Chapter 33

The click of my heels against the marble echoed in the ballroom. It was so quiet despite there being a hundred people in attendance. I kept my face as unbothered as possible and leaned into Ethan slightly.

“Why are they all staring at us?” I whispered, eyes raking over the guests and their unrelenting gazes.

“Andrew is the one who took over my parents’ pack when they passed away,” Ethan grit out, his voice low. “Our presence and support shows that I have officially moved on in their eyes.”

I pressed my lips together in a firm line, finally understanding the importance of this event. It was not just the party of another powerful alpha wolf, but it was Ethan publicly showing that he has accepted his past.

I found it all incredibly brave. Ethan continued to surprise me with each passing day.

“And,” Ethan added as we approached the final step, “Every woman here is jealous of your beauty. I can smell it on them, that bitter scent of envy.”

I couldn’t help but giggle at his words. An affectionate smile dimpled his cheeks and the nerves melted out of my body. If Ethan could be brave here, then so could I.

I took a deep breath and lifted my head as we walked into the crowd. I didn’t want anyone to think I was weak or afraid, not while I was here to support Ethan. I held everyone’s gaze, refusing to back down.

I swayed my hips slightly, rolled my shoulders back, and attempted to look as alluring and powerful as possible. With an alpha as intimidating as Ethan on my arm, it wasn’t difficult at all.

Ethan and I glanced at each other, mirroring proud expressions.

The hush over the crowd was filled shortly after we were mixed into the crowd and out of everyone’s line of sight. Guests started speaking with one another again, though I overheard a few people whispering Ethan’s name.

“Is that Ethan Velasco?” A loud, booming alpha struts over to us followed by four other businessmen. He thrust an outstretched hand at Ethan.

Ethan smiles, though I can tell it’s forced, and shakes the man’s hand, “Donatello, how are you?”

“Good, though not as good as you are apparently,” Donatello’s eyes rake over my body and I fight the urge to try and hide.

I am not a meak little girl anymore, I am here as Ethan’s Luna.

“You heard about my marriage, then?” Ethan asks diplomatically, “This is my wife Ava.”

I smiled at Donatello, “Hello sir.”

“What a pretty little minx you are,” The older man gave Ethan a congratulatory slap on the back. “You got yourself a nice one over here.”

I pretended to be flattered by the compliment, batting my eyelashes and giggling when appropriate. Ethan and Donatello’s conversation drifted away from his wedding and into the business of his company. I wasn’t really listening as more alphas approached us and surrounded Ethan.

The energy around them was suffocating. So many alphas in one place resulted in a battle for dominance in the social hierarchy of th conversation.

Luckily, one of the wives of the alphas approached and saved me from the group.

“You look bored, dear.” She cooed with a sweet smile.

“I don’t run the business,” I shrugged with an easy going grin, “I don’t always know what is being said.”

“Come with me then, I will introduce you to some of the other Lunas.” She beckoned me to follow her. I got Ethan’s attention, though extremely briefly, and gestured to tell him I was leaving.

He nodded and I was off.

“My name is Rachel, I’m married to Donatello.” She introduced herself as we walked to a group of ladies standing near a refreshments table.

“I’m-” I tried to introduce myself as we got to the group, but another wolf interrupted me before I could finish.

“We all know who you are!” The younger Luna burst out. She was an energetic person, practically bouncing in place as she talked. “You’re the new wife of Ethan Velasco. He hasn’t been seen in the alpha circle since he was a kid.”

“Oh, yes.” I forgot other people knew about Ethan’s situation.

“Evangeline, be quiet!” A prudish Luna chastised the younger one, “Nobody likes it when you gossip, don’t you hate gossip Ava?”

I wanted to answer, but Rachel cut me off this time. She demanded the women calm themselves and let me speak. Rachel was obviously the leader of their little group. She got them to be silent and gave me the floor.

“How are you liking your life as a Luna?” Rachel once asked the women beside her hushed.

I smiled, a real true smile, “I like it a lot. Ethan is so good to me, he’s the perfect alpha for me.”

As I said those words, I felt pride in the fact that I did truly mean them. I thought about life after the year was up and our divorce was set, I didn’t think that there would ever be another man who could compare to Ethan.

The Lunas ooh’ed and aw’ed at my statements and began speaking over each other excitedly. While they were chatting amongst themselves, I took a moment to slip away. Their emotions were high, their energies were buzzing. I felt my hairs stand up with anxiety during the conversation I was having with them.

Part of me was constantly scared that I’d let a secret that Ethan and I shared slip and then everyone in the werewolf world would know. I caught Rachel watching me a few times, though she smiled constantly . Her smile was not kind.

She reminded me of Sarah, pretending to be kind and always wanting more than anyone could give. I made a mental note to keep track of her in the future.

I waited for a group of guests to pass by and snuck away behind them. The lunas were so occupied with their own words that I knew they wouldn’t even notice I was gone. At least, I didn’t think they would.

I meandered around the party, looking desperately to find Ethan once again. In my past experience, any time I went to a party and left Ethan’s side for too long something bad happened. For example, being pushed into a pool and almost drowning.

To avoid any risk of running into jealous ex-girlfriends, I needed to find Ethan.

I was walking in circles as I searched. Every person looked the same to me, I couldn’t distinguish Ethan’s brown slicked back hair among the several other men who had their hair in the same style.

Frustration bubbled in my stomach.

Where could he possibly have gone in such a short amount of time?

I walked along the wall, thinking I’d find him on the outskirts of the party. Instead, I found something that was far more sinister.

Upon seeing two very familiar figures standing together and whispering in the furthest corner of the room, my knees felt like jelly and the blood in my face poured into my lungs.

My half-sister Dora was talking to Sarah. Their faces were close together as they spoke. They kept looking around them, checking to see if anyone was listening to whatever it was they were plotting.

Oh, and I knew they were plotting. Dora only knew how to be cruel.

I tried to turn and run, but there was no time. Someone behind me sneezed and their heads whipped over in my direction.

They saw me spying on them.