My courage shrivelled. Nate has never stared at me like this. He looked like he lost it. My lower lip wobbled in fear. It caught his attention.
"Don't worry, Nova. I can never hurt you. I love you way too much. But understand this. What I've done was done for the pack." I was rendered speechless. I was too afraid to respond other than a nod.
"Good girl." He kissed the crown of my head and left the storage room. Coming out after crying my eyes out, I asked if I could use Beta Ray's room to clean myself up. He looked uncomfortable and rejected the idea. He came closer, after seeing no one was spying on us in the hallway and whispered,
"Mother Luna Janet is keeping an eye on me. I'm sorry, Luna." He said and pulled away. He bowed and left with regret in his heart. He's a good man, but he was just a powerless beta in my wicked dramatic life.
In the end, Mia let me get dressed and practically forced me to wear her dress for the Luna Assemblage. The evening has to be grand. Word has spread that Prince Zyke will be attending with Queen Delores this evening, for the Assemblage. I couldn't have been more happier.
"This looks amazing," I said in amusement. Mia had a nice collection. One she lent to me was golden caped, Dior's prime collection.
"You can make heck ton of money when you're an aspiring head of healers for a pack, I guess." She said as I hugged her.
"I will save you, Mia. Wait for me." She nodded on my shoulder.
And then, it was time to implement my master plan.
The evening was vibrant. Luna's Assemblage was all about prosperity and discussions about happiness of packs.
As much as I loathed it, Janet, Karen and even Nate accompanied me to the Assemblage.
It made my plan tad bit difficult. But I pulled some threads secretly and made sure none of the three saw me walking into the Prince's chambers that evening after the meeting.
However, as I walked out of Prince Zyke's chambers after having a 'delightful' talk about my pack's future, I bumped into Nate.
I almost jumped at his appearance. His gaze on me was skeptical.
"What were you doing there?" Nate inquired harshly.
"What do you think I was doing there?" I asked. Nate's jealousy was off the roof and I could smell it in his aura. He was doing an awful job hiding his jealousy.
"I don't know, mate with him for dethroning my mother as Luna?" The words flew out of his mouth. My blood was boiling, my smile long gone.
"What do you fucking mean?" I asked harshly. Nate straightened up.
"I'm sorry. That was...irrational of me. I felt threatened." He said.
"Threatened that I would cheat on you too?" My question baffled him.
"N-No. I know you wouldn't. You're my mate." He said affirmatively and stared at the mate mark on my neck. My first and last. That's what he thought.
"You're insecure, aren't you?" I was pushing the nail deeper. Nate's eyes wandered to the passersby. He gulped harshly before replying,
"I'm not. I'm confident in our love." He said.
"Is that why you've been fucking Karen behind my back every time she came to visit? For six years?" The revelation finally struck.
"Baby. She was in heat and didn't have anyone around. You know how busy your best friend - Zade - could be. She was lonely, and I was helping her out—" He said, but I lifted my hand to cut him off.
"Enough is enough. You're pathetic." I said and tried to walk away.
What I wanted to do was done. The first and most important step - Talking to Prince Zyke - was done. I had nothing to do with Nate or Graymoon Pack anymore.
But Nate clutched my wrist and spun me back to himself.
"Nova. Listen. I want to reconcile with you. Tomorrow is Karen and my first child's 100th day. I want you to be the Godmother, as promised. Please. Be my mate and attend the party, as my mate." He asked. To me, it sounded like begging.
He was begging me to remind myself what they did, 100 days ago. They fucked all night on my birthday and they want me to remember the trauma forever.
Nate's expectant eyes pleaded with me. He was hoping I would reject the invitation so he could beg and plead more. Instead, I took my chances and said,
"Okay. I'll come as the Godmother. I'm still Luna, after all." I said. I never knew lying through my teeth would invoke a whole new level of anger in me. I hated myself for sure.
"Ah, you're the best." Delighted, Nate hugged me tightly. He was feeling my body, running his hands on my back and I felt something on my abdomen.
Well, I'll just have to put up with him for one more day. Just one more. After that is all war.
