Chapter 160

Ava

I let Chris lead me back to the party, the sounds of laughter and music growing louder as we approached. The town square had become even more raucous since I had slipped away to follow Elise, a throng of people dancing to the music and the bar crowded with attendees.

Chris pulled me close as we reached the dance floor, his arms wrapping around my waist.

Despite his inebriated state, he moved gracefully, swaying us confidently to the rhythm of the music. Nearby, I spotted Ophelia and Leonard, looking just as content as they danced together.

“Look at those two,” I murmured to Chris, nodding towards our friends. “They seem so happy.”

Chris grinned, his eyes slightly unfocused from the alcohol but warm. “They do, don’t they? I’m glad Leonard has finally found someone.”

“Me too.” I glanced up at Chris’s taut jawline and gave his shoulder a squeeze. “But Chris, I’m worried Elise—”

Before I could finish, Ophelia caught my eye and beamed brightly. She leaned in close to Leonard, whispering something in his ear that made him chuckle. Then, she broke away and practically bounced over to us.

“Ava! Chris!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Leonard just told me that the Elders are willing to let me move here. Is that true, darling?”

“It’s not set in stone yet, but the Elders are considering it,” Chris replied with a nod. “You would be like a test case for the new policy. We’ll have to work out the details.”

Ophelia squealed and threw her arms around both of us, nearly knocking me off balance. “Oh, this is wonderful! I can’t wait to learn more about your culture and way of life. Thank you both so much for making this possible.”

Chris laughed, steadying himself against me. “Don’t thank us yet. There’s still a lot to work out. But we’re hopeful.”

Leonard joined us, wrapping an arm around Ophelia’s waist. “I think we could all use a refill,” he said, gesturing to our empty glasses. “Shall we head to the bar?”

I nodded, suddenly aware of how parched I was. “Sure. I could use a refill.”

Ophelia and Leonard began leading the way to the bar. Chris stopped, touching my arm and shooting me a curious glance. “What were you saying just now?” he asked. “Something about Elise?”

I opened my mouth to tell him what I had seen, but then shut it again. Elise had returned to her seat at the table with the rest of the Elders, and was currently chatting with Paul. Perhaps I had just overheard plans for a surprise, something innocuous…

Whatever it was, it couldn’t have been enough to warrant putting a damper on tonight’s party.

“Nothing,” I said with a smile and a shake of my head. “It was nothing.”

“Oh.” Chris furrowed his brow slightly, but upon seeing my genuine expression, he nodded and pulled away. “I need to use the restroom. Could you order me another drink?”

I nodded, and with a squeeze of my hand, he left.

For a moment, I took a moment to survey the party. Pack members mingled and laughed, enjoying the festivities. Young couples swayed on the dance floor, pressing kisses to one another’s cheeks. Children wove through the crowd, their lips stained with frosting.

But as I started to make my way through the crowd, I noticed something odd. Some people seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me, quickly turning away when I approached. A few older couples pursed their lips at me and shook their heads in disapproval. It made me uneasy.

Frowning, I continued toward the bar. Just as I was about to reach it, I bumped into someone—the young Omega girl from the clinic—and nearly knocked her off her feet.

“Oh! I’m so sorry,” I said, steadying her. “Are you alright?”

She nodded, her eyes wide. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you, Luna Ava.”

I smiled at her, but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling I’d just had moments before. “Can I ask you something?” I said, lowering my voice. “Do you think... Do people dislike the fact that I was chosen as Chris’s Luna? I’m not even officially the Luna yet, but it feels like some people already have disdain for me.”

The girl’s eyes widened even further. “Oh no, Luna Ava! That’s not true at all. There are plenty of us—especially the Omegas—who speak very fondly of you.”

“Really?” I asked, surprised.

She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. In fact, many of us refer to you as the True Luna.”

I felt a chill run down my spine at the mention of those words—the same words that Degas had used in his prophecy. “The... True Luna?” I choked out. “How do you know about that?”

The girl looked confused. “Know about what?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. “There was a prophecy... but never mind. What do you mean by ‘True Luna’?”

“Oh, it’s just a legend among the Omegas,” she explained. “We’ve always spoken of a woman known as the True Luna—our Goddess Luna’s most trusted and profound extension of herself, sort of like her prophet—who would bring our people into a new era. And you, Luna Ava, show all the signs.”

“What signs?”

The girl started ticking off points on her fingers. “Well, you were previously married before becoming the Luna. You helped free us Omegas from slavery. You have brought new ideas and changes to the pack. It’s all part of the legend.”

I shook my head and swallowed hard, overwhelmed. “I... I don’t know what to say. I’m not special. I’m just trying to do what’s right.”

The girl smiled softly. “But that’s exactly what makes you special, Luna Ava. You care about all of us, even those who were once considered lesser.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, I heard Chris’s name being called urgently from across the square. Turning, I saw Bradley hurrying towards where Leonard, Ophelia, and Chris—who had returned from his bathroom break before I could reach the bar—were standing.

Excusing myself from the Omega girl, I made my way back to the group. As I approached, I caught the tail end of Bradley’s words.

“...in your office immediately. It’s urgent.”

Chris nodded, his expression sobering quickly. He followed Bradley and disappeared before I could reach them. When I finally made my way to Ophelia and Leonard, they both appeared just as perturbed as I felt.

“What was that about?” I asked, my eyes following Chris as he disappeared into the Packhouse.

Leonard shrugged. “Pack business.”

“And he didn’t bring you?” I asked. “His Beta?”

“He wanted me to stay here—keep an eye on the party,” Leonard replied.

I nodded stiffly. But as I stared up at the Packhouse, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. My eyes drifted up to the window of Chris’s office, and a moment later, the light flicked on.

Chris’s face momentarily appeared in the window, his eyes meeting mine as though magnetically drawn to the exact spot I was standing. There, for a moment, I saw a look of concern flash through his gaze.

And then he snapped the curtains shut.