Chapter 20
FAYE
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Cole returned a few minutes later, his expression polite as he walked in. He gave a small nod
toward Alexander before looking at me.
“Apologies for interrupting,” he said, voice formal as always, “but the members are gathered and waiting to meet the Luna.”
For a heartbeat, my stomach tightened.
A flicker of nerves crawled up my spine. I didn’t know what their reaction to me would be. Would they be polite? Cold? Would they stare like I was some exotic creature dragged in from the outside? This wasn’t Silver Hollow, where people at least knew my name and my family. Here, I was the outsider.
Still, I brushed the thought aside quickly. I wasn’t here to audition for the position of Luna. This wasn’t a popularity contest. I was already bound to Alexander by duty, and duty didn’t come with an approval rating. Whether they liked me or not, whether they accepted me or whispered behind my back, they were stuck with me. Just as I was stuck with them… and with their Alpha.
I was halfway lost in that thought when Alexander’s voice pulled me back.
“Are you ready?”
The question caught me off guard, though I didn’t let it show. I glanced at him, and for a moment, I wondered if he actually wanted to know or if it was just one of those perfunctory things people say when the answer doesn’t matter.
His face gave nothing away. Classic Alexander–expression measured, tone neutral, eyes watching like he was trying to read every unspoken word.
I nodded. “Why not? Of course I’m ready.”
Even if I wasn’t, what difference would it make? He would still expect me to go. And it wasn’t like he actually cared whether I was prepared. The question felt like false courtesy,
something to fill the air before he ushered me out.
“Good,” he said simply, straightening his posture. “They’ve been waiting.”
I arched a brow. “I’m sure they have. What exactly am I supposed to say to them? Or am I just expected to smile and look pretty while you do the talking?”
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<Chapter 20
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The corner of his mouth twitched–amusement or annoyance, I couldn’t tell. “You can speak if you want. But I’d advise keeping it simple. First impressions matter here.”
“That’s funny,” I said, folding my arms. “Because first impressions aren’t something you seem to care about when it comes to me.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Meaning?”
“Meaning,” I replied, “that’s rich coming you.”
Cole cleared his throat quietly, clearly sensing the tension. “Alpha, Luna… the members are waiting,” he reminded us.
Alexander’s gaze stayed locked on mine for a moment longer before he finally looked away.” We’ll be right there.”
When Cole stepped out of earshot, Alexander took a step closer, and I subconsciously took a step back. “You don’t have to like me, Faye. But when we walk into that hall, we present a united front. No snide comments, no sarcasm meant to undermine me.”
gave him a slow, deliberately sweet smile. “I would never dream of undermining you, Alpha Alexander.”
The way his jaw flexed told me he didn’t believe a word of it. “I mean it,” he said, his voice dropping lower, quieter, but no less firm. “They’ll be watching everything, how you stand, how you speak, even how you look at me. If they sense division, it gives them an excuse to question my leadership. And yours.”
I tilted my head slightly. “So, this isn’t about me making a good impression. It’s about me protecting yours.”
“It’s about protecting both of us,” he corrected, though I caught the faintest glimmer of something in his eyes. Maybe irritation…maybe worry. “You’re their Luna now, and that title carries weight.”
I let out a quiet breath, the word still feeling strange in my head. “Fine. I’ll play along. You don’t have to worry, I know my duty and I take it seriously.”
His lips curved faintly–something between a smirk and a real smile. “I hope so.”
For a moment, neither of us moved. Then, with a subtle gesture toward the door, he said, ” Shall we?”
I glanced once at my reflection in the tall mirror by the wall. The woman staring back at me looked composed enough–chin lifted, shoulders squared, eyes steady. On the surface, I looked every bit the Luna they were about to meet. But beneath it, I was still weighing every
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step, every word, every glance.
I turned back to him. “Let’s get this over with.”
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His brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t argue. He simply fell into step beside me as we left the
room.
When we arrived, it wasn’t the full pack like I’d pictured. No grand crowd spilling into the hall, no chorus of voices echoing off the walls. Instead, only the elders were present, along with a handful of wolves probably holding key leadership positions and a few others–handpicked, I assumed–to “represent” the rest.
They were already waiting in the meeting room, standing in a loose, uneven cluster. But as soon as Alexander stepped in, the shift was immediate…they straightened, aligned themselves, and watched him with sharp, expectant eyes. Whether that was respect or fear, I couldn’t tell. Probably a mix of both.
Alexander’s presence filled the room instantly, as it always did. He didn’t have to raise his voice, he didn’t even have to smile. “Good evening,” he said, tone even and controlled. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
I stood just behind him, hands relaxed at my sides, chin lifted.
He didn’t bother with small talk. “I would like to introduce you to my mate, Faye, from the Silver Hollow pack, as you already know. Faye is your Luna.”
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