I watch the unknown man leave us and get back to the dining room. I turn to face Nick. I can see anger in his eyes. They are turning red. I have never seen that before.

I know it can happen when Alphas are madly upset. I suppose that being snubbed by a stranger must be unpleasant for a future Alpha.

He throws his glass on the ground and goes to the woods with a deep growl. As soon as he goes, I realize that my heart pulse is already calmer. My whole body turns to a serene condition. Once again, the wind goes through my hair. I notice this sweet blooming flower scent. Damn, I have to get these flowers. Maybe I can use them to make fragrances. A "get high" perfume? I wonder if everyone can smell the aroma. Are its effects the same on every werewolf? Before I can ask Kate, I'm taken out of my wondering.

Liv, are you okay?

Eli's voice seems to be genuinely worried. I remember he tried to reach me some minutes earlier. But, unfortunately, because of what happened with Nick, I forgot about him. Shit, I'm such a terrible sister sometimes.

Yes, sorry. Just wasted Nick, who got me mad. But that's okay.

I try to help him relax. However, I sense he is tense and cannot calm down.

Can you join us inside? We're waiting for you on the platform for the ceremony.

Fuck! The ceremony. Of course, they need me to be there. He is my brother, my twin.

On my way, my Alpha.

I try to make some humor. We all need that tonight. Especially him: his life is going to change. Finally, he becomes an Alpha for real.

Fuck you, Liv. Just bring your butt on the stage.

I can feel Eli is laughing, just as I am. I catch Kate's hand and take her with me as I just go to the stage to join my family. I slightly notice that she seems absent-minded. She was weirdly moved by what happened. I'll have to lighten her mood later. She needs to enjoy the night just like she wants.

As we enter the dining room, I realize it is incredibly silent. People are all looking at the platform. Kate grips my hand. I don't understand why. We've been facing people on this platform dozens of times. This is just Eli's ceremony, and he is not very fond of old protocols. I did not know the ceremony would be so stern.

I did my best to create this beautiful, enjoyable atmosphere for tonight to be a success. I was not planning on our guests to act so austerely.

People just let me go, like if I was going to the scaffold - freeing the way. So creepy for a birthday and crowning party. But anyway. Is something even normal about this night? A crazy wolf, with crazy threats of a crazy bloodbath with a crazy Prince in the house.

By the way, I haven't yet seen him. He must be in his room, or I don't know where. I haven't had the pleasure to cross his crowned face surrounded by gori-lycans guards. Good if he stays away! I don't need to meet one Royal member tonight, nor ever.

Even if Kate is not one of the Packhouse members, she goes with me on the platform. She is family, and I also turn twenty tonight. So her presence with me was a non-negotiable point.

As I'm about to climb the steps, I see my dad and mum just beside Eli and Julie.

My mum smiles and looks at me, and I understand we have to go just behind her. Her face seems truly tranquil. On the contrary, my father seems far too serious. He must be worried about the whole incident thing.

We join our place, behind my parents and Beta Alan. Future Beta Caleb is just behind my brother. As we stand behind Caleb, Kate whispers something that I don't clearly understand. I see Caleb is fighting to stand still and not turn to us. I can't comprehend what is wrong with my eyes tonight. I feel the urge to look on the left side of the platform.

Then I notice him: the man who stopped Nick a moment ago.

He is taller than my dad and Eli, who are both 6'0. He must be around 6'9. I feel smaller than usual with my 5'3. He is so majestic I could admire him for hours.

He wears a black tuxedo with a white shirt. He looks so neat, so... perfect. His jacket is open: I can see that he is muscular. Not too much. Just what's needed. Moon Goddess created a living masterpiece.

Despite his impressive appearance, he looks non-threatening, like some secure haven on this tense night. His aura insinuates a need to join him inside my stomach. Damn, I need to focus on something else than this body.

I look up and catch his gaze: that was not the best idea. His green eyes are so piercing. It's like he can read my mind like an open book. I feel so naked as he does not blink: he stares at me. I didn't even know that such green eyes could exist. And Eli's ones are already wonderful, but the stranger's ones are at another level. I am hypnotized. I need to stop it.

Look at something else, Liv. Come on, girl. Look at his hair.

His hair is black, and a little tousled. I almost wish I could put my hand on it. It is just the perfect length to frame this gorgeous face. How can someone be so gifted by the Moon Goddess?

Then it hits me. He is the reason the atmosphere feels so grave. Everybody is avoiding eye contact with him. Everybody but me. He is looking at me fiercely. Even if I think I should let go, I cannot. He is captivating me. I need to look at him; I have to look at him. And he was the one looking at me first: I simply answered his staring.

Kate's hand closes up around my arm.

Liv, let go, please.

Eli asks me to let go. Almost begging me. I must let go and control myself. Thanks, he is here, or I might have been in trouble. I stop staring into the stranger's eyes and focus on my Eli.

As I am not a wolf, I don't feel any pressure from Alphas and Lycans. They can't dominate me with their auras, even if I sense them, as I have no wolf. The wolves inside have status, not the human bodies. So this game of hierarchy can't apply to me. I had to learn manners to fit in during the meetings and parties. I used to follow Eli, just like now.

One more reason for me to leave when Eli is an Alpha. He will have no time to help me. I could get myself killed just because I can't act appropriately with some lunatic wolves or lycans. The human world will be safer for me, and so for Eli. Our twin bond is decisive: my death could weaken him.

My dad starts to speak. I turn my head to see he now stands in the middle of the platform. He looks so solemn in his dark gray tuxedo. He is also bossy, which is weird when you know him just like I do.

"Dear members of our pack. Dear friends,

Today is the day I let my son Elijah become the new Alpha of the Blue Lakes Pack."

People applaud. They stop as my father keeps on.

"Today, Elijah and Olivia are turning twenty. As our tradition wants it, it's time for me to retire and to let Elijah rule. Elijah, come."

My dad makes a sign to Elijah. My brother gets closer, followed by Julie and my mum. My father takes out his Alpha ring. It has been passed from one Alpha to one another since our pack was founded centuries ago. We are one of the most ancient packs, and my family has always ruled on it. Some kind of pure Alpha blood, in a way.

"Elijah, do you swear to protect this Pack with your life?" my dad asks him, pride in his eyes.

"Yes, I do," Elijah answers, his eyes closed.

"Elijah. Do you promise that your pack's wealth will be your priority? From now until the end of your watch?" My dad stresses every important word to tell the world that our pack will keep on being well-protected, as strong as it has always been.

"On the Moon, I swear to dedicate my life to the Pack." I can feel that Elijah gets my father's pride and courage as he recites his words.

My father gives his ring to Elijah, who puts it on his finger. Then I can see that Elijah's eyes turn to a more piercing green. A deep growl goes out of his chest. The entire room bows their heads to show their respect and recognize Elijah as the new Blue Lakes pack's Alpha. I am genuinely moved, and I lower my head in respect, without him asking for it.

I may not be an actual wolf, but I know he deserves this respect. He will be a powerful alpha, and I want him to know that I recognize him as such.

Then, my mum takes off her ring and gives it to Julie to let her play the role of Luna of the Pack. She hugs Julie as my dad hugs my brother. I'm a little jealous. I would like to hug my brother too. I've been the first one to hug him back in our mother's womb. And now, I am the one who has to wait to get him. This is not fair.

Finally, Elijah goes in front of the pack.

"Thanks to Alpha Michael for trusting me to become the new Alpha. I choose Caleb Denvers to be my Beta, just as his father was my father's Beta for many years.

I also thank the King who sent us some of his court members to celebrate this beautiful moment. I am so grateful for your presence, your Highness." He turns over the handsome unknown man.

Are you kidding me? Your Highness? He is the fucking Prince? This astonishing masterpiece is the Prince? Why did he not look like the cold-face Prince I saw in pictures when I was a kid? Why does he have to be the Prince? Why not one of his guards? I understand why everybody was avoiding his looks. I should have guessed.

Shit, I may have some trouble in the end.

The man approaches and shakes Eli's hand. I am almost sure he quickly glanced at me.

"I am so grateful you let us assist on this beautiful night. And I wish you and your sister a wonderful twentieth birthday." He points at me with his hand, still looking at me with his piercing eyes and a curious smile on his face. He makes me feel so strange. Unsteady, like a little dizzy and hot. I feel it burn. A beautiful but weird burning spark. It strangely makes me... alive. Like... Waking up.

People applaud, but they seem so far away. I only notice his eyes on me, heating my skin.

"And now, let's enjoy the night," he adds in a joyful tone.

The band starts to play again. People cheer before they join the table to eat.

I watch my brother and the Prince go away. Then, they take my dad, my mum, and Julie with them on their way. Then, they leave me alone with the rest of the people on the platform.

Well, I guess I will have to wait to congratulate my brother...