*****Noir''s POV*****


    The annual Christmas party at the Ironw Pack was advertised on TV a few days ago, and today marks the actual celebration.


    I carefully selected my attire, mainly to impress Erika as mother said. I donned my best suit for the asion, while my mother insisted on going with me to the party.


    I weed herpany with no other choice.


    It was difficult to refuse her. Together, we made our way to the car, mother gracefully leading the way. With a gentle click, we settled into thefortable seats.


    "Tonight is going to be the night, Noir." She said suddenly and I turned to look at her.


    "What do you mean?" I asked and she smiled.


    "Propose to Erika tonight, you said she liked the date, so propose marriage to her and see how it goes." I gave her a skeptical look, then shook my head in disapproval.


    "I can''t do that, Mother. That''s too rushed." I reasoned. She red at me before yelling, "It''s not too rushed! This pack needs a Luna and it would do us good to have a female Alpha as the Luna." She said, dusting off the imaginary dust on her shoulder.


    I watched my mother for a while, trying to think through her words. What would Erika do if I proposed to her? Wouldn''t she try to fight me or probably ward me off. And it would hurt my ego more if she ever chooses to reject me before everyone. "What if she rejects me before everyone?" I asked my mother and she scoffed. "You want to propose before everyone? You''re advised to go somewhere hidden. But she won''t reject you by the way." She convinced me and I had no other choice but to believe her.


    But I knew Erika, she might definitely not want to have anything to do with me after this, I just had to be extremely careful with her.


    We stayed silent till the car finally arrived at the venue; Ironw Packhouse.


    The entire ce was well decorated and guests had begun to arrive. Each car that trooped in were customized cars for each pack Alphas and Betas present at the party. Ours weren''t exempted too, we arrived at the entrance of the ce and the valet pulled the door open for us.


    We stepped down and directly walked into the enormous packhouse. The entire decorations and the Luxurious ambiance was extremely jaw dropping.


    There were Neon lights decorating the entire ce and of course, Christmas lights and trees.


    Mother and I walked into the ballroom and there she was, Rika in a ck floor length dress, her hair flowing freely in big curls.


    She wasughing with a fewdies and just then, she turned in our direction.


    She waved at me and said something to thedies before making her way towards us.


    "Alpha Noir, Auntie." She called out softly with a big smile.


    Mother smiled and pulled her into her arms.


    "Rika you''ve grown so much, you''re a full grown woman now." Mother chuckled and Erikaughed too.


    "It''s been so long Ist saw you, Auntie. How are you?" She said, her voice sounding like the sweetest melody I ever heard.


    Mother shrugged and turned to look at me, "Noir isn''t treating me any better, he''s been acting all strange and weird each time I decide to speak about getting pups."


    Erika raised a brow and red at me, "You''ve been stressing auntie, you don''t want to get a Luna?" She asked me and it took all the will power in me not to shout and tell her she was my aim for a Luna.


    I smiled and rolled my eyes.


    "Mother has to learn to be patient, I already found a Luna, it''s just the courage and


    all to get her." I said carefully and she frowned.


    "Courage? Why do you need courage? You''re the Alpha of the City''s second biggest pack, any woman who dares to reject you is totally blind." Sheughed and I joined her.


    So she is blind if she rejects me?


    "It''s not like that, but I do hope to get a positive reply from her when the timees." I said and she nodded.


    "Definitely, you''ll get a positive reply, I''m rooting for you." She said and winked at


    me.


    She called for a waiter who passed with a tray and she offered us drinks.


    "Have some drinks," she said, offering us the drink each.


    "How is Jerome?" My mother asked and Rika paused.


    "Oh, you heard of it?" She asked and mother nodded. "Yes, how is he?"


    She sighed, "Still unconscious, we


    just hope he gets better and eventually wakes up soon. This party was always hosted by him and it feels different without him now. I just can''t wait to have him with us again." Her voice broke at thest part and Mother patted her shoulder.


    "Well, Jerome is a strong Alpha, nothing can happen to him so easily, he''ll be fine my dear." She assured and Rika smiled, nodding her head in gratitude.


    I never knew mother could be this nice to anyone. She spoke so smoothly and calm, nothing like the woman who asked me to wipe out the Moonforest pack.


    "Alright, you both enjoy the party, I''ll speak to some other guests." She said and we nodded in return.


    Rika then walked off to the other side.


    My mother and I stood by the side


    as well. Immediately, some Alphas


    came to greet us, our influence wasn''t just limited to our name and position in the city, we also had businesses that blossomed like the east wing in the city. And of course, we were known for it.


    As we conversed, I turned to the exit to see Alpha Alexander, his Beta and a woman beside them.


    They walked into the party and straight to Rika who was greeting the other guests.


    My gaze darkened when Alexander offered her flowers, Who gives flowers on Christmas day?


    And Erika epted the flowers too, but my mind rxed when she offered the flowers to the servant instead.


    I saw Alexander''s face fall at that and I felt immense pleasure.


    "I''ll be back, Mother." I said to mother before walking to where they all stood.


    I initiated the greetings immediately,


    "Hello, Alex."