Chapter 179

SERAPHINA Dinner began surprisingly smoothly. I sat at the head table with Kaelos to my right, and unfortunately, protocol dictated that Viktor, as the guest of honor, sat to my left. Callista and Alex sat across from us, and the Elders were scattered at other tables with the European delegation and senior Pack members. The first course was served—aromatic French onion soup. The conversation flowed with safe topics: the weather, Viktor's travel experiences, and appreciation for American culture. But then Viktor turned to me with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “Luna Seraphina, I hear you have newborn twins. A son and a daughter, correct?” I was immediately on guard. Mentioning my children was crossing into personal territory. “Yes, Alaric and Celine. They’re two months old now.” “Beautiful names. Alaric is an old Germanic name meaning ‘ruler of all’. An ambitious choice for an Alpha heir.” Viktor took a sip of his wine. “And Celine—French origin, meaning ‘heavenly’. Poetic.” “We ch