Chapter 7

～Grace～

What was I supposed to wear to the event? I couldn't show up looking like this, I’d be better off not going at all. I’d only bring myself further disgrace.

I turned around to look at Alex, feeling silly. What would he think of a request like this? I’m sure he hadn’t even thought about my clothes, and thinking about it now, it felt rude to ask him for something so trivial.

Where did he go?

Alex was gone. I spun around the spacious room, but he was nowhere to be found. I must have gotten so caught up in my dilemma that I didn’t even notice him leave.

Everybody knows the Lycan King never attends public events.

“Are you Luna Grace?” A gentle voice called out to me from behind me. I turned around to see a slender young man with curly brown hair standing in the doorway. He was dressed in a white button-up and jeans.

He smiled warmly at me, and I nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“I’m Enzo, Beta of the Black Lycan clan. King Alexander has instructed me to ensure you are well-prepared for tonight’s event. If you’ll follow me, please,” he said, holding the doors open for me.

Thank goodness. I breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed that Alex had thought about me after all. In the short time I have known him, he seemed much more thoughtful than his reputation made him seem.

I recognized that this was a privilege for me, that I wouldn’t even be going were it not for Alex. I didn’t expect anything spectacular, but any dress was better than my street clothes.

Internally grateful for his generosity, I follow Enzo.

Dazzling lights fill my eyes as I look around in awe. I am taken to a high-end street with the most luxurious-looking shops I had ever seen.

Despite the wealth Liam and I had, he never took me anywhere as nice as this, and I never went myself, figuring it was too materialistic of me.

We entered a classy store with beautiful gowns hanging from circular racks to show off each dress in its own glory.

A dark purple dress caught my eye, and I walked over to it. I pulled out the dress, and felt the silky fabric. It was gorgeous.

Enzo smiled at me. “Want to try it on?”

I nodded, and ran my hand around the neckline, searching for the price tag. My fingers caught the string, and I pulled out the tag.

I gasped, heart stopping. Who in their right mind sold a dress for this price! This was triple anything I had ever paid for. There was no way I could afford it.

Politely smiling, I hung the dress back on the rack.

“Not the right color? I agree,” Enzo said, shaking his head at the dress. “I think red would suit you perfectly.”

He moved toward another rack, pulling out a deep crimson dress. It was just as stunning as the dress I had just looked at, but I felt nervous approaching it.

Surely, this would be just as expensive…

I swiftly checked the price tag, feeling light-headed. I stared at the insane price, heart dropping. There was no way I could get a dress here.

Did Alex think I was this wealthy? Or was this another cruel joke he worked up?

Enzo placed the dress back. He must have noticed my hesitation.

“No, this wouldn’t suit you, either,” he mumbled to himself.

I stood awkwardly, looking around the store. What should I do? Should I admit that I couldn’t afford anything here, and embarrass myself? Even if I pretended I could, I couldn’t go through with it.

“Is there something wrong, Luna Grace?” Enzo looked at me, curiously.

He didn’t seem to have any cruel intent, unlike Alex. Maybe he was unaware of Alex’s joke, or he simply thought this was what I could afford.

Either way, his kind manner put me at ease. He seemed trustworthy.

“Enzo… I really appreciate you bringing me here, but,” I sighed, “I can’t afford anything. It’s too expensive.” I gave him an appreciative smile.

Enzo laughed, and I lowered my brows. Had I been wrong about him? He was in on the joke, and I fell right into the trap-

“Luna Grace, the Black Lycan clan will cover the cost. Please choose any dress you like.”

What? I stared at him, blinking. Did I hear him right? Or was this another joke, as well?

“King Alexander can afford it, I promise,” Enzo continued, reassuring me.

“Oh, no, that’s-” I winced. I hadn’t meant to insult the Black Lycan clan. “I’m sure he can. I just didn’t expect him to.”

“Of course. You are our guest, after all,” he said with a smile. “Now please, don’t even check the price tag, just choose a dress that you like.”

I nodded slowly, but my heart hurt. There was no way I could let Alex buy me such an expensive thing.

I looked through the dresses numbly. It didn’t matter which one I chose, they were all too costly.

Oh, my goodness. I gasped under my breath as I pulled out a sleek blue dress. It was perfect!

“Hey-” I exclaimed as I heard a snap. Enzo smiled at me, holding the crumpled price tag in his hands that he had torn off.

“Now it won’t bother you. Go, try it on.”

Enzo carefully set five different bags into the backseat of the sporty, black car. At each store, he carefully watched for what caught my eye, and hid the price tag before I could see it.

As much as it bothered me not to know how much everything cost, I couldn’t help but smile. It was very sweet of him to take care of me.

How could such a gentle man be in the Black Lycan clan? I would have thought, especially as the Beta, that any sense of kindness Enzo had would have been shredded by Alex.

Once we got back to the castle, I put everything on. I had been given my own room for privacy, and now stood in the mirror in complete awe.

The blue dress clung to my body as if it knew how to make me shine brighter than I ever had before. It was backless, and I wore mesh gloves and silver-rimmed heels.

A small team had knocked on my door and came in to do my hair and makeup. I felt like a queen. Was Alex simply showing off for me?

I grinned, feeling giddy like a little girl playing dress up. Liam would have never allowed me to wear something so dazzling, and I had been in his shadow for so long, thinking that was my place as his Luna, that I forgot how good it felt to wear what I wanted without his disapproval.

Another knock on the door. I opened it, and smiled at Enzo.

“You look lovely, Luna Grace,” he told me, and held out his hand, presenting me with a stunning moonstone necklace.

“Oh, no, Enzo, I can’t-” I quickly say, shaking my head.

“King Alexander requested that you have it,” he explained.

“He’s already done so much for me, I just can’t accept it,” I continued. Moonstone was an incredibly valuable gemstone, and I didn’t want to owe Alex more than I already did.

Although he had been kind to me so far, it scared me to think of what he could have me do, if I were indebted to him.

“Luna Grace, please,” Enzo began, quietly. “King Alexander is not a forgiving man, and if you reject his gift, I’ll-” Enzo began, and I instantly understood what he meant.

I hadn’t forgotten the guard he almost killed right in front of me. Enzo had been so kind to me, I wouldn’t want to be the reason he was punished.

I smiled and took the necklace. “Of course, you have nothing to worry about.”

Enzo smiled, seeming reassured.

~Third Person~

Lunas and Alphas of the highest status mingled with each other, the noise of clinking wine glasses and idle chatter filling the room.

In the center of the room stood King Alpha Liam beside Sophia, charmingly greeting the many excited admirers.

“Where is Luna Grace?” Someone called out, and Sophia smiled, a little too brightly.

“Luna Grace decided this charity ball was meaningless, so I have taken her place for tonight,” she chirped.

Liam hugged her with one arm, giving her an affirming look.

Displeased whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Meaningless?”

“How distasteful-”

“Doesn’t she care for charity?”

The doors opened, and everyone turned. A dazzling woman entered, outdressing everyone.

Her silky blue dress draped over her like a waterfall, flowing gracefully with her every move. A bright moonstone necklace hung around her neck.

Luna Grace had arrived.