Wicked lessons from the Luna

Making a deal

*Rexton*

"Allow me the honor of introducing Miss Margaret Sherman..."

"Allow me to introduce Miss Charlotte..."

"...Miss Edith..."

"Miss…"

"...Miss..."

The introductions of a new crop of debutantes become a blur of bright eyes, hopeful smiles, dangling dance cards, fluttering eyelashes, and waving fans. Yet I suffer through it all with gentlemanly aplomb, wishing to be anywhere other than where I am: my sister's infernal ball.

Considering the mad crush of people who attend any affair hosted by the Alpha and Luna of Silverpine, I am rather certain I wouldn't be missed... except by the mamas who consider me, at the age of nine and twenty, prime marriage material for one of their daughters, rather convinced I am in want of a mate despite the fact I have, on numerous occasions, indicated quite forcefully the opposite.

My father is in good health. My mother has provided a spare, so I am truly in no rush to become shackled.

I carry on polite conversations because my sister, Faye, had asked me not to immediately disappear into the male-only domain of the card room. Once it becomes obvious that senseless banter is all I am willing to grant, the she-wolves slowly drift away like so many delicate petals on a summer breeze, dance cards minus my signature dangling from their limp wrists.

Because I have promised Faye an hour of my presence in the grand parlor and a mere forty minutes have passed, in order to stay true to my word, I wander to a far corner populated with only ferns.

Watching the proceedings carried out before me, I can’t deny that as much as I detest grand affairs, I am intrigued by the secretive games played, and it is to my benefit to remain in the good graces of the High packs because at some point, I will indeed be searching for a mate, one with an impeccable reputation, good breeding, and a penchant for staying out of the gossip sheets.

While my own family has withstood numerous scandals, the process of deflecting censure is wearisome, and I have no desire whatsoever to spend the remainder of my life serving as titillating fodder for the gossips. I have made it a habit to be above reproach, which makes me one of the more boring members among my family and friends, but it is advantageous to be considered dull. I am not scrutinized very closely, which means I am free to do as I please within the shadows. And within the shadows, life is never dull.

"Beta Rexton."

I turn slightly, having no wish to offend the older man. Garrett Halfmoon, a foreigner by birth, had embraced my country as his own when he moved to Blackrock city to oversee his family's firearms operations. Opening a factory here had allowed them to claim the business as an international venture, which had added significantly to their stock value.

Their subsequent wealth has given him entry into the more elite pack circles. Our paths cross from time to time, mostly at the horse races. He is in possession of something I covet, and my recent attempts to convince the man to part with it have disappointingly failed. "Halfmoon."

"Say, old chap, I am wondering if I might bother you for a tiny favor." He says.

I smile inwardly. Favors usually come with a price. The question is: Will Halfmoon pay mine? "What did you have in mind?"

"My young niece, my dear departed brother's daughter, has just had her coming out. Unfortunately, I need someone to help wash off the blemish of her scandalous older sister. I am hoping you would be willing to step up to the task." He explains.

I know the older sister only by reputation.

Making quite the splash when she arrived in Blackrock city a few years ago, she had caught the eye of the Alpha of Moonsdowne, and their fairy-tale courtship had captured the attention of most of the country.

A few years after they were mated, she engaged in a notorious public affair that had left Moonsdowne with no choice except to divorce her. This had resulted in further scandal because those in the High packs worth their salt simply did not divorce under any circumstances.

Knowing what it is to be touched by scandal, I have empathy for the younger sister, but I rather suspect that teaching her to box isn't going to help her situation. "I don't really see how I can be of service."

Halfmoon brushes his fingers over his thick, sprinkled-with-gray mustache, twice one way, twice the other. "You are the most sought-after bachelor in the city and have the respect of your peers. You're also known to have excellent taste in she-wolves and horses. If you were to show some interest in the girl..."

"I'm not looking to marry just yet." My compassion goes only so far.

He shakes his head. "No, no, of course not. I don't expect you to lead her to the altar. But if you were to dance with her, perhaps take her on an outing to the Park, be seen with her, as it were, it might serve to pique the other gents' curiosity. I'm certain once they take an interest in her, they will be charmed, as she is a most charming girl. She has none of her sister's... flaws, shall we say?"

Flaws? The inability to remain faithful? To publicly cuckold her mate? To divorce a man whose lineage could be traced back to the first lycan king? Those foreigners certainly have a way of understating the faults of a calamitous she-wolf.

"I'm afraid you'll need to turn elsewhere for assistance on this matter; ask another gent." I say.

"Damn it, man, no one else has your influence. The younger swells work to emulate you. They will follow your lead. Take some pity on the poor girl. I promised my brother on his deathbed I would see her well situated, and she's enamored of the High packs." He says.

I raise a brow. "So is her sister, from what I understand."

"In temperament, they are nothing alike. Mathilda was always too strong-willed to be ruled. But Gina, bless her heart, is a shy wallflower for whom hope springs eternal. I have to do something to spark awareness of her. And I have deduced you're the ticket." He explains.

Tickets come at a cost. "A dance, you say, and an afternoon in the park?"

"Not much more than that, I should think. Truly, she's a remarkable girl." He says.

But not one who stands out if Halfmoon has to approach me regarding generating interest in her. I am not quite comfortable with the notion of giving the girl false hope regarding my intentions, but if I keep my interest casual, perhaps no harm will be done. "Once I dance with her, mamas are going to think I have announced my stepping into the mating market. It's going to create some inconvenience as I will be fending off she-wolves for the remainder of the mating Season, which has only recently begun."

"I'll make it worth your while." He promises.

But is it fair to the girl? I could do all in my power to bring a quick end to the farce and find a proper mate for her. "Oh? How might you go about that?"

"Black Diamond. You can take him to stud." He says.

"Thrice." I demand.

He looks shocked. "Damn it, man, do you know how valuable that stallion is?"

"I do indeed." Since the Arabian had soundly beaten my best stallion in several races. "I want at least three progeny off him."

"Two." He counters.

Which had been my price all along. "Two it is."

"But not until my niece has a viable suitor. You have to play at courting her until someone makes it a point to beat you." He says.

That would be a further inconvenience, as I doubt many gents would even consider that they could beat me. Mine is one of the most powerful families in the country. But to have Black Diamond breed with my Fair Vixen would be worth it. I have little doubt the mingling of those bloodlines will produce a champion. "Consider it done."

"Excellent. However, our agreement must remain between us gentlemen. I don't want her hurt, so if it becomes known to her, our bargain becomes null and void." He says.

I am well aware that she-wolves have tender feelings. "I would expect no less."

"Come along then, let me introduce you to Gina. Who knows? You might just decide she's the one for you." He grins.

I seriously doubt that, but I am a man, after all, and she-wolves do interest me. "Should that happen, it won't nullify our agreement."

"Absolutely not. It will simply make our arrangement all the tidier." He confirms.

Miss Virginia Halfmoon is so damned young. That is my initial thought upon being introduced to her. Her eyes are the color of a leaf bud in spring, sparkling with unbridled innocence. Her hair is the shade of moonbeams. She is petite and willowy; I fear I would easily break her if I were ever to bed her. It isn't that I prefer s*x rough, but I do enjoy it with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion, which leaves me and my partner damp with sweat and gasping for breath.

I feel rather guilty for giving the young Miss any hope at all that I am seriously considering her as my mate and future Luna of Greywind.

The way her face lights up as though it has taken its place among the bulbs in the chandeliers, when her uncle gleefully tells her with an exaggerated whisper that I had been most insistent upon an introduction, doesn’t do anything to quiet my misgivings regarding my deception. She isn't the one for me. I know that fact within five seconds of gazing at her hope-filled expression.

Still, I am determined to at least strive to keep my end of the bargain, for surely she will appeal to some gents. So, I am moving forward with the arrangement for her sake and the good of the country. New blood, as well as the coins she will bring to someone's coffers, is needed in the high packs. "I would be pleased if you would honor me with a dance," I say, as my lips hover over her delicate hand after pressing a light kiss to the back of her gloved knuckles. Dear Goddess, she is as fragile as one of the china dolls I had recently gifted to my nieces.

Her laughter rivals the tinkling bells that fill the air at Christmas. "As my dance card is thus far absent of any signatures, I would be pleased as well. I'm quite accomplished and would dearly love to put my lessons to good use."

We stand together, waiting for the next dance… a waltz… to start up. For the life of me, I can think of nothing interesting to say. I suddenly feel remarkably old, like a pair of well-worn boots that are incredibly comfortable but can no longer retain a shine, no matter how hard the boot boy buffs at them with a brush.

Perhaps I should have taken a mate sooner when my age was more closely aligned with that of the girls who are being debuted. They hadn't seemed so youthful last year or the one before, but now they make me feel rather ancient, a relic that isn't quite as gleaming as it once was. I can’t help but believe she sees me in the same light, as she seems to be struggling for a topic as well, as though she recognizes we have little in common other than presently inhabiting the same area of the ballroom.

"I've heard about your sister's balls for years," she finally says. "I must say it lives up to expectations. The Luna is such a gracious hostess."

"Faye was well-tutored by our mother." I say.

"Unusual for an Alpha to marry a woman who grew up on the streets, but I daresay when I was introduced to the Luna of Greywind, I could certainly understand her appeal." She says, smiling warmly.

My parents rarely attend balls any longer, so their appearance at the Silverpine ball is generally heralded as one of the few times they might make an appearance throughout the mating season. Few know the true reason behind their increasing absences.

"My mother is an incredible she-wolf who rose above her beginnings," I say, a bit more curtly than is polite.

"I hope I didn't offend." She says hopefully and slightly worried.

At least she isn't oblivious to my tone. I had rather feared she might be. "Not at all. Having grown up with her during the entirety of my life, I take her for granted, and sometimes forget she is not always welcomed by the high packs." A small lie, as I never forget the impact her previous life has had on mine. Yet I hold the girl blameless for the difficulties I have endured during my youth. After all, she had been on the other side of the ocean.

"I find your parents' story to be incredibly romantic." She sighs.

"It is that, I suppose." I admit.

She sighs again. "I love romance."

Dear Goddess, let the music begin, as I am not romancing the girl. A dance. An outing to the park.

That is it. If I can't get the gents interested in her by then... Dash it all! I may have just agreed to sacrifice my entire summer to attend balls all for the want of a horse. However, I am not going to just give up if I have misjudged the ease with which I can lure gents to her side.

The quadrille finally comes to an end. I offer my arm to Miss Halfmoon, aware her touch is featherlike, practically nonexistent, and escorts her onto the gleaming parquet dance floor.

I can’t deny she is quite lovely in an elfin sort of way. She has a gamine smile that never falters during our dance. I am the worst sort of wretch for placing my racehorses above her.

I console myself with the knowledge I have spied a couple of gents giving her a once-over. And she is a Fayeful dancer. Those lessons are serving her well.

When the waltz ends, I begin leading her back toward the chairs. “I wonder if I might call on you tomorrow afternoon and take you for a drive through the park”. It can’t hurt to allow all the swells to see her in my carriage.

"I'd be delighted, my lord”.

“Say around two ?”

“I'll be waiting with bells on. By the by, I'm staying at Moonsdowne Court with my

sister”.

I blink, surprised she lives in such close proximity to the notorious Luna Moonsdowne. “Not with your uncle ?"

“No. She's not welcomed within Society so my uncle carts me about, but he is a bachelor whose abode would not suit at all and so I reside with my sister”.

“Then I shall see you at Moonsdowne Court”. Once we reach our destination, I gallantly lift her gloved hand and press a kiss to the back of it. “I shall count the hours”.

I am going to burn in hell for that last remark. I don’t think it is possible for her smile to get any brighter yet it does. Shame pricks my conscience but I tamp it down. With any luck, by the end of the week the girl will have a hundred swains vying for her attention and I will have Black Diamond.