"Bella," Leila whispered on awe, covering her mouth in delight. Her eyes twinkled as they ran over me, squealing in joy.

"It's not much, but I like it. It's nice, don't you think?" I ask her, giving a little twirl and then a following curtsy.

"Anchio!" She laughed, leaning over.

"What does that mean?" I raise an eye at her as I turn towards the mirror to see myself.

"It means me too. I also like it." I fidget with the belt of the dress, hoping it would rest better on my torso than my chest. "You know, it'll be better if you learn Italian soon. Everyone here speaks it. It the main language of the Pack."

"I know, but how do I learn? I have no teacher and I myself haven't heard anyone speak it," I acknowledge, playing with my hair in the mirror.

Maybe if I part it from both sides, I tell June -who was lazily dozing off in the back of my mind like the lazy ass she is.

"They don't speak it with you my Luna," she said reluctantly, twirling with her thumbs. "They choose to speak English with you because-,"

She trailed off, sighing heavily. I study her expression carefully from the reflection. Avoiding eye contact, fidgeting with her fingers, mouth twitching. Bad news alert. "Please carry on." I promote, even though I knew I would regret it.

"Because it was an order by Alpha Damon," she whispered in an inaudible voice, which luckily I caught the second it came out from the tip of her mouth.

I was thinking of a response, and I had one ready but I kept mum. It wasn't her fault. "So, what's your overall say about the dress?"

"It's fabulous," she chirped, rising from the bed. It was a nice bright red dress with a high neck, elbow high sleeves and a thick adjustable waist belt with a dangling golden zipper. The skirt ended a bit lower from my private parts but the black net tights covered them well all the way down to my feet, where they meet my pencil heels.

It was elegant as well as casual, so I approved of it fairly quickly the second my eyes landed on it. "Do you want me to help you with your hair my Luna?"

"Um no thanks, I'm good." I shake my head with a kind smile. "Go get yourself ready."

"Okay," Leila sprang from the bed and made her way to the exit. She paused a foot away from threshold for a brief second. "The straighter and curlers in the second drawer along with all the other hair styling products."

I nod while taking a seat in front of my dresser, and she leaves, gentling tapping the door behind her. Luckily for the past 2 days, Leila's helped me hunt down the perfect dress for my Pack appearance, buy and pack all the gifts on my given list, have them shipped. and helped me write over a dozen Joyeux Noel letters.

She was like an Angel from heaven I swear. Damon had been on the night shift for the last 2 days, so I never saw him but it wasn't me complaining here. June was ripping and thrashing to get control, but I held my restraint tight, receiving a major headache and mouthful of curses in return.

Alas, there was no escaping him here. As much as I was anxious for the appearance, I was more stressed when I couldn't remember my mom's necklace that Xavier had gifted me. My head even hurt way to much for me to think so after shedding a couple of tears and messaging Lia for aid, I did my under eye makeup again to cover the mascara stains.

I had just drawn open the door to the second drawer, when a small red velvet box with a giant rosy pink bow caught my eye from the corner of the drawer. Hesitatingly, I pick it and tug on the bow till it fell limp under my fingers.

I gasp, and drop the lid in surprise. Inside, was my mom's necklace with the glass sparkling as if it were brand new or replaced and the metal like chain dazzled as if it were gently polished.

Tears of joy swell form the corner of my eye but I wipe them furiously. I had just done my make up for a second time and I didn't want it to become a third time either.

When my joy had started settling, I chain the necklace around my neck, and gaze in the mirror for awhile, twirling with the chain. Someone had to remind me to say thank you to Leila, or else, I would never forgive myself. She had done so much.

Blinking the tears away and before bringing out the curler, I tuck away the necklace under my dress and then began my loose curls. 15 minutes and 9 songs later, I was done.

I was about to get up when I wonder if I could find some hairspray to maintain the curls for the night. One by one, I rip through each drawer till I found one with another package neatly wrapped in velvet but this time it was green, with no bow.

How many gifts will Leila give?

Oh my god! Haven't you ever heard the phrase "if someone's giving, quit your whining and start accepting!" June scolded me.

Not sorry, I haven't, I reply flatly.

I shift it between my palms and weight it, trying to sense the texture. It had a light sort of weight for something so small, smooth and rectangular. Curiosity getting the better of me, I tug loose the corners and let the wrapping fall limp just as the first gift.

Unlike the first gift where I was overjoyed, this one just left me puzzled. It was book, a journal of some sort, that had a battered leather spine which was starting to fray and yellowish stained corners. The word "AMORE" stood out from the middle of the front cover -which obviously was some Italian word, carved some way into the cover and inked in with jet black ink.

Feeling an uneasy and sudden cramp from the edge of my waist, the book slips from my palm back into the drawer. My hand instantly falls over the area as I rise and bump the drawer, sending it slamming shut. Cursing, I race to the washroom as fast as my heels took me and lock the door shut.

Feeling another cramp burn from my stomach, I curse again and sit on the toilet. I feel warm gush between my legs and my cheeks burn red. Just when I was about to unlock the door to get some feminine products, I hear the bedroom door click open with a trail of slow footsteps and a mild perfume.

"Hey Leila," I call out from against the door. The footsteps stopped dead. "Hey Leila, I know this might be awkward to ask you and all but I dont really have a choice, so ya. Could you pretty please help a fellow a girl out and pass me a pad from my bag on the dresser."

I dont either hear a response or shuffling of items from my bag, so I add, "Look, I know I ask you for lot and all, but you're the only friend I got here, so I dont really have a choice."

I rethink what I had just said and cringe by how harsh I must have sounded. "I mean, you have a choice to either help or not and I definitely dont, but I was wondering if you could please. Just this one time. You can probably imagine how desperate sound but I could really use your help."

I hear dead silence for a moment or two and then the shuffling of a bag catches my ear. A smile lights my face as I hear a single tap on the door. I couldn't face Leila like this, so I deliberately open just enough for the pad to slide through. The sickly sweet scent of pine cones came rushing in, but I discarded it for the scent of my old perfume bottle I always keep in my bag.

Bright pink wrapping with golden swirls and blue flowers had barely made it about an inch in when I had snatched it, locking the door shut without saying a mutter of thanks. When I rethought about my actions, I was about to say something when I heard the door slam shut.

Promising myself to make it up to Leila, I quickly use the toilet. Leila had reminded me twice that at exactly 7:30, Damon would show up to escort me down to the hall. She also surprisingly added, he was very punctual whenever time was involved.

The lingering scent was humming in the air when I had open the door and yes, that was the first thing I noticed. The second was, no doubt, the time: 7:45 on the large modernised clock plastered just above my dresser.

"Punctual my ass," I scoff. The squeaking of the door, silenced me as I was left breathless. There he stood -dressed completely in a dark shade of black matching his hair, one arm bend forward and upward to his goddess like chin with the other hand fixing that cuff.

Xavier's words came running back. It means my dear sister, you," he grasped my shoulders gently. "are on the early stages of falling in love."

His hair reflecting bits of white from light while his eyes just widen when they landed on me. I clear my throat, pretending to itch an area just behind my ear just so I can have an excuse to look away.

"If you like what you see, there's no use trying to hide it," he said smoothly, when my head was facing away from him.

I squeeze my eyes and relief a heavy sigh buried deep within my throat. Love my ass. "I never said I liked what I saw. In fact, how can you be so certain I even do?"

My eyes betrayed me as I look towards him, falling for his trance once again. His gorgeously smooth looking hair, which I'd rather prefer tousled than slick, his tight muscles bulging beneath his suit, light stubble crowning his angelic jawline upholding that devilish smirk.

Not this time, I remind June, who was past the point of drooling and on the stage of being knocked out completely.

"I don't blame you if you are," he grinned, walking up to me. "I'm just way to good to be not."

I roll my eyes with a hmph sound. "Do you plan on wasting my precious time here with your so-called ego, or do you party to host and that wasn't a petty excuse to get me dressed."

"Do you think I would lie about that?" He inquired dangerously, standing up straight in front of me. His hands were fished into his pockets of his pants and his heavy cologne was stinking off him.

"You never know," I cluck my tongue, looking straight into his black holes. "People in this Pack can be very -inappropriate," I reach out and adjust his tie which happened to be a bit crooked, allowing the sparks to shoot up, "And selfish when it comes to matters like this. Personally, it's none of my business but since I'm the Luna, it bothers me a great lot."

His eyes lower into mine with a settle frown. He could've easily overpower me if he'd liked, like on the day of the wedding when he had locked my hands behind my very own back. My eyes remain transfixed with his as they swallowed me whole.

"Shall we, or do you have a plan on keeping your own Pack waiting?" I pat his chest, breaking the silence and sweeping right past him before he could have the chance to say another word.

I had just made it to the threshold when a hand came from behind to keep me in my place. A pair of darkened eyes with glowing pupils appeared from my side, shoving me up against the wall.

"You know," he stroked one of my cheek down all the way until he made his way to my waist. "Your face says it all."

I hadn't realised the chain of fire crackers being lit until he squeezed my waist, to the point where his claws were digging in and it made my eyes swell. A moan was on the tip of my tongue but I held it back desperately. I couldn't show my weakness to the enemy. His perfectly arched lips were close but not close enough for me to grasp. Thank the lord for that.

He slid his index finger under my chin to push it up, my wet eyes facing his and the urge to kiss him unexpectedly quick. Expecting those every perfectly cupid lip to come upon mine any second, I allow my eyes to close shut. The sound of hand coming off the the wall, restored my sight just as he brushed my hair aside from the crook of my neck that bared his mark.

Damon then forcefully tilted my head, and tugged on the collar of my dress until the fabric was lightly loosened so he could peek in. His calculating gaze studied my mark intensely. "Good to see it healed."

I shove his arms aside, from my waist and mark both. Glaring at his face, I reply "Good to the person who should be caring, actually caring for once. Its a nice sudden change."

A smirk rose upon his lips. "If I wanted to care for someone, I do my ultimately best at it." He winked, showing me enough of his much of a fuckboy he truly was.

"I meant that in the UN-sexual way," I retort. He rolled his dreamy eyes, making my heart flutter for some reason.

"Shall we?" Damon ran his hands through his hair before bending his arm for me to latch on. He also additionally added when I still hadn't place my arm, "I won't bite just yet. Promise, well," He reconsidered for a second, "maybe not in any places where you dont prefer."

"Oh god, I'll regret this," I mutter, grabbing his arm with my nails first. Fireworks lit up path with more intensity than before, shocking us both equally. His scent encircled me, dulling my senses and easing my anxiety. I didn't even know I was anxious until my chest oddly felt relieved and light.

Spots dotted my vision while each and every light in the room, flickered with each blink, and my hearing intensified by a million. You could say I almost was drunk on Damon because that's how I felt.

I didn't even know when we had reached downstairs, and Damon was slipping from my arms. "Dam-"

Before I could finish saying his name, he had left me with 3 other men following behind him. He just left me. Unbelievable.

"Aw, looks like our Luna just got ditched by the Alpha. So sad," I hear some girl from the corner snicker. She had filthy blond hair and a drink in one hand with a cigarette in the other and tats covering her entire right arm.

I turn away, feeling my anxiety rising again. The lights were all off, all except for the blinking flashes of neon lights that were appearing in flashes from the window stall. She exhaled and the smell of smoke made my stomach churn. I felt the urge to cover my mouth, and sensation where I might puke. Next thing I know I'm running like a mad man when I accidentally collided into someone at the end of the hall.

"Oh, Leila! You scared the living shit out of me," I breathe, holding the wall for support. The lighting was better but not much. She was in a black and white waitress uniform with a petite round skirt, that ended where you could see the start of the fishnet stockings -which were pinching her upper thigh. "What are you wearing?"

"Nevermind me my Luna," she ushered me into the kitchen, away from the patio door where the loud music was pounding from. I couldn't see past the door because of the strings of plastic sheets covering the opening to the outsides world, but I could tell it was a wild crowd. Neon lights were flashing everywhere while trays and trays of alcohol were lined up against the countertops, all ready to be served like a rave party instead of a Christmas.

"The Alphas looking for you." She said, with concerned eyes.

"No he isn't," I stop in my tracks and twirl to face her. "He ditched me back here."

"Cause an issue had arisen," she defended. "Now go find him and make that impression that you born to make."

Sighing tiredly, I wrap my sweaty palm around my mothers necklace. I could do this. "What in hell do you think you are doing here?" Kaden pops in from the patio doors madly. He was also dressed in a tux -but a more classic black one with a white dress shirt and its first few buttons undone. I could've also sworn I saw a hickey or two blistering around his neck.

"I was just-"

"No time," he said in a tired tone, grasping my wrist effortlessly, pulling me off in the opposite direction of the music. "Hey, the parties that way."

"Not for the appearance it isnt." Kaden seethed, yanking me around the stairs, and into some dark hallway that lead to a welly lit room at the end. The doors were just parted enough in order for the hallway to not be considered neglected. "Remember when Hunter explained how our Pack works?"

"Oh sure," I bit my lip." This Pack was originally originated as an inbuilt hierarchy with the big bad wolf as the dictator. Am I correct?"

"Stop," Kaden threatened with his eyes burning. Anger management needed for this Pack ASAP. "You're about to make an appearance out here, so for the love of god, stop acting so immature. One single wrong move and you'll be toast," He spat, resting in between words.

"Now. How does our Pack function?" He asked in a slightly calmer tone than before but sadly for him I wasn't convinced.

I grit my teeths from screaming the words out. "They're evaluated on their abilities and then ranked upon those abilities." I mechanically said.

"Yes correct, but in your case," he pointed, "that doesn't make difference. They don't care about your ability or anything like that. They care of your rank. The Luna. Usually second in control after the Alpha himself but like before, it doesn't make a difference. Damon will always remain first and you behind him, and if you wish to be heard, you must always find yourself behind him always. That's the only way you'll be heard in front of them."

"Them?" I ask, and he gives me that don't-you-know look.

"Yes them. The head of each Rank darling," he informed. "Your appearance is for them, not those lousy drunk jocks back at the disco who can't manage to keep their alcohol in their stomach for a night and girls who can't resist from spreading their legs in every dark corner they get."

"What if they don't?" I step forward, away from the shadow of the stairway. "What if all their egoistic asses are way to big for their minds to process, then what? Do I make a petty speech about my issues and present that to Damon with oh I don't know. A mind map to show my brainstorming and essay to support my theory on 'why the population of this Pack might prefer me dead?'"

"Then you do what you must. Remember the day when you tried to cover your mark?" He said softly, grasping my wrist tighter. "How you tried to cover his mark because you were utterly disgusted by thought of it simply being shown? How you thought that was a sign of weakness. Well like that day, I'll say this again. Power is essential here, and you must have a desire for more if you wish to stay on the top."

If that said, his hand and eyes fell from mine as he headed down the hallway with his footsteps heavily being dragged into the room at the end where the laughter and chatter was rising from. I slummed against the wall, my heart hammering the only thing audible to my ears and with my heels threatening to give in. After multiple deep breathes, I muster the courage to rise and take baby steps in the direction of room.

With my heart quickening as I approached closer, I gently push the doors apart to be greeted with a totally different scene from the kitchen which made my heart gasp.

The floors tiles were perfectly arranged to the RedBlood Crest in pitch black tiles at the center of the room as the center of attraction with rings and rings of other colored tiles surrounding the center. Lavishing white marble pillars were embedded around the edges of the room to hold the second floor which also had matching foyers rising up in each corner.

A fire cackled at one end of the room with a beautiful olden chandelier shining over the center as waiters serving trays of milder alcohol than the kitchen swept past, offering to both anyone without a glass or with an empty glass.

People here had their most elegant and expensive attires adorning them. Ladies wore long, silk-like gowns that had a spilt down on or both legs, with wickedly long heels that could poke an eye out. Men wore their best basic suits, with their usual million dollar smile and golden laughter. I gulp down the saliva gone cold. My fear of being overdress suddenly became underrated.

I stepped forward into the light, just to be greeted back with a shove into the shadows again. "Hey!"

"Oh she speaks! What a delight," she wore a completely silk dress which had a major split running from her thighs down to her toes and golden heels thinner than anything Ive ever seen. It was a surprise she could even walk straight in those.

Her hands were interlocked down on front her as she examined me with a curious eye. Her eyes. Don't even get me started. Her eyes were traced with black, and patted down with heavy glitter and her false lashes battering with each blink. Her long jet black hair was straightened behind her, in a long black sway moving with her head.

"So you're the Luna," she said more as a statement than a question.

"If I say yes, will you bother to explain why the hell you shoved me back when I was trying to come forward?" I try to sound threatening. Her sharp knife like eyes flash up to mine.

She gives a wicked laugh, her hair swaying with her hips. "Isn't it obvious. I have a proposal for you."

I unwillingly groaned. "You know, the last time someone had a proposal for me, I was being forcefully being stuffed into a wedding dress like a turkey being prepared for thanksgiving, so no thank you. Keep the proposal to yourself."

"But it's for your benefit," she lies innocently just when I had my back to her, "But I understand if you wish otherwise."

Her heels hadn't twirled around when I burst out saying, "Wait. What is it?"

A smile of satisfaction burst upon her lips, as she brushed some astray hair away from her cheek. "I can keep Damon away from you."

"What makes you think I want that?" I curve my fist. Sure I hated him but away?

"Your face says it all," she told me, giving a sense of a déjà vu of earlier in the room with Damon. Guess I was awful with facial expressions. "But really. Even a blind person can sense your chemistry with him. You two have no similarities, no emotional bond, no feelings, no nothing. From what I've observed, you two have no chemistry whatsoever."

Chemistry? She looks likes she won't even know the definition of chemistry herself and she's lecturing us on it? June growled, Who the F does she think she is?

I stare off and beyond. She wasn't lying, but again -away? Kadens word came bursting up in my mind.

"Damon will always remain first and you behind him, and if you wish to be heard, you must always find yourself behind him. That's the only way you'll be heard in front of them."

"Who are you even? From what I remember, you never said your name," I happened to just realize when June mentioned it.

She rose an eye, her lashes battering, "Stephanie."

So she was Stephanie. The horny chick from Damon's phone in the hospital and the chick who poisoned me by threatening Leila. "So you're Stephanie."

"The one and only," she purred gracefully, arching her head in a mocking way.

"Yeah. The one and only to poison me on my first day by scaring the living crap out of Leila," I add for her just as gracefully as she said.

She clucked her tongue. "So you're going to me the enemy here while that stinky omega becomes your friend, what has the world come too?"

"Care to elaborate?" Stephanie was really starting to get on my nerves here.

"I mean, why make that pathetic thing with no power or rank your friend when you can make me as one? I have it all. Killer looks, power, rank, money -what not? Be with me, and I can make people respect you."

"You'll make them fear me, not respect me and that's not a true Luna." I explain gravely with sharp eyes. "There's a major difference in between them."

"If I only knew you were going to sympathetic for her," she sighs tiredly.

"It's not called being sympathetic, it's called being nice, which you probably haven't been in awhile," she overlooks me.

"You haven't seen my kindness just yet," she taunted.

"Last time I checked, poisoning someone's drink with Wolfsbane isn't counted as an act of kindness," I inform her.

"That wasn't me," Stephanie warned with a wave her index finger, "that was Leila."

"No," I said, "it was you. You threatened her to do it."

"Well, Leila was found at the scene, not me," she defends, "and besides, she was punished for it anyway, so can we please get over that?"

"She was what?" I gape in horror. "What did you do?"

"I never did anything," her eyes glinting with mischief, "because Damon handled it. He gave what that bitch deserved but for me. Personally I felt he could've done more but how much can you argue?"

"What did you do?" I repeat this time a bit more furiously. My fist which was instinctively curled up was begging for a punch. Even June was was ready to lash out any second.

"Nothing," she smirked. "Because like I said. Damon handled it but obviously he wouldn't tell you, would he now? "

She circled around me until she was directly behind me. "She was given 20 lashes and 48 hours of silvering."

"What's silvering?" I ask stupidly with tears stinging my eyes.

She gave a high pitch howl of laugher. "When you're chained with silver bracelets that are also laced with silver ashes for additional suffering, tied over your wrists, feet and neck. You wear those and simply carry on with your life style. One of Damon's marvelous creations, so thank him."

"Oh my god," I gasp, "How could you?"

"I never did anything. She was found on the scene and she was accused for it and punished, so we're done here," she clasps her hand. "Now, back to business. I said I had a proposal and you've heard and now you tell me your final answer. There's no need to overthink it."

"You said you'd keep Damon away from me but what's in it for you? That's what I've thinking," I said slyly, "Maybe, with me out you'll have Damon to yourself."

"That's the plan," she agreed, with a nod.

"And," I add, "and you'll have Damon under your control which means, whatever the Luna does will be given to you and eventually with Damon's consent, you'll have me permanently removed from the position of Luna. Is that the plan you're referring too?"

Stephanie pursed her lips tightly, eyeing me darkly. "So you're not half as dumb as you look. Good to know. So I take it as you reject the proposal?"

You better or else I swear- June threatens angrily.

"Obviously. Like you said, I'm not as half dumb as I look," I repeat her wordings back at her. I wasn't only rejecting it because being the slut she is, she was asking for my Mate, but also to prove Kaden I was also in the game of power.

"Think again," she warns, turning her back to me and beginning to walk away, "I don't offer my friendship twice."

"That's not called friendship," I laugh madly, loudly enough for her hear without wolf hearing and over her heels clicking loudly, "that's called a proposal." .....