Chapter 15

Kayla

Today was my first party as Luna.

Right now, I was standing beside Nicholas, greeting every guest that walked through the grand entrance of the Alpha Manor. The chandeliers above cast a warm glow on the polished marble floors, and the air was thick and heady with the scent of expensive perfumes and colognes.

I looked at the big shots who used to ignore Bluemoon Pack and scoff at us, now acting all familiar and eager in front of me. It felt utterly ridiculous. Their smiles were too wide, their handshakes too firm.

But I was acting too, so I supposed we were even.

Emma and Ava stood nearby, offering supportive smiles. Their presence was a comfort amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces, and I was glad to have them here.

And whenever the feeling of Nicholas’s arm looped firmly around my waist became too much for me to handle, I could look at them and feel grounded.

Once all of the guests were greeted, we entered the grand hall, a lavish space adorned with opulent decorations and glittering chandeliers. The orchestra played softly in the background, and people milled about with glasses in hand.

“I need to discuss some matters with the council members,” Nicholas said, touching my arm lightly. “Will you be alright?”

I nodded. “Of course. I’ll mingle.”

With that, he headed off to join a group of stern-looking men and I drifted toward a cluster of women, their gowns shimmering under the soft lights.

“Luna Kayla, your dress is exquisite,” one of them gushed.

“Thank you,” I replied, smoothing my hands over the shimmery crimson fabric. “You all look stunning tonight.”

As the conversation flowed, my attention was caught by a hushed exchange between two women standing a few feet away.

“Hasn’t it already been found? If only I could see it with my own eyes… It would be a sight to behold,” one whispered, her eyes darting around cautiously.

“Forget it,” the other replied. “The person who has it has been in bed unconscious for two years.”

A dreadful feeling settled in my stomach. Unconscious for two years… Who were they talking about?

Excusing myself from the group, I sipped from my glass of white wine and casually moved closer, hoping to overhear more.

Just then, a very fashionable woman carrying a sequined purse stepped directly into my path.

“Do you know where Cole is?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“Who’s Cole?” I responded, genuinely puzzled.

The woman stared at me in disbelief, her perfectly sculpted eyebrows arching. “Nicholas Reynolds! Your Alpha! Your husband!”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Cole? If he had a nickname, why didn’t the fucker tell me before such an important party? “Oh! Of course, Cole,” I said. “Sorry, it slipped my mind.”

She eyed me suspiciously. “You forgot your own husband’s nickname?”

I stumbled over my words. “Well, he has so many nicknames, it’s hard to keep track.”

Suddenly, Nicholas appeared at my side. “Is there a problem here?” he asked smoothly, wrapping his arm around me and tugging me close.

The woman turned to him, a sly smile playing on her lips as her eyes flicked between us. “Just surprised that your Luna doesn’t know your nickname, Cole.”

Nicholas’s gaze hardened. “Lady, don’t make things difficult for my girl. I’ve never had a nickname like Cole.”

Her smile faltered. “Really? That’s odd. I could have sworn—”

“You must be mistaken,” he cut in firmly. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

The woman huffed but had no choice but to leave.

As she walked away, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Who was she? One of your exes?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“No,” Nicholas replied curtly.

With that, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a secluded corner behind a tall potted plant. I glanced back to find the two women I’d overheard earlier, but they were already gone.

“I need to remind you again,” Nicholas said sharply, his eyes boring into mine. “Playing my Luna isn’t a joke.”

I pushed against his grip. “I can’t remember every nickname you have,” I retorted. “You didn’t exactly provide me with a list. In fact, you didn’t tell me at all.”

His jaw tightened. “That’s because she was testing you. She’s an informant for the guild. You should be careful.”

“Fighting the guild is your problem,” I snapped. “Don’t drag me into it.”

“It’s too late,” he replied, his voice low. “You’re in it now. With me.”

I couldn’t push Nicholas’s chest away; he was practically pressing me against the wall with his warm body. To outsiders, it probably looked like we were sharing an intimate moment in the corner. But I growled under my breath, “Let me go.”

His eyes narrowed dangerously. He leaned down and whispered in my ear, his voice smooth like a brush of velvet against my skin. “Promise to be a good girl first.”

I had to admit, his words did stir something in me, a heat that spread from my core outward. My knees wobbled a little, and I felt my throat constrict. Unbidden, fantasies of showing him just how “good” I could be flashed through my mind, even though I tried to push them down.

“Did you learn your lesson?” he asked softly, his finger grazing my cheekbone.

I shuddered, shutting my eyes for a moment. I knew exactly what he was doing, the damned beast.

Somehow, I opened my eyes and met his gaze defiantly. “If I had a wolf, you’d be on the floor right now, you bastard.”

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You think you could beat me?”

“You’re underestimating me,” I shot back.

He laughed quietly, finally taking a step back. I let out a breath at the sudden space between us. “Perhaps I am.”

Noticing my flushed face, he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and handed it to me. “Here, drink this. It’ll help ease your nerves.”

I snatched it away and drank greedily, never breaking eye contact with him as I downed the entire glass. If it weren’t for everything that had just happened, I might’ve thought he was a gentleman. Or I might have thrown myself at him and tangled up on the floor with him, hiking my skirt up around my—

No. I shoved that thought away.

But it was too late. Nicholas’s eyes darkened, his nostrils flaring, and I felt myself stiffen. He could scent my… excitement.

“Do you want me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“No. You’re a complete bastard,” I replied, but my voice sounded hollow.

“Yes, I am,” he agreed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He stepped closer once more and gingerly took the empty glass from my hands, setting it on a nearby table. His breath smelled like whiskey as he murmured, “But I can make you feel good tonight, if that’s what you need.”

A lump formed in my throat. “Just like all the other women in your life, huh?”

He chuckled. “You keep bringing them up. Maybe you are jealous. Do you need me to prove to you that my history with them has only improved my skills?”

I flushed and went to turn away, but he caught my face with one hand, lightly pinching my cheeks within his palm. My breath caught as he forced me to look at him.

I hated this bastard. He was a playboy, a prick, a beast wearing a man’s clothing.

But when he was close to me like this, I couldn’t control myself. I hated how much I wanted him, how much my body reacted to every little touch like I was his puppet.

He leaned in as if to kiss me, his lips just a breath away from mine. My heart pounded in my chest, a heady mix of anger and anticipation taking over me. I wanted to punch him and kiss him at the same time, and my fingers curled around my skirt in preparation of either hitting him across the face or wrenching my dress up around my hips to feel his skin against mine.

But then he stopped, and his eyes glazed over slightly—a mindlink. His expression shifted to one of urgency.

“I have to go,” he said abruptly, pulling away. “We’ll continue this later. Or not.”

Without another word, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me trembling as I straightened my dress, trying to calm my breath and hide the scent of arousal on my skin.

Luckily, there were a lot of guests at the party, or I might’ve been exposed for what I was right now: a pathetic little mess of quivering legs and a racing pulse, like a she-wolf in heat.

I walked out from behind the plant, and the place was as lively as ever. The music swelled, and laughter filled the air. I let out a breath of relief, glad that that little exchange hadn’t gone any further.

But then, suddenly, the sound of a familiar voice made me stop.

“Hi, Kayla.”

I turned slowly, my heart sinking.

Vanessa. The one who had an affair with Liam. My former best friend.

She wasn’t on the guest list!