Rejected Luna, Vampire Queen

chapter 6

Damon didn’t flinch. "Tell them to be patient. She will be present this evening."

The guard bowed low and retreated, leaving us in a heavy, suffocating silence. Damon stood perfectly still, his mind clearly miles away.

"Is there anything I can do for you... Damon?" My voice was small, but I had to break the tension.

He didn't turn around. He just stared at the sky as if looking for a sign. I could feel his confusion over my healing, even if his face remained a mask of ice.

"You are not to ask questions," he commanded, the authority in his tone making my skin crawl. "Do as you are told."

He started to walk away, his boots clicking sharply against the floor. Then he paused, turning his head just enough for me to see the sharp line of his jaw. "And don't be late for the ceremony tonight."

I watched his back until he disappeared. Damon. He wanted me to use his name.

"Okay, Luna, let's get moving!" Ava appeared from the shadows, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward a massive, sleek black car.

The seats felt like silk clouds. We drove in silence until we stopped in front of a building that looked like it was made of gold and glass. It was the most luxurious thing I had ever seen.

"Wait, we’re stopping here?" I pulled back, my heart hammering.

Ava rolled her eyes. "Why do you ask?"

"This place is too much," I whispered, my hands shaking. "Everything will be too expensive. Let’s go somewhere cheaper. I don’t want to cause trouble."

"No." Ava’s voice was firm. "The Alpha wants the best. This is the best. Stop worrying."

She ignored my protests and marched me through the towering glass doors. Inside, the air smelled of expensive perfume and old money. Dresses of every color hung like works of art. I walked slowly toward the reception desk, feeling like a speck of dust in a palace.

"Hello. I... I need a dress," I stammered.

The receptionist didn't even look up. She just pointed a manicured finger toward a woman standing near the back.

"Hello," I said to the manager. "I need something for a ceremony."

The manager’s eyes traveled from my scuffed shoes to my tangled hair. Her lip curled. "Which type? The VIP section, or can you even afford to be in here?"

"I want something good, but it shouldn't stand out," I said quickly, heat rushing to my face. "And not too expensive. I don't know how much is on this card." I held out the black card Damon had given me.

The receptionist let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "You don't even know your balance? Go to that corner. That’s the bargain section. Don't touch the silk."

I shivered with shame, walking toward the racks of cheap fabric. I picked the plainest dress I could find, praying the card wouldn't decline and cause a scene.

"Why are you holding that trash?" Ava’s voice boomed. She ran toward me, holding a gown that looked like it had been woven from diamonds. It literally glowed in the light.

"I picked this for you!" Ava beamed. "Try it on while I find more."

"More?" I gasped. "Are you insane? What if he complains? What if the police come because the card fails?"

"Luna, relax. He doesn't have 'cheap' in his dictionary. Use the card."

I touched the shimmering fabric, my eyes watering at the beauty of it. "Fine. But let’s just try paying for this one first."

We walked back to the manager. When she saw the diamond gown in Ava’s hands, her jaw dropped. Then, her expression shifted back to pure disgust.

"I thought you wanted the cheap section?" she snapped. "Do you even know the price? You can't afford to touch the zipper of this gown, let alone wear it."

"That's just how she behaves. Like a fool."

The voice was a jagged blade in my back. I spun around, my blood turning to ice. Miracle stood there, draped in a tight pink dress, with Logan’s arm wrapped around her waist. They looked at me like I was something they had stepped in.

"Do you follow me everywhere?" I snapped, exhaustion finally replacing my fear. "Fine. You took my boyfriend. You took my home. Just leave me alone."

Miracle’s face twisted into a mask of pure rage. She lunged forward.

SLAP!

The force of the blow sent me staggering against the glass counter, my cheek stinging with fire.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that, you wolfless b***h!"