Chapter 5 Blood Moon Pack

Gabriella's POV

I headed to my room to reflect on things and prepare for a bright, beautiful day tomorrow. I had decided to stay indoors and not go out, as planned. However, I must confess, it wasn't easy for me to endure my father and the pack members; I cried almost every night.

My room's door opened, and without her saying a word, I knew it was Tracy. She had a habit of entering my room without knocking. "Sleeping beauty, it's time for our family dinner."

I immediately sat up. "Is father there yet?"

"Not at all. We still have five minutes. Let's get going. Or do you want to get scolded by him again?"

"No, thank you, sister, for reminding me. I don't understand why I keep forgetting."

"Well, you see, I always forget to knock, and you always forget about family dinner and training. We are twins, after all."

"Yes, you are right."

We walked to the dining table together and took our seats. When father walked in, and his eyes landed on me, I saw a spark of anger and resentment.

"Good evening, father," I greeted him, just as Tracy did.

"Good evening, my beautiful daughters." He kissed Tracy on the cheek with a smile on his face, then took his seat without acknowledging me.

The maids brought the food on a tray and served us. While eating, I struggled to find the right words. I needed to continue trying to win my father's affection, but my shyness held me back. What should I say?

I gathered my courage. "Father, how—"

"Not a word from you. Have you no manners? Talking while eating?" He didn't even let me finish my sentence; he interrupted me.

"I apologize, father."

"Keep your apology to yourself."

Tracy touched my hand to comfort me. Father took more meat and added it to Tracy's plate. "Thank you, father."

"Don't thank me, my dearest daughter. You deserve the world. Come on, eat more. I don't want you to look thin at all."

"I promise, father. I won't appear thin, and I will finish my meal."

"That's my girl."

Father chuckled while eating and then began coughing. I quickly poured water into a glass for him. "Father, please have this."

He swatted the glass from my hand. "Never in your worthless life attempt this again." I held back my tears.

"Father, drink some water." He accepted the glass from my sister and drank it all. "Thank you, my dear."

He stood up abruptly. "From now on, you will not be included in our family dinners. If you want to prove me wrong and deserve a seat, bring your wolf to reality." He left in anger.

"Don't take his words to heart, okay? I'll talk to father, and everything will be alright." She hurried to catch up with him.

I left, feeling angry, and went into the woods near the house. I tried to shift out of frustration, but it didn't work. I attempted again and again, only ending up injuring myself. If tears were blood, I'd be soaked in it.

I moved slowly back to my room, lay on the bed, and hoped that someday everything would be better. Perhaps it was best to stop attending family dinners altogether. I should remain in my room all the time. This is where I belonged, away from everyone.

A MONTH LATER

A knock came at my door, which was quite unusual. "Come in," I said politely, sitting up on the bed.

"Good day, Miss Gabriella. Your sister wants you to come to the hall. An important announcement is about to be made, and she doesn't want you to miss it."

"Okay, thank you. I'll be there in just a minute." She left promptly.

I changed my outfit and headed to the hall, taking a seat near my sister. The only time I felt like a father's daughter was because our seats were distinct from the other members'. The hall was filled with pack members. Judging by the expression on my sister's face, the announcement was clearly significant.

"You look really happy, sister," I said to her.

"You guessed right, I have never been this happy."

"Can you give me a little clue about it?"

"Not this time. It won't be a surprise anymore." She caressed my hair, and I smiled, saying, "Okay, but I am dying of curiosity here."

"Don't worry. The hour has come," she said, immediately as the Beta took the mic to address everyone.

"Everyone, I come bearing good news on behalf of the Alpha and everyone present here," the Beta began, and I paid close attention to ensure I wouldn't miss a word.

"Our beloved warrior and powerful Alpha daughter is engaged to the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. Finally, peace will be restored, and we will be more respected."

Everyone looked excited about the news, especially my sister. She showed me the ring. "I feel so happy. I will be bringing peace to our pack and the Blood Moon Pack."

"I am so happy for you, sister." I pretended to be happy, but deep down, I am sad. My father hates the Blood Moon Pack. I always thought he would refuse our marriage to Alpha Nicklaus, but I didn't expect his favoritism towards my sister to exceed everything.

Everyone celebrated, and my father called me personally to the garden. I became happy, thinking he is going to make amends.

"Father, I am so happy for sister," I said, even if I was dying inside.

"Enough! Look at your sister, a powerful warrior every pack desires to have, and now she is getting married to Alpha Nicklaus, our enemy. She finally brought peace, and look at you, being so useless, not doing anything useful."

"I am sorry, father." I bowed my head and kept my hands joined together.

I thought about it all night. What if the Alpha made a mistake? Alpha Nicklaus is my mate. Should I just stay silent and watch my mate marry my sister? I sighed, tossing and turning in bed. Finally, I decided to gather up the courage to take control of my own destiny.

The following day, I changed into smart jeans and a top, tied my hair in a ponytail, wore a baseball cap, and grabbed my bag. I walked out of the building and immediately hailed a taxi.

I really hope what I am about to do will not cause me big problems. Oh Moon goddess, help me out, please. I need you this time around. I got so carried away with my thoughts that I didn't realize we had arrived at the place until the driver signaled me.

I paid the taxi driver and stepped out of the car, took a deep breath before taking a bold step. But I lost the boldness as I got closer to the gate, and I ran back into the nearby woods, sweating all over and breathing uncontrollably.

What if my actions hurt my sister Tracy? She has been good to me and is now happy getting married to him. Oh gosh, this is tough for me.

I don't think she will be angry. Maybe if I explain to her, she will support me and understand it's a mistake. I can do this.

But what am I supposed to say? "Hi, I am the girl you had a one-night stand with, and you mistook my sister for me, so I came to fix the whole thing"?

No, that can't work. I need to come up with a suitable sentence. Gosh, I suck at this.

I stepped out again and headed directly to the gate. I pressed the bell, and the gate opened immediately, with a young guy asking me my reason for coming here. "I am here to meet the Alpha."

"Okay, do you have an appointment with him?" he questioned. Oh no, this is my only chance right now. There is no way I can ruin it. Just a lie will not make me a monster.

"Yes, I do," I said, acting a bit tough to hide my fear.

"Okay, wait here." He said and left, maybe to inform the Alpha. My heart started pounding so fast while I waited.

Another guy approached me, saying, "I am the Beta of the pack, and the Alpha is not expecting anyone. If I may ask, who are you, and what do you want with the Alpha?"

I got frightened immediately, but I needed to hide the fear and have everything under control. Please, sweet lord, let me not mess this up. I have never done something like this before, and this is my first time being bold with a stranger.

"Yes, you are right. But trust me, the Alpha will be happy to see me if you can just relay this message to him."

"What message?"