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“That’s strange,” Archer mutters.

“I think it’s 'cause our Luna sent them away and they were nice enough to listen,” Chase says, the tone of his voice all confidence. “You guys agreed the Graylock pack’s a good pack. They’re the honorable sort, they’re not gonna want an omega who’s interested in another pack.”

“I can see that,” Archer agrees.

There’s silence between the four of us as we take a second to just soak Luna in. Her hair shines like spun gold and it’s expertly framed around her face. Whatever makeup artist did her makeup knew exactly what they were doing, highlighting her huge, deep blue, doe-like eyes and pouty lips.

And her dress.

It was tailored to perfection, highlighting her delicate frame. Like I mentioned earlier, it makes her look like a princess. A princess you want to go out and save.

The only issue with how gorgeous she looks is that every other eligible alpha pack here is thinking the same thing.

“Hello there, Ward Pack?” A tall, beta woman in a maroon dress smiles and gestures for us to follow her. “The omega Luna will see you now. I hear from her you’re familiar, but the same rules still apply. Only she can initiate physical contact and any gifts must be appropriate, sound good?”

“Yes,” Archer nods. “Thank you for looking after her tonight.”

“Oh, you’re very welcome,” she says, seemingly surprised at Archer’s thanks. I guess she probably doesn’t hear that very often, considering she’s also the person telling the packs their time with Luna is up. “Enjoy your time!”

Luna’s expression brightens the moment she sees us. She stands from her chair, her hands nervously laced in front of her. Iremember her doing that in the foyer of the pack house after we first found her in the cold.

She looks so much better now. Healthier, brighter, even a little more confident.

“Hi,” she says softly, blinking quickly.

“No need to stand on our account,” Archer says, pulling out her seat again and gesturing for her to sit back down.

“Thank you,” she says, smiling up at him. “It’s good to see you.” She meets all of our eyes around the table. “All of you. You guys look really good.”

“So do you,” I jump in. “You look—you look breathtaking tonight.”

She smells amazing, too. Finally, after so long, I get to soak into her soothing peppermint perfume. It’s like a balm for the gaping hole in my chest I feel when we’re apart.

She purses her painted lips into a sheepish smile. “Thanks. The makeup artists did a great job.”

“Nah, I personally think it’s all you,” Chase says, leaning back in his chair. “So, omega Luna, what kind of home would you like? Whatever your heart desires our pack will work tirelessly to provide.” His tone is playful, as if making fun of the traditional song-and-dance-style conversations these meetings usually have.

Luna laughs under her breath, taking a sip of her drink.

“Well, I’d really like a big library, but I don’t think I have to worry about that with you guys,” she says.

Kane clears his throat, drawing Luna’s attention to him. Her smile towards him is as warm as ever.

“We have a present for you,” Kane says softly, pulling out a small wrapped box.

Luna’s eyes go wide with surprise.

“For—for me?” When Kane nods, Luna’s manicured hand curls on the tabletop. “You didn’t have to.”

“It’s part of the custom for this whole process,” Archer says. “But also, we wanted to.”

Kane pushes the wrapped box towards Luna.

“We’d like for you to open it now.”

“Thank you,” Luna says, her voice growing thick with emotion.

She delicately unwraps the gift at the seams, peeling the tape off, being careful not to actually rip the paper. It’s adorable to watch.