Chapter 14

Elora’s POV

Can’t even describe what it did to me, being asked something real. Being seen. Weird, right? You go so long as someone’s side-piece in shadow, never the chosen one. Just Dominic’s Luna, whatever that’s worth. Then, today he actually turns. Look at me. 

Heart goes wild, not exactly pride, more like... some tangled, sharp thing. I wanted to believe it meant something. All this work, all this trying, finally earned me my spot. But, you know, another voice in my head’s cackling, telling me I was just a circus show for the people.

I tried ignoring the thoughts, but they just wouldn't go away.

And Dante, don’t even get me started. He just stared at me, like knowing he was there kept my knees from shaking. Even when I didn’t dare look back, I could feel that connection winding tight, tugging in ways I pretended I didn’t notice.

When I finally got to the room, chambers, whatever, it makes it sound fancy, I was just done. Ready to pull a full dramatic flop onto the bed and swear off council drama forever. But laughter, sharp and bright, slapped me in the face.

Mira. 

Of course, it was Mira.

She was already there, sliding her cloak off like she owned the room and maybe even the oxygen. Golden in the torchlight, lips blood-red, everything about her screamed attention. She’s right up in Dominic’s space, palm draped on his arm like she had the deed and I was some squatter.

And Dominic...

He melted. Just fell apart into this soft, happy version that the public never got. Eyes warm, mouth curved, it’s like the council weight never existed. He hugged her. Didn’t even pause. Full-on, arms wrapped around, Mira-soaked embrace. For a second, I physically couldn’t breathe. Just stared at them both.

“Elora,” Mira said, voice all sweet and nice, but those eyes were anything but nice. “Would you excuse us?”

There was no burn on my tongue. “This is my room. My husband. If anyone leaves, it’s not me...”

But then,  Dominic’s voice interrupted me, steady, final. “Go, Elora.”

You know that look where someone acts like it’s just obvious you’re not supposed to be there? That was him. No regret, no pause. Just certainty, like I had been invisible all along.

I swallowed it down. Made my voice all polite and smooth. “Of course,” I said. Like a robot.

And then I did what I always do...I left.

Outside, the garden was all night air and dew getting cozy on every surface, even the roses. Fountain bubbling away, like it’s mocking my life. I wandered, wrapped my cloak tighter. Nothing could patch up that hollow inside.

What was I doing here?

The whole council was pretty much clapping for me five minutes ago. I had felt...I don't know...almost like I belonged. Standing up there, I could breathe. But in these chambers, in this so-called marriage, I was back to square one. Just a placeholder, some name taking up space.

Dropped onto a bench, stared at the flowers. The moon is doing its best to make everything seem dramatic and tragic. And I could almost hear the pack’s whispers grating against my nerves. Mira is his real Luna. Elora is just a name, keeping the seat warm. 

On nights like this, I almost believed them.

Maybe everyone was onto something. Maybe I really was just… that. Just background noise.

“Luna,” someone called, jolting me out of my pity spiral.

I spun around and there stood a maid, looking like she had just sprinted a marathon, breathless, eyes wide. She barely got out a bow. “Alpha Dominic wants you, now.”

My stomach lurched. Oh, now he wanted me? After basically chucking me out like yesterday’s leftovers?

I pushed myself up, shaking off the dust sticking to my palms. Heart’s pounding like it wants to stage a jailbreak. I tried to stay calm. 

“Okay.” My voice came out tight, but whatever. I trailed after her through the echoing halls.

Back in the chamber, Mira was nowhere. Just Dominic, lurking by the table, drink in hand, giving me that unreadable poker face. Cold eyes, too steady. 

Annoying.

“We’re throwing a ball tonight,” he announced, like he was picking out socks. “At the palace. You’re handling preparations.”

Wait. 

What? 

“A ball?” I blurted. 

Had he lost his mind?

He almost...almost...smiled. “Council needs a reminder. The pack needs unity. You’ll sort it out.”

I just stared at him. After all the drama, the whole Mira mess, the exit stage left? And now suddenly I’m in charge of the party planning committee?

But what was I supposed to do, argue? “Of course,” I muttered, swallowing whatever pride I had left.

I barely remember the next few hours. Everything blurred, servants rushing around, draping silk, stringing banners, setting up tables creaking with food and wine. I was barking orders, snapping my fingers, pretty sure my voice hit octaves only dogs could hear.

The thing is, keeping busy kept my brain from spinning itself into a mess.

By sundown, the place looked unreal, like someone set the palace on fire but in a good, magical way. Torches everywhere, music humming, crowds piling in with wolves wearing their best, and I mean, really showing off. Noise and laughter filled the place.

I stationed myself near the dais, scanning for any screw-ups or wrinkles, trying to be invisible and in control at the same time.

Then Dominic stood up.

He’s the vision Exof Alpha, towering, stoic, all dark eyes and silent commands. The room snaps to attention. Someone could drop a glass and you’d hear a pin instead.

Dominic lets his gaze wander, lands dead-on me. My chest burned.

“With pride,” he announced, voice booming, “I present to you Elora, your Luna.”

My lungs forgot how to work. Did he just...? I couldn’t move. He sounded so sure, so proud, like this had always been my place, like I wasn’t some afterthought.