Wicked lessons from the Luna

Every coin

*Rexton*

If one truly wants to know what is going on in the high packs, then one goes to the Twin Wolves, a gaming hell whose members are both male and female. Oddly, the men gossip far more than the she-wolves, but I know that in order to discover if my courting of Miss Halfmoon has been noticed and is being taken seriously, an evening at the card table in the main grand salon is likely to provide the answer.

I prefer playing in a private room where the stakes are higher, but for tonight, I settle at a table with one she-wolf and four other gents, one of them being the Alpha of Moonsdowne. I tell myself I have chosen this particular group because I want to get a sense of how Downie might react to me courting his former sister-in-law. I want to ensure the man isn't going to undermine my efforts to get Gina married to someone.

But I have to acknowledge that I am curious regarding what Downie might reveal about the she-wolf he had divorced. Maybe I will even know why she had taken up with the blasted servant.

I can’t deny that love is an odd thing. My family and circle of closest friends are a mixture of high blood and commoner, of the upright, the staunch obeyers of the law, as well as pickpockets, thieves, and swindlers. Therefore, I understand that the heart controls destinies more than the head or social position.

Still, I can no more envision Luna Moonsdowne with the butler than I can imagine myself with a w***e. I have discerning tastes, and I suspect the Luna does as well. And here I am, thinking about her again when I should be concentrating on her sister, on ensuring I meet the terms I have agreed to with Halfmoon so I can have access to the stud I want.

Or at this precise moment, considering I have lost three hands in a row, perhaps I should focus on the cards I am dealt. Or ensure Downie wins. The Alpha tends to get a bit more verbose when Lady Luck is smiling down on him, so perhaps I should continue to play haphazardly.

In private, I tend to gamble with those who are very skilled at manipulating cards, at judging odds, and at reading the deck. So although it goes against the grain, I begin tossing away cards I shouldn't.

“Not having much luck tonight, are you, Rexton?” Downie finally crows.

I had forgotten how quickly the Alpha grates on my nerves. “No luck at cards tonight, it seems, but I have been having luck elsewhere. With a she-wolf at least.”

The solitary female at the table, Miss Edith Ironfang, to whom I had been introduced last night, lifts her twinkling brown gaze from her cards and smiles at me. “With Miss Halfmoon, it would seem. I noticed her in your carriage at the park this afternoon.”

I take a quick glance at my cards and toss away two jacks. “Indeed. She honored me with her presence. She's quite a delight.”

That two of the other unmarried gents at the table perk up at my comment gives me a sense of satisfaction. By night's end, I will have the she-wolf's dance card filled at the next ball she attends.

“Gina?” Downie scoffs. “I would be careful there, old man. If she's anything at all like her sister, she will be naught but trouble. You'll barely have her dowry in hand before she is sneaking off with a servant and doing her best to bring you down.”

I am tempted to tell him one night in my bed would be enough to convince her no servant, no other man, would satisfy her. But I am rocked with the realization that I am not envisioning Gina in my bed, but rather Luna Moonsdowne. When I think of her with Downie, I have a sick churning in my gut as though I have eaten something rancid. “I'm quite certain I can keep her content.”

Although when it comes to Gina, I have no interest in keeping her at all. She is like a small fish to be tossed back into the pond for someone else... and now guilt is niggling at me for that unkind thought. I am not in the habit of being mean to she-wolves, thinking ill thoughts toward them, or taking advantage. I will redouble my efforts to find her someone more worthy than I.

Downie exposes his cards, gives a satisfied smirk as those of the other players are revealed, before taking the chips from the center of the table with hands that appear too soft. I don’t want to think of them caressing Luna Moonsdowne's stomach, shifting up to cup her breasts, circling around to cradle her backside.

The man himself is handsome enough, even if his lips are so thin as to be nearly nonexistent. As the dealer begins passing out the cards, I hear myself ask, “I can't recall, Downie. How long were you married?”

“Three years before we separated, I petitioned for divorce. Although the time required to see me completely free of her seemed to pass as slowly as an eternity. These foreign she-wolfs are deuced spoiled, Rexton. Mark my words: you are better off with a home grown one, who knows her place and understands tradition.”

Even from where I sit, I sense Miss Edith teeming with indignation... or maybe it is myself bristling. I am accustomed to being surrounded by the strong she-wolves in my family.

Their places have always been at their husbands' sides, if not a step in front of them. I imagine Luna Moonsdowne... Tillie... as young and innocent as her sister, her blue eyes wide and filled with hope and promise, her smiles coming easily. It bothers me now to realize I had not seen her smile, not a true smile. She had given me a few sardonic twists of her lips, but nothing genuine, nothing joyful.

I exchange only two cards. I am going to ensure Downie doesn't win this hand.

“If I might be so bold, Beta Rexton,” Miss Edith whispers, although her voice carries over the table. “I noticed the other she-wolf in the carriage. That wouldn't have been the notorious heiress herself, would it?”

I give her a hard look, one I had practiced in my youth when I had wanted to intimidate my younger brother, who had once told me that my narrowed eyes reminded him of a finely honed rapier.

The poor she-wolf blushes. “Luna Moonsdowne, I mean.”

“Indeed it is. She is serving as chaperone for her sister.” I say.

“Ha!” Downie exclaims, loudly enough that people at other tables look over at us.

“Mathilda is hardly suitable for the role of ensuring a young she-wolf behaves. She knows nothing at all about proper behavior.”

“She served well enough,” I say. “Kept me on a short leash.”

“Don't be a fool, Rexton. My former mate had no idea how to conduct herself in order to make me proud. To be quite honest, I am glad to be rid of her.”

And I'm glad she is rid of you. The sentiment comes fast, without thought, the protectiveness accompanying it surprising me. No, it is more than that. I feel a low simmering rage, slowly becoming cognizant that my free hand has fisted on the table so tightly it aches.

“I've never seen her before,” Miss Edith says pensively. “She's quite beautiful.”

“Beauty is as beauty does, my girl,” Downie insists. “I assure you nothing about that deplorable she-wolf comes close to beauty. She is a conniving, vindictive whore.”

Miss Edith gasps.

"Watch your language, Downie," Littlepaw says before I can deliver a scathing retort while giving my clenched fist the freedom to deliver a solid blow to the offending man's jaw. “We have a she-wolf present at the table.”

“This is a gambling hell, not a parlor where tea is served. She can move elsewhere if she's offended.”

“You can move elsewhere, Moonsdowne,” I say in a low voice that shimmers with threat.

Although in truth, I don’t want the man to leave the table, as it would make it more difficult to take his last farthing if he does. “Or you can remember that Lupo Tempest expects his members to behave with civility and good manners. Apologize to Miss Edith or take yourself elsewhere.”

"You can't order me about, Rexton." He growls.

I know the smile I bestow upon the man is somewhat chilling since Littlepaw moves back slightly as though he expects a fist to come flying in his direction, while the other gent begins studying his cards as though they might run off if they aren’t watched carefully.

“Have you forgotten Tempest is my brother?” I ask.

“Not by blood.”

“By all that matters, so I'm compelled to remind you of the rules of this club. All I have to do is snap my fingers to have two gents come over and escort you out. Lady Luck might not smile on you as beneficently elsewhere. Now apologize."

Moonsdowne glares at me for all of a heartbeat before turning his attention to the young she-wolf. “Miss Edith, my sincerest apologies. Talk of my former Luna always brings out the worst in me because it was a very difficult time in my life. I hope you will forgive my slip of the tongue.”

“Of course, my Alpha.”

Being a generous sort, I let Miss Edith win this hand. Then I take Moonsdowne for every coin he has brought to the table. The thing about being a member of a family of pickpockets, thieves, and swindlers is that one becomes very skilled at cheating without getting caught.