Get Back The Abandoned Luna

Chapter 9 True Luna

Scarlett's POV

Outside the main entrance, everyone was eagerly waiting to watch a good show unfold.

I stood elegantly under the awning, arms crossed over my chest, my gaze calmly fixed on the square, neither looking at Faye nor Alexander, but focused solely on the direction from which the convoy would arrive.

Faye let out an exaggerated, affected giggle from the crowd—that deliberate sound meant to remind everyone present of her existence.

I remained motionless, as if I hadn't heard anything at all.

Alexander strode forward, spreading his arms in an enthusiastic welcoming gesture, his voice steady and carrying that performative warmth he was so skilled at:

"Alpha Lucien, warm welcome to the Crescent Moon Pack—"

"Who is she?"

Lucien spoke unexpectedly. His voice wasn't loud, but carried an undisguised tone of weary displeasure, as if handling some tedious administrative matter that had long irritated him.

Everyone present followed his sharp gaze toward Faye.

The enthusiastic smile on Alexander's face froze for half a second, then quickly returned to normal:

"This is Fay—"

"I didn't ask for her name," Lucien rudely interrupted him. "I asked about her specific identity and why she's qualified to stand beside you."

The silence that fell over the square was swift and heavy, almost suffocating.

I thought to myself: The excellent show has finally begun.

Alexander's Adam's apple visibly bobbed, but before he could begin to explain, Lucien had already continued, his tone maintaining that unsettlingly calm indifference:

"Your official spouse registration documents clearly state Scarlett Winter. I carefully verified the pack's formal records this morning and found no traces of any changes or modifications. Yet now you have me see a complete stranger I don't recognize standing boldly beside you at the main entrance. I'd very much like to know what this means. Don't I even have the qualification to meet your true Luna?"

Among the dozens of people gathered in the square, not one dared to speak.

I quietly felt that deathly tense atmosphere spreading from the center of the crowd outward, almost unable to suppress a genuine, satisfied smile.

Faye didn't retreat in fear. Instead, she stepped forward, deliberately softening her voice to a sweet, cloying tone, adjusting her smile to its most gentle and seductive state:

"Respected Alpha Lucien, many things have indeed changed. If you're interested in understanding more deeply, I'd be very willing to explain everything to you privately..."

As she spoke, she extended her slender, pale hand, attempting to touch Lucien's arm.

Lucien unhesitatingly stepped back half a pace.

This wasn't polite avoidance out of courtesy, but the natural reaction of someone instinctively shutting out something that made him deeply uncomfortable.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze returning to Alexander, his voice dropping another half degree:

"If this is your hospitality, I can leave immediately."

Alexander's jaw and back visibly tensed. I could clearly sense him sending urgent commands through the mental link to the Betas present—

Which meant it was time for me to take the stage.

I walked out calmly from under the awning, my steps steady and confident, passing through the dense crowd and walking directly to Lucien.

With everyone's gaze tightly following me, I calmly raised my hand and firmly grasped the palm he extended.

His palm was warm and strong, more stable and secure than I had imagined.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I looked up directly into his deep eyes, my tone unhurried. "I specifically changed into formal attire before coming to greet you."

Lucien looked down at me, a minute curve forming at the corner of his mouth—so small it would be completely missed without careful observation, but I keenly caught that barely perceptible trace of tenderness.

Faye stood rigidly in place, her face instantly turning paper-white, as if all the blood had been drained from her body in an instant.

Alexander's gaze locked deadly onto our clasped hands, that burning fury clearly felt even without looking back.

"Since all the important guests have arrived," Alexander forced surface composure, "let's proceed to the banquet hall. A sumptuous feast has been prepared."

Lucien didn't release my hand.

"Please lead the way."

I held my head high, walking alongside him through the main entrance of the manor under everyone's complex gazes.