Chapter 6: Luna

I broke the eye contact, searching the crowd for my sister again, but she wasn't in sight. I grabbed the skirts of my dress and turned around, trying to get to the door. I needed to leave. I needed to leave fast. Everyone stared, making way for me to move.

Right before I got to the door, I felt sparks shoot up from my wrist, making my knees weak. No. He spun me around, bringing me flush against his chest. His arm snaked around my waist. I looked up at him, my cheeks flushed.

"Let go of me," my voice was breathy. He smiled. Not that sweet smile a wolf gives its mate but the one a lion gives its prey. It was predatory.

“Natalia," his voice was deep, smooth as slick. It went straight to my core. "Your chin has healed."

It clicked. He was the one from yesterday, the wolf in the woods watching me like a creep.

"You're the creep."

His arm tightened around my waist. He glared at me, and I didn't back down, though my pulse stuttered under the weight of his hazel eyes. The atmosphere was tense, everyone watching with bated breath. He took his eyes off me, glancing above my head. It made me remember where we were and the people watching. Alpha Black cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"It seems my son has found his mate," he wore a proud smile, his eyes landing on Cassian's arm around my waist. I tried to pull out of his hold, but he resisted. "Son, come on and announce your new Luna."

New Luna ? No.

“Behave," Cassian whispered in my ear before leading me to the centre, where his father stood. My heart raced, my wolf howling in joy. No. I didn’t want to be the Luna, I didn't want to be tied back to this pack, to him.

Cassian cleared his throat. I looked into the crowd, once again searching for my sister. This time, I found her. She had a big smile on her face, pride glistening in her eyes. What's there to be proud of ? Being mated to a delinquent bully ?

"You all know her, Natalia Crown. The daughter of the late Beta, Nico Crown." He spoke, his voice carrying authority. I felt a small pang at the mention of my father. I wish he were here; he'd stop this. I glanced at my mother. She looked proud. My heart tightened. My mother looked proud of me for the first time because I was mated to the alpha. The same man that bullied me. "The moon goddess has made her choice, and I will honour it."

I wanted to scoff. He turned to me then reached for my hand. I pulled back, but he grabbed it anyway, bringing it up to his lips. He planted a small kiss, maintaining eye contact. A show. I felt butterflies in my stomach, much to my dismay.

He faced the crowd once more, smiling coldly. He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke, “Smile."

It wasn't a request. I plastered on something close to a smile, though probably looked like a grimace. The crowd clapped politely, some individuals howling in approval. It all felt unreal, like I was watching my own nightmare.

Alpha Black stepped forward and raised his glass. "To Alpha Cassian and Luna Natalia. May their bond strengthen our pack and honour our past."

More claps, more smiles, more fakery.

Cassian turned to me again, his expression unreadable.

"You're shaking."

"I'm not," I lied.

"You always were a terrible liar," he murmured.

"I still hate you," I whispered back.

He smirked. "Good."

I could feel every eye in the room on us. Every whisper. Every fantasy forming in their heads about the reunion of Alpha and Beta bloodlines. About legacy. About power.

They didn't know the truth.

They didn't know I wanted to set this entire ballroom on fire, set him on fire.

"There's a lot we need to discuss," he said under his breath. "Don't make a scene."

I smiled sweetly and whispered back, " I’ll do what I like."

His grip tightened, challenging.

"Don't test me, Talia," he warned.

"Or ?"

Cassian's hazel eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous flashing across them. "Or I'll carry you out of this ballroom over my shoulder, Luna title or not," he said lowly, his voice smooth but coiled with threat. "And I won't care how many people are watching."

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I narrowed my eyes. "You wouldn't."

His lips curled. "Wouldn't I?"

For a split second, we just stood there, glaring at each other. I hated him. I hated this. But my traitorous wolf purred, basking in his presence.

"We'll talk later," he muttered before turning to address the crowd again, smiling like he hadn't just threatened to publicly manhandle me. I took a step back, watching him do his thing.

I came back here with the intention of attending the ball and leaving immediately now I stood at the centre as Luna, forever tied to the pack.

I hated him more.