[redith].
I didn’t think my words had been sharp enough to drive Wanda that far.
To make her lose her composure so completely that she would actually try to strike in the middle of the Oatrun estate, of all places, where anyone could have stepped out and seen her.
Though I would have never let her hand connect to my face. Not because I was afraid, but because if I wanted to, I could have let her slap and then watched her destroy herself before every high-ranking wolf in Stormveil.
But I wasn’t in the mood for that kind of attention.
Still, if Oscar hadn’t shown up, I could have easily freed myself from her grip and reminded her what kind of woman she was dealing with; the type of woman she thought she knew, but didn’t.
I exhaled softly, my footsteps echoing against the marble as I reached the far end of the hallway, thinking that Oscar’s tily arrival had been... convenient.
And yet, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that his intervention had helped both of us.
He had saved the inconvenience of exposing myself, my true strength, and saved Wanda from the trouble of my retaliation.
For now, I couldn’t decide whether to thank him or to call him cautious. But one thing was clear—Oscar Elrod wasn’t my enemy. Not yet, at least.
I pushed the thought aside and looked up just in ti to see a servant waiting at the corner ahead. She straightened imdiately, bowing respectfully.
"Luna," she greeted softly. "Allow to escort you to your quarters."
"Thank you," I said simply.
Truthfully, I was relieved. The Oatrun estate was sprawling—a maze of wings and grand corridors designed to confuse anyone who didn’t belong.
The scent of polished stone and distant incense lingered in the air as we turned corners and passed wide, echoing halls.
After a short walk, we reached the elevator at the end of the corridor. The servant pressed the button and stepped aside, her head lowered.
Once the doors slid open, I gave a small nod and moved inside.
"Have a good night, Luna," she murmured.
The doors closed, and the soft hum of the elevator carried upward. The mont it opened again, I was t with the familiar hallway leading to Draven’s private floor.
A quiet warmth spread through . I walked the short stretch of hallway until I reached our door and turned the handle.
The sight that t stole my breath for a second.
Five familiar faces turned toward at once—Azul, Kira, Deidra, Cora, and Arya.
They all looked up at once—the sight of them was steadier than I expected.
"Luna," they said together, and the word landed like a small, warm weight in my chest. Hearing it here, in the Oatrun estate, with no one daring to frown at it, made smile properly.
I shut the door behind and let the sound of the hall fall away. "You are here," I said, genuinely surprised. They weren’t the ones who dressed for the banquet.
Azul stepped forward with a polite smile. "The Alpha sent us ahead so we can help you unwind and freshen up for bed." Her smile was small and warm. "He wanted everything ready when you returned."
It was a thought that felt both sweet and sensible. I let myself be pleased for a breath.
Then, I went and sat on the edge of the bed and the five of them closed around like a careful tide: Kira quiet and watchful, Arya polite and efficient. But Deidra and Cora couldn’t contain their curiosity.
"How was the banquet, my Lady?" Deidra asked, forward as ever.
I kept my voice light and spared them the darker parts. "It was long," I said. "We spoke. The Alpha answered questions. There was food."
That was enough. They leaned in anyway, hungry for gossip, and I let them have the bones of it without the rest.
Kira murmured, half with regret, "We should have gone with you."
"Next ti," I told her.
I had barely finished when Azul announced, "Your bath is ready, my Lady."
I rose and followed her lead. The others trailed like dutiful shadows.
Once we were in the dressing room, Deidra bounced on the balls of her feet. "My lady, did that black-hearted Miss Fellowes attend the banquet?" she asked bluntly before I’d even reached the vanity.
I gave a short, inward chuckle. "Yes."
Kira and Arya set to work on my hair, removing the hairpins while Deidra and Cora exchanged looks.
"I knew she wouldn’t miss this for anything," Cora said.
"How could she? The Alpha has returned," Deidra added.
I said nothing; this was their space to vent. They were safe here, and besides, the day had been long. So, I let them speak and kept my face politely neutral.
When Cora slipped the dress off my shoulders, I stepped out of it and watched her pick it up.
Next, my gaze shifted to Azul as her fingers brushed my arm when she took it; then her eyes fell to my right wrist. She reached out gently, her thumb hovering over a fading crescent of red.
"My Lady," she said softly. "What happened here?"
The room grew suddenly and small as every head turned. Deidra did not bother with softness.
"My lady," she asked, blunt and fierce, "is this that wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing woman who did this to you?"
I didn’t answer her question. Instead, I looked at Azul. "Do whatever you can," I said quietly. "I don’t want the Alpha to see this tonight."
Azul inclined her head, imdiate and obedient. But Deidra’s outrage flared. "My lady, why hide it? He will help—he will make that vile woman learn."
Azul snapped, low and sharp, "Deidra." The scold was all the warning Deidra needed; her mouth shut, but her expression was still sour.
Then, I gave her a small, amused smile despite the ache under my ribs. "Listen to Azul more," I said, light and precise. "You won’t get into trouble that way."
Kira wrapped a towel around my shoulders while Arya eased my feet out of the shoes. The towel was warm and had a faint lavender scent.
The reason I didn’t want Draven to see that mark was simple. I didn’t want him to ask questions and find out the culprit.
If he knew Wanda had done it, he would deal with her, and that’s not what I wanted.
I want to handle Wanda myself, in my own way.
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