60
As I sipped the bubbly liquid, I scanned the room, taking in the fruits of mybor.
The decorations sparkled under the chandeliers. The guests mingled happily, theirughter and chatter filling the air. The scent of expensive perfumes and aftershaves mingled with the aroma of gourmet hors d''oeuvres and alcohol. By all ounts, the g was a resounding sess.
But then, my eyesnded on Leonard, standing across the room. He was watching me intently, a smug expression on his face.
Anger bubbled up inside of me again. How dare he mess with my seating arrangements? How dare he put Zoe next to Noah? How dare he meddle with my night?
Making a decision that I would hold my tongue no longer, I set my ss down, prepared to march over and give him a piece of my mind. But before I could take a step, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. "Luna Hannah. It has been far too long."
I turned to find myself face to face with the Luna Queen herself. She was just as regal as I remembered, her presence immediatelymanding the respect of not only myself, but also my wolf. Her silver hair was styled in an elegant updo, and her dark gown was practically sparkling under the lights.
"Luna nna," I said, curtsying to her. "It''s a pleasure to see you. I''m so d you came."
She nodded slightly, the tiniest smile tugging at her lips. "I wouldn''t have missed it." She paused, looking around, as she swirled her wine around in her ss. "I must say, your charity g appears to have been a tremendous sess already." Then, leaning in and dropping her voice: "I left a sizable donation in the booth earlier."
I blinked in surprise at her words. "Wow... Thank you, Your Majesty. That means so much to me. The funds raised tonight will make a huge difference in ourmunity."
"I have no doubt they will," she replied with a curt nod. for rather, I have no doubt that you will make a huge difference, Luna Hannah."
My cheeks flushed, but before I could respond, she suddenly said, "In fact, I''m so impressed by your work. that would like to extend an invitation; I want you to visit my council for a day, to be evaluated by the other women before you join."Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.
Her words left me so taken aback that I nearly stumbled right where I stood, my fingers tightening around the stem of my ss. Was she really...?
Keep it together, I told myself. I didn''t want to give Luna nna another impression that I was timid, so I kept my voice even as I said, "That would be an honor, Luna nna. I''m looking forward to attending."
The Luna Queen nodded, clearly pleased by my cool demeanor. Her eyes scanned the room like daggers seeking a target. "Now, where is your husband? I''d like to congratte him on the event as well."
My stomach dropped. I looked around, realizing that Noah hadn''t stayed consistently by my side all night, not since Zoe had taken her seat next to him at the opera. The realization stung, a sharp reminder of the distance between us. Across the room, I spotted him chatting with a group of people. Zoe was among them, of course,
ACH BONL
Chapter 0260)
standing closer to Noah than was strictly necessary. Her hand rested lightly on his arm as sheughed at something he said.
The sight made my wolf growl with jealousy.
I swallowed hard, forcing a smile back onto my face as I turned to the Luna Queen. "Oh, Noah is mingling tonight," I said, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat. "Greeting our guests and making connections. You know how men can be."
The Luna Queen raised an eyebrow, her gaze following mine across the room. "I see," she said, her tone neutral. "Well, perhaps we can catch up with himter. Tell me more about your ns for the charity, Lunal Hannah. I''m quite interested in hearing about the impact you hope to make."
Grateful for the change of subject, Iunched into an exnation of our goals and initiatives. I pushed Noah and Zoe from my mind, reaching deep into myself to dredge out that perfect, practiced smile that I had gotten so good at as ofte.
I wouldn''t let them get to me. Not anymore. Not tonight.