Chapter 152

Ava

As we approached the grand gates of Moonrise, I couldn’t help but gape in awe at the sprawling expanse of pristine cottages and gardens lined up in front of us. The neighboring pack’s territory had always been renowned for its lavish beauty and wealth, but seeing it again after so many years still left me breathless.

“Sure is something to look at, isn’t it?” Chris mused, leaning forward to get a better look out the window.

I nodded and followed his gaze. “Moonrise has always been one of the wealthier packs,” I said, “and they show it well.”

His lips quirked up at that. “That comes as no surprise. Lily must have brought a thousand suitcases with her when she came to visit that first time.”

At the mention of Lily, I felt my smile fade ever so slightly. She was a lovely person, really, but I couldn’t help but wonder how she truly felt about everything—perhaps, like Elise had said, Lily felt slighted by what had happened. And I couldn’t blame her. I had, after all, stolen her opportunity to become the Luna of Moonstone pack.

“Hey.”

The sound of Chris’s voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I turned to see him giving me that same intense look he always did when he knew I was thinking too hard. Pursing his lips, he reached out and gave my hand a squeeze.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “It’s not like Elise implied. And even if it were, you know I’m right here by your side.”

Before I could muster up a response, the car stopped at the end of the pebbled driveway leading up to the manor. Chris and I got out, instantly inhaling the sweet scent of tea leaves and peaches—Moonrise’s specialties, their biggest exports. The sun somehow seemed even more golden here, the air carrying a slight tang of salt from the ocean below.

Soon enough, a butler dressed in a sleek black suit greeted us and swept us inside.

We were met with gleaming marble floors, intricately carved wooden beams, and soaring vaulted ceilings throughout the main foyer. My gaze traveled hungrily over every polished surface and gilded accent as our escorts led us through the corridors.

I was so entranced by the grandeur of it all that I nearly walked straight into Lily’s back when she appeared seemingly from nowhere.

“Ava! Chris!” she exclaimed, immediately pulling me into an enthusiastic hug that nearly had me lost amongst the finely draped silks of her dress. “Oh, I’m so glad you could make it!”

Despite my surprise, I readily returned her hug. Over Lily’s shoulder, I caught sight of Chris watching us with a bemused smile on his face.

“It’s wonderful to see you too, Lily,” I said as we parted. “Thank you so much for the invitation.”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, please—when I heard the news about you and Chris, I just had to insist we throw you both a little celebration.” Her gaze softened as it flickered to Chris before returning to me. “I always knew it would be you, you know.”

I squirmed uneasily at her words, at the reminder of the tense bachelorette process she had been dragged into. Forcing a smile, I said carefully, “Lily, I hope you know I never meant—”

“Ava.” She cut me off gently and rested her delicate hands on my forearms. “You don’t have to say anything, okay? Being there for the bachelorette ball, watching how Chris looked at you even then... well, I knew from the start that it would be a long shot at best.”

Her expression turned rueful then, and she shook her head. “And honestly? I was really only there in hopes that you two would finally tell those stuffy Elders of yours to shove it and just be together already.”

Stunned by her candor, I could only gape at her. Chris stepped forward then, clearing his throat gruffly.

“We can’t thank you enough for understanding, Lily,” he said, dipping his head politely. “And… I hope your father feels the same.”

Lily’s button nose crinkled at the mention of her father. “He’ll understand; you two were made for each other. Anyone with eyes can see that.” She paused, glancing over her shoulder. “Now come on—let me show you to your suite. We’ve got a whole evening of celebration planned.”

With that, she turned on her heel and began leading us deeper into the manor. As we followed, Chris leaned closer to murmur in my ear.

“See? Nothing to worry about where Lily’s concerned. She’s one of the good ones.”

I offered him a tight smile, trying to ignore the lingering sense of unease prickling at the back of my neck. Lily might have been fine with everything, but her understanding didn’t necessarily extend to the rest of the packs.

As we ascended an ornate curved staircase towards the guest wing, however, I soon became fixed on something else; my eyes began catching on worrying details. Scuffed floors that normally glistened, cobwebs hanging in corners, foyers dimly lit by a bare minimum of candles, servants rushing around in threadbare uniforms…

It was almost as if the manor’s former splendor was fading in front of my very eyes. I couldn’t help but frown, wondering how it was possible that Alpha Edward would allow the place to fall into disarray, but I kept it to myself.

No sooner had we reached the plush suite that would be our home for the duration of our stay, than Lily bid us farewell to get ready for the evening. The door had barely clicked shut behind her before I turned toward Chris, my eyebrows raised.

“Did you notice...?” I began, but my voice trailed off, chewing my lip uncertainly.

Chris cocked one eyebrow as he shrugged out of his travel jacket. “Notice what?”

I let out a huff, gesturing vaguely around us. “The whole place seems... run down. Like it’s lost some of its luster.” I gestured to the window, which had a crack in one pane and a smudge of bird droppings on the outside. “Do you think Moonrise might be having… money troubles?”

For a long moment, Chris simply studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, his eyes wandered the high ceilings and windows of the suite and he shrugged.

“Perhaps,” he said simply, sinking onto the edge of the bed. As he did, it creaked loudly, causing both of us to wince.

I planted my hands on my hips, but said nothing more about it. It wasn’t my business, I supposed, and the place was still utterly stunning—it was just that, given how opulent Moonrise typically was, it was a bit… shocking.

Several hours later, freshly bathed and dressed for dinner, Chris and I made our way downstairs toward the manor’s main dining hall. Already, I could hear the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses carrying through the dimly lit corridors.

The tightness in my chest loosened somewhat as we entered the lavish hall. Dozens of crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, casting a warm glow over the assembled guests. Lily spotted us almost immediately, waving us over to the table where she sat with her father, Alpha Edward.

As we approached, I took in the spread of food laid out in front of them—and I felt my eyebrows raise at the sight.

Instead of the famous roasted venison and foie gras tarts that were always served at typical Moonrise feasts…

Roasted rabbit was the only dish in sight.