Chapter 100

MAEVE POV

This was it.

The evening of the Hunter’s Moon had finally arrived, bathing the entire courtyard with a warm amber glow, and with the revelries of the night in full swing, I was only half-convinced that this was, in fact, not a dream.

Less than one hour had passed since the hunting expedition set off for the forest, led by Xaden and all of his siblings… that was, all except one… and everyone waited with quivering anticipation for the majestic beasts to return. Somewhere in the background, faint but discernible, the lively vibrato of an orchestra danced in the air, weaving between the guests and entangling with the sounds of jovial chatter and laughter.

The parties at Moonstone were never like this.

Is this what all lunar banquets are like… or is this solely the charm of the palace?

“Pretty, isn’t it?” Burke asked—my chaperone for the evening, dressed in a navy suit and seated beside me.

I must have looked like a gaping fool, despite being all dolled up in the magnificent ivory dress I wore in the hopes of blending in. In the moment, however, I couldn’t find it in me to really care.

“It’s stunning,” I murmured, taking in the magic of the courtyard. “No. Ethereal. I’ve never been to a party like this.”

He hummed in agreement. “More often than not, I’m working at these sorts of events. Usually on Xaden’s behalf while he’s busy being… you know, an alpha prince. I’ll admit, it’s nice to just…” he exhaled softly as he relaxed into his chair, “sit back and enjoy the sights.”

A small, grateful smile tugged at my lips. “Thank you for keeping me company tonight. You didn’t need to.”

Burke returned the gesture with his own. “What kind of fake fiancé would I be if I didn’t?”

As we engaged in comfortable small talk, we were approached several times by a few alphas and their lunas. I had no idea who they were, though Burke seemed familiar with every single one of them, but I was happy to welcome them all to our table.

I was going to be the perfect guest, no matter what happened tonight.

No matter who showed up.

At one point, a fellow young luna complimented my dress with much gusto. “You know,” she’d said excitedly while her mate chatted with Burke, “I have more jewelry than I know what to do with, and plenty that would pair lovely with this dress. Perhaps you might be willing to visit one day, and take your pick of the lot.”

I couldn’t deny how generous the thought was, but my mind was made within a matter of seconds.

“I appreciate the wonderful offer,” I’d answered with a polite smile, “but I don’t need anything more.”

Once we were alone again, Burke took a slow sip of his champagne. “You do that a lot, I've noticed.”

I blinked. “Do what?”

“You shy away from kind gestures. Especially when it comes to… him,” he said after a lull. The purposeful omission of any name, especially in such a public space, instantly told me he referred to a certain alpha prince.

“Yes,” I said after a beat. “We spoke about that before.”

“We did.” Burke put his glass down with a gentle clink. “Look,” he murmured, just barely audible above our noisy surroundings. “I don’t pretend to know what you went through, but I know it must have been hell. What sort of treatment you must be used to that would make you feel unworthy of every act of kindness given to you.”

“Nothing that you endured should’ve ever happened. But,” he continued, “I cannot stand idly by and watch you disregard my friend.”

Disregard? Is that what I’m doing…?

“Whether you believe it or not… if the ring wasn’t indicative enough, he is in this for the long haul. He does not give himself so easily to others, and will only do so with those he truly cares about. It is not fair to keep treating him as though his feelings are ingenuine.”

“I don’t mean to…”

The words dissipated as soon as they began to leave my mouth. He was right. Time and time again, Xaden would go out of his way to do nice, thoughtful things for me, to show me how much he cared for me, and instead of showing him my appreciation… I push them away.

I push him away.

No. Not anymore.

I set my jaw, resolute. “I… I have some issues I need to work through, but… I’ll do better. I will.”

He offered me an encouraging smile. “There you go.”

“Look!” A guest exclaimed gleefully. “They’ve returned!”

A chorus of gasps and awed murmurs echoed as everyone, including myself, turned our attention toward the open field beyond the courtyard. Moonlight bounced off the fur of the running pack as their paws pounded against the grass, the sound melting into loud clacks of their claws against gravel as they rejoined the banquet.

Within seconds, the pack was surrounded by greedy and excited onlookers, all fawning over the wolves and their trophies.

The royal family was, unsurprisingly, easy to point out among the group of alphas in their large hunting party—both in size and sheer power. But when I first laid eyes on Xaden’s wolf… I had no words.

With just a glance, I knew it was him. I could feel it as true as the blood flowing through my veins and the air in my lungs.

Dark, thick fur that looked like the sharpest obsidian, and at the same time, so enticing that my fingers itched to touch it, to weave through every strand. Blazing green eyes that glowed bright amber in the moonlight, unyielding and so full of strength as he walked, tall and proud.

He was beautiful. The most majestic creature I’d ever seen.

These wolves were the pride of the kingdom, and it was clear to see why.

And clamped between their thick fangs, dangling out of their powerful jaws, were the corpses of what would soon become tonight’s dinner. Cooked meat, I could handle, but the stench of death and blood that clung to their bodies, newly mangled from the hunt…?

My mouth began to salivate in a way that only meant bad news.

Don’t focus on it too much. Just breathe and ignore it until they’re gone.

So, I breathed, focusing on the sensation of the cool, night air streaming through my nostrils, stretching and filling my lungs, until all I could see and feel was beautiful calm. And still, I kept breathing until I knew for certain the stench was gone.

“Are you alright?” Burke asked, the slightest hint of worry tinging his features.

I nodded, putting on a smile. “Yes… yes, I’m okay,” I said, not wanting to cause concern over something so small. “I… just need to step aside for a moment. Could you save my seat…?”

He didn’t look convinced, but did not press the matter, promising to wait for me.

And so, I rose from the table, smoothed out my dress, and went off in search of a quiet corner in the middle of this lively banquet, but not before finding the closest omega I could and asking for a glass of water.

With most of the guests still gathered around the newly returned hunting party, finding a quiet space was an easy feat. I settled on a small oak tree growing in the courtyard, far enough away from the hunks of raw meat that the omegas were beginning to collect and still within range of the banquet that I wouldn’t be looked at oddly.

Here, I could be alone—even for a moment.

Here, I could breathe. The chilled water soothed my throat, spreading to the tips of my fingers and toes.

That’s better… I thought to myself, once my glass was nearly finished. Please, little one, let me get through tonight—

“You really are a stubborn one,” a familiar, harsh voice spoke up, mere feet away from where I stood, “always showing up where you’re not wanted, always trying to hog the spotlight for your insignificant self.”

I bit back a sigh.

Goddess, she won’t let go of this stupid grudge.

I glanced slowly in the direction of my new company. Isabelle, armed with a sharp glare and a glass of half-drunk champagne, admittedly looked pretty, as usual. The dress she wore must have been custom-made just for her—glittery gold fabric with sleeves of diamond-encrusted lace that clung to her body.

She looked like the perfect picture of refinement, but the coldness in her eyes was anything but.

How ironic it was that tonight was the Hunter’s Moon. Much like the hunter and his prey, Isabelle’s target was locked onto me with the intent to kill, her arrow nocked tightly into her bow, ready to pounce. Ready to strike.

Unfortunately for her, I was equally determined—if not more—to prevent that from happening.

“Tonight is not about me,” I said, smiling courteously with so many partygoers in our midst, not entirely sure how many of them could hear our conversation. “We’re here to celebrate all wolves alike… and to thank our gracious Moon Goddess for bestowing us with her beautiful gifts.”

Isabelle forced a smile. “Eloquently put, Maeve, but that dress is anything but inconspicuous.”

The corners of my mouth dropped a tad. My dress…?

“Enlighten me,” she sneered, “how long do you think this facade of yours will last if everyone here finds out the truth about you?”

My heart began to pound. No… she wouldn’t. Not on such an important night.

That cold, wicked gleam in her eyes, however, told me exactly what she meant to do.

“Isabelle,” I said quietly, locking eyes with her. “Whatever you’re planning… it needs to stop.”

Her scowl, however, only tightened. “No. Everyone deserves to know you’re—”

“Well, what do we have here?” A man’s voice—deep but silky smooth, like the most rich of butters—suddenly cut into the simmering tension between us. “Two lovely, miserable young ladies amidst what is meant to be a night of celebration? I simply cannot allow it.”

Isabelle’s attention briskly turned to that of the man who interrupted us.

Just like that, my blood ran cold.

That voice… I know it.

And in the split second that I turned and scanned the newcomer’s face, everything seemed to come to a halt.

He was, without a doubt, an alpha, in every essence of the word. Tall, broad-shouldered, and undoubtedly striking in appearance, despite being years past his prime. With silver-slicked hair, prominent features, and sharp, ice-blue eyes like frozen lakes in the worst of winters, he looked like a formidable force of nature that rivaled even that of King Arlan.

He was intimidating.

And he was someone I definitely had seen before. Someone from the dreadful past I desperately wanted to abandon.

Isabelle’s entire demeanor changed. Where bitterness and loathing had lingered just moments ago, honeyed sweetness now rested upon landing her gaze on the man behind us.

“I’m just chatting,” she said with a charming smile, much unlike the attitude she’d only just displayed with me. “Don’t worry about me, Daddy.”

“Of course.” The way he addressed her reminded me of the way Father used to treat Sarah—so full of that tender, doting love that one might be lucky to experience.

And then he suddenly directed his attention to me, and I was trapped.

He offered me a large, courteous smile that exuded pure confidence and bravado, perfectly befitting an alpha of his status, while holding out his hand before me in greeting. “I am Kenneth, Alpha of Dawnguard Pride.”

Something inside me twisted, uncomfortable and tight, but I stilled my features into a calm mask as best I could.

This man was an old acquaintance of my father’s.

I’d only seen him visit Moonstone perhaps twice in my life, but the few memories I had of him were always marred by the burning image of Father at his side… talking… planning… always shrouded in thick layers of secrecy.

But the details didn’t matter. Any connection to my father meant I wanted nothing to do with this man.

Unfortunately, I’d sworn to myself I would play the part of the perfect, well-mannered guest, and I wouldn’t be able to accomplish that by ostracizing any of the king’s guests.

“Yes, I remember you, sir.” I returned the gesture with a small, and very reluctant, polite smile as I met his firm handshake, trying to ignore Isabelle’s glare stabbing into me. “It’s… nice to see you again.”

He blinked, apparently taken aback. “Oh, have we met before?” I did not take his forgetfulness personally—I was not a particularly memorable girl growing up. “I suppose you do look vaguely familiar. Tell me, what’s your name?”

“I’m Maeve.”

Something unreadable shifted in his face, quick enough that I could just barely catch the small, distinct movement. “Pardon—you said… Maeve?” he repeated.

I nodded, clasping my hands together tightly at my front.

He turned to face me dead on, cocking his head as he suddenly regarded me very carefully. The sudden intensity that lingered in his gaze unsettled me. Burning, piercing, like he wanted to see right through me… like he genuinely could if he stared long enough.

I felt exposed under his scrutiny.

“You know…” he mused, deep in thought, “I believe one of my acquaintances actually has a daughter with that very name. You wouldn’t happen to be the firstborn daughter of Moonstone’s alpha, would you?”

I tried my best to hide my grimace at the unwelcome reminder of my family. “Well, actually—”

“She is,” Isabelle interjected before I could fully answer, her voice dripping with disdain. “The very same, as fate would have it.”

I couldn’t help but redden at her tone. Evidently, she wasn’t ashamed about showing her disdain for me in front of her father.

Did that mean he shared her thoughts about me?

And then…

“Maeve,” her father murmured with a growing grin. The sight was… odd in a way that I could not yet explain, and again, I felt more like prey than a guest. “I’ve waited a long time to officially meet you.”