Chapter 12: Allies

Reid opened the curtain for them and Riannon tried to hold her head straight

since she knew that all eyes would be on them now. In all her years as Luna, and

even before that, she saw lycans just a few times. They usually weren’t mingling

with the werewolves and it was considered an honour to just meet one of them,

regardless of their rank. Back in the day, when Ria got acquainted with a Beta, it

was the talk of the surrounding packs for months. And all he did was tell her that

he owed her one and handed her a card in front of a few witnesses.

Still, Brayden was proud and was telling everyone that a lycan owed their family.

It sounded impressive.

Well, now Brayden did not look that proud anymore when his wife was

descending the stairs holding the mighty lycan king’s hand. Although this was

supposed to be an honour beyond any

Yet she could feel how her husband was gritting his teeth and saw how he wasn’t

even reacting to the words of his precious redhead mate. Roxy didn’t look excited

to be at a ball anymore either. It was a disaster. For her.

Unlike in the previous life, where she was the star of the event, the little innocent

omega

who overcame many hardships and stole the heart of a powerful Alpha, now she

was second-hand news. Now everybody was questioning what got into Brayden

Thorn’s head that he abandoned his wife of six years like that. The wife who

clearly was the centre of attention today and for all the right reasons.

Not only wasn’t she embarrassed by her situation, she embraced it, attracted

every single male wolf in the room to the power that she was emitting. Alphas

loved strong women. It was a given. That was why often mates were chosen.

Because not everyone could become a suitable Luna, not everyone could bear

the burden of responsibilities and pressure. And today Riannon proved that she

was one of the very few who could do all that flawlessly.

So that even the most powerful man in the room got interested in her. So that all

the gossips in the hall had to shut up. So that on the day when she was

supposed to be humiliated,she came out on top.

“Smile, Riannon, smile,” the king’s lips curled into a smirk, “You don’t want to

disappoint everyone who is watching.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled as he led her to the very centre of the dance floor and

gestured for the musicians to start playing again. The sounds of a slow melody

filled the room and they started moving. And when Gideon pulled her closer, so

that their bodies were touching each

It was a display of great favour. And everybody in the room knew it.

She wanted to think of what she would be doing next, to strategize... But the

proximity of the man in front of her was clouding her mind. His scent was

overwhelming, and he was emitting dominance and power. More than anyone

she had ever met.

“I can tell what you are thinking about,” Gideon chuckled softly.

“That’s not surprising,” she replied calmly, “I bet everyone here is thinking of the

same thing now.”

“And that would be?” he looked at her with amusement.

“Why are you doing this?” she lowered her voice so that only he could hear her.

And he lowered slightly so that it was easier for them to talk, resulting in his hot

breath burning her cheek and earlobe.

“You know why,” he whispered, creating goosebumps. This man was too

handsome to not react to him.

“You could have simply said a word for me at the next Alpha Council,” she tried to

reason, “But instead you are doing this.”

“I have my reasons for everything,” he confessed simply and she shot her brow

up.

“And that would be?”

“I am territorial, Riannon,” his lips curled into a smile, “I want everyone to know

what is mine so that they in turn knew that if they touch it, it would cost them their

lives.”

He said those last words loudly and there was no chance that couples who were

dancing right next to them hadn’t heard every single word.

“But I am not yours,” the words left her mouth before she realised what she was

saying. And she could swear that his eyes got darker and grip on her became

tighter.

“You are my,” he hesitated as if he was making a very important decision that

very moment, “My ally. And I will make sure that everyone respects you one way

or another.”

The Luna’s lips parted in shock but otherwise, she managed to keep a neutral

facial expression. What kind of dumb luck was it? Why was he so generous?

He danced surprisingly well, leading her firmly and making her look even better

than she usually did. His every move was precise and Ria was shocked with his

skills.

“You are very good at this,” she praised him, smiling and arching her back in his

arms when she heard him growling softly for some reason. after just one dance.

“Riannon,” he made her look at him, “May I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” she nodded. After what he did for her tonight, she was ready to

answer any questions.

“What is your wolf’s name?” he asked and she suddenly got sad. Which did not

escape him.

“Onyx,” the girl said quietly.

“Is Onyx around?” the Lycan kind bent to whisper the words in her ear, saving her

the humiliation as her eyes grew wide.

Just how would he know about something like that?

She didn’t know what to answer, so muttered the first thing that came to her

mind, “She is... resting.”

“Ah,” Gideon nodded with a mixture of emotions on his face, “Well, Ria, it was a

pleasure. But I am afraid it’s time for me to go.”

She did not know how to react to that. Did she do something wrong or was it

really the time for him to leave? Yet somehow she felt disappointed that it was

happening already.

“I will call you tomorrow,” the kind said and she almost choked on the air, “And

we will need to meet again very soon. To talk.”

“Sure,” she smiled nervously and felt his grip on her tightening. It was as if he...

did not want to let her go...

“Then I will see you soon,” the music stopped and he bowed to kiss her hand,

making the room fill with gasps at once, “It was a real pleasure, Riannon.”

The lycan king made a gesture to his Beta and they both left the room abruptly.

Ria wanted to return to the bar and order herself a drink when Brayden stood in

front of her.

“What the hell was that right now, Riannon?!” he growled.