At the welcome party

Chapter 4

By: Tofunmi Nikky

Looking out of the window; Lucia kept her eyes fixated on her surroundings, garden, and numerous houses that are far away. A look of admiration plastered on her face as she rubbed her palms together and gave out a sigh.

"Hey, Lucia." Scarlett, Lucia's step-sister, called out as she stepped out of her room. Lucia looked up and a smile crossed her face.

"Scarlett." She acknowledged as she rose up.

"Are you not going to the Alpha's welcoming party?" She asked and Lucia bit her lip nervously.

"I don't, to be honest. I mean mother is going to be there. Who knows If she will be mad seeing me there and cause a scene." She replied and Scarlett rolled her eyes.

"You don't let mother affect you. You should learn to be independent." She said and Lucia looked at her with something that looked like admiration. Scarlett was Charles' daughter and since their mother got married to Charles, they automatically became siblings. Lucia was expecting Scarlett to treat her all badly but it came as a surprise to her that Scarlett was the direct opposite – kind and jovial.

Although Scarlett was kind of closed off at first when they came to live with them but as time went on, she started talking to Lucia and often took her out. That is if their mother does not have any errand for Lucia.

"I wish I could. But nope... I now bear the mark of being 'useless'." She said with her shoulder lifted in a half shrug.

"Come on. You are going with me." Scarlett insisted as she pulled Lucia by the hand and took her to the room to change her clothes.

"Hope mother is not going to get mad?" She asked worriedly and Scarlett shook her head.

"I won't let her talk to you." She assured her and Lucia nodded her head as she slipped into the pair of sandals before stepping out of the house.

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"Welcome, Alpha Xander."  The rest of the pack chorused and Xander scanned them as he managed to pull a proud smile.

"I am glad that I was received with open arms. And I assure you I will definitely carry on my father's legacy and won't disappoint you." He said confidently and they all smiled at him.

"Please go on with the celebration." He urged them. Ronald made his way towards him with a lady trailing from behind him.

"Xander." He called out and Xander looked at him before he side glanced at the lady. He arched his right brow but did not utter a word.

"This is Regina." Ronald introduced and Regina managed to smile. He just stared at them blankly.

"You're betrothed." He said finally and it felt like he was hit on the head with a plank.... What does he mean by betrothed?

"What did you say?" He asked as he eyed Regina hard.

"You see, we need to discuss that really well and I will say you should follow me." He said and Xander looked at him with calculating eyes before walking off with him.

Lucia and Scarlett finally reached the pack house and they stepped in. It was no surprise to them that the place was full already.

"Oh my goodness, I think I need to use the bathroom... I will be back." Lucia said and hurried off, knowing fully well where the toilet was.

She was now breathing heavily as she jerked the bathroom door open and slammed it shut before turning her back on it and bending down to rest her hands on her knees.

Her gaze on the floor as she tried catching her breath.

After a few minutes had passed, she straightened her body and, noticing a strand of hair had covered a part of her face, she tucked it back behind her ear before proceeding to use the bathroom.

After she'd done her thing, she moved further to the sink and turned on the water with which she started splashing her face with. She then went for a small face towel and dabbed her face with it.

Now feeling relieved, she opened the door and stepped out. She shut the door and started walking only to hear and notice a certain footstep sound had covered her-swallowing it up. She was forced to stop walking and turned around.

And there is a muscular and well built back facing her as the owner of the figure bolted off, his footsteps echoing through the hallway. The figure resembles that of a noble- and his back features and expensive clothing..... She could feel the powerful Alpha scent radiating him.

Wait!, isn't that the great Alpha Xander?.

Alpha of the Blue Moon pack?.

But what caught her most as he moved a far distance into the hallway was his scent. That sweet woodsy-mouthwatering smell that wrapped around her like a blanket.

Before she could see his final retreating figure, she saw Scarlett approaching with a worried look on her face. She quickly dashed off to meet her.

Xander trudging off angrily along the hallway sensed a far away scent circling him all over but just shrugged it off, this is not the time to fool around. It's just a random smell....Yeah, a random smell it is.

He would have carried on if his wolf hadn't stirred in him. Liam seems excited for him to turn back. He heaved a sigh before reluctantly tuning around. But he only saw those ladies.

The one at the front though they are currently having their backs at him doesn't seem to give him a hint of interest. He took his eyes back to the girl at the back and that's it- he felt it. The scent was from her.

Wait; pause a minute. Don't tell him he had just mixed his mate. Like....the future Luna and a mate to him; Xander. This mustn't be.

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Throughout the party, Lucia just stayed rooted on her seat as she stared on boringly at the activities going on around her. She glanced at Scarlett from where sat at a far table with all her friends surrounding her. One of them would crack a joke with which they'll burst into a laughing fit.

She entwined her fingers nervously and gazed at that glass of wine on her table "I want you here right now Lucia.... There's a problem! "A voice burst into her mind-link.

She sprang up on her feet instantly and started running out of the packhouse, but suddenly, catching her unaware, she stumbled and bumped into someone.

The body flung her body off, "Get off me you brat...! "Regina half yelled rigorously.

She quickly balanced herself on her feet before mumbling her apology,"Am so sorry... please "

And made to walk past her and continue her journey to get out of the packhouse.

"You can't just go!"Regina caught her by her arm, preventing her from taking further steps. And as she held her captive; a smirk tugged on Regina's face.

She began to panic; she really needs to get out of here- As fast as possible.

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TBC