Chapter 5

Celine 

There was a suffocating silence with every eyes acting like a torch light on me.

Moreover, the full moon pack's elite acted as though I wasn't with a head.

Trent's face explained that look that says I was a ghost.

“Ce-ce-celine?” he stuttered again, this time his chocolate eyes were mystified and forlorn.

I smiled but it was a fake one while I pushed my head up.

“Miss Astra Blackwood,” I corrected in a harsh tone.

“CEO of Glazier Enterprises. Heiress of Glazier Moon. And as I said, your future business partner.”

Jerome went rigid beside him and that murderer intent fell off him.

Trent surveyed Jerome, then at me as though he couldn't phantom for anything yet.

But Arianna burst into laughter like she wasn't shocked or unfazed by my appearance.

However, I sensed the panic in her eyes.

“Oh my goddess,” she gasped, pressing a hand to her chest. “Celine? Our little orphan Celine?”

And just like the elites who were once confused begs murmur.

"Orphan?"

"The one Trent abandoned?"

"Was she the one who disappeared"

I brushed off their comments as though they were dust to be gotten rid of.

“Beta Arianna,” I said. “It’s been a while. I see you’re still speaking for an Alpha who has a mouth of his own.”

Her smile reduced and was angry.

Trent slammed both palms on the long table.

“You left.” He reminded, suddenly playing victim.

“You left a note and disappeared for three months.

Do you know what that did to—”

“I’m not here for apologies, Alpha Trent,” I made him shut up. “I’m here for business.”

I turned to Jerome who brought out a file, handed it to me and I dumped it across the table fearless.

“Half your real estate company, co-ownership. In exchange for Glazier’s investment to pull Full Moon out of this recession you’re in.”

Trent's eyes never met the papers but they were stuck on me, at my hair, my face and then my neck which had that pendant hidden under my blazer.

“You’re using a different name,” he accused. “Astra.”

“Names change when people do.” I relaxed my back.

“Sign it, or don’t. But don’t pretend you have leverage here. The Supreme Pack invited Astra to host the Alpha Summit, not you.”

Jerome picked up the contract and scanned it. He hadn't gone through it yet and just held it for me.

“Terms are generous, more than generous.” He looked at Trent. “Almost like we’re doing you a favor.”

Trent overlooked him and then heaved a deep sigh.

“Celine—”  

“Astra.” I snapped, furious by the fact that he still doesn't call me the name I want.

There was just this feeling that Arianna saw this as her opportunity to chip in.

“Alpha Trent, I think we all deserve an explanation.” She glance at me with hate all over her face. “Is it true? That you’re not even pack born? That you’re just some stray Jerome picked up? How do we know this ‘Astra’ isn’t a fraud trying to steal Full Moon’s assets?”

I bite my lower lip and smirked. That was her plan, to expose me and then call me a fraud.

Jerome stood up fast, punched a fist on the desk "Watch your mouth, Beta.”

“Or what?” Arianna sneered. “You’ll hit me? In Full Moon territory? In front of witnesses?”

Trent still focused on me, like he was contemplating rather than placing Arianna on a leech.

"That's enough of the trash talk" Arianna bite her lips and I crossed my arms. I didn't even have to fight or defend myself, because someone else was doing that on my behalf.

He threw his angry gaze at Arianna "She's not a fraud" and back at me, his eyes accessed me. "She's whatever name she chooses"

Did he just defend me? No. Maybe he had reconsidered what profits him and yet I felt my heart sink.

Trent glanced at the contract, don't get me wrong when I say he never read it but just picked up the pen which was present at the time of the meet.

Hastily he signed it.

“There,” he said, shoving it back. “You own half now, happy?”

I should've been happy because this was the plan.

However, his eyes weren't angry but broken.

“I’m not here to make you happy, Trent,” I muttered drinking the tight air “I’m here for business, nothing else”

His face turned white and he portrayed a dead soul still struggling to breathe.

Jerome bugged my shoulder, he was excited and didn't hide it.

I pulled the signed file closer to me. The elites were just spectators and Arianna looked as if she'd burn me if she could.

She had even tried to say something but the doors broke open not giving room to anyone to air their opinion.

Devon, his informer or more like his PR rushed in scared.

“Alpha, there’s a problem. Rogues were spotted near the east border.”

Trent gnashed his teeth and again, murmurs erupted. "Did they give reasons why the attack?"

He shook his head barely looking at Trent while I have placed the file back in my bag.

"Is this the pack you want to have business with? Barely an hour, it's already under attack" the first elite barked, standing up.

"Doing business with me wouldn't be that bad" the second added saying his mind.

Trent grunts, letting out a roar and everyone maintained themselves.

"She chose me for a reason and no one should meddle! I will take a look at it" he muffled, rising and trodding to the door.

But he whipped his head slowly towards my direction. “You shouldn’t be here, Celine. It’s not safe.”

“Astra,” Jerome corrected, standing too. “And we can handle ourselves.”

Tent twisted his lips, eyed Jerome and I could clearly sense that jealousy, rage and hurt combined on his face. 

Arianna staggered along but when she got to where I sat, she went low and mocked.

“You think hiding behind a new name and a contract makes you safe?” she whispered. “I know who you are. And I’m going to make sure everyone else does too.”

"And after all these talk, you're just but an assistant, not the Luna you craved for." I challenged, getting under.

It must have hurt her as she just walked out.

I exhaled disturbed. Jerome squeezed my shoulder.  

“You did good, little wolf.”  

“Did I?” I whispered. “Because he looked at me like I killed him.”

“Let him have a taste of his medicine, he deserves to.”

He signed half of his empire to my name and somehow, I wondered who I was punishing more.

Him or me.