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.

knows, my Daughter Zaia Toussaint has been a great asset to my company for the last few years. Being voted in as managing director of the company last year by the board itself. I can assure you that had

to die down before he slips

and not only to me but to our company. Her hands-on approach to handling every hurdle, as well as

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

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 contemplating retiring from his position and tonight, hot only will I be announcing

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

Yes, I have aimed to grow, to do better every single day, but I never expected Dad

Atticus whispers in my ear, taking my glass from me as Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look

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

do you do that when you are not

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 want to thank my mother,

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

slip out again. Everyone claps and

and I’m lost in the sea of faces as I try to remember everyone’s names. I’m almost out

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

the doors on the far end, but all I see is the back of a

socialising, and I just want to head home and curl up with my

kids goodnight before ending the call. I know I

back in there.” I tell myself as I look

feel enough

ladies’ room, almost tripping over the hem of my skirt. I frown, bending down as

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

loose and my hands instantly go to

“I do apologise, I…”

husky voice

A voice I recognise…

scan the hall, my eyes darting back to the bathroom door as I

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

fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of the

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

has an effect on me. I spent years trying to

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