Reyna’s POV
The hallway was quiet as I closed the door to John’s office behind me. My heart raced, and I pressed my palm against my chest as if I could steady the erratic thumping.
He had asked me to be his date.
I shook my head, biting back a laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. Out of all the women in the clan, John had chosen me-a woman most people viewed as nothing more than a nuisance.
“Is he serious?” I muttered under my breath as I walked toward the staircase, my mind whirling with questions.
The Moonlight Party was a big deal, especially with the Mate Choosing Ceremony happening alongside it. It wasn’t just another social gathering-it was a declaration, a step toward something permanent. Why me? What was he trying to prove?
I pushed open the door to my room and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh. My thoughts raced as I tried to piece together John’s motives. Was this just a way to get under Diane’s skin? She had been glaring daggers at me ever since Stephanie and I were asked to help with the preparations. Or was it something more?
I crossed the room and flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Get it together, Reyna,” I told myself. “You don’t even like him like that.”
But even as I said it, I couldn’t ignore the flutter in my chest whenever John looked at me. He had a way of commanding attention, his presence impossible to ignore. And the way he spoke to me-it wasn’t condescending or dismissive like others often were.
I rolled onto my side, pulling a pillow close to my chest. Then there was Jake.
I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. Jake’s gaze at the breakfast table had been intense, like he was trying to read my mind. It made me squirm, but not in an entirely unpleasant way.
“This is a mess,” I whispered, my voice muffled by the pillow.
A knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. I sat up, brushing my hair out of my face. “Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Stephanie peeked inside. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with concern.
“Hey,” she said softly, stepping inside. “You okay?”
I nodded, offering her a small smile. “Yeah, just… tired.”
She sat down on the edge of the bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “I wanted to check on you. You’ve been quiet since breakfast.”
I shrugged, avoiding her gaze. “A lot on my mind.”
“Like John asking you to be his date?” she asked, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. “Don’t remind me.”
Stephanie laughed, but it quickly faded. “Reyna, this isn’t just some casual party. If he’s asking you to be his date, it means something.”
I sat up, frowning. “What do you mean?”
“It’s symbolic,” she explained, her tone serious. “The Moonlight Party is about unity, strength, and partnerships. If John is seen with you, it’s like he’s making a statement. People will talk.”
“Great,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “That’s exactly what I need-more people talking about me.”
Stephanie reached out, placing a hand on my arm. “Maybe it’s not a bad thing. You’ve been through a lot, Reyna. Maybe this is a chance to prove to everyone that you belong here.”
Her words lingered in the air, and I bit my lip, considering them.
“Or,” I said after a moment, “maybe it’s just a way to piss off Diane.”
Stephanie snorted, shaking her head. “That too.”
We both laughed, the tension easing slightly. But as the laughter faded, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to John’s invitation than I realized.
—
Later that evening, I stood by the window in my room, staring out at the moonlit grounds. The soft glow illuminated the trees, casting long shadows across the grass.
A soft knock at the door startled me, and I turned, expecting to see Stephanie again. But when I opened the door, Jake was standing there.
“Jake?” I said, my voice filled with surprise.
He nodded, his expression unreadable. “Can I come in?”
I hesitated for a moment before stepping aside. He walked in, his movements stiff, like he was carrying a weight he couldn’t shake off.
“What’s going on?” I asked, closing the door behind him.
He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. “I wanted to talk to you.”
I crossed my arms, leaning against the door. “About what?”
He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “About John. About the Moonlight Party.”
My stomach twisted, but I kept my expression neutral. “What about it?”
“You don’t have to go with him,” he said, his voice low.
I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. “And why not? Afraid I’ll embarrass the clan?”
“That’s not it,” he said quickly, his gaze intense. “I just… don’t trust his motives.”
I studied him for a moment, trying to decipher the emotion behind his words. Was it jealousy? Concern? Something else?
“I can handle myself, Jake,” I said finally, my tone firm.
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he was going to argue. But then he sighed, stepping back toward the door.
“Just be careful, Reyna,” he said softly before walking out.
As the door closed behind him, I leaned against it, my mind racing.
Jake was worried. John had chosen me. And I was caught in the middle of a game I didn’t fully understand.
____
Diane’s POV
I slammed the door to my bedroom so hard that the sound reverberated through the walls. The nerve of him-inviting those two to breakfast like they belonged here. And now this? Assigning me to organize the Moonlight Party while making her a guest of honor?
I paced the room, seething, my fists clenched at my sides. How could John disrespect me like this? After everything I’ve done for the clan, for him, he had the audacity to favor them. My thoughts boiled as I muttered under my breath.
“Lady Diane,” a soft, tentative voice interrupted.
I turned sharply to see my personal maid, Bella, standing in the doorway. Her wide, curious eyes only added to my irritation.
“What is it, Bella?” I snapped.
She hesitated, wringing her hands. “I thought you might need assistance, my lady. You seem… troubled.”
I let out a sharp laugh, the sound cold and humorless. “Troubled? That’s putting it mildly. That arrogant fool of an alpha expects me to cater to her. And Stephanie, no less. Two useless women who have no business being here!”
Bella stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She was loyal, I’d give her that, and her presence often helped calm my nerves.
“You’re right to be angry, my lady,” Bella said, her tone soothing. “But perhaps this is an opportunity.”
I paused mid-pace, narrowing my eyes at her. “What do you mean?”
Bella approached cautiously, lowering her voice as though the walls had ears. “The Moonlight Party is a sacred event, my lady. If the Alpha brings Reyna as his date, the Moon Goddess may identify her as his destined mate.”
My blood boiled at the thought. Reyna, the Luna of this clan? Over my dead body.
Bella continued, her voice calm but calculating. “But you’re in charge of the event, my lady. You control everything. You could… sway the results.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite my anger. “How exactly do you propose I do that?”
Bella leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Bring in a false assistant for the Moon Goddess. Someone who will mislead the ceremony. If the Moon Goddess cannot identify Reyna, it will throw everything into disarray. The elders will demand another solution-perhaps even an arranged match of your choosing.”
The idea took root instantly, blooming like a dark, poisonous flower.
I smiled for the first time that day, a slow, wicked grin. “Bella, you’re brilliant.”
She dipped her head, pleased with my praise. “Thank you, my lady. I live to serve.”
I began to pace again, but this time with purpose. The plan had potential, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how perfect it was.
“I’ll need to find someone discreet,” I mused aloud. “Someone loyal who won’t hesitate to play the part. And the assistant must be convincing. No one can suspect a thing.”
“I can make inquiries,” Bella offered. “There are many in the clan who would be eager to gain your favor.”
I nodded, already forming a mental list of candidates. “Good. Do it quickly. We don’t have much time.”
Bella bowed her head and started to leave, but I stopped her with a raised hand.
“Wait. There’s one more thing.”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Reyna and Stephanie.” I spat their names like poison. “Keep an eye on them. I want to know every move they make, every word they say. If they so much as breathe the wrong way, I want to know about it.”
Bella’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “Consider it done.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, feeling a newfound sense of control settle over me. John might think he had the upper hand, but he had underestimated me.
The Moonlight Party would be perfect-on the surface. Beneath the glittering facade, my plan would take shape, ensuring that Reyna’s chances of becoming Luna were crushed before they could begin.
Let John play his games. Let Reyna bask in the fleeting glow of his attention.
When the time came, I would remind them all who truly held the power in this clan.
Bella paused at the door. “Is there anything else, my lady?”
I smiled, my voice dripping with venomous satisfaction. “Just make sure everything goes perfectly, Bella. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
“Of course, my lady,” she said, bowing before slipping out of the room.
I leaned back against the headboard, my smile widening. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, Reyna would learn the hard way that she didn’t belong here.
Not as a guest.
Not as a mate.
And certainly not as the Luna.