His Blue Moon Princess
His Sunshine Baby Chapter 23

I just can't stop playing with my hair, so restless. I'm anxious beyond words, yet I have no idea what it is exactly. This is stupid. Levi is eyeing me intensely from across the room, but I try to do my best to ignore him.

It's Friday, the big day, and Moon Goddess, everyone is on edge. About a dozen people are standing in the room, waiting. Clark is talking to his Beta, Isabel, and to a couple of their lieutenants behind them. The rest of us are standing around with nothing to do. I recheck the clock. Only a few minutes left... I shouldn't be so nervous! It's nothing, just a dinner with the Black Brothers, maybe a walk around our turf and that's it. I should barely have any occasion to talk to Nate, right?

I check the expressions around me. Aside from our Alpha, his Beta and a handful of lieutenants, there are only me, Levi, my uncle Xavier, my cousins Iris and Chris, and Clark's two godsons, Eric and Orpheus. Everyone looks serious, some impatient, some nervous. Among them, I notice my cousin Iris looks prettier than ever. Her lavender hair is styled into a complicated braid, and she is wearing a gorgeous white dress. She's even wearing a pink quartz necklace and matching earrings. I guess the rumors about my uncle wanting to introduce her to the Black brothers were true... Compared to her, my outfit is rather casual. I picked a red leather skirt and a denim shirt, the right balance between adequately dressed and not too much. I only hope I won't have to stand for much longer, those damn heels are killing me...

Aside from us, all the guys are wearing shirts and dark pants, which I think is more than enough for a simple dinner. I mean, I do believe the whole silverware, and the large table is a bit too much, but...

We finally hear a car stopping in the street, and people coming out. As they said, a few of their people are in their wolf form. Nothing alarming, though, when they come in, I realize their group is smaller than I expected. I count five wolves and six humans. Of course, I notice Nate right away, leading the group. He only walks a few steps, and I miss a heartbeat. Damn, why did he have to look so good...

He put his blond hair back, showing off his mature traits and mesmerizing blue eyes. A magazine-worth face, handsome and attractive. He's wearing this terribly tempting white shirt again too, slightly open on his chest. Inevitably, memories of this perfectly sculpted chest under my fingers come back to me. Damn, if only he wore a necktie or something... I try to look away while Clark salutes him politely. Right behind him is his younger brother, which he introduces as Liam Black. The two brothers do have some similar features when I really look for it, but very few. Their faces look different, they stature as well. Liam's hair is pitch black, and his eyes are more of a blue-ish grey. Moreover, the teenager didn't put in as much effort as Nate, wearing only a grey t-shirt and denim pants. "Welcome, M. Black, to our humble turf."

"Your Clan is very esteemed and with good reasons, M.Hamilton, thank you for having us. I know it was an abrupt request on our part, but we deeply appreciate," replies Nate with this angelic smile of his. A wolf in a sheep's clothing...

"Our pleasure. We are not used to having visitors, but please make yourselves comfortable. First, can I introduce my Beta, Isabel..."

With this, Clark starts introducing the lieutenants one by one to Nathaniel and his suite. They greet and shake hands, all of this is terribly ceremonial and somewhat awkward, but everyone is going along with it. Behind Nate, no one else is talking. Only a guy behind him is smiling amiably, but everyone else is silent and expressionless so far. I stay quiet and as composed as I can. Clark introduces Xavier quickly as the Opale Moon Alpha, and Iris and Chris as his children then moves on to us.

"And finally, those three are my godchildren. Eric, Isabel's son, Orpheus, our most promising hunter, and Elena, our best fighter."

"Nice to meet you all."

While saying this, Nathaniel's eyes meet Eric's, then Orpheus' and finally, mine. For a second, I feel a wave of heat rising in me. Is it me or his pupils suddenly got darker? His intense stare on me only lasts a couple of seconds, but he has this slight smile on while looking at me, and all of a sudden, I'm thrown into a turmoil of emotions.

Moon Goddess, I try to hide my feelings, but I'm so shaken right now. If it wasn't for all the people surrounding us right now, I might run away! Runaway from him, his tempting eyes and devilish body! But I don't say a thing and just nod politely. Ignore his eyes, Elena, just ignore it...

"Well, let me introduce my party. As you know, this is my younger brother, Liam. My Beta, Isaac Graves. And here are three of our lieutenants, Joshua Hale, Vanessa Lockwood, and Tonia Mura."

Clark politely salutes them. They have two women accompanying them as well. Both Tonia and Vanessa are obviously fighters, judging by their lean body, practical leather outfits, and serious expressions. My inner wolf is curious to see how good they are, though they appear as weaker. Tonia is Beta, and Vanessa is a natural Alpha... Not that I observe them more intensely, it seems everyone in their group is either Beta or Alpha, like us. But the King and his Beta are not here, and I can tell Xavier and Clark are a bit disappointed about that.

They keep chatting, some basic information about the Packs hierarchy and turf. Meanwhile, I can't help but notice Nathaniel's eyes sometimes shift from Clark to look over his shoulder, right at me. And every time, I feel my wolf reacting, like a magnetic attraction, some spell I can't help but answer to. I try to avoid his stare, but even while looking somewhere else, I feel those two blue eyes piercing a hole through me.

"Well, we have a nice dinner waiting for us! I don't want to brag, but we have some of the finest cooks, and I heard you were quite a gourmet, M. Black."

"I plead guilty. And I'm all the more curious about your cuisine, with all these cultures you have mixed here, Clark."

Looks like I missed the moment when he started calling our Alpha by his first name... But Clark doesn't say anything and invites everyone to sit. To our surprise, Liam Black picks the seat right next to Clark, while Nate seats at the opposite. For a few seconds, no one is sure where to seat, until that woman, Tonia, suddenly offers me the seat right next to hers.

I would probably have said yes right away if it wasn't also the one right next to Nate. But everyone is watching, and I just can't say no.

Trying to focus my attention on the female warrior, I sit down, and almost immediately, she starts chatting with me about fighting techniques. Apparently, Clark introducing me as the best warrior caught her attention. I'm only too happy to chat with her and do my best to ignore Nate sitting on my left.

Moreover, he is talking about cuisine with Clark and doesn't seem to pay any attention to me. That's alright with me so far!

The starters are served, and Nathaniel exchanges a few comments with Isabel, who did most of the cooking for today. He really is a gourmet as he said, talking about each dish with expertise. He stays surprisingly polite and friendly towards our Beta, though, complimenting her menu.

I reach out my hand to help Chris serve wine around us. However, I suddenly freeze halfway. Did he just...? I turn towards Nate, but he is still talking with Isabel. I swear I felt his fingers on my leg. Maybe he didn't do it voluntarily? I mean, the seats are quite close to each other. I decide to ignore what just happened and pour a few drinks. When I put down the bottle and reach for my glass, though, I feel it again.

This time I know for sure. Nathaniel's fingers brushed my knee again under the tablecloth, and it can't possibly be by mistake. His whole body is turned towards Isabel! I frown. What the hell is he playing at! There are about twenty people around this table! But as I look around, it's obvious nobody noticed. Actually, it would be hard to. The table is large and rectangular, with a dark tablecloth, and all of the seats are very close to one another. Even if Nathaniel's hand ventures under the table, it would take someone sitting directly behind us to notice, and there's nothing but a wall and an old chimney. Moon Goddess... And everyone is busy with their own conversations, too. Tonia is exchanging with one of our lieutenants facing her, and she has no idea. No one does! I take a large gulp of red wine, hoping to conceal my emotions somehow. But Nathaniel's hand come to my leg again, and I stiffen up a little, anxious. I feel his fingers gently brushing my skin, right where my skirt stops... Why the hell did I choose to wear a skirt! I feel myself blushing, and his fingers go back and forth on my inner thigh, tracing invisible lines and making me crazy. He's barely touching me, yet I'm hot like a furnace. I want to run away, but.... Damn, this is also terribly electrifying. I don't even think of pushing his hand away. I bet he would if I did anything. I know I should, but I can't bring myself to do anything.

His full hand is now caressing my thigh, and I just don't move an inch of my lower body. I'm so hot... I drink more wine, and suddenly catch Levi's eye. He's in a conversation with Eric, but he just looked at me naturally. What is it?

Nothing.

He slightly frowns, but I smile the most natural and turn towards Tonia as if I was following their conversation. Moon Goddess, after the scolding Levi gave Daniel and me, if he knew Nate is actually caressing my leg at that very moment... I did notice him frowning when I sat next to him, but Tonia was the one asking, so he couldn't possibly have said a thing. Moreover, technically Nate and I didn't exchange a word since our introductions. He resumes his conversation with Eric, and I try to blend in with Tonia and the little group discussing her. Nate has moved on to talking with Orpheus and Clark, but his hand won't leave me.

Actually, his fingers are playing with the end of my skirt. I want to move badly, but I'm too afraid I would give anything away. I really, really shouldn't, for Moon Goddess' sake... "Elena!"

I turn my head and realize Isabel was calling me.

"Sorry, Isa?"

"I was asking if you were ok, sweetie. Is the wine too strong? You're a bit red."

Oh s**t. Isa's words suddenly bring me down to earth, and Nate's hand is gone too. I smile at her, looking a bit sorry.

"Can I excuse myself for a second? I want to refresh myself..."

"Go ahead, Elena. Can you bring a new bottle on your way back?"

"...Sure, Isa."

I try to control my steps and not leave the room too fast. It's so hot in there, and I need to get as far as I can from Nate and his hands! When I finally reach the bathroom, I rush to splash my face with cold water, clearing up my ideas. You stupid, stupid girl! What the hell was I thinking!

I catch my breath, looking at myself in the mirror. Calm down, Elena, calm down...

But then I suddenly catch a glimpse of two electric blue eyes in that reflection. "I really like that skirt."