Chapter Title: Chapter 6: The Uninvited Guest
The Silver Moon Pack house was glowing with golden lights. It was the night of the annual Alpha's Ball, and everyone who was anyone in the werewolf world was there. Kaelen stood at the top of the stairs, Seraphina clinging to his arm, looking every bit the powerful Alpha he had become.
"A toast!" Kaelen shouted, raising his glass. "To five years of prosperity and the strength of our pack!"
As the crowd cheered, the massive oak doors of the hall slowly creaked open. A sudden chill swept through the room, extinguishing the candles near the entrance. The laughter died down, replaced by a confused silence.
A woman stepped into the light.
She wore a gown of midnight blue that seemed to shimmer like the stars. Her silver hair was piled high, and a mask of intricate silver lace covered the upper half of her face. But it was her aura that made people gasp. It was heavy, ancient, and radiated a power that made even the highest-ranking Alphas feel like bowing.
Kaelen frowned, his hand tightening on his glass. "Who are you? This is a private celebration."
The woman didn't answer immediately. She walked toward the center of the hall, her heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor. She stopped right in front of the podium, looking up at Kaelen.
"I heard the Silver Moon Pack was celebrating," she said, her voice like velvet-covered steel. "I thought it was only fair to bring a gift."
Seraphina sneered, stepping forward. "We don't know you. Leave before our guards throw you out."
The mysterious woman let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Guards? You mean the ones sleeping at the gates?"
Kaelen took a step down, his eyes narrowing. There was something about her voice—something familiar that tugged at his soul, but he couldn't place it. "Who are you?" he demanded, his Alpha voice booming.
The woman slowly reached up and unclipped her mask. As it fell away, her piercing silver eyes met Kaelen's golden ones.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath. Kaelen's glass shattered in his hand, the red wine spilling like blood on the floor.
"Elara?" he choked out, his face turning deathly pale.
"Hello, Kaelen," Elara whispered, a cold, beautiful smile touching her lips. "Did you miss me?"