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.

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 nothing to do with me!” He chuckles and others do,

moment, allowing the rush to die down before he slips his free hand into

proven 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

in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few small items of pearl jewellery adorn my ears and hands.

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 the new

heir 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 begins

do better every single day, but I never expected Dad

me as Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning

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 the clapping to die down.

you do that when you are not

“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,

to thank Atticus Payne for always being an incredible friend,

of my hair back, tucking it behind my ear, only for it to slip out again. Everyone claps and Dad gives me a hug, congratulating me as the

try to remember everyone’s names. I’m almost out of the crowd

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

I see is the back of a man in a black suit, but it’s only for

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,

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

back in there.” I tell myself as I

this single pearl strap just doesn’t feel enough to support my breasts. Well, I’ve made it through

smile on my face and exit the 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

dress come loose and my hands instantly go to

“I do apologise, I…”

as the husky

A voice I recognise…

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

door open. His intoxicating scent hits me and I’m about

the satin until he grabs a hold of the string that once held the

away, but it’s a mistake because I now see him in the mirror before me. However, I refuse to look at his

has an effect on me. I spent years trying to

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