Free Web NovelChapter 5: The alphas of Ravencourt pack
What was Kieran doing here?! A terrifying thought formed in Yuki’s mind.
Kieran’s voice boomed across the dining room. His fists were clenched tight at his sides and his teeth ground together hard. He could not believe what he had just heard. His father had rejected their mother and was now planning to marry someone a decade younger. freewebnøvel.com
He glared directly at Alexander, who sat across the long table looking completely unbothered. The alpha casually poured a glass of water for Aevia and slid it toward her. "Have some water to help with your appetite," he said calmly, as if his son was not standing there shaking with rage.
Aevia accepted the glass, though discomfort was clear on her face. Neither of them paid any attention to Kieran.
Yuki stayed frozen in place, too shocked to sit down. This could not be happening. She looked from her sister to Kieran, who seemed far angrier tonight than he had been the night before in the alley. The heavy pressure radiating from him kept her pinned where she stood. She could barely breathe.
Kieran had not come alone. The girl with the cinnamon curls from the airport stood nervously beside him, clinging tightly to another young man. This second man looked close to Kieran in age and shared similar features, but he had a more dominant and powerful build. He was strikingly handsome in a dangerous way that felt different from Kieran’s cold beauty. They had the same cold blue eyes. It had to be his brother.
Yet why was Kieran’s sweetheart clinging to the brother right in front of him? Yuki’s mind raced. She wished she could sink into the floor and disappear. She had never imagined their paths would cross again like this.
Alexander continued to ignore his son and signalled the waiting servants to begin serving the meal. The omegas moved carefully, clearly terrified of being caught between the angry alphas.
Just as they started placing dishes on the table, Kieran finally snapped. "Don’t fucking ignore me, Dad," he growled, his alpha tone echoing through the room. His blue eyes flashed gold and a low roar rumbled from his chest. The girl immediately broke away from the other brother and grabbed Kieran’s hand.
"Kieran, please don’t lose your temper with your father," she said softly, trying to calm him. "We can talk about this properly." Up close she really was beautiful. Even though Yuki kept telling herself not to care, the sight still sent a sharp sting through her chest.
Alexander’s hand finally paused. He rose from his chair. His own blue eyes shifted to gold with a dangerous glint. It was the first time Yuki had ever seen anything like it.
He released his aura fully. Kieran might be a strongborn alpha, but his father still ruled the entire pack. "Mind the way you talk to me, boy," Alexander said, his voice growing heavier and deeper. "If you want to know why I broke the bond with your mother, you should ask her yourself." His gaze moved to the brother standing beside Kieran. "Kaden, I always thought you were the sensible one. You can lead the entire pack military but you cannot keep your brother in check?"
Kaden scoffed and took a step forward. "What’s so bad about my brother being upset that you left your fated mate for a mistress?" he challenged. His hands were clenched so tightly that the veins stood out on his forearms.
Alexander let out a laugh that echoed through the dining hall. "He can be as angry as he wants. If not for the Ravencourt curse, I would not have stayed trapped in that bond for so long." His eyes shifted to the girl still standing close to Kieran. "Not everyone gets to mate with the person they love. I truly hope you have better luck."
Kieran’s jaw tightened. He moved protectively in front of the girl. "Don’t scare Eliose, Father. Even if she is not mate to all of us, she will be mate to at least one. She will be the future luna of this pack." His gaze swept across the table, barely pausing on Yuki before settling on Aevia. "We all know she can never have your child."
Aevia’s expression changed for a brief moment. Yuki noticed it right away. What was he talking about? There was nothing wrong with her sister.
Alexander remained quiet for a few seconds before speaking again. "Since you already know that, there is no need to fight against her. Aevia will be my luna. The ceremony will be held after this year’s moon bonding ceremony." freewёbnoνel.com
The moon bonding ceremony was a spring festival held once a year for all werewolves who had turned eighteen since the last festival. It was the night they finally felt their wolves completely under the silver full moon and could identify their mates for the first time. It was a rite of passage that every wolf of age looked forward to.
Alexander continued, "Even though you three are the future alphas, you will respect my chosen mate and her younger sister." He pointed straight at Yuki. Suddenly all three pairs of eyes turned toward her. Kieran looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Something close to hurt flashed across his face and made Yuki’s heart race. Kaden stared at her with an intense gaze that felt deeply unsettling.
"I plan to officially adopt Yuki as my daughter as well," Alexander added. "I hope you brothers treat her well, including your eldest brother Killian. Make sure to pass on the news."
Yuki’s stomach dropped. Adoption? No one had told her anything about this. Her eyes flew to Aevia, but her sister remained calm. That was when Yuki understood the whole thing had been planned from the start.
Getting adopted by a powerful alpha would be considered a blessing for most orphans with no real rank, but right now it felt like a trap. The look Kieran gave her made her feel like a traitor. He laughed bitterly and Kaden had to step forward to hold him back.
"If you expect us to play happy family with your mistress, you must be dreaming," Kaden said. His voice dropped lower. "If I didn’t know you cannot have children with her, I would assume she was carrying your bastard. Who knows what her real intentions are? And if you think her sister can seduce us, you had better think again. To the Ravencourt family, only a fated mate matters."
"That’s enough," Alexander said sharply. "Apologise immediately."
Kaden snorted. "Not by chance." He turned and walked out of the hall with the others following. An awkward silence settled over the room. Kieran’s gaze drifted to Yuki once more. Eliose noticed and her eyes turned cold.
Alexander was the first to speak. "Don’t blame my sons. They are taking the divorce badly. Please take a seat."he tried to explain.
Yuki sat down quietly. She had no choice once an alpha gave the order. Alexander settled back into his chair and looked at her gently. "Try to eat. The boys will adjust eventually. At least the eldest, Killian, is the most level-headed of the triplets. He will keep his brothers in check."
Yuki nodded and ate in silence. Her mind was troubled the entire time and the gourmet meals tasted like ash in her mouth.
After dinner, Aevia led her through the manor to her new room. It was a huge suite decorated beautifully with everything Yuki might like. The moment the door closed and they were alone, Yuki turned to her sister. "Why didn’t you tell me about the adoption?"
Aevia paused, then sighed. "We were planning to bring it up after the wedding. It is a good thing. With Alex as your adopted father, even if you end up with a weak mate he can secure someone strong for you."
Yuki forced a small smile. She understood what her sister meant. With her genes and low rank, there was almost no chance of attracting a powerful fated mate. This was probably her best option. Everything felt completely messed up. She decided not to push Aevia any further. No one cared about her silly crush anyway.
Then another question came to mind. "Aevia," she said, catching her sister’s attention. "Why did they say you can never have children with Alex? Did something happen to you?" She asked terrified at the thought.
Aevia’s face changed but she stayed mostly calm. She let out a long breath. "If you were from the Ravencourt pack you would already know about the curse. Only a fated mate can bear children for the Ravencourt line. And of course I am not his fated mate."
