Gabriella
The council dining room smelled like polished mahogany and old money. Long table, twenty chairs, crystal water glasses catching the morning light like they were winking at our secrets. Elders in dark suits, a few mated pairs with tight smiles, coffee poured by silent staff who never looked anyone in the eye.
Aiden walked in first. I followed two steps behind—red dress short enough that every step reminded me how exposed I felt. Heads turned. Murmurs. "Luna Gabriella." The title still sounded like a joke.
He pulled out my chair at his right hand. I sat. Crossed my legs. Felt the slit ride up my thigh. Didn't fix it.
Aiden took his seat. Laid one hand on the back of my chair—casual, possessive. Thumb brushing my shoulder blade through the thin fabric. Everyone saw it. Everyone approved.
The head elder—grey hair, wolf eyes faded to pale yellow—raised his glass of orange juice like it was champagne.
"To Alpha Aiden and his new Luna. May your union bring strength to Blackwood."
Glasses clinked. I lifted mine. Sipped. Tasted pulp and nothing else.
Conversation started slow. Pack borders. Trade routes. Some dispute with a northern territory over hunting grounds. Aiden answered in short, clipped sentences. Voice calm. Authority wrapped in velvet.
I stayed quiet. Listened. Watched.
Then the elder across from me—female, silver streak in her hair, name I couldn't remember—leaned forward.
"Gabriella, dear. How are you settling in? It must be quite the change from Trimoon."
All eyes on me.
Aiden's thumb stilled on my shoulder.
I smiled. Small. Sweet. The same one I'd practiced in the mirror this morning.
"It's… different," I said. "But Aiden has been very attentive."
A ripple of approving chuckles.
The woman nodded. "Good. A strong alpha needs a steady mate. And you look radiant. That dress is stunning."
"Thank you." I tilted my head. "Aiden chose it. He has excellent taste."
Aiden's fingers tightened—just a fraction—on my shoulder. Warning.
I ignored it.
Another elder—older male, voice like gravel—picked up the thread. "We're pleased the mating took so quickly. Some unions take months to… solidify."
Aiden's smile was perfect. "We've had no issues there."
More laughter. Male laughter mostly.
I set my glass down carefully. "Actually," I said, voice light, "it's been quite educational."
Silence dropped like a stone.
Aiden's hand moved to the nape of my neck. Squeezed once. Gentle enough to look affectionate. Hard enough to hurt.
The silver-haired woman raised a brow. "Educational?"
I met her eyes. Held them.
"I've learned a lot about loyalty. About what it means to belong to a pack. About how quickly things can change when you're… claimed."
Aiden's thumb pressed into the soft spot behind my ear. Pressure. Not pain. Yet.
The gravel-voiced elder chuckled. "Sounds like you're adapting well, Luna."
"I'm trying," I said softly. "It's hard when so many people are watching. Judging. Betting on how long it takes."
The word hung there.
Betting.
Aiden's hand froze.
Across the table, one of the younger council members—a beta with slicked-back hair—coughed into his napkin.
The silver-haired woman's smile faltered for half a second.
Aiden recovered first.
He laughed. Low. Warm. The sound that usually made people relax.
"She's teasing," he said. Leaned in and kissed my temple—soft, lingering. "My mate has a sharp sense of humor. Keeps me on my toes."
He pulled back. Looked at me. Eyes steel. Warning wrapped in affection for the room.
I smiled back. Sweet. Innocent.
"Of course," I murmured. "Just a joke."
The tension eased. Conversation moved on. Trade deals. Weather. Safe things.
But Aiden's hand stayed on my neck the rest of breakfast.
Heavy.
Promising.
When the plates were cleared and people started standing, he leaned down. Lips to my ear. Voice so low only I could hear.
"Upstairs. Now."
I stood. Smoothed my dress. Walked out ahead of him—head high, hips swaying just enough.
The hallway was empty.
He caught my wrist halfway up the stairs. Spun me. Pushed me against the wall.
Hard.
My back hit paneling. Breath knocked out.
His body pinned mine. One hand on my throat—not squeezing. Just holding. The other braced above my head.
"You think you're clever?" he whispered. "Dropping hints in front of the council?"
I lifted my chin. Met his eyes.
"I think I'm learning."
His thumb stroked the side of my throat. Slow. Deliberate.
"You're playing with fire, little wolf."
"Then burn me."
His eyes darkened.
He kissed me then—brutal. Teeth. Tongue. Claiming. Punishment.
I kissed back.
Harder.
Bit his lip until I tasted copper.
He growled. Low. Animal.
Pulled back just enough to speak against my mouth.
"You want to play? Fine. Tonight we raise the stakes."
He released me. Stepped back.
Straightened his shirt like nothing happened.
"Get ready for dinner. We're having guests."
He walked away.
Left me against the wall—breath ragged, lip bleeding, heart racing.
Guests.
I knew who.
Jax. Kade. Marcus.
The ones who'd been laughing in the chat.
The ones betting on my tears.
I touched my lip. Smiled at the sting.
Good.
Let them come.
I was done pretending I didn't know the rules.
Time to start rewriting them.