The ceremony was beautiful. Luna Bella really outdid herself. I had to admit I was a bit jealous as I watched Alaia say the words, making her Luna of Black Moon. It wasn’t the fact she was mated to Isaiah but the fact that they found each other. I wanted that. I wanted a mate just like that. I cannot wait to leave. I’m even more determined now.
After the ritual we all went to eat which was what I was really looking forward to. I feel like I’ve been starving all day. I was sitting at a table with my family far away from the main table. It was full of all different kinds of food, every type of meat I could think of. I didn’t waste time as I started to fill my plate with a little of everything.
“Slow down there, Z-bug. How many are you eating for,” my dad said, laughing with my mom.
“What? Would you rather I let all this food go to waste,” I asked with a mouthful.
“You’re embarrassing, you know that.” I threw a bone that narrowly missed my brother’s head.
“You keep talking and Mister Giggles finds his way into the washing machine.” I knew how sensitive Zed was about his furry friend so the glare he threw my way was expected.
“He is dry cleaned only,” Zed growled across the table.
“Then don’t push it.”
We glared at each other for a while. Our normal staring contest before Zed looked away. Could have been for the fact I was tearing my way through a 16 ounce T-Bone while maintaining eye contact. I knew it was a sight to see. Steak was my favorite meat and right now I was craving it. After three rounds of filling my belly, I finally sat back satisfied. I watched the pack members dance around the pool and in the yard.
Everyone was actually having fun and in a good mood. I was even able to admire the dress Alaia was wearing and she was okay in it. Dammit! She was gorgeous. The way the lights danced off her porcelain skin was mesmerizing. Yeah something definitely is wrong with me if I’m thinking this much about this woman. Goddess help me.
I stretched a bit before getting up making my rounds. There were a lot of people I wanted to say goodbye to. I stopped by a group of hunters to talk about training. They made jokes about me getting spooked by rogues and using that as an excuse to change my plans about traveling. Little do they know that made me want to travel. Can’t become better staying put. I was catching up on some new fighting styles when I heard a familiar baritone voice pull me from the conversation.
“Not getting yourself into any trouble I hope.”
I turned to see Zack in a dashing two-piece gray suit with blue accents on the cuffs and a white silky shirt holding two drinks in his hands. He seemed to always find a way for his clothes to hug his rugged shape perfectly. His usual shaggy black hair was combed back giving you a full display of his clean shaven face. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top so a few hairs peeked through. I could see him smiling at my little once over that I gave him.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my knight in shining armor. Don't worry, the only thing I’m fighting tonight is the food that invaded my body.”
“Glad to hear it,” he chuckled. “I didn’t think I would find someone else here that looks as good as I do in gray.”
I tapped his shoulders playfully, knowing he could see the blush spreading across my cheeks.
“So, I see you’re going hard,” I said, pointing to the drinks in his hands. I desperately wanted to change the subject.
“Oh no. This is for my-um-I guess my date.”
I cocked my to the side giving him a quizzical look but he just shook his head. A great way to say “I don't want to talk about it.”
“Noted. Well anyway I didn't thank you for saving my life that night. So thank you.”
“Oh it's nothing. It's in my blood to save damsels in distress,” he smiled.
“Seriously I owe a life,” I said, touching his arm. I wanted him to really understand how I felt about his gesture. I don't know if I would’ve survived if he didn’t come at the last minute.
He looked at me and nodded before his usual creepy smile spread across his face. “Well since you say you owe me. If only there was a way to repay something like that. Like I don't know, becoming someone’s Luna perhaps.”
I laughed spontaneously. I laughed til I almost choked on my saliva. After a few moments I contained myself and met a very serious Alpha Zack, staring at me like I said the most outrageous thing at this party. My face dropped as his dark brown eyes started to turn pure copper. This is not good I thought.
In a split second the mood changed from funny to serious. I wondered if anyone else noticed as I looked around quickly but everyone was either oblivious or was ignoring it for good reason. I turned back to the angry Alpha and held his stare for a second. I back up a bit, straightening up my spine and casting my gaze down.
“Sorry Alpha. I didn't mean to laugh.”
There was a silence between us and I wasn't sure if I could leave before I heard a stifled laugh coming from his direction. Then it was his turn to laugh right in my face.
“That was worth every second,” he laughed. “Zira, your face was priceless. I wasn’t serious. I was just pulling your leg.” He laughed a bit longer than mine as I glared at him, but that didn't last long as I joined him in laughing.
“Seriously though, I owe you. How about this? When I find my mate and we get to know each other. If I have a son I'll name him Zack. That way he can remember the story about the brave Alpha who saved his Mama so he can have a life.”
Not gonna happen Nina sneered.
I mentally laughed at her and waited for Zack to agree. Zack looked at me with his mouth open as if I lost my mind.
“Gosh, Zira,” Zack said, looking as if he was blushing. “You sure know how to stroke a person's ego. Young Alpha definitely missed his opportunity with you.”
Now it was my time to blush. “Nah. Your sister seems,” I started, trying to think of a good word to say, “like an amazing person. I think she'll be a great Luna.”
“I don't know. She can be a handful sometimes.” I scoff at that as if he hit the nail right on the mark.
“We all have our problems and I'm sure having someone to share them with can make life easier.”
Zack looked at me and smiled. It was a genuine smile and didn't creep me out at all. “If my heart didn't belong somewhere else you would definitely be my best choice as Luna of my pack.”
“Now who's stroking someone's ego.”
“Zack! I mean Alpha Zack,” a voice interrupted us.
I saw a beautiful, raven haired girl behind Zack. She was wearing a long yellow dress with a lace bodice, an illusion neckline, a ribbon-defined waist, and a fluid mesh skirt with a slit. It was a perfect match to raven colored hair that flowed down both sides of her face. “I thought you might have lost your way back to the table with our drinks.”
She looked at me from head to toe. I guess sizing me up. I hated how possessive wolves can get sometimes. I didn’t want to cause any trouble so before I could excuse myself, Zack stepped.
“Well thank you Emily. I lost track of time for a moment. It was a pleasure as always, Zira.”
Emily quickly took Zack’s arm and gave me a quick look as they walked away. Why am I always the one to get the bad end of the stick? It’s not like I force men to talk to me. I was about to go back to my seat when I felt a tug on my dress.
“Miss Zira, I was supposed to get rid of this but since it was so pretty I felt I should just return it to you,” Mary said.
She pulled a black velvet box from her pocket and handed it to me. Then skirted away before I could say thanks. So I linked her instead. I know how much she likes to stay in the background.
I turned over the box and noticed my name printed in gold. I totally forgot about this present Isaiah gave me. It was the same da-Nevermind that. I opened and pulled out the choker with the wolf pendant. The eyes of the wolf matched perfectly with my dress. I was starting to feel a bit dizzy again so I went over to the bar to get some seltzer. On the way I tripped and almost face planted into the bar when a pair of strong arms grabbed me just in time.
“I know the cocktails are amazing but damn Zira, they're not that good,” Hunter laughed while setting me down.
I laughed faintly while ordering a seltzer. “And here I thought you were trying to have another go at me.”
Hunter laughed and spun me around which made me even dizzier. I crashed against his chest, laughing and trying to regain my footing.
“Stop that, you big oaf.” I pushed against his chest. “You’re going to make me throw up.”
“I’m sure you didn’t wear that dress for me,” Hunter said, suggestively.
I cocked an eyebrow in his direction. I knew exactly what he was suggesting. Maybe he was right. I haven’t caught Isaiah’s eye since earlier in the day, which was a good thing right? I looked over at Isaiah, who was being babied by his mother who was trying to fix his hair. Then why was I trying? Stupid, stupid. I sighed and turned around, fiddling with the choker he gave me. Hopefully when I leave I can find someone else to occupy my thoughts. A mate would be nice.
“It doesn’t matter why I wore this dress. He found his mate and now it’s time for me to move on and find mine. Hey, maybe you can convince him to release me from the pack.”
Hunter grabbed the choker from my hands. “I’m surprised he hasn’t already. Wonder what he’s waiting on? Turn.” I did and he slid the choker around my neck. “You know I actually helped him buy this necklace years ago.”
Years ago? “What?” That was news to me. “When?’
“I think it was the day after you ate that dodgeball. I can’t believe he waited this long to give it to you.”
He bought this the first day we met. I remember that day. It was the first time I laid eyes on him. I almost forgot about the ball hitting my face. “He never told me that. Why did he wait so long to give it to me?” I asked, knowing that it really didn’t matter why. He was moving on with someone else and I needed to accept that.
“Probably chickened out at the last second and forgot about it.” Hunter stepped back to give me once over and nodded his approval. “It works. You look-what’s that word I like to say-appetizing.”
I brushed him off. “Back off mated boy. You might be blocking me from my mate as we speak.”
I touched the pendant and when I looked up I saw Isaiah smiling. Oh how beautiful he looked when he smiled and the best response I could muster up was two thumbs up. Mental slap in the face. He laughed and shook his head before going back to his mother. I shook myself out of my stupor and turned to face a seething Ashlee with a drink in her hand.
“Get your own mate and stay away from MINE!” Ashlee yelled and threw the drink in my face.
Of course it had to be red which was funny since my first option for tonight’s attire was a red dress. Jokes on me, I guess.
“Ashlee, what the hell is wrong with you,” Hunter quietly growled at her, pulling her close to him.
Ashlee looked at Hunter then at me then at the glass in her hand as if she was confused.
“I..I..don’t..” She began to stammer over her words looking around. “Hunty, I swear I don’t know. I was sitting over there and ended up here.”
Hunter handed me some napkins and started to pat at my clothes. Ashlee growled again and lunged at me but this time I was prepared for it. I quickly jumped out of the way as Hunter grabbed onto Ashlee. She looked as if she wanted to tear me apart.
“Stop that!” Hunter yelled while barely struggling to keep her still. “I’m really sorry about this, Zira. I don’t know what’s gotten into her,” he said before pulling an angry Ashlee away from the staring crowd.
I stood there with soiled napkins in my hands giving everyone around me a nervous smile. My eyes came across Alaia’s and I stopped. Was she really smiling? This malicious she-bitch. She must’ve said something to Ashlee to make her act this way, but I couldn’t just outright blame her based on a feeling. She’s the freaking Luna now. So she’s pretty much untouchable.
My parents started to walk my way and I shook my head. I knew it must have been bad if my brother was looking at me with pity in his eyes, but I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. No one makes a fool of me but me.
I’m fine. I’m just going to call it a night. See you guys at home I linked my parents who gave me a small nod.
That’s my girl. Head up high. Walk out with style my mom said.
I felt someone else was trying to link to me but I chose to ignore it. I knew who it was and if I had opened the link I probably would’ve lost it right there. I quickly made my way across the courtyard into the foyer. I’m not sure if that’s what my mom meant by style but that’s all I had to give right now. I walked into the hallway and ran into Isabella and Victoria.
“Aah! Guys, I really have to stop catching you guys like this.”