Chapter 44
Chapter 44
The sky outside my window is already cloaked in inky darkness, scattered with the soft glow of stars. The air buzzes with anticipation–tonight is the introduction party, and somehow, I’m the center of it.
I smooth my palms down the sides of my dress again, nerves pricking at my skin. The deep blue fabric hugs my figure in all the right places, flowing like liquid silk around my legs. It pairs perfectly with the sapphire necklace resting just above my collarbone, catching the light with every breath I take.
It feels like a part of me now, as if it was always meant to be there.
I glance at my reflection one last time, hardly recognizing the woman staring back. Jasmine didn’t return to help, which worries me more than I’d like to admit–but thankfully, she left a box of makeup. I managed to apply enough to enhance my features, and for once, I feel… beautiful.
A loud horn blares outside, making me jump. My heart stutters as I rush to the window and peck out.
Jack.
He’s standing beside a sleek black carriage, dressed in a navy–blue suit that hugs his broad shoulders and fits him like sin. His dark hair is slicked back neatty, his jaw sharp and clean. Two guards flank the carriage, but all I can focus on is him—and the ridiculously romantic bouquet of roses in his hand.
He’s looking straight at my window.
I bolt out of the room before my thoughts can catch up with me and fling open the front door–just as he reaches it. He drops to one knee without hesitation, eyes sparkling.
“Flowers,” he says, his voice rich and low, “to complement your beauty.”
Iarch a brow, trying to act unimpressed. “Really? This from the big, bad Alpha who wants a submissive mate? You kneel now?”
He grins, completely unfazed. “What can I say? You bring out the worst… and the best in me.”
Inside, I’m screaming. But I play it cool.
“Thanks. You don’t look bad yourself.”
Jack rises and offers his arm. “I tried to match your beauty. I failed–but I tried.”
“I never knew you had a romantic bone in you,” I murmur as he leads me to the carriage.
“Me neither,” he chuckles, opening the door for me with an exaggerated chivalry “But here we are.”
Inside the carriage, it’s quiet but not uncomfortable. Jack reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine. I glance at him, and for the first time, he looks… nervous?
“We could’ve walked,” I tease, resting my head gently against his shoulder.
“In a dress like that?” he scoffs softly. “You’re supposed to be treated like a queen.”
I roll my eyes, but a small smile tugs at my lips. The moment feels easy–like we’re just two normal mates, no games, no politics.
When the carriage comes to a stop, Jack helps me down. My heels sink slightly into the grass as I take in the scene before me–an outdoor celebration lit
by lanterns strung between trees.Music plays softly, laughter ripples through the air, all beneath the glow of the moon.
But the second Jack leads me forward, the laughter dies. The music fades. Heads turn. Whispers begin to rise like smoke in the night.
And suddenly, I feel like I’m wearing nothing at all.
I tighten my grip on Jack’s arm and he responds with a reassuring squeeze.
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The lont be twat net as princess, commons whispers
chic there tike a queen”
“, a fist nyklace is he? parkling the it’s alive?
Wow not royalty?“
My shaften, but i feres myself to keep my chin high, even as my thoughts spiral. I hate this–being at the centre of attention. But what can I says. aded for this.
Jack stops at the centre, straightens his posture, and lets go of my hand just long enough to raise his voice–commanding, clear, and unapologetically abiha
“Tonight” Jack announces, “I’m not just introducing any woman. I’m introducing the one chosen for me by the Moon Goddess herself–my mate. My dearest My son to be Luna
Gasps ripple through the crowd like a wave disturbing still water. There’s a pause–just a heartbeat–of stunned silence.
Then-
“Soon to be?” a voice jeers from somewhere deep in the crowd. Male. Rough. Loud enough for all to hear “if she’s your mate, Alpha, this shouldn’t be some weak introduction party–it should be a full ceremony! And unless my eyes deceive me, she doesn’t even bear your mark. When does she start acting like a Luna? When does she start bearing your pups?”
Did he just–7
My cheeks Rame in humiliation. Beside me, Jack’s body stiffens. For a second, I think he’s going to explode. But instead, he slowly turns his head, scanning the crowd with a glare sharp enough to slice through bone.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” he begins, each word sharper than the last, “or that I owe you an explanation. But I’ll say this once, for all of you- what happens between me and my mate is private. You want to know why this isn’t a ceremony?”
He pauses, his tone now biting. “Because all of you demanded I introduce another woman to you–Lady Celestia–even though you knew I had already found my true mate.”
Uneasy murmurs rise again–this time, it’s heavy with guilt.
Jack turns to me and takes both of my hands in his, gently this time. My heart flutters as his thumb brushes over my knuckles.
“This is only an introduction,” he continues, looking back at the crowd. “To make it crystal clear. Lady Celestia or anyone else will never be Luna of this pack. The woman standing beside me will assume her role when she is ready. And when that time comes, she will stand by my side not just as my mate, but as your rightful Luna.”
I blink rapidly, caught off guard. His words take me by surprise. He’s been kind and sweet all evening–romantic even–not the arrogant Alpha I was used
- 10.
And I feel myself slowly, helplessly, beginning to fall.
I offer him a small smile–just for him. This moment feels perfect. Almost like a dream.
Jack’s lips curve into a confident smile. “So tonight,” he announces, “we celebrate. We drink. We dance. And when the full moon rises, we run in our wolf forms. My mate and I will lead tonight’s run, as it should be.”
Cheers erupt from the crowd, loud and wild.
But me?
My body turns to ice.
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雪印膏
The area for forts, sagliter, my babi stigle from his without meaning to the brach d’tered Asting Mons in fo Tin the past part
The sucks his time furrowing “Are you alright?
1 te quiety wish..
Troo`re just nervous, he says, smiling gritty as be brishes a strand of his behind my ear. Once the moonlight touches your fur, you’ll feel better. You’ll
De dei really have to run? I’m not I mean, I’m not Luna yet…”
“You’ve my mate,” he cuts in, pride swelling in his voice. “That’s more than enough. And yes, you have to be there. They need to see you know you’re capable Show them you can lead
try to breathe. Try to pretend I’m calm
But inside?
I’m spiraling
My wall isn’t like a normal she wolf. If they see her… they’ll call me a freak–or worse, a threat.
hopen my mouth, ready to say something–maybe lie, say I’m wolf–less, let them pity me instead of fear me but before I can speak, a warrior appears beside Jack, murmuring something about the preparations for the run.
“I’ll be right back,” Jack says, winking as he gives my hand a gentle squeeze before heading toward the treeline.
As soon as he’s gone, I exhale sharply, my shoulders sagging, Fuck, what do I do?
“Luna?” a familiar voice breaks through my panic.
I look up to see Fury stepping beside me, concern in his eyes.
i force a smile. “Yeah… I’m fine. Just… a lot of eyes on me tonight.”
He nods slowly
“Did you…um… did you deliver those letters for me?” I ask quickly, hoping to change the subject before he pushes further.
“I did,” he replies. “I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything.”
nod, grateful. “Thank you.”
He’s about to speak again when a hush suddenly falls over the crowd. Whispers roll through the air like fog
is that Lady Celestia?”
She’s back?”
…Why would she come now?”
“Maybe for revenge”
The crowd begins to part, slowly, as if something dangerous is walking through it.
Then I see her.
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Chapter 44
Lady Celestia
She’s walking tall, Ax cuded into a knowing smirk, flanked by several royal guards. But it’s not her presence that makes my skin crawl.
203 the man beside her an older man, hunched slightly, walking with a dark wooden cane. His eyes… gods, his eyes–black and soulless—lock onto mine, and 1 koel a chill race down my spine like ice water.
Something about him feels… wrong
Just then, beside me, 1 bear a low, stunned voice.
Iturri sharply
Fury
He’s staring straight at Lady Celestia, his expression frozen, unreadable. The word lingers in the air like a curse.
People Gasps Eyes widen. Murmurs rise.
Everyone begins to glance between Fury and Lady Celestia.
Even she seems caught off–guard for a heartbeat–but then a wicked smile curves on her lips.
“Well,” she says, her voice smooth and dangerous. “Isn’t this… unexpected.”
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