It had been three years. That was what Zaphyra told her. Three years since her death, yet to her, it felt like yesterday. How ridiculous.
She let out a heavy breath and stepped out of the bathtub, pulling a towel from the rack before returning to the room.
It was only a banquet, but to her, it was a declaration of her return.
She stopped before the closet and examined the few dresses inside. The dresses' colors were too bright; if only there was a black one.
Left with no choice, she picked a flowing, vibrant red dress. After putting it on, she walked to the dressing table and glanced at the poor selection of jewels.
She wore a silver crown on her head and added a pair of hanging earrings. Once satisfied with her appearance, she headed to the kitchen.
She had promised herself not to act recklessly, but who was to say nothing would go wrong?
Carefully, she wrapped a small kitchen knife with its cover on her hip under her dress.
"Where's the ceremony?" she asked, Zaphyra now being her only guide in that strange place.
"Remember, don't cause trouble for Nalath."
That evening, the large hall of the Eclipse pack was well decorated. The high ceilings were illuminated with chandeliers, while every corner had candles.
For the past years, werewolves had maintained peace among themselves, so the ceremony gathered members from different packs.
Men and women wore expensive costumes, holding glasses of liquor as they chatted. These were not ordinary guests, but figures of high rank within their territories.
She arrived outside the hall and paused at the entrance. Beyond those doors, she would face those beasts. Her heart raced wildly.
The guard at the entrance frowned. "If you're too scared to go in, then go back and sleep. Don't stand there blocking the way."
Radella shot him a cold look. She said nothing and forced her gaze forward.
The heavy door opened.
She stepped inside and stood at the top of the stairs, scanning the hall.
The long tables were covered with food and drinks, enough for the entire hall to be filled with the aroma of wine.
They were celebrating her defeat, laughing at her. Her jaw tightened. She would never spare any of them.
From where she stood, she drew attention. One of them was a middle-aged man at the front with a long blonde beard, the same going for his long blonde hair. His body was broad, while his face was stern as he stared at the girl.
Beside him stood a younger man who closely resembled him. His eyes narrowed the moment he noticed her.
The old man gave him a side look and uttered in a strong voice, "You fool."
Some guests started murmuring.
"Isn't that Alpha Hunt's daughter?"
Another guest laughed. "To think his heir couldn't even wolf out. It did him right; he was so arrogant with his strength."
Viola glanced toward Radella before turning to the girl beside her. "Lysha, go get your sister."
Lysha crossed her arms with a scoff. "Why should I? She's not my sister. And stop trying to present her as the Alpha's daughter; she doesn't deserve it."
"Lysha," Viola sternly cut her off. She glanced around to see if anyone had reacted to her daughter's words. Seeing everyone was busy, she landed her cold gaze on her. "Go and bring her."
Zaphyra's voice growled in Radella's mind. "Your bloodthirst wouldn't help when they lunge at you."
Her brows furrowed at the truth. No matter how much her anger burned, she couldn't do anything. She was about to step forward when she noticed a girl approaching her.
She was wearing a red flowing dress, her long hair combed to one side of her shoulder.
Then suddenly, the girl stopped. Her eyes widened, and immediately she bowed. Not only her, everyone in the hall who noticed did the same.
Radella frowned. What was this reaction?
They were bowing… to Nalath?
And then the hair on her back stood on end, and her fingers twitched toward the knife hidden beneath her dress. Slowly, she turned.
The bows were not meant for her.
Behind her stood three figures, their overwhelming presence almost sending her to her knees.
The woman had round eyes and short hair framing her face. She casually chewed on an apple, as if nothing around her mattered.
Beside her stood a man with messy black hair and a sharp jawline. His rough, striking features were added to by his mischievous grin. His arms were crossed over his broad chest.
"We aren't late, are we?"
The third stood at the center.
Tall, with long red hair braided down his back and a short beard around his mouth, his sharp ocean eyes on his elegant face held a hint of calm and madness in them.
His hands rested in the pockets of his fur coat as he glanced around the hall, as if everyone present was beneath him.
"Do raise."
The room obeyed instantly.
The middle-aged man watched the new guests carefully. It wasn't every day Eon pack visited, and it was rarely for a good reason.
Then, the three turned their attention to the girl standing closest to them.
That girl hadn't bowed to them; not only that, she was glaring at them without fear.
Those in the hall watched intently, sure today was the end of the Alpha Hunt lineage.
Viola's forehead wrinkled, but she hesitated to step closer. Who hadn't heard of Menelyck, that maddening monster?
Menelyck's gaze shifted away as he began to walk past, ignoring her entirely.
Radella's eyes darkened. Facing their backs, she coldly said, "There wasn't a single moment I didn't look forward to seeing you again."
The three halted.
The entire hall watched in stunned silence, unable to comprehend Nalath. They were about to tell the world, once they got out of there, how she had gotten lucky, but it seemed she had given up on herself.
Lysha blinked from where she was. Had she lost her mind? Witches might have done something to her brain when she was out there.
She gave her mother a glance. Viola's face was unreadable, but her eyes didn't move an inch from Radella.
Menelyck's lazy eyes regarded her. He didn't remember seeing her before. How could he forget someone who asked for death with both hands?
"May I ask, do we know each other?"
Her anger surged, veins bulged on her forehead as she strode forward in big strides, ignoring all of Zaphyra's warnings.