The Perfect Luna by Marissa Gilbert

Chapter 12. Allies
Reid opened the curtain for them and Riannon tried to hold her head straight since she knew that all eyes would be on them
now. In all her years as Luna, and even before that, she saw lycans just a few times. They usually weren’t mingling with the
werewolves and it was considered an honour to just meet one of them, regardless of their rank. Back in the day, when Ria got
acquainted with a Beta, it was the talk of the surrounding packs for months. And all he
did was tell her that he owed her one and handed her a card in front of a few witnesses.
Still, Brayden was proud and was telling everyone that a lycan owed their family. It
sounded impressive.
Well, now Brayden did not look that proud anymore when his wife was descending the
stairs holding the mighty lycan king’s hand. Although this was supposed to be an honour beyond any
Yet she could feel how her husband was gritting his teeth and saw how he wasn’t even reacting to the words of his precious
redhead mate. Roxy didn’t look excited to be at a ball
anymore either. It was a disaster. For her.
Unlike in the previous life, where she was the star of the event, the little innocent omega
who overcame many hardships and stole the heart of a powerful Alpha, now she was second-hand news. Now everybody was
questioning what got into Brayden Thorn’s head that he abandoned his wife of six years like that. The wife who clearly was the
centre of attention today and for all the right reasons.
Not only wasn’t she embarrassed by her situation, she embraced it, attracted every single male wolf in the room to the power
that she was emitting. Alphas loved strong women. It was a given. That was why often mates were chosen. Because not
everyone could become a suitable Luna, not everyone could bear the burden of responsibilities and pressure. And today
Riannon proved that she was one of the very few who could do all that flawlessly.
So that even the most powerful man in the room got interested in her. So that all the gossips in the hall had to shut up. So that on
the day when she was supposed to be humiliated,

she came out on top.
“Smile, Riannon, smile,” the king’s lips curled into a smirk, “You don’t want to disappoint everyone who is watching.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled as he led her to the very centre of the dance floor and gestured for the musicians to start playing again.
The sounds of a slow melody filled the room and they started moving. And when Gideon pulled her closer, so that their bodies
were touching each
It was a display of great favour. And everybody in the room knew it.
She wanted to think of what she would be doing next, to strategize... But the proximity of the man in front of her was clouding
her mind. His scent was overwhelming, and he was emitting dominance and power. More than anyone she had ever met.
“I can tell what you are thinking about,” Gideon chuckled softly.
“That’s not surprising,” she replied calmly, “I bet everyone here is thinking of the same thing now.”
“And that would be?” he looked at her with amusement.
“Why are you doing this?” she lowered her voice so that only he could hear her. And he lowered slightly so that it was easier for
them to talk, resulting in his hot breath burning her
cheek and earlobe.
“You know why,” he whispered, creating goosebumps. This man was too handsome to
not react to him.
“You could have simply said a word for me at the next Alpha Council,” she tried to
reason, “But instead you are doing this.”
“I have my reasons for everything,” he confessed simply and she shot her brow up.
“And that would be?”
“I am territorial, Riannon,” his lips curled into a smile, “I want everyone to know what is mine so that they in turn knew that if they
touch it, it would cost them their lives.”

He said those last words loudly and there was no chance that couples who were dancing right next to them hadn’t heard every
single word.
“But I am not yours,” the words left her mouth before she realised what she was saying. And she could swear that his eyes got
darker and grip on her became tighter.
“You are my,” he hesitated as if he was making a very important decision that very moment, “My ally. And I will make sure that
everyone respects you one way or another.”
The Luna’s lips parted in shock but otherwise, she managed to keep a neutral facial expression. What kind of dumb luck was it?
Why was he so generous?
He danced surprisingly well, leading her firmly and making her look even better than she usually did. His every move was
precise and Ria was shocked with his skills.
“You are very good at this,” she praised him, smiling and arching her back in his arms
when she heard him growling softly for some reason.
after just one dance.
“Riannon,” he made her look at him, “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” she nodded. After what he did for her tonight, she was ready to answer any
questions.
“What is your wolf’s name?” he asked and she suddenly got sad. Which did not escape
him.
“Onyx,” the girl said quietly.
“Is Onyx around?” the Lycan kind bent to whisper the words in her ear, saving her the
humiliation as her eyes grew wide.
Just how would he know about something like that?

She didn’t know what to answer, so muttered the first thing that came to her mind, “She is... resting.”
“Ah,” Gideon nodded with a mixture of emotions on his face, “Well, Ria, it was a pleasure. But I am afraid it’s time for me to go.”
She did not know how to react to that. Did she do something wrong or was it really the time for him to leave? Yet somehow she
felt disappointed that it was happening already.
“I will call you tomorrow,” the kind said and she almost choked on the air, “And we will need to meet again very soon. To talk.”
“Sure,” she smiled nervously and felt his grip on her tightening. It was as if he... did not
want to let her go...
“Then I will see you soon,” the music stopped and he bowed to kiss her hand, making the room fill with gasps at once, “It was a
real pleasure, Riannon.”
The lycan king made a gesture to his Beta and they both left the room abruptly. Ria wanted to return to the bar and order herself
a drink when Brayden stood in front of
her.
“What the hell was that right now, Riannon?!” he growled.