AUTHOR'S POV
Scott sighed sharply in front of Reina's shut doors. He couldn't imagine how he could keep up with his stubborn sister. He rushed downstairs, carrying that heavy load of frustration. Squinting his eyes at the bright laser lights gleaming as he reach the ballroom hall, he refused to bother himself with all the people asking him about every detail of the decorations. They were like flies, buzzing behind his ears waiting to be spat with a flick of his hand. With some fellows approaching him, pushing an enormous cake along the hallway, he groaned at their conspicuous impression of engaging with him for another nuisance. He turned away avoiding eye contact, and walked past them without meeting their eager stares. As soon as he reached the garden where it's quieter and serene, his pent up annoyance were eased with the evening zephyr brushing his hair.
He searched for his lighter in his pocket, and felt a different object that he suddenly remembered. Pulling it out, he stared at the canister of T-pills that he has been keeping all day. He opened the lid, and sniffed inside. "Interesting..", he whispered as he close the lid in disgust.
"Alpha", one dared intrude his solitude by the garden. Scott hissed at being found in there. "Your request has been properly arranged", he said, which suddenly made Scott's mood brighten up.
"Good", he answered, putting back the canister in his pocket. He checked the time, aware that he'll pick Diana up in only just a few hours. Today is special, just how he wrote in his note for Diana along with the moonflowers. With eager anticipation, the night is solely for him and his Luna and maybe, ask her again where the roads are leading them. "Make sure everything is well prepared", he told his servant, who scurried away at his command.
In the seam of passing time and out of the blue, Scott took out his phone and noticed one missed call from Cory. He felt his heart sank, as he began to feel ill-ease by just looking at it. This isn't Alpha senses tingling him, he believed. He called back, and irked at the busy tone. He started pacing, and dialed again. None of his calls went through. Scott lit up his sixth cigarette, rubbing his neck. The suspense have started to take over his cool which was triggered with just one missed call. In a few successive puffs of smoke, an unfamiliar feeling overpowered his excitement.
He made a call to the other members of the pack who were keeping an eye on Diana at the hospital grounds. David's line is busy, while Austin kept cancelling his calls. And finally, though it took time for his call to go through, Cory answered. And when he did, Cory stuttered with every word that he had to say to Scott. His broken sentences and obvious eschewal about Diana stir up Scott's avidity to press for the truth. As Scott grew impatient at Cory's indirect answers and seemingly intentional avoidance to his questions, he snapped at him demanding a clear and direct answer where Diana is. Instantly, Cory came clean about what just happened to Diana.
Furious and more anxious, Scott spewed his anger on the phone, startling the people walking around. He dared to wing his way to the hospital right this instant, as he flounce out of the garden... on his way to his car. Cory begged for Scott to stay where he is, and that Diana is out of danger anyway. The pack will be taking her to the mansion instead, and that they will deliver her to their Alpha safely. It was a long debate until Scott was convinced to stay and wait for Diana. Once again, a maddening feeling of waiting and being kept under wraps consumed him as he stood right by his car.
It's almost nine in the evening and Diana still haven't arrived.
The Devlin Ballroom is bustlin' with so many faces, thus, Scott didn't even know most of them. All guests were wearing white, making them all look the same. Their scents even elicit the same scent, almost nauseating to Scott. He couldn't be more vexed as he suffocate in the vast of throng, when all he yearns to be is with Diana.
Lucas and Allen arrived earliest to keep Scott company, and to make sure he doesn't leave for the hospital. More cigarette sticks were lit, and more glasses of wines were served, and the two could already pass out from entertaining their Alpha.
The beaming lights. The people drinking heavily along with their boisterous guffaws. The loud thudding sounds filling the whole ballroom. "Diana wouldn't be very comfortable with any of these", Scott thought, as another serving of wine arrived on the posier tables where they were hanging out.
Scott endured random greetings from his guests, and their boring weather talks. He glared at Reina who never dared to cross paths with Scott, as she hop from one table to another. Damon and Sebastian, under the charm of the youngest sibling, were in charge to unspoil the beautiful night as they entertain some guests and keep the party going. It will be a very long night for the Devlins.
For a while now, Scott's patience is being tested by time and sociability, where every minute that passed and every person who shows up, he strongly hoped it would be his Luna who'll turn up next. He's starting to grow tired of Allen and Lucas' lame distraction to keep him occupied. No amount of liquor could wash his worried thoughts about his Luna, and no more packs of cigarette could blur his heavily burdened mind.
Surrendering to his urges, Lucas suddenly left with another she-wolf who's been eye flirting with him for a while now... leaving Scott and Allen behind. Now that the tight leash has loosened, Scott drank his glass of wine up and decided to leave. "Uh... Alpha, where are you going?", Allen panicked, rushing after Scott.
"Hey Scott, nice party", a woman's voice called him from behing.
"Ava!", Allen greeted, Christina's blonde friend whom they met back in the island. "Hey Alpha, it's Ava, remember?", tugging Scott by his shirt, making sure he won't go.
Ava went too close, inching her body against Scott's. The smell of strong liquor in his body made her think that he might be ready to lose his mind in her arms at this rate. "How could you leave me in the island, Scott? We could've had more fun".
"How annoying these female wolves are, they don't know one's privacy bubble", his intrusive thoughts spew out by liquor. "They should learn from Diana.", he pushed her lightly, tossing her to Allen.
Allen caught Ava's waist, who seemed have drank so much already. "Uhh.. Ava, nice dress", Allen tittered, looking at her puffy white mini dress. "You blend well in the crowd".
Ava just gave him a pouty lips and a slap on her hip. Then, she moved back to Scott, leaning once again on his arm. "Wanna take me somewhere we can be alone?", she brushed Scott's jaw with her fingers.
Scott grunted at her bold invitation, worsening his sour mood. He then yanked her wrist, tightened his grip before shoving her away. "Go to the restroom, and lock yourself in", he said, as he turn his back.
In her heels, Ava almost slipped at Scott's forceful push... landing back on Allen's chest. "Hey Ava, want me to join you?", Allen teased, as Ava lifted her middle finger at him before walking away.
As Scott prepare to leave the party, he caught a glimpse of a woman in a dazzling white off shoulder corset draped dress with high slit revealing her leg walking in. At first he thought it was the liquor making him see things, until he caught a whiff of her scent. Drawn in, he gaped at her fair skin glowing under the shafts of light beaming around. Her hair flowed like satin at her every turn. Looking around with her glimmering eyes, she appeared to be searching for someone. Scott let out a sigh, that his mouth fell open. He began to lose himself in those eyes which were stunning works of art that captured his attention even from afar. And when she met his gaze, his heart pounded more than the bass of the speakers banging the hall.
Only one thing Scott thought seemed wrong. Diana flaunted herself perfectly without an ounce of torment despite the attack earlier. She hid her pain and her wounds behind her radiance, disguising with a flawless mask of calm... mastering such refined skill to hide even her scars, he suppose. In the phone earlier with Cory, it was clear in his short concise words that Diana suffered a horrible torment and went through the mill after that. Seeing his Luna holding it together troubles him more than seeing her in tears.
His heart raced with his steps, as he surge the crowd. Allen smiled rushing after his mesmerized Alpha. "Babysitting is over", Allen sighed, placing his arm over Scott's shoulder as they approach Diana. "Now that's how every woman should be dressed", he pecked Scott's cheek, as he snorted. Glaring, Scott brushed him off irritably, wiping Allen's drool off his face. He's done and over with his company, now that Diana is here. As he head over his Luna with a few more steps, the smile on Scott's face slowly faded matching his deliberate strides when he noticed Sebastian running towards her.
"DIANA? Why are you here?", Sebastian kissed her cheek to cheek. Scott felt a growing fury at the back of his head seeing his brother casually head on to his Luna, and even greeted her with a kiss. The pack could just watch aside, as they feast on Scott's strained act of jealousy.
"Sebastian! I was invited. Why are you here?", Diana welcomed Sebastian in an embrace, caressing his back. Seeing Sebastian at Scott's party only confirmed her inkling that they knew each other as how she have overheard in his phone call.
The two shared warm smiles that infuriated Scott, and at the same time, kindled the pack's playful teasing on their Alpha. While Sebastian and Diana build a world of their own, Scott got even more fired up at how close they have been. It was a sight aching to his eyes. His face twitched for being ignored by his Luna because of his brother. Standing behind Diana, Cory elbowed David giving a warning that Scott would not calm after seeing Sebastian and Diana's unexpected closeness.
"It's my parents' home!", Sebastian topped the loud music with glee after grabbing a few drinks from earlier. "I didn't expected for you to know my brother!", Sebastian tried to fish out the answer from Diana given the opportunity. Who exactly is this girl whom his brother bought a home for?
"Your.. wha?", Diana puckered her brows in awe. "You say brother?", she was bewildered seeing that the two didn't have anything common despite related.
"I see you two have met each other", Scott tapped Sebastian's shoulder heavily, making him enervate from his Alpha aura. The pack sneered on the side as they watch Scott lose his temper out of jealousy. Enjoying the scene, they stood aside with their eyes switching on Diana, Scott and Sebastian.
"Ah yes eh.. heh..", Sebastian gave an awkward smile as he bear the pain from Scott's unfriendly tap. "Wait, You knew each other?", Sebastian tilted his body squinting at Scott, his brother never invited a human girl over. In fact, he never invited any girl. EVER. The thrilling strain grew, yet almost unbearable to watch for the pack.
"She's my.. She's my..", Scott cleared his throat unsure of how to introduce his Luna. Despite the pack knew the truth, making it known to his family that he has imprinted on Diana is not yet on his plans. Allen, standing beside Scott, gave him a little nudge to just spit the words out.
"She's your..?", Sebastian and the pack waited with bated breath for Scott's response, and yet he just gibbered his words like a fool, while Diana and Scott steal shy glances.
"Oh please, I need a drink", David cringed on how the Alpha stuttered when he can just easily tell the world who Diana is.
Cory clung on David's arm, refusing to miss everything. "Wait up stallion, we're just getting at the best part!", Cory smiled ear to ear waiting for the Alpha to say the exact words what Luna is to him. It is not everyday that the great Alpha of their clan would fold in front of them.
Saving Scott from such awkward position while everyone's intriguing eyes are pinned on them, Diana decided to clear the air. "We're friends, Seb", Diana naturally revealed that made the pack hang their heads. They kept on exchanging mischievous sparkling looks and sucking their laughters in seeing Scott turn white as a sheet. Allen even placed his arm over Scott's shoulder, with a thought that their Alpha might faint from being introduced only as a friend.
Friends.
It echoed in Scott's head repeatedly, as he froze on his feet. It did scratched his ego, and yet, he accepted the way it is... given that Diana really haven't told him how she feels about him.
Sebastian, who's getting curiouser, knew in his brother's unusual generosity to Diana and the way he displays his affection towards her is something more than friends. "Friends?", he asked again.
Scott grew weary of Sebastian, with his desires to monopolize his Luna."Sebastian get lost! Diana is my guest, I'll take it from here", Scott insisted, as he snatch Diana's hand and take her away from the pack.
The pack left as soon as the show's over, diffusing in the crowd for a splurge of liquor, and some dancing. Today was too much to bear, and only a binge of euphoria would scour all it. Sebastian remained standing with his lingering stares at Diana, who waved a hand goodbye to her friend as she walk off. He nodded at her with a worried smile... wondering what his Alpha brother would be doing with such as nice human.
Scott and Diana left the blaring ballroom for the hallway going to the veranda of the mansion. She equaled his rushing strides, in stilettos. The sharp staccato of her heels resounded, as she held firm on his large hand. The mad dash from the party was uncertain for her, wondering why they were taking off from such a great fête.
She rushed on pins and needles, as Scott triggers her mindfulness. His silence along with the rush made her stomach churn, second guessing what she did wrong. "Seb is your..", Diana break the ice, as they walk through the long corridor of black marbled floor. The sounds from the ballroom can't be heard much in every step they took.
"Should be cousin, but yes, my brother", Scott said briefly, without even turning his head. He couldn't spare her a glimpse, for he might cause more delays in case he flip out from his imprint desires. He wouldn't want to ruin his plans tonight.
Cycling her thoughts, Diana was puzzled with how tetchy Scott became, thinking he might be prickly for sudden turn of events. It was not as easy as it looks like, she thought. After what happened earlier with Calvin, she had to compose herself with the voice of her mother screaming inside her head. No one should see her tears, and no knees should bend to beg. Diana took a long moment of silence in agony, before she looked at Cory in the eye with a lie that she's fine. Her deadpan eyes bothered Cory, as Diana asked of him not to tell Scott and that they'll meet him instead. Despite Cory's protests, he listened to their Luna's indifference as she deal with the lingering effects of her trauma her own way. Watchful, Cory, David and Austin observed how Diana pushed through the rest of the day. It was as if nothing happened. She laughed at her colleagues, smiled naturally with her patients, and even cut some skin for a surgery without batting an eye. Then again, there were moments when she would space out, completely lost in a daze. Snapping out of it, she'd presume that she's fine, and there's nothing more to worry about. With the maximum effort of the pack's utmost, their hearts could only go for their lonely Luna who could bravely smile through her pain after all.
Diana stopped and pulled Scott into a halt. "Where are we going? Shouldn't we be inside with Seb and the others?", at this time, she could smell the redolent of booze all over him. It was enough for her not to pursue with the plans tonight. His overwhelming presence is knocking down her strong walls once more.
Sebastian, again.
An unwarranted anger squeezed his grasp on Diana. He couldn't imagine being rivals with his brother. "This isn't my party to begin with.", he turned to her, looking at her curious stare while she shake on her heels. He eyed on her pressed lips as she let go of his hand. He can't believe Sebastian would set fire his Luna's reluctance towards him. "Sebastian don't stay long at parties. He'll leave soon", Scott was slightly irritated given that Diana is much concerned with his brother, when he was going off the deep end until she arrived at the Devlin's mansion. "Come on, we have to be somewhere", he insisted, taking her hand again and leading her out to the veranda. This time, slower and easy.
The velvet night air soothe Scott's flushed face, not blaming the wine but entirely his intensified pique at Sebastian. He opened a few more buttons of his white long sleeves to cool himself down. As they descend the natural stone staircase lit with warm floor lights, Scott slipped his arm around Diana waist as she continuosly give him a cold shoulder.
"Scott wait..", Diana called that made Scott slow down, thinking that it might be a mistake to come here. "There's something I want to give you.", she said, as they stop midway the stairs, pursuing her intention for the night and maybe, leave.
"What is?", Scott took one step down, as he look up to Diana. He couldn't read the lines on her forehead, especially that mindless look staring right through him. The blowing winds couldn't be that nippy to make her hands cold.
"Happy birthday", she nervously greeted, as she take out a bright red velvet box from her white feathery purse and handed it to Scott.
Scott knitted his brows wondering how Diana knew. She couldn't possibly have enough time to get him a gift too. "You knew? How?", Scott gazed at the box in awe. This is his Luna's first gift. He have received so many gifts before, yet, this is the first time he got excited in opening one.
Diana was baffled seeing Scott's eyes glow like pools of starlight, probing her limits. "I actually just got a hunch at first. Then, I asked Cory, and he admitted that it's your birthday.", she touched Scott's face and gently caressed his cheek with her thumb. "I had to harass my jeweler for this. I hope you liked it", then she mouth to open it.
A radiant rapture shattered his cold demeanor. "Luna, you didn't have to. You are the best present I've received in my life..", he said, as he open the box to a sterling silver necklace with a pendant of a howling wolf and one big red ruby sitting on a cosmic diamond-studded waning moon.
"It's beautiful, crescent moon..", he whispered, donning it around his neck immediately.
"It's actually a full moon. If you twist the tail, it will complete the moon… like that", she twisted the tail and locked it. "There", she gently tapped his chest with a subtle smile, thinking that it is time for her to leave.
"Even more beautiful. Thank you, Luna", he briefly kissed her hands, and interlaced his fingers between them. "We have to hurry", he said, as he smiled excitingly.