‘*Is everyone in position?*’ I mind-link the Luna Guard and Crescent Warriors as we walk through the back door of the pack hall.
‘*Yes, Delta*.’
‘*Gamma Alex, are the rest of the warriors in position to support Nick’s men*?’
‘*Yes, Delta. Everyone is in position. Now stop worrying and try to have some fun tonight*,’ Uncle Alex tells me.
I take a deep breath to try to calm my nerves as Cassia passes me a glass of champagne.
“Here, Athena. We might not be able to get drunk, but this will help take the edge off,” she smiles, clinking her glass with mine and then Jess’s.
“Cheers,” I say with a smile, downing the glass in one gulp.
Tony puts his hand on the small of my back and asks, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ve just never had to give a speech in front of so many people before,” I explain. I pull the stage curtain back slightly to peer out at the people who have arrived already.
“You’re going to be great, Athena,” Tony chuckles lightly. “If it helps, just picture them all naked,” he says with a dirty grin.
“How is that supposed to help?” I ask. “We’re lycan. We’re constantly naked,” I laugh, shoving his shoulder.
“Well, I got you to laugh. Better?” He asks.
“A little. Thanks,” I smile. “I have to admit, Tony. You’ve come a long way in the last couple of weeks. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
“What can I say? It was enlightening to have my ass kicked by you,” he laughs. “Makes a guy pay attention.”
“It’s not just that, though. You’ve filled out a lot. You and your wolf look a lot healthier and stronger.”
“I wasn’t always a rogue, you know. My father was Beta of my last pack.”
“Really? I never would have guessed that when I first saw you.”
“Being a rogue takes its toll. You’re never as strong as you are in a pack. That’s why it can be so dangerous. You kind of wither away to a lesser version of yourself,” he explains.
“Why did you leave your pack, then?” I ask as he leads me to sit on one of the couches in the back area.
“Let’s just say I was already a lesser version of myself before even leaving my pack. My Alpha banished me,” he frowns.
“What did you do?” I ask, shocked.
“I slept with his daughter,” he admits, shrugging.
“He banished you for that? Was she mated?”
“No, she wasn’t mated. But I wasn’t a good guy, Athena. I wasn’t exactly nice to her,” he grimaces.
“I see. Well, you’ve turned over a new leaf now. Even if you act like a toddler a lot of the time,” I laugh.
“I don’t like to take life too seriously,” he chuckles. “At least not until I find my mate and settle down,” he smiles.
“Wait… You’re not mated?” I ask, shocked again.
“Nope. I’m hoping she’s here tonight.”
“Then how did you help Ryna when I was… You know…” I ask, my cheeks flushing red.
“In heat?” he asks, and I nod. “It wasn’t easy. That Enyo is a wildcat.” he laughs, and Enyo growls at him softly. “But you both impressed me that first day, Athena, and I wanted to do everything I could to learn from you and show you I’m not a complete tool,” he says, his words laced with sincerity.
“That must have taken a lot of willpower. I’m impressed,” I smile.
“The blue balls were the hardest part to deal with,” he elbows me softly with a smirk.
I laugh loudly but stop when I hear Damon nearby, talking with Beta Michael. I look at Tony with wide eyes, and he stands up and takes my hand, and we walk back over to Cassia, who is panicking at the sound of his voice.
“It’ll be fine, Cass,” Jess says, trying to reassure her. “We have a plan, and Athena and Tony will not leave your side. You’ve got this, Sis,” Jess says, giving her a big smile.
“Yeah, Luna. We’ve got this. Just act like the doting Luna, and he won’t suspect a thing,” Tony adds, and Cass takes a deep breath and nods.
“There you are, Cassia. I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Damon barks at her as he enters the backstage area with Beta Michael and his mate.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, darling! I thought I was supposed to meet you back here,” Cassia says innocently, and leans up and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “You look so handsome! Do you like my dress?” She asks as she does a little spin to show her dress off to him.
‘That’s it, Cass. Just stick to the plan. You’re doing amazingly,’ I say through mind-link.
“Yes, you look very nice. But we need to address our guests,” Damon huffs, blowing her off as he checks his watch.
I hold back a growl at his dismissive tone and look at Jess, who appears she’s doing the same.
“Shall I introduce you both for the speeches, then?” I ask as nicely as possible.
“Yes, let’s get on with it,” he rolls his eyes, and he leads Cassia through the curtain and onto the stage, with Tony and me close behind them.
Jason and Jess sit in the seats at the back of the stage with Beta Michael and his mate, and I approach the microphone, while Tony stays beside Cassia and Damon just behind me.
I take a deep breath and turn my head to look at Tony, trying to settle my returning nerves when he mind-links me. ‘Don’t be nervous. You’re a Gamma and a Delta. You’ve faced worse than this.’ He gives me a smile and nods towards the microphone.
I return his smile and turn back to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?” I ask, waiting for the buzz in the room to die down.
“I am Delta Athena, and on behalf of Luna Cassia and Alpha Damon, I would like to welcome you to Blood-Moon territory and the annual Mate Ball.” After pausing for the cheering and clapping, I continue.
“It was a high honor for our pack when it was decided for us to hold the ball, and Alpha Damon was excited for the opportunity to provide a safe space for others to potentially find their mate, as he was so fortunate to recently find his own.” I stop again as more clapping erupts and cheers of congratulations are shouted out.
“Luna Cassia has been a blessing from the Moon Goddess for our pack. She is not only beautiful, but she is kind-hearted and has taken the position of Luna with grace and dignity. I hope that for any Alphas attending today, you’re all as lucky as Alpha Damon in finding a mate like her.” I turn to Alpha Damon and give him an innocent smile as I clap to congratulate him.
After the clapping dies down again, I finish my speech. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce your hosts for tonight, Luna Cassia and Alpha Damon,” I step to the side next to Tony, and we both bow in submission and clap and then take our seats next to Jess and Jason.
“Thank you, Delta Athena,” Cassia begins, cutting Damon off before he can speak. “I would like to thank you all for coming tonight, and I hope that the Moon Goddess is shining down on all of you here searching for your mate,” she continues.
‘*Is that vein in his neck going to blow*?’ Tony asks through mind-link, and I can feel the others laughing.
‘*I can see it from all the way back here*,’ Mom says with a giggle.
‘*Our plan to make him angry is working, but remember that Jess and Jason can’t hear us. So, we need to keep them in the loop. And if anyone finds their mate and needs to leave their position, don’t forget protocol. The Luna’s safety is our number one concern tonight*,’ I say, watching as Damon tries to speak, but Cassia cuts him off again.
‘*Keep our main link open, everybody*,’ Uncle Alex instructs the Luna Guard and Crescent Warriors. ‘*We all need to hear any information that comes through so we can act quickly,*’ he explains.
‘*Yes, Gamma*,’ everybody responds at once.
I suppress a groan when everyone’s voice comes through at once; I hate when the link is open to a lot of people. It can give you a headache quickly if too many people try to talk at once.
‘*Her speech is wrapping up. Here we go*,’ Ryna says.
“Have a good night, everyone!” Cassia finishes her speech, and the crowd erupts into a bunch of hoots and clapping as they go back to mingling, and music starts blasting.
The four of us stand and follow closely behind Cassia and Damon, and I can see he’s digging his fingers into her hip. Then, when we’re behind the curtain, he turns on me, grabs me by the throat, and pushes me hard against the wall with a thud.
“What the fuck do you think you’re playing at?” He growls in my face.
I act innocent, my eyes wide, and ask, “What do you mean, Alpha? What did I do wrong?”
“You just disrespected me in front of all of those fucking Alphas, you stupid little bitch,” he barks.
“I would never do something like that!” I yelp as he tightens his hand around my throat.
“You introduced the Luna before your Alpha, you fucking idiot!”
“Damon! What are you doing?” I hear Beta Michael yell at him as he runs over and tries to pull Damon off me.
“Damon, please! I’m sure she didn’t mean to!” I hear Cassia pleading with him.
“And you!” He turns his attention to Cassia, still clutching my throat. “Who the fuck do you think you are not letting me speak? This is my fucking pack!” He yells at Cassia, who cowers behind Jess.
The look of fear that flashes in her eyes makes me growl, and Damon turns back to me.
“Who the fuck do you think you’re growling at?” He snarls in my face, his canines extending as his rage takes over.
“I’m growling at an abusive piece of shit who doesn’t deserve a mate,” I growl, wrapping my hand around his and overpower him, dragging his hand away from my neck.
He tries to overpower me, his eyes flashing between yellow and brown as his wolf surfaces, but I pull his hand away from my neck and shove him off me, causing him to fall to the floor on his ass.
“Athena!” Beta Michael yells and runs to Damon, who is looking up at me in shock. He helps Damon get to his feet, and Damon raises his hand to slap me, but I grab his wrist, then grab his throat with my other hand and squeeze tight.
“If you EVER put your hands on Cassia or me again, I will kill you,” I snarl, my eyes glowing blue in the reflection of his eyes. “Do you understand what I’m saying?” I ask in a low, threatening tone, my grip on his throat tightening.
I let him go after he quickly nods, and he staggers backward, clutching his throat and peering between Cassia and me. He straightens up, adjusts his suit jacket, and stomps out of the back room through a side door.
“What the fuck, Athena?” Beta Michael asks.
“Don’t you dare say ‘what the fuck’ to me,” I growl at him. “You’re just as bad as he is. You knew how he was treating your Luna, and you did nothing.”
His shoulders sag, and he lowers his head. “I did my best,” he mumbles, “but he’s my Alpha.”
“Weak,” I snarl at him and walk over to a trembling Cassia while Michael follows after Damon. “Are you okay?” I ask her, bringing her into a hug.
“I’m so sorry. I just couldn’t stand up to him. Did I mess everything up?” She asks, her voice shaky.
“It didn’t go the way we planned, but it still worked,” Jess says, rubbing her back. “He’s unhinged, and all we need is the right moment to push him over the edge.”
“Okay,” Cassia says, pulling away and taking a deep breath. “Then let’s get this over with,” she says as she straightens her posture and a fake smile forms on her face.