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.

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

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

every hurdle, as well as her work ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not only been appreciated by others, but above

the floor. My hair is pulled up in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few small items of pearl

with. “It has been a while since Mr. Simmons has been contemplating retiring from his position and tonight, hot

none other than my daughter, Ms Zaia Toussaint!) Dad

to grow, to do better every single day, but I

as Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at Atticus, my

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

do you do that when you are

smile. “I want to thank everyone for attending tonight and being a part of this beautiful moment. I want to thank my father

and thin… last but not least, I want to thank Atticus Payne

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 camera flashes

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

heart pound. I close my

all I see is the back of a man in a black suit,

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

ending the call. I know I need to

on, Zaia, just a few hours left. Get back in there.” I tell myself as

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 to go. I’m

my face and exit the ladies’ room, almost tripping over the hem of my

gasp as something catches on my pearl strap and to

loose and my hands instantly

“I do apologise, I…”

as the husky voice behind me trails

A voice I recognise…

the hall, my eyes darting back to

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

I trail off, as his fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of the string that once held the pearl’s- in his fingers, and he

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

in his deep voice that for some strange reason still has an effect on me. I spent years trying to get rid of those

this have to happen? “I said let go,” he repeats, yanking at the string and I