I Am The Luna by Moonlight Muse Chapter 26
A Scatter of Pearls
ZAIA. “Have I already told you that you look beautiful tonight?” Someone whispers in my ear. My breath
hitches, not sensing himing closer and I almost turn when a hand touches my waist, stopping me.
His scent fills my nose and I smile, tilting my head and poking my eyes out yfully at Atticus. “Twice
actually,” I say softly, sipping the champagne from my ss. He smirks. “I guess I just can’t express it
enough.”
I am about to reply when Dad taps the microphone, capturing my attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, all
esteemed guests, may I have your attention,” Dad says, making the chatter die through the hall.
We are in one of thevish five-star hotels not far outside of the Crystal Shadow Pack territory for
Dad’s dinner party he is hosting in my honour.
The night has been a blur of meeting people and making small talk, and not all of them are
werewolves, hence Dad’s use of a microphone.
Atticus raises his eyebrows yfully at me as we both give Dad our full attention. Atticus’s pack and
our pack became allies thanks to the friendship between Atticus and
Although Atticus still makes it clear that I am the one he wants, we are simply friends, but I won’t deny
that I appreciate having him in my life. Even the children like having him around and call him Uncle too.
It’s nice having a friend. I never heard back from Valerie and, for some reason, the emails that I sent
returned to my outbox with a ‘failed’ notification.
“As everyone knows, my Daughter Zaia Toussaint has been a great asset to mypany for thest
few years. Being voted in as managing director of thepanyst year by the board itself. I can
assure you that had nothing to do with me!” He chuckles and others do, too.
He takes a moment, allowing the rush to die down before he slips his free hand into his pocket and
looks at me.
“Well, it’s the truth. She has proven herself greatly and not only to me but to ourpany. Her hands-
on approach to handling every hurdle, as well as her work ethic and professionalism towards our
clients, have not only been appreciated by others, but above all by myself.” Dad continues.
I watch him, as I adjust the pearl strap of my ivory-fitted dress that reaches the floor. My hair is pulled
up in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few small items of pearl jewellery adorn my
ears and hands. Winged liner and glossy lips finish off my look.
I can sense many eyes on me as Dad continues and a few whispers, which I don’t bother with. “It has
been a while since Mr. Simmons has been contemting retiring from his position and tonight, hot only
will I be announcing the new CEO of Toussaint.
Enterprises but also the heir to the majority of this empire! It is with my greatest pleasure to announce
none other than my daughter, Ms Zaia Toussaint!) Dad says and everyone begins pping as the
cameras pan on me.
My eyes widen in surprise. Yes, I have aimed to grow, to do better every single day, but I never
expected Dad to name me his heir this soon.
“Congrattions, Red,” Atticus whispers in my ear, taking my ss from me as Dad holds his hand out
to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at Atticus, my heart skipping a beat. He knew…
He winks at me, and I take a deep breath, smiling for the cameras as I make my way over to Father,
and allow him to help me up the steps to the stage. I nce out at everyone gathered here, waiting for
the pping to die down. Right… a speech…
How do you do that when you are not expecting it?
“I am speechless,” I begin, rewarded by lightughter, and I smile. “I want to thank everyone for
attending tonight and being a part of this beautiful moment. I want to thank my father for believing in
me, the board members for always supporting and guiding me and above all, I want to thank my
mother, Mnie Walton for standing by
my side through thick and thin…st but not least, I want to thank Atticus Payne for always being an
incredible friend, and for always supporting me. Thank you.”
I brush a strand of my hair back, tucking it behind my ear, only for it to slip out again. Everyone ps
and Dad gives me a hug, congratting me as the camera shes blind me from all directions.
Soon, an influx of people are surrounding me, and I’m lost in the sea of faces as I try to remember
everyone’s names. I’m almost out of the crowd when I suddenly feel as if I’m being watched.
An intense gaze that reminds me of one person and it makes my heart pound. I close my eyes, my
heart thumping, goddess why does it feel like…
I spin around, my eyes darting around the hall before I find the doors on the far end, but all I see is the
back of a man in a ck suit, but it’s only for a second before he disappears from view…
Dinner is over and I’m d that the hard part is over. I’m exhausted mentally from all the socialising,
and I just want to head home and curl up with my babies. I have just gotten off the phone with Mom,
having excused myself to go to thedies’ room.
I had bid the kids goodnight before ending the call. I know I need to return… the quietness of the hotel
hall is pleasant…
“Come on, Zaia, just a few hours left. Get back in there.” I tell myself as I look in the mirror at my
reflection.
I adjust the strap of my dress, pulling a face. I know my personal assistant picked it out, but this single
pearl strap just doesn’t feel enough to support my breasts. Well, I’ve made it through more than half of
the evening. Just another hour or so to go. I’m sure I’ll be fine.
I sigh heavily, before pasting a small smile on my face and exit thedies’ room, almost tripping over
the hem of my skirt. I frown, bending down as I tug it free and smooth it out.
Not looking where I’m going, my arm knocks into someone, making me gasp as something catches on
my pearl strap and to my horror, the violent tug breaks the string, making pearls go flying everywhere.
I feel my dresse loose and my hands instantly go to my dress, my heart thundering.
“I do apologise, I…”
My heart thuds as the husky voice behind me trails off.
A voice I recognise…
“It’s alright,” I say quietly, refusing to turn. I scan the hall, my eyes darting back to the bathroom door as
I clutch my dress to my breasts.
“Allow me,” his seductive voicees, still making goosebumps rise on my skin as he reaches over
and pulls the door open. His intoxicating scent hits me and I’m about to rush into one of the stalls when
his fingers go to the side of my waist.
“What are you…” I trail off, as his fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of the string that once
held the pearl’s- in his fingers, and he tugs it.
My heart is pounding as he steps closer, and I step away, but it’s a mistake because I now see him in
the mirror before me. However, I refuse to look at his face. If I don’t see it, it’s not true…
“Let go,” Hemands in his deep voice that for some strange reason still has an effect on me. I spent
years trying to get rid of those emotions… I don’t need him back in my life!
Why did this have to happen? “I said let go,” he repeats, yanking at the string and I gasp, loosening my
hold a little. Deftly, he pulls the strings tight, yanking me against him.
My heart thunders, my breasts heaving as the heat of his body envelops me, and his knuckles graze
down my back, making my core clench and awakening a terrifying desire I never knew still existed
within me.
His heart is racing too as he ties the two ends of the string, yanking on the dress a few times. He finally
lets go, but my heart is still thudding.
“There,” he says quietly. Swiftly pulling out the pins from my hair and allowing it to cascade down my
back. “Easy fix.”
I’m no longer able to stop myself from looking up at our reflection and my heart thuds It’s him. The
same ck hair that I loved to run my fingers through… the same piercing blue eyes that seem to see
right through me, that chiselled jaw and….
“You look even more beautiful than I remember…” he says, shocking me. My eyes widen as I remain
frozen.
He runs his fingers through my hair, but it’s then when I remember the faint scar that his mark left on
my neck after his rejection that I am brought back to the present. I step away from him and turn, ring
up at him.
“This is thedies’ room, Mr King. Do you need me to show you to the door?” I ask quietly. He doesn’t
respond, his eyes raking over me shamelessly, but what shakes me the most is the carnal hunger
that’s clear in them.
Why are you looking at me like that, Sebastian? “I wouldn’t mind you showing me a lot more than
that…”
“Excuse me?” I ask sharply.
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He looks away frowning, and it’s then the slight scent of alcohol hits me. Is he drunk?
“Three years… Who would have thought that a business deal I want to reject would bring me to the
same ce as you…”
I don’t respond. Tonight is my night, and I will not let anyone destroy it. “You look good… You’re doing
incredibly for yourself. CEO of Toussaint Empires… Imend you. Congrattions.”
“Excuse me,” I say emotionlessly. Three years may have passed, but I have not forgotten what he has
done to me. I move towards the door, when he speaks, making me freeze, my hand on the door
handle. “How are they?” he asks quietly.
My heart thuds as I stare ahead.
“Good,” I reply, keeping it short. I push open the door when he suddenly grabs my arm, yanking me
back inside and kicking the door shut with his foot. He pins me against the door, making my eyes widen
as my back hits the door.
“I know I’m thest person you want to see right now… but… I think you deserve to know that Valerie’s
family have decided to pull the plug. If you want to see her onest time, then you should do so now.”
My heart thunders as those words sink in, and I stare up at him, my body filling with dread. “What do
you mean, pull the plug?” I ask. My throat feels dry and my stomach churns.
“Three years, Zaia… She’s been in aa for three years. There’s nothing more we can do. The
doctors and her family have given up.”