ms. Valessia already entered the Rhodes Villa a while ago. Right now I'm in the car with Seraphine."
"What?" Alpha Lucien roared.
The driver, startled by the sudden outburst, slammed the brakes by mistake. The car came to a sudden stop.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Alpha!" the driver stammered, bowing his head repeatedly in apology.
"Get out. Varek, take the wheel," Alpha Lucien ordered.
The driver scrambled out, grateful the punishment ended there.
"Stay exactly where you are, Zara," Alpha Lucien commanded, his voice still burning. "Do not under any circumstances let Seraphine out of your sight."
"Yes, Alpha," she replied immediately.
"I'll be there as fast as possible," he added before ending the call.
"You turned down that invitation two days ago~"
"If I don't get there in time," Alpha Lucien cut in, his voice low and dangerous, "they'll tear her apart and burn down whatever's left."
He gripped the armrest tightly.
"If they destroy her will to live tonight… everything I've done will be for nothing. I can't let that happen."
He shook his head, jaw clenched hard.
"Step on it, Varek," he commanded fiercely.
Without hesitation, Varek hit the gas.