Ria was descending the stairs slowly and with grace, noticing how Braydenturned to see what everybody else was looking at.

He was shocked that it washis own wife.

And Riannon found this offensive.

So, when he offered her his handto the displeasure of princess Peach...

ghm, Roxy in her ugly peach dress, sheignored that and went past them as if they did not know each other.

The movemade another wave of whispers erupt.

And in the werewolf world whispers werenothing – everyone could hear what the conversation was about.Ria went to greet a few couples that she knew, all of them stretched their bestsmiles for her, not commenting on the awkward situation.

She was done with thatquickly and since the party seemed to go on, she decided to go and get herselfsome liquid courage.

Goddess knew she needed some today.From the corner of her eye, she noticed that the balcony on the other side of theroom, the one that was usually used by the owner of the house, Alpha Richards,was covered with white curtains to hide what was going on inside.

She could seea few figures moving there but that was about it.

She was curious what it wasabout but not to the extent to actually go and check for herself as“Luna Thorn,” a male voice appeared behind her back and she turned to face anunfamiliar alpha.

He was one of the new and younger ones as she didn’t knowhim.

In some packs, alphas were changing frequently due to power struggles.She and Brayden managed to avoid those and were considered something likeelders even though she was 25 and he was 26.“Hello,” she greeted him with a soft smile.

After all, it was only polite.“Alpha Zach Morgan,” the man introduced himself and he looked to be in his late20s as well, “The Alpha of the Emerald Mountain pack.”“Ah, I’ve heard,” Riannon was now interested.

Everybody heard the rumoursabout the alpha’s bastard child who challenged his elder brother (who was amoron, by the way) and won his title, “Impressive!”magic

“A compliment from someone like you is a compliment indeed,” he smirked andgestured for the barmen to serve them drinks, “Champagne for the lady andbrandy for me.”He didn’t even ask her.

Alphas were like that.“Riannon,” another Alpha appeared from her other side, “Looking gorgeous asever.”His hand wrapped around her waist as if it belonged there, making Zach growlquietly as a warning her.

They both thought that she was back on the market.How funny! But also useful.

Because she was, after all, on the market.

Eventhough she had anotherman’s mark on her neck.

But that man was with someone else now, enjoying histime.

As far as Ria remembered from the previous life, the two of them had ablast while she was forgotten.

She hid in a corner in a modest dress and leftearly.

Alone.

Her heart was broken and she couldn’t even talk to anyone,although she did her best.

As always.Now the game was on.

Her heart was not aching anymore.Well, maybe a bit.

But she could still think clearly now.

And she could see thehungry gazes everyone had on her.

Every.

Single.

Male.

And maybe it was petty,but she loved the attention.

She craved it after everything that happened.

Sheneeded to feel like a woman again.

And a beautiful at that.Another loud growl emerged from somewhere and it had such power to it thatthey all looked around.

For a second Ria thought that it could be Brayden whofinally noticed her, but he was in the other corner of the room, introducing Roxy tohis Alpha pals.

He gave her a glance when he felt her looking and an apologeticsmile to go with it.

How annoying.Then who was that growling?

“Don’t mind it!” a third Alpha joined them, “It’s just Lycans going crazy.

Riannon,you are simply breath-taking today! What a dress! The colour suits you!”“Lycans?” she flapped her lashes, thinking that she was probably hearing things,“Here?”“Yeah,” Zach snorted, “Everyone is shocked.

They are invited every year but theynever attend, probably thinking that they are too good for us! And yesterdayAlpha Jones received a call that the Lycan King himself will be visiting but theyneed a private VIP area.

Can you imagine?”“Snobs!” another werewolf next to her let out a laugh, “So, Ria, will you save mea dance?“I don’t see why...”“No,” she heard a firm voice behind her back and turned to see her Beta, wholooked less than thrilled with the whole situation.

What was his problem? “MyLuna promised to dance with me tonight,” he lied without blinking and this got herannoyed.

Was he doing that for Brayden? Not to let her talk to anyone? “Don’t be ridiculous, Ash,” she giggled and then gave him her signature don’t-you-dare look she used with her subordinates.

“We talked only about one dancein the car.

And after that,” she glanced over the company of at least five singleAlphas around her, “I can dance with my old...

friends.

And the new ones aswell.”Some of the men adjusted their collars at her words and it pleased her that shehad the desired effect on them.

The dress was a good investment, after all.“I still insist on being first,” the Beta offered her his hand and she accepted it.“I’ll be back,” she winked at the other guys and they all either nodded or smirkedat her.

She wasn’t thinking of them seriously, of course.

Although she knew very wellthat some of them were serious about her.

There was Alpha Maddox, Brayden’sold rival.

He stated more than once his desire to take her as his Luna back in theday.

And Alpha Grayson was showing her signs of admiration before too.

Shealways pretended not to notice before but she knew very well how they looked ather.

Females with pure Alpha blood were rare.

Her wolf had an immaculate silvercoat, which was unique as well.

On top of that, she was beautiful and smart.

Shewas the Perfect Luna that everyone wanted.

And Brayden was lucky to have her.Shame all that did not help her when he met his mate...

Even in spite of themwearing each other’s marks and having a bond of their own, it did not help...“You shouldn’t give them hope, you know.” Ash told her all of a sudden and shegave him a surprised look.“You read too much into everything,” she looked in a different direction becausehis gaze seemed to burn through her skull, “I am having fun.”“You are the Luna...”“And my Alpha is right there having the time of his life with his mate, Ash,” sherolled her eyes, “What do you want me to do? Get in the far corner of the roomand cry my eyes out? He made his choice and...”“And you are looking for a new Alpha already?” his grasp on her became tighter,“Is there really a need for this?”“And you think there isn’t?” she gave him an intrigued look.“Of course, not!” his voice was firm, “Brayden will never divorce you.

This girl isjust...

for his wolf.

You can find someone like that too.

In our pack.”“Or I can go and look for my mate too!” she snorted and ignored his frown, “I amnot into

He clenched his lips but luckily the music came to its end and she left himquickly, trying to go deep into the crowd.“Did you see? How shameless of her!” some girl was talking at the distance, “Nowonderher husband did not reject his mate even though he already marked her!Maybe there is more to that story considering how she hangs herself on everyAlpha she sees!”Riannon grazed her eyes over the girl.

It was just some bimbo one of the Alphasbrought.Not even a Luna.However, she realised that the rumours would be spreading.

And not everyonewould be on her side even though she had no choice.Oh, well.She deliberately left Ash on a side of the hall opposite from where all the singleAlphas were waiting for her.

Of course, she would work on them too.

Butthey were not too reliable.

If they wanted from her something more than justbecoming allies, she couldn’t give them much.

She did not want to marry for thesecond time.

At least, not now.

All she wanted was to get her pack back.

And sheneeded help.So, she started out by approaching her father’s old friends.

The ones she knewwere supporting Brayden only thanks to her.

A little hint here and there and oneby one they promised her their support.

Four in total within half an hour.

Notmuch but it was a start.“There you are!” Alpha Zach caught her when she was on her way to talk to oneof her ex-classmates, “Someone promised me a dance.”His hazel eyes looked darker now and she knew that she couldn’t avoid it anylonger.

She noticed Bray not far from her, with Roxy clinging to him.

His eyes,

however, were on his wife.

And the look in them did not promise her anythinggood.“I did, didn’t I?” she smirked, enjoying this moment.

She hoped it hurt him too.Zach was about to take her back to the dance floor when a ridiculously tall manwith a playful grin crossed their path.“Long time no see, Luna,” she addressed her as if they knew each other and shetried to remember really hard who he was when it suddenly occurred to her.“B-Beta Reid?” she gasped, recognising the lycan she met years ago.

“In theflesh!” he showed off her pearly whites, “It’s such a coincidence to run into you!”“At the annual Alpha Ball that all Lunas attend every year?” she arched her brow,“Not"“Well,” he chuckled, “I am here for the first time, so...

Anyway...

My King is heretoo and he wishes to see you.”“I’ll make sure to deliver Luna Thorn as soon as our dance is over,” Alpha Zachtried tolead her away, but the Lycan stopped him.“I am afraid, you will have to find another dance partner,” he looked friendly butsomehow sounded menacing.

So menacing, that Alpha Zach stepped away,giving them way.The lycan led her to the balcony while pretty much everyone in the room,including her husband, watched them and opened the white curtain before her,motioning for her to enter.Another loud growl sounded as soon as she walked in...Marissa Gilbert

Haik...

dator etart today I really hope I will be able to keep this up.

Thank you toeveryone who reads this