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.

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

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 her work ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not

in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few small items of pearl

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 CEO of

but also the 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 clapping

I have aimed to grow, to do better every

to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at Atticus,

way over to Father, and allow him to help me up the steps to the stage. I glance out at everyone gathered here,

that when you

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

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

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

try to remember

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

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

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

know I need to return… the quietness of the

Zaia, just a few hours left. Get back in there.” I tell myself as I look in the mirror at my

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

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

something catches on my pearl strap and to my horror, the violent

loose and my hands instantly go to my dress, my

“I do apologise, I…”

heart thuds as the husky

A voice I recognise…

eyes darting back

he reaches over and pulls the door open. His intoxicating scent hits me and I’m about to

fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of the string that once held the pearl’s- in

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

He commands in his deep voice that for some strange reason still has an effect on me.

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