The Dead Luna

Sebastian’s pov:

"Day after tomorrow, we need to leave after breakfast, or we will miss our luncheon with the Beta of Fire Storm pack," Hunter said casually, going through the files placed in front of him."

I hummed, flipping through the pages of the official dossier.

Phoenix was everywhere. No matter who I was talking to. The Alpha or Luna of a pack or even a Beta. Her face used to get pasted on every face.

"We both are missing her," my Lycan remarked in my head, "Why don’t you take Belgian chocolates for her. She loves those."

I closed the file with a thud. My beast was messing with my mind. It was adamant that Phoenix was Aurora.

There must be billions of girls around the world with the combination of Emerald green eyes and Auburn hair. Millions of them must be crazy for Belgian chocolate.

"What are you thinking?" Hunter asked me, and I could detect curiosity in his voice.

"Nothing," I gave him one word answer without bothering to raise my face. Though I could sense his sneaking glances at me from across the table.

He’d go back to his files, then look up again, like something didn’t sit right.

I sighed and finally looked up, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice, "What?"

"You..." he leaned a little, "You seem different, Sebi."

I brushed my hand over my face, "Different? How?"

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. A small grin was playing on his lips, "You were smiling while staring into that file."

I gave him a look that must have been clear enough to say, You must be crazy.

But on a serious note... Was I really smiling?

"I don’t think so," I shrugged with the same stoic face that was part of my personality.

"Oh, come on," he chuckled, shaking his head, "You can’t fool me."

I got straighter, closing the file slowly and met his gaze flatly, "In this room, only you’re the one who is smiling, Hunter. Now, can we get back to the job? I need to finish this shit early," I picked up another dossier and opened it.

Hunter laughed softly, "Right. My mistake. I should smile less," he rolled his lips between his teeth.

"Can you make it faster. I want to finish it as early as possible," I told him and flipped another page.

But for some odd reason, his eyes got wider, and he burst into laughter, throwing his head back.

Goddess. He was annoying me. If there was someone else in his place, I would have thrown him out of that window.

Phoenix. What are you doing to me?

"Sebastian," he at last controlled his laughter, "I know you want to go and meet her. But here is the news. You can’t go tonight because the Alpha of the pack has arranged an official dinner for us.

I clapped my file shut in annoyance, "What shit is that?" I got up from my chair, causing a scratch on the floor, "How can I forget about the damn dinner?" I picked up a pencil from the desk and threw it away.

The poor thing landed in the other corner of the room. Hunter was sitting there with that amused face, and that was making me more furious.

"You need to attend that dinner on my behalf," I fell back into my chair, but now there were worry lines on Hunter’s face, "Don’t be ridiculous, Sebastian. You’re the king, man. You have to be there."

But I had made up my mind.

My beast would go crazy if I didn’t see her.

"You’re my Beta. After me, you’re the one who is authorized to handle anything official," I bent ahead and placed my arms on the desk, "Come up with something. I might catch a fever. Flu. Anything."

Hunter snorted, "You’re fun to be around. Who are we? Theatre actors?"

I shot him a look that said Drop it now!

He blinked, and the smirk playing on his lips disappeared.

"Sebastian!" I didn’t miss the warning in his voice, "Don’t do that," he said quietly, "Doing such acts might make you lose your throne."

I swallowed before leaning back in my seat. His warning made sense...

B...but...

I just realized I didn’t want a throne anyway.

Who wanted a throne when you had a woman like her beside you?

My beast used to claw inside me just to catch a glimpse of her. And right now?

Right now, I am willing to risk it all.

In all this chaos, I needed to make sure of one thing... that she was still holding on, even if it was by a thread.

That no one would break her again.

That she was doing okay.

***

For the umpteenth time, I glanced at my watch while listening to the boring speech our host Alpha was giving.

The pack wanted donations, and Tina thought they deserved it. Their schools hardly had any teachers because they couldn’t pay them well.

They didn’t have a proper armor backup for unexpected battles.

When Alpha Garrett sensed my lack of interest, his attention diverted to Tina, who was excitedly nodding her head upon hearing his monologue.

Tonight, Granma stood quietly, not participating much in the convo. She liked Tina, but that didn’t mean Tina was allowed to take away the spotlight from her.

"I know your budget is tight right now," Tina chimed in eagerly, "But your kids need a chance. Right?"

Alpha Garrett nodded approvingly, "Exactly what I was thinking, Luna. If the Royals will support us with a donation, I promise we’ll name the new training ground after His Highness’ name," He bowed his head to make a point, "Or maybe we can name it after you."

Tina’s eyes sparkled. No one had ever called her by the Luna title. Nor did anyone seem this willing to give her so much respect.

"That sounds lovely," she turned to me with that hopeful smile, "What do you think, Seb?"

I didn’t even glance up from the artificial fountain that was in the center of the room, "We can discuss it later, Phoenix."

Silence.

It seemed like everyone in the room had stopped breathing.

I felt Granma’s firm hold on my elbow, "Tina," she mindlinked me with a sweet smile pasted on her lips, "She is Tina, son."

I finally looked up. Tina was trying hard to hold that smile, but I could see the hurt in her eyes.

Damn it!