Beyond The Empty Altar, My Reign

Dinner Theater

Vera POV:

The dining room was suffocating.

Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow, but the atmosphere was colder than a winter grave.

I hadn't packed yet. I needed to survive this dinner first. If I tried to leave now, amidst the celebration, Dax would physically stop me. He was a Beta, stronger than my human form, and he loved a scene.

So I sat.

I sat at the far end of the table, the spot reserved for children or disgraced relatives.

Eris sat at the head, to my father's right. Cain sat beside her.

"The Elders at the Academy were astounded," Eris was saying, her voice thick like syrup. "They said they hadn't seen an Alpha Aura this potent in a female for three generations."

"Incredible," my father breathed, looking at her like she was a winning lottery ticket. "A female Alpha in the Darkthorne line. This changes everything for our standing in the Council."

"It was hard," Eris sighed, leaning onto Cain's shoulder. "The transformation... the power... it takes a toll on my body. That's why I'm so frail."

"You are a warrior, my love," Cain murmured. He cut a piece of steak and fed it to her.

My stomach rolled.

"My love." He had never called me that.

"Oh, Vera!" Eris suddenly looked at me, eyes widening in mock surprise. "I didn't see you there. You're so... quiet. Like a little mouse."

The table went silent.

"Welcome home, Eris," I said steadily. I sliced into the rare steak on my plate. Blood pooled on the white porcelain.

"How was your little ceremony?" Eris tilted her head. "Cain was so worried about me, he just couldn't tear himself away. You aren't mad, are you?"

She released a scent then. It was supposed to be an Alpha command, a wave of dominance.

But to me, it smelled like burnt rubber and cheap perfume. Chemical. Artificial.

"Of course not," I said, not looking up. "Why would I be mad? Cain made his priorities very clear."

My mother chimed in, voice shrill. "Vera is a sensible girl. She knows family comes first. And Eris is the future of this family."

"Exactly," Dax grunted, stuffing his face with bread. "Vera is happy to serve. Aren't you, V?"

I looked at Dax. Then Cain.

Cain was frowning, watching me. Usually, when Eris exerted dominance, I would flinch. Tonight, I was staring him down.

"I am not angry," I repeated. "I am clarified."

"Clarified?" Cain asked. "What does that mean?"

"It means I understand my position. And yours."

A shiver seemed to pass through Cain. He rubbed his arms.

"Well, good," my mother clapped her hands nervously. She picked up a piece of meatloaf—the dry, overcooked brick the staff made—and dropped it onto my plate.

"Eat up, Vera. You look thin. We can't have people thinking we don't feed you."

A scrap for the dog.

I stared at the meat.

Suddenly, Eris gasped.

Hands flew to her throat. Face turning a violent purple.

"I... I can't..." she choked.

"Eris!" Cain jumped up, chair clattering. "What is it?"

"The air..." Eris wheezed, pointing a trembling finger at me. "Her scent... it's... it's attacking me!"

"What?" Dax roared, slamming his fist on the table.

"It burns!" Eris screamed, throwing herself into Cain's arms. "She's doing something! Her Omega stench... it's reacting with my Alpha Aura!"

Bullshit. Omegas are calming. Neutral. We don't have offensive scents.

But logic didn't matter here. Only Eris mattered.

"Vera!" My father stood up, face red. "Stop it! Whatever you are doing, stop it now!"

"I am doing nothing," I said calmly, putting down my knife.

"She's turning blue!" my mother shrieked. "Call the doctor! Get the suppressants!"

Chaos erupted. Servants ran. Dax shouted orders. Cain swept Eris up, looking at her with terrified devotion.

As he rushed past me toward the medical wing, Cain shot me a look of pure venom.

"If anything happens to her," he snarled, "I will make you regret you were ever born."

They ran out. The dining room was empty again.

I sat alone among the half-eaten food and overturned wine glasses.

That wasn't a reaction to you, Vespa said, her tone dry. That was a side effect. She overdosed.

Overdosed on what?

Steroids, Vespa replied. Synthetic hormones. She isn't an Alpha, Vera. She can't even shift. She's juicing to mimic the pheromones. And right now, her body is rejecting the poison.

I looked at the empty chair where the "Alpha Female" had sat.

It was all a lie. Her power, her aura, her fragility. A performance.

And my mate had fallen for the act, hook, line, and sinker.

I stood up. I didn't clear the table.

I headed for the stairs. I had packing to do. And this time, no one was stopping me.