Chapter 31. The White Party


    Ria was looking at herself in the mirror wondering if she went slightly overboard here?


    She chose a white satin dress with a deep v-cut neckline and plunging free-fall back. The garment also


    had a draped and knotted train, which was fastening in the middle and splitting off into two. It was very


    elegant and reminded her of ancient Greece. However, she usually preferred more… modest designs.


    Yet today she craved something else.


    She couldn’t forget the cold shower that Gideon gave her in the morning after they practically spent the


    night together. What was up with that?


    Okay, they didn’t actually spend the night together. But they kissed. And the kiss was mind-blowing.


    Even Onyx reacted to that.


    Speaking of which, she tried calling her wolf again and again. But Onyx was not responding to that. As if


    she wasn’t there. Only that now Ria was sure that she was.


    “Listen,” she sighed, “I really need you. I don’t know why you are hiding and not talking to me. But we


    were always a team. And for me, nothing changed. I know that Brayden hurt us and that dying wasn’t


    easy. I understand that you might need more time. Just know… Onyx, just know that I am still waiting for


    you and I’ll wait as long as it takes. Juste back…”


    She sat a bit more, but nothing changed.


    Her thoughts drifted to Gideon again and she clenched her lips, lifting her hair up and fixing it with a few


    pins, letting a few curly strands fall on her shoulders.


    She stood up, ready to leave for the event but at thest moment returned to the dressing table and got


    red lipstick, applying it to her lips before she changed her mind.


    He did not want to see her? He would see her now!


    But then she noticed something else… Her diamond ring was still shining in her finger. The one Brayden


    gave her at their engagement. She kept on wearing it for safety reasons now. But today it seemed too


    heavy for her. She took it off, enjoying the moment of her freedom.


    The house was already full of guests. All of whom were also wearing white.


    Riannon hoped to stay invisible for as long as she could. Her main aim was to find Gideon and to ask


    him bluntly what happened. Because she sure as hell had no idea.


    But if there was something, she wanted to know.


    However, her brilliant n ofying low was not working. Wherever she went, all eyes was were at her at


    all times. Most of those were friendly. She recognised some of the warrior guys who were looking for


    protein shakes at the kitchen the other day. But some were less than friendly.


    Not only does she dare to attend our party on a false pretence, but I heard she is also after both Beta


    Reid AND king Gideon!”


    “Like she has a chance!” another one joined her, “How many of those werewolf sl.uts throw themselves


    at our men? They are never good enough!”


    “Who knows,” the third one chuckled, “Maybe they will give her a ride or two. But it will never be anything


    serious!”


    Riannon knew the she-wolves were aware that she was listening to them. Moreover, everyone was. And


    now they all expected her reaction.


    In the years spent as a Luna of her pack, Ria learnt one thing. You could only make the first impression


    once. And she had no idea why it was so important for her to show these


    people her true worth, but she knew that it was.


    So, she gracefully turned on her heels and walked towards the three lycan girls who still


    had smirks on their faces.


    “Ladies,” she gave them one of her most dazzling smiles, “It maye as a shock to you, but some


    women have more value than simply trying tond a male. I understand that it’s


    hard toprehend for some and while I am your king’s personal guest, I came here to work


    on women rights. Something we all can benefit from. That is if you have any kind of aspirations in life, of


    course.”


    The three women froze in front of her, not knowing how to proceed. This wasn’t what


    they expected at all.


    “You say that and yet you are dressed like that,” one of them finally regained her voice.


    “Like what?” Riannon decided to set a little trap.


    “Yes, like what?” princess Savanah appeared right next to them in a beautiful gown with a ss of


    champagne in her hand, “I should probably mention before you say anything, that I personally picked


    Ria’s dress for tonight. So, please, enlighten me, what does she look like in


    it?”


    Now the gossip girls looked pale.


    “It’s a very beautiful dress,” one of them stuttered while the other two nodded vigorously. “Amazing!”


    “Such a great taste!”


    Riannon rolled her eyes, slightly disappointed with the princess arriving too early. She


    women, and they escaped within seconds.


    “My, my!” Savvy giggled as she put her ss down and took Ria’s hand, “You are quite bloodthirsty,


    aren’t you?”


    “I don’t know what you are talking about,” a little smile curled the Luna’s lips,“I just like to tackle the


    problems at once. And finish them off while I can.”


    “Don’t worry,” the girl gave her a warm smile, “Those three bark but they don’t bite. I am happy with your


    dress choice, by the way. It was one of my favourites too. When my brother


    sees you in this…”


    The princess bit her lip and stopped talking as if she had told too much. Someone called


    her name and she turned to look at the person nervously.


    “Riannon, I have to leave you for now,” she said apologetically, “But I will find youter.


    Go this way, okay?”


    She motioned towards the stone starecase that led down to the main garden where there were white


    tents, and more guests were scattered around the grounds. Beautiful music was ying and overall, the


    reception looked very elegant. Just to Ria’s taste.


    She stood at the top of the staircase, looking around. She noticed Beta Reid talking to two girls both of


    whom were sending some very clear signals to him, while touching his chest and biceps. He didn’t seem


    to mind that at all. She kept on looking when her eyes finally locked with Gideon’s.He stood with a group


    of men who were discussing something loudly and looked at her. And there was so much in his gaze,


    hungry and filled with desire, that she was


    sure he woulde up to her any minute now.


    But instead, the lycan king turned on his feet and walked in the opposite direction.


    The familiar hurt pierced her heart.


    Just how stupid she was to think that his words about her were serious? He obviously changed his mind


    already and she had to deal with it. There rtionship was strictly professional from now on. She


    wouldn’t let anyone think anything other than that. Not even


    herself.


    Riannon straightened her back and picked up her dress, descending the stairs with


    grace. She couldn’t go back to her room and admit her defeat. She couldn’t stalk the king in hope to talk


    to him and clear things out. She had to keep her face at all times. And right now there was only one thing


    that she could do – mingle.


    Luckily, after the scene with the princess just a few minutes ago, a lot of people were


    speaking to, she was catching Gideon’s gazes on her. Just what was his problem,? Why couldn’t he


    simplye up and talk to her?


    Soon Riannon found herself in thepany of the pack warriors. A.K.A. the protein shakes guys. She


    found them the warmest crowd. And the funniest. They were all standing under one of the tents that was


    ced around a huge oak tree. The sheer white fabric was flowing peacefully around them, blown by the


    yful wind.


    She only mentioned the protein drinks as they all started talking about them as if their


    lives depended on this.


    “Look, Luna,” one of the guys rolled the sleeve of his shirt and flexed his muscles, “Do you see the kind


    of effect it gives us? Try it!”


    He was offering for her to touch the huge bulge on his arm, and she had no idea how to


    get out of this.


    “Jay, stop this!” the gamma of the pack, Cyrus, run his hand over his face while his mate Liam tried to


    hold backughter.


    “What?” the guy in question rolled his eyes, “The Luna doesn’t mind, right”


    Now she was cornered.


    “Of course, I don’t,” she smiled politely and stretched her hand to feel his muscle. But before her fingers


    were able to reach his skin, a loud growl interrupted them all.


    They turned to the sound and saw their king storming their way with his eyes darkened.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    However, if other guests started to walk away as soon as possible, the warriors did not even flinch.


    Riannon already understood prior that this group was tight with their leader.


    “Hey, Gideon, we are exining Luna Thorn here…”


    “Everybody out!” The lycan royalty growled and his men bowed politely, leaving the two of them


    absolutely alone in the tent.


    “And may I ask,” Ria walked past him to the huge oak trunk, “Why did you just do it?”


    “To make sure you don’t do any silly mistakes,” he replied, still clearly trying to get his emotions under


    control.


    “And what mistake would it be?” she looked at him with interest, watching his chest go up and down. He


    was wearing just pants and a shirt that was unbuttoned at the top.


    “You know very well,” he stepped closer but she did not budge.“No, I really don’t,” she shook her head,


    “What kind of a mistake would that be to check


    “Ria, l… I wasn’t ignoring you…” Gideon didn’t know what words to choose to exin to


    her what was going on with him. Back in her room at night, when she was sleeping peacefully,


    he realised that if he stayed in her presence, his wolf would go crazy and take over the control sooner or


    later. He couldn’t afford that. So, he decided to take the easy way out and to try and see less of her. At


    least until the evening, since his sister invited this many people to their


    house.


    “It’s all right,” Riannon said with a heavy sigh, “You don’t owe me an exnation. We owe each other


    nothing and I understand thatst night probably meant nothing to you.”


    “Nothing?” he growled and grasped her arm, pulling her behind him all the way to the oak tree, where he


    mmed her against the trunk.


    “What are you…” Riannon started asking him when his hot lips crumpled hers in one beautiful and


    absolutely magical kiss. This time he did not even try to be gentle with her. And she loved it. This kiss


    was mad, raging, all-consuming. It seemed like the two of them had gone crazy as he pressed her


    against the tree, panting.


    “Just what is going on?” she demanded an exnation, “Why are you hot one minute and cold another?”


    He opened his mouth to tell her everything. Gideon wanted to let her know how precious she was to him.


    He did not think he could hold this secret to himself any longer…


    But right when the words were ready to slip off his tongue, they both heard loud screams


    and snapped their head in their direction…