The Luna's Walk of Shame

Astrid

My heels clicked on the marble floor as I bounced from one foot to the other.

I should be able to wait given that a signal would be sent out at their arrival, but anticipation burnt within me. It was like I wanted to be the first to set eyes on them, on him.

I have loved him from the first time we met. His deep, sleepy brown eyes had captured my heart and held it in a stronghold. Aside from that, the softness that dripped from his voice when he spoke, the way he handled matters melted my heart. And this was just a few hours after we met four years ago.

We had been together for two and a half years before he went down to Raven Pack for a two year project.

Today was the day he would be back to the pack and back to me.

It has always been like this with Jarvis. He always had that effect on me.

I loved him with everything in me. He was the only man I had promised to do anything for.

We weren't fated mates,a reason I had been worried about, but he had assured me that nothing would change between us. His parents weren't fated mates yet; they had fallen in love with each other and had him.

He had told me that we could have just that. I believed him because over the years he hadn't given me any reason to doubt him. Even when he was away, we communicated through mind-link, a way of keeping our bond strong.

He kept me updated on everything that was happening in Raven Pack.

Deciding to distract myself a bit, my gaze swept over the entire pack. The new buildings and water sources that I was able to bring to the pack made my cheeks burn with happiness.

Jarvis would be so proud of me for this.

I straightened my gown and stepped away from the balcony.

I checked the time on my phone screen.

My heart leaped. Just five more minutes, and he would be here.

The man who had all of me in him will be here in just five minutes.

I held my flowing gown in my hands and trudged down the stairs to tell the others to get ready.

Just then, the Alarum went off in the distance with a blaring noise that rang in my ears and possibly the ears of other pack members.

The pack had two bells: the Alarum and the Clarion. The Alarum was for the announcement of the arrival of important guests, while the Clarion was for emergency situations like invaders, rogues, pack attacks, and theft—basically anything that was not in favor of the pack.

My hands shook around my gown and I quickly let it go.

“It’s time, Luna Astrid. Alpha Jarvis is here.” A small, sharp voice called to me from the crowd of people running around.

I spun to see Amira running towards me, a deep smile on her face.

She was a girl I had taken from the pack to live with me after I found out the thirteen-year-old had been staying on her own after her mother went to sleep and didn’t wake up the next day.

She was a smart and lovely girl. She had the ability to brighten one's day with just her smile.

Her doe eyes had captivated me the moment I came across her. It was at the moment I knew that I had a thing for beautiful eyes. Well, not any kind.

Yet, I couldn't stop the unsettling feeling in my heart, which said that Jarvis wouldn't welcome her.

He didn't like kids. He wanted a life with just the two of us.

I wanted kids, but I had given up on that after his request.

Hopefully, he had let Amira stay with us.

She wasn't ours, but we could take care of her. Family didn't have to be your blood.

“Ofcourse, sweetheart. Let's go.” I brushed a few strands of her brown hair and took her hand in mine.

The girl had the same dress as me: a strapless silver gown. It held her from the chest down to the waist, which then continued in a fishtail style down to her feet, with green flower petals around the hem that was mostly dragged on the floor.

“Luna Meva and Alpha Tallan and the elders are already in line, waiting for you to come and lead.”

Amira pointed at the line of people between the canopies that had been mounted.

It was a tradition. On every occasion just like this one, the alpha house had to be in front, the elders behind, and the rest of the pack followed behind them.

“Let’s join them.” We strode along the line, waving at the people.

When in front, I smiled at his parents, who looked radiant as always.

“Finally.” His mother breathed next to me. I nodded as we marched forward.

Cars honked from a distance, sending my heart racing more than ever.

I felt like a fangirl meeting their celebrity crush for the first time, and of course, Jarvis would always be my celebrity crush.

We stood at the pack entrance, with pack members on either side of the road.

I was so nervous that I didn't realize how badly I was squeezing Amira’s hand in mine until she frowned up at me with a little pout.

“You’re hurting me, Luna.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She eased the hold on her hand without letting go.

Two black giant wolves approached in front, their riders blaring elephant trunks in the air. The pack members chanted along the melodies

Two black SUVs drove past the wolves, and the flag of the Emberclaw pack, which was golden and black color, was stuck to the windshield of each car.

My eyes peered at the cars, but I couldn't get a view of which one Jarvis was in because the glass windows were tinted black.

The last car, which was a white Mercedes, drove past us.

‘Jarvis,’ tears burned at the corners of my eyes as I whispered.

His eyes met mine, but there wasn't any time for a response as the car sped up to the other cars.

I let go of Amira’s hand and followed behind the car.

Jarvis! He was here, finally here after two years.

The other passengers had exited the first car most of whom were strange faces. Still, my focus wasn't on them but on the car that had the man I had been waiting for.

I stood with my hands to my face and tears streaming down my cheek and the driver moved to the side of his car and opened it up. He stepped aside still holding the door.

Jarvis emerged. A black suit clung to his tall frame.

He had always been tall but he seemed to have added a few inches.

His sleek, jet-black hair was gelled back, highlighting his facial features. There was a slight stubble on his upper and lower lip.

I tried to wave to get his attention, but his gaze went down to the passenger door.

Straightening his coat, he grasped the passenger door handle.

My brows furrowed. What was going on with him? He didn't acknowledge me.

When he opened the door, my attention was drawn to a pair of dazzling red heels that touched the floor. Then a woman exited the vehicle. Jarvis held out his hand, and she placed hers in his.

My jaw dropped.

I held unto my clothes as I watched the action like it was a movie.

He helped her out of the car. Her light blue gown trailed on the floor as she straightened up.

My eyes moved to her face. I didn't recognize her. She pushed her golden hair to the back and stepped in front.

When she did, she waved at the pack with a bright smile on her face—a smile that she aimed my way. When our eyes met, she lost her smile.

What was going on?

Who was she?