Reclaiming My Broken Luna by Selene Souchon

Chapter 209: New Acquaintances Astrid's POV A smile formed on my face as I stared at Vannessa's little girl. Her blonde curls were a tangled mess, escaping from the bright pink headband that sat crookedly on her head. She wore a bright yellow dress with a cartoon unicorn in it. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes, which were just tired and sleepy, suddenly turned bright as she pointed a finger at her approaching father.

"Daddy!" she yelled as she ran towards her father with her tiny shoes, one pink and one blue.

"Oh look at her," Vanessa whispered to me. "I thought she had already used up her energy. I was so ready to get her to sleep." I chuckled when I heard Vanessa's words close to my ear.

"How is my little darling doing?" Vanessa's husband beamed energetically as he picked up his daughter, trying his best to match her energy.

Vanessa and her husband sweetly gazed at each other. By the depth of the look in their eyes, you can see how much they are in love with each other.

I think they are also secretly talking through their Pack link.

"Cwith me! Letintroduce you to my husband," Vanessa spoke happily.

I yelped when she suddenly laced her arm aroundand pulledtowards her husband before I could even say no to her.

I was about to complain about it, but the mirth in my eyes instantly vanished when it landed on Killian, who was standing silently beside Vanessa's husband.

Our arrival interrupted the important conversation that they were having.

"Astrid, this is my husband, Damien," Vanessa introduced him to me.

I met his gaze as I turned to look at him. Out of the blue, I noticed a flicker of unease in his eyes the moment our gazes connected.

I maintained a blank expression, pretending that I didn't notice it. I wonder what that was for.

I gave him a smile out of respect as the Alpha of the Crimsonbane Pack. "Alpha Damien, thank you for accepting our invitation," I spoke professionally.

"The pleasure is ours. We are so delighted to be included in the invited guests," Damien replied respectfully. Killian stood out like a sore thumb beside Alpha Damien, and I tried my best to keep my eyes on him. Alpha Damien and Luna Vanessa shared another look with each other. I think they could sense the friction betweenand Killian.

"I hope you are enjoying your stay here," I spoke up to steal their attention once again and to take their minds off fromand Killian. "I apologize for taking my leave early. I have to get going and talk to the other guests." I could only excuse myself and take the leave first. Things would only turn more tense and awkward if I stayed around Killian.

"You're leaving already?" Vanessa spoke in surprise. I met her gaze and saw how reluctant she was to letleave.

It's my first tmeeting her. I didn't expect to see such feelings from her. I gave her a small smile to make her feel at ease. "I'm so sorry. I really liked to stay here and talk with you, but it's my job to accommodate the guests and talk to them on behalf of our Alpha," I explained to her.

That's true, but not entirely my reason.

"Oh, right. I've been meaning to ask, but where is the Alpha?" Damien asked me.

I shifted my gaze to him. "Alpha Theron is coming. There was just an urgent matter that he needed to attend to." "Oh then, we shouldn't hold you back much longer," Damien replied.

"Astrid, let's see each other again tomorrow," Vanessa reached out for my hand and gavea smile.

As I walked out of their group, my mind lingered back to the reaction that Damien had when he first saw me. Although he was able to mask the surprise that flickered in his eyes, I could feel that there was something odd in the way he interacted with me. I just couldn't point out why he would feel different around me.

As far as I can remember, Alpha Damien and I haven't met before. I cannot think of any reason why he would be so odd around me.

"It seems that the Alpha really trusts you. I heard he had a son and a daughter yet he chose to give this task to you," I was pulled out of my thoughts when Giselle suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

Sure, this isn't my job to do, and I do not want this job either, but Alpha Theron could only depend onon this, so I had no choice.

Andros is busy with his own tasks, and Asha is unhappy with this event, so we cannot ask her to go out and do this.

I sighed as I lifted my gaze on her.

She had already lost in tauntingth earlier already. What is this now that she's playing? I think she's not going to stop unless she really gets what she wants, which is humiliating to me.

"It's because our Alpha values loyalty and competence over fleeting infatuations. Unlike some, I haven't built my position dn whispers and stoelen affections," I shot back in a calm tone. Giselle's carefully painted smile cracked, the porcelain mask of composure shattering like a cheap trinket. Her eyes, which were usually shimmering with calculated charm, now narrowed to icy slits, reflecting the fury that surged through her.

Blood rushed to her cheeks, painting them a fiery crimson that clashed with her chosen shade of lipstick.

"Stolen affections?" she hissed venomously. "You think I'm not competent? That's rich coming from someone who... Giselle paused as she struggled to find a suitable counter-argument. My words had hit a nerve, exposing the insecurity and guilt that she was trying to mask.