Chapter 148

Ava

I smoothed my hands over the soft cotton of my shirt as we approached the small reception room where the Alpha of Moonshine pack was waiting. My heart hammered in my chest, both with nerves and residual desire from our earlier lovemaking.

I had to force myself to focus, pushing aside thoughts of tangled sheets and wandering hands. But it was hard for me to remove the bright red flush from my cheeks, especially now, with all of the guards and servants in the Packhouse staring at us.

“Are you ready for this?” I murmured as we stopped in front of the door, glancing up at Chris.

He flashed me a reassuring smile, his palm finding the small of my back. “I could ask you the same thing.”

The guards swung the doors open and we entered the room to find the Alpha already standing, his sharp blue eyes flickering between us.

Alpha Fabian was a tall, broad-shouldered Alpha with red hair who was known for his traditional attire—simple button-downs tucked into practical wool pants with boots. Due to Moonshine’s slightly colder and wetter, cliffside terrain on the eastern end of the continent, the residents of that pack often dressed in wool and knit sweaters.

It was clear that he wasn’t the most prepared for our heat in Moonstone, although he tried to hide his discomfort.

A small, tight smile tugged at his lips as we entered. He bowed sharply at the waist—never one for impolite introductions.

“Alpha Fabian,” Chris greeted with a respectful dip of his head. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Fabian waved a dismissive hand as he straightened. “Don’t mention it. I’m happy to help however I can.” His gaze settled on me, and he bowed his head. “Luna Ava, it’s been too long. You’re looking well.”

I felt heat creep into my cheeks at those words: Luna Ava. It would take some time to get used to that. “Thank you, Fabian. It’s good to see you too.”

An awkward silence fell as Fabian studied us for a moment. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I heard through the grapevine that congratulations may be in order.”

Chris and I exchanged a glance. He gave a slight nod, squeezing my hip. “I just made the announcement last night: Ava is going to be my Luna.”

“I see.” There was another long silence before Fabian said, “It’s highly untraditional for a Luna to be a woman who has already been mated before.”

My stomach twisted at the reminder, but Chris simply shrugged. “As I’ve said many times since I took my position as Alpha,” he said firmly, “I’m not a traditional sort of man.”

I felt my stomach clench again. I wondered if Alpha Fabian might condemn us, but to my surprise, he simply laughed.

“Perhaps the rest of us should follow suit in the endeavor to do away with outdated traditions.” He paused, giving Chris an appraising look. “I respect your choice. Ava is a remarkable woman—any pack would be lucky to have her as their Luna.” He turned his gaze to me. “And from the way you two look at each other, it’s clear you’re made for one another.”

My breath caught in my throat as Chris’s arm tightened around me, tugging me close. “Thank you, Fabian,” he replied. “That means more than you know.”

Clearing his throat, Fabian nodded. “Of course. Moonstone and Moonshine may not have the closest relationship, but we’ve been longstanding allies since our fathers’ times.” He paused again, licking his lips before continuing. “Although, there will be... pushback from certain Alphas. Especially the ones who sent their daughters to the bachelorette ball.”

Chris grimaced. “I know. And I’m sorry for the dishonor that caused them. I had my reasons for keeping my relationship with Ava under wraps, but in hindsight…” He trailed off with a sigh.

“We intend to personally apologize and make amends with each bachelorette and her family,” I cut in with a dip of my head. “And Alpha Fabian, we’re sincerely—”

“You don’t owe anyone anything, Luna Ava,” Fabian said gruffly. “An Alpha’s choice of Luna is no one’s business but his own. If anyone gives you trouble over this, you let me know. I’ll set them straight.”

My eyes widened slightly. “Thank you, Fabian,” was all I could manage.

He smiled warmly at me. “Not a problem. Now…” His expression sobered once more. “As touching as this little reunion is, we do have other matters to discuss.”

Right on cue, the door opened and two burly guards entered, flanking a dejected-looking Amelia. Her wrists were bound, her head bowed in shame.

“Amelia,” Chris said, his tone carefully neutral as he released me.

She flinched, refusing to meet his eyes. “Alpha.” She paused, glancing up at Fabian. “Uncle.”

A low growl rumbled in Fabian’s throat. “You dishonor our family, Amelia,” he chided. “We have been friends of Moonstone for decades, and you do this?”

Amelia swallowed hard and flinched again. “Alpha, I’m so sorry. I never meant—”

“Enough.” Chris held up a hand, his face grim. “Your actions endangered my mate and threatened the stability of this pack. That’s unforgivable.” He paused, his expression softening slightly when he glanced over at me. “But I also know you weren’t acting entirely of your own free will. You were coerced and threatened.”

Fabian spoke up then, his tone solemn. “Which is why I intend to punish her... but with leniency,” he said. “Amelia, you will take on the role of scullery maid in my manor for one year. You may not attend any family gatherings, nor will you see your lover during that time. Am I clear?”

Amelia’s eyes widened with disbelief, and maybe a hint of relief at the fact that it could have been much, much worse. “Uncle…”

“Don’t mistake my mercy for weakness,” Fabian said sternly. “What you did was an incredible violation. Be grateful that Alpha Chris and Luna Ava are showing you leniency. Not long ago, you might have been hanged or sentenced to rot in a cell for the rest of your life.”

She bowed her head again. “Yes, Uncle. Thank you.”

With a weary sigh, Fabian turned back to us. “Now, as for this matter with the Moonbite powder... it’s more sinister than a simple attempt to trap an Alpha, isn’t it?”

Chris and I exchanged a heavy look. “We’re not sure of the full extent yet,” I admitted. “But one theory is that whoever is behind this may be trying to destabilize Moonstone.”

“And perhaps not only Moonstone, if their first instinct was to go for my niece,” Fabian finished with a grim nod. “Clever, if not twisted.” He set his jaw, his blue eyes hardening to steel. “You can count on my help rooting out this threat, Alpha Chris. It could be a danger to all of us.”

A wide smile broke across Chris’s face as he extended his hand and shook Fabian’s firmly. “Thank you, old friend. We may need all the allies we can get before this is over.”

Eventually, Fabian and his packmates departed with Amelia in tow. She shot me one last shameful look over her shoulder before disappearing through the door.

Silence fell once we were alone. I bit my lip, studying Chris’s pensive expression for a long moment.

Finally, I murmured, “Do you think that Degas’s prophecy will come true?”