Chapter 11: Eleven

SOLANA

"How are you feeling, Lana?" Tara asked as she helped with my hair. I was seated in front of the mirror, wearing a blue silk dress. Apparently, Alpha Roman had bought me the dress. He never gave it to me personally, though. And when I went to thank him, he barely nodded in acknowledgment.

Two days had passed since the incident in the dining room. My mate had been avoiding me since then. But what could I do? There was no escaping my reality.

Tara sighed, placing her hands on my shoulder.

"You've drifted into your head again. What are you thinking about?" She asked.

I forced out a smile. "It's nothing, really."

"Are you sure you're ready for tonight? Alphas from different packs will be arriving with their Lunas. It's a big event, you know?" She said, and the knot in my stomach tightened.

I wasn't sure if I was ready. My husband couldn't stand to be in the same room with me. How was I supposed to pretend in front of our guests that we were a perfectly happy couple?

I bet everyone was curious about the woman the demon alpha had settled down with.

What if they mocked me?

What if I screwed things up?

I swallowed hard, wringing my hands on my lap.

"Lana," Tara sighed, steering my chair around. Then she leaned in to hug me, gently rubbing my back.

Tears welled up in my eyes as all of my pent-up emotions exploded in my chest.

"I'm scared, Tara. So scared," I whispered.

"You're going to be okay, bestie," she croaked, her voice shaky. She was only trying to comfort me, but I knew it was a lie. I was dying. I would never be okay.

Still, shouldn't I be grateful?

At least, I wasn't rotting away at the Red Grove pack.

There was a knock on the door of the room. Tara pulled away, gazing at me with a worried look on her face.

I let out a shaky breath, smiling at her.

It didn't matter if I was scared or uneasy. I had to do this for the man who had spared my life and granted me my wish.

"I'm ready, Tara," I said, and she smiled, rising to her feet. Squaring my shoulders, I stood and headed to the door, opening it to find Anna there.

"You look so beautiful, dear," she said, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Thank you, Anna," I beamed.

Tara followed me down the hallway, my heels clacking on the marble as we headed outside towards the separate guest house.

The main hall was already buzzing with guests. The annual moon feast usually took place in various locations each year. Tonight, it was our pack's turn to host the event.

I waited outside with Tara, anxious. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to wait for my husband or go in without him. I had never done this before, after all.

"That dress looks bizarre on you," a familiar voice uttered behind me, and I turned to see the strange woman from before.

Anna had told me her name was Zamora.

What was she doing here? I wondered.

She was wearing an elegant sleeveless black dress with a white pearl around her neck, her black hair flowing down her back.

"Bizarre? You're the one who looks bizarre. Your mascara's already a mess, look at you sweating through your cakey makeup. My lady does not need heavy makeup to look stunning," Tara bit back at her.

Zamora narrowed her eyes at her.

"Your lady is a lowlife who doesn't deserve to be a Luna," she hissed.

The words stung because she was right. I really didn't deserve it.

Just then, Alpha Roman arrived.

His long hair was pulled back into a sleek low bun, strands of hair lingering on his face. His all-black suit made him a thousand times more regal, his silver rings and necklace sparkling. Beside him was his beta, who was formally dressed, his ash blonde hair in a buzz cut.

"Luna," he said, smiling at me, his light brown eyes sparkling. I returned his smile as he reached for my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "You look beautiful."

My gaze slid over to my husband, who had gone so still he was barely breathing.

"Nigel, find me Hawke," he said in a cold voice.

"Yes, Alpha," Nigel said and walked away.

Zamora moved over to Roman's side, gushing over how gorgeous he looked, while Roman and I stared at each other in silence, tension vibrating between us.

"Go to him already. That wench is doing too much," Tara hissed behind me.

I wanted to. I swear, I did.

But his eyes were so...empty. So cold.

"Zamora, I'd like some privacy with my Luna," he suddenly said, and her face fell. She scowled at me and strolled off. Tara gently squeezed my hand and entered the hall.

Roman finally approached me, and with every step he took towards me, my heart pounded harder. Goddess, he looked so handsome today.

Finally, he halted in front of me, his rosy scent washing over me.

"Alpha," I breathed.

He stared at me for a few seconds, a muscle flexing in his jaw. Then he cupped my jaw and tilted my head backwards, our gazes connecting.

When he spoke, his voice was stony.

"You look slightly pale. Will you be able to last until the feast is over?" He asked.

My chest tightened painfully.

I wasn't feeling unwell at the moment. But for some reason, the way he spoke to me was hurtful.

"I'll be fine," I said.

"Don't mess this up. Stick close to me. Only speak when I give you the permission to, do you understand?"

I nodded stiffly.

Finally, he released me. Then he held out his arm. Trembling, I eased my arm through his, trying to ignore the sparks that slid down my spine.

Together, we headed towards the entrance of the hall.

All of the chatter died the instant we stepped in. All heads turned towards us, and people began to applaud.

My nerves were acting up now. The attention was overwhelming.

"Smile, Solana," Alpha Roman uttered, and I quickly worked my lips into a bright smile even though I was a mess internally.

Finally, we got to a slightly raised platform in the hall, all eyes fixed on us.

"Thank you for coming, my esteemed guests," Alpha Roman said, his voice deep and even, carrying easily across the hall. "It is an honor to host this year's Moon Feast here at Stone Haven. Tonight, we celebrate unity and the bonds that tie our packs together under the watchful gaze of the Moon Goddess."

He paused, scanning the faces in the crowd. His hand tightened slightly around mine, not enough for anyone else to notice, but enough to make my pulse spike.

"Our kind has endured centuries of blood and strife," he continued. "Yet every year, this gathering reminds us that peace, though fragile, is possible when loyalty is honored and respect is upheld."

Applause filled the air. His gaze swept the hall until it landed briefly on me. His eyes softened for half a second. Then the mask returned.

"And now," Roman said. "I would like to introduce to you the Luna of Stone Haven Pack... my wife, Solana."

The room stirred with interest. My heart nearly stopped.

"She is new to many of you," he said, his tone steady. "Yet she has shown resilience, grace, and quiet strength since stepping into a role that demands more than most could bear. The Moon chose her, and so did I."

The last words caught me off guard. My breath hitched.

The Moon chose her, and so did I. Did he mean that... or was it just for them?

Roman didn't look at me. His jaw flexed, his eyes fixed ahead. "I trust you will treat her with the same respect you show me."

He finally turned to me then, his gaze unreadable. He lifted my hand and pressed his lips against my knuckles.

It was all formality, I tried to remind myself.

But why was my blood roaring in my ears?

The crowd applauded again, murmurs rising, the tension breaking.

I forced another smile.

Beside me, Roman released my hand but kept his arm steady behind me.

"Let the feast begin," he declared, and there was another loud cheer.

“I have a question,” a thunderous voice boomed through the crowd, and all eyes snapped to him. A muscular man wearing a white suit and a white eye patch.

My throat constricted.

Did he know who I was? Was he from the council?