Seeing me draped in Joseph's clothes, a strange smile appeared on Allora's face, "You and Joseph get along quite well, do not you?"
I nodded, wondering why Allora would ask that, but she is clearly not prepared to tell me.
"Where's Miguel?" Allora asked me again.
"How do you know?" I was even more surprised.
"An Alpha would of course be very aware of everything that happens in her territory." Allora watched me blush and changed the subject, "Well, to hell with Miguel. The triennial wolf fighting tournament is coming up, do you want to participate?"
I knew what the wolf fighting tournament is, it is a good opportunity for the wolves to prove their strength and for each wolf pack heir to exercise themselves. In every wolf fighting tournament in the past, I would sit in the audience and envy those wolves who could compete on the field. Then I watched Miguel holding the trophy and smiling happily.
For as long as I could remember, this award had belonged to GreyStone Pack and always to Miguel.
"This is our first wolf pack fighting tournament in MoonWar and a great opportunity for me to announce to everyone that I got my daughter back." Allora looked at me, her eyes filled with caring, "This time the wolf pack fighting tournament will be held in GreyStone Pack. If you do not want to go, we won't go."
I lowered my head and hesitated to participate.
"You would not turn down an opportunity like this because of Miguel, would you?" Lyssa sounded excited, "It's a chance to prove yourself in front of everyone, isn't that what you've always wanted?"
"Yes, but I am worried if I do not win the prize ..." I could not resist uttering.
"You are so unsure of yourself honey," Allora reached out and stroked my red hair, "You've defeated almost every MoonWar fighter in only a month and a half."
There was no doubt that this was indeed a great achievement for me and a source of confidence that I had always had.
"I am going to participate." I looked at Allora and said firmly, "Not just to prove myself, but I am going back to see how my adoptive family really pretended they were miserable in front of everyone else."
Miguel said that the family was very upset about my disappearance and went to great lengths to find me. I thought the only reasonable explanation was that they were worried that I was still alive and that they must make sure I was dead before they could feel comfortable accepting Miguel' compensation.
**
With Allora's unwavering support, we embarked on a journey to the territory of the GreyStone Pack.
The landscape unfolded before us, a tapestry of rugged terrain and sprawling wilderness that bore witness to the power and resilience of the wolves who called this land their home.
As we traversed the vast expanse, Allora's presence beside me served as a reminder of the bond we shared, a testament to the unity that transcended pack boundaries.
The scent of pine mingled with the earthy aroma of damp soil, filling the air as we ventured deeper into GreyStone territory. The towering trees stood as sentinels, casting elongated shadows that danced upon the forest floor, a testament to the passage of time and the ancient tales etched within their weathered bark.
Occasional glimpses of wildlife darted through the underbrush, their presence a testament to the harmonious balance of nature. The crackling of twigs underfoot and the symphony of bird songs above created a melody that echoed through the woods, underscoring the reverence and tranquility of the wilderness.
As we neared the heart of GreyStone Pack's domain, the air seemed to shimmer with a palpable sense of anticipation.
Allora's posture remained poised and regal, exuding an aura of authority that commanded respect. Together, we advanced toward the heart of the pack's territory, ready to confront the challenges that awaited us.
When I arrived at GreyStone Pack, a lot of people who knew me looked like they had seen a ghost and were surprised.
Of course, after all, Kendall and her parents must have claimed I was dead and gotten a lot of mileage out of it. But till the instance, not only was I alive, I was dressed to the nines.
The GreyStone Pack's den materialized before us, a sprawling network of earthen dens and weathered stone formations nestled against the backdrop of towering cliffs.
The pack members, alert to our arrival, watched with a mix of curiosity and caution as Allora, an alpha, strode forward with purpose.
Whispers and hushed conversations rippled through the pack, a cascade of excitement and uncertainty. The weight of responsibility rested on Allora's shoulders as she prepared to address her fellow wolves, bearing the weight of their trust and the potential impact of our presence.
I soon met Kendall, and her eyes widened when she saw me.
But she had always been good at disguise, and soon converted the shock on her face into a false smile.
"Lya! The Moon Goddess had blessed me, and my dear sister is alive." She came up pretending to be happy and tried to hug me.
I did not miss the jealousy and surprise on Kendall's face the first moment she saw me. My sister, Kendall, was still as good an actress as ever, but I did not have to play along with her now.
I took a step back, Kendall obviously did not expect me to do this, I could see from her trembling lips that she wanted to get angry, but now with so many people watching, she had to hold back and then turn around and go to her parents, just like she did before.
"Mom and Dad, look, it's Lya back." Kendall pretended to turn around happily, and Aurora and Damon picked up on Kendall's meaning and came up to me with an excited look on their faces.
"Lya! I cannot believe you are still alive!" Aurora's face was falsely touched, that fat face still as fat as it was before I jumped off the waterfall, if not fatter.
"The Moon Goddess blessed us!" Damon also said with tears in his eyes, "You do not know how worried we were about you."
"Is that so? How worried?" Allora knew I did not want to tangle with this family, and she stepped between me and Kendall's family, and all I could see was her broad back.
"Who are you?" Damon asked Allora, who he could also see was no ordinary person and treated her fairly well.
"I am Allora, the Alpha of MoonWar, Lya's real mother."
Whispers rustled through the air like a gentle breeze, mingling with gasps of astonishment and murmurs of disbelief. The revelation of my connection to Allora rippled through the gathered assembly, stirring a mixture of emotions that danced across the faces of those present.
Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and expressions transformed from bewilderment to understanding as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
Amidst the crowd, I caught glimpses of wide-eyed astonishment, knowing nods, and exchanged glances. The sheer weight of this revelation resonated with each person.
Kendall was obviously the most reluctant to believe it, and her eyes were filled with jealousy and hatred, "Our family has raised Lya for eighteen years, and we've never heard of Lya's real mother, so who knows if you are lying?"
"I do not think I need to explain that much to a mundane GreyStone teenager." Allora did not take Kendall's provocation seriously, "From now on, your relationship with Lya will be that of strangers."
"What do you mean?" Aurora's face was unpleasant, "We are Lya's adoptive parents, and the whole GreyStone Pack knows how good we have been to her for eighteen years. We do not ask you to make it up to us, but you actually want to cut off the connection between Lya and us."
I saw greed in Aurora's eyes. This fat, shrewd woman would not let go of such a good opportunity. Now everyone is looking at us, the GreyStone Pack clan thinks that I forgot all the favors, of course they will be on Aurora's side and support her to ask Allora for "compensation".
I reached out and tugged at Allora's shirt to get her to stop arguing with this greedy woman. Allora took my hand and then smiled at Aurora, "Yeah, well, let me make it up to you guys."
Aurora obviously did not expect Allora to agree to her so easily, and she could barely hide the smile on her face.
"Before I make it up to you, let's settle a score." Allora was calm and confident, nothing like the family's eagerness.
"You guys picked up Lya in the freezing cold and raised her, and I am grateful to you." Allora waved her hand and Joseph came forward carrying a box of fine jewelry, to which Allora pointed, "This is my 'Thank you' gift to you."
People around me let out jealous shrieks, and I heard someone say why he was not the one who picked me up.
"You are a very generous lady!" Damon was so excited that he could not wait to rush up and kiss Allora's hand, "From now on, Lya will have nothing to do with us."
With those words, Damon reached into the case filled with jewelry.
"Wait." Allora said, and Joseph closed the box in one fell swoop, and if Damon had been any slower in withdrawing his hand, perhaps his hand would have broken right off.
"What else is going on?" Aurora did not bother with her husband's nearly clamped hand and asked Allora eagerly.
"You guys made Lya bear the burden of all the chores, robbing her of her childhood," Allora's voice resonated with a mix of righteous anger and parental concern. "You let Kendall's dolls occupy Lya's room while she was banished to the lonely confines of the attic. And the rare moments Lya could escape the heavy workload were only when guests were present, forcing her to pretend she was happy while concealing the pain within."
Allora's words hung heavy in the air, causing a ripple of discomfort to wash over the Kendall family's faces. Their expressions shifted from surprise to embarrassment as the weight of their actions settled upon their conscience. The image they had carefully crafted within the pack, one of benevolence and integrity, began to crack under the weight of the truth that Allora so boldly exposed.
Among the onlookers, a chorus of surprised murmurs filled the space. The revelation of Kendall's family's mistreatment of Lya cut through the illusion of their supposed virtue, unraveling the façade they had meticulously maintained within the pack. The dissonance between their perceived image and the harsh reality sparked a collective sense of disbelief and astonishment.
"Oh my God, is this true?"
"No way, then would not we be cheated?"
For years, Kendall's family had enjoyed a revered status, admired for their seemingly idyllic life and impeccable reputation. The revelation of their transgressions cast a shadow of doubt and shattered the illusion that had been meticulously upheld.
The onlookers, who had held Kendall's family in high regard, grappled with the uncomfortable truth now laid bare before them. The discrepancy between perception and reality forced them to reassess their own beliefs and confront the uncomfortable reality that even those with an impeccable image were not immune to the shadows that lay within.
The collective gasps and whispers of surprise echoed through the crowd, the foundation of trust within the pack trembling as the implications of Allora's revelation sank in. It was a pivotal moment that shattered preconceived notions, fostering a new awareness and empathy among the wolves who had once looked upon Kendall's family with admiration.
As Allora's emotions swelled within her, her anger grew fiercer and fiercer, fueling her actions beyond words alone. In a surge of righteous fury, she unleashed her pent-up frustration and struck out at Damon with a force that seemed inconceivable.
The room fell into stunned silence as Allora's clenched fist connected with Damon's jaw. The impact reverberated through the air, a resounding testament to the depth of her indignation. The contrast between Allora's powerful presence and Damon's frail frame made it appear as though an unstoppable force had collided with an immovable object.
Damon, taken aback by the unexpected blow, staggered backward, his knees buckling beneath him. The taste of iron tainted his mouth as he expelled a mouthful of blood, the crimson droplets staining the ground as a visual manifestation of the consequences of his actions.
The onlookers, witnessing the Alpha's visceral response, were awestruck by the raw display of strength and determination.
Damon, once viewed as a formidable figure, now knelt before Allora, his vulnerability laid bare for all to see. The impact of the punch left an indelible mark, physically and symbolically, underscoring the reckoning that had arrived at their doorstep.
Despite Damon's attempts to regain his composure, he remained on his knees, a testament to the power dynamics that had been forcibly shifted in that instant. The dominance he had once exerted was shattered, replaced by a new understanding of the strength and resilience possessed by those who had been oppressed for far too long.
How could the skinny Damon be the Alpha's opponent? Damon was knocked to his knees and spat out a mouthful of blood.
In the aftermath of the punch, a charged silence hung heavy in the room, the tension crackling like static electricity.
Allora stood tall, her chest rising and falling with every breath, her eyes ablaze with a mix of triumph and determination. It was a transformative moment that sent ripples through the pack, a stark reminder that physical strength was not solely determined by size or appearance, but by the unyielding spirit of justice and resilience that burned within.
As the dust settled and the realization of the moment sank in, a collective shift occurred within the pack. The scene before them served as a catalyst, igniting a renewed sense of unity and a fervent commitment to stand against oppression and inequality.
The sound of Damon's labored breathing filled the room, mingling with the collective breath held by those witnessing the dramatic turn of events.
Kendall and Aurora's screams almost pierced my eardrums.
Allora was worthy of being the Alpha of a wolf pack, and her words were extremely provocative.
A number of people had already cast sympathetic glances at me.
"Lya, I never knew you lived a life like this." A girl who looked somewhat familiar said to me, "I am sorry I ever called you ungrateful."
"It's okay." I smiled at the girl, to me she was just a stranger that I had met a few times, and since I got my new life, I did not care at all what people thought of me.
"What proof do you have that we treated Lya like you said!" Aurora stood up and pointed her finger at Allora, her eyes were full of anger, "We treated Lya well enough, you shouldn't have beaten Damon without proof! Lya said this to you, right? Lya has been very jealous since she was a child, and I admit that we did not treat Lya better than we treated Kendall, but it was not as bad as you say. It must be Lya, she made up such a false story in order to make you feel more sorry for her!"
I have to say, Aurora is really a smart woman, but just a few words, and let the girl who just came forward to apologize to me silently away from me.
"You want proof, do not you?" Allora slapped the hand that had just hit Damon, "Then I'll give you a proof."
No need for Allora to continue to say anything, Joseph showed all the evidence to prove that Allora was telling the truth in front of everyone, which finally made the Kendall family lose the idea of sophistry.
"I do not know why you guys are doing this! If you guys do not like Lya, why do not you give her to the Alpha of GreyStone Pack?"
"They're just there to make people think they're nice."
"I never thought GreyStone Pack would have people like this."
The accusations of the onlookers were like a dagger, stabbing Kendall's family could not raise their heads, I looked at the embarrassed three, and there was a sense of relief after the pleasure in my heart. Since that moment, I finally completely said "Forever goodbye!" to my miserable past.
"Come on, Lya," Allora said softly, then turned and walked toward the residence GreyStone Pack had arranged.
I took one last look at Kendall's family. Kendall also looked up at me, her eyes were no longer the kind of pride and contempt, I could see from her eyes that she hated me, probably she was still asking the Moon Goddess in her heart, why I was still alive after falling down the waterfall.
"Good luck, Kendall," I said, flashing a smile at Kendall.
Kendall's eyes blazed with an unnerving crimson hue, intensifying the menacing aura that surrounded her.
With a sudden release of Damon's hand, she lunged forward, her transformation into a wolf accentuating her ferocity. The air crackled with tension as her snarls filled the space, echoing with unrestrained rage.
"YOU FUCKING BITCH! WHY THE HELL DID YOU COME BACK!" Kendall's voice reverberated through the air, her words dripping with venomous hatred.