Chapter 27

The room, bathed in the soft glow of the evening light, was a cocoon of silence and anticipation as Lorenzo stepped in. I stood in front of the mirror, unaware of Lorenzo’s arrival as I wrestled with the front of my dress.

Of course the final dress was the one I chose, but it was a stunning gown that seemed to capture the essence of the moonlight. The dress was a work of art, its fabric flowing like liquid silver, a perfect complement to the new role I was about to take on. For once, wearing that dress, I felt like I actually belonged.

Though in my panic of putting it on before, I somehow managed to undo a series of buttons right at the front that kept popping open. I can’t say it looked bad, but it certainly was more revealing in its current state. I inwardly blamed Vicki — she had taken the dress from me to get it ‘prepared’ for the night, and there hadn’t been any issues when I tried it on before.

I felt frustrated and sabotaged, and all the more embarrassed when I nearly jumped in surprise at seeing Lorenzo’s figure behind me through the reflection of the mirror. His presence instantly made every inch of my body tingle.

Lorenzo's gaze lingered on me, taking in the sight of me in the stunning gown, but then he saw my distress and a series of emotions flashed over his face. Surprise, arousal, embarrassment, and then finally concern.

"Eleanor," he began, his voice a blend of all those emotions, "Are you alright?" My heart raced, the awkwardness of the situation compounded by Lorenzo's sudden entrance. I rushed to cover my chest, feeling already exposed.

"I—It's nothing. Just a small issue with the dress," I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Lorenzo closed the distance between us, his steps measured, his expression one of desire yet hesitation.

"Let me help," he offered, his tone gentle, betraying none of the authoritative cadence that commanded the respect of his pack. As he approached, the proximity, once a source of comfort, now ignited a spark of something more, a flicker of desire that I struggled to suppress.

"It's just these front buttons," I explained, my voice barely above a whisper, "They seem to have a mind of their own."

Lorenzo's hands reached for the buttons, his fingers brushing against mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me. The accidental touch was a whisper of intimacy in the quiet room, a momentary connection that seemed to speak volumes.

Lorenzo shifted his focus away from my eyes and concentrated on the task at hand. He seemed to be correcting my mistake, until one extra tug sent even more buttons flying open. My hands lurched to cling to my chest on instinct — the dress was now almost limp against my figure, my chest practically jumping out of the fabric.

I squeaked and Lorenzo’s eyes widened. I felt like a teenager again, all fumbling hands and shy looks. Lorenzo gave me a slight smile before resuming his task, except now I could feel his warm hands on my skin in an even more intimate way. He had leaned in closer to see better, puffs of his breath giving me goosebumps.

He must have noticed my shiver, because he gave me a dark glance. His bright eyes peaked out from under his eyelashes, almost as if he could sense my emotions. Almost as if he was feeling the same way…

I watched as he finished his work, a little too quickly for my liking. I slowly lowered my hands and smoothed the dress out, the buttons finally holding fast in their place.

"There," Lorenzo said, stepping back to admire his handiwork, "Perfect."

I caught his gaze, and for a moment, somehow knowing he didn’t just mean the dress. We stood in silent acknowledgement of the unspoken bond that had formed between us, knowing that even a few days ago we would never have shared an intimate moment like this.

"Thank you," I murmured, my heart pounding with the desire to feel his hands on my skin again. Lorenzo nodded, the air between them charged with a newfound tension.

"We should discuss your duties as Luna," he said, his voice returning to the matter at hand, an attempt to steer them back onto safer ground.

"Yes, of course," I agreed, grateful for the distraction but I couldn’t deny the pang of disappointment I felt at the loss of such an intimate moment.

"As Luna, you represent the heart of Black Moon," Lorenzo began, his words deliberate, "Your presence, your grace, it's not just about appearances. It's about being a pillar of strength, a source of comfort for our pack."

"I understand," I replied, my voice steady, "I won't let you down."

Lorenzo's gaze softened, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"I have no doubt," he said, his confidence in her evident. "But it's more than just duty. You're not alone in this. We're in this together." The conversation shifted again, both of us abandoning the formalities we attempted to hide behind.

"Lorenzo, I..." I paused, searching for the words to express what I was feeling. "I never expected to find myself here, in this moment, feeling... this."

"This?" Lorenzo prompted, his voice low, laced with an emotion she couldn't quite place.

"This connection," I confessed, my gaze meeting his, "It's unexpected, but it's real."

Lorenzo stepped closer, the gap between us diminishing with each breath.

"Eleanor, from the moment you arrived, you've turned my world upside down," he admitted, his voice a whisper of vulnerability. "And I'm grateful for it."

The confession hung in the air, a delicate truth unveiled in the sanctity of their shared space. My heart swelled as I felt the barriers between, along with years of resentment, crumbling.

"It's not just about duty, is it?" I asked, my voice barely audible and still filled with uncertainty.

"No," Lorenzo replied, his hand reaching out to gently caress my cheek, "It's about us."

The touch, tender and exploratory, was a bridge between two worlds, a silent promise of what could be. I leaned into his touch, my eyes closing instinctively at the sheer rightness of the moment.

"Lorenzo, I—" I began, only to be interrupted by a harsh knock at the door. The party, a looming obligation, threatened to shatter the fragile bubble they had created.

"We should go," Lorenzo said, reluctance clear in his voice, "The pack awaits their Luna."