Rejected, And Became A Heiress (Cara)

For better or worse, that spotlight is about to come for me.

As Eamon and I stand backstage behind the curtain, Alaric and his beta John approach from the other side.

When Alaric spots me, he stops, stunned by the sight of me

Alaric:"...Cara?!"

His eyes are slightly wide, his lips parting.

He doesn't have time to, as host of the event, an actor I hired named Charles, starts to speak through the speakers.

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Thank you all for joining us tonight! In the celebration of the completion! Of the joint project between our Bloody Moon and DarkWood packs!"

The crowd erupts in a rambunctious cheer. A few people whistle. A few others howl.

"As you know, this joint project took tremendous effort and dedication from both packs, and signifies the pack bond between two communities - This collaboration ushers in a new era of peace for both packs!"

As Charles continues on with his speech, rousing the crowd Alaric seems to recover somewhat from his stupor. He takes a step toward me.

"Cara..."

"You can talk to Cara afterwards," Eamon says. He glances back at me. "Assuming that is alright with her, of course."

"Later, Alaric,"

I manage to say.

Alaric just continues to stare. "...But where is your beta?" he asks Eamon.

Eamon smirks. "Wait and see!"

Before Alaric can probe further, Charles finishes his speech and the velvet curtains part, revealing us on the stage to the massive gathered crowd in the ballroom.

I catch only a glimpse of the sheer number of people before the spotlights land upon us, blinding me to almost everything but the others on the stage.

I can still hear the crowd, I know they are there, but only white, hot light exists beyond the few feet around me. Eamon looks at me, smiling fondly, before turning toward the front of the stage.

Alaric looks at me too, his face somewhat scrunched in confusion, though there is affection in his gaze. When Eamon turns, he does too, and together the two kings step forward on the stage, approaching the public.

John and I file in behind them, each standing to the right of our individual Alpha Kings.

Alaric looks back at me again, even more confusion crinkling his brow now.

The crowd's loud applause blocks out all other noises for a time, echoing in my

ears.

Then Charles, holding a microphone, walks on from backstage. He comes closer, but then stops, holding his hands out toward the alphas and betas. The crowd somehow gets even louder, showing their approval.

Eamon disparaged himself as Alphia King earlier, but surely he can see how much he is loved.

"Let's hear it for the pack alphas and betas!"

Charles says.

Alaric looks all around the stage, like someone else is magically going to appear from behind the curtains. He must be looking for Aylon, not realizing that it's me.

"From pack DarkWood, we have Alpha Alaric and his beta John!" Charles says. The people cheer and applaud in a thunderous roar. Charles waits for them to calm down slightly before he continues.

"And from pack Bloodymoon, we have Alpha Eamon and his sister Cara."

Cheers erupt once more. Again Charles waits, though slightly more impatiently this time. "Many of you know Cara as the recently returned princess of the pack. You might not know that she has also taken on the moniker of Aylon and the role of beta. So please allow me to reintroduce you...

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Eamon steps aside and gestures for me to move forward on my own.

This is the moment. My moment.

Eamon's reassuring smile helps my legs move, bringing me forward.

"Please welcome the Bloody Moon pack beta, Perhaps you know her more by her

other name, our princess, Cara....... Aylon Auburn!!!!"

The crowd's cheers are even, impossibly, louder than before.

Eamon's smile is kind and calm, giving me strength in this unusual moment.

I'm fully in the spotlight now, blinded by it. My nerves have me rooted and unsure.noveldrama

Glancing at Alaric, I don't know what I expect to see there.

He stares back at me in

open

shock.