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.

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

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

truth. She has proven 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 and professionalism towards our clients, have not only been appreciated by others, but

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.

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

pleasure to announce none other than my daughter, Ms

I have aimed to grow, to do better every single

hand out to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at Atticus, my heart skipping a beat. He

to help me up the steps to the stage. I glance out at everyone gathered here,

you do that when you

beautiful moment. I want to thank my father for believing in me, the board members for always supporting and guiding me

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

it behind my ear, only for it to slip out again. Everyone claps and Dad gives me a hug, congratulating

sea of faces as I try to remember

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

spin around, 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

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, having excused

the kids goodnight before ending the call. I know I need to return… the quietness of the hotel hall is

back in 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 to

tripping over the

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

my dress come loose and my hands instantly go to my dress, my heart

“I do apologise, I…”

thuds as the husky voice behind me trails

A voice I recognise…

the hall, my eyes darting back to the

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

off, as his fingers. brush the satin until he grabs a hold of

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 it, it’s

strange reason still has an effect on me. I spent years trying to

yanking at the string and