The Luna's Shadow

CHAPTER 4

“We’re having guests in a few hours, and you two have been off galivanting with Ethan?” the Alpha’s voice thundered across the room as soon as Bella and I stepped inside.

“He picked us up from school,” I shot back before I could stop myself. “What were we supposed to do? If we’d refused, he would’ve known something was wrong.”

My father’s expression hardened, the vein at his temple twitching. Bella shrank back beside me, clutching the strap of her bag. She never spoke up when they got like this—she froze and waited it out.

“Well,” my father said in a low, dangerous tone, “since you both had such a relaxing afternoon, you can make yourselves useful. There’s a lot to do before our guests arrive. The bedrooms all need to be cleaned, the bathrooms scrubbed, sheets changed, floors vacuumed. And the kitchen—” he glanced at me, “—needs to start on dinner immediately.”

“I’ll help Bella with the rooms first,” I offered, already trying to plan the fastest way to get everything done. “Then I’ll start cooking—”

“There isn’t time for that.” The Alpha cut me off sharply. “Bella, you’ll handle the rooms yourself. All of them. Every bathroom spotless, every bed made with fresh sheets. Tessa, you’ll prepare the entire menu. Appetizers, courses, and dessert. Make it perfect.”

I bit my tongue hard enough to taste blood. “Yes, sir.”

Bella shot me a nervous look before heading down the hall, and I went the other way toward the kitchen.

It was empty, of course. The omega staff hardly ever worked in the packhouse anymore. The Alpha and my father liked keeping the “family” busy—meaning Bella and me. Sometimes I wondered if that was their way of reminding us where we stood.

I tied my hair back and started pulling ingredients from the pantry. The menu was already running through my head: slow-roasted lamb, honey-glazed carrots, buttered beans, a dozen appetizers to start, and something sweet to end it with. I worked quickly, falling into the rhythm of it.

The smell of herbs and sizzling meat filled the air when I sensed movement behind me. My muscles tensed instantly.

My father.

He didn’t say a word—just stood there, close enough that I could feel his presence pressing against my back. Watching. Always watching.

My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I stirred the pot, pretending not to notice him. This was his favorite game: standing too close, silent, waiting for me to flinch.

After what felt like forever, he finally turned and left. Only then did I let out the breath I’d been holding.

By the time the food was ready, the kitchen was packed with omega servers who came in to plate and serve everything. I slipped out quietly, my body still tense from the hours under his eyes.

Upstairs, I ran the shower and stepped under the spray, trying to wash away the ache from my ribs and the chill crawling under my skin. I didn’t look in the mirror. I couldn’t.

I got dressed carefully: a floor-length gown with a white strapless bodice covered in pale pink lace that formed delicate shoulder straps, and a black skirt that brushed the floor. Black strappy heels. My snow-blonde hair hung loose down my back, catching the light when I moved. I put on the silver bracelet and earrings Bella had given me last year for my birthday—but nothing around my neck. It felt too exposed.

When I stepped out, Bella was just coming out of her room, wearing a deep blue dress that shimmered as she moved. Her face was pale, her hands shaking slightly as she adjusted one earring.

“Hey,” I said softly. “Just breathe. We’ll greet a few people, smile, and then we can disappear to a table. It’s fine.”

She gave a nervous laugh. “You know I hate these things. It’s like they’re putting us on display.”

“They are,” I said dryly. “But that’s nothing new. Come on. Before they yell at us for taking too long.”

We linked arms and headed down the grand staircase. The entire first floor had been transformed. The living room furniture was gone, replaced by glittering chandeliers and rows of polished tables covered in white linens and silverware. The ballroom lights were soft and golden, reflecting off glass and crystal. Music drifted through the air—a polished string band playing something elegant and slow.

People turned as we entered. Dozens of eyes followed us—Alpha’s daughters, paraded for show.

“It’s only because we’re the best-looking ones here,” I whispered, giving Bella’s arm a gentle squeeze. She smirked faintly, but her shoulders relaxed a little.

We mingled, smiling politely as visiting Alphas and Betas introduced themselves. Most of them were older, some with their sons in tow—future leaders, learning how to network. I could feel the judgmental stares of the older women, the fake compliments that meant nothing.

Then I caught a familiar scent.

Before I could react, strong arms snaked around my waist. My ribs screamed in pain, and my entire body went rigid.

Mason.

He leaned down, his breath hot against my ear. “Take note of the people you like in this room, sweetheart. We can invite them to our wedding.”

My stomach turned. “Let go of me,” I hissed quietly, trying to push him off. His grip only tightened, pressing against my bruised ribs until my vision blurred.

“Mason, stop,” I breathed, struggling to keep my voice calm as people passed by, pretending not to notice.

He chuckled lowly. “Relax. You’ll learn to like it.”

I opened my mouth to tell him off—but a sound cut through the room that froze everyone.

A growl. Deep, raw, and deadly.

The band stopped playing. Someone dropped a glass that shattered on the marble floor.

Every head turned toward the source.

A man stood near the far end of the ballroom. Tall—at least six and a half feet—with broad shoulders that filled the doorway. His brown hair brushed the tops of his shoulders, a trimmed goatee framing a jaw tight with fury. His eyes, dark and stormy, were locked on me. No—on Mason’s arms around me.

The air in the room shifted, electric and dangerous. I couldn’t move. I could barely breathe.

Who was he?

The growl rumbled again, vibrating through the floor. Chairs scraped, guests whispered, and I felt Mason stiffen behind me.

The stranger’s eyes flashed with something primal and possessive. His voice, when it came, was low and guttural, echoing through the room like thunder.

“Mine.”

The single word silenced everything. Even the air seemed to stop moving.

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard it hurt. Mason’s grip faltered, and I could feel his body go rigid behind me.

The stranger took one step forward, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

I didn’t know who he was—but in that moment, I knew everything had just changed.