Alpha Bane''s POV


    I stood in a corner, observing what was going on. I loved what I saw. I loved the way the ce was decorated; the red flowers mixed up with white ones. I loved the sweet smell of rose flowers in the air. I loved the way that the people buzzed with happiness as they drank wine from their cups and chatted with one another. The festival was going on so well.


    Yet, I wasn''t there for all of that. I came to the Pack for something else. The festival was merely an excuse that I held onto so I could do what I wanted to; see Aurora.


    From where I was, I spotted Aurora talking to a certaindy with red hair. They seem to be getting along so well and I could tell by the way that Auroraughed.


    Then I saw Sophia, heading toward Aurora with a huge grin on her face and my interest aroused. I fixed my gaze on them very intently, keen on noticing anything odd so I could intervene.


    A few minutes in, it looked like everything was under control. There were no signs of animosity between them. Shockingly, it did seem like they were getting along. They even shared augh or two, much to my surprise.


    I couldn''t help but notice Aurora''s outfit and how perfectly it fit. It was a very long, green dress with golden stones all around it. It seemed perfect for the asion, especially since green was the official colour of the festival.


    As I stared at her, admiring every bit of her beautiful body, I hoped that she could just turn around and look my way, even for a few seconds. I kept calling out to her in my mind as I craved to be noticed by her. It wasn''t to be.


    Suddenly, I saw Sophia reach out and grab Aurora''s hand and I became suspicious. The grip looked like a tight one and from the way that Aurora responded, I had even more reasons to be concerned. "Why would she hold her that way?" I asked myself.


    I took a few steps forward so that I could get a clearer picture of what was going on and know exactly when I was supposed toe in. Just as I was about to follow Sophia''s lips so that I could hear what it was that she was telling Aurora, I heard a huge noise from the hall. Everyone began to p and cheer and I wondered what was going on.


    "Greetings to everyone in this Pack for this festival," the Alpha King began, with his cup of wine in his right hand and his left hand raised to acknowledge our presence. "All the Alphas and Lunas and the council of elders from the different Packs who thought it necessary to grace this asion and this humble Pack with their presence, I greet you all!"


    There was a scream from the wolves in the Pack as the people screamed and stamped their feet on the ground in joy.


    "I''d love to make a toast," the Alpha King continued, narrowing his brows, before clearing his throat. "But before then, I''d love to say to you all once again that I''m grateful to see you."


    I loved the way that the man spoke. His words oozed confidence merged with great respect for others and I loved that so much. Although we were of the royal family, no one needed to abuse the people who were below him.


    "I''m d to announce to all of you that this Pack has been making tremendous progress in recent times. We''ve had a lot of buildings erected. We have also managed to keep the rogues at Bay as well as provide much-needed care to strangers who found themselves in this Pack."


    Everyone pped their hands and he spoke. Some nodded their heads to show their approval. Everyone was happy with what they heard.


    "Everything has been going so well in this Pack and for that, I''m going to make a toast." He raised his right hand with which he held a small cup containing red wine. "A toast to the growth of the Silver Moon Pack!"


    "Aye! Aye! Aye!" They all chorused stamping their feet on the ground, as was the custom. They too had wine in a small cup and they also lifted it.


    "To my lost daughter, whom I have found, in the person of Sophia, let''s make a toast!"


    The people cheered aloud, jumping and dancing as they drank their wine. I had forgotten all about Aurora and Sophia but at the mention of the name, they returned to my memory.


    I quickly turned my gaze back to where they previously stood but they weren''t there anymore. As the people pped and hit their cups together for the toast, I scanned through the area in search of Aurora. Then I spotted a group ofdies at a corner in the hall and sought to see if she was there.


    I saw Sophia first. She just stood and muttered a few words but I didn''t know who she was talking to. But there were people around her; a few girls, and I guessed they were her friends. I could see them all dancing to the music that was ying with their faces full of smiles. There was no sign of Aurora.


    The uproar died down and only the music could be heard but somehow, I still couldn''t see Aurora.


    I began to get a bit worried. Where could she have gone? I wondered what Sophia and her friends might have done to her. "Damn it!"I cursed aloud, knowing what Sophia was capable of and regretting that I allowed myself to be distracted instead of keeping an eye on her as I had nned.


    Then I saw her. She was somewhere between Sophia and the otherdies and she looked a bit puzzled. It was like she was there against her will and if that were to be the case, I couldn''t let it happen. I swore in my heart to not let Sophia have her way at the festival at the expense of Aurora.


    I looked at the girls again and this time, I noticed that they weren''t just dancing. They wereughing disdainfully and pointing fingers at Aurora.


    I felt rage build up in me instantly as I knew exactly what was going on. I couldn''t understand why they''d never let Aurora be for once. Sophia always made it a point of duty to make her life a living hell, despite her efforts to avoid any form of trouble.


    I turned to Donald, who was by my side the whole time and his visage told me all


    that I needed to know. He too was aware of all that was going on.


    "Donald, I need you to go check what''s going on over there. Be discreet, as always. I''ll be waiting."


    He nodded and slowly began to walk toward them. As he walked away, I prayed in


    my heart that Sophia would fall into my trap. I couldn''t wait to let the cat out of the


    bag.