His Blue Moon Princess
Chapter 48

While in the car, I'm still sending annoyed looks at Liam. I hate when he plays with my nerves like that! And he's doing it on purpose, I know it. Even now, he won't bother to hide his smirk. I growl at him. Bobo is driving, and no one is saying a word. I'm too nervous to talk, to be honest. I have no idea what to expect. While I'm imagining several scenarios, Liam's phone rings. He picks up right away after seeing the number. "Hi, Nate. What's up?"

I can hear his brother talking, asking him to make an effort and show up at the party. Liam starts smiling. He lets his brother speak for a while before interrupting him. "Don't worry Nate, I'm coming. I'm on my way." "...You are? Really?"

"Yup."

A silence follows, and I can imagine Nathaniel's suspicious look from here. Liam is smiling from ear to ear.

"... You are not going to come wearing jeans or something, are you?" Asks Nathaniel.

"No, I'm dressed as I should be, tuxedo and everything."

"You don't have a tuxedo."

"I just bought it. A very expensive and good-looking one."

"So you're the one who stole Damian's card!"

Liam laughs.

"Liam... I told you to stop doing that," sighs Nathaniel. "You have your own money."

"My pocket money is not enough to pay a tuxedo and a luxury dress."

"... What dress? Wait, you're bringing a girl? I knew you had a girlfriend!"

Liam makes a grimace and winks at me. "No, I borrowed someone's girlfriend to be precise."

Nathaniel stays silent for a few seconds, and Liam puts the phone on speaker for me. He has stopped smiling. We both wait for his brother's answer.

"...F**k Liam, tell me it's not Nora."

"Good guess!"

"Liam, you... Seriously, Liam, Damian is going to kill you."

"First, Brother would never touch me. Plus, I bet Nora would kill him first. She deserves to know, don't you think?"

"Who are you to decide that?! It's their relationship, Liam, you have no right to-"

"Do you really want to have the conversation about managing love relationships, Nate?"

Touché. Though I think that one was a bit mean from Liam... For a few seconds, I think about Elena's baby. Neither of them probably knows about the pregnancy yet. Nathaniel's love life is about to get a lot more complicated... Both brothers stay silent for a while again, and I wonder if Nathaniel can do anything to prevent me from going. He could probably revoke Liam's invitation, no? But to my surprise, we finally hear him sigh. "I'm going to regret this..."

Liam starts to smile again. "Really? You're going to help us?"

"No, I'm not going to do anything! You're on your own, Liam. And I'm definitely not intervening if Damian kicks your a*s!"

Liam laughs and hangs up. Even if he said otherwise, not doing anything is basically the same as helping us. But though Liam is happy about it, this call didn't make me feel better at all. I wonder if it's too late to turn back, but I don't even know what I'm supposed to fear! When Bobo finally stops the car, I recognize where we are. It's the entrance of the Grand Hotel, a five-star and one of the most luxurious hotels in Silver City. I'm feeling kind of better about my overpriced dress now...

Liam helps me out of the car, and Bobo follows us. It's my first time seeing the two of them dressed up, but there is quite a difference. Liam obviously chose a very luxurious tuxedo, while Bobo's outfit is much more discreet. He looks like a bodyguard with this look and size, and well, I guess that's kind of what he is for tonight?

Once we arrive in the hotel, a doorman recognizes Liam right away and precedes us. With a very professional attitude, he guides us all the way to the 32nd floor, without even asking for an invitation. Liam winks at me. Guess he didn't need one, being one of the infamous Black Brothers...

Once we finally arrive, the door opens on a gigantic Reception Hall.

It's very luxurious and intimidating. The marble floor is so clean and polished, I can actually see my reflection in it, and it's the same on the walls. On the roof, large chandeliers are hanging, with real candles lit up. On my right, a large bar with five barman and barmaids working swiftly, and on the left, a large glass-wall like the one in my apartment with a breath-taking night view.

The place is crowded with people. Now I know why Liam said I wouldn't be overdressed. Every single person standing in the room is wearing luxurious brand items, priceless jewelry, and opulent outfits. My dress doesn't seem out of place, and it's definitely not the fanciest. Some ladies even have real gemstones embroidered on their outfits, when they are not wearing it as jewelry.

Liam gives me his arm to hold on and I don't let go. I feel way too intimidated. But for the first time, I see him really being a Black Brother. As we walk, people get out of our way and I hear whispers all around us. A lot of the guests are eyeing Liam, though they are definitely avoiding his gaze. A few steps behind us, Bobo is also definitely making an impression, as many people are looking at him.

Actually, people are staring at me, too. Probably because I'm accompanying Liam. A lot of them are observing me from head to toe, and they are not even trying to hide it. I feel like I just stepped into a nest of snakes...

"Look who's there!"

I turn around, and to my surprise, Lissandra Jones, the Purple Clan Alpha, is walking up to us. This time she is wearing clothes, a superb purple combi. She is wearing purple jewelry, too, except for all the gold rings she is wearing in her hair, and her piercings on her nose, ears and eyebrow.

She stands in front of us, smiling.

"Hi, Liz," Says Liam.

"You brat... You fought with my guys again this week, didn't ya? How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of my territory?"

"Come on, I thought we were just training? What, are they tired yet?"

"Don't be too cheeky... One day I will come myself to give you that kick in the a*s you're asking for."

"Any time!" Replies Liam with a cheeky smile, indeed.

Though the conversation seems heated, I feel like Lissandra is more amused by Liam's attitude than annoyed. I wonder why does he have to go so often to provoke her warriors? Is it because they are strong? She turns to me and smiles at me, too. "Nice to see you in human form, whitey girl."

"How did you recognize me?" I ask.

"Blue eyes, a big scar on your face, and those guys around ya? Come on."

Right... I guess my visible scar in both my forms is a big giveaway. I tend to forget about it these days. Now I feel stupid... Indeed, anyone could recognize me, then. Lissandra doesn't mind that I'm staying silent, so she starts talking again.

"By the way... I wondered which pack you were from, but seeing you're with these two, I guess you're a Blood Moon? Or Velvet, perhaps?"

But I shake my head. "Not really. I'm more of a... free spirit at the moment?"

This is a really dangerous thing to say in a room full of werewolves, admitting that I don't belong to any Clan. But Lissandra just laughs. "Nice one! Well, if you ever get past this free-spirit phase, you can come to the Purple Clan anytime. We value fighters in my pack, so you would definitely be welcomed with what I saw the other week."

Wow, I didn't expect that... I whisper thanks, too shocked to think of anything else. Liam growls, though. "Don't dream about it. Nora will belong to my brother's pack."

"Who knows... The girl might change her mind?"

"If so, then you can always join the Sea Moon Wolves, too!"

We turn around. It's old man Seaver! The gramps walks up to us, flanked by two young people. The girl looks about my age or younger, with chubby cheeks and a brownish ponytail. She is wearing a green dress and matching earrings. The young man, probably her brother since they look so alike, is wearing a brown suit and has a large scar across his neck.

"Old Man!" Says Liam.

"Oh, shut up, kiddo. I'm here for the young lady, not you."

Is there an Alpha that Liam hasn't angered out there? They all seem annoyed at him! But he just laughs while the old man turns to me. "So you're named Nora, are you? Patrick Seaver. Here are my children, Marina and Arthur. You saved both their lives last week." The young Sea Moon she-wolf waves at me, a bit shy. Her brother just nods, but his eyes are fixated on Liam. To be precise, he is glaring at him. Gosh, he really loves messing with everyone...

"It's nothing. We were in the middle of a battle, after all."

"Hopefully the last one! I'm done with vampires for this lifetime!"

"Don't get your hopes up, old man. Those blood-suckers will be back. Remember the last Council?" Sighs Lissandra. "Everyone thinks the same?" I ask.

Lissandra nods. "All those who bothered to show up, anyway. The Sapphire Moon Clan really is a bunch of cowards, I tell you!"

Now that I think about it, among all the big Clans of Silver City, the Sapphire Moon Clan is the only one whose wolves didn't show up at all... They are one of the strongest Clans around, though. I would say they only lose to the Blood Moon, Velvet Moon, and Gold Moon Clans in terms of power. But other than that, excluding the Velvet Moon Clan, those three are definitely the strongest out there.

"...Even those weaklings from the Jade Moon Clan showed up!"

Liam scoffs. Gosh, I really didn't need to hear this... Seeing something is wrong, Lissandra frowns and asks about it. Liam is only too happy to answer. "Nora is the Jade Moon Clan's... how do you call it? Owner?"

"Stop it, I don't own anything..." I whisper, embarrassed. "They just gave me their allegiance."

"Wait, you little girl controls the east territory?" Asks Patrick.

I hesitate and nod. I guess this is a way of putting it... Lissandra suddenly claps her hands. "Right! The boys did tell me someone kicked Greene's b**t a few weeks ago! Well done, whitey!"

...Is she really going to keep on calling me like that?

"Interesting. Seems like the Black Moon Clan is really working on their connections..." Arthur Seaver mutters though we all hear it.

His father is scratching his beard. "Right, son. Can't blame the kid, though. Times are hard. Lots of little mutts are showing up everywhere."

"Who cares about the rogues? What he wants is to contain the Sapphire Moon Clan. If they can't reach an agreement, things might get ugly!" Says Lissandra.

What agreement? I turn to Liam, lost. What is this about? I knew that the Black Moon Clan and the Sapphire Moon Clan weren't on good terms, but I didn't think things were that bad...

"They are a proud Clan, the Sapphires. I doubt they will ever listen to Black. Though I'm not fond of the Gold Clan, either. Too greedy," grumbles old man Seaver.

What about the Gold Moon Clan? Is Damian trying to make them his allies?

"Yeah, I'm not too fond of the idea either..." Says Lissandra

I turn to Liam, asking him with my eyes what this is about, but he shrugs. The two Alpha change subjects, arguing about the limit between their two turfs. Liam gently takes me to the bar, leaving them. One of the barmaids immediately walks up to us with a professional smile. "What would you like, Mister Black?"

Liam is only too happy to answer to that and actually asks for two cocktails. I frown. We are underage! And my alcohol tolerance is definitely not cocktail-proof yet. But before I can even protest, he hands me a turquoise drink that smells a lot like vodka. I'm wondering if I can give it back when my phone rings. It's Tonia...

"Nora! Where are you? I'm at your place and no one is here. Bobo isn't picking up his phone."

Uh-oh. I turn to Bobo, not knowing what to say. He probably turned his phone off on purpose. I have a feeling his sister is going to freak out just like Nathaniel. I hesitate and finally answer.

"Tonia, I'm all right....I'm at the party."

"The party.... Wait, at the party? Who told you about the party?"

She gets angry at the other end of the phone, but I really don't want to argue with her now. All of sudden, Liam grabs my smartphone and starts talking to her. I bet he is only too happy to make things worse... I ignore him and take a sip of my cocktail. Gosh, this is strong!

Suddenly, I hear a lot of chatter. A young woman just made her entrance. She is very beautiful, from what I can see, before a lot of people run to her like bees gathering around honey. She has gorgeous brown hair, and golden eyes like Elena, though hers are darker, almost brownish. I'm not particularly inclined to fashion, but her dress is gorgeous. She looks like a princess, wearing a gold gown and a white fur coat.

"It's Alexandra King, daughter of the Gold Moon Alpha," whispers Bobo.

I get the information, but as my eyes follow her, some unease rises in my heart- a pain thumping in my chest as I watch her walk across the room. She has a perfect smile on her face and walks like a queen.

Everyone steps aside to let her through, and at the end of this path, I see Damian. Damian, standing there in his usual black suit. He has a glass of champagne in his hand. He is standing a few meters away from me, but I can see his features clearly. He is expressionless, looking at Alexandra walking up to him. Once she arrives at his side, they slowly bow to each other.

I'm almost choking. My wolf is growling furiously. Something's wrong. Something's out of place. My fingers tremble around my drink and my mind goes blank. She's putting her hand on his arm. Why does he let her do that? Why do they talk so casually? Why is nobody is reacting? Isn't there something wrong with this? I feel sick, disgusted. Someone else is touching my mate! Why is she standing so close to him, their arms are touching!

While I'm running out of breath, watching them with my thoughts going wild, Liam comes next to me and whispers to my ear. "Welcome to my brother's engagement party, Nora."