Chasing The Luna's Heart

Chapter 1: The Mask I don’t think I can do this. The words keep echoing in my head, louder than the muffled bass beneath the ballroom floor. My feet stay glued to the spot, just outside the double doors, feigning a resolve I’m trying hard to feel. I've always hated these fancy shindigs, but this jittery mess in my chest? it’s not hate. My fingers cling to the side of my dress, my breath’s all over the place and my eyes can't settle. I'm… nervous, and it's a hard pill to swallow. "Name?" he asks my fiancé, not even bothering to look up. "Jason Hale," he answers. “Alpha of the White Lotus.” “You're expected” The guard nods. Jason tightens his hold on my waist. It's warm, sure. But it doesn't do too much to steady me. "And her?" the guard asks. “Elena. Elena White.” The man’s eyes flick up, slowly, and the moment they land on me, they widen. His mouth opens, then closes again like he’s trying to swallow words he isn’t allowed to say out loud. “Elena… as in…” “Yes. That Elena.” Jason smirks “The Masked Warrior. From the Northern front? I… thought you were a myth.” I don’t bother replying. I never do. My face is tucked behind this smooth black mask, and my body wrapped in a dark, simple dress that clings like a shadow. They both hide more than they show. “She’s with me,” Jason says, his voice sharp now. The guard nods quickly and waves us through. “Of course. Welcome.” We step inside, and everything changes. Light spills from the chandeliers, reflecting on gold-laced gowns and ceremonial pins. The air’s thick with perfume and the kind of power that makes my skin crawl. Every pack in the Lenora Clan in attendance… Alphas, Betas, heirs, future Lunas. All here for what they think is a celebration of peace. I doubt a single one of them know what it cost. How would they? While we were out fighting, most of them were too busy preening in their fancy threads. “Try to relax," Jason murmurs, and his lips brush my temple right before he slips away. "You deserve a night like this.” Dissapearing into the crowd like a man born for the stage, I watch as Jason smiles, laughs, and shakes hands… radiating charm like he invented it. Somehow, I don't blame him for splitting up. Only reason I'm here is because our invite came from the man at the top. Otherwise, I’d have politely declined, same as always. Turning in the opposite direction, I disappear toward the darker end of the hall, annoyed at every wasting moment. I’ve never been good at this. The dancing, the drinking, the pretending. The ballrooms and courtyards have never been my thing. Yet tonight, I wear a dress. Tonight, I’m the Alpha’s mate. Even if something about it doesn’t feel right. I drift towards the bar, avoiding attention. A few nod respectfully. Most avoid my eyes… or the mask. That's fine. I've perfected the art of being invincible… …until her voice finds me. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the myth herself.” Ugh. Ava. Her voice is all sugar with a nasty edge. She leans against the bar next to me, one elbow propped up like she owns the place. “Long time no see Elena. How've the last couple years been?” I stay silent. “Hmm. I guess we're still keeping grudges. That's a shame. So much for a family reunion, huh?” “We're not family.” “Oof. That cut deep” she clutches her chest, feigning pain. “You’re right. Hard to see the resemblance anyway. Been, what, five years since I've seen your face? Your real face, that is.” I don't say a word, just glance at her expressionless. “It's a party. You could at least pretend to be having fun” she rolls her eyes. “And I'm sorry, you know. For trying to steal your man back then. We were kids.” She smiles sweetly. “But hey, He still chose you. Somehow.” My grip tightens around the glass in my hand. “If you're looking for a reaction, you’re about to get it.” “Ouu, scary” she smirks. “I actually just came to say congrats. Leading the ambush against the Clover Pack was a big deal. But wins on the battlefield will only carry you so far.” “Shouldn’t you be more worried about your current boytoy?” I glare at her. “I heard the entire Clan’s got eyes on him. How do you manage to have such poor taste in everything?” Her smile falters, briefly. “So you've had your nose in my business after all. Impressive.” “Your boyfriend’s little pack is the only one that didn't show up” I answer, barely batting an eye. “I have no idea why you were even invited. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're here for a PR stunt to get all the smoke off you. Either that or find another plaything that'll bark at your beck and call.” “Hmnph. You know me so well, and I’m honestly flattered you’ve been so invested in my life,” she says, brushing against me casually. “But if you’re so sure I’m here for attention… why don’t we share the stage?” A sliver of something sharp cuts my cheek. It's small, almost nothing, but deliberate. “You try anything, and I'm gonna make you wish you were attacked by the Clovers.” “Promise?” She pouts, taunting me before walking away. I shift my gaze, watching as my fingers tremble without end. Something tells me her presence is related to the lump I've had in my throat the entire night. Before I canshake it off, Jason's voice pulls me back “Elena?” “Yeah” I hide my shaky hands behind me and turn. “They’re calling up the Alphas and their mates. I'm guessing ‘He’s’ around. We should meet up with everyone at the center. “Umm… I… I’d rather n—” “Come on. Just for tonight.” His soothing dark brown eyes speak to me louder than his lips does. I can't explain how Jason makes me feel. Yearning one moment and lost the next. Distance and desire all at once. “Sure” I succumb. I follow right behind him, heading for the center of the ballroom, where dozens of dignitaries already stand. The lights dim and the music quietens. All heads turns toward a raised platform where the Elder of the Council’s meant to give a speech ushering in the man of the moment. But something’s wrong. The elder’s… not on stage. “Everyone. Please a round of applause for our unsung hero at last week's siege—the Masked Warrior of the North” The lights beam in my direction, letting my vision stretch across the room. “Ava?” I murmur in shock. Eyes turn. Curious. Buzzing. Jason glances over. “For the record, she’s my dearest cousin. A woman I love like my own sister” she chuckles. It's so fake. It's disgusting. “So Elena, did you finally agree to let people see the woman behind the legend?” I tense, and my hands begin trembling once more. Ava places a palm dramatically over her chest. “You’re all so lucky,” she says. “Tonight… she’s finally unmasking.” The spotlight hits me. Hard. Someone cues it. It wasn’t random. It feels planned. I whirl toward Ava with annoyance in my tone. “What do you think you're doing?” I mutter, but her smile only grows. Something's up. This strange feeling from the moment I walked in. Whatever this is, I have to stop it. However, the moment I move, I feel it. Someone bumps into me from behind. Light and harmless. But It… doesn't feel accidental. However, it's enough… …enough to make the silk snap, and the the we ight on my face shifts. My mask. I reach up, but it’s too late. The left strap—cut. Clean and silent It slips, grazes my shoulder, and falls to my palm with a soft thud.