Chapter 28 28
MAISIE'S POV
I’d lost track of time ogling my dress, and I was due at the pack house in an hour.
It's been a week since the announcement and today was (Roman) Jason's coronation so I was preparing.
I ran my hand over the front of my dress, and checked my reflection in the hallway mirror one last time. I figured wearing a wig all the time would be a hassle so I decided to dye my hair instead. I twisted my brown hair into an elegant knot, wore earrings that added a touch of glamour, and lipstick that brightened my winter-dulled skin. I ran a thumb over the crystals dangling from my necklace. I was ready.
I looked at my reflection again, at the black Chanel dress that fell in soft waves till they stopped above my ankle, and smiled. This dress was beautiful. Roman had excellent taste.
I picked up a matching clutch and went to find him in his bedroom. My smile dimmed when I heard a familiar voice.
“Oh Jason, I can't wait to see you again. Just one week and it feels like ages.” I heard Kylie say on the speakerphone.
It was scary how easily the venom spilled from her tongue. Kylie did have her way with words. She ticked off almost every red-flag box—pick me attitude, uncultured, and every flagged list known to man. Talking to her tonight would be torture.
As if sensing my presence, Roman spoke. “My fiancee would also be delighted to see you, won't you, honey?”
“I will.” I said with a soft grin.
“Oh!” A rare surprise coasted through Kylie’s voice before she recovered.
“That’s good to hear.” The edges of her words softened now that she knew someone else was in the room. “I’ll see you in an hour, then.”
“Yes, you will. Looking forward to it.” I drawled.
“If that isn't much, Luna Kylie, Chloe and I would like to get prepared.” Roman said, ending the call without waiting for a reply.
He spun around and my pulse skyrocketed. His suit jacket was off and one hand in his pocket. A stray lock of dark hair fell in his eye, begging me to brush it back.
Tonight's dinner should be punishment enough. Standing in this room with this Roman was worse.
On our ride over to the pack, I kept my eyes out the window and away from him until we arrived at the pack.
As expected, the Elder wolves greeted him the way they would any guest—polite and welcoming on the surface, but secretly sizing us up with every move we made and every word out of our mouths.
Roman had brought a two-thousand-dollar vintage red from his extensive wine collection with us and gave it to Elder Steven, Xavier's top advisor, but the man was hard to impress.
The ceremony passed by in a blur. The Elders of the pack including the Pack Priestess acknowledged Roman as the new Beta of BlackRock Pack. And under the light of the moon gave him their blessing.
Xavier whipped out his hunting dagger and patted it softly on Roman's both shoulders before announcing again. “Arise, Beta Jason!”
After that, dinner began.
“I’ve heard about what you did.” Steven's tone suggested what he heard wasn’t particularly flattering for Jason. “You saved Dominion Industries.”
“Yes, sir.” Jason passed me the bowl of mashed potatoes.
He wasn't wearing his jacket but somehow, the button-down shirt and slacks made him look even more intimidating. He added with a sly grin. “I am excellent at what I do.”
Steven’s face settled into a mask of grim lines. “I’m sure you do.”
The clink of plates and glasses replaced conversation until the main course. Until Xavier had to open his mouth.
“Nice of you to join us, Miss Chloe.” His eyes never left me as he spoke.
I raised my water glass to my lips. “Thank you, Alpha Xavier. I'm honoured to be here.”
Kylie’s eyes pinned me like a bug to the ground and I glared back.
“Thank you for having me, Luna.” I added with a smile.
I rested my hand on Roman's arm and smiled. “Thank you for choosing my fiance.”
“Oh, I had to,” Xavier smiled. “Instead of attacking me like Gavin did, Jason supported me. He is one of the most selfless, creative, and brilliant people I know and he never belittles anyone.”
“I'm lucky to have him.” I smiled.
“No, I'm lucky to have you.” Roman added out of nowhere, dipped his head and brushed his mouth over mine.
It was just supposed to be a quick kiss. I told myself I should pull back, but Roman's lips were so warm and soft I couldn’t resist another taste.
Just when I tilted my chin up a fraction to give him better access, I suddenly remembered where we were and pulled away so violently as if someone had fired a gun.
I smiled, my heart racing like I’d just completed a marathon.
Roman and I stared at each other for a frozen second before quickly looking away. The kiss had lasted less than a minute, but my mouth turned with the imprint of her lips.
“You two look so beautiful together.” The Luna of the BlueMoon Pack smiled.
“Thank you.” I smiled back, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.
When I reached for a glass of water, I heard a soft gasp and turned to my right.
Kylie was staring right at me.
The woman must be in shock.
Good. She deserved it.
“You will make a beautiful Beta Consort.” Another Luna added and clinked her glasses with mine.
“She will.” Jason pressed another kiss to my temples and I was so startled I almost flinched before I caught myself. Something warm and foreign moved in my chest, eating away at the steel barriers I’d erected. I'd never felt this way before. Not since Xavier.
I lifted my gaze to his. Only this time, he wasn't looking at me. He was glaring at Roman.