Chapter 19

SIENNA

The mansion bustled with activity as I hustled to get everything in order. The maids cleaned the halls even harder than they usually did. They decorated as lavishly as they could. They cooked the best meals with the utmost effort. In a matter of hours, the mansion had been completely transformed.

Now, it truly looked and felt like a palace worthy of royalty.

One would assume we were getting ready for a ball or for some important event, but they'd be quite distant from the truth.

The reason was a lot more petty than that.

Athena was coming over.

I personally requested that she came over.

I needed to show her that I am a better Luna than she ever was in all aspects of the word.

I wanted to see the jealousy in her eyes. I wanted to see that expression of defeat in her eyes, and I was ready to work hard for it.

My assistant, Rachel, hurried over to my side as I yelled at a pair of sluggish maids.

"The Alpha has arrived," she informed me.

I grinned at that word and hurried to the door as I prepared to meet him.

Sebastian walked in with Nathan in tow as I approached the door and I beamed a smile at him.

"Welcome, darling."

He was looking around instead of looking at me.

On other days, that might have upset me, but today I was in a good mood and a bit proud of myself. If he wanted to admire my work then I would let him.

"What is going on, Sienna?"

I shrugged, feigning innocence.

"What do you mean?"

He pointed to a large portrait of us both that stood at the straircase leading to the ease upper floors.

It was the first thing that caught the eye the second anyone stepped in.

"I am pretty sure that wasn't there when I left the house this morning."

"And you would be right, sweetheart," I replied cheerily. "I saw that and wondered; why on earth haven't we had that up yet?! So, I put it up."

He gave me a frown before looking around at the rest of the house.

"Is there a reason for all of this?"

"Do you like it?" I beamed.

"I don't know if I do," he replied as he scanned the new interior design and decorations. I would have preferred it the way it was before. I don't like the fact that you did all of this without my knowledge."

"Oh, come on," I said dismissively as I wrapped an arm around his. "You would get used to it. Change is a good thing, you know."

He grumbled at that, but said nothing else.

"Now, go freshen up," I smiled. "We have a few guests coming over and we need to look presentable."

He gave me a questioning look.

"We have guests?"

"I'm sorry," I smiled. "I forgot to tell you because it was quite impromptu, but we do."

"I'll be too busy for that," he said dismissively. "I'll be in my office."

"You will not," I said firmly, maintaining my smile. "You will not embarrass me, Sebastian. I will welcome my guest with you. Please?"

He seemed reluctant for a few seconds but eventually gave in.

"I can only spare a few minutes," he sighed. "A few minutes of this and I will have to go do my work."

"Of course," I smiled.

I doubt he will be able to leave when he sees my guests so I wasn't bothered.

I followed him up the stairs to the room but as is usual for him lately, he doesn't let me enter.

"I'll be out in a few minutes," he said as he held the door just wide enough to inform me that I wasn't invited.

I was in too good a mood to be annoyed, so I gave me a sweet smile as I nodded.

At exactly ten minutes, my guests arrived.

Sebastian was also done freshening up as well.

Once Sebastian was downstairs, I wrapped my arm around his as we walked over to the door to welcome our guests.

I was dressed in a flowing red gown, hugging my upper body and falling like a curtain past my waist. I made sure it exposed a bit of cleavage, not enough to be inappropriate, but enough to be noticeable.

Once they got closer, I pushed into Sebastian who had gone rigid, making sure my breasts pressed against his arm.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Athena," I greeted. "Both me and my Sebastian are pleased to have you."

Athena was flanked by her guard and her assistant and for a second, just a second, I saw a bit of emotion on her face.

She immediately covered it with a professional smile but that brought me more satisfaction than any other times I had taunted her.

"Alpha Sebastian," she bowed respectfully, then turned to me. "Miss Sienna."

I frowned at that.

"I am not a miss, miss Athena," I laughed.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, feigning genuine apology. "I thought I was here to deliver the ring for your mating ceremony. I didn't think you were already mated."

I gritted my teeth at that but said nothing in response as I gripped Sebastian's arm tighter.

"Come on in, Miss Athena."

I felt a mild resistance from Sebastian to pull his arm away but I held on tighter and in his bid to avoid a scene, he eventually relaxed.

As she stepped into the house, I turned to see her face when she saw our portrait but to my disappointment, I must have missed it, because she was talking to her assistant in hushed tones.

"Forgive the unfamiliarity," I said as we strolled toward the living. "A few things have changed recently and quite a few renovations have been made."

"Oh, I don't mind," she said dismissively. "I've lost all of my memories of this place. I'd never have found it familiar anyways. There was nothing memorable here."

I felt Sebastian stiffen in my arm but I gently nudged him on.

This is gonna be so much fun.