Outcast: The Alpha King's Beloved

Chapter 128: The Banquet 

Skylar's POV:

I hadn't slept a wink all night.

Thinking about what had happened to Jerome, I couldn't fall asleep.

Suddenly, Jerturned over in bed and wrapped his arms aroundtightly.

"What's wrong, baby? Why are you still awake?"

Feeling my restlessness, Jergently kissed my forehead.

"It's okay.I'll fall asleep soon enough."

I kissed him back to show him that I was fine.

But the truth was, I was worried.

The fact that Dylan was actually Jerhadn't sunk in yet.

He had a whole history I didn't know about, let alone the position of Alpha to inherit.

"Jerome, are you planning to becthe Alpha of the Rainbow Pack?" I asked.

Jerlooked at me, finally realizing why I was so restless.

"So that's what was on your mind.If everything goes well, then yes.It's my duty as the son of the late Alpha Lewis.Arthur is cruel and merciless.The werewolves in our pack are unhappy under his rule.I must protect my pack and carry out my father's will."

"I'm sure your father would've been very proud of you."

Despite saying this, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

After hesitating for a while, I finally decided to be honest with Jerome.

"Jerome, I'm worried that I'm not good enough to be your Luna.We're from very different walks of life.Everyone will judge me."

Hearing what I said, Jerhuggedeven tighter.

"Skylar, don't think like that.No matter what family background you have, you're my mate.I won't marry anyone else." I sighed.

Jerwas a good man, so I believed what he said.

But what aboutand my past? Could I really qualify to be the mate of the future Alpha? "I used to be an orphan.I had no family.Later, the Alpha of the Black Stone Pack adoptedand I finally started to live a normal life.I worked hard to be selected by Mr.Jones for the training of elite werewolves.I didn't get any special treatment, unlike swerewolves from other packs.I worked hard to get whatever I have today."

This was the first tI had told Jerabout my past.

Yes, others might have seenas a cheerful, optimistic, and maybe even childish girl.

They didn't know anything about what I had gone through.

When I met Jerome, I was really happy to know that he was my mate.

But I could tell that he was a quiet man, so I had to take the initiative to pursue him.

Yet now that I know about his past, I felt that I didn't deserve him.

Jerlooked into my eyes sadly and cupped my cheeks in his hands.

"Skylar, I swear I won't ever let you get hurt again."

"Thank you, Jerome.You are so kind."

I drew myself into Jerome's arms and held his waist tightly.

Here, I felt secure and happy.

He madefeel as though I didn't need to be brave all the time.

With him, I could let my walls down and be vulnerable.

I was happy with him.

As long as he was by my side, I felt as though everything was going to be okay.

Jennifer's POV:

Ever since we decided to overturn the rule of Arthur, we divided the work and did our own things.

Everything was going smoothly, as far as I could tell.

Success seemed to be ours for the taking.

When our plan was set, Simon tookand Jerto meet the other elders of the Rainbow Pack.

When we got to the meeting place, we found that they were all waiting for us there.

I was worried that the elders would be hard to convince, but to my surprise, they immediately rallied to our side.

They trustedand my brother very much, and from tto time, they would talk about our father.

It seemed that our father had really earned their trust back then.

"Jerome, we are so glad that you are still alive.You two can rest assured we won't tell Arthur anything about our meeting today," said one of the elders.

Jerledto the main seats at the table and expressed his gratitude to the elders.

"Thank you all for still remembering our father's contribution and for agreeing to meet with us."

Another elder stepped forward with righteous indignation.

"Let's cut to the chase.We all hate Arthur and we are more than willing to back up Jerin his endeavor to take back the Alpha position.As soon as we heard that you two are still alive, we already made the decision to help you.And when we found out that it was Arthur who killed your father, our hatred towards him only strengthened tenfold.He's worse than an animal! We all saw how good your father was to him, and we couldn't believe he had the audacity to betray him like that!"

"Thank you all for taking our side."

My brother and I were moved by what the elder said.

For camaraderie's sake, we didn't leave until we finished dinner with the elders.Now, everything was ready.

We just needed to wait for the right timing.

Finally, the day of Arthur's so-called apology banquet arrived.

Anthony and I headed to the venue, along with Jerome, Skylar, and Daniel.

Everyone needed to be present for the plan to be successful, so we made arrangements for important figures to attend the banquet.

Anthony and Jerwere two of the indispensable figures.

However, for the plan to work, Jerome's identity needed to be hidden.

Thus, he cto the banquet in sunglasses and a cap to cover his face.

Tony was also a key part of our plan.

It was crucial that his testimony be heard.

Disguised as one of Anthony's attendants, he wore a peaked cap and waited outside the hall with his head down.

‘Dad and Mom, Jerand I will avenge you soon.’ Gritting my teeth, I followed Anthony into the banquet hall resolutely.

It was finally tto take revenge on the one who had destroyed my family.

When we entered the banquet hall, Arthur swooped over to receive Anthony.

"Mr.Jones, I want to apologize to you for what happened last time,"

he said, bowing low before Anthony.

"Let bygones be bygones.Do you mind that I brought my mate and sfriends tonight?"

Anthony generously forgave Arthur so that he could secure an entry to the banquet for us, his friends.

When Arthur saw me, his expression fell, but he quickly recovered.

"Of course I don't mind.As long as they're friends of yours, they're welchere."

Despite what he was saying, I could hear the old man gnashing his teeth as he spoke.

He must've been seething with rage.

But this was just the beginning.

I was about to let him know the price he needed to pay.

‘Arthur, just you wait and see.’

"Really? Thank you for your hospitality."

And with that, Anthony led us inside.

All the elders of Rainbow Pack were present at the banquet.

When we were settled in our seats, Arthur cleared his throat and apologized to Anthony in front of everyone.

"I'm sorry, Mr.Jones, for the last banquet.It was all my fault.I was a bad host and allowed an accident to happen.I'm sorry if that scared you.Please forgive me."

As he spoke, he looked very sincere, as if he really felt guilty over what had happened last time.

If I didn't know his true colors, I would've been easily deceived by his act.

But I knew better, and so did Anthony.

"It doesn't matter.What happened last twas outside your control,"

Anthony said politely.

Hearing Anthony's words, Arthur seemed to be relieved.

But we knew for a fact that he was an insidious, untrustworthy character.

Who knew what bad intentions he secretly harbored? As the festivities of the banquet went on, I saw a fake smile plastered on Arthur's face.

Then, his gaze went pastand suddenly landed on Jerome.

Oh, no.Did he recognize my brother?

"Hey, that guy looks familiar.Mr.Jones, do you know who he is?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone at the banquet looked in the direction of Arthur's gaze and fixed their eyes on my brother.

Watching this scene unfold made my stomach churn.

I had a bad feeling about this.

But Anthony, who was sitting next to me, held my hand reassuringly, signaling tonot to panic.