“Really?” Jackson’s eyes light up, and his grin widens. “You want to?”
I laugh. “I do,” I say, and before I can finish, Jackson picks me up by my waist and spins me around in the air. I yelp and laugh at the same time, gripping his shoulders. People are probably staring, I think, but let them stare. Just for that moment, I want to enjoy the feeling of being off the ground and in the air – like a bird, soaring high above the others.
“My night just keeps getting better and better,” Jackson beams excitedly, like a little boy on Christmas. His smile is contagious, and soon, my cheeks hurt from it, but when I see Alpha Banastre stalking towards us. Luna Hailey is behind him, yelling something that I can’t hear over the music.
“Banastre,” Jackson greets my Alpha coldly when Alpha Banastre is within a few feet of us. His face isn’t red anymore, but his eyes are ablaze and his wolf has completely taken over. My heart spikes and I grip Jackson’s hand, who in turn squeezes mine reassuringly.
“Your highness,” Alpha Banastre spats, glowering at me. “I hope you are enjoying your night so far?”
“As a matter of fact, I am,” Jackson says icily. His eyes have also darkened and taken a predatory gleam. “My mate and I were just discussing how she would be joining me to my pack.” Luna Hailey’s eyes light up, but Alpha Banastre looks like he’s just been hit with a thousand pound ball straight in the gut. Jackson smirks coldly at his expression, and I have to force my laughter down my throat. “Don’t worry about any of the transfer papers. I’ll be taking care of those.”
“I…but…you…he…” Alpha Banastre is at a loss of words. He looks lost for a few moments, still trying to grasp what Jackson just told him. Then, when the words finally sink into him, he nods with a forced politeness. His hand twitches, like he wants to grab me and run, but he doesn’t, and Jackson’s grip on me tightens.
“Of course, your highness,” he sneers, bowing. His eyes slice through me, sending me a warning that I’m not quite able to decipher. “We were going to take her back to our pack as we are leaving for the night, but of course, mates go with mates.” He looks like he’s just swallowed a hairball – his face is so tight and red. “Have a good evening, Alpha King.”
“You as well,” Jackson nods. “Oh, and Banastre?”
Alpha Banastre pauses, turning back to look at Jackson. “Yes?”
“Make sure you address your Luna Queen next time, alright?” Jackson adds a smile this time, further infuriating Banastre as all the man can do is nod again and push his way towards the door. Jackson chuckles, and I’m briefly distracted by his handsome smile before I feel a cold hand touch mine.
“I’m so happy for you, Anvi,” Luna Hailey tells me, bowing her head in acknowledgement at Jackson at the same time. He nods and steps away from me, giving Luna Hailey and I some privacy while maintaining a close distance.
“I am too,” I blush. “I’m really happy, Luna. I never thought this would happen, truly, but now I’m so happy it did.”
She grins. “I told you it would,” she bumps my shoulder playfully. I huff shyly, and she smiles softly at me, nodding. “You be happy, okay? You have a wonderful life with him and become the Luna Queen you were meant to be. But don’t forget to call every now and then, okay?”
I grin. “I won’t,” I say, nodding like a child complying eagerly to their mother’s request. Luna Hailey gazes at me for a moment longer, as if she’s looking at me for the last time, then lets go of my hands, sweeping into the crowd and out of my sight. The moment feels bittersweet and my heart twinges, but I quickly assure myself that I’ll see Luna Hailey again, despite the tugging feeling inside of me that hesitates.
“She seems to be like a wonderful lady,” Jackson comes back to me, taking my hand. “I’m surprised she was mated to a man like Banastre.”
“She is,” I agree. “She was like a mother to me during my time with Alpha Banastre. She and Oscar, they both took care of me.”
Jackson nods, his eyes sweeping over the ballroom and the crowd as they begin to filter out of the door and towards the parking lot. He looks down at me, and I look up at him.
“The ball is nearly over,” he says, and there’s a suggestion behind his tone. “Everyone will start to leave soon.”
I quirk my eyebrow, smirking. “Your point?”
He grins. “Would you like to go to your new home too?”
My new home…my heart jumps giddily at the thought and I nod once, twice, three times and laugh.
“Yes,” I wrap my fingers around his. “Yes, I would.”
Jackson’s grey eyes gleam and he brings my hand up for another kiss, his lips warm and soft against my skin. “Well then, my lady, let us be going.”
~~~~~~
Hey everyone!
We FINALLY learn that the Alpha King’s name is Jackson! Yay! 🎉Anvi’s ready to go home with him and start her new life as Luna Queen, but is Banastre really done with her?
Also, as some of you may have noticed, Oscar has grown quite fond of our Anvi ❤️But unfortunately, her heart belongs to Jackson. Should I write a spin-off for Oscar and his mate? Comment below!
