Chapter 10

“Your hair has a lovely texture.” Clara compliments running a brush through my curls.

I smile at her in return, staying still on my seat in front of the mirror to allow her work uninterrupted.

A day of pacing aimlessly through the gardens, eating and doing nothing but bore around in my room went by.

And when night came, I had prayed to everything in me that they would be a change of plans by morning.

If only wishes were horses…

When Clara came in to wake me up so we could start up on getting me all primed and ready, I was already long awake.

Sleep was now becoming an illusion that continued to evade me every night.

I was going to have to pay a visit to the library and borrow a book or two.

Reading through the night would be better than staring up at the ceiling until the sun came peeking.

“How long have you served the pack?” I ask, and can feel her hesitation to answer, her movement halting.

Maybe it was too soon to ask such questions, or I was starting to get ahead of myself with the friendship thing after learning that she had been officially assigned to be my personal maid.

“10 years… I've served since I was 16" comes her answer before I can take back my statement.

“I'm honored to have met you then…I don't see you as just a maid, Clara, you're more like my only friend here. The first genuine interaction I've had since my arrival.” I tell her sincerely, and although she doesn't say anything else, I can tell my words have a positive impact.

She tries to stifle a smile, but it breaks free, lighting up her face for a second.

Every smile was another brick taken down from the wall.

By the time she and two other assisting maids are done pampering and dolling me up, I barely recognize myself in the mirror.

They soon excuse themselves, leaving me with the message of Dan coming to escort me to the ballroom.

As I wait for the guard to come, I take my time in front of the glass, a smile breaking across my face.

My mass of brown curls was let down, cascading in beautiful waves down my back, my makeup kept at a minimal but just enough to make my emerald orbs stand out, complimenting the color of my princess - like ball gown.

It felt like I had just stepped out of a fairy tale!

At that moment, I pushed aside thoughts of my last conversation with my father and how we had lashed out on each other, the worries of everything going on and all that bugged me and just focused at the moment.

Dan's presence is right on time, and we're off to the ball just at the other end of the opposite wing.

I manage to get the quiet guard talking a bit, and he confirms that Ethan had assigned him to be my personal guard, which explains why he was always the one accompanying me on walks and all.

A personal maid and a guard?

Perks of being the Luna-to-be, I guess.

The hustle and bustle is evident, maids, omegas, cooks, guards, and pack members running about as they worked hard to ensure everything turned out perfect.

They were doing a notable job, if I did say so myself! For as the minute, Dan guides me through the crowd, and gets us into the hall, my mouth is left gaping in awe.

I sight Aurora at the other side, barking out orders to some poor maid who looked like she was about to burst into tears and I shivered slightly, tearing my eyes away before she saw me.

The Open rooftop century old four - cornered building stood tall and immaculate, lights dangling from every angle, complimenting the natural glow the moonlight above provided.

From the set-up tables to the decor, everything was right on point.

It was something that could make any girl's dream come true… If the case didn't involve a marriage of convenience.

I notice the other pack leaders and members being welcomed in and ushered to seats and I try to look around for my dad.

Silver moon was an ally of Raven wood so he had ought to be invited.

Where was he, though?

Was he late? Or had he simply chosen not to come?

The thought stung more than I'd admit.

But most importantly, where was my supposed husband to be? Or was he planning to leave me by myself with my guard on the day we announced our play?

Soft, slow music comes on as people begin to mingle, but I almost want the floor to swallow me as my nerves get wrecked at the thought of having to interact.

What if I said something wrong?

Did something that gave me out?

I can't help but feel the lingering heat of someone's stare on me, my gut heavy on the thought that someone was watching me too closely.

But even as I continued to look around as calculating as I could, it was almost impossible to pinpoint where the stare seemed to be coming from.

Right on cue, before I can worry further, I see Ethan approaching me.

Curious eyes following his every move as he stops in front of me and takes my hands in his.

His eyes find mine, and I get to see his eyes void of coldness for the first time.

They weren't necessary carrying any expression, but they felt warm and I almost forget all we were doing now was to play as he pulls my hand up to his lips.

I hate how that single look softens something in me, this is all for show! I try to remind myself…why does it feel real, though?

He places a warm kiss on both of my wrists before slipping a hand across my waist, pulling me into his side.

Thankfully, I was mostly just an accessory, all I had to do was sit still and look pretty while he did most of the hard work.

I doubted I'd be able to make coherent statements if I had to speak up.

Motioning for me to follow him, he leads us over to the wooden makeshift stage at the center of the hall, commanding everyone's attention with just his movement.

Clearing his throat, his arm never leaving my waist, he faces the guests in attendance.

“Thank you all for honoring our invitation and being a part of tonight. First, I want to confirm that yes, the rumors are true.” He jokes and chuckles ring out around us.

I'm too busy ogling at him though wondering if it were the same man who had threatened to have me chained up in my room.

“I am indeed planning to get married to Lyra Baron, daughter of Alpha Damien of silver moon pack. She will rule by my side as my Luna!” He announces, cheers erupting around us.

No one outside silver moon pack knew I was human, my father had protected the secret well.

“So tonight, join us to celebrate, the moon and the stars bearing witness to this union. Raise your glasses in toast to the newest addition to the Raven wood pack and my wife-to-be!” He shouts once more, lifting our hands in the air as hurrahs bounce around, wine glasses clinking.

If Aurora's eyes were lasers, I'd be dead already from how heatedly she was staring at me.

My attention is pulled away from her terrifying gaze when a guard rushes over to us, interrupting the moment just before Ethan is about to hug me, according to the pack proceedings.

The young man looks stressed out and completely panicked to doing this, but the look on his face tells me it's not something he could escape.

I don't know why, but dread sets in me even before Ethan motions him closer, just enough for only the both of us to hear his message.

“I'm sorry Alpha, it's the Luna's father… Alpha Damien just collapsed.” It takes those eleven words for my world to come crashing.

My legs threatening to give out as the air thins around me.

No–no–no!

It couldn't be happening…my dad? Collapsed?

Not when our last conversation hadn't been the best.

He was all I had in this world, the first man to love me, even more than himself.

I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to him.