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.

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

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

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

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

a while since Mr. Simmons has been contemplating retiring from his position and

of this empire! It is with my greatest pleasure to announce none other than my daughter, Ms

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

his hand out to me, motioning me

winks at me, 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.

do you do that when you are

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

I want to thank Atticus Payne for always being an incredible

out again. Everyone claps and Dad gives me a hug, congratulating me as the camera flashes blind

influx of people are surrounding me, and I’m lost in the sea of faces as I try to remember everyone’s names. I’m

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

on the far end, but all I see is

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

had bid the kids goodnight before ending the call. I know

there.” I tell myself as I look in

of my dress, 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 hour or so

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

I’m going, my arm knocks into someone, making me gasp as something catches on my pearl strap and

hands instantly go

“I do apologise, I…”

heart thuds as the husky voice behind

A voice I recognise…

turn. I scan the hall, my eyes darting back to the bathroom door as I clutch my dress to

the door open. His intoxicating scent hits

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

go,” He commands in 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 don’t

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