When Diane walked into my room the next morning, my eyes followed her every sigh and inflexion. To think that Diane said was having an affair with Lord Edvin of all people? Is the aristocratic Lord Edvin having an affair with a maid? It was almost unbelievable only that I had witnessed it happen. I did not think I could see Diane the same way again.
“My lady? Is something the matter?” quipped Diane.
“What?” I asked, startled that she had caught me staring.
“Nothing. How was your night?” I asked her, clearing my throat. I was not sure what I was expecting her response to be but I looked at her face eager for an answer.
“It was as usual, I got to sleep,” she replied.
“As usual?” did that translate to she saw Lord Edvin every night?
“My lady, you are acting rather peculiar this morning,” she said and I cleared my throat.
“How so?”
“This is the fourth time you have asked about my night,” she said.
*******#*******
The day of The Meet came and I was wrapped in a flurry of activities. One would think that as Luna I got to call the shots and watch as everyone served me but that was not how it went down. The Meet here was quite different from the one in my father's pack. Although the idea in both packs was to show that the monarch served the people, in my father's pack it was merely an idea while the real I mentioned was to show the people that my father reigned supreme over them.
“My Lady, you should return to your throne. You've done enough,” Diane said to me and I gladly heeded her because I was exhausted.
The throne was a regal seat by Alpha Dagen's right hand. It was far smaller in comparison to Dagen's but just as majestic. It exuded an aura of power but when I sat on it I did not feel powerful as I was aware this was all a ruse. A year from now Lady Nydia would be seated here.
The Elders came later to pay their respects. In addition to Elder Davis and Elder Walker that I had already met at dinner the other day, there was Elder Thaddeus.
He looked at my face with interest and said, “You look familiar Luna Regina. Have we met before?”
“Perhaps you remember my face from the wedding?” came my response. He thought about it for a moment and said, “It was not at the wedding, I believe I have seen your face before then.”
His face did seem familiar. Then it hit me; I had seen him with my father with another Elder. I remembered because my father had ordered me to serve them tea. It made sense though since he was an Elder.
“Have you been in Alpha George's court before? Or perhaps, you have a sister there?”
“Elder Thaddeus, you make my Luna uncomfortable. She suffers memory loss, she cannot remember anything of her life before she became my mate,” said Alpha Dagen.
“How is that?” he asked.
“She had a traumatic experience that took her memory. She doesn't like to be reminded about it,” replied Alpha Dagen.
When all our guests had left us and I was getting settled in for the night, Alpha Dagen walked into my room abruptly.
Diane and I bowed as we chorused, “Your Majesty.”
“Leave us,” he commanded Diane and she left.
“Alpha George? When were you going to tell me that you are from his pack?” inquired Alpha Dagen.
“I do not know who Alpha George is. I told you I have memory loss, I cannot remember anything from before now,” I made sure to keep my tone even so as not to betray any feelings.
“Memory loss? You are still adamant about continuing with that lame excuse?” he was angry and I was not sure why. Was he angry because I kept my origin from him or did he have a problem with the possibility that I was from Alpha George's pack?
“Alpha Dagen, Elder Thaddeus must have made a mistake earlier…”
“Elder Thaddeus makes no mistake, he has a graphic memory. He does not forget anything,” retorted Alpha Dagen and I was at loss for words.
“At the very least you know that I did not lie about my name. We are mates so you know my name. Why don't you ask Alpha George if he knows Regina? I am curious too,” I was dating him and it was my sincere prayer that he did not take me at my word.
“What are you hiding?” he said, holding my face up so he could look directly into my eye.
I said nothing but returned his hard stare.
Then as though under a spell, he dropped his lips on mine.
*******#*******
A week later Alpha Dagen announced that we were going out and he needed me to look my best.
I did not argue with him. These days I was taking care to look good. Not for him to notice but to make myself happy before Lady Nydia returned.
Things had been so quiet around here of late that it was starting to feel surreal.
I did not miss her nor did I miss the drama, rather I dreaded the day of her return. I hoped that whatever was keeping her busy where she was continued to require her attention.
When I entered the carriage that was to take us to the function I saw the look of satisfaction on Alpha Dagen's face when he saw me. It made me wonder what his plan was. If he was allowing me to attend events with him as Luna what did that say?
When we arrived at the reception it was evident it was a banquet but what surprised me was Alpha Dagen holding my hand as we walked into the hall.
“Act natural,” he whispered because I was flustered by the affectionate way in which he held my hand. However, it was difficult to heed his command as there was nothing natural about this situation.
I could not get my mind off what Alpha Dagen's intention was until I came face to face with Irvette on Harlin's arm.
It was too late to hide the shock on my face.
“Love? Are you okay?” asked Alpha Dagen in a deceptively sweet tone.
“What?” why was he calling me love now when it was clear he was trying to expose me?
“Luna Regina, I have heard a lot about you especially how you outdid every Luna to ever exist during The Meet, I only wish to follow your lead.”