Page 80 of His Fated Luna

He met me halfway, looking slightly annoyed. “Tony didn’t book your second room,” he said under his breath.

Relief washed over me. “Oh, I thought maybe they didn’t like you bringing a plus one.”

Aiden actually laughed. “I think they’re more confused about why I don’t want to share a room with my supposed mate. Sorry, but it looks like we’re in the same room.” He genuinely looked apologetic.

“I don’t mind,” I replied honestly. “The whole point of this trip is to make it look real, right? Separate rooms kind of defeat the purpose.”

He looked at me then with this soft, unreadable expression that made my stomach flutter. He lightly placed a hand under my elbow and led me toward the elevator.

“I managed to get us an executive suite at least. That way I can crash on the couch instead of the floor,” he joked.

I shot him a look. “I wouldn’t let my alpha sleep on the floor. You could share the bed as long as you promise not to wear socks.”

Aiden barked out a laugh. “No, I cannot do that, Princess. I love my socks too much.”

Once we entered the suite, I looked around, quietly impressed. A cozy sitting area, a small couch, a flat-screen TV, and beyond a wide archway, a massive bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass doors. I slid them open and stepped onto the balcony, taking in the pool below surrounded by fake palm trees.

I could feel the subtle energy of the alphas down there if I focused. Living with Aiden and nearing my turn had sharpened my senses. They gave off a distinct aura, different from other werewolves.

My eyes softened when I spotted one of the alphas tossing a beach ball in the pool with his kids. It was a gut-punch reminder of the kind of life I could’ve had with Aiden in another reality. We could’ve been down there, laughing and splashing with our own children.

It was silly wishful thinking. I knew that. Still, a part of me would’ve loved the chance to see where things with Aiden might have gone—if circumstances were different. But I wasn’t about to trap someone in a relationship they didn’t want. Everyone deserves to choose who they love.

Behind me, Aiden cleared his throat. I turned and saw him in the doorway, now standing just inches away. If I leaned forward, our chests would brush.

“I’m going to grab a drink at the bar with some of the other alphas,” he said casually, grinning. “You might want to start getting ready. We’ve got dinner and then some team-building activity. Conference starts tomorrow.”

“Who plans a conference on a Sunday?” I muttered.

He disappeared into the suite, leaving the balcony door cracked open.

“I’m going to change and head down. Call if you need anything,” he said over his shoulder as I lingered by the balcony, already feeling the weight of the weekend ahead.

An hour later, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Diego, a stylist sent by Josie, had shown up to help me get ready. He fastened a black choker Josie had given me around my neck. I barely recognized myself. My eyebrows were darker and more slanted than usual, and the exaggerated pink pout on my lips made me do a double take. Diego had blended peaches and dark browns across my eyelids, making my eyes pop dramatically. The fake lashes and kohl liner transformed my whole face into something sultry and unreal.

“This is over the top all right,” I breathed, eyeing my curls—ultra-defined and still damp, thanks to the generous amounts of mousse Diego had raked into my hair. It gave off a wet, sexy bedhead look, full of perfectly coiled curls.

“Perfect,” Diego sang, clapping his hands with excitement. “I’m staying in one of the rooms here. My number’s on the card I gave you earlier—call me for your breakfast glam. And tag me on IG if you guys take any pictures! Great publicity for me.” He gave a flamboyant wave before disappearing out the door.

I blinked after him. Breakfast glam? He had to be out of his mind.

I glanced down at the dark blue and silver invitation card outlining the itinerary for the evening. Aiden was probably already in the dining hall. My heels clicked against the tiles as I walked, one hand nervously running through my curls.

As I neared the entrance to the dining hall, I spotted Aiden’s profile. He was deep in conversation with a middle-aged man who looked oddly familiar. I let myself stare at Aiden for a moment, admiring how his dark green dress shirt stretched over his chest. His broad shoulders tapered down to an eight-pack I’d only gotten a vague glimpse of before. His hair was slicked back with gel, and his smile—open and sincere—lit up his face in a way that made my stomach flip.

Just as I was shamelessly drooling, he turned and locked eyes with me. He blinked, a bit dazed, and then again, as I gave him a tentative smile. Was he going to laugh?

But his gaze darkened, slowly sweeping over my body, and the look he gave me said something entirely different.

I walked over, asking hesitantly, “It’s a bit much, isn’t it?”

“No.” His voice was low, rough—wolf-like—and the tone alone sent a shiver down my spine that curled hotly in my stomach.

“So this is your luna!”

The loud voice broke the tension, snapping Aiden back to the man beside him. I turned to face the stranger, still trying to figure out why he looked so familiar. I’d never met him before, and yet I got the distinct feeling he didn’t like me. At all.

“Rose, this is Alpha of the Silver Creek Pack. Alistair Evans,” Aiden introduced smoothly. “Alistair, this is Rose.”