CHAPTER 9: Rival Enemies

Kylie

At exactly six in the evening, I began getting ready for a simple banquet dinner that Jacob held to officially introduce me as a Pack member. I was relieved to see that almost everything I needed was provided in my room, since the bag Lucas gave me which was left in the hotel was probably in the trash now.

In the end, I just decided to wear the black halter dress and make my way to the Packhouse.

The number of people wasn't something I expected. I was hoping to see many people, but rather only a few attended because the number of members wasn't actually large. Their Pack seemed to be very rigorous in accepting new Pack members.

Jacob was seated on the corner of the huge rectangular table with his Beta, Allan on his right side, while I was on his left.

"It's a pleasant evening to be gathered with all of you. The main purpose of this dinner is to acknowledge our new Pack member, Kylie," Jacob began, shutting everybody's mouth as he rose from his seat.

All of their eyes shifted to my place, giving me no other choice but to stand up and smile at everyone. Some of them smiled back, but most of them had blank expressions on their faces.

The dinner was going smoothly though I felt like a complete outsider in their conversation. I sat there, looking and smiling awkwardly, hence Jacob always tends to bring me in by explaining things.

I could feel him trying his real best to include me. However, minutes later, while my eyes were fixed on my plate, the voices gradually minimized until the whole dining room went completely quiet.

Curious, I lifted my head and found a middle-aged man walking in.

His face was dark and serious with a hint of a smile. Everyone stood up from their seats and hastily bowed their heads as the man passed by like he were their god and savior.

Meanwhile, I was glued to my place watching the scene. He stopped upon reaching Jacob's place, extending his arms, which Jacob immediately took as they hugged.

"Dad, you're home," Jacob mumbled, slowly chuckling.

"I see there's a little gathering happening here. How'd you know I am coming back?"

"Actually, this is for the new member of the Pack." Jacob turned to me before nodding.

"Dad, here's Kylie. She's the new member. And Kylie, this is Larry, my father."

I smiled at him, but he didn't even bother to force one, so I just bowed my head down before sitting back on my chair. Beta Allan gave his seat to Larry, that's why I ended up sitting in front of him.

"So what's with the new member? Do we lack members?"

"No, not really. But Kylie's exceptional. We need her for the Pack."

My face heated with Jacob's answer, but I kept my eyes on my plate, hence I could still feel his eyes on me.

"You're the Alpha now, I believe you know better about this matter. But the main reason I came back is to inform you that it's the perfect time for us to do what we planned on doing years ago."

"We have tons of plans, Dad. Which one are you talking about?"

A few Pack members began leaving the table, and I was thinking of doing the same thing when Larry responded, "To avenge the Eclipse Pack."

I was completely taken aback, causing the utensils I was holding to slip from my hands. The loud clacking sound of the spoon shook my shoulders.

Jacob crouched, grabbing the spoon on the floor. I looked up and found Larry's eyes fixed on me as if he was reading my mind.

"A servant will replace your spoon," Jacob whispered, tapping my wrist.

I awkwardly nodded, shifting my gaze back to Jacob.

"It's the perfect time to get our revenge, given that they're in the middle of a huge crisis."

I grabbed the glass of water and filled my mouth with it to restrain myself from asking questions I had in mind. But in the end, my curiosity still won.

"Revenge? Why would you avenge the Eclipse Pack?"

Larry's eyes slowly averted from mine before they darkened, causing my heart to thump in fear.

"They deserve every drop of my hatred," he lowly roared, gritting his teeth with anger visible on his dark face.

His words were short and simple, yet they still managed to make my hands tremble. Larry screamed this unexplainable amount of authority which would make everyone be forced to bow down before him.

With the realization hitting me, my heart began to sink in despair. Then, moving on from what my mate had done to me wouldn't happen because the new Pack I had joined seemed to hate the Eclipse Pack.

The dinner ended, but my mind was still preoccupied with Larry's last statement.

Jacob left with Larry saying he'd just catch up with his father.

I don't want to have any connections with Logan and his fucking Pack anymore. I just want to live peacefully, away from him as much as I can.

Telling Jacob where I truly came from and just leaving this Pack would be my best option, right? Though he'll for sure hate me after that, at least I don't have to deal with guilt and remorse my whole life.

I was still left seated at the dining table, looking at nowhere, when the creaking noise from a pulled chair beside me interrupted. A short-haired blonde woman took the seat beside me.

"Hi, I'm Bianca." She extended her hand for a shake as she smiled warmly at me. "Allan's mate," she continued.

"Hi, I'm Kylie," I timidly responded, accepting her hand.

"You're the new member, right?"

I nodded.

"I just want to apologize on Allan's behalf. He told me the exact same words he told you after passing the fighting test with them. He can get really mean sometimes, but I can assure you that he doesn't mean that. Let's just say he's also testing your emotional capacity," she laughs.

"That's very kind of you to apologize on his behalf, but it's okay. I understand where he's coming from."

She let out a deep sigh, tucking a couple of strands of her hair behind her ears. "So why are you still here alone?"

"Bianca, can I ask you something?" I asked, ignoring her previous question into drifting the topic to my desire to have answers.

Without hesitation, Bianca immediately nodded, leaning in closer as if she got a hint that I would ask is something serious.

"Why does everybody start acting differently when Larry arrives? I mean, they all went quiet and acted so weird when he came." My brows were furrowed, and I am certain that lines on my forehead were showing.

Even if he's Jacob's father, the late Alpha of their pack, the atmosphere suddenly shifts when he arrives. There was something off with the silence that occurred upon his unexpected arrival.

"Maybe because he is feared?" Bianca shrugged, making me even more confused.

"Yes, but Jacob's the Alpha of this Pack, right?"

"Kylie, Alpha Jacob's father, is the Lycan King. He's the Alpha of all the Alphas."

My jaw dropped, and my eyes lit up in shock. I have known there was a Lycan King since before. He is feared by all werewolves, but he's rarely seen.

"But why did he hate the Eclipse Pack so much?" a follow-up question came out involuntarily from my lips.

I saw how Bianca's face went pale as she leaned back. "I…It's better to ask th-that question to Alpha Jacob," she uttered, before standing up and walking away.

"Bianca! Wait!" I called, following her to the kitchen.

"I cannot spill any information to you, Kylie. My life would be its payment!" she exclaimed, catching her breath.

My forehead wrinkled in confusion upon staring into her scared expression.

"He's not just our savior or armor, just like what everyone thinks. The Lycan King's cruel and ruthless."

"Yes, I get it. He's mighty and extraordinary, he needs to be cruel and ruthl—"

"I don't think you get it," Bianca cuts me off, hastily shaking her head. "He's naturally cruel and ruthless even to his own son. Alpha Jacob almost died because of his own father, so what do you think makes us an exception?"