Chapter 25
The Silver Pack representatives had been summoned to the court and they all gathered, wondering what could be the reason for being called out of the blue so late. They had been waiting for a while before the Alpha's presence was announced and he entered the room, holding the hand of the very same woman he imprisoned a few days ago.
The Alpha stood in the middle of the court, while Miranda waited for him at the edge closer to the audience. Everyone then quietened down to listen to the Alpha's announcement.
"Greetings, Silver Pack leaders, I'm sure you're all probably wondering why I gathered you here this evening."
Murmurs and whispers echoed in the background, along with a few 'yes' answers. The Alpha continued, heading straight to the point.
"I have come to announce my newly established engagement to the Lotus Princess. We will marry to form a union and our packs will be united as soon as she inherits the throne from her father."
Everyone held astonished gazes, this Alpha of theirs was truly unpredictable. He made decisions unexpectedly and the majority of them turned out to be good ones, but this was one they didn't understand. Although most Silver wolves went along with anything the Alpha said, some still felt the need to object, as one of the highest-ranking council members, Aiden, then raised his hand.
The Alpha nodded in his direction, although ruthless and stringent, he never deprived his followers of an opportunity to express their opinions, "Yes... You may speak, Omega Aiden."
Aiden stood from his seat and began to address the Alpha. He made his voice loud enough so those in the crowd could hear him too, "But sire, this is the most unexpected news you've given us. A few days ago, this woman was accused of being a fraud and now all of a sudden, you're engaged to her. How are we even sure that she is the Lotus Princess as she claims?"
"Good question Aiden. We are about to find out very soon, my bride and I will journey with some soldiers to the Lotus territory, where I will officially ask Alpha Luther for her hand in marriage. Alpha Luther should be able to recognize his daughter, even being on the sickbed. If he does not, I will kill the fraud on the spot for wasting my time."
"You are a great Alpha, thank you for clarifying," Omega Aiden bowed before sitting down. Another council member then raised her hand from the audience, this time it was one of the female soldiers, Freya.
The Alpha nodded to her, "Yes, you may speak, warrior Freya."
"Thank you for the opportunity to speak to Alpha Damian, I only have a question."
"Go on."
"What will happen if Miranda does not turn out to be a fraud? What if she truly is the Lotus Princess and we have all but misjudged her all this time?"
"If she happens to be the Lotus Princess, I'm sure an apology will suffice for all she's been through, all the treatment she got was as a result of her trespassing into forbidden lands. The Silver Pack wolves did nothing but protect their territories from a possible enemy. When her father confirms her identity, I will marry her immediately in her tribe, and she will return to this pack as my wife. Our marriage will form a union between the Lotus and Silver territories, and we will support each other in the needed areas. She gives me her elite group; I give her aid and support in the upcoming war. It's a settled case already, and if there are no more questions, you may all be dismissed."
***
Katrina had attended the meeting as the Alpha's mistress, and she did not expect to hear this sudden news, nor was she pleased about it. After the meeting ended, Alpha Damian retired to his quarters while Miranda stayed behind to exchange greetings and accept good wishes regarding her marriage from the Silver wolves whom she didn't fail to notice had changed their behavior towards her upon hearing about her engagement.
Leaving the court, Katrina stormed angrily, heading to the Alpha's quarters. Upon reaching there, she barged in, not bothering to knock. In the whole Silver Pack-house, she was the only one who could get away with that.
Alpha Damian was seated in his bedroom office, working on some files, he looked up as soon as he saw her enter.
"What is it, Katrina?" He asked impatiently.
"How could you do this to me? After all, we've been through together, how could you decide all of a sudden to marry someone you just met a few days ago? Did you even consider my feelings before you went ahead with your plans?"
"You are a very important person to me Katrina, and of course, your feelings matter, but an Alpha needs to do what has to be done. I wouldn't have made this decision if I didn't think it was for the best."
"Alpha Damian! You're getting married to someone whose identity you're not even sure of, and you think it's the best decision?"
"I don't need to explain any of the things I do to you Katrina, and you have no right to barge in here and question me all because of your anger."
She let out an empty laugh, "I knew it! I knew that bitch has done something to you! How are we even sure she's not a witch who enchanted you? Or even mess with your mind?"
"Believe me Katrina, Miranda did no such thing, and from now on, be careful what you say about her. I will not let you disrespect my future bride like that!"
"So, all of a sudden, she's your future bride and what am I? Chopped liver?"
"You are an important person to me Katrina, do not see yourself like that all because of this engagement."
"I can't believe you're doing this Alpha Damian, I really can't! I've always loved and respected the decisions you make, but this is one I do not understand, nor do I like. I'm sorry for letting it out like this, but I cannot deny the fact that I think this is the worst decision I've seen you make."
"Very well, everyone is entitled to their opinion of what they think about the choices I make, and I am free to do however as I please."
She began to yell, "I will not agree to this, Damian! I refuse to continue as your mistress whilst you are married to someone else. I will not!"
She sighed, "I understand how you feel perfectly, that's why I'll overlook your rudeness. As for your decision not to continue with me anymore, I also agree with it. I think it's time we let go of each other."
Of course, it was not an answer she was expecting, the words shocked her like electricity bolts, "What? Alpha Damian? Y-y-you can't be... You can't be serious!"
"Do I look like someone who jokes around?"
"Alpha Damian!"
He then stood up and went to meet with her, taking her two hands in his, "With regards to the confession you told me the other day, Katrina. I want you to know that I care about you so much, more than you can ever imagine. I wish the best for you, but I can't give you the life you're hoping for. You deserve better Katrina, better than anything I can offer you."
She took her hands away from him, "No! I don't want to get better! I don't want anyone else! I want you! And now you're leaving me that too because of Miranda!" She began to cry.
"I'm not leaving you Katrina; I'll always be there for you when you need me."
"But this wasn't the agreement when we first started, when I became your mistress."
"There was never an agreement with Katrina, I warned you that time. I told you that I wasn't going to pursue any long-term commitment with anyone, but you insisted on carrying on with it anyway. Over the years I've grown to care about you, but it will never be enough, what I feel for you Katrina, will never be enough."
"No! You're just saying all of this because you want to be with that bitch... Yes!! I called her a bitch because that's what she is for taking you away from me!!"
"Katrina!" His stern tone didn't scare her anymore, she didn't mind letting out all the anger and hurt she felt. Thankfully, Alpha Damian understood, and let her.
"You will regret this, Damian!" She spat. "I'll make sure you do!" And with that, she stormed out of the room.