The Gala

I didn't sleep a wink throughout the night. I had tossed around till morning and my eyelids were heavy from lack of sleep and crying. I thought of what I had done to offend Jax ever since we got married. The betrayal from my husband and sister was shocking. I realized now that I had been making excuses for her all this while without knowing her true intentions and full character.

My ears pick out sounds from Jax's room. I don't need to go to the study this time. My sensitive ears pick up the sounds. They're having sex again and this time, they didn't even bother to close the door. I heard sounds of a shower being turned on and minutes later, the click of a door being unlocked.

"See you later, Alpha Jax" Nikini said in a loud voice, maybe hoping that I hear it and know that she had spent the night together with him.

I didn't catch his reply, my wolf was pacing restless, furious at Nikini. If she had her way, Nikini would be torn to bits by now.

I heard long strides heading towards my room and a loud knock soon after.

I got up from the bed sleepily and unlocked the door.

My eyes cleared up when I saw that it was Jax. He was already dressed and looked immaculate in a dashing black suit. His shiny blonde hair was neatly parted to the side and the masculine fragrance of his perfume clouded him. Looking at his angry features, I wondered how such a handsome werewolf could be this callous.

"Why are you not dressed? How can you attend to the guests with the way you look? You're ugly. I'll punish you if you get in the way of the Lycan king" He said, shouting at me.

"I just want…" I begin, wanting to explain myself.

"No excuses, go and clean yourself up, meet me there" He said, pushing me back as he stormed away from the room.

***

The annual gala is packed with werewolves from different packs as I climb up the steps. The Cloris hall is the biggest hall in the city and as usual, no expenses are spared for the gala. This year is no exception. There were no humans around. Getting here was strictly by invitation.

I felt a twinge in my chest when I looked around and saw people walking in twos. I slipped on a fox mask from a counter nearby and slipped unnoticed into the crowd. I was supposed to make an entrance with Jax to represent the Blood diamond pack but he had left the place before me.

I strained my eyes to locate him in the hall and I finally saw him. He is standing with other Alphas. All smiles and gentleman courtesy. Surprising how he manages to fool everyone with his oily suave personality.

I looked around to see where other Lunas were. I located them easily as they were the fanciest women in the hall. I had chosen my dress on a last minute whim without giving much thought to it. It was a dazzling red gown. Same as I had worn it three years back. I had used makeup to cover the dark circles around my eyes. A scarlet lipstick accentuated my sexy look.

"Hello, you all look amazing as usual" I said to the Lunas, feigning smiles as I greeted them brightly waving around.

"Hi there, Sophie" Few of them replied, pausing their gossip to respond.

They were all powerful women and knew it. Their aloofness and aura was different from the other pack members. I hated hanging with them at these functions since they tended to prattle about other people but it was a necessity. The Lunas had to seem united for the public image.

"Isn't that the Luna of the Blood diamond pack?" A redhead among them said, pointing behind me. I looked back to see that it was Nikini.

There was an uncomfortable silence around after that. Everyone knew my position because of how popular Jax was. The lady was just trying to get to me.

"This is the loveliest fruitcake I've had in ages. They're to die for, ladies try it out" A small brunette among us said, looking at me. She was trying to diffuse the atmosphere.

"No, thanks. I have to discuss something with Alpha Jax first" I mumbled as I left them. I heard whispers behind me. Even among other Lunas, I didn't fit in.

"My, my, my. Look what the cat dragged in. Your outfit is horrible, sis. You look like a slave when you stand with other Lunas."

I look up to see Nikini blocking my path. This was the first time I had seen her today since I heard her in the study.

"Leave my way, no matter how beautiful you look, you're not Luna and never will" I fired back at her.

"You've only become Luna because my family adopted you out of kindness. Otherwise, you'd be long gone. Anyway, you got your position by lying," She said, her eyes flashing in anger.

"What are you talking about, I never lied. Anyway, why am I arguing with you". I said, walking away from her and holding my dress up so I won't trip on it and fall.

I heard movements behind me. I looked back in time to catch Nikini's hand just as she wanted to slap me. I saw Jax from the corner of my eyes rush towards us while people stared at him. I released her hand while everyone was looking.

"Why are you bullying Nikini?" Jax queried me in a harsh tone.

Nikini chose that moment to be dramatic and swooned into his hands.

"My body hurts, Alpha. I don't know why she's jealous of my dress when she is Luna and she can have any dress she wants. She told me to change it and she hit me. It hurts" Nikini cried out, feigning pain.

"Your jealousy will be the death of you, Sophie. How could you hit your sister because of her dress" Jax said, glaring at me as he messaged the spot on Nikini's arm where she said I had hit her.

"You couldn't even ask me what happened. See, Nikini is smiling in your arms, she isn't hurt at all" I shout back, pointing at Nikini who chose that moment to wink at me.

"Don't hit her again," Jax said, pushing me back for the second time today. My hands flail helplessly looking for support just as I felt strong hands steady me from behind stopping my fall.

The whole place around us grew silent. Everyone's eyes were fixated on the person behind me. There's awe in their eyes too.

"It's the Lycan king Magnus Blackclaw" I heard someone whisper from the crowd.