Chapter 11 -Prepare for the banquet

Selene pov

“Luna, are you okay?” Maria asked, rushing in the moment Kael stepped out.

She froze when her eyes landed on me, noticing I was bare under the sheets. Her cheeks flushed deep red, and she immediately looked away, fidgeting with the hem of her apron.

I didn’t blame her. Walking into such a scene can be quite distressing.

“It’s fine,” I said softly, tugging the blanket higher. “You can look at me now.

She peeked up nervously, and I offered a small, tired smile. I could see the questions on her face, but to her credit, she kept them to herself.

“I’m sorry,” Maria said, flustered. “I didn’t think to help you out of your clothes. I just… I’ve never seen that kind of reaction before.”

I let out a soft sigh, leaning back against the pillows. “It’s fine, Maria. I was just feeling a bit sick, that’s all.”

She looked at me, unconvinced. Her brows were pinched, lips pressed together like she wanted to ask more but didn’t know how. I appreciated that she was trying to respect the line between us, but she wasn’t a fool.

“Really,” I added, giving her a small smile. “Don’t worry so much. I’m not dying…at least not today.”

She nodded slowly, still unsure but choosing to trust my words.

“I’m sorry about your friend, Luna,” Maria said softly, walking up to the bed. “I was going to bring it up when we left your old house… but then this happened.”

I looked up at her, trying not to let the ache in my chest deepen. “Oh… so you overheard the conversation this morning?”

She nodded slowly, guilt flashing across her face. “I didn’t mean to. But… it was hard not to.”

I looked away,my eyes fixed on the ceiling. “It’s fine. Everyone else seems to know about it but me, so why not you too.”

Maria sat down on the edge of the bed, hands folded on her lap. “For what it’s worth, I think what happened was unfair. You should’ve been told.”

I blinked fast to keep the tears in. “She was all I had for years. And now she’s gone…just like that.”

Maria reached out carefully, placing a hand over mine. “She’s not gone forever, Luna. Maybe… maybe there’s still a way to see her again.”

I wanted to believe that. I really did. But hope felt like a dangerous thing to carry.

So I just nodded.

And said nothing.

Maria hesitated before speaking again.

“Actually… every year, a banquet is held in honor of the Moon Goddess,” she said quietly. “It’s been a while since it was hosted here….almost five years now. Not since we last had a Luna.”

I turned to her slowly. “And now that I’m here… it’ll be held again?”

She nodded. “Tradition demands it. It’s a way for the pack to honor the goddess and recognize its Luna.”

I sat up straighter. My heart twisted at the thought. I wasn’t sure if it was dread or something deeper.

“So the entire pack will be there?”

“Yes,” she said. “And all the surrounding alphas and their courts are invited too. Including Moonshade Pack.”

My breath caught. “Then Sylvester will be there?”

Maria nodded again. “Likely. And maybe even Alpha Ryker… Keisha’s mate.”

That name dropped like a stone in my chest.

“So you mean I’ll be able to see Keisha again?” I asked, my voice barely holding back the sudden rush of hope.

Maria nodded. “Yes. Probably. But we need to plan fast… the banquet is in a month.”

A month. Thirty days.

I swallowed hard, my chest tight. After everything, after being traded like property, after losing her without a word there was finally a chance I could see Keisha again. I didn’t know what I’d say.

But I had to try.

“Do you know anything about how the banquet works?” Maria asked.

I blinked. “I’ve heard of it… but not the details.”

She nodded like she expected that. “It’s not just a celebration. It’s more of a political gathering. Every pack leader in the region is invited. There’s dancing, speeches… and the hosting Luna always gives the opening blessing.”

I stiffened. “Me?”

“Yes, Luna,” she said gently. “You’ll have to stand before them all to welcome them for gracing the occasion.

A lump formed in my throat.

She stepped closer. “This banquet is your chance. If you want the people to see you differently.

You have to appear strong. Speak well. Be the Luna they don’t expect.”

I nodded slowly. I didn’t know if I was ready, but I was tired of hiding behind Kael and doing nothing.

“Then help me prepare.”

Maria smiled. “We will start tomorrow.”

I didn’t even wait for dawn before I got out of bed. The thought of seeing Keisha again filled me with so much joy I couldn’t stay still.

The halls were quiet,every one was still in their quarters , but I knew where to find her. The maids were always required to be up earlier than the rest of the household.

I made my way to the servants’ quarters, the cold floor biting at my feet through my slippers. I didn’t even care.

I found her in the narrow hallway near the linen shelves,her hair pulled back in a rough bun as she folded clean towels into a basket.

“Maria,” I called out, just above a whisper.

She turned, startled, eyes widening as she took in the sight of me.

“Luna? Is something wrong?”

“No.” I shook my head, a smile creeping across my face.

“I want to start planning for the banquet. If there’s even the slightest chance she’ll be there, I’ll do anything.

Maria set the towels aside and came closer. “Then let’s begin, Luna.”

Walking to the guest room, we sat down opposite each other. She straightened her dress, cleared her throat and looked me in the eyes.

“First of all, Luna… we need to get you ladies-in-waiting.”

I blinked. “Ladies-in-waiting?”

She nodded, sitting up straighter. “Yes. Traditionally, every Luna has at least two…sometimes three…young she-wolves from noble families who assist her in court, with ceremonial duties, or even social matters.

They aren’t just servants…they’re your voice when you don’t want to speak, your shield when you need distance, and your witnesses when politics get messy.”

I leaned back, frowning a little. “So… what? They’re like loyal shadows?”

Maria smiled. “Exactly. But you choose them yourself. And their loyalty reflects your strength as Luna. If you want to take your place fully at the banquet, you’ll need to be seen with your own inner circle.”

I sighed. “And where do I even find people who would want to stand beside me?”

Maria looked at me seriously. “You won’t find them. You’ll make them.

“I make them?” I asked, raising a brow.

Maria nodded quickly. “Yes. You earn their loyalty. You don’t need them to like you….you need them to respect you. And once they do, they’ll defend you louder than any guard.”

I shifted slightly in my seat, thinking.

She reached into her apron and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “I already made a list,” she added, handing it to me.

“These are young women from influential families within the pack…they are smart enough not to be completely brainwashed by the nonsense going around about you.”

I unfolded the paper and scanned the names. I didn’t recognize any of them.

“We can invite them to the pack house tomorrow,” she continued.

I nodded slowly. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Maria’s eyes lit up. “You won’t regret this.”