Chapter 59

Chapter 59
 Anika:
  Staring at this card pressed into my palms should make me giddy and excited. 
 But sadly, it doesn’t.
  All it does is remind me of what’s coming in just a few days—my Luna crowning ceremony.
  It’s not that I forgot about it. No, it’s been lurking at the back of my mind all along. I just can’t find a reason to be happy about it. Not when there’s one thing I dread more than anything.
  Hunter.
  He’ll be there. 
 Oh, he definitely will..
 And of course, he won’t come alone. Every Alpha is expected to show up with their Luna, which means Jasmine will be right at his side.
  And I… I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to see her, either.
 Goddess.
  Or maybe what I really don’t want is Hunter laying eyes on Isabel. 
 The thought of it makes my chest tighten. I won’t be able to watch her every second through the night, and that terrifies me.
  Yes, he’d sworn he didn’t want to hurt her. I tell myself to believe him. Or maybe I just force myself to.
  But then there are the dreams. Those haunting images of him threatening me. And Isabel’s dream… him dragging her away from me. I know it was him who sta-
  No. Goddess, I don’t even know what to think anymore.
  “Hey, hey. Back to Earth, Anika.” Matteo’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. His hand waves gently in front of my face.
  I blink hard, shaking my head. “Yeah, sorry.”
  “What’s wrong?” He shifts closer,eyes searching mine.
  “Nothing. I’m fine,”
 “No, you’re not.” He frowns. “Is this about the ceremony in a few days? Because if you’re not ready, say the word and we’ll move it. None of this matters if you don’t want it.” His hand closes around mine. “I love you, Anika. Ceremony or not, you’ll always be my Luna. Forever.”
  I can’t help but smile as I turn to him. “It’s fine. The invites are already out, we can’t just call it off now.”
  “Sure, we can. Or rather, I can.” He smirks. “I mean, it’s not like anyone’s going to scold me. And besides, it’s only a few of our allies. They’d understand.”
  That makes me blink. “Wait… allies?”
 “Yeah. Just a few.”
  “I thought we were hosting this year’s annual gala—”
  “Nope. I canceled that,”
  My brows knit together. “You did?”
  He only smiles, tugging me closer until I’m pressed against his chest. “You said you didn’t want it, remember? So I scrapped the gala. This is just our ceremony now. Well, ours and Damon and Leah’s. For the pack, with a few allies. That’s it.”
  “So… that…” I finally find my voice. “That means Hunter won’t be coming?”
  “Hell no. Not stepping foot in this place.” He says. “You can only get in with a card invite, and we only sent out ten. His pack wasn’t on that list.”
  I swallow hard, a shaky breath leaving me as if a weight has just been lifted from my chest. 
 Goddess. 
 For the first time in days, I actually feel at peace.
  Before I can say another word, he eases me out of his embrace and turns me to face him fully. His hand brushes gently along my cheek, his eyes locking on mine. “You have nothing to worry about, okay? Like I told you before, both you and Isabel are safe with me. No one. I mean, no fúcking person is ever taking you away from me.”
  My lips part, a shaky laugh slipping out as I nod. “God, I love it when you talk like that.”
  “Oh yeah?” His mouth curves into a wicked grin. “Want me to tell you the kind of voice I love hearing from you?”
  My cheeks flame instantly. “No, I don’t wanna hear it.
  “Oh, you do.” His smirk deepens as he pulls me back against his chest. My heart kicks into a wild rhythm, and I breathe in his scent, dizzy and warm all at once. “And I want to hear that exact kind of voice once we’re home. Only this time, Anika… I’m going to make sure it’s louder than it’s ever been.”
  A laugh bursts out of me before I can stop it.
 God, maybe coming out to the park wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
  I still can’t believe Matteo shifted a very important meeting just so he could spend the afternoon here with Isabel. 
 And judging by the endless greetings from pack members who’ve stopped by to smile, wave, and fuss over us, the park feels more like a celebration than a simple outing.
  My thoughts drift suddenly to the meeting I have tonight with my manager at the company. 
  Luckily, I’d told Matteo about the business a month ago, and ever since then, he’s been pouring out brilliant ideas. I mean, strategies I never would’ve dreamed of myself. 
 Geniuses, really.
  And they’ve worked. Sales have been pouring in nonstop, numbers climbing higher and higher until now… we’re making nearly a thousand times more than before. 
 Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it.
  The last time I checked, we were sitting right at the top of the leaderboard… and we’re not leaving that spot anytime soon.
  Still, a small part of me twists at the thought of Hunter. His sales have dropped so badly it’s all over the news. 
 For a second, guilt tugs at me.
  No, Anika. Don’t feel bad for him. He doesn’t deserve it.
  “Mummy! Daddy!” Isabel’s little voice slices clean through my thoughts. I pull away from Matteo’s gentle scalp massage and look up at her.
  “Oh, look who’s here,” I smile at her, “ did you enjoy yourself?”
  She nods so hard her curls bounce. “So, so much! I love you both for making me happy!”
  Matteo and I can’t help but laugh at her overflowing excitement.
  “Good,” Matteo says, leaning forward with a smile. “Now that you’re done, let’s go—”
  “To the photo booth!” she cuts in, tugging on both our arms at once. “We still have to take lots of pictures. You promised me!”
  I let out a dramatic groan, though a smile tugs at my lips. 
 Goddess help me… today’s going to be a very, very long day.