*Zara*
A few hours into the ball, I still didn’t feel a pull toward anyone. I exchanged polite greetings with many mbers of the Windy Clouds pack, along with visitors from other packs, as well.
My wolf remained bored and unimpressed with anyone who was trying to court . There was no surge, at all, between and any other wolf here.
I started off the night with a lot of hope, but that slowly bled away.
I was resting after giving an honest attempt on the dance floor when I spotted Noah and watched him out of sheer curiosity. He walked casually into the ball wearing a fancy suit, so strands of his dark hair falling over his gorgeous blue eyes.
His posture was stoic but also radiated the strength I’d always seen in him. He moved with confidence as he spoke with his relatives, giving a dazzling smile every so often that lit up the room.
Serena appeared by his side long enough for important introductions, then vanished again to mingle with the Lunas.
Noah’s blazing blue eyes t mine from ti to ti. I felt a weird surge within that even my wolf noticed. I wondered if it was pregnancy hormones or sothing.
Despite everything, I considered him a friend now. I wanted to see him happy. But I wouldn’t let that desire compromise what was best for and my child. I broke eye contact first, closing my eyes and reaching up to rub my temples.
The awkward dance of eting each other’s eyes then quickly looking away repeated itself several tis. It was as if we were both trying and failing to avoid the other’s gaze, inevitably finding ourselves staring into the eyes of the other.
I could see him contemplating whether to co to my side. I was overwheld with how much I wanted him to.
An image of my encounter in the woods flashed through my mind, reminding why I was there. A dizzying feeling overca as I fought back the desire for sothing... or rather, soone I knew I couldn’t have.
I beca breathless and needed so air.
I exited the hall to get it, gazing up at the full moon and letting the light of it calm . I wondered if the moon would guide to my mate.
Most magic and legends had so bit of truth to them, even if they weren’t entirely true.
My thoughts were interrupted by a gasp off to my side. I blinked, turning my head to spot soone I really didn’t want to see when stressed out.
It was Sandra Blue.
I rembered imdiately how she had always tried to one-up with her talent. It went beyond clawing for rit. She tried to brag about herself and bring down the entire ti we attended matchmaking school.
She even had a posse that she’d put together just to spread gossip about how ineffective my powers were. Yet, I always surpassed her with not only my skill, but my passion for the work.
Now, here she was, grinning from ear to ear while staring down.
“Zara Star! My, it’s been a while,” she said.
I inwardly groaned. anwhile, my wolf was agitated, either wanting to run off or get all snappy.
I planned on doing neither. Instead, I forced a smile and nodded, trying my best to be pleasant. “Ah, Sandra. Indeed. How are you?”
“Wonderful! Oh, this ball is the perfect venue for my clients. So many of them are here and ready to mingle, right on the edge of finding their loves! Oh, is that why you’re here too?”
“Not... necessarily. I’m here to have a good ti and make connections,” I said.
False sympathy flashed in her eyes. “Oh? What a sha! I thought the famous Zara Star would have people lining up for her services, especially at a Moon Ball like this.”
“Not quite,” I muttered.
Before I could get another word in, she bead at . “Speaking of connections, I’ve made quite a few! Let show you.”
Sandra rummaged through her bags and took out her phone, then pointed to so photos of couples together. “See this? These are wedding pictures. I’ve already matched two so far!”
I blinked, noticing how high-ranking the couples in the photos were.
I felt a pang of jealousy hit , which was entirely unpleasant.
Her passion for this wasn’t nearly as strong as mine. She was obsessed with the business aspect.
Niva had told as much. Yet, here she was, clearly rubbing this in my face. It took a stab at an already wholly disappointing night, that was for damn sure.
To be professional, I forced a smile and shook my head. “I’m happy for you. In my case, I have big plans for this ball.”
“Oh! You an with the Luna Lilies?” she asked. When I widened my eyes, she blinked. “Oh, I heard rumors of you going to the Dark Realm to get them.”
Hesitantly, I shrugged, neither confirming nor denying it. She chuckled, and then her tone had a hint of actual admiration within it.
“Oh, don’t be humble, Zara! You are quite the impressive woman, and so I wanted to ask you sothing,” Sandra said.
She looked left, then right. Then, she locked eyes with again. “Can I buy one?”
“Co again?”
“The Luna Lily! I’d like to buy one, and for a hefty sum, I promise.”
“What? No,” I said firmly, narrowing my eyes. “It isn’t for sale.”
I had just confird that I’d found it. Damn it. I hadn’t realized it until too late.
There was no gleam of surprise in her eyes, though, aning she fully believed that I had. Apparently, rumors were spreading about my journey for the Luna Lily.
I wasn’t sure whether to be worried about that, or not.
Regardless, Sandra frowned, then said, “Would it be for sale if I offered a hundred thousand?”
My jaw almost dropped at such a huge offer. I wasn’t even sure I’d ever seen that amount of money before. But my integrity was on the line. I couldn’t just sell the Luna Lilies.
“It wouldn’t change anything,” I said firmly, without wavering.
It didn’t matter how much the money would have helped . I couldn’t let her use them irresponsibly.
Sandra frowned and gave a dramatic sigh. “Well. I’ll be here when you change your mind.”
“When?” I said, raising a brow.
She grinned. “Yes, when.”
With that, she went back to the party, causing to let out a soft sigh. So much for relaxing and getting so air, I thought.
An hour or so later, I was back inside, having properly gathered my bearings. Annoyance swirled in my gut, but I was determined to have a good ti and hopefully still have a chance to find my mate.
Serena was off chatting the ears off the visitors.
Noah was coming toward .
I was sitting at a table, sipping on so fruit juice with no alcohol. I’d nibbled a bit on hors d’oeuvres, but I wasn’t hungry otherwise.
“So. Enjoying the party?”
My breath caught and held it as I looked to see Noah taking a seat next to . I swallowed, forcing myself to remain calm,
“Eh. I suppose,” I said honestly, even though the interaction with Sandra was still on my mind.
He chuckled, then eyed up and down. He gave a whistle, causing the slightest uptick in my pulse and tinge of blush to form on my face. Then, his wary frown turned into a warm smile.
“Angelica really helped you find the perfect dress, huh? The way the deep blue lightens to white toward the bottom and gives the illusions of stars falling from the sky is beautiful,” he said. “It suits you.”
“Thanks,” I said genuinely, beaming at him.
“You’re very welco, Zara,” Noah said softly.
The way his eyes glead in the dim light made my heart skip a beat. I felt sothing surge through once more.
I wondered how he could have such a strong effect on .
He looked at the dance floor, then up at the moon. Then, his blazing eyes fixed on , sending what felt like electricity flowing through my body. I could never get used to that.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked.
“Dance with ,” he said.
“Noah, I–”
I was here to et my mate, not to dance with the stubborn Alpha Heir.
“As a friend,” he added. “Co on, the night is beautiful. Dance with , Zara,” he said.
His expression was too charming to resist.
I realized it’d be a wonderful ti to share a mont with him like this.
“Alright,” I said softly.
He bead at and held out his hand. I accepted it, feeling warmth flow through , a different feeling than the jolt that sotis happened when we touched.
It was very pleasant, but I tried not to think about that.
A slow, relaxing song was playing as Noah led to the dance floor. He wrapped his arm around my torso, gazing into my eyes and capturing with his stare.
It was always so intense, and I found myself getting lost in it for a mont.
Here with him, the music playing in just the right tone, things felt right.
My wolf tugged at for so reason, but I ignored her. Whatever it was, I wanted to be in this mont, here and now. There was no need to think about mates. I’d get back to that right after the dance, I thought.
A happy smile rested on Noah’s face as he stared right back. I saw adoration and curiosity in his eyes. He genuinely cared about , and that touched my heart.
The mont ended, though, when sothing caught the corner of my eye... sothing wonderfully golden with a hint of blue. It was oddly familiar.
Now, my smile turned to a frown as I began to comprehend what I was seeing.
Blue and golden threads were intertwining and flowing around several couples who were dancing. I noted a few of them even exchanging a deep kiss right on the dance floor.
My heart began to pound, and I widened my eyes.
That was the sign of a Luna Lily at work.
I gasped at the realization and watched as strangers sought each other out, and I even witnessed a few partners split up to pair off with different mates.
“This is not good” I murmured.
Noah took notice of this and asked, “Zara? What’s wrong? Do you need to sit down?” Concern was dripping from his tone.
“Not quite. Sothing’s going on with people here,” I muttered.
Noah glanced around and noticed the building mayhem among couples. He blinked as so made hasty exits and others put on outlandish displays of affection. A few fists fight broke out, and so won were left stunned and crying.
“What is going on?” Noah asked.
“I can see threads flowing between couples, blue and golden. It’s a sign of the Luna Lily.”
“Wait, you’re actually seeing this stuff right now?” he asked.
“That’s right.”
“How is that even possible?”
“Good question,” I answered with a frown.
That was when my eyes landed upon Sandra, who gave a smirk as she started approaching us from the shadows. The look on her face was mischievous and self-satisfied.
‘What has she done?’
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