The Hidden Luna Queen 2

THIRD PERSON POV

Victoria stared wide-eyed at the grand interior of the building she was currently sitting inside, brimming with unsettled

nerves.

Earlier that morning, she'd received a call from a man she didn't know-who turned out to be Kenneth's beta-and was briskly informed of the details of her impromptu meeting with the alpha.

'Come to the Howling Chophouse on Main Street in the capital, he'd said. 'Be there by noon, and not a minute later. Before she could ask anything or get even one word out in response, he hung up, leaving her hanging.

So, here she was. Sitting inside of the capital's most profitable-and exclusive-steakhouse, wearing a lovely long-sleeved peplum dress, made of the finest black velvet she owned, accessorized with champagne stilettos. There was no way she'd skimp out on attire, not in a place like this and not with the company she'd be keeping.

Not when she was seated directly across from one of the most prominent alphas in the entire kingdom, who looked stunningly calm, considering everything.

Of course he was calm-he was a renowned regular of the Howling Chophouse, and that was not something that could be said of many.

She'd only ever been to this restaurant once, shortly after returning from her honeymoon with Burton twenty years ago. It wasn't like she never wanted to return-the prime steak and potatoes she'd ordered left a lasting impression on her refined tastebuds that nothing could ever quite match up to.

The ambiance was just as she remembered it. Candlelit tables with lavish red tablecloths that looked exquisite to the touch, complementing the sturdy brick walls surrounding her. Above the dining room was a massive chandelier made entirely of glass, glittering beautifully in the air. Amid gentle murmurs, the delicate sound of china and silverware clinked as guests ate and drank to their hearts' content.

But what made this restaurant stand out above all others in the capital was the grill in the center of the dining room, where three chefs were busy at work, preparing and cooking meat for the diners to watch as they so pleased.

This was the sort of place that only accepted reservations weeks and even months in advance, and only from those they deemed worthy enough to serve.

And it seemed Kenneth managed to snag a private table in only a matter of hours.

This was a mere glimpse of the power he held-having privileges even she, as a luna, did not have.

And now, she was only here because of him. Because of what she'd done last night.

Last night...

An opportunity had presented itself to her... one that she might never have gotten again... and she greedily took it, like a starved animal latching its jaws onto a chunk of meat. Ordinarily, she never would have been so bold with an alpha well above her station, considering he had close ties with the palace that she only ever dreamed of having.

If she played her hand wrong, she could lose... everything.

No. She couldn't think like that. There was too much on the line for her to even consider backing out.

A waiter then approached the table, turning to address Victoria with his hands clasped politely in front of his black apron. "Is there anything I can get started for you?"

She motioned to dismiss him. "No-"

"Nonsense," Kenneth swiftly interjected, prompting Victoria to swivel her gaze to him, her hand dropping ever so slightly. The burning intensity in his expression had since faded away, giving way to light and charm-the side of the alpha she was normally accustomed to. "You needn't be shy. Order anything you'd like. It's the least I can do with you as my guest."

The way he spoke to her... it almost gave the impression that she was here at his behest. Not the other way around.

It was unnerving.

Should she be doing this-?

Don't back down-she reminded herself. You are here for a reason.