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.

last few years. Being voted in as managing director of the company last year by the board itself. I can assure you that had nothing to do with me!” He

down before he slips

hands-on approach to handling every hurdle, as well as her work ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not only been appreciated by

stylish updo with a small pearl hair

“It has been a while since Mr. Simmons has been contemplating retiring from his position and tonight, hot only will I

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

every single day, but I never expected Dad to name me his

holds his hand out to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at

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 the clapping to die down.

when you are

I begin, rewarded by light laughter, 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

side through thick and thin… last but not least, I want to thank Atticus Payne for always being an incredible friend, and for

only for it to slip out again.

as I try to remember everyone’s names. I’m almost out

and it makes my heart pound. I close my eyes, my heart thumping,

on the far end, but all I see is the back of a man in a black suit, but

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 the ladies’

call. I know I need to return… the quietness of the hotel hall

left. Get back in there.” I tell

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

small smile on my face and exit the ladies’ room, almost tripping over the hem

me gasp as something catches on my pearl strap and to my horror, the violent tug breaks the

and my hands

“I do apologise, I…”

husky voice

A voice I recognise…

the hall, my eyes darting back

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

trail off, as his fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of

a mistake because I now see him in the mirror before me. However, I refuse to look at his face. If I

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