Chapter 122

Hannah

“Dad,” I said in greeting as he made himself known to me. It’s been a while since I saw him.

“I saw you had a baby. Will I be meeting my granddaughter soon?” My father asked as he came closer to me.

I stood my ground; not going closer to him, but not backing away either. Pressing my lips firmly together I folded my arms across my chest.

“You will not,” I told him. “You are here to train under my husband so you will be prepared for the impossible. Nothing more.”

“You keep my own son from me and now you’re keeping my granddaughter from me too?”

I didn’t like him bringing up Liam like that, but I kept myself calm knowing that we weren’t alone in the foyer.

“I would appreciate it if you stayed clear of my daughter,” I said, trying to sound as unbothered as possible.

“You’re definitely your mother’s child,” he muttered, turning away from me to join the other alphas. I stared after him in dismay. Sebastian was by my side quickly and he was also staring at my father with a frown.

“What did he say to you? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” I said in return. “I just want to start the training.”

“Let’s lead everyone to the arena then.”

I nodded and followed him as he guided the crowd through the palace until we reached the back doors. The arena was located on the other side of the gardens. It was a big outdoor area with fighting equipment scattered around. We all took our own spots in the yard; I tried to keep my distance from my father, but I could feel his eyes were on me.

Sebastian stood in the front, and he looked so powerful and fierce in comparison to everyone else. He worked shirtless, as did most of the alphas. I wore a plain tank top and tight yoga pants; Sebastian told me it was better to wear something I could easily move in. The gamma men wore their armor, and the gamma women wore tight clothing that revealed most of their bodies; leaving no mystery what lay underneath.

As he showed us some moves, his formation was so perfect I was in awe of him. Of course, I’ve seen him fight before, but I never stopped to look at his incredible technique. He moved quickly and elegantly. Those around him started to mimic his moves, using their new techniques on one another. I saw the fierce looks and heard the growling of those around me. Wolves were shifting and blood was being spilled along the arena grounds.

One of the gamma women came at me quickly with a punch and I managed to dodge out of the way. I was used to dodging attacks from when I lived in the rogue village with my mother and brother. But I wasn’t expecting another she-wolf to come at me from nowhere and kick me onto my back. She held a wooden stake to my neck and smirked. At that moment, the wind was knocked from me, and I had trouble gaining my breath back. She had icy blue eyes and long, sleek, jet-black hair. She had olive skin and the body of warrior, like most of the she-wolves there.

“Adira! That is enough,” Sebastian said, making his way over to us. She took her foot off my stomach, something I didn’t even realize was there, allowing me to breathe again. I gasped in a breath, and I couldn’t help the growl that escaped my throat. Nora was furious and she wanted to attack this woman back.

“Sorry, alpha,” she said smoothly; I didn’t like the tone she used when she addressed my husband, this only made Nora angrier. She went to join the other she-wolves where I could see them chuckling at my dispense.

“She’s your daughter?” I heard another alpha asking my father who was staring at me with shame on his face.

“Yeah, an omega if you can believe that,” he muttered. “Her mother had omega blood from her ancestors. Gave birth to two of them.”

I felt my face reddening at his words; I was beyond him at this point. Why did he still have this effect on me? I am finally comfortable in my life and taking on the role of Luna Queen. I have a husband and daughter that I love and love me in return. I finally have people who care for me. I didn’t need his support and I certainly didn’t need him. But still, being around him again brought me back to my childhood when he made me feel more alone than ever.

“Omegas have no business being here,” that girl, Adira, muttered.

Sebastian stepped toward me and offered me his hand. I looked up at him with my reddened face and he gave me a small smile in return. I saw the love and admiration in his eyes, along with a small smirk. I smirked back and took his hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet. He looked me over for a moment before addressing everybody else.

“If you have a problem with my luna, then you have a problem with me. I’m doing this because you need to know how to protect yourselves and your pack from the evils that might be emerging. As alphas and warriors, it is your responsibility to keep your packs safe. As Alpha King, it is my responsibility to make sure my kingdom is safe, which starts with each and every one of you. My luna is here because she too needs to know how to protect herself and our family. As you know we have a daughter to think about now. So, if I hear any of you speaking ill of my luna there will be punishment. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Alpha King,” they all said in unison.

Suddenly I was no longer that helpless little girl, but a brave luna queen who would do anything to protect her family. My heart thudded violently in my chest, and I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips.

As the training concluded, I had bruises all along my body. I knew I would heal soon, but it still pained me to walk.

“I told you it was going to be hard,” Sebastian said, coming up from beside me.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I assured, kissing his cheek gently. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Adira watching us. She rolled her eyes before turning back to the other girls. I furrowed my brows together as I watched her. “Who is that woman?” I asked.

“Adira,” Sebastian answered. “She’s one of the gamma’s daughters. She’s training to be a gamma herself.”

“She doesn’t like me,” I said in return, pulling away from him.

“She doesn’t have to like you,” Sebastian said simply. “But she must respect you. You’re the luna queen.”

He was right and I wasn’t going to let this she-wolf gamma warrior get the best of me. Sebastian went to speak with some of the other alphas while I was about to head upstairs and see Wrenley and nurse my wounds.

“Don’t forget that the reason you have this life is that you were nothing more than a replacement,” I heard my father’s voice from behind me, stopping me on the stairs.

I only paused for a moment before walking the rest of the way upstairs, leaving my father behind. But I couldn’t help the sinking feeling in my stomach; I never told Sebastian I was a replacement for Amy. I was always so worried about what he would think or what he would do.

As the evening went on the banquet began in the ballroom. I sat with Sebastian at the head of the table. I noticed Adira across the ballroom talking to one of the older gamma warriors, whom I only assumed was her father. Adira wore a long red dress that hugged her curves perfectly. She had her black hair curled and draped over her shoulders. Occasionally I would catch her looking over at our table. Sebastian didn’t seem to notice though.

“You’ve been quiet,” Sebastian pointed out. “You’re not letting them bother you, are you?”

“It’s not that,” I told him. “There’s something I haven’t been honest about.”

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s about the prophecy,” I said slowly.

“What prophecy?”

“The prophecy the elders gave you; telling you that you had to marry the daughter of Alpha Steven.”

“Okay; what about it?” He asked, raising his brows.

“I wasn’t the one you were supposed to marry,” I told him gently, glancing down at my hands as a wave of shame crossed over me. I’ve been holding this in for way too long.

“You aren’t making any sense, Hannah. What are you trying to tell me?”

“Amy was the one who was supposed to marry you.”