Chapter 6

Gwen:

"Do I look like someone they can push around?" I asked, trying to sound calm, my voice was steady and my fingers were tight on the edge of the dresser as I looked at myself in the mirror.

The mirror did not lie to me, it showed a woman who was dressed up and ready for a fight while trying to look elegant at the same time.

I knew this was something I must do, Josie’s been out of the hospital for two weeks and the fact that she is much better, happier, and safer, is a sign I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.

I was wearing silk that hugged my body just tight enough to get people’s attention without looking like I was trying too hard. My hair fell down my back in waves while framing the face I had learned to control over the years so it would not give away my feelings.

"You look like someone they should be afraid of " a low voice muttered from behind me, I did not turn around, I saw him in the mirror first.

Xavier, he was moving towards me taking his time like he knew he would get to me eventually and as always his presence filled the room before he even got to me or touched me.

“You look exceptionally beautiful,” he breathed, then his lips brushed against the side of my neck, it was soft and gentle, I swallowed the moan that was rising in my throat and I didn’t acknowledge him.

"You are tense " he whispered, his voice low and close to my ear.

"I am thinking " I replied, trying to sound calm even though my shoulders were still tight.

"That is not the same thing " his voice came out even softer than before then his hand went to my waist, just resting there not trying to force me to do anything but it was like he was trying to ground me, I looked at him in the mirror.

"This is a lot " I murmured, my voice a little lower, it was the closest I would get to telling the truth.

Tonight was not a party, it was a declaration, a change, something that once it was done, it can never be undone.

"I know " he responded, looking at me with a gaze. "That is why I am here." We stood there for a moment.

Something passed between us, it was unspoken but it was there and it was dangerous.

"Is Josie asleep?" I broke the silence, turning to him while creating a little space between us.

“Josephina is asleep, the nanny just put her down, it’s time to leave.” His voice was calm and grounded like everything was already in motion and I was the one catching up.

I looked back at the mirror, watching myself as I let his words settle. Josephina, he used her name so easily now as he had always been part of her life, like he belonged there.

My fingers brushed lightly over the fabric of my dress, smoothing nothing, fixing nothing, it was just something to do while my mind drifted. We had moved in this weekend, he told me so casually like it was something I didn’t have to think about.

Xavier had handled everything effortlessly, even though it was a decision I didn’t fully process, like relocating my life into Xavier’s space was just another task on his list.

I had not argued, there was no point to that because it made perfect sense, for Josie, for her safety, and for everything I was trying to build. It felt like stepping into something that had already been waiting for me.

“Gwen.” His voice came again this time, I turned slightly finally facing him.

“Do I look good?” The question left my lips before I could stop it. It wasn’t uncertainty or weakness but I just needed to hear it, to confirm I looked like someone who could stand where I was about to stand.

Xavier’s eyes moved over me slowly, he was taking his time, being very careful.

“You look perfect.” The words landed softer than I expected but he did not stop there,

“Especially for the Luna position,” he added, his voice lowering slightly carrying something heavier now.

Luna, the word settled between us, it was real and unavoidable now, I held Xavier’s gaze for a second longer than necessary.

Then I nodded once, that was enough, I put up my serious face and reached for his hand.

"Then let us go, " I urged.

The stairs curved down in an elegant sweep, Xavier did not rush, nor did I, his hand stayed in mine, firm but not tight guiding me more than leading me. At the bottom the housekeeper was waiting for us. She was prepared and attentive.

"Please check on Josie every hour, " I instructed, my tone calm but firm.

"I will, " she responded quickly.

"The Alpha has already given instructions as well." Of course, he had. I glanced at him briefly, he did not look at me but I felt that quiet control he had over everything.

"Good " I said then we left.

The Pack House was already alive when we arrived, there were lights, music, and voices around us. The Annual Moon Festival was a night built on tradition, power, and hierarchy, tonight it was also about judgment.

"Stay close " Xavier whispered as we stepped inside.

"I do not plan on wandering, " I replied.

Eyes turned to us immediately and whispers followed, soft, sharp, and curious.

"Is that her?"

"The omega?"

"That is the one…" I did not react, I did not acknowledge them, I had learned a long time ago that silence disturbed people more than defense.

Xavier’s hand shifted a little at my back, it was not possessive or showy, it was just there and that alone changed how they looked at me.

The ballroom was wide and filled with people. Music drifted through the space, elegant and controlled but beneath it there was tension as always which made Xavier and me move with caution.

People greeted Xavier. They bowed slightly and showed respect but when they looked at me they were not sure how to react, they had questioning eyes and I gave them nothing, not yet.

My eyes traced the room and I found him, Cole, he was across the room already watching me, his expression changed the moment our eyes met, it was filled with rage.

“Welcome, Alphas and everyone present here. May we invite Alpha Xavier to commence this festival?” The announcement to cut through the room, clear and commanding, everything stilled, conversations faded and all the attention shifted to Xavier.

He stepped forward flawlessly, commanding without trying, I watched him as he moved every step calculated, every movement controlled.

This was his world and tonight he was going to pull me into it, he reached the front, turned, and faced them.

"My people " his voice carried easily filling the space without strain.

"Tonight is a celebration." Silence followed, respectful and attentive.

"We celebrate the strength of this pack, " he continued.

"The work you have all put in the unity that keeps us standing." he paused.

"The Moon Goddess watches over us " he added, his tone shifting slightly softer but no less powerful.

"We honor her by leading with strength and with love."

Love. The word felt foreign in a room like this but he did not hesitate.

"I want to introduce someone to you " he said, a shift, subtle, but there. Eyes turned, searching, waiting.

"Gwendolyn." He called my name and every muscle in my body tightened for a second then I moved, step by step into their view, into their judgment, into their world.

"This is Gwendolyn Rivers " he announced as I reached him. He took my hand intertwining our fingers, not loose, not optional but intentional.

"The woman I have chosen." A ripple moved through the room, and there were whispers from every corner of the room, but he did not stop or care.

"She is the woman I will marry, " he continued.

"The woman I will stand beside and the woman who will stand beside me." His grip on my hand tightened a little, claiming me.

"I believe love is the gift we are given, " he added.

"I have asked her to build a life with me." he paused

"She said yes."

The words settled, final and heavy, I felt it as the room shifted, the reaction, shock, disapproval and confusion then my eyes moved, it found Cole again.

He looked like he was barely holding himself together, his jaw tight, his hands clenched, his control slipping. I smiled internally.

I leaned a little into Xavier, not by accident, I wanted him to see it, let everyone see it. When I was married to Cole, I was hidden, now I was seen, displayed, and claimed in front of everyone. I was going to use every second of it.

"Let's toast to togetherness and love.” Xavier’s voice cut through the room, followed by an automatic toast to us, to the future, to something they did not accept.

Their glasses were lifted out of respect but the murmur did not stop, it grew, soft voices layered over each question, doubt, or resistance.

I heard it and felt it but I did not react because this was just the beginning.