“It’s difficult to explain,” she sighed, tugging the sheets up. “It’s not so much a rank thing. There’s this sense of power to your scent. It overrides the rank markers. Honestly, I think you’re the most powerful wolf here.”
I snorted. “That’s impossible.”
She shrugged. “Is it? That’s why Dark Moon wants you and why Thunder Moon feared you, right? They sensed your power, and it worried them. Once you become Alpha Caelan’s luna, they won’t have any control over you anymore. That scares them.”
I stared at her, feeling the conviction in her words.
She smoothed a hand over the duvet. “If you ask me, they should be afraid. You’re better than them, and after everything they put you through, they deserve whatever the Goddess has in store.”
She turned, giving a slight curtsey as she faced me.
“You have my unwavering loyalty, Luna Shade. You and Alpha Caelan will make a powerful couple, and I know you’ll be great leaders,” she offered before righting her posture. “Enjoy your breakfast!”
I let her words settle as I ate.A wolf more powerful than them all? That seems a bit far-fetched.
***
Taffy came bounding into the room a short time later.
“All right! I’m here to make you look fabulous! I have something really elegant in mind. You’re going to look like a goddess,” she said with a mischievous grin. “Well, at least until Caelan ravishes you, then all my hard work will be undone, but until then you’ll be the most stunning wolf at the party.”
I shook my head, rolling my eyes playfully at her.
“Now, seriously, get your cute butt in the shower. We have so much to do,” she said as she started setting out all her supplies. “It took a lot to convince Luna Maty that I could handle your hair and makeup. I can’t mess up now.”
She was ready by the time I was done, hurrying me into the chair and drying my hair. After that, she began curling it into large, loose curls before pulling it back and arranging it in a romantic updo.
“Voilà!” she shouted as she finished. “How’s that look?”
I turned in the mirror, admiring her handiwork. “Amazing, Taffy.”
“We want to make sure to show off your neck,” she said with a wink. “Get your mate all riled up to place his mark there. All right, stretch your legs while I try to tame my mane. Lunch will be here soon, and we have a couple of guests joining us.”
“Guests? What guests?” I asked as I stepped to the side.
She dropped into the seat and began plucking a comb through her natural curls.
“A couple of girls from the pack asked if they could join us today. I didn’t think you’d mind, so I agreed.”
“Who is it?” I pressed, hoping it wasn’t any of Caelan’sdisgruntled ex-girlfriends.
“Don’t worry,” Taffy said, waving a dismissive hand. “It’s just Briggita, Zia, and Alma.”
“Oh,” I sighed in relief. I considered Briggita a friend. She had been kind to me since I arrived at Harvest Moon, and Zia and Alma had been supportive as well, even during the choosing.
There was a knock on the door, and I went to open it. The girls were on the other side holding platters of food.
“Hey! We know there’s going to be a feast tonight, so we just brought finger sandwiches,” Briggita explained with a smile.
“And blueberry pie,” Zia added, lifting the tray in her hands for emphasis.
“Yummy. I love blueberry pie,” I remarked as they came in.
“You should tell Caelan then because they made blueberry pie for tonight, but he’s making them remake it,” Alma said, setting down several glasses and a bottle of lemonade. “He insists the only pie that can be served tonight is cherry.”
I ducked my head, my cheeks burning.That wolf.
“Caelan’s always liked cherry pie, but he’s been obsessed with it since the choosing,” Taffy added, only furthering my embarrassment. “I’ve seen him have it for dessert like every day. It’s like he can’t get enough.”
