Chapter 86

Ava’s POV

I had convinced myself he would drive me to insanity, but here I was, staring at myself in the mirror, trying to force the tension out of my eyes as I applied my makeup. My hands shook slightly, not from nerves, but from the weight of everything that had happened over the past few days. The anger, the frustration, the constant back-and-forth in my mind about Grayson—all of it swirling together.

But I was going to push that aside for the sake of the gathering. I really wanted to get to know these people, even though I was tired—so tired of the heaviness, tired of fighting battles that didn’t even feel worth it anymore. The only thing keeping me sane in this moment was the thought of escaping for a few hours, trying to blend in, to feel like I was part of something that wasn’t so suffocating, even if it was still centered around him. But maybe I could forget about him for a while.

I was just finishing my makeup when the door to my room suddenly swung open. I expected it to be Grayson, but the voice that echoed through the room was unmistakable.

“Tis I!” Isabella’s voice rang out, filled with her usual mischievous energy.

A smile broke across my face instantly, the tension in my shoulders relaxing as I turned to face her. Isabella was a breath of fresh air in a room full of stale air.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I caught her standing in the doorway with her usual confident smile.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through it for a moment before speaking. “Grayson is being an asshole, and there’s going to be a feast tonight,” she said, reading my earlier message aloud.

My mind registered the words, but before I could comment, she added, “Which means there’s going to be free food. Bel, do you want to come?”

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head with a small laugh. “You are so…”

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I know. So, are we going to talk about what Grayson did this time while you get ready?” she asked, slipping into her usual pattern.

“No,” I replied firmly, a sigh escaping my lips. “I’m so tired of all our conversations being centered around him. I just want to laugh and talk and get to know these people; that’s all. Speaking of which…” I started, but Isabella’s face shifted into an annoyed expression.

“Nuh-uh,” she cut me off before I could finish, raising a finger in the air as if to say, “I know exactly where you’re going with this, and we shall not be talking about it either.”

I laughed, shaking my head. She always knew me too well. “I guess we’re on the same page,” I admitted, unable to stop myself from grinning.

The smile returned to her face, and she stepped into the room, her presence immediately lightening the atmosphere. She moved toward the mirror where I was finishing my makeup, watching me for a moment. “You look good. You always do, though,” she said, her voice soft but genuine.

“Thanks,” I said, glancing at myself one last time in the mirror. I wasn’t looking for anything too fancy. The dress was casual, simple, yet elegant enough for the occasion: a light blue dress that flowed just above my knees, comfortable yet flattering, with a neckline that was modest but still allowed a hint of my collarbone to show. I paired it with soft flats and minimal accessories—just a silver chain around my neck and a small bracelet on my wrist. It wasn’t about impressing anyone; it was about letting the pack know that I wasn’t some stuck-up Laina.

Isabella nodded in approval, her smile widening. “Alright, then let’s go. I heard ‘feast’ and didn’t bother to eat. I’m starving!” She grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the door before I could protest, but I laughed anyway. “You are always hungry.”

Chapter 86 (Continued)

As we walked through the hallways of the mansion, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread settling into my stomach. The air had shifted as the day was darkening, the sky transforming from pinks and purples to deep blues. It wasn’t quite night yet, but the shadows were lengthening across the estate, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wrong was about to happen. The secluded area where the gathering was being held was far enough from the main part of the estate that Grayson would likely never find it, which was why I was the chosen hunt spot.

When we reached the clearing where the feast was being held, the atmosphere felt different. The tension in the air thickened, and for a brief moment, I stopped in my tracks. The gathering before me was massive, but not in the way I had expected. It wasn’t just organized like I thought; it was almost the entire pack; it seemed to stretch across the entire clearing. I could feel the weight of their eyes on me as I walked into the open space, and a hush fell over the crowd. The shift in the air was palpable—a mix of curiosity, hesitation, and something else I couldn’t quite place.

I stood frozen for a moment, the weight of their gazes pressing down on me. Then, from the crowd, I saw him.

Ivan, the driver who had taken me to Isabella’s house that day, stepped forward. The moment he saw me, his expression softened, and he straightened his back. With a grace I hadn’t expected, he bowed slightly before me, the gesture respectful but also welcoming.

“Luna, welcome,” he said, his voice warm and clear.

I blinked in surprise, unsure of how to react. “Thank you,” I managed to say.

At that moment, Brianna followed suit. She, too, bowed slightly, offering a smile that was small but genuine. “I am really glad you could make it, Luna,” she said, her voice soft and filled with warmth.

I nodded, and Isabella, sensing my hesitation, squeezed my arm gently and whispered, “It’s infuriating, but everyone ends up loving you. They will too.”

“Stop,” I muttered under my breath, trying to keep a smile from creeping onto my face.

The rest of the pack started to relax as the initial tension dissipated. It felt like I had stepped into a world that was both familiar and completely foreign to me. I knew I was the outsider, just like I had always felt when I was Dylan’s Luna, but something about this time felt like there was hope. Like things were not automatically closed off because of how he treated me.

It felt like I could actually get the chance to be an actual Luna, with everything that comes with it. And with how my parents raised me to own responsibility, I was looking forward to it.

“I’d like to introduce my best friend, Isabella,” I said, breaking the silence and turning to her with a smile.

Isabella didn’t miss a beat. She grinned widely and waltzed right up to the nearest group of pack members. “Don’t mind me; I’m just here for the food! And I’m definitely here to make sure this one doesn’t scare you all,” she said with a bold personality shining through.

The group around us chuckled, and just like that, the ice was broken. Conversations slowly picked up again, laughter and chatter filling the air. The pack members began to warm up, their initial hesitation dissipating as Isabella effortlessly charmed them. She always had that effect on people.

I found myself gravitating toward a small group of women who looked approachable. As I began to talk with them, I started to feel the pressure in my chest ease. It was strange to feel this comfortable with them, but the longer we spoke, the more natural it felt. They asked about my life, about how I was adjusting, and we shared small laughs over…

I was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t going to be a disaster.

Then, out of nowhere, Brianna’s grandfather appeared. He bowed slightly. “I owe you a great deal for saving me earlier. I can’t thank you enough.”

I nodded, understanding his meaning. “You don’t have to thank me,” I replied quietly, though a small part of me knew I had done what needed to be done. “But I will try to make sure he is…or all of us.”

As the words left my mouth, I realized I wasn’t sure I truly believed them. Could I really fix him? Could I break down Grayson Blackwood’s walls?

But the old man only nodded, his eyes softening with gratitude. “I appreciate that more than you know. And I didn’t get a chance to formally introduce myself. I’m Charles.”

I smiled, ready to lighten the moment with a silly comment, when everywhere fell silent. Conversations halted mid-sentence, laughter died in throats, and every pair of eyes turned to the figure standing at the edge of the gathering.

Elaine.

She stood with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone like they were dirt beneath her heels. Her voice sliced through the tense quiet, cold and sharp.

“So this is why I can’t find anyone to make me dinner? You’re all here, sitting on your asses, doing nothing. Who gave you permission to gather like this?”

Without thinking, I stepped forward, my voice steady but carrying a weight I hadn’t fully realized I had.

“I did.”

Her gaze snapped to me, sharp as a blade, narrowing with disdain. “Of course,” she sneered, her lip curling. “Low lives always find each other. Well, the party’s over. Everyone back to your duties.”

A few began to shuffle nervously, but I raised my voice before they could leave.

“No one is leaving. Except you.”

The words hung in the air like a challenge. Elaine let out a mocking laugh, dismissive and full of venom. She didn’t even look at me as she barked, “I am the Alpha King’s cousin. I say they’re going back to work.”

“And I am the Luna,” I countered, stepping closer, my voice calm but unyielding. “And you’re really testing my patience.”

Her laughter grew louder, almost unhinged. She finally turned her full attention to me, her eyes glinting with malice. “Luna?” she mocked, the word dripping with scorn. “You are the Luna?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Elaine’s voice rose again, cutting through the room and freezing me in place. Her words hit like a thunderclap, leaving the air heavy with tension.

“You think I don’t know about your little arrangement with Grayson? How your marriage is fake? That he hired you to play his pretend Luna?”

(The final line "SEND GIFT" seems out of place and unrelated to the narrative. I have omitted it.)