Fern's Perspective
Night fell, and the stars scattered across the sky, their light spilling over the city like a silver curtain.
I stood to one side, my eyes scanning the ballroom, but my heart ached.
Six years of living in hiding had taught me to conceal my emotions and act as though nothing had changed. But when I saw that familiar face standing with another woman, it was impossible to suppress the turmoil in my chest.
Giovanni, the man who had once made my heart race, was standing at the main table, conversing with several VIPs. Even after all these years, I could still clearly remember his deep eyes, his chiseled jaw, and the commanding presence that had always been impossible to ignore.
I didn't dare look directly at him, much less expose myself to his gaze. Tonight, my mission was simple: avoid contact with him as much as possible, finish my work, and leave as quickly as I could.
"Diana, you look a little nervous." A low voice suddenly whispered in my ear.
I whipped my head around to find Tobias, Giovanni's Beta and personal secretary, standing beside me with a smile on his face.
I tensed inwardly, afraid he might sense something off about me.
"It's nothing, Tobias. These kinds of events always make me a little uncomfortable," I said, forcing a smile and trying to seem calm.
Tobias didn't fully buy my excuse, but instead of pressing the issue, he nodded gently.
"Mr. Giovanni is waiting for you. You can go get him a drink and help out with the older gentlemen." With that, he turned and walked away.
I took a deep breath and slowly made my way to the main table. I knew I had to face him. I couldn't let him see through me again.
But as I approached Giovanni, a wave of tension swept over me. His familiar scent, the memories buried deep in my heart, seemed to pull me back to a time long past. I could feel Giovanni's gaze on me, sharp and unmasked, as if he could see straight through my disguise and into the very heart of me.
"Diana." Giovanni's voice was as deep and commanding as ever.
His lips curled into a smile, but there was something unreadable in his eyes.
I froze for a moment, forcing a smile as I nodded. "Mr. Giovanni, tonight's party has been a great success."
"Successful?" Giovanni chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on me as if searching for something. There was a slight shift in his expression, as though he had noticed something was off.
My heart raced as I tried to stay composed. I lowered my head and grabbed a bottle of wine from the rack, pouring it slowly into a tall glass.
"Thanks," Giovanni said, accepting the glass, his eyes still fixed on me. The intensity of his gaze made me uneasy, as if he could sense something.
"How have you been lately?" he asked, his tone suddenly soft, as though laced with concern.
I looked up, startled. His gaze was still unreadable, but there was an unmistakable hint of worry in his eyes. A surge of emotion swept over me, pulling me back to the warmth and safety I had once felt in his arms, six years ago.
"I've been well, thank you," I said, forcing a smile, though inside, my emotions were like a storm churning in the ocean, threatening to overwhelm me.
"That's good to hear," Giovanni replied, not pressing further. He turned away and began speaking with the others around him.
I exhaled slowly, relief flooding through me. I glanced down at my hands, suddenly feeling a wave of weakness. I knew I couldn't let myself fall back into the past, couldn't let those old emotions take control again.
But just then, a figure stepped into my line of sight.
Elena.
She stood there in a stunning red evening gown, her long hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, a confident smile playing on her lips. Her eyes scanned the entire banquet hall before finally settling on Giovanni.
"Giovanni." Elena's voice was sweet as honey as she glided toward him, curtsying with elegant grace.
"Miss Elena, you are truly radiant tonight," Giovanni replied with a smile, his gaze noticeably softer.
I stood off to the side, a tight knot forming in my chest. I knew Elena was no ordinary woman—her status and background made her an ideal match in the eyes of many of the Alphas in the pack. But what struck me most, and left me with a pang of surprise, was the undeniable bond between her and Giovanni. The kind of natural attraction that radiated between them, no matter how much Giovanni tried to conceal it.
But it was to be expected, wasn't it? My parents had asked Nucha, the moon god, to sever the bond between Giovanni and me. Sooner or later, Giovanni would find another mate, someone with whom he shared a bond.
Still, a bitter ache tightened in my chest.
"Giovanni, I've been waiting for you," Elena said with a playful raise of her eyebrows, her gaze lifting slightly. "The elders have started pushing you, haven't they? And you know how important the role of Luna is to our pack."
Her words dripped with provocation, as though reminding Giovanni that she, not I, was the true Luna—that I was no more than an insignificant presence here.
Giovanni froze, clearly understanding the message in Elena's words, but he didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to look at me.
My heart constricted, and a cold shiver ran from my feet straight to my chest. I wasn't sure how to react, but part of me—the darker part—didn't want to let Elena have the upper hand.
"You're right," Giovanni finally spoke, his tone flat. "I'll deal with the pack as soon as I can."
He turned his gaze back to me, his expression unreadable, almost too complicated to decipher.
Elena's smile didn't falter as she gently took Giovanni's arm, a subtle but clear display of her position.
I, on the other hand, stood there, my heart aching in silence.
Then, Elena moved toward me, her steps light but purposeful, carrying an air of quiet authority.
"You're Diana, aren't you?" Elena's voice was cold but laced with challenge.
I frowned slightly, my eyes narrowing. "Who are you?"
Her eyes sharpened. "I'm Elena, heir to the Blood Moon Wolf Pack." Her words carried a weight of power, and she added with subtle pressure, "It seems there's some unspeakable connection between you and Giovanni. I'm curious—what kind of secrets do you keep as his secretary?"
I felt a brief flicker of tension, my hands clenching imperceptibly as I struggled to maintain my composure. I straightened, meeting her gaze with unflinching resolve. "Who do you think you are, questioning me?"
The corners of Elena's mouth curved up in a slight, contemptuous smile. "You know, Diana, some things can hide in front of you, but never behind you."
My eyes turned icy, considering how to respond. But before I could speak, Elena turned away, walking back to Giovanni with deliberate slowness, her pace carrying a challenge all its own.
"Giovanni, it seems Diana isn't as calm as she pretends to be. Could she be hiding something from you?" Elena's voice carried a subtle yet unmistakable note of provocation.
Giovanni's expression shifted, his gaze sharpening. He turned his eyes toward Elena, speaking in a calm, even tone. "Our relationship, Elena, is none of your concern."
Elena raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "You're right. I was just curious." She laughed softly, then pretended to bow her head as if nothing had happened, turning away with an air of nonchalance.
Giovanni's gaze grew cold, his attention now fully on me. I stood there, seemingly unaffected by Elena's words, though inside, my emotions were a storm.
"You're fine," Giovanni murmured, mostly to himself.
A small part of me softened at his words, but I kept my composure, maintaining a calm exterior. "Thank you."
I did my best to keep my voice steady, as though there were no lingering connection between us, even though deep down, everything felt raw.