Chapter 26

Vicki was a fast walker. She kept a merciless pace as she led me throughout the estate, only occasionally looking over her shoulder to make sure I was still there. Not to mention she talked as fast as she walked, spilling out detail after detail about all the duties of a luna. Though, despite showing me nothing but coldness, she was surprisingly helpful.

Vicki’s instructions on the nuances of high society and the expectations of a Luna were delivered with a surprising measure of respect, though still not very warm. She filled me in on how I would need to address the public, what events would require my public attendance, even little things like when to stand on Lorenzo’s right or left. I hated how helpful she was, especially since I didn’t want to listen to her at all — but I knew, without her I would crash and burn at my welcome party in front of everyone.

“I wouldn’t expect you to get it all right away,” Vicki said in a sharp tone. “But Lorenzo chose you as his Luna, so I guess you’ll have to figure it out. Now follow me this way to your wardrobe fitting,” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her obvious annoyance. Though, I had to admit it was nice to hear her concede that I was the one Lorenzo had chosen.

The selection of the wardrobe was an ordeal in itself, and I was subjected to an endless parade of dresses, each more elaborate than the last. I felt less like a wolf and more like a poodle, dawning flashy colors and puffy sleeves. Vicki seemed clearly pleased at my torture, and I think she may have prolonged it unnecessarily just to watch me suffer.

“You’re the picture of elegance Eleanor,” Vicki said snidely from her seat as she snapped a horribly off-guard photo of me, then typing away furiously at her phone, presumably sending it to some ‘We Hate Eleanor’ group chat. I huffed and pushed my way back into the changing room where an older beta was waiting with my next and final dress. She gave me a sad smile and shook her head.

“Just ignore her dear, she’s always tried to scare away any of Lorenzo’s potential lunas,” the woman said as she unzipped my dress, releasing me from the confines of my poodle costume.

“What’s her deal anyway?” I asked, in a more obviously annoyed tone than I meant to. The older woman chuckled and met my eyes in the reflection of the mirror.

“Vicki had worked as Lorenzo’s assistant forever, even when he was rising in the ranks of Black Moon. She’s always going on about how she’s the true right hand to the alpha and what a great luna she would be. But the truth is…” the beta paused and smiled, “nobody likes her! She’d be a terrible luna and I think she knows it just as much as we do. But hey, that’s our little secret okay?”

I nodded immediately and returned the woman’s smile through the mirror before she knelt down to pull out the final gown.

“Now hold still, this one is fussy but I think it could be a winner,” she said and I could already feel the excitement building.

Lorenzo’s POV

Lorenzo spent the rest of the day distracted and wishing he was back at breakfast, with Eleanor at his side. He had to admit it satisfied his wolf greatly to have her here, especially sleeping in the same room. Oh how he longed to share the bed with her, but forbid himself to do so for the sake of her privacy.

Lorenzo would never admit it, but that morning just as he was leaving he had hesitated, wondering if leaving Eleanor in silence before breakfast was the right thing. In his hesitation he had cracked the door slightly, ready to enter and invite her down but the sight before him had stopped him in his tracks.

Through the small crack in the door Lorenzo could make out Eleanor’s silhouette against the harsh sun beaming through the windows. Her smooth curves made his mouth water and his wolf had begun to stir deep inside him. Seeing her so soft, so vulnerable, in his room had awakened something in him that had long been dormant. He attempted to conceal it at breakfast — remaining seated with his lap securely hidden under the table — but he couldn’t deny the feelings that swelled inside him.

Unfortunately, he knew Eleanor was uncomfortable being here. She was forced to take in so much after dealing with night after night of torment from Blue Moon, but she did so with such grace. Yet Lorenzo felt empowered knowing she was safe, and he felt a great sense of pride watching her take so quickly to the challenge of being his luna.

Announcing her as his luna hadn’t been a decision he took lightly, and while he knew it would be in the best interest of Eleanor’s safety, he couldn’t deny there had been some selfish intent behind it too. He wanted her back, and getting rid of Cate had proved that to both the public and himself.

The day flew by — between meetings and preparing for the evening’s banquet — and soon it would be time to retrieve Eleanor. Lorenzo couldn’t help but fantasize about what she would be wearing and how stunning she would look on his arm. He knew deep down though that he wanted nothing more than to steal her away for the evening, away from the crowd and have her as he’d seen her through the crack in his door earlier this morning.

But that was wrong. He couldn’t let himself abandon duty for selfish desire, as tempting as it — as she — may be.

As the hour drew near, Lorenzpractically ran away from his office, ditching his paperwork without even an ounce of worry. The guests would be arriving soon and he needed to prepare. More importantly, he needed to see Eleanor. Lorenzo’s wolf eagerly pulled him away from his duties, down the hall and towards his new luna.