Cursed Lycan: A Stand-in for My Sister's Mate

Chapter 5: Dinner

There was no expression on his face, but he was obviously unhappy. The oppression from a werewolf of higher rank was subconsciously unleashed further from his body. The surroundings felt a bit suffocating.

Seeing that there was someone else there, Danny hurriedly let go of Iris’ arm and took a few steps away from her.

“Lord Rion,” He greeted him.

It was only then that Iris found out about that man’s real name.

“What are you doing?” Rion repeated, his piercing gaze directed toward Danny.

“He is just helping me to check my wounds.” Iris suddenly spoke and it managed to draw their attention back to her.

“Are you hurt again?” There was a displeased frown on Rion’s forehead.

She blinked, not sure how to react. She didn’t think that it should be a big deal, right? Werewolves get hurt often and their regenerative ability was also better than their human ancestors.

Everytime Iris trained herself to be more powerful, she got a lot of wounds and this one shouldn’t be a big deal either.

“I will go to change the bandage,” She finally said. She didn’t like to be stuck in this awkward situation either, so as if she was given an amnesty, she hurriedly dashed toward the pack’s infirmary.

There was only Rion and Danny left in the room, looking at the back of the girl who was running as if a ghost was chasing her. Danny cleared his throat and excused himself after he saw Iris disappearing at a corner.

He didn’t forget to remind the Alpha’s son that there would be dinner prepared for them tonight.

Danny absolutely didn’t expect that Rion’s reaction was so big after he saw Iris being close with another man. He also wondered whether that man had heard what he had said to Iris about the existence of the potion, but from his reaction it didn’t seem so.

There was a subtle emotion in him when he found out that Iris had gotten hurt. The effect of the potion was unexpectedly so great…

Initially, they didn’t hold much hope, but now it was all settled, which was for the better.

Rion stayed where he was and didn’t move. He glanced at the back of the man that was gradually becoming smaller until it disappeared between the high vegetation. His pair of eyes were akin to two deep pools and his thoughts unknown.

***

Dinner was served not long after Iris finished changing her bandage in the pack’s infirmary.

She wouldn’t fail to notice that the attitude of the people around her had changed after they found out about her new status. The pack’s doctor became more caring and no longer ignored or deliberately made her wait for as long as before.

However, the whole situation didn’t make her feel good. Instead, she felt bitter. The Alpha mist have strictly reminded them to treat her like Selia. Hence, the politeness.

There were some elders, the Alpha, Luna, the Beta, and some other important pack members that attended the dinner. On the Royal Silver pack’s side, a lot of members also present including Caleb and Mary.

“I hope that you will enjoy your stay here, Lord Rion,” Alpha Arthur said.

In this dinner, Iris saw another side of her father. The side that was a bit more humble because there was another strong presence. Previously, he only treated Selia with preferential treatment because of her strength.

Selia was actually the strongest warrior in this pack. She was the hope of this pack and was trained to be the next Alpha. Even Iris must admit that the reputation her half sister has was earned by herself. Selia cared a lot about the pack.

However, Iris actually was also curious how strong she was compared to Selia. They never sparred against each other to test it; after all, she wanted to hide her strength.

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Rion was still polite.

Iris glanced at him before she continued to eat her food. She lowered her eyes, thinking that this man behaved so differently in front of the public and her, someone who was supposed to be his mate.

Is that how a werewolf usually acts around their mates?

Inwardly, she shook her head. Maybe not all of them. Selia was quite lucky to find someone like Rion. Her eyes flashed and she thought of something. As she ate the dinner, she couldn’t even calm down as the thought grew inside her head.

Should she look for Selia?

“I heard that Miss Selia has a sister.” Caleb suddenly started a conversation, and Iris’ head snapped toward him.

There was a brief silence before the Beta answered him. “Yes, Miss Selia has a sister.”

After that, there was no further explanation. Some people from each side exchange looks.

“She doesn’t attend the dinner?” Caleb asked.

Iris frowned in displeasure. Why is her name being dragged down? She shot Caleb a look and the man seemed to realize that he might have spoken something wrong after seeing her expression.

“Yes,” Alpha Arthur beat it to him first as soon as he was about to open his mouth to change the topic. “Please excuse her, she is quite lawless and hard to handle. She often wanders alone for days and refuses to come back.”

Iris’ held the urge to slam the table at her father’s words. Her mouth twitched slightly and she decided to ignore this topic.

“Will she come back in the next few days?” Rion suddenly opened his mouth.

They were a bit taken aback by Rion’s question. Why was he asking about Iris all of a sudden? Some were worried that Iris had blown her cover in front of the Alpha’s son. They shot her a questioning look that made her feel more irritated.

Seeing the confusion in their faces, he added calmly, “I am just worried that Selia might be missing her sister when we return to our territory if she doesn’t see her this time. After all, we will make our journey back in a few days.”

Iris nearly choked on a piece of meat she was eating. Her eyes widened and she was in disbelief. None had told her that they were supposed to be leaving so soon.

In order to calm down, she grabbed a glass of water and took big gulps.

At the same time, the elder who hated her, Rey Martin, opened his mouth. “Please don’t mind her, Lord Rion. That girl probably hates Selia and it’s best if Selia stays away from her.”

He was so eager to smear her name even when she was trying to help the damn pack. It happened that Iris was sitting beside him. In her disbelief that this old geezer dared to say such a thing, she snapped her head toward him. The water that she was drinking burst out from her mouth, raining on his face.

The water instantly made his face wet, dripping down to his clothes and it looked quite embarrassing.

The elder froze slightly. He had instinctively closed his eyes the moment something was about to hit his face, but he didn’t expect that Iris did this to him.

“Ah, I am sorry,” She let out a surprised squeak. Hurriedly, she stood up and took the nearest napkin. She immediately helped him to wipe his face.

Even if he wanted to get angry, he couldn’t. Hence, he could only swallow his grievance in silence.

However, a moment later, he realized that something sticky stuck to his face. That napkin also wasn’t clean. Wasn’t that the napkin he had used to wipe his dirty hand earlier?

That wench must have deliberately done it!

He could feel his anger rising, but before he could act on it, he heard his alpha coughed. Then, he told him. “Elder Martin, you may be excused if you want.”

His appearance was truly embarrassing now, and some even were holding back their laughter. Inwardly, Iris also felt quite satisfied that she could make this old geezer lose some of his face. He valued his reputation the most and it must have made him suffer so much to have such an impression in front of foreign werewolves from another pack.

Iris let out an exaggerated surprised expression. She threw the napkin away and apologized profusely at him. “It’s me who is continuing to embarrass myself. I am sorry, I made another mistake, Elder Martin.”

“I-I, didn’t me-mean it,” She stuttered and lowered her eyes.

Elder Martin stood up and walked toward the door angrily.

Alpha Arthur also frowned at his daughter’s antics. What was she doing that she acted so unseemly?

Of course, he couldn’t let his daughter ruin it for the pack, so he could only apologize. “I am sorry that you have to witness all of this. Lord Rion, you have seen a joke. My daughter is sometimes mischievous, I hope that you can guide her.”

Rion didn’t seem to be bothered, much to Iris’ disappointment. She watched as he sent her a meaningful glance and said in a calm tone, “Of course, I will guide and take care of her.”