The Luna Second Chance

Chapter 4

I scowled while looking into his eyes.

Dinner? What could he possibly be thinking?

In my previous life, I was aware that he had feelings for me, but we had never actually dated. Why would he all of a sudden want to take me out on a date?

Unlike Liam, Ethan wasn't attempting to frighten me. Even so, there was a quiet strength under his calm demeanour that made all my instincts react.

"You've changed," he noted, shifting the conversation and tilting his head while looking at me.

I chose not to reply. I kept my eyes locked onto his, sizing him up just as he was doing to me. He was highly observant, and I tried to remember the last time I had run into him during this period perspective. I couldn't recall exactly when I had last encountered him in this timeline, but it couldn't have been too long ago since he instantly pointed out that I seemed different.

"You seem more alert and focused than I remember," he added, moving one step nearer while still maintaining a respectful distance.

I lifted an eyebrow, finally deciding to give an answer. His invitation to dinner had caught me so completely by surprise that I had been left speechless. "Is that meant to be a compliment, or should I take it as some kind of warning?" I questioned.

He let out a low laugh with a deep, meaningful sound. "Wow, my instincts were correct. You truly have changed."

Then, before I had a chance to respond, he c****d his head and repeated his question, "So, what do you think? Dinner. With me. Tonight."

​I went completely still as my brain started weighing the options. At this moment, a romantic relationship was the absolute last thing on my mind. However, getting some assistance, particularly alpha assistance, could be incredibly useful. Plus, being aligned with him would increase my purchasing influence and improve how others perceived me.

​After thinking it over a bit more, I made up my mind. Having Ethan on my side would be far more beneficial than anyone else.

Right as I was about to give him my reply, a harsh, unpleasant voice pierced the air.

​"Natalia,"

​The piercing shout sliced through the environment like a knife.

​I spun around right as a middle-aged woman was pushing through the gathering crowd that had assembled to look at Alpha Ethan. Her expression was completely contorted with fury.

​"How dare you cheat on Alpha Liam," she spat out, her tone dripping with rage.

​Her loud accusation was easily loud enough for the entire crowd to catch, causing murmurs spread through the bystanders, and even Ethan's grin vanished into a scowl.

​In my previous life, a scene like this would have terrified me and left me tripping over my own words. But not this time. I turned around unhurriedly and locked my eyes right onto hers.

​"Sylvia," I muttered under my breath; it made perfect sense that it would be her.

​In my old life, she had been one of the pack elders who made my existence a total nightmare. She used to label me as unworthy and undeserving and a coward.

I didn't utter a word, choosing instead to look at her with a look of pure pity. That quiet response felt even more powerful than her loud outburst.

"Speak up," she demanded sharply. "Are you out here sneaking around behind his back?"

Several onlookers in the gathering stepped closer, eager to catch every word of what they viewed as scandalous drama.

I moved one step closer to her, keeping my expression entirely serene and my gaze focused.

"Since when," I began, letting out a scowl, "was I ever considered his property?"

Sylvia blinked in surprise. "You—don't try to twist things, you b***h!" she snapped, "The entire pack already knows he has chosen you."

"And I rejected him," I said with a raised hand, cutting her off.

A ripple of shock spread through the crowd at those words.

I stepped closer to her until we were barely inches apart. Close enough that she had to tilt her head up in order to meet my eyes.

"If you are going to accuse me of something, Sylvia," I continued, my voice steady, but icy, "At least make sure it is real."

Her lips parted, but no sounds came out. She... and fear was etched on her expression.

I leaned in slightly and stared straight at her rapidly shifting eyes, "Next time you ever speak about me," I paused for a beat, "Make sure you think first. Or else."

​Her knees wobbled and she swallowed. Even the fire in her eyes faltered. She stepped back and immediately realized her accusation had been silenced before it had even started.

​A slow clap split the silence that had begun to form. I turned around to find Ethan staring at me with intrigue in his eyes.

​“That was very impressive,” he said quietly, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.

​I straightened, then, brushed a loose strand of hair over my ear, “I do not have time for accusations or anyone else’s illusion of what my life should be.” I said, my voice steady, “I have far too much work to do.”

​He smiled again, and this time, he walked closer until we were barely inches apart.

​“I like that,” he whispered, “The world does not bend you.”

​I allowed myself a small smile, but I kept silent.

Even though I wasn't looking for romance, I recognized that building a connection with Ethan would be incredibly beneficial. It wasn't that I depended on him, I was fully capable of achieving my goals completely on my own but he had the power to create opportunities for me much faster than I could manage by myself.

​I locked eyes with him, making a conscious effort to keep smiling. "Regarding your invitation," I stated, "I accept dinner. However, let's be entirely clear: I'm not doing this for amusement, nor am I looking to start a relationship with you. I am doing this simply because I choose to."

​Ethan paused for a brief moment, and then his slight grin grew even wider. "Good,” he said with a smile, “I love that.”

​I nodded and replied, “I’ll be available by eight o'clock. Call me to give you the address.”

​He blinked, taken aback by how confident and bold I was being, but he still agreed to my terms with a nod.

​“I will,” he answered.

​A tiny wave of satisfaction washed over me as I spun around and began walking away. I had only made it about five steps away from him when he called out my name.

​“Natalia,”

​I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around to look at him with my eyebrows raised.

​“Wear something sexy,” he replied “It is a date.”

​I laughed softly, “We’ll see about that.”

​Before he had a chance to answer, I spun back around and started walking away. The onlookers who had gathered around us had already dispersed, but I could still feel people watching me.

​I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as I made it to the parking lot. The second I got into my car, I turned on the ignition, glanced down at my phone, and grinned.

“​There were five hours left until eight o'clock.

​More than... over the notes I've made”.