Becoming a Luna

He hung his head low in disappointment.

I clicked my tongue in irritation and disappeared down the hallway quickly.

I was on a mission and I wasn't going to let Nigel or anyone else for that matter, come in my way.

The day before, I visited Isabella in her room for the first time and we spoke at length. I told her I didn't think Alpha Romano would ever truly accept me as his mate and that I was fine with that. I never wanted to be mates with him anyway.

"He's difficult to please, but I assure you, he'll warm up with time," she said.

I shook my head. "He's a monster, Isabella, I don't want that," I said softly.

The issue wasn't Alpha Romano not accepting me as his mate. The issue was who he was, there was no changing that.

She looked like she was about to argue, but she decided against it and nodded. "You may never truly have him fully as your mate, but there's something else you have," she said.

I perked up from the armchair. "What's that?'

"Your title as Luna."

I rolled my eyes, slumping back in the chair. "What good has that done for me?"

"You can leverage it," she said with a cunning smile.

Step One: dress like a Luna, Talk like a Luna, Walk like a Luna.

Yeah, you got that right. 

Isabella was teaching me to be a Luna. We spent the rest of that day combing through my closet and picking out sets of clothes together.

Most of the clothes there were not exactly casual wear. They were, in fact, clothes fit for a Luna. It turns out, I had just been subconsciously picking out the casual ones from the numerous clothes.

On that day, I had worn a champagne coloured skirt that hugged my curves in the right places, then flowed down my feet, paired with a brown shirt that I felt was a bit too extra.

I thought I looked ridiculous dressing that way inside the mansion. A part of me wondered what Alpha Romano would think if he saw me, but I quickly brushed away the thought.

"Oh my goodness," I heard Isabella squeal as she ran in my direction. "You look absolutely gorgeous, Luna," she gushed.

"My cousin wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off you if he saw you," she said with a giggle.

I quickly glanced behind me at my guard, but his gaze remained straight ahead. I glared at her, although my heart did a small somersault. She waved me off.

Step Two: Meet the women in the Pack.

Isabella's idea was for me to mingle with the pack women and make them like me. According to her, the pack women liked to side with whoever had the most authority, and some of them were bummed that the Luna hadn't shown up for any social gathering yet.

Luckily, there was a small outdoor party and Sofia had a plus one invite. It was the perfect opportunity to mingle.

The house was just by the left side of the mansion. As we approached the music and the cheers, I was thrown back to that night of my birthday celebration, and I shivered. It now seemed like it had happened a long time ago.

"Marta," Isabella suddenly said as we approached the venue.

"Huh?"

"Marta...the celebrant's name is Marta. She's Silas' mate's sister," she explained.

Wait. Silas? 

I was about to scold her for not telling me, but I realised people in the gathering had started to notice us.

I saw some people whispering amongst themselves, undoubtedly looking in my direction, and I straightened up. 

Walk like a Luna.

A young woman who looked a few years older than me walked up to us. "Luna Selene," she greeted with a bow.

"Happy birthday," Isabella said, giving her a side hug and air kisses.

"Happy birthday, Marta," I greeted with a smile. "Isabella invited me as her plus one. I hope my coming isn't any trouble."

"Thank you so much, Luna. And no, certainly not. I'm delighted to see you, in fact. Please..." she gestured towards the rest of the party, who had quieted down.

They all bowed their head in unison when we stood before them. I would have been taken aback completely if Sofia hadn't warned me.

"Hello everyone," I said with a smile I hoped was charming, and a small wave. They returned with half-hearted smiles of their own before going back to their chatter.

I felt confident.

Marta and I made small talk, but she was soon pulled away by another guest who was making enquiries.

Isabella was chatting with some women, so I used the moment to take a look around. Werewolves loved to drink. Their alcohol tolerance was extremely high, and judging by the drinks I saw, this party was a clear indicator.

I saw mocktails at the end of the table, so I made my way there.

"Fancy seeing you here," a familiar voice said, and my head shot up.

The thirst suddenly disappeared from my throat, and a thin line stretched across my lips.

"Alpha," I said.

I noticed the way his eyes raked across my body and my knees threatened to give out, a traitorous pull from the bond I despised. My pulse raced. 

Why was I feeling this way? That man was a killer. A destructive, cruel, and heartless monster.

I hadn't seen him since he made me watch Mr. Perri die. I avoided him like the plague he was, yet there he stood, in front of me.

I should have expected he was going to be here since Isabella said the celebrant was related to Silas in some way, but I barely had the time to think it over.

I said a silent prayer that I wouldn't cross paths with him that night. It had been difficult trying to erase the memory of him in my head, I didn't want to go back to square one.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, a statement, not a question, but I answered anyway.