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.

years. Being voted in as managing director of the company last year by the board itself. I can assure you that had nothing to

he slips his free hand into his pocket

approach to handling every hurdle, as well as her work ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not only been appreciated by others, but above all by myself.” Dad

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 items of pearl jewellery adorn my ears and hands. Winged liner and glossy lips finish off

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,

empire! It is with my greatest pleasure to announce none

surprise. Yes, I have aimed to grow, to do better every single day, but I never expected Dad

from me as Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning

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 you do that when you

I begin, 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

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

strand 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 blind me from

I try to remember everyone’s names. I’m almost out of the crowd when I suddenly feel as

gaze that reminds me of one person and it makes my heart pound. I close my

the far end, but all I see is the back of a man in a

over 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

call. I know I need to return…

left. Get back in there.”

assistant picked it out, but this single pearl strap just doesn’t feel enough

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

on my pearl strap and to my

and my hands instantly go to

“I do apologise, I…”

husky

A voice I recognise…

eyes darting back to the bathroom door as I clutch my dress to

His intoxicating scent hits me and I’m about to rush into one of the stalls when his fingers go to the side of

a hold of the string that

a mistake because I now see him in the mirror before me. However, I refuse to look at his face. If

has an effect on me. I spent years trying to get rid of those emotions… I don’t need

“I said let go,” he repeats, yanking at the string and