Chapter 13

Lorenzo led me around the hall as if he himself owned the place. We stopped to talk to almost everyone, and Lorenzo was surprisingly polite in introducing me to the other guests. I couldn’t help but feel a pit form in my

stomach any time he referred to me as his dancer.

After an hour, I think I had met over a hundred people — particularly other alphas and their assistants, as well as their lunas who clung to them and their every word. It was very important for luna's to show support for their tribe, as disloyalty often led to being cast out. My favorite part of all of this though wasn’t talking to these powerful people, but hearing Lorenzo gossip about them afterwards.

I don’t know if he did it consciously, but he started to sound like his younger self again as he dropped details here and there about various scandals. Whether it was political or run of the mill relationship drama, Lorenzo seemed to know it all.

“You should hear the way he talks about his luna behind her back,” Lorenzo said after we walked away from the Silver Moon alpha. “What’s hilarious is she knows everything and has been secretly funneling money into her own private account and claiming it’s for charity.”

I wasn’t sure how to react, but in truth I didn’t care what he said, I was more focused on the fact that he was even speaking to me in the first place. What on earth was I doing here?

My focus was pulled away from my ‘employer’ however when Lorenzo casually pointed his wine glass over at Cruz Sterling, his former high school rival. In truth, the rivalry was fairly one-sided since Cruz was always second best as long as Lorenzo was around. It was never a real competition.

“He’s not the alpha, just the brother of one,” Lorenzo said with a smirk before turning his attention to another pack leader. It seemed he took pride in their current difference in status — what with Lorenzo having real power and Cruz effectively having none — which just felt like more high school drama to me. I fought hard not to scoff as I followed after Lorenzo.

As we walked around more I saw the lycan luna nearby, but something was off.

“If this is the lycan luna’s birthday banquet, why isn’t the lycan king in attendance?” I whispered to Lorenzo, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Rumor has it that the lycan king and lycan luna are not on good terms,” Lorenzo replied, a hint of mirth in his voice as he followed my eyeline to the lycan luna. Then he turned his gaze to me. “They’re in a political marriage, and some say that the lycan king is in love with another woman.” I felt my eyes go wide at this second bit of information, but I had to collect myself when Lorenzo coughed and straightened. The lycan luna was walking right towards us.

Seeing the lycan luna in person truly was quite the sight. She was a beautiful and noble woman, one of the few in the country who could have every pack performing at her birthday banquet simply because she wished it so. I actually had come to admire her alot; she wasn’t just an appendage to the lycan king, but an independent and strong figurehead in her own right. We bowed as she approached us.

“Lorenzo Sinclair, it’s lovely to see you again though I have to say I am much more keen to meet the woman of the hour,” the lycan luna said as she nodded graciously to Lorenzo but then turned her sharp eyes to me. “You were fantastic up there dear girl, your choreography was truly exquisite. Tell me, who do I have the pleasure of calling my finest dancer?”

“My name is Eleanor Wright, and the pleasure is all mine your majesty, thank you for having me here it’s been an honor to perform,” I said as I extended my hand to meet hers and touch my forehead to her knuckles; a traditional sign of respect for royalty. She smiled at my introduction.

“Wright? My favorite ballet dancer also shared the last name Wright, I see her reflection in you,” the lycan luna mused.

“Natalia Wright is my mother,” I was delighted that the lycan luna remembered her, even more so that she was a fan. “She would have been honored.”

“Her performances left a deep impression on me, I always regretted her sudden passing,” the lycan luna said sympathetically patting my arm. Sharing this moment with her felt surreal, but I could tell her feelings were genuine. You see, my mother had passed away from a hereditary illness but before she died she introduced me to the world of ballet. Becoming a ballerina was not only my mother’s dream, but mine now too.

“You truly do have your mother’s gift, I look forward to more of your performances,” the lycan luna smiled then turned her attention back to Lorenzo. I had to remember I was really just here as a guest, and there are many who would kill to have the conversation I just had. “Now Lorenzo, I hear you wish to discuss land development rights?”

I zoned out slightly of their conversation, partially to be polite but also because the politics of land ownership went completely over my head. But, I could tell by Lorenzo’s disposition that the conversation went exactly as he wanted.

“You know, you remind me of the lycan king back when he was younger. I think you are making all the right moves and I’d love to partner with you and grant you the land rights,” the lycan luna said with a smile that Lorenzo returned tenfold.

“Thank you your majesty, I can assure you you won’t regret this partnership,” Lorenzo eagerly replied, and with no more than a pleased nod, the lycan luna drifted away into the crowd.

After the lycan luna left, Lorenzo and I became the social center of the banquet. People crowded us on all sides, looking to talk to us about our conversation with the lycan luna. Lorenzo appeared very adept, his charm and poise when addressing so many nosey partygoers impressed me. Five years ago, he wasn't a man of many words, and he would often speak to me in awkward phrases. Yet, that pure and beautiful love couldn't compete with his ambition — I knew Lorenzo wanted to climb higher, which is why he rejected me for a girl with more influence.

I tried my best to stay out of the conversation, but suddenly someone jokingly asked when Lorenzo and I would have our mate ceremony. I smiled awkwardly, silent at the question.

"I still have to win back the goddess's heart," Lorenzo said confidently, earning cheers from the crowd. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was serious.