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Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: The Big Reveal

Toni's PoV:

My father was not happy to see me. I watched his reaction as he took in our little procession -- I watched how the polite smile he greeted William with turned to distaste when he saw Celina and then finally anger when his eyes settled on me. I shrunk back into myself, already aware of the trouble I was in.

In some ways I was lucky. William had apparently asked before he arrived for my father not to make a fuss, so that he would be greeted in private, away from the prying eyes of the rest of the pack. This meant that I, too, would be dealt with privately, and I wouldn't have to deal with my father's embarrassment at having to discipline me in front of the pack. I thanked the Moon Goddess for that small mercy.

Adam, Celina's father, lead us into my father's study. It was a pretty, spacious room, with wooden furniture and portraits hung up on the wall. The silky purple curtains were drawn back, allowing the last of the evening sunlight to stream into the room. My father stood behind his desk, his hands resting on the polished oak. A single picture of me, my brother, and my mother was propped up on that desk, tilted away from the door.

I gulped. Beside me, William stood, his hands crossed neatly and a stormy look on his face. I heard Adam quietly lead Celina away, leaving me alone with the two very angry wolves.

"Alpha Antoine," William started. "It's good to see you."

I could hear the strain in his formalities and I knew there was a lot he was waiting to say to my father. William stepped forwards to shake my father's hand.

My father was a tall, imposing man, with a neatly trimmed beard and a formal suite. He had the same dark hair as me, but his was a shade darker, and it was streaked with a few strands of grey. His face was broad, like my brother's, and his eyes were a dark, earthy brown -- he was the kind of man that instantly screamed Alpha.

"Likewise, William. It's always a pleasure to have you here. I'm sorry about my daughter's.. state."

He shifted his eyes to me once more. "What exactly is the meaning of this, Antoinette? You were meant to be at the pack house after school."

I shuffled my feet, suddenly very aware of the mud on my shoes. "I ran into William on my way home."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, father."

William sighed, running a hand through his hair. He rolled his steel grey eyes.

"She was out in the Rogue Lands, Alpha Beaumont."

"She was in the Rogue Lands?" My father spat. "What on earth were you doing there, girl?"

"I -- um -- I was just going to spend a bit of time in the woods, you know, I just wanted some fresh air --" I rambled.

"Enough!"

I stopped immediately. There was no use in making excuses with my father, or William, for that matter. They both liked to control me, and they both looked incredibly angry at that moment. I decided it would be wise to let them do the talking.

"Do you know the trouble you've caused? Do you understand the panic your mother went through when you didn't come home?"

I stood silently, confused. I couldn't help but wonder why they had been so worried -- I usually didn't come home until four or five on a school day, and they usually didn't notice I was gone until it was time to eat. Despite my little detour with Celina, it was still only an hour or so since school had finished.

"You have responsibilities, Antoinette, and you needed to be back here to greet William, to prepare for tonight."

I stayed silent, but my mind was working overtime. My father had never asked me to greet William with him, I had never been required before -- in fact, I didn't understand why William was there in the first place. He usually only visited with the rest of his family on special occasions, and I hadn't been told he was coming.

"We can delay the ceremony, Alpha Beaumont," William said suddenly. "If it's necessary."

"Wait, what ceremony?" I demanded, unable to keep my silence. I knew it was a mistake as soon as I opened my mouth, but I was confused and I wanted answers.

Both men's eyes snapped to me, my father scowling as he leaned across his desk.

"The Sealing, Antoinette," he sighed. "You and William are being sealed in a month, but you were meant to relinquish your ties to our pack tonight. You're taking the next step in your engagement."

I stared blankly at him -- that was not the response I was expecting. Sure, I knew the engagement would have to happen in the next few years, but I was always told I'd be eighteen. No one had given me any warning.

William coughed awkwardly. "Didn't she know about it?"

I hated how he asked my father and not me, especially since the answer was obvious. My father shook his head.

"There was too much to sort out before the ceremony, I didn't have a chance to inform her."

Bullsh--

"But we'll do it tonight -- the sooner you are sealed the better. Our packs need to be unified now more than ever."

William nodded, and I was left just as confused as ever -- only now, I was angry too. It wasn't fair; no one had bothered to tell me anything and the suddenly I was expected to give up my pack? I hardly had any time to prepare, it was too sudden. How would I get the time to say goodbye to everyone?

My father and William continued to talk, paying little heed to me. A few more questions were asked and then answered, but it was obvious I was missing something vital to their conversation. Eventually, my father dismissed me, sending me to go find my mother and get ready for the ceremony tonight. I scowled. There was no way I would go along with this submissively.