The Perfect Luna

Chapter 4. Royal Confrontation

“Bold, aren’t we?” The Beta chuckled, leaving Ria unsure of what to think. “Do you think that the King will do whatever I tell him?”

“I hope he respects you enough to grant you this little favour,” she tested, biting her lip. She was walking on thin ice and was aware of it, but she had no other choice.

“Fine,” the man grunted softly. For the first time since she called, Ria wondered what he was doing. “Crystle, dear, that’s enough sucking. I need to go.”

Then he groaned again, and Riannon’s ears turned red with embarrassment. Was he in bed with someone? Why did he pick up her call then?!

There were sounds of rustling and a female voice. “See you tonight, Beta.” Then sounds of retreating footfalls.

“Just so you know,” the Beta spoke again, “I am sacrificing a lot right now to pay you back. So, after you talk to him, consider us done.”

“Of course,” Ria quickly reassured, clearing her throat. “I appreciate your… sacrifice.”

He chuckled, and she heard the sound of a creaking door.

“Hey, G. I need you to speak to someone.” Muffled sounds ensued, but she could still understand everything that was being said.

“Not interested,” the other man growled. Suddenly, Riannon was very afraid. She wondered if the King was busy as well. He sure wouldn’t sacrifice his pleasure time for her.

“I am not trying to set you up with anyone.” The Beta burst out laughing. “It’s just some werewolf Luna. I owe her one, okay?”

“Not interested,” was the reply, and Ria’s heart sank. This was it. This was her best chance. In her past life, she had called Beta Reid as well, although it was later in the timeline of events, but he hadn’t picked up. By the end of the year, Lycans were dealing with trouble on their own lands. He was probably too busy by the time she gained the courage to call. She had called him again and again until the calls stopped going through, meaning he probably blocked her.

“Give her five minutes.” From the sounds of it, the man shoved the phone into his king’s hands. Another growl emerged and Ria was about to give up. Then she heard a resounding metallic voice.

“Hello, Alpha Gideon speaking,” the man said as she sucked in a breath. He didn’t even use his title. Was that really the Lycan King?

“Hello, Your Majesty.” She decided to address him formally anyway. “My name is Riannon Thorn. I am the Luna of the Silver River pack.”

He was silent, and it bothered her. But she remembered she only had five minutes with him.

“I need your help.” She breathed out. “My husband is Alpha Brayden Thorn, and we are planning to divorce in the near future.”

“Fascinating,” the man responded without any emotions in his voice. “But what does it have to do with me? You can divorce any time you like without my help.”

“I know, Alpha,” she agreed and heard him growl slightly. “That’s not the part I need your help with. You see, we are chosen mates. And when we got married, we merged our packs. What I really want from you is to help me get my people and my territory back. You are the Alpha King, and when I raise this dispute, your word will be the last at the Alpha Council. They wouldn’t be able to decline.”

“Hmm.” He sounded amused. “And you think the case would go that far? You do know the Alpha Council consists mainly of male Alphas. What makes you think anyone will support you?”

“They will if they know you are on my side.” Riannon felt braver now. “I have also proven myself as a leader and warrior. This shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Then maybe everything is awesome, and you don’t need my help at all?” He chuckled.

“I do, Your Majesty,” she assured him, “I really do. And I would really appreciate it.”

“This is a complex matter,” he said after a short pause, “not something I would decide over the phone. To be honest, it doesn’t sound serious enough to bother with.”

Ria felt rage boiling her blood. Was he serious? Was that it?

“But—”

“There is nothing to talk about. You got married and gave your pack to your husband. You didn’t think this through, and it was your mistake. Now it’s too late.” The Alpha King seemed bored. “He would owe you a generous alimony according to our laws. You will keep your luxurious lifestyle if that’s what bothers you—”

“It’s not about that!” She gritted her teeth. “I can’t leave my people with them!”

“Them?” The King scoffed. “So, this is the problem. He found another, and you are bitter about it?”

This was useless. Ria hit her desk with her fist, almost breaking it. This kind of mocking was not new to her. By now, she had heard it all. Even from the people who were considered her friends.

“I am not bitter!” she spat. “I am furious. Because now I see how many flaws our system has! How unfairly and unequally women are treated when a male doesn’t stand by her side anymore! How few chances we are given to prove ourselves. Sure, you will make a woman a warrior and speak about equality, but when it comes to higher positions, you will make a woman work three times harder than a man to even consider her for the job! I have been doing an Alpha’s job for years by my husband’s side, and I’ve done it flawlessly. But all you see now is a wounded woman who can’t get over her husband’s betrayal. You know what, it hurts like hell, but here I am, not wailing in pain but trying to figure out my next move. You don’t even know what is going on, but you have already judged me. What a disappointing introduction to my king!”

She threw her phone away with such force that she was left staring at the smashed pieces on the floor.

What a joke!

Gideon sat in his huge leather chair behind his desk, staring at his Beta’s phone. What the hell was that? Did she scold him and then hang up?

“O-kay.” Reid carefully took his phone back. “I see that went well.”

“Remind me again who that was?” Gideon asked, looking at his friend while furrowing his thick brows.

“What?” Reid let out a nervous laugh. “Before I tell you, are you going to kill her or—”

“REID!” Gideon growled so loudly that all members of his pack probably heard him.

“Fine!” The Beta fell into the chair opposite of him, disclosing, “She is the Luna of the Silver River pack.”

Silver River… not far from Silver Lake.

“What else?” The King tapped his fingers over the top of his desk impatiently.

“Her name is Riannon Thorn. If my memory does not fail me, she has been a Luna for five or six years. Seven maybe.”

“You said that you owed her.” Gideon was piercing Reid with his gaze. “How so? Is she one of your many whores?”

“Of course not!” The Beta sounded offended. “She… she saved Kyle seven years ago. Rogues attacked his boarding school, and she happened to be visiting for some event. She wasn’t a Luna back then, by the way. But she was preparing for the role.”

“She saved him?” Gideon rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“Yes, she killed a few rogues and protected him. He was just twelve back then. If she hadn’t come in time—”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” the King groaned.

“There was no time!” Reid shrugged his shoulders. “How could I know you would be such a d**k to her?”

“Is there a good time to be a d**k?” Beta Reid chuckled, just annoying him more.

“Find out where I can meet her,” Gideon commanded. “I am intrigued. She does seem… feisty.”

“Just the way you hate them.” Reid stood up, but when he noticed his Alpha’s glare, he wiped the smile off his face. “I’ll go… get to work.”

Gideon leaned over the back of his chair. He already had a lot on his mind, and this woman was getting to him on some level. A smile curled on his lips. It had been a while since someone dared to speak to him like that. Luna Riannon was amusing, indeed.

Since she saved Kyle, he owed it to her to at least have a look at her case.

So be it.

Riannon prepared herself for breakfast. She put on a simple yet elegant dress and brushed her hair so that it fell down her shoulders in soft waves. She chose not to use any makeup today because she knew quite well what she was about to face once she arrived downstairs.

She almost bumped into Maya at the door.

“Ria.” Her friend attempted to smile carefreely, but Riannon could tell that she was nervous. “How about we eat here and chat? Just the two of us?”

Riannon smiled. She knew that Maya was trying to protect her from the new harsh reality downstairs. Luckily for her, she was ready for everything.

“Maybe another time,” she suggested, taking Maya’s hand, still coming to terms with the fact that she was alive. “Right now, I need to do something. Just be by my side, okay?”

“Always.” Maya’s eyes glistened with tears.

The dining room was buzzing, but as soon as she stepped foot in it, everyone went quiet. On her first day in the pack, Roxy was already seated at the table with the highest-ranked wolves and was clearly the centre of attention.

“Luna!” She jumped to her feet after she let Ria watch her succeed at moving in on her territory. “P-please forgive my rudeness! I s-swear I know my place!”

She was at it again.