THE LUNA'S SECRET AFFAIR

Chapter 4 Getting Deeper

When Garren left us, Stefano led me into one of the smaller sitting rooms near the library. It was richly furnished but felt more intimate than the grand halls and chambers I had seen so far. He gestured for me to sit, and I obeyed, though my nerves were coiled tight, waiting for whatever he intended to say.

He didn’t sit right away. Instead, he stood by the window, his broad shoulders framed by the sunlight filtering through the glass. For a moment, he was silent, as though analyzing his words. Then, he turned to me, his piercing gaze locking with mine.

“Why didn’t you choose to live among humans?” he asked abruptly, his voice low and calm but laced with curiosity. “You’re not a wolf, Leanna. You’re human. You could have lived a simpler, quieter life among your kind. Why stay in a world that isn’t yours?”

The question struck a nerve. I sat back, trying to school my expression into something neutral, but I could feel the tightness in my chest. “You make it sound like I had a choice,” I responded, my voice softer than I intended.

Stefano raised an eyebrow, he looked intrigued. “Didn’t you?”

I exhaled slowly, folding my hands in my lap to keep them from trembling. “Once,” I admitted. “Once, someone tried to give me that choice. Lady Elara.”

At the mention of her name, his gaze sharpened, but he said nothing, letting me continue.

“She was kind to me in a way no one else ever was,” I began, my voice dipping into the memories that felt both distant and painfully close. “She saw how out of place I was, living among the wolves. No matter how hard I tried, I was never truly one of them. I didn’t have their strength, their instincts. I was… less. And they made sure I knew it.”

Stefano’s expression didn’t change, but his silence urged me to go on.

“Lady Elara thought she could fix that,” I said, my voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and bitterness. “She thought I would be happier if I lived among humans, people like me. So, she arranged for me to leave the pack lands. To go to a human village far enough away that no one would recognize me as someone who had lived with wolves.”

I paused, the pain of the memory settling over me. “At first, I was hopeful. I thought maybe she was right. Maybe I’d finally belong somewhere.”

Stefano’s gaze didn’t falter, but I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Curiosity? Sympathy? I couldn’t tell.

“But I was wrong,” I continued, my voice weakening slightly. “The humans there… they sensed it, too. That I was not like them. I didn’t know their ways, their customs. I didn’t fit in any better there than I did here. They treated me with suspicion, like I was some strange creature pretending to be one of them.”

I swallowed hard, the sting of those memories was still fresh. “The children whispered behind my back, calling me a wild girl. The adults kept their distance, always watching, always waiting for me to slip up. It was… lonely. So lonely that even the coldness I had known among the wolves seemed better by comparison. At least with the wolves, I knew where I stood. I knew what to expect.”

“And Lady Elara?” Stefano asked, his voice milder now.

“She meant well,” I said. “She checked on me whenever she could, always asking if I wanted to stay or come back. I lasted a year – barely. Then I begged her to take me back. She tried to convince me to give it more time, but I couldn’t. I was so desperate to leave, I would’ve walked back to the pack lands on my own if she hadn’t agreed.”

I looked away, focusing on the tricky outlines woven into the carpet beneath my feet. “Living with humans was supposed to make me feel whole. Instead, it just made me feel like more of an outcast.”

When I finally looked up, Stefano was studying me intently, his expression became more unreadable. “And now?” he asked. “Do you still feel like an outcast here?”

His question hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. I hesitated and was unsure how to answer. “I don’t know,” I admitted finally. “Maybe I always will, no matter where I am. But at least here, I understand the rules. I know how to survive.”

For a long moment, Stefano said nothing. Then, he crossed the room and sat across from me, his movements deliberate. “You’re stronger than you think, Leanna,” he said quietly. “Most would have broken under that kind of rejection. You didn’t.”

His words surprised me, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of respect in his eyes. But just as quickly, his usual mask of composure returned.

“You’ll find your place here,” he said, with his firm tone. “One way or another.”

It sounded less like reassurance and more like a promise – or perhaps a warning.

The morning passed in a haze of preparations, and by the time the first ceremony was set to begin, the castle had become a hive of activity. Servants bustled about, balancing trays of food, arranging floral displays, and ensuring everything was perfect.

The scent of pine, lavender, and faint traces of sage lingered in the air, blending with the hum of anticipation that vibrated throughout the halls.

I was escorted to the grand hall, where the ceremonies would commence. My heart pounded in my chest, not from nerves over the rituals but because of the fact of who would be in attendance.

This wasn’t just a private affair, instead it was a spectacle for the most influential factions of the werewolf world. I could feel the massive intensity of every step as I approached the towering double doors, the ornate carvings gleaming under the torchlight.

When the doors opened, the sight before me stole my breath.

The grand hall was a proof to the power and wealth of the Golden Shadow Pack. The high arched ceilings were draped in shimmering gold and ivory silks, accented by chandeliers that sparkled like frozen stars. The rows of long tables were adorned with golden plates and goblets, and arrangements of rare white roses and golden ferns cascaded down their lengths. At the far end of the room, an elevated podium held two high-backed chairs – the seats of Stefano and me, symbolize our pending union.

The hall was packed. Familiar faces from my pack mingled with Stefano’s family and allies, their interactions polite but charged with the underlying tension that always accompanied events like these. Beyond them, guests from the other four powerful packs stood out like glittering gems in the crowd, their leaders commanding attention wherever they moved.

But my attention was quickly drawn to the group at the far end of the room. They entered quietly, their arrival subtle yet impossible to ignore. The royal family of the Exodus Pack. Damn! Do they even attend an insignificant wedding like this here?

They moved as one, an elegant, imperious procession that seemed to draw the very air toward them. The king, a man whose silver hair and dominant eyes seemed almost ethereal, led the group. Beside him, the queen held her head high, her every movement a study in grace and quiet power. Behind them, seemed like their children followed, two sons with sharp features and a commanding presence, and a daughter whose beauty was so striking it was almost difficult to look at her directly.

They were dressed in deep black and silver, simple yet regal, their clothing accented with intricate embroidery that seemed to shimmer like liquid metal under the light. Their arrival sent a ripple through the room, conversations falling into murmurs, then silence. Even the most dominant Alphas present instinctively dipped their heads in subtle acknowledgment of the Exodus royals' presence.

Amara leaned close, and she whispered something to me. “That’s them. The royal family of the Exodus Pack.”

“I can see that,” I replied, my voice equally low, though my eyes remained fixed on them.

“They rarely leave their lands,” Amara continued, her tone tinged with awe. “It’s said their power is unmatched, even by the strongest Alphas. And they’re here for your ceremony. Can you believe that?”

I couldn’t, not entirely. Their presence was as intriguing as it was unsettling. Even without speaking, they seemed to command the room, their power an obvious force that everyone else instinctively reacted to.

Before I could respond, Stefano appeared at my side, his hand resting lightly on my lower back as he guided me further into the room. “You’ve captured their attention,” he murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I glanced at him, noting the slight tension in his jaw. “Do you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing?”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “Time will tell.”

The ceremonies began shortly after, a series of rituals steeped in tradition and symbolism. The elders spoke blessings over us, their words heavy with meaning as they invoked the spirits of the pack’s ancestors to guide and protect our union. Stefano and I stood before them, our hands bound together with a golden cord that represented the ties we were about to form – not just between each other, but between our packs and the responsibilities we would share.

Though the rituals were long and complicated, my attention frequently drifted to the Exodus Pack’s delegation. The king watched everything with a sharp, calculating gaze, his expression dense. His queen remained serene, her eyes drifting between Stefano and me with a subtle but unmistakable curiosity. Their children, however, were more overt in their scrutiny. The eldest son, tall and broad-shouldered, seemed to study Stefano with a kind of quiet challenge, while the younger one focused on me, his silver eyes unblinking.

It wasn’t until the first ritual ended that the interactions began in earnest.

During the mingling that followed, Stefano and I were approached by the Alphas of the other four powerful packs. Each one introduced themselves with a mix of politeness and authority, their words carefully chosen to convey both respect and the dominance they had as leaders of their territories.

One of them, a female Alpha from the Crimson Vale Pack, offered me a tight smile as she shook my hand. “Lady Leanna, I trust you know the responsibility you’re taking on by joining the Golden Shadow Pack.”

I returned her smile, though it felt more like a challenge than a pleasantry. “I do, Alpha Marcelline. And I intend to rise to it.”

Her dark eyes flicked toward Stefano, then back to me, her smile widening slightly. “Good. Strength will be needed, especially with alliances as delicate as ours.”

It was a pointed statement, the one I wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to. But Stefano stepped in, his tone firm. “The Golden Shadow Pack has always valued its alliances, Alpha Marcelline. This union will only strengthen them.”

She held his gaze for a moment before inclining her head. “Let us hope so.”

The interaction left a sour taste in my mouth, but there was no time to dwell on it. Moments later, the Exodus king approached.

“Alpha Stefano,” he greeted, his deep voice resonating like a low rumble of thunder. “And Lady Leanna.”

“Your Majesty,” Stefano replied, bowing his head slightly. I followed suit, though I couldn’t help but notice the faint tension in his posture.

The king’s gaze settled on me, with his silver eyes almost hypnotic. “You are an unusual choice for a union of this magnitude,” he said, his words slow and deliberate.

“Unusual doesn’t mean unworthy,” I replied, meeting his gaze with as much confidence as I could muster.

A pale smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Indeed. Perhaps that will work to your advantage.”

Before I could respond, the king’s attention shifted to Stefano, and the conversation turned to matters of politics and alliances. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that his words carried a deeper meaning, one I had yet to understand.

The buzz of the hall surrounded me, a blend of laughter, murmured conversations, and the occasional clink of goblets against polished wood. I had spent hours maintaining a composed demeanor, exchanging pleasantries with high-ranking wolves and enduring the probing gazes of those who seemed to question my very existence in their world. But amidst it all, I couldn’t shake the unsettling sensation that someone’s eyes had been on me the entire time.

It wasn’t the casual glances of curious guests or the occasional lingering stares from Stefano’s allies sizing me up. No, this was different – sharper, more deliberate. Whoever it was wasn’t just looking at me, they were observing me, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

I shifted slightly on my feet, smoothing the fabric of my gown as I discreetly scanned the room. The hall was filled with wolves from every corner of the werewolf world, their auras and presence blending into a heady mix of dominance and power. Conversations ebbed and flowed, and while many faces turned my way from time to time, none lingered long enough to betray the source of my unease.

Could it be someone from the Exodus Pack? The royal family had remained mostly silent after their entrance, their presence commanding without the need for words. They stood together near the far end of the hall, their poised expressions giving away nothing. The king and queen occasionally exchanged quiet words, while their children surveyed the room with an almost predatory calm.

My gaze flitted to the older son, who stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back. His silver eyes scanned the crowd slowly, methodically, but when they reached me, he moved on without hesitation. The younger son was more relaxed, leaning against a pillar with a faint smirk playing on his lips as he listened to a nearby conversation. The daughter, striking in her beauty, appeared entirely uninterested, her focus seemingly on something, or someone, outside the hall’s windows.

If one of them had been watching me, they would have been hiding it well.

“Is something wrong, my lady?”

I jolted slightly, turning to find Amara at my side. She held a goblet of wine in one hand, her brows furrowed in concern as she looked up at me.

“No, nothing,” I said quickly, though my voice sounded unconvincing even to myself. “It’s just… nothing.”

Amara glanced around, her sharp eyes narrowing. “If anyone’s making you uncomfortable, just say the word. Alpha Stefano wouldn’t tolerate disrespect toward his bride.”

Her loyalty was admirable, but her words did little to ease the knot tightening in my chest. “It’s fine, Amara. Just… nerves, I suppose.”

Amara didn’t look convinced, but she nodded, nonetheless. “If you say so. But stay close to the Alpha. His presence alone will keep any would-be troublemakers in check.”

I nodded absentmindedly, my thoughts still swirling as I returned my attention to the crowd. The feeling hadn’t gone away. In fact, it seemed to intensify the longer I stood there, as if whoever it was had no intention of stopping until I noticed them.

My fingers tightened around the stem of the goblet I held, the cool metal grounding me as I tried to keep my expression neutral. Whoever they were, they weren’t just curious. They were deliberate, calculated, and far too confident for my liking.

Finally, Stefano returned to my side, his presence cutting through the tension like a blade. He leaned in slightly, his tone soft. “You’ve been quiet. What’s on your mind?”

I hesitated, unsure whether to voice my concerns. Stefano wasn’t the type to dismiss me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that mentioning it might draw unnecessary attention.

“It’s nothing,” I said, managing a small smile. “Just trying to take it all in.”

He studied me for a moment, his penetrating gaze making it clear he didn’t believe me. “Leanna,” he said quietly, “if something’s bothering you, you need to tell me. This event is as much about protection as it is about alliances.”

His words gave me pause, and I glanced around the room again. The Exodus Pack’s royal family was still composed, their attention seemingly elsewhere. The other Alphas were engaged in discussions or enjoying the feast. Yet, the feeling of being watched persisted, gnawing at the edge of my awareness.

“I don’t know,” I admitted finally, feeling unsure of what was really happening to me. “I just… feel like someone’s watching me. Not just looking, but… observing. From the moment I stepped into this hall.”

Stefano’s expression darkened slightly, and his gaze swept across the room, his sharp eyes searching for any potential threat. “Did you see who it was?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ve looked, but… I can’t tell.”

He nodded once, his jaw tightening. “Stay close to me for the rest of the evening. If anyone’s trying to make you uncomfortable, they’ll think twice before doing it again.”

Before I could react, Garren, Stefano’s beta, approached us with a slight bow. “Alpha, we have a situation in the west wing that requires your attention.”

Stefano’s eyes flickered with annoyance, but he nodded. “I’ll handle it. Stay here with her,” he told Garren, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As Stefano strode away, Garren stepped closer, his broad frame became a comforting barrier between me and the rest of the hall. “Don’t worry, Lady Leanna,” he said with confidence. “No one would dare act against you here. Not with the Alpha’s protection.”

I nodded, though the unease lingering in my chest refused to dissipate. Whoever was watching me had yet to make themselves known, and that was perhaps the most unsettling part of all.