Success

                Luna Ariel's POV still

When I wake up, I stretch my body to the max. That one hour of sleep was great. After my phone conversation with my mate, I jumped right into bed. But now it's time to get ready, I have an immense task to accomplish. I must succeed, the welfare of the Eclipse Howl depends on the outcome of today's calculations. First, I have to speak to the King and Queen, I have an appointment with them before the conference starts.

                I freshen up and get dressed. Again, I keep it all very formal. I look in the mirror and am pleased with the result. Then I grab my briefcase and leave the room. The Head Warrior is waiting for me and we walk down to the main floor.

A lackey of the Kingdom approaches me.

"Luna Ariel? The King and Queen are waiting for you. Please follow me." The man opens a door and I see the royal couple sitting at a desk. Queen Rain comes up to us. "Luna, how happy I am to finally meet you. Alpha Gorgio spoke so proudly of you, he said you can explain the entire investment plan to us".

"My Queen, it is my honor to present all this to you and the King. When I have finished, I hope to convince you that the plan is mutually beneficial," I reply, squeezing her small hand. Then I turn to King Jasper and squeeze his hand as well.

"Luna Rain," the King sounds stern. "Let us begin at once. The meeting is about to begin and we don't want to be late." I can hear in his undertone that he is skeptical about what I am going to tell them. He is probably used to people imposing all sorts of proposals on him with little chance of success. But with me, he is in for a surprise.

                A little later, I looked back confidently at the couple. They are clearly impressed; the Queen's mouth is open in surprise. Not only have I explained the whole plan in detail and calculated the figures accurately, but I have also answered their questions flawlessly. The benefits to both the Kingdom and Eclipse Howl were clearly laid out.

"Amazing," the King complimented me. "That was definitely professional."

"My king, you must also give credit to my mate and the experts of the pack. They prepared all this. I only stepped in at the last minute when it turned out that Gorgio could not make it to the conference," I inform them.

                "That may be true, but you have completely convinced us with your presentation," King Jasper says in awe. "The documents will be signed and delivered to your pride next week. We agree with this concept." I can hardly hide my joy, success is so sweet.

"Thank you, my King and Queen. At the meeting, I will propose a project to the Alphas to build an integral business center to connect the packs. I hope to get their full cooperation," I state, paving the way for my next challenge. To my delight, they nod.

                "We will consider it. And if it works out for the packs as well, I will use my personal power of persuasion to make it happen," King promises. "Come, we go to the main hall together. Your father, Alpha King Petric, presides over the meeting." I wait for them to get up and stroll behind them.

As we walk toward the hall, the Queen slows her pace, allowing me to walk beside her. We arrived at the main hall, where the meeting had not yet begun. Some Alphas were standing in small groups talking and when the Royal couple approached, everyone bowed slightly.

                All eyes are now on me, and I know many are wondering what position I hold. I keep a polite but aloof expression on my face and as the protocol team leads the Royal couple to their seats, I deliberately stay behind.

                "Luna, that was indeed impressive work you have done. The Alpha will be so proud when he sees the shots I sent for him," the Head Warrior whispers to me. Ooh Goddess, one more hurdle with the Alphas and I can run to my room to tell my mate myself how this all went.

                A lady from the protocol team comes out and invites us all to enter the room as the conference is about to begin. The room slowly fills up, Head Warrior Alvin and I being among the last to enter. And then a breathtaking scent hits my nose, my eyes widening in horror.

I first caught a whiff of it months ago, when Gorgio visited my father, the Alpha King of the region, to discuss a peace treaty. It was the day we discovered that we were destined to be mates, and we have been inseparable ever since. I am now mated and marked, we have completed the mating process.

This cannot be true, I must be mistaken.

Shocked, I turn to the Chief Warrior, perhaps he has the answer to this.

"Alvin, do you smell that? Or is it just me?" I whisper worriedly. With a twitch, he turns to me and watches me closely.

"Are you all right, Luna? Want me to get you some water? You must be thirsty by now." I shake my head frantically. But this time I keep quiet. I don't want him to get suspicious.

I bow my head and take another sniff. And there it is again. The scent of a mate. Has Gorgio come here after all? My eyes scan the room, from the back, then to the stage.

And then our eyes collide, two gorgeous blue gazers almost knock me off my feet.

My heart thunders in my ribs as blood pounds in my ears. A wave of primal need surges through me. I can’t believe this is happening to me.

‘MATE. MINE!’ I hear Era roar in my head, trying to shift. I force her back.

'We already have a mate, Era. This is not possible. You are mistaken.'

'Ariel, MATE! I want to go to my mate, he's calling for us'.

'No! Gorgio is our mate. I don't want anyone else, and I promised him I would always be loyal to him.'

I tear my eyes away from the blue heavens and look at Alvin, who is still waiting for an answer.

"Yes, get the water while I go out on the balcony to catch my breath. I'll be right back."

Alvin and I each take our own direction..