Chapter 103

THIRD PERSON POV

Tonight was meant to be a night of celebration across the Werewolf Kingdom, and it was for many of the packs and their citizens.

In Moonstone, however, there were a few unhappy souls whose joy couldn’t be bought with delicious food and lively music.

And so, what should’ve been a lavish and explosive night full of drinking, dancing, and hunting under the amber light of the full Hunter’s moon, turned out to be little more than a small dinner party.

As alpha, Burton never shied away from a lunar banquet, especially when he’d worked so hard to establish their growing reputation among the outer rim. But there was little to enjoy when most of the banquet was spent evading relentless questions about his glaringly absent daughters.

“I’m surprised Sarah isn’t here,” someone commented—a citizen of Moonstone unaware of Sarah’s true fate. “She’s always taking center stage at these sorts of events.”

At that, Burton would force a smile. “There was somewhere else she wanted to be tonight,” he’d lie, followed by a chuckle. “I guess this is what to expect now that she’s no longer my little girl.”

When those questioning him were able to register his tense reactions, they had the common sense to realize that such was a topic he preferred to avoid, and would leave it at that… that was, until the next guest came along.

It was like an endless cycle.

Especially when questions involved his ever-elusive eldest, who was seen as something of a fascinating mystery.

“Maeve isn’t well again? The poor girl is going to shrivel up if she stays in there the rest of her life… why don’t you try coaxing her out one of these days? I hear the fresh air can do wonders.”

Ah, Maeve… how tiresome you’ve made my life.

In response, Burton would continue to play the role of a worried father when anyone else from Moonstone shied away from such questions. His strong performances always garnered him some sympathy and, in turn, bolstered his image as a tender-hearted family man.

Because having the added positive bulk to his reputation never hurt.

“Words can’t even begin to describe my pain,” he murmured, plastering a sad smile, “watching my frail daughter miss out on so much of her life. I wish I could do more for her, but all I can do is give her time to rest.”

And, to his relief, the guests clung to his every word, wishing him and his family all the best.

Ever since Xaden’s last visit to Moonstone, it was all Burton could do to uphold his promise of secrecy. It had been relatively manageable to control on more ordinary days, when there were little-to-none outside visitors. On days like that, all he needed to do was send an e-mail notice to every citizen in his pack explaining the request made personally by His Royal Highness.

And once they realized it was to aid a prince, the people were keen to listen.

On days like the lunar banquet, however, there was a greater guarantee of inter-pack visitors and potentially other alphas and lunas who wouldn’t know such details.

And it was Burton’s appointed responsibility to do everything to prevent every single one of these outsiders from finding out, and to keep the news from reaching the twisted ears of the press.

Otherwise, there was every chance he’d find himself again facing the vengeful wrath of Prince Xaden.

Just a few more hours… Burton told himself, and then you’re free to rest.

Meanwhile, inside the elaborate sitting room of the Moonstone packhouse…

A somberly-dressed Victoria found herself in the company of two women: Beatrice, a luna in her fifties whose alpha son and his wife were in charge of their own pack’s lunar banquet; and Edwina, a friendly luna from a small, neighboring pack lacking the funds to throw their own banquet.

Normally, one could find the proud Luna of Moonstone directly at the heart of the celebrations.

Tonight, however, it was the last place she wanted to be.

So, she spent the evening at home, and when the two women heard that she was not attending the banquet, they chose to join her instead. They spent the better part of two hours simply discussing whatever was on television that day or events they were dealing with in their own respective packs.

Until they had no choice but to address the elephant in the room.

“I must say,” Beatrice said, resting her wine glass on the table, “I’m quite surprised to see how tame Moonstone’s celebrations are tonight. My mate and I like to joke about how lively your pack always seems to be during the full moon.”

“Ah, yes!” Edwina chirped. “We particularly enjoy the fireworks displays. When my pups were younger, they used to love to sneak onto the roof of our packhouse to watch from afar. It’s strange to see your skies so empty this month.”

It was true.

In recent years, Moonstone had become somewhat renowned within the packs of the outer rim for their extravagant lunar celebrations. While not yet impressive enough to catch the eye of those in the capital, especially those who attended the palace banquets… it was still a significant stepping stone.

And for those who frequently attended, the lack of enthusiasm was impossible to miss.

“Yes, well…” Victoria mused, unable to hide her melancholy as she ran a manicured nail along the edge of her cup, “Burton and I haven’t been feeling too in the mood to celebrate as of late. It’s hard to enjoy them when our daughter cannot be here to join us.”

“I can imagine,” Edwina sighed. “Poor Maeve… having to be unwell so often must weigh heavily on you all.”

A muscle twitched in Victoria’s delicate jaw, concealed cleverly behind the rim of her own cup as she lifted it to her lips for a sip. “I’m sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant Sarah.”

That got the women’s attention.

“Sarah? What happened?”

“She’s fallen under the weather, I’m afraid,” she answered grimly. “For the last few weeks, my sweet girl has been staying at my family’s lakeside cabin for a much-needed change in scenery, but it’s only a matter of time before she’s better.”

It was a lie, of course.

A lie that was so carefully crafted after Prince Xaden’s… generous reminder a few days prior, not that these women needed to know the truth of such things.

As far as the outside world was concerned, Maeve still lived at home, shielded behind its tall, impenetrable walls as the frail eldest daughter of Burton and Victoria… and Sarah continued to live her blissful, easygoing life as the adored youngest child of Moonstone’s proud alpha family.

Only those within Moonstone and the royal family knew about Maeve’s involvement with the prince, as well as her subsequent relocation to the palace.

And only a handful of those people knew where Sarah really was.

But no one knew how hellish life had been for Victoria after losing her little girl to the cruel capital dungeons, forced to live her foreseeable days inside a lonely cell… and how it was all because of the loathsome child she’d been forced to raise.

Life would be completely different for her and her family if it weren’t for Maeve.

The bitterness that began to brew in the luna did not slip past the three women in her company, although they mistook it for something else entirely.

“My goodness,” Beatrice gasped, gazing at Victoria with pity. “What did she catch, that required her to isolate?”

“It’s not an ordinary flu.” Victoria let out an exaggerated sigh. “Ever since her birthday party, she has been in low spirits. His Highness Prince Xaden was gracious enough to attend, but couldn’t stay for long. His early departure… it impacted her more than we’d thought possible.”

“What!” Edwina gasped. “The prince was in attendance?!”

Beatrice looked baffled. “W-Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Oh, I wanted to,” Victoria said, feigning a sad smile. “But it hurt my daughter too much to hear him mentioned. You see, she thought her party was her one chance to catch his eye… to, at least, be able to talk with him and tell him how much she admires him… but he left before she was given the chance. Now—” she heaved a heavy sigh, “she’s become so sullen.”

If she weren’t so busy trying to sell this story, she’d be impressed by her own acting skills.

Edwina frowned. “Teenagers. They’re so fragile-hearted, poor things.”

“You know what?” Beatrice prompted, turning the focus onto herself. “You should be more firm with her. If she wants to meet the prince, encourage her. Help her find a new opening—because one will always be there, so long as he is without a luna.”

Victoria nodded, pensive. “Yes, that’s true, isn’t it?”

“Yes…” Edwina chimed in once more, “Sarah will be alright. She’s a strong girl. The one I’m most concerned about, however, is Maeve.”

That made Victoria’s heart clench painfully. That was a name she could do with never hearing again.

“Why… I cannot recall ever even meeting the girl at one of your gatherings,” Edwina continued, oblivious to the sharp change in the luna. “For her to be that sick and weak… something must be terribly wrong with her.”

“I’d rather not talk about that,” Victoria said stiffly, making the two women exchange a surprised glance. “Not when she—”

“Why, hello, ladies!”

The sudden voice of her mate exclaimed from beyond the far archway, forcing her two guests to whirl around to face him as he rushed forward to exchange greetings.

She, on the other hand, stayed perfectly still.

Upon Burton’s request for a private conversation with Victoria, and considering the banquet had all but died down by that point, the two women kindly escorted themselves out of the house to return to their own packs.

Burton maintained a friendly smile as he bade them farewell, but once he shut the door behind them…

The atmosphere in the house drastically shifted.

“Need I remind you…” Burton said with a forced chuckle, exhausted and devoid of all humor as he slowly turned to face his luna, “of the immensely delicate situation we find ourselves in? Or did you forget about the prince’s little—”

“Oh, calm down,” she spat, crossing her arms. “I wasn’t going to say anything incriminating.”

“You were just about to accuse Maeve of ruining everything! If I hadn’t come in at just the right moment, you would’ve exposed us all!”

“I have a right to worry about my daughter.”

“You have more than one daughter,” he said lowly, pointing in the direction of the front door and the banquet hall. “At least, as far as everyone out there is concerned. And if they even begin to suspect that something is awry with us, then our pack is finished. Is that what you want?”

Her glare intensified as she let out a disbelieving huff. “I can’t do this right now.”

And with that, she stormed off towards the back of the house, disappearing around the hallway corner.

Burton heaved a sigh, dragging a hand over his tired face.

What a fucking night…

He was in no mood to soak in whatever resentment his wife was feeling towards him, when all he was doing was trying to protect their sacred pack name. When that was all he ever tried to do since Maeve entered their lives.

It seemed he was likely going to spend the night in his office tonight. Whether he would actually get some sleep, however, would be an entirely different story.

And then, with immaculate timing, there were three knocks at the door. Polite, calm, and quiet.

Burton glanced towards the door, but made no attempt to open it. Tonight might have been the Hunter’s Moon, but the time had long passed that he was willing to accept guests.

He was going to lock himself in his office, and distract himself with whatever he could.

He had just spun on his heel, aiming for the direction of his office for a moment’s peace, when again, someone knocked on the door.

Brisk. Loud. Commanding.

Urgent.

A puzzled frown settled on Burton’s face as he turned once more to face the door, which now seemed more ominous than anything, even in the warm light of the golden full moon bathing the world below. Mere moments had passed since the last few knocks. Meaning… whoever it was, was more than likely the same person who’d knocked earlier in a desperate bid to get his attention.

And they evidently had no consideration or compassion for Burton’s poor, turmoiled state of mind.

He rolled his shoulders, cracking some of the tension out of his system, and plastered a smile as he approached the door. He was not in the mood for unwanted guests, but he’d be damned if he let his exasperation impact his carefully-guarded reputation as alpha.

The person on the other side of the door was going to receive the greatest damn welcome of a lifetime, whether they liked it or not.

He swung open the door, his mouth opening to greet the sudden guest on this sacred night of celebration.

And Burton’s smile dropped.

Standing there, on the other side of the now-open door, was the last person he wanted to see.

“Hello, Burton,” Kenneth, the reigning alpha of Dawnguard Pride, said with a calm smile. “It’s been a while.”