Chapter 119

She regarded me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a loud scrape, she pulled out the chair beside her. “Sit.”

I obeyed. She leaned back, swirling her wine idly and regarding me down the length of her birdlike nose. “You have been a busy girl, haven’t you, Hannah? Busy with my nephew?”

My heart stuttered. Did she know about my discussions with Drake? About our efforts regarding Zoe? Or did she think I was sleeping with him, as others had accused me? I opened my mouth to speak, but she raised a hand to silence me.

“I must admit, when I first met you at my nephew’s wedding, I had my doubts,” she said, pausing to take a sip of wine. “I saw you as little more than a vapid trophy wife, content to simply look pretty on your Alpha’s arm.”

Shame burned my neck—because it was true—but I remained silent.

“But you have proven me wrong, dear girl. This scheme of yours to assist Drake in repairing his marriage…” She shook her head slowly, a glint of approval in her eyes. “It is a noble effort, and one I had not expected from you.”

My mouth worked uselessly. “I—I… Luna Alanna—”

“Don’t stammer, girl. It doesn’t become you.”

I swallowed, lowering my gaze. “I’m sorry.”

“I chose you to host this Lunar Festival for a reason, Hannah,” the Luna Queen continued, leaning forward. Her perfume, strongly scented with sage, filled the air. “Because I see great potential in you. Not just with my nephew, but with your entire pack. You are evolving, blossoming into a true Luna—one who places the needs of her people above her own.”

I could scarcely believe her. I’d thought she utterly hated me. Maybe I had been wrong.

“Perhaps in time,” she mused, “you may even be considered for a seat on my Council.”

My breath caught. A seat on the Luna Council? That was the highest honor a Luna could achieve. To be on the Council meant working closely with the Luna Queen, being one of her most trusted advisors…

I blinked, my head spinning. “Luna Alanna…” I began, pausing to collect myself. “I… I am humbled beyond words. To be seen as worthy of such a role…”

A small smile played on the Luna Queen’s lips. She reached out, laying her hand on mine in an uncharacteristically warm gesture. “Then prove yourself worthy, dear girl. Continue on this path of service and compassion, and great things shall come your way.”

I could only nod, my heart hammering as she withdrew her hand and took another sip of wine, effectively dismissing me.

“Oh, and do stop stammering,” she added just before I left. “You have such a lovely voice; it’s a shame to waste it on drivel.”

The walk back to Noah’s side was a daze. By the time I reached him, the Luna Queen’s gaze had found mine across the ballroom. She offered a subtle wink, a faint raising of her wine glass.

“Well?” Noah pressed impatiently. “What did she want?”

For a moment, I almost told him the truth—that the Luna Queen had offered me a potential seat on her council. That, for once, my actions meant something to someone.

But I couldn’t. If he knew I was valuable, he would never divorce me. And then I would truly be trapped.

“Nothing,” I lied, waving my hand. “She was only giving me a lecture about…” My gaze flicked towards the Luna Queen before settling back on Noah’s expectant face. “…about stammering.”