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

But Aeron didn’t flinch.

then spoke in that smooth voice of his that somehow always sounded respectful and dangerous at the

After all, I couldn’t leave my father’s

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

The room went silent.

turned red, his forced smile

Aeron was

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

worst part? The king himself

them too. Everyone knew that... even

it wasn’t just a jab. It was

choked on

he just... say that? Out

at him, I couldn’t help

had guts. Real

there so calmly, as if he hadn’t just insulted the king in

his

what I was thinking. And he knew that I was going to look in his

tiny jump, but I quickly looked away...

he looked amused

first time ever, they

almost made me

the too-proper Prince were on the

nerves...especially the king’s. The man was trying his best to keep that fake royal smile on his face, but anyone could see how tight his jaw

looked like they were watching some thrilling play... too scared to

was when she

The queen.

her wine with that perfect posture of hers. But now, as she saw her husband getting humiliated again and again,

was the same as

also

graceful sip, her movements smooth and elegant like she was on stage. Then, with that same calm

bold. I’m sure your father must be very proud of you. I can clearly

eyes gleamed with mockery, even

died such a

The table went silent.

could hear the

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

a second,

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

But he didn’t.