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.

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 nothing to

a moment, allowing the rush to die down before he slips his

company. Her hands-on approach to handling every hurdle, as well as her work ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not only

him, as I adjust the pearl strap of my ivory-fitted dress that reaches the floor. My hair is pulled up in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few small

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 the new

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 clapping

eyes widen in surprise. Yes, I have aimed to grow, to do better every single day,

Red,” 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 up at Atticus, my

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.

do that when you are

“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, Melanie Walton for standing

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

out again. Everyone claps and

try to remember everyone’s names.

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

my eyes darting around the hall before I find the doors on the far end, but all I see is the back of a man in a black suit, but it’s only for a second

and I’m glad that the hard part is 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,

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

a few hours left. Get back in there.” I tell myself

pearl strap just doesn’t feel enough to support my breasts. Well, I’ve made it through more than half of the

on my face and exit the ladies’ room, almost tripping over the hem of my skirt. I frown, bending down as I tug it

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

my hands instantly go to

“I do apologise, I…”

husky voice behind me

A voice I recognise…

turn. I scan the hall, my eyes darting back to the bathroom

seductive voice comes, still making goosebumps rise 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 go to

grabs a hold of the string that once held the pearl’s- in his fingers, and

heart is pounding as he steps closer, and I step away, but it’s a mistake because I now see him in the mirror before me. However,

me. I spent years trying to get rid of those emotions…

at the string and I gasp, loosening my