Chapter 7-The Welcoming

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Chapter 7-The Welcoming

Sydney Carrington's POV

Holding onto Kingston's arm as he led me down the stairs towards the crowd made me feel like I was going insane. I wanted to get away from him. I didn't like that our bodies were so close to each other.

But I wouldn't make a scene. Yelling and slapping an Alpha was one thing but disrespecting him in front of his whole pack was a total different thing altogether. And breaking away from him was going to cause an uproar.

As we walked down the stairs, I could feel his intense gaze on me but I refused to look back at him. I wouldn't. Focusing on the steps in front of me, I walked down them anxiously, wondering how Kingston's pack was going to react to me.

I could feel eyes on us and I clutched onto my dress tightly as my hands were clammy from the nervous feelings I was experiencing.

Looking around, the house was decorated with golden curtains, and vintage decorations. Waiters and waitress walked about with their costumes offering food and drinks as soft jazz music played. The pack was all dressed for the occasion, feather headbands, long necklaces, flapper dresses, hats and classy suits.

Once we were down, Kingston spoke authoritatively to the crowd facing us. "This is your Luna, my chosen Sydney. She is to be treated with respect. Any other actions other than that, there will be consequences."

A chorus of agreements filled the room and I glanced around the room warily to see many curious eyes on me. Forcing a smile on my face, I smiled at the crowd in front of me. I could feel Kingston relax slightly behind me and he gently led me into the crowd.

This was strange-him being gentle with me. Honestly, I wasn't surprised if he simply pushed me forward into the crowd and then I realised, he couldn't do anything like that in front of his pack. It was one thing to be cold and ruthless but another thing to show that you mistreated your chosen.

I pressed my lips into a thin line before giving smiles to the pack members who bowed and greeted me with smiles on their faces.

Suddenly Kingston gripped onto my waist and I tensed, the feeling of his hand on my waist was foreign and an unwanted contact.

"Kyle. This is Sydney."

I wanted to pull away from his hold on my body but the look in his silver eyes dared me to do so. I plastered another fake smile on my face and turned to greet the man in front of me but stopped when I recognised him.

"Cousin. Luna." Kyle sneered a little as he addressed me and suddenly everything seem to make sense. I turned to look up at Kingston to see him looking down at me with an unfathomable expression on his face.

Everything clicked and now, I knew how Kingston had even known me. Kingston was the Alpha I had insulted that very night in the woods with the man in front of me. "You! You're the man who was beating up that person in front of his family!" I hissed in disgust and Kyle growled angrily at me.

"Kyle. Watch that tone." Kingston spoke out coldly and for a moment, I was a little glad that he was picking me over his cousin. And I wanted to slap myself for that. What the bloody hell was I thinking? Being the slightest bit happy that Kingston seem to care for me?

I was a fool. I hated him but it was the goddamn bond between us that was making all these horrible feelings happen. Sure, the bond couldn't make wolves fall in love with each other, but it intensified every action between mates.

Kyle growled lowly and stalked off without a word.

"You chose me because of that night didn't you?" I asked softly and Kingston remained silent. Clearly refusing to answer my question. I scoffed inwardly to myself. If I would've known that my actions that night had led me to this, I would've minded my own business and remained seated at the benches outside the diner waiting for Will.

No, you wouldn't have. My conscience spoke out and I sighed. It was right, regardless, I wouldn't leave when someone needed my help. Not especially when it was unfair treatment by bullies or anyone like that. I hated bullies.

It was at this moment that Cara bounded over to us and beamed at me. "Sydney! How are you enjoying the party?"

I couldn't help but let a soft smile cross my lips at her enthusiasm, "It's lovely. And you look amazing." Cara smiled happily at my compliment as she twirled around in her gold dress. "Thank you! Brendon! Lighten up! Dance with her!" I tensed at that as the music started and Brendon wordlessly took me to the dance floor.

His hand held onto my hip and the other onto my hand. Feeling extremely uncomfortable, I took a little step back so that our bodies wouldn't be so close to each other.

Kingston let out a low growl and pressed me towards him. I stumbled a little and inhaled sharply when I was pressed fully against him.

Oh god. I mentally screamed and he started swaying to the jazzy music playing. I felt so uncomfortable with his hands on me and I wanted to rip them off me. But I couldn't.

We swayed slowly to the music and I shut my eyes, trying to pretend that I wasn't actually dancing with someone whom I hated and who had abused me.

"You look beautiful."

It was so quietly said that I was actually doubting if Kingston had even said that. My eyes snapped wide open and my startled eyes met his cool ones. "What?"

"Nothing. Go and get something to eat and mingle with the pack." He stated and led me away from the dance floor and soon disappeared among the crowd.

I gaped at his retreating form but soon I felt that I could finally relax without him being so near to me. I smiled at the people around me and nibbled on some food when Cara came up to me.

"Are you enjoying yourself? Brendon and I planned the party. Well, mostly me but he did give some input here and there." She questioned happily and I smiled at her.

"Everything is great. The decorations are beautiful and I think you did a wonderful job." I smiled warmly at her and Cara beamed proudly at my compliment and she didn't seem to notice that I didn't say anything about Kingston. I hardly believed that he wanted anything to do with welcoming me here.

Why did he choose me? I had no idea. Probably to amuse himself until he was bored. "I hope you feel welcomed! I'm really happy that you're here as our Luna and Brendon's chosen. I know you don't really want to be here but I hope that with time, you'll see this pack as your home."

Cara said and continued, "I know Brendon can be a little cold and mean, but give him time, he'll warm up to you soon enough! But meanwhile you have me!"

I gave her a weak smile at that and hugged her. "Thank you. I appreciate it." Cara smiled happily and ate a cracker. Suddenly a thought occurred to me and I asked curiously, "Do you know who is Kyle? He's Kingston cousin?"

Immediately, Cara wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Kyle? You mean Kyle Preston?"

I shrugged, "I guess. I mean he referred to Kingston as his cousin." Cara grimaced and nodded. "Uh huh. Kyle is our cousin but a distant one at that. He's from our father's side and he's a menace. He's known for bullying and pushing people around and he's a total ass."

I wasn't surprised at this piece of information I had just gleaned. After all I've seen, the description of Kyle that Cara had given matched him perfectly. "I see."

Cara sighed, "Just don't bother with him. He's one of a kind but nobody really dares to challenge him, seeing that he's Brendon's cousin. He can be a total dick so just stay clear of him. I do that."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. Soon Cara, introduced me to some members of the pack and I had to say that even though this pack had a reputation for being formidable, they were actually quite the opposite when socialising.

I guess that the saying was true. Do not judge a book by its cover. Well maybe that proverb was an exception for Kingston. I scoffed to myself and let all thoughts of him to be gone from my mind.

***

I walked up the stairs cautiously, the party had just ended and I was exhausted. I entered my room and stopped. An easel and some blank canvases was in my room along with a box of art supplies. Closing the door, I walked towards the box and peered inside to see loads of different kinds of paint and brushes.

Walking to where the easel was standing. I traced the blank canvas resting on it. And I could feel an itch to start painting on it.

"I take it that you like it."

I jumped from the suddenness of his voice and I turned to see Kingston watching me at the doorway. He was still wearing his suit and I couldn't help but admire how good he looked but the loathing I felt towards him was still there.

"Yes." I answered cautiously and warily.

Kingston continued watching me and I quickly turned away form his intense gaze. I felt unnerved by him. "How did you know that I like to paint?" I questioned stiffly.

"Cara told me."

An awkward silence passed and I tried to think of something to say that will make him leave. I opened my mouth to speak and raised my head and my heart thundered from fear and shock when I realised he was actually in front of me.

I inhaled sharply at his action and I watched as his hand went towards my throat. It seemed that I was still fearful of him. Was he going to choke me again? Instead of that, he rubbed gently at my neck making me wince at the soreness from the bruises he left behind.

I could hear him inhale sharply and I looked down to see that he had rubbed the concealer off and the bruises were fully exposed.

"Did you ice them?" He questioned and I stared at him defiantly, "Why do you care? You caused it." I said and brushed him off and took a step back away from him. "Please leave. I'm tired." I said stiffly.

Kingston studied my face and instead of him doing as I said, he took another step forward closer to me. "If you need anything, just ask. You're free to roam around the pack lands but if you try to escape, you'll be caught."

I eyed him insolently and out of the blue, Kingston leaned towards me and pressed a light kiss on my forehead and with that, he turned away and walked out of my room.

I was too stunned to react from that action that I just stared dumbly at his retreating form before meeting my shocked reflection in the mirror.

***

A/N: Hi guys, so sorry for the late update, school life has been catching up on me and well, yay. Sigh. As promised. I will update this book at least once a week and yeah. I hope that you like this chapter and please vote and comment? I love to know whats going on in all of your heads.

Some have you been asking for Kingston's POV and well, I was actually hesitating to write one but yes,  I will do one in the next chapter. I hope that you'll really like this chapter and yeah. Thanks for reading! :)