Chapter 7

Luna's POV

“You look perfect, Luna,” one of the maids said, bringing me out of my thoughts. I didn't see the need for the celebration, but it was right. Alara was slightly happy inside me. I could feel her excitement all over me.

I plastered a small smile as I looked at the maid. “Thank you,” I whispered, taking in the sight of myself in the mirror.

All day, they had been fussing around me with reckless abandon, trying to make me look the best. It was still weird seeing me in blonde hair that looked perfect on my new face.

As they finished with the touches, they slowly filed out of the room. I stood up, taking in the sight of myself. It was almost ethereal. My eyes were bright, and my white dress hung on to every curve like it was a second skin.

“My brother calls for you, Alara,” Velyana, Ryder's sister called out. She walked into the room, about to say something more, when she stopped in her tracks, with her jaw practically on the floor. “My brother would be head over hills. You keep giving him more reasons to fall in love with you all over again.”

I giggled, looking over her perfectly fit dark green dress. “You look gorgeous.”

“Not as gorgeous as you!” She whispered. “Anyway, everything is in place, and the party has begun.”

I nodded at her, glancing at myself in the mirror one more time before I followed her out.

I held on to the banister for support that I didn't know that I needed. I took careful steps, more than careful not to fall face flat. Alpha Ryder was at the bottom of the stairs, with his eyes fixed on me. It was almost like he couldn't breathe.

He slowly extended his hand for me to take. The music seemed to drown out, and I placed my hands in his, almost withdrawing it immediately. His touch seemed to burn. He noticed it as well.

“You're beautiful,” he whispered, making my toes curl in my heels.

“You don't look bad yourself,” I said in a playful tone that made him give me a small smile since I got here.

He looked perfect in the charcoal coat that he wore. His hair was slightly ruffled like he ran his hands through it, but it added to the charm.

All eyes were on us, and he took me around, showing me off to the rest of the guests. I smiled, pretending to know all these people.

The only person that Alara had whispered her name was Thyri. That made me more than suspicious of her. I looked across the room, finding her. She was putting on the same dress as I was, but in black.

I looked over at Ryder, seeing if he noticed it. His eyes were on her, and his jaw seemed to tighten. It was almost like it was something that was normal, so I ignored it.

Ryder suddenly took my hand, leading me to the center of the hall. He clinked a wine glass with a fork, gaining the attention of every single person in the room. Even without saying a word, his dominance could be felt.

“I'm sure we all know why we're gathered here. From pack members, to neighboring Alphas from district packs. We're here to celebrate my wife, Alara who has gone missing for so long. We all lost hope that she was going to return. But here she it. Safe, and even prettier.” He looked down at me with love. A look that was more than new to me.

Applauses that went round was almost deafening. “Say something, Luna!” Someone screamed, and I smiled gracefully, as Ryder gave me a small nod.

“I'm more than glad to be back to my pack. To my people. I have no one to be thankful to, than the Moon Goddess. I can't exactly remember what happened, or how I got missing. But I'll be finding everything out again, in due course.”

“I really don't think it's necessary,” Thyri said loud enough to gain the attention of the whole room.

“What?” Whispers went around, but she had a sneer on her face. She already had the attention that she wanted. She slowly dropped her wine glass, walking over to the center of the room, where the spotlight was placed.

“I mean, the Luna is back home. Why don't we go on with our lives? Why don't we pretend that none of this happened, and focus on getting an heir for the pack. Don't you think it's about time?” She looked around the room, waiting for people to support her.

It started to feel like I was back beside Damon, and Thyri was my sister. My throat was slowly starting to close up, but I felt Ryder hold on to my hand even tighter.

“I don't remember hosting this party to celebrate your opinions, Thyri,” he said, with his voice booming across the room. Thyri lowered her gaze immediately, making me smirk. “If you aren't happy about her return, then you can go to the corner and sulk. We will be actively finding out the reason behind Alara going missing. I will be expecting the support of the pack.”

She slowly went to a corner, picking up another wine glass on the way.

“Enjoy the rest of the party,” Ryder said. Somewhere in my head, I could still feel the tension between us. I didn't know if he was pretending to not have a problem with me. He still had his suspicions on if I was his mate or not. I just wanted to be happy while it lasted.

His Beta hurried over to him, bowing slightly as he looked at me. “Just one Alpha hasn't come yet, Alpha,” he said, and Ryder cocked an eyebrow.

“Who is it?”

The beta leaned in, whispering his name. I couldn't help but frown. He suddenly turned around, smiling.

“Oh, he's here,” Ryder said, and I didn't like the feeling I was having.

“Mate!” Alara squealed, and I frowned.

What the hell?

I turned around, I felt my knees buckle. My former mate was standing right in front of me.