The entirety of the attendees rose to their feet at the arrival of Crimson Night's Alpha. Fachan's head was held high as he entered through the heavy oaken doors and made his way to the center table where Armina was standing. The Alpha joined his Luna at the table before turning to face the array of tables spread throughout the hall. The Luna joined the Alpha in bowing in greeting to the guests before Fachan addressed the attendees. "Greetings, all. I would like to thank you for traveling the distance to attend this conference. Tonight is for you, and I invite you to eat and drink to your heart's content. Pleasure yourselves tonight for tomorrow shall begin the tedious work. So, without further ado, let the banquet commence!"
A round of cheers and applause followed Fachan's greeting, and several hands raised their glasses in the air before a partaking of the strong spirits began the festivities. Following Fachan and Armina's lead, the guests resumed their seats as servants returned to doing their rounds around the hall. The next minute was filled with an array of trays filled with hearty foods and delicacies being brought into the hall and arranged on the tables. The guests did not hesitate in filling their plates with ample supplies of delicious meats, cheeses, breads, and much more.
The hall was warm and bright as chatter and laughter sounded throughout the large room. Calls for more wine had servants scurrying about fulfilling the guests' orders causing the attendees to grow increasingly more intoxicated while tiring the servants and workers. Once the royals and visiting werewolves had eaten to their stomachs' content, the party moved to its feet, allowing the many werewolves to mingle. Standing tables were brought into the hall while the long tables and their chairs were pushed against the walls, creating an open space in the center of the hall for ample mingling.
Armina separated from Fachan and occupied a separate table where the visit Lunas could gather. The Alphas did the same and gathered at the center of the space. Jae silently sipped on his wine while several members of the visiting packs line up to give their greetings. The Alphas and Lunas. Den being absent, there was no other prince Jae was inclined to mingle with. Yejin and Estan were occupied with the sons and daughters of the visiting Betas and Gammas.
The prince of Crimson Night was content with remaining by himself drinking his wine, but the approach of Black Moon's princess, Sina, brought a frown to the true blood's face. Jae diverted his eyes to the glass in his hand as Sina set her glass of champagne on the table at which Jae was currently standing.
"Hello there, Jae," Sina began. Her voice was low and sensuous, but it only sent disgusted chills down the true blood's spine. He hated the dark seduction that radiated off Sina with her every move. Jae had made it clear multiple times that he would never consider Sina to be his mate, but the princess did not stop her advances.
"Sina," Jae said the female's name in a short response, his tone being as disinterested as it could be.
"What have you been up to?" Sina raised her brow as she inquired of the true blood's recent activities. The intention behind the female's question was clear as day as she rested her arms on the table and leaned toward the prince, the v-cut in her dress coincidentally revealing the top portion of her supple breasts.
Jae released a sharp breath before answering, "Nothing that concerns you."
"Oh, come on, Jae. You don't have to be so cold to me. Loosen up a bit. Tonight is supposed to be fun." A wink followed the princess's attempt to have the true blood open up to her, but it failed dramatically. "Clearly your definition of 'fun' is different than mine," Jae said before straightening his stance and trailing his eyes over the crowd of mingling werewolves in search of someone who could come to his rescue. Consequently, the true blood locked eyes with the son of Eternal Dawn's Beta.