I Am The Luna

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 him coming 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 playfully at Atticus. “Twice actually,” I say softly, sipping the champagne from my glass. 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 the lavish 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 playfully 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.

asset to my company for the last few years. Being voted in as managing director of the company last year

die down before he

herself greatly and not only to me but to our company. 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

dress that reaches the floor. My hair is pulled up in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair

as Dad continues and a few whispers, which I don’t bother with. “It has been a while since Mr. Simmons has been contemplating retiring from his

with my greatest pleasure to announce none other than my daughter, Ms Zaia Toussaint!) Dad says and everyone begins clapping as the cameras

to grow, to do better every single day, but I never expected Dad to name me his heir this

as Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning me to step onto

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 glance out at everyone gathered here, waiting for

you do that when you

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

want to thank Atticus Payne for always being an incredible friend,

ear, only for it to slip out again. Everyone claps and Dad gives me a hug, congratulating me as

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

me of one person and it makes my heart pound. I close my eyes, my

the far end, but all I see is the back of a man in a black suit, but it’s only for a second before

exhausted mentally from all the socialising, and I just want to head home and curl up with my babies. I

kids goodnight before ending the call. I know I need to return… the quietness of the hotel

there.” I tell

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

almost tripping over the hem of my skirt. I frown, bending down as I tug it

something catches on my pearl strap and to my horror,

my hands instantly go to

“I do apologise, I…”

the husky voice behind me trails

A voice I recognise…

my eyes darting back to the bathroom door as I clutch my dress to my

His intoxicating scent hits me and I’m about to rush into one of

he grabs a hold of the string that

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

strange reason still has an effect on me. I spent years trying

let go,” he repeats, yanking at the string and I gasp, loosening my hold a little. Deftly, he pulls the