I Am The Luna

I Am The Luna by Moonlight Muse Chapter 26

A Scatter of Pearls

ZAIA. “Have I already told you that you look beautiful tonight?” Someone whispers in my ear. My breath hitches, not sensing him coming closer and I almost turn when a hand touches my waist, stopping me.

His scent fills my nose and I smile, tilting my head and poking my eyes out playfully at Atticus. “Twice actually,” I say softly, sipping the champagne from my glass. He smirks. “I guess I just can’t express it enough.”

I am about to reply when Dad taps the microphone, capturing my attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, all esteemed guests, may I have your attention,” Dad says, making the chatter die through the hall.

We are in one of the lavish five-star hotels not far outside of the Crystal Shadow Pack territory for Dad’s dinner party he is hosting in my honour.

The night has been a blur of meeting people and making small talk, and not all of them are werewolves, hence Dad’s use of a microphone.

Atticus raises his eyebrows playfully at me as we both give Dad our full attention. Atticus’s pack and our pack became allies thanks to the friendship between Atticus and

Although Atticus still makes it clear that I am the one he wants, we are simply friends, but I won’t deny that I appreciate having him in my life. Even the children like having him around and call him Uncle too.

It’s nice having a friend. I never heard back from Valerie and, for some reason, the emails that I sent returned to my outbox with a ‘failed’ notification.

“As everyone knows, my Daughter Zaia Toussaint has been a great asset to my company for the last few years. Being voted in as managing director of the company last year by the board itself. I can assure you that had nothing to do with me!” He chuckles and others do, too.

He takes a moment, allowing the rush to die down before he slips his free hand into his pocket and looks at me.

“Well, it’s the truth. She has proven herself greatly and not only to me but to our company. Her hands-on approach to handling every hurdle, as well as her work ethic and professionalism towards our clients, have not only been appreciated by others, but above all by myself.” Dad continues.

pulled up in a stylish updo with a small pearl hair ornament. A few small items of pearl jewellery adorn my ears and hands. Winged liner and glossy

a while since Mr. Simmons has been contemplating retiring from his position and tonight, hot only will I be announcing the new

It is with my greatest pleasure to announce none other than

I have aimed to grow, to do better every single day, but

ear, taking my glass from me as Dad holds his hand out to me, motioning me to step onto the stage. I look up at Atticus, my heart skipping a beat. He

deep breath, smiling for the cameras as I make my way over to Father, and allow him to help me up the steps to the stage. I glance out at everyone gathered here, waiting for the clapping to die

do that when you are

begin, rewarded by light laughter, and I smile. “I want to thank everyone for attending tonight and being a part of this beautiful moment. I want to thank my father for believing in me, the board members for always supporting and guiding me and above all, I want to thank my mother, Melanie Walton

Atticus Payne for always being an incredible friend,

my hair back, tucking it behind my ear, only for it to slip out again. Everyone claps and Dad

surrounding me, and I’m lost in the sea of faces as I try to remember everyone’s names. I’m almost out of the crowd when I suddenly feel as if I’m

and it makes my heart pound. I close

but all I see is the back of a man in a black suit, but it’s only for a second before

and I just want to head home and curl up with my babies. I have just gotten off the phone with Mom, having excused myself to go to the

the kids goodnight before ending the call. I know I need to return… the quietness of the hotel

Zaia, just a few hours left. Get back in there.” I tell myself as I look

enough to support my breasts. Well, I’ve made it through more than half of the evening. Just another hour or so to go. I’m sure

heavily, before pasting a small smile on my face and exit the ladies’ room, almost tripping over the hem of my skirt. I frown, bending down as I

my pearl strap and to my horror, the violent

dress come loose and my hands instantly go to my

“I do apologise, I…”

heart thuds as the husky

A voice I recognise…

quietly, refusing to turn. I scan the hall, my eyes darting back to the bathroom door as I clutch my

goosebumps rise on my skin as he reaches over and pulls the door open. His intoxicating scent hits me and I’m about to rush into one of the stalls when his fingers go to the side of

brush the satin until he grabs a hold of the string that once held the pearl’s- in his fingers, and he

away, but it’s a mistake because I now see him in the mirror before me. However, I refuse to look at his face. If I don’t see

on me. I spent years trying to get rid of those emotions… I don’t need him back in my

string and I gasp, loosening my hold a little. Deftly, he pulls the

heaving as the heat of his body envelops me, and his knuckles graze down my back, making my core clench and awakening a