The Witch and Her Four Dangerous Alphas

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Perfect Reply

Serena’s POV~

After everything finally calmed down, everyone was seated around the long dining table. The room was quiet except for the faint sound of music playing in the background and the clinking of glasses being set down.

I sat beside Lord Maximus, my father.

Even now, the thought still felt strange. My father. The word didn’t fit easily on my tongue. I kept sneaking small glances at him when I thought no one was looking. He sat tall and calm, his expression steady and unreadable, as if nothing in this room could ever shake him.

I wasn’t sure what to say or do.

And to make things worse, the alphas decided to take the seats beside me too.

Of course.

Aeron sat closest, his face calm as ever, but his eyes were pinned on me. Luca and Lucian followed, sitting without a word, and Kael grinned like he owned the place.

I realized this man is smiling too much for my liking. I had never seen him relax this much in my entire life. Surely a kiss didn’t make him stupid, right?

So here I was... stuck in the middle of these brothers.

On one side, my father, the man who had just reappeared in my life out of nowhere.

On the other side, there was the queen, then Prince Vaelen, and then Arlena, who looked like she was about to burst from trying to prove how important she was.

I couldn’t help but sigh softly.

If this was supposed to be a "simple royal dinner," then I was seriously starting to doubt the meaning of simple.

What was she even doing here?

She didn’t belong in this kind of setting. She wasn’t a royal. If this is supposed to be a gathering only for Royal, why the hell was she invited here, or has the queen already taken her as her own...her daughter-in-law?

Was she just here to make Vaelen uncomfortable? Because if that was the plan, it was definitely working.

I caught him stealing glances at me now and then, his jaw tight, his hand gripping his cup just a little too firmly.

As soon as everyone was settled, the king finally spoke. His voice was deep and full of that fake warmth that powerful people used when they wanted to sound kind but actually weren’t.

"Ah, Alpha Aeron," he said, smiling like this was some friendly reunion. "It’s been a long time. The last time I saw you and your brothers, you were still young boys. You had nothing left after your father lost the pack. It’s truly admirable that you managed to reclaim your position... especially from someone like Alpha Eirik."

His words sounded polite, but the tone didn’t match. There was something sharp underneath. A hint of mockery.

I wasn’t the only one who heard it.

The table went quiet for a second.

wasn’t praising them...he was reminding everyone that they had lost once. That they

But Aeron didn’t flinch.

and steady, and then spoke in that smooth

"I had to take back what was mine. After all, I couldn’t

still polite but his words cutting sharp. "It wouldn’t look good if the strongest pack served under someone’s whims,

The room went silent.

feel it...the instant change in the air. The king’s face slowly turned red, his forced smile faltering for just

Aeron

knew Alpha Eirik was nothing more than a dog for the Werewolf Council. He did whatever they told him, wagging his

The king

too. Everyone knew that... even

it wasn’t just a jab.

almost choked on my

that? Out loud? In front of

I looked at him, I couldn’t help it... I admired

guts. Real

as if he hadn’t just insulted

his eyes

faint amusement there, like he knew exactly what I was thinking. And he knew that

heart gave a tiny jump, but I quickly looked

he looked

first time ever, they agreed

almost made

the fearless Alpha and the too-proper Prince were on the

The man was trying his best to keep that fake royal smile on his face, but anyone could

thrilling play...

she finally decided to

The queen.

time, sipping her wine with that perfect posture

eyes...humiliating him was the same as humiliating

though she also looked down on

her glass and took a graceful sip, her movements smooth and elegant like she was on stage. Then, with that same calm tone that could slice through

a faint smile playing on her lips. "You’ve grown quite bold. I’m sure your father must be very proud of you. I can clearly see whom

with mockery, even though her smile

cannot deny facts, can we? Your father was killed by Alpha Eirik Moonveil in quite a brutal way. He died such a disgraceful death. I’m not trying to upset you, but that is the truth.

The table went silent.

everyone could hear the

wasn’t just talking about Aeron’s father. She was mocking the entire pack’s past...

second,

get angry or worse, lose control. Anyone would if someone dragged their dead father into conversation like that. Especially in front

But he didn’t.