Chapter 31

[Evelyn’s POV]

My heart was slamming frantically in my chest. As the room grew louder in muffled whispers and obvious stares in my direction, all the blood in my body began rushing to my ears.

Everything Fiona was throwing at me felt like taking one hurtful punch after another. I’d never been the main target of her bullying before and I honestly wasn’t prepared for it. I’d tried to stand my ground as best as I could, but there was just nothing coherent that was willing to come out of my mouth at that moment.

Fiona stood back smug as ever as though she was just warming up. Of course, Isabella, Samantha and Caroline looked all too pleased to let Fiona run her mouth off on me. It saved them the trouble of having to think of comments and insults to throw at me.

My stomach rolled with nausea as I watched Fiona’s devious smile deepen with menacing intent. She took another step closer to me.

“You showing up here with Wendy means absolutely nothing,” she said bitterly. “What makes you think she’s happy to know that her only grandson is matched with goddamn nobody? I bet she thinks the same way as the rest of us—”

“That is quite enough!” A strong female voice called out.

The room fell completely silent as multiple heads turned to see Wendy glaring dangerously at Fiona and the rest of the group behind me. With strong, unbreakable steps, she marched toward us. The very room echoed with the heavy sound of her heels hitting the marbled floors with every step.

The expression on her face was purposely kept muted to conceal the raging emotions she was, undoubtedly, feeling. As if the air couldn’t get any harder to breathe, the lethal energy this woman was giving off was surely enough to make it impossible.

Right as Wendy brushed past me, she came to stand directly in front of Fiona. She swung her hand back and snapped it clear across Fiona’s cheek.

SLAP!

The very sound bounced off the walls, resounding in several astonished gasps. Fiona’s eyes widened in shock as she lifted a hand to press against her burning red cheek. Before anyone was able to process what was going on, Wendy began her rant.

“If you take anything away from what I’m about to tell you, let it be this,” she stated. “You do not speak for me. Understand?”

Fiona was wise to simply nod her head while staving off the tears that threatened to fill her eyes.

“I am well aware of the ‘probation’ my grandson has placed you on in regards to Moonstone Pack. Based on your current behavior, and no doubt your past behavior at these events, I have it in my right authority to extend that probation.”

Fiona bit back a disgruntled sneer. “Noted.”

“Evelyn is a highly valued member of the Kingston family as well as its pack. It truly amazes me that for a doctor, your only interest is to feed on other people’s insecurities and weaknesses. Perhaps, you ought to rethink your choice of career.”

Like a wild storm that was not to be stopped, Wendy moved on to the next person in line. Caroline tried to appear passive against Wendy’s earlier reprimanding of Fiona. However, if anyone was able to see through Caroline’s guise of innocence it was Wendy.

“And as for you...I consider Evelyn to be the highest candidate to take over the role of Luna. Even above yourself,” she stated firmly.

Caroline’s eyes widened. Her mouth fell open in baffled shock. She tried to adjust her stance to keep whatever shred of respect she had still with her. But it was quickly falling short.

For a brief moment, I truly thought that she was done. Hell, she tore Fiona and Caroline down as though it cost her not an ounce of energy. My nerves coiled and twisted with worry of feeling as though I had somehow caused her this trouble.

But Wendy’s fuming anger wasn’t over yet.

She glanced in the direction of Isabella and Samantha. She eyed them up and down as if to study them. Tilting her head toward me she gently inquired.

“You’re family, I presume?”

“Yes, my Stepmother, Isabella, and my Stepsister, Samantha,” I told her.

The two looked as though they were seconds away from falling over faint.

“Even if Evelyn is not your actual daughter, it is the mother’s responsibility to love and care for their children regardless of blood connection,” Wendy remarked. “Showing favoritism never ends well.”

Isabella’s bottom lip trembled. The group of women in front of me all wore the same sour, grueling expression on their faces whereas I was gradually overcome with a strange sensation I hadn’t entirely felt before.

Warm. Heartfelt. Grateful. Stunned...

No one had ever stood up and defended me like that. Sure, Alexander had gone ahead and handed out punishments here and there, but the cases always seemed to involve him in some way. This matter was purely about me and my status as Luna.

My chest ached, but not in the way that it had before. It was a swell around my heart that touched me both mentally and emotionally. I would never have expected anyone to stick up for me, least of all someone as influential and well-known as Wendy.

“Come along, Evelyn. There are some important people I’d like you to meet.”

The older woman linked our arms together and led us away to another part of the room. She guided me over to another older-looking woman who graced me with a soft smile.

“Evelyn, this is Maria. She and I go way back when we were younger,” Wendy said lightly.

“It’s nice to finally meet the woman who’s really been helping Wendy here with the accounts,” Maria mused. “Part of me is surprised she hasn’t refused the help entirely. The woman is still as stubborn as she’s always been.”

Wendy laughed in agreement. “Please, you know I can’t hand over the account to just anyone. Caroline hasn't got the right to manage the pack affairs which is why I’m more than happy to help instruct Evelyn through it.”

Much of my previous anxiety and nausea had happily subsided as Wendy continued to introduce me to a lot of her old acquaintances.

From where I was standing, I could feel Fiona, Caroline, Isabella, and Samantha ll glaring at me from across the room. On the bright side, the rest of the people in attendance seemed to have directed their attention elsewhere for the time being.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the floor which made everyone turn their gazes toward the main doors.

“Announcing her Majesty, The Queen Luna and her daughter-in-law, Princess Rena.”

Wow.

I was in total awe over how stunning both the Queen and the Princess were. Upon making their entrance, they began making their rounds through the crowd. My heart dropped into my stomach when I noticed them heading over in our direction.

Oh God. Please tell me they weren’t coming over here...

Right as the Queen and Princess Rena approached us, the group around me immediately lowered themselves to curtsy in respect. I, on the other hand, had no idea what I was doing. I practically wobbled off my feet and nearly tumbled over.

Thanks to Wendy standing next to me, she was able to steady me with a simple touch of her hand on my arm. Of course, I heard the low rumbles of laughter coming from across the room. I didn’t need to turn my head to know that it was Fiona and Samantha reveling in my embarrassment.

Good God. Could today get any more humiliating?