Fern's Perspective
It had been a few days since I was brought to the Luna Suite.
The moment I finally realized that Giovanni had instructed me to stay in this room, I was taken aback by its beauty and by the fact that he had requested my presence here.
The truth was, I hadn't seen Giovanni for a long time since that day.
It seemed I had been forgotten by him. However, in the back of my mind, I had the vague feeling that Giovanni was deliberately avoiding me.
A curious part of me longed to see him again, but I was also terrified. I shook my head, trying to push thoughts of him away.
I should be relieved not to have to face that horrible man.
I didn't know how I could distract myself from the waiting, but eventually, I found small ways to entertain myself, like reading books.
Days turned into weeks, and before I knew it, I started to lose track of time.
This day, I took a book from the library to the cozy reading area in my room.
A knock on the door caught my attention. I saw two of the maids I had grown accustomed to enter with an older woman. "Fern, I'm here to get you ready," she said, as if she were in charge.
"I'm sorry... Prepare me for what occasion? I don't believe we've met," I said hesitantly, standing up and walking toward them.
From them, I learned that on this night, the Dark Howl Pack was hosting its annual gala dinner. It was the time of year when pack members dressed up and showcased their best selves.
The dinner was not only a celebration of the harvest and peace of the past year but also an important occasion for pack members to display their strengths and talents, and to find their destined mates with the blessing of the Moon Goddess.
More importantly, this was a significant occasion for cooperation and communication between the different pack Alphas, and I realized instantly why Giovanni had asked me to attend; after all, I was now the nominal Luna of the Dark Howl Pack.
An hour later, I barely recognized the woman in the mirror. My hair cascaded in beautiful waves around my shoulders, framing my face perfectly.
Smoky makeup accentuated my eyes, and the deep burgundy lips she'd given me made them appear fuller and bolder. I was astonished at my appearance - I hadn't thought such a transformation possible.
"What do you think?" the person in charge of dressing me asked.
"I-I don't even-"
"Good. Now, go take a look at these clothes and see what catches your eye."
I walked over to the rack of clothes, scanning through them slowly. I wasn't exactly sure what would be appropriate, but I reasoned that since she had brought them all here, any of them would suffice.
My fingers grazed a deep burgundy dress, and I found myself captivated by the crystals and black beads adorning the top of the strapless gown. It was truly stunning.
However, it might be a tad too daring for a dinner party.
After a moment's hesitation, I picked up the dress and headed into the bathroom to try it on. Standing before the mirror, I traced my fingers over the delicate beading in awe.
The dress fit like a glove, with the slit on the left side reaching down to my mid-thigh. Surprisingly, it wasn't overly revealing; rather, it exuded a conservative yet subtly alluring vibe.
---
The expansive formal dining room was adorned in shades of red, black, and gold. Soft music floated from a band in the background, and a majestic fireplace at one end of the room added to the warm and inviting ambiance.
The space was already bustling with guests, men clad in suits and women in elegant evening gowns, mingling in small clusters. Waiters hurried about, arranging exquisite dishes on the tables.
"Alpha, this is Ms. Fern," Beta Tobias introduced me as he guided me toward Giovanni.
Giovanni's piercing blue eyes met mine. I detected a flicker of surprise before his expression settled into neutrality.
"Alpha..." I began softly, then glanced around the room, aware of the others present.
"Please, join us," Giovanni invited, extending his hand toward me.
I understood it was merely a façade for the benefit of the pack, as if he truly respected me as Luna.
I met his gaze and complied, slipping my hand into his. It was the first time I had ever felt the warmth of his palm against mine after I was brought to his pack.
Aurora glanced me up and down and let out a scoff, her distaste for me readily apparent in her gaze. "We're still talking..." she grumbled.
To my surprise, she didn't finish her sentence. Instead, she bit her lip and managed to force a smile.
Giovanni gave her a look, then turned back to me. "The conversation can continue over dinner."
As we settled in and the food began to be served, I started feeling trapped in a social situation where I didn't belong. The table filled with laughter as we enjoyed our food and socialized.
Suddenly, Aurora gracefully raised her glass and locked eyes with me. "Fern, I've heard you have a great voice. I'm sure everyone here would love to enjoy some of your entertainment."
Her tone made no effort to conceal her contempt, making it sound as if I were a lowly maid or slave, ordered around only to please my master. It was an obvious trap; if I refused, people would think me arrogant.
I lifted my head and looked directly at Aurora. Her smug smile froze on her face the moment our eyes met. "I'd be honored," I said confidently, causing Aurora to struggle to maintain eye contact.
Then, I walked toward the center of the stage and approached the band, whispering my request to their leader. He seemed a little surprised but then smiled.
As soon as the music started, I began to sing along with a professional smile on my face. It was a song from an obscure source, one that Giovanni had taught me during my childhood when he was my dearest brother.
While singing the opening verses, I glanced at Giovanni, who seemed unaffected by the song. With confidence, I continued to sing, my voice blossoming, my eyes sparkling, and a smile on my face.
As I finished the chorus, I couldn't help but look at Aurora. Her triumphant smile disappeared, replaced by her biting down hard on her bottom lip.
Music always brought me confidence and strength. No, it was Giovanni who always brought me confidence and strength back then.
Though I had felt impulsive when deciding to perform, I didn't care if there would be consequences later. However, I couldn't help but glance at Giovanni.
For a moment, he paused, and his face was expressionless. Then, he smiled, shaking his head as if he were very pleased.