Chapter 28

The grand hall of Black Moon was alight with the soft glow of lanterns, the air filled with the gentle hum of conversation and the subtle undertone of music that seemed to weave through the crowd, binding them together in a tapestry of celebration. Standing beside Lorenzo as we greeted their guests, I felt a sense of ease I hadn't anticipated, the warmth of the pack's welcome acting as a balm to my earlier apprehensions.

As we moved through the room, my nerves slowly disappeared, replaced by a growing confidence bolstered by Lorenzo's easy confidence. The pack's members, once strangers eyeing me with curiosity, now greeted me with smiles and warm embraces, their acceptance palpable in every word and gesture.

Lorenzo leaned in, his voice a soft whisper meant only for me.

"You're doing great," he said, his pride in me evident in his gaze. "I told you they would love you," I turned to him, a smile playing on my lips.

“All thanks to you, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you,” I said in a quiet but light tone, as if the world we’d created in our room could still exist out here amongst the crowd.

I was surprised at how well things were going, but I shouldn’t have gotten so comfortable. Clearly not everyone shared in the joy of the occasion.

Vicki, a constant shadow throughout the evening, regarded me with a cold disdain that was impossible to ignore. Her sharp glances and tight-lipped smiles were a stark contrast to the otherwise welcoming atmosphere. Every chance she got, she made sure to look at me with her cruel and beady eyes, like a vulture waiting for me to die.

After dodging Vicki’s glances for most of the night, and having met most of the Black Moon pack, I decided I could take a trip to the restroom. I was relieved to have a moment of peace to recenter myself and, of course, touch up my makeup. I was just a girl after all, and despite my growing confidence and my natural independence that I had developed over the years, I still enjoyed looking pretty for the man whose attention I so desired.

Satisfied with my moment alone, I stepped out of the powder room and back into the hallway, where I almost ran face first into my favorite assistant. Vicki’s icy demeanor was more pronounced in the absence of prying eyes, her words laced with venom.

"I don't know what game you're playing, but don't think for a moment you belong here," Vicki hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Lorenzo may be blinded by you now, but I'll make sure he sees the truth."

"I have no idea what you mean Vicki," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. I had to admit she caught me off guard, but I couldn’t back down. “Besides, I suppose I owe you for that little stunt you pulled with my dress. It really made things more intimate.”

My suggestive tone and clear indifference to her attempted sabotage had clearly riled Vicki up, her eyes alight with rage. She regained her composure though, scoffing with a dismissive gaze.

"You're nothing but a pawn in their eyes, a pretty face to parade around. But know this—the pack will never truly accept you as their Luna."

Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"I believe you're mistaken," Lorenzo said, his tone icy as he appeared beside me, his presence a wall of protection. "Eleanor is not only accepted; she is beloved by our pack. Your words are not only inappropriate but unwarranted."

Vicki, caught off guard by Lorenzo's sudden appearance, faltered, her confidence waning under his gaze. "Lorenzo, I—"

"No," Lorenzo interrupted, his decision final. "Your service to Black Moon is appreciated, but your behavior tonight has shown me that your loyalties lie not with the pack, but with your own prejudices. You are dismissed."

The silence that followed was heavy, the assistant's shock palpable as she exited, leaving me and Lorenzo alone in the hallway. The gravity of the moment, of Lorenzo's defense of me, wrapped around me like a weighted blanket, both comforting and daunting.

"Lorenzo, you didn't have to do that," I said, trying to express both my gratitude and concern. "She's been with you for years."

Lorenzo turned to me, his hand gently lifting my chin so our eyes met. I could feel his seriousness rolling off of him in waves, drawing me in like the moon does the tide.

"I did, and I would do it again," he stated firmly. "You are my Luna, Eleanor. Your place by my side is not just a matter of duty but of my choice, my desire. I will not allow anyone to question that, least of all someone who cannot see the strength and grace you bring to our pack."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, the depth of his conviction stirring something within me that I had been afraid to acknowledge. "Lorenzo, I—"

He leaned in, his forehead resting gently against mine, his breath a warm caress on my skin. "You are where you belong, Eleanor. Here, with me, with our pack. Anyone who cannot see that does not deserve to stand with us."

The intimacy of the moment, the strength of the connection between us, was a force unto itself. The party, the pack, the outside world—all faded into the background, leaving only the truth of our feelings, unspoken but undeniable. I could feel my wolf pulling towards him and for once it didn’t feel like I had to pull away.

As we returned to the festivities, my heart was light, buoyed by Lorenzo's unwavering support and the acceptance I felt from the pack. The evening, which had begun with uncertainty, had transformed into a celebration not just of my welcome but of the journey Lorenzo and I were embarking on together.

The night ended with us standing side by side, looking out over the members of Black Moon, our hands entwined. At that moment, I realized that maybe I really was meant to be by his side.