Chapter 201
Chapter 201
+25 Bonus
I schooled my features back into what I considered my ‘Luna face’. Aloof and unaffected, or attempting to be, as I crossed the great social minefield and managed to wash up, unscathed, on the far shore.
There were quite a few people clustered around the refreshment buffet- Wolves were a hungry lot- and I perused the trays of hors d’oeuvres with a token appreciation for the artistry of the displays. My stomach, however, was tied in knots and vehemently opposed to the idea of food.
I had eaten little at lunch either. Stress had filled my belly like a rock, suppressing my appetite all day. I was sure the alcohol I was about to consume would hit me like a ton of bricks, but I recklessly reached for a glass of the sparkling wine regardless.
Perhaps if I downed this quickly, I would be able to drift through what was to come in a lovely haze.
“Luna Avery,” a voice purred over my shoulder. I jumped, almost spilling the pair of delicately fluted tulip glasses in my hands. When I turned, I found myself close, too close, to Reynaud, who beamed down at me wolfishly.
“Alpha Reynaud,” I said, flustered at his proximity, “It’s good to see you again p>
“It’s very good to see you as well,” his eyes drifted down to my elegant but conservative neckline and back up to my face with a slow smile, “Even if it’s less of you than last time p>
I flushed crimson and tried to back away, glancing to see if anyone was listening in to our conversation.
“Oh come, I don’t mean to embarrass you,” he said quickly, “You are lovely in every dress, of course. I would have to be blind not to appreciate what you choose to give, and I would have to be dead to not hope for more p>
His flattery was as smooth as his tone, and as his hands as they surreptitiously slid against my skirts as I pressed against the table.
“Forgive me, I was just taking these drinks back to Gideon,” I choked out, feeling rather stifled in. Reynaud’s enthusiastic company.
“Oh?” His eyebrows rose, and he glanced at the champagne I held and back at me with eyebrow raised as he caught the significance of my meaning, “Well then, please do not allow me to detain you further p>
He stepped back, giving me room to maneuver, and breathe.
“Thank you,” I murmured, as I began to move back towards Gideon on the far side of the room.
“Certainly,” Reynaud said, his expression sharp and full of yearning, “I hope you enjoy today’s agenda. I know I will p>
Flustered, I took my time skirting the crowd. I paused for a moment to dispose of the vial in my pocket, flinging it, empty, into a potted plant. It felt as though I was releasing a heavy weight that had been dragging me down.
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Chapter 201
+25 Bonus
Then, feeling suddenly as effervescent as the bubbles in my glass, I fixed a smile on my face and found my place at Gideon’s side.
“Everything alright?” he asked, peering at me with concern.
“Fine,” I smiled at him brightly, “Here’s your champagne p>
“Thank you,” He reached for the glass I offered, and our fingertips touched, sending jolts of electricity. down my arm and re-kindling the nervous ball of energy in my stomach.
To avoid his questioning gaze, I pivoted to survey the room and saw Reynaud watching us from a few meters away. He raised his own glass in salute, and I turned away quickly.
“This is quite good,” Gideon remarked idly, finishing off his glass.
“Oh,” I said faintly, “Is it p>
“Looks like we’re finally beginning,” he said, as the lights dimmed somewhat over the crowd and brightened at the far end of the room where the Council Dais rose. There were wolves stepping forward to take their seats at the elevated table, and their expressions were stern and powerful.
“That’s the council?” I whispered to Gideon.
“Yes,” he replied, “Most of them, anyways. There is one open seat,” he pointed and I saw that there was an empty chair at the end of the table.
“Whose was it?” I asked, but Gideon didn’t respond. I turned to look at him to see him frowning at the empty glass in his hand, as though he didn’t remember how it got there.
“Gideon?” I said, slightly louder, concerned.
He raised his head to look at me, eyes slightly unfocused.
“Avery,” He growled.
Then he lunged at me, grabbing my waist and spinning me against him as the wolves around us
exclaimed in alarm.
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