Chapter 12

I was arranging a tray of cheese and meats on the ottoman in my walk-in closet when my phone's security camera app alerted me to someone at the front door. A smile spread across my face when I saw Viona and Amber, each carrying two bottles of wine. I hurried to answer.

“Hey, girls!” I said, opening the door.

A chorus of squeals greeted me—hilarious and slightly deafening.

“Woah, take it down a notch,” I said, stepping aside to let them in.

“Sorry, sorry,” Viona said, prancing inside. “We’re a bit excited, that’s all.”

“It’s just been so long since the three of us got together,” Amber added.

“I know,” I said, feeling guilty for neglecting my friends. I’d been so focused on pleasing Noah that other aspects of my life had been sidelined. No more. “Come on,” I continued, gesturing for them to follow. “Everything’s already set up in my closet.”

“So,” Viona said as we entered, “what’s the dress code for this charity ball?”

“Formal, definitely,” I replied.

Viona and Amber placed the wine bottles beside the ottoman and began surveying my closet for a suitable dress.

“So, what…schoolmarm?” Amber ran her hand down one of my more conservative, long-sleeved, long-skirted dresses.

I shivered.

“Ew. No, definitely not. Just…elegant and sophisticated, but definitely not boring.”

“So, you want to make a statement without looking slutty?” Viona pulled out a low-back, sequined red dress I’d worn maybe twice.

I shook my head, gesturing for her to put it back. She pouted but complied. “That’s the general idea,” I said. “There are going to be a lot of movers and shakers at this ball, so I want to dress to impress.”

Amber chuckled as she poured us wine. “Dress to impress. That’s a phrase I haven’t heard in a minute,” she said.

I stuck my tongue out at her but accepted the wine.

“I wonder who else will be there,” Viona remarked, looking at me pointedly. “I wonder if Zoe will be there.”

I huffed and took a sip of wine.

Chapter 12 (continued)

“Based on what I learned from Scott, she’ll likely be invited,” I replied. “Noah’s worried she won’t fit in.”

Viona and Amber groaned.

“This is ridiculous,” Amber said, rolling her eyes. “Zoe and Noah just have no boundaries.”

“I’ve got to set you up on some blind dates,” Viona said, skimming through my cocktail dresses. “Anything to divert your attention and keep you away from Noah.”

Amber looked like she was about to spit out her wine.

“So, you were serious?” she asked. “You’re actually going to divorce him?”

I nodded.

“I thought you were just venting,” she continued. “You were always the hopeless romantic—out of the three of us.”

“Well, I’m not that hopeless romantic anymore,” I countered. “I need to look out for myself now.” Amber shook her head, refilling her wine glass.

“I’ve seen a lot of couples argue one day and make up the next.”

“This isn’t just one little argument. It’s been building up for quite some time.”

“You do realize what a big scandal a divorce in an Alpha family is, right?”

I scrunched up my nose.

“Yeah, well, Zoe divorced Drake, and no one seems to be giving her any trouble.”

“Not yet,” Amber remarked. “They’re only talking behind closed doors right now, but just you wait. She’ll be a pariah soon enough.”

She frowned and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I only want you to think this through before you pull the trigger. The last Alpha and Luna divorce was, like, 50 years ago, if I remember correctly. Maintaining marital stability, at least outwardly, is of utmost importance to Alpha families.”

I motioned for Amber to pour me more wine and nibbled on some cheese. “I’m tired of playing by the rules,” I asserted. “I will get what I want, one way or another.”

Viona raised her eyebrows, and Amber laughed.

“Where has this Hannah been?” Viona commented.

I smirked. “She’s just been waiting for the right time to come out and play,” I said.

“Well, as I see it,” Viona replied, “Noah only needs you to play the role of a good Luna.”

“But seeing as you’re about to divorce,” Amber continued, “you might as well get back at him a little bit.”

I smiled. This was why these women were my best friends.

“The question is, how?” I asked.

I set my wine down and grabbed a black dress with a low-cut front and a crystal-encrusted skirt. I walked to the full-length mirror and held it up, contemplating whether it would still fit or if I’d gotten too thin.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but you’ve really gotten thin,” Viona said bluntly.

“Yeah, a bit too thin,” Amber agreed.

I placed the dress back on the rack and returned to the mirror. I lifted my shirt and looked at my ribs, which were a bit too visible. Viona and Amber were right; I was too skinny.

“I know,” I replied reluctantly.

“Have you been eating?” Viona asked, her tone concerned.

“Not as well as I should be.”

“How long have you been doing this?” Amber added.

I frowned. “Since I got together with Noah.”

Silence fell among us. I hadn’t always been like this. In high school, I was beautiful with many suitors. Once I became concerned about gaining Noah’s love, though, I became obsessed with dieting and, eventually, developed bulimic behaviors. I especially worried about having a bloated stomach on our monthly intimacy nights, skipping meals the day before to address this.

Stroking my stomach, I shook my head. I’d been so crazy to go to such lengths, all for a man.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” I told Viona and Amber. “I’m done trying to make myself into Noah’s perfect woman.”

They both smiled.

“Good,” Viona said, wrapping her arms around me. “I really don’t want to do an intervention. It doesn’t sound like fun.”

“Not for this, you won’t.”

“With that settled,” Amber said, walking towards my clothes, “let’s find you a dress for this charity ball.”

Amber strolled around before stopping at a particular spot. “What about this one?”

Amber pulled out a dress I hadn’t worn since marrying Noah. It was an over-the-shoulder black piece with a skirt that fell a few inches above the knee. Best of all, the folds would hide my lack of curves resulting from my recent bulimic behavior.

“If you wear it, you’ll definitely infuriate Noah,” Amber said with a…

I laughed. “Good choice.” I held the fabric, running my thumb along the smooth silk. “I think this will be fun.”