Chapter 6 Owe Me Three Times

Kayla I was stunned, unable to say a word. What the hell? Why was Nicholas calling me his Luna? The room seemed to blur around me as whispers and gasps erupted from the crowd. Looking at everyone’s expressions, it was clear that they all felt fooled by me and Nicholas. Accusing eyes bore into me from every direction, but I couldn’t focus on any of them. My mind was racing, trying and failing to make sense of what was happening. Nicholas took my hand in his, pulling me back to reality. At that moment, he seemed like the perfect gentleman descended from the heavens. I could guarantee that if he proposed like this to any other woman, they would be crying tears of joy. But not me. I wasn’t about to accept my fate just like that. “I never—” I began, trying to pull my hand away. But before I could finish, Nicholas pulled me closer, pressing me against his broad chest. His lips brushed against my ear as he whispered in a low voice. “Consider your debt repaid and then some,” he whispered. “You can ask anything from me, including helping you take back your pack.” My heart raced, and my brain spun, calculating the feasibility of his words. I had only just met the man yesterday, and the rumors I’d heard about him were… not good, to say the least. To Liam, Nicholas was a good-for-nothing loser who would never make a good Alpha. And even in the eye of the public, people saw him as a playboy with no scruples. I mean, just yesterday, he had invited me back to his room within minutes of meeting me! And yet… I had accepted his invitation. Willingly. And… I owed him. And if I did this, then he would owe me plus some. It could save Bluemoon from going to the guild. It would keep Liam from getting my pack. “Fine,” I whispered back, narrowing my eyes. “But you owe me three times over.” He smirked slightly, an expression that was quickly going from charming to infuriating. “Done.” And just like that, Nicholas wrapped his arm around my waist, turning to face the crowd. He looked down confidently at all of the werewolves assembled. “Any objections?” he challenged, his voice echoing through the grand hall. Silence fell over the room. The Elders exchanged uneasy glances, and murmurs rippled through the guests, but no one dared to speak up. Nicholas began walking with me toward the high platform at the front of the hall. As we moved, I could feel hundreds of eyes following us. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my head held high, refusing to show any weakness. Maybe later I could cry and pound my fists on my pillow, cursing the Moon Goddess, but not now. As we passed through the crowd, I caught sight of Liam once again. His eyes were glowing red with anger, seemingly accusing me of betrayal. His jaw was clenched tight, and a vein throbbed at his temple. Bastard, I thought. The audacity of him to feel wronged when he was the one who cheated on me. I gave him a disdainful glance, almost relieved that I discovered how disgusting he was before the wedding rather than after. I supposed I dodged a bullet with that one. I kept walking until I was face to face with Liam’s biological mother, Isabella. Dressed in an extravagant purple gown, she looked every bit the regal matriarch that she always pretended to be—even though she was just as bad as her son. I smiled sweetly at her. “I’m still your daughter-in-law, aren’t I?” I said, letting a hint of sarcasm lace my words. Her face turned a shade of purple that almost matched her dress. “You insolent girl,” she hissed. “How dare you—” But before she could finish, Nicholas simply tugged me closer and guided me forward. I knew Isabella despised me when I was with Liam, just because I was wolfless. I had tolerated her contempt for Liam’s sake, enduring her cutting remarks at every family dinner, every social gathering. But now, with Nicholas by my side—and knowing how much he hated his stepmother—I didn’t have to hide my true feelings anymore. That was one good thing to come of this, I supposed. We ascended the steps to the high platform, where the Elders and guildsmen were still standing in shock. Nicholas extended his hand toward me once more. I elegantly placed my hand in his, lifting my silk skirt slightly as I stepped up beside him. “Well?” Nicholas asked, turning to the Elders. “Are we going to complete the ceremony, or what?” The Elders exchanged incredulous glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Elder Connor, who had just been at my home trying to take my pack from me last night, cleared his throat and stepped forward. “The… The ceremony continues!” the Elder announced. The murmurs subsided as the ritual began. Nicholas stood tall beside me, exuding confidence and strength. I stole a glance at him, wondering what was going through his mind. Why was he doing this? What did he stand to gain from making his half-brother’s ex his new Luna? The Elders recited the ancient words of the ritual, calling upon the spirits of our ancestors. I tried to focus, but my thoughts were scattered. I felt like I was going through the motions, my body taking over for me. Somewhere, distantly, Nicholas’s hand tightened around mine. I glanced at him out of the corners of my eyes, but he wasn’t looking at me. Surely our… brief encounter yesterday wasn’t enough to make him fall for me. It certainly didn’t seem like it, and yet, the warmth of his hand around mine was undeniable. The Elder turned to us, raising his hands. “As the Moon Goddess watches over us, we witness the union of the Alpha and Luna of Nightshade pack…” Finally, an attendant dressed in a long blue gown approached, carrying a silver tray in her hands. On it lay a necklace and a ring, both gleaming beneath the swinging chandeliers overhead. A soft bluish glow emanated from the stones. Moonstone. “This is the Moonstone Necklace and the Moon Ring passed down to the Luna of Nightshade Pack,” the Elder proclaimed. “Please, the esteemed Kayla Sterling, accept these symbols of your new role. And thus, accept Alpha Nicholas Reynolds, Alpha of Nightshade pack, as your mate.” I stared at the sparkling items in the tray, my eyes widening slightly. The necklace was exquisite—a delicate chain holding a crescent moon pendant encrusted with tiny diamonds and centered with a luminous moonstone. The ring matched perfectly, its band engraved with ancient runes. I looked up, meeting the expectant gaze of the Elder, the curious stares of the crowd, and the intense amber eyes of Nicholas. Everyone was waiting. All I had to do was accept the jewelry, let Nicholas put it on me, and then… We would be Alpha and Luna together. During those moments, time seemed to slow to a crawl. My mind raced as I stared down at the tray in front of me. The world fell away, leaving nothing but me, Nicholas, and that damned jewelry. I swallowed hard and slowly pulled my gaze away from the tray. I couldn’t do it. “No,” I blurted out, my voice cutting through the silence. A collective gasp echoed through the hall. The Elder blinked in confusion. “I’m sorry?” “I refuse,” I said more firmly, taking a step back. “I can’t accept this jewelry.”