Chapter 7

Lillian’s POV.

“This was your little plan, wasn’t it?” 

I almost leaped at the feminine voice behind me. I whirled back with irritation to see Shantel glaring daggers at me. I didn’t hesitate to correct my posture, leaning carelessly over the railings on the balcony as cool steel bit into my skin.

“You’d have to be more specific if you want an answer.”

I retorted, not giving care to the murderous intent in her eyes. Not like Shantel could attack me if she wanted. And if she did, she still wouldn’t be able to take me.

I’d spent the past few years learning to defend myself, shift at will and unleash the beast in me to fight off threats that’d arise after Dorian had officially announced me as his Luna. We’d prepared so much for this moment.

Shantel’s countenance changed just then into something cold and almost nonchalant; but the hatred was as evident as a mole.

“When did it start? Since when did you start planning this little show?” Shantel asked. “Since you got kicked out? Since you whored yourself to the most irredeemable tyrant of Nightspire?”

I watched her with amusement as she tried to get a reaction out of me.

“Oh wait! Definitely not the last, right?” She leaned in with a devious grin until her cheek touched mine. “Was it, perhaps… since you watched your mate fuck me in his office without all the care in the world?”

My heart skipped a beat as the words hit me, but only briefly. My mind raced to the moment five years ago when I’d gotten news of being pregnant, and my visit to Aaron’s office to share the good news with him. There, I found my own mate… I had never fully heal from the past. But if Shantel Dickens thought she could use that to get a rise out of me, she was mistaken.

My heel shifted slightly. 

“Now look at you,” she drawled, her smile rising maliciously. “All pale like you saw a ghost. When you put up that brave front, I really thought you’d changed. That you were all powerful, but a wolf can never truly hide her skin, can she? You’re still the same weak bitch, right from when I fucked your husband till now.”

Shantel was enjoying this. I could see the devilish twinkle in her eyes. 

Just then, I smiled softly and called her name. What followed was a deafening slap that was so hard I’d felt the sting on my palm.

“How dare you spew such lewd words in my presence?” I moved closer to her as she stumbled backwards on the abandoned balcony. “Know your place, Shantel Dickens. The next time you approach me, I would make sure you have no legs to leave.”

I stormed off the balcony with anger that even a flute of champagne couldn’t dissipate. I sighted Dorian having conversations with other Alphas and I could do nothing but watch him with fascination. 

He concealed his emotions so well, but I knew he wasn’t enjoying the conversation. From his curt remarks to his stiff nods, it was evident to me that he’d rather be doing something else.

Dorian Valehart was an intriguing person. He was everything Aaron could ever wish to be, if Aaron wasn’t so vain. A lustful aura that wasn’t quite mine exuded and I realized it was my wolf’s. 

“You whore,” I scoffed mentally and all she could do was return a playful jab.

I couldn’t blame her though. If my heart wasn’t so closed off, Dorian wasn’t a horrible option.

Dorian waved at me as his gaze landed on me and he excused himself from the conversation briefly. He sauntered to me and pressed me against his chest softly.

“If I’d stayed there any longer, I’d rip their heads off.” He growled playfully in my ear and I chuckled at his odd humor.

“Bask in the glory, Dorian, you’re Alpha-Tycoon,” I whispered in response.

“We are,” he muttered softly. “Come with me.”

Dorian gently lifted me before I could stop him and he dumped me in the middle of the conversation in a swift motion. As if sensing my scowl, he tore his gaze away to avoid mine.

“Alpha Dorian, we were just talking about the new innovation that could benefit our packs. I’m sure it’ll be a huge success. What do you think?” Alpha Morone said, a small smile dancing on his lips.

Dorian dragged his gaze to me, forcing the other men at the table to acknowledge my presence.

“My Luna here’s the brain behind the wheel, Alpha Morone. She’s the right person to discuss this with.”

Morone’s face fell, and he finally took me in with a small smile. “Right.” He deadpanned, embarrassed. “What do you think, Lillian?”

“Well, we’d need more details than your assurance—”

Dorian cut me off with a cold gaze trained on Morone. “Luna Lillian to you, Alpha Morone.”

My heart sank. 

Women weren’t given enough respect in Nightspire. You’d be shocked at the patriarchal nature and how lesser women were treated, and worse if she was an omega— which I was both. Having Dorian stand up for me made me feel like I mattered, like I could move mountains if I willed it to.

Morone turned another shade of red with embarrassment but I couldn’t bear his squirmy face. I excused myself from the table to check up on my daughter and socialize.

Getting into the hallway, air rushed into my lungs with such force that made me feel alive once more as I got out of the stuffy hall.

A hand gripped me violently to the back of a pillar, forcing me against it with fury. My body hurt from the impact and I looked up to see a pair of blue eyes glaring at me.

Aaron Moonstone.