Chapter 12: Allies


    Reid opened the curtain for them and Riannon tried to hold her head straight since she knew that all


    eyes would be on them now. In all her years as Luna, and even before that, she saw lycans just a few


    times. They usually weren’t mingling with the werewolves and it was considered an honour to just meet


    one of them, regardless of their rank. Back in the day, when Ria got acquainted with a Beta, it was the


    talk of the surrounding packs for months. And all he did was tell her that he owed her one and handed


    her a card in front of a few witnesses.


    Still, Brayden was proud and was telling everyone that a lycan owed their family. It sounded


    impressive.


    Well, now Brayden did not look that proud anymore when his wife was descending the stairs holding


    the mighty lycan king’s hand. Although this was supposed to be an honour beyond any


    Yet she could feel how her husband was gritting his teeth and saw how he wasn’t even reacting to the


    words of his precious redhead mate. Roxy didn’t look excited to be at a ball anymore either. It was a


    disaster. For her.


    Unlike in the previous life, where she was the star of the event, the little innocent omega


    who overcame many hardships and stole the heart of a powerful Alpha, now she was second-hand


    news. Now everybody was questioning what got into Brayden Thorn’s head that he abandoned his wife


    of six years like that. The wife who clearly was the centre of attention today and for all the right


    reasons.


    Not only wasn’t she embarrassed by her situation, she embraced it, attracted every single male wolf in


    the room to the power that she was emitting. Alphas loved strong women. It was a given. That was why


    often mates were chosen. Because not everyone could be a suitable Luna, not everyone could


    bear the burden of responsibilities and pressure. And today Riannon proved that she was one of the


    very few who could do all that wlessly.


    So that even the most powerful man in the room got interested in her. So that all the gossips in the hall


    had to shut up. So that on the day when she was supposed to be humiliated,she came out on top.


    “Smile, Riannon, smile,” the king’s lips curled into a smirk, “You don’t want to disappoint everyone who


    is watching.”


    “Sorry,” she mumbled as he led her to the very centre of the dance floor and gestured for the musicians


    to start ying again. The sounds of a slow melody filled the room and they started moving. And when


    Gideon pulled her closer, so that their bodies were touching each


    It was a disy of great favour. And everybody in the room knew it.


    She wanted to think of what she would be doing next, to strategize… But the proximity of the man in


    front of her was clouding her mind. His scent was overwhelming, and he was emitting dominance and


    power. More than anyone she had ever met.


    “I can tell what you are thinking about,” Gideon chuckled softly.


    “That’s not surprising,” she replied calmly, “I bet everyone here is thinking of the same thing now.”


    “And that would be?” he looked at her with amusement.


    “Why are you doing this?” she lowered her voice so that only he could hear her. And he lowered slightly


    so that it was easier for them to talk, resulting in his hot breath burning her cheek and earlobe.


    “You know why,” he whispered, creating goosebumps. This man was too handsome to not react to him.


    “You could have simply said a word for me at the next Alpha Council,” she tried to reason, “But instead


    you are doing this.”


    “I have my reasons for everything,” he confessed simply and she shot her brow up.


    “And that would be?”


    “I am territorial, Riannon,” his lips curled into a smile, “I want everyone to know what is mine so that


    they in turn knew that if they touch it, it would cost them their lives.”


    He said thosest words loudly and there was no chance that couples who were dancing right next to


    them hadn’t heard every single word.


    “But I am not yours,” the words left her mouth before she realised what she was saying. And she could


    swear that his eyes got darker and grip on her became tighter.


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    “You are my,” he hesitated as if he was making a very important decision that very moment, “My ally.


    And I will make sure that everyone respects you one way or another.”


    The Luna’s lips parted in shock but otherwise, she managed to keep a neutral facial expression. What


    kind of dumb luck was it? Why was he so generous?


    He danced surprisingly well, leading her firmly and making her look even better than she usually did.


    His every move was precise and Ria was shocked with his skills.


    “You are very good at this,” she praised him, smiling and arching her back in his arms when she heard


    him growling softly for some reason. after just one dance.


    “Riannon,” he made her look at him, “May I ask you a question?”


    “Of course,” she nodded. After what he did for her tonight, she was ready to answer any questions.


    “What is your wolf’s name?” he asked and she suddenly got sad. Which did not escape him.


    “Onyx,” the girl said quietly.


    “Is Onyx around?” the Lycan kind bent to whisper the words in her ear, saving her the humiliation as


    her eyes grew wide.


    Just how would he know about something like that?


    She didn’t know what to answer, so muttered the first thing that came to her mind, “She is… resting.”


    “Ah,” Gideon nodded with a mixture of emotions on his face, “Well, Ria, it was a pleasure. But I am


    afraid it’s time for me to go.”


    She did not know how to react to that. Did she do something wrong or was it really the time for him to


    leave? Yet somehow she felt disappointed that it was happening already.


    “I will call you tomorrow,” the kind said and she almost choked on the air, “And we will need to meet


    again very soon. To talk.”


    “Sure,” she smiled nervously and felt his grip on her tightening. It was as if he… did not want to let her


    go…


    “Then I will see you soon,” the music stopped and he bowed to kiss her hand, making the room fill with


    gasps at once, “It was a real pleasure, Riannon.”


    The lycan king made a gesture to his Beta and they both left the room abruptly. Ria wanted to return to


    the bar and order herself a drink when Brayden stood in front of her.


    “What the hell was that right now, Riannon?!” he growled.