Ria was looking at herself in the mirror wondering if she went slightly overboard
here?
She chose a white satin dress with a deep v-cut neckline and plunging free-fall
back. The garment also had a draped and knotted train, which was fastening in
the middle and splitting off into two. It was very elegant and reminded her of
ancient Greece. However, she usually preferred more... modest designs. Yet
today she craved something else.
She couldn’t forget the cold shower that Gideon gave her in the morning after
they practically spent the night together. What was up with that?
Okay, they didn’t actually spend the night together. But they kissed. And the kiss
was mind-blowing. Even Onyx reacted to that.
Speaking of which, she tried calling her wolf again and again. But Onyx was not
responding to that. As if she wasn’t there. Only that now Ria was sure that she
was.
“Listen,” she sighed, “I really need you. I don’t know why you are hiding and not
talking to me. But we were always a team. And for me, nothing changed. I know
that Brayden hurt us and that dying wasn’t easy. I understand that you might
need more time. Just know... Onyx, just know that I am still waiting for you and
I’ll wait as long as it takes. Just come back...”
She sat a bit more, but nothing changed.
Her thoughts drifted to Gideon again and she clenched her lips, lifting her hair up
and fixing it with a few pins, letting a few curly strands fall on her shoulders.
She stood up, ready to leave for the event but at the last moment returned to the
dressing table and got red lipstick, applying it to her lips before she changed her
mind.
He did not want to see her? He would see her now!But then she noticed something else... Her diamond ring was still shining in her
finger. The one Brayden gave her at their engagement. She kept on wearing it for
safety reasons now. But today it seemed too heavy for her. She took it off,
enjoying the moment of her freedom.
The house was already full of guests. All of whom were also wearing white.
Riannon hoped to stay invisible for as long as she could. Her main aim was to
find Gideon and to ask him bluntly what happened. Because she sure as hell had
no idea.
But if there was something, she wanted to know.
However, her brilliant plan of laying low was not working. Wherever she went, all
eyes was were at her at all times. Most of those were friendly. She recognised
some of the warrior guys who were looking for protein shakes at the kitchen the
other day. But some were less than friendly.
Not only does she dare to attend our party on a false pretence, but I heard she is
also after both Beta Reid AND king Gideon!”
“Like she has a chance!” another one joined her, “How many of those werewolf
sl.uts throw themselves at our men? They are never good enough!”
“Who knows,” the third one chuckled, “Maybe they will give her a ride or two. But
it will never be anything serious!”
Riannon knew the she-wolves were aware that she was listening to them.
Moreover, everyone was. And now they all expected her reaction.
In the years spent as a Luna of her pack, Ria learnt one thing. You could only
make the first impression once. And she had no idea why it was so important for
her to show these
people her true worth, but she knew that it was.So, she gracefully turned on her heels and walked towards the three lycan girls
who still
had smirks on their faces.
“Ladies,” she gave them one of her most dazzling smiles, “It may come as a
shock to you, but some women have more value than simply trying to land a
male. I understand that it’s
hard to comprehend for some and while I am your king’s personal guest, I came
here to work
on women rights. Something we all can benefit from. That is if you have any kind
of aspirations in life, of course.”
The three women froze in front of her, not knowing how to proceed. This wasn’t
what
they expected at all.
“You say that and yet you are dressed like that,” one of them finally regained her
voice.
“Like what?” Riannon decided to set a little trap.
“Yes, like what?” princess Savanah appeared right next to them in a beautiful
gown with a glass of champagne in her hand, “I should probably mention before
you say anything, that I personally picked Ria’s dress for tonight. So, please,
enlighten me, what does she look like in
it?”
Now the gossip girls looked pale.
“It’s a very beautiful dress,” one of them stuttered while the other two nodded
vigorously. “Amazing!” “Such a great taste!”Riannon rolled her eyes, slightly disappointed with the princess arriving too early.
She
women, and they escaped within seconds.
“My, my!” Savvy giggled as she put her glass down and took Ria’s hand, “You are
quite bloodthirsty, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” a little smile curled the Luna’s lips,“I
just like to tackle the problems at once. And finish them off while I can.”
“Don’t worry,” the girl gave her a warm smile, “Those three bark but they don’t
bite. I am happy with your dress choice, by the way. It was one of my favourites
too. When my brother
sees you in this...”
The princess bit her lip and stopped talking as if she had told too much.
Someone called
her name and she turned to look at the person nervously.
“Riannon, I have to leave you for now,” she said apologetically, “But I will find you
later.
Go this way, okay?”
She motioned towards the stone starecase that led down to the main garden
where there were white tents, and more guests were scattered around the
grounds. Beautiful music was playing and overall, the reception looked very
elegant. Just to Ria’s taste.
She stood at the top of the staircase, looking around. She noticed Beta Reid
talking to two girls both of whom were sending some very clear signals to him,while touching his chest and biceps. He didn’t seem to mind that at all. She kept
on looking when her eyes finally locked with Gideon’s.He stood with a group of
men who were discussing something loudly and looked at her. And there was so
much in his gaze, hungry and filled with desire, that she was
sure he would come up to her any minute now.
But instead, the lycan king turned on his feet and walked in the opposite
direction.
The familiar hurt pierced her heart.
Just how stupid she was to think that his words about her were serious? He
obviously changed his mind already and she had to deal with it. There
relationship was strictly professional from now on. She wouldn’t let anyone think
anything other than that. Not even
herself.
Riannon straightened her back and picked up her dress, descending the stairs
with
grace. She couldn’t go back to her room and admit her defeat. She couldn’t stalk
the king in hope to talk to him and clear things out. She had to keep her face at
all times. And right now there was only one thing that she could do – mingle.
Luckily, after the scene with the princess just a few minutes ago, a lot of people
were
speaking to, she was catching Gideon’s gazes on her. Just what was his
problem,? Why couldn’t he simply come up and talk to her?
Soon Riannon found herself in the company of the pack warriors. A.K.A. the
protein shakes guys. She found them the warmest crowd. And the funniest. They
were all standing under one of the tents that was placed around a huge oak tree.The sheer white fabric was flowing peacefully around them, blown by the playful
wind.
She only mentioned the protein drinks as they all started talking about them as if
their
lives depended on this.
“Look, Luna,” one of the guys rolled the sleeve of his shirt and flexed his
muscles, “Do you see the kind of effect it gives us? Try it!”
He was offering for her to touch the huge bulge on his arm, and she had no idea
how to
get out of this.
“Jay, stop this!” the gamma of the pack, Cyrus, run his hand over his face while
his mate Liam tried to hold back laughter.
“What?” the guy in question rolled his eyes, “The Luna doesn’t mind, right”
Now she was cornered.
“Of course, I don’t,” she smiled politely and stretched her hand to feel his muscle.
But before her fingers were able to reach his skin, a loud growl interrupted them
all.
They turned to the sound and saw their king storming their way with his eyes
darkened.
However, if other guests started to walk away as soon as possible, the warriors
did not even flinch. Riannon already understood prior that this group was tight
with their leader.
“Hey, Gideon, we are explaining Luna Thorn here...”“Everybody out!” The lycan royalty growled and his men bowed politely, leaving
the two of them absolutely alone in the tent.
“And may I ask,” Ria walked past him to the huge oak trunk, “Why did you just do
it?”
“To make sure you don’t do any silly mistakes,” he replied, still clearly trying to
get his emotions under control.
“And what mistake would it be?” she looked at him with interest, watching his
chest go up and down. He was wearing just pants and a shirt that was
unbuttoned at the top.
“You know very well,” he stepped closer but she did not budge.“No, I really don’t,”
she shook her head, “What kind of a mistake would that be to check
“Ria, l... I wasn’t ignoring you...” Gideon didn’t know what words to choose to
explain to
her what was going on with him. Back in her room at night, when she was
sleeping peacefully,
he realised that if he stayed in her presence, his wolf would go crazy and take
over the control sooner or later. He couldn’t afford that. So, he decided to take
the easy way out and to try and see less of her. At least until the evening, since
his sister invited this many people to their
house.
“It’s all right,” Riannon said with a heavy sigh, “You don’t owe me an explanation.
We owe each other nothing and I understand that last night probably meant
nothing to you.”
“Nothing?” he growled and grasped her arm, pulling her behind him all the way to
the oak tree, where he slammed her against the trunk.“What are you...” Riannon started asking him when his hot lips crumpled hers in
one beautiful and absolutely magical kiss. This time he did not even try to be
gentle with her. And she loved it. This kiss was mad, raging, all-consuming. It
seemed like the two of them had gone crazy as he pressed her against the tree,
panting.
“Just what is going on?” she demanded an explanation, “Why are you hot one
minute and cold another?”
He opened his mouth to tell her everything. Gideon wanted to let her know how
precious she was to him. He did not think he could hold this secret to himself any
longer...
But right when the words were ready to slip off his tongue, they both heard loud
screams
and snapped their head in their direction...
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