Chapter 42

Ava

“Ava? Where did you go?”

Chris’s voice rang out through the hallway, beckoning me back to the party. Meanwhile, Olivia’s lips curled into a cruel smirk as she leaned closer. “Go on,” she hissed. “Your Alpha is calling you.”

With that parting remark, she brushed past me. I wanted nothing more than to hurl a biting retort at her retreating back, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I drew in a sharp, steadying breath and smoothed my hands over the fabric of my dress. I would not give that vile woman the satisfaction of seeing me unraveled.

Lifting my chin, I turned on my heel and made my way back toward the banquet hall.

“There you are. I was looking everywhere for you.” Chris furrowed his brow at me, holding the door a little wider to let me in. “Is everything alright?”

I managed a weak smile. “Everything’s fine,” I assured him. “I just needed a moment to myself, that’s all.”

Chris studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. His gaze drifted sideways, and I followed it over to where Lily was laughing at something one of the dinner guests had said.

“You two seem to be getting along well,” I remarked, keeping my tone light and casual.

“She’s a good conversationalist.”

A good conversationalist. I fought back the urge to scoff at the understatement. Of course Lily was far more than just that—she was poised, elegant, refined. A natural born Luna through and through.

What was I in comparison?

The dinner bell rang out then. Chris offered me his arm, which I took with a polite smile as we made our way to the long table, where a feast had been laid out.

I found myself seated beside Chris, with Leonard on my other side and Lily across from me. As the Elders clinked their glasses and launched into the usual stuffy ceremonial toasts, my gaze wandered over to study Chris.

He looked perfectly at ease, nursing a glass of deep red wine and nodding along with the Elders’ words about prosperous futures and the symbolic bonding of two great packs through unity. There was not a flicker of surprise or discomfort in his expression.

I felt my brow furrow slightly as I studied his easygoing demeanor. Did he already know about the Elders’ plan to arrange a match with Lily? Was that why he seemed so unfazed by the not-so-subtle implications? If so…

Did that mean he was open to the idea?

The thought made my heart clench, but I quickly shoved it down. If he was open to it, then that was a good thing. Perhaps a good marriage and a good union with the Moonrise pack would make him stay, just as the prophecy commanded.

“So, Lily,” I began once the Elders had finished their long-winded toasts and the dinner finally began. “What brings you to our region?” Of course I already knew the answer.

Lily offered me a warm smile. “Just visiting,” she said casually. “I’ve heard Moonstone pack is particularly beautiful this time of year, so I had to see it myself.”

“Indeed it is. But our territory is beautiful year-round; perhaps you’ll have to see that for yourself, as well.”

The sound of Olivia’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. I lifted my gaze to find her standing from her nearby seat, wineglass in hand and an expression of mock graciousness plastered across her features.

“If I may offer a toast,” she said. “To our beloved Alpha, Chris, and his… honored guest this evening.”

She shot a pointed look at Lily, a sickly sweet smile gracing her lips.

“I humbly welcome Lady Lily of Moonrise pack,” she said, lifting her glass. “Not only do I hope you enjoy your time here, Miss Lily, but I hope you stay as long as you like… And that our families may grow closer than ever.”

The room fell into a chorus of murmurs and glasses clinking. But all I felt was the heat rushing to my cheeks as my throat tightened, forcing me to swallow back the tears that threatened to spill over. Of course she’d publicly support this union.

After all, who wouldn’t?

As Olivia took her seat and the eyes slid over to Chris and Lily then, hoping to gauge their reactions. Lily seemed more pleased than ever, her delicate, rosebud lips pursing upwards into a sweet smile. She was beautiful, of course.

But Chris’s expression was inscrutable. He said nothing, did nothing, made no move to accept or deny the thinly veiled insinuations that had been made. I wondered, once more, if he had already guessed the true reason for Lily’s visit—and if maybe he truly was okay with it.

How could I blame him, though? She was a perfect match for him.

And Olivia was right: I didn’t hold a candle to her. Or to anyone, for that matter.

…

The rest of the dinner party passed by in a blur of smiles and polite conversation, but I found myself simply moving through the motions, mechanically answering questions and offering thin smiles while my mind was completely elsewhere.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Olivia’s words, or rather, about… well, everything.

Every time I looked over at Chris and Lily, only to see them bent close to each other in hushed conversation, I felt my heart sink just a little more until it was lost in a void.

I knew I shouldn’t be feeling like this; Chris and Lily were an excellent pair, incredibly suited to one another, and the union of Moonrise and Moonstone pack would be incredibly advantageous on both sides; not to mention the fact that this union would likely keep Chris here, effectively satisfying the prophecy and fulfilling my mission.

And yet, I couldn’t seem to help myself. Seeing them together hurt, even though I knew Chris and I never would have worked out anyway.

Goddess, why was I like this?

At long last, the evening finally came to a close. The guests began filtering out, exchanging farewells and compliments on the excellent spread the kitchen staff had prepared. I stayed rooted in my seat, watching with a detached sort of melancholy as Lily made her rounds bidding everyone goodnight.

Suddenly, the delicate touch of a warm hand on my arm made me start.

“Ava?” I looked up to see Leonard looking down at me with concern drawn across his handsome face. “Are you alright? You seem… unwell.”

I swallowed hard, pasting on what I hoped was a reassuring smile as I met his gray eyes. “Oh, I’m fine, Leonard,” I lied. “Just… tired, I suppose. It’s been a long day.”

He studied me for a moment, clearly not quite buying my excuse—but he was clearly wise enough not to press the issue further, or at least not in public. With a slight nod, he then offered me his arm.

“Then allow me to escort you home,” he said simply. “Some rest may do you good.”

I glanced around, searching for Chris's familiar form - but he seemed to have already vanished, along with Lily. My heart sank a little further, but I tried my best to push the thoughts of where they might be or what they may be doing out of my mind and instead offered Leonard another smile as I stood.

“That would be lovely. Thank you,” I managed to murmur, slipping my hand into the crook of Leonard’s elbow.

He led me from the stifling banquet hall and out into the crisp night air, and the breeze managed to dry the tears in my eyes.