Edward's POV
Members of the pack needed a Luna, and that girl was perfect for the part. She is not only beautiful but also seems so innocent and kind. I can't focus on my work as images of her lovely face come to my mind. She has big, beautiful chocolate eyes that match her long, soft-looking wavy hair. Soft-looking lips and I hate to admit it, but she is driving my Lycan crazy—this damn mate bond! The desire to take her in my arms and rip off her clothes so that I could bury my erection in her is getting stronger.
Candace barges into my office and stands in front of me, crossing her arms against her chest in anger. I close my eyes momentarily before opening them again, hoping she is gone, but I'm not that lucky.
"What is this rumor going around that you have a Luna now?" She screeches, and I lean my head against the chair.
"Yes, I need her for the pack."
"What about me?"
"Well, that girl was acquired in a deal and will gain people's respect, unlike you. Plus, my brother already brought her," I shrug, dismissing her with a wave of my hand.
My brother informed me that he was throwing a party to introduce the new Luna, so I left work early. Once in the house, the guests have already arrived and they are all anxious to meet their new Luna.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to the woman you've all been desiring to see, your new Luna, Caliana Meyers."
My mate descends the stairs, and I'm stunned by her overwhelming beauty. She is wearing a gentle smile that doesn't reach her eyes, but I can see her anxiety. I detected her tapping her fingers against her right hip in a rhythm when she was anxious, which I noticed during our occasional interactions. I interacted with a few guests who came when the girl. 'Caliana is her name,' my inner Lycan, Ward, reminds me. 'I know that.' 'Why don't you ever mention it,' he asks, and I growl, frustrated with him. He wants her, but I can't risk it. We can't fall for her; she might end up betraying me like her.
'Say her name, just this once,' he urges. I open and close my mouth. Her name is as lovely as she is, but I can't produce it for some reason.
'Say it.'
"Cal- Caliana Meyers," I whisper, and it feels so good. I have to compose myself not to scream it, so I whisper it again and again.
'Caliana Meyers.'
'Yes!' My Lycan roars in my head. My eyes search for her, and I see her talking to Candace, this won't go well. Candace is degrading her and insulting her, but Caliana doesn't shrink or get intimidated. Instead, she watches the girls calmly, coldly in fact. Ward can't take it any longer, and my legs are on autopilot as I march over to the small group.
"Candace, is that any way to talk to your Luna?" The girls bow their heads to me except my mate. She watches me like she doesn't believe my words, but soon, all the affection that was in her eyes a second ago is gone, and anger replaces it. She bows her head and excuses herself, leaving me dumbfounded. Did I do something wrong?
I turn to leave, but Candace grabs my arm and stands closer to me. She asks, "Can you dance with me, please?" I decline, but she insists and starts acting childish again.
"I won't stop asking until you accept to dance with me, Papi," she smiles seductively, and I extend my eyes to her, ignoring how Jamal is glaring at me.
'She was making a scene,' I say to him via mind link.
'Don't you think it's disrespectful to dance with another person while your Luna is watching?' He barks. I grip Candace's back as we sway softly to the music.
'And I told you this, I don't care about the Meyers girl,' I sneer. He blocks the link to me and goes to my mate to dance. They only dance for a minute, and when partners are switched during the dance, she vanishes into thin air. I immediately let go of the woman I was dancing with to look for her, but I couldn't find her, so I follow her intoxicating scent to the garden. I growl when I find her talking to another man.