Chapter 5

Valerie:

The hallways were busy with quiet activity as staff prepared for the gathering. Silver platters, velvet drapes, wine glasses. It felt like a stage and deep down I knew that it was just a show for everyone to see, a pleasure, a divine knight, a game for us to play.

I slipped into the corner of the main room to adjust my dress, away from the eyes of the pack. I hadn’t seen Xavier since last night. He hadn’t come to my room. I’d expected him to, to argue, to drag me back into his control, but he didn’t. But I knew that he'd not even go to see her. I had heard him. He was within the pack. He never even left the house.

“Luna.”

I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Annalise’s perfume was sharp as ever, jasmine and smoke. She stood just far enough away to pretend it wasn’t an ambush, her smile a thin, false thing.

“Enjoying your stay?” I asked, not turning to face her.

I looked at her reflection in the window instead of turning. “Thrilled,” she said flatly, her tone challenging.

Her smile sharpened. “You won’t be for long. And no matter how you hold your head up, you’re still just the girl he was forced to marry. I believe that you know that very well. I just do not understand why you do not want to step away from him. It would be a lot easier for all of us if you do.”

I finally turned, meeting her eyes. “Done?”

She blinked at my tone. “Excuse me?”

“You’re trying to provoke me,” I said calmly. “But I’m not here for you. I believe that you are a guest in my house and you, just like everyone else, are going to respect that You're more than welcome to move away from the shadows. That is, of course, if they would accept you between them.”

I brushed past her before she could answer, heading toward the gathering hall.

The double doors opened into a sea of Alphas and Lunas, their scents mingling in a heavy cloud. The music was low, the chatter soft. Every head turned when I entered, some with curiosity, some with judgment.

And then Xavier was there.

He stepped out of the crowd like a shadow and crossed to me without a word. His hand slid around my waist, pulling me gently but firmly to his side.

“Luna,” he murmured low enough for only me to hear. “You’re late. One would expect the Luna and the Host to be one of the first attempts, if not the first at all.”

“I wasn’t aware I needed your permission to be on time,” I replied coolly. “I do believe that I have things to take care of, but you would not really know.”

He smirked slightly but didn’t let go. “You look the part. I am impressed.”

“And you?” I asked, eyes flicking to his. “I saw her mistress earlier. I will admit I did not expect her to see her hiding in the shadows again.”

His fingers tightened just a fraction on my waist. “Careful,” he warned softly. “You are playing with fire.”

I tilted my head up at him, a smile playing on my lips for the watching crowd. “Why? Are you going to burn another paper using that fire?”

He leaned down, his mouth near my ear. “You’re pushing me. And I don't think that now it's the right time for that to happen, do you?”

“And you’re playing a part,” I whispered back. I ran my finger over his chest, making him smirk as he looked down at me. The two of us looked like the loving couple. “Loving husband. Faithful Alpha. Anyone who sees us today would believe us to be perfect for each other, wouldn't you agree?”

His arm stayed around me, but his eyes were dark.

Across the hall, I caught sight of Annalise. She stood half in shadow, a glass of wine in her hand, her smile gone. Her eyes burned as she watched him hold me, hold me, where she thought she belonged.

I smiled at her, a small, cold thing, then turned my face up to Xavier’s like a perfect Luna for the crowd.

Let her burn.

Because I knew that it was her who started this game. If she wanted to ruin my life, then she was going to be the one to get burned in the fire she started.