-Laila The car arrives outside the lake house at exactly noon . 55 vouchers I've been able to avoid crossing paths with Sarah all morning , spending most of the time grading papers in my room . But I can't avoid her forever . Shirley came in a short time ago to let me know we'll be heading out soon . I'm already dressed and so I grab my purse and head downstairs . I meet Shirley on the porch and she glances down at her watch . " Sarah seems to be running late . Do you mind waiting in the car while I go check on her ? " I nod slowly , heading over to the car . The driver pulls open the door for me and I get into the back seat , plugging in my headphones . After what must have been almost a half hour , Sarah arrives , a few minutes after Shirley returns . Sarah's dressed up immaculately , hair in some complicated twist updo , her lips a sultry shade of red . She greets Shirley with a warmth that's obviously fake . She doesn't look at me at first . She instead glances around , " Where's my car ? " " Oh , I thought it'd be easier if we all just go together . " Shirley explains as she gets into the passenger seat . Sarah looks thoroughly displeased with the arrangement , but she doesn't protest . " Perhaps we might go in separate cars next time ? " I say to Shirley , " That way everyone can come down at their own pace ." My words are hinting at Sarah's late arrival . And the fact that she hasn't said a word of apology to me for keeping me waiting . Which I know she did intentionally . A pathetic attempt to aggravate me , I'm guessing . Or to remind me that she's Luna Blackwood now . " You definitely owe Laila an apology . " Shirley says , smiling at us through the rearview mirror . Sarah's eyes finally meet mine and I see it . That quick flash of disdain , hidden beneath the mask of cheerful innocence she always wears . " I had a wardrobe emergency . " She says , " I'm sure you don't mind ." Her words are barely an apology , but I let it slide . She gets into the car and then we pull out into the road . The ride to the venue goes by in an awkward silence , except for the few times Shirley attempts to fill the silence by striking up a random conversation . 18:49 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 45 55 vouchers She points out some streets to us , telling us of the minor packs in the area and commenting on how much the city has changed since she was younger . Sarah , of course , responds eagerly , every word she says is laced with a practiced sweetness and warmth . I keep my eyes fixed on the window , nodding only when appropriate . Other than that , I don't engage in the conversation . After an hour long drive , the car pulls into a long driveway . It's lined with trimmed hedges and marble sculptures . At the end , there's a grand estate before us . It's a Victorian Styled property , with white stone pathways , and a wide staircase leading up to polished wooden doors . Shirley straightens her dress as the driver pulls the car to a stop . " I hope you don't mind , a few other Lunas will be joining us . " She reveals , " It's just a tasting event . But the hosts are all important Lunas , so don't forget to make a good impression . " I don't bother taking note of the information . I'm not Luna Blackwood anymore . Making good impressions and mingling with practiced smiles is Sarah's job , not mine . Maybe Kael's rubbing off on me , but I couldn't care less what the Lunas think about me . They all praised me as a good Luna and wife too . But no one cared if I was alive or dead in the three years after Cameron tossed me to the streets . We step out of the car , and we're instantly welcomed and ushered in by smartly dressed staff . The doors are opened to reveal a wide hall with high ceilings . Gold chandeliers dangle from the ceilings , and the marble floor is polished to a shiny gleam . The smell of roasted meats and spices is heavy in the air as we're guided through different halls till we arrive at a large dining hall . Several women are already seating around the table , they're all dressed elegantly , yet minimalist compared to Sarah's flashy choice of dress . Most of the women have clearly been the Lunas of their pack for decades . Their every manner screams of understated wealth . They stand up as we approach , greeting us with bright smiles and pleasantries . I don't know half the women in this hall . A few that I do know , I've only met on one or two occasions . " Luna Laila ," one of the Lunas greets warmly , kissing her cheek . " It's been far too long . " Sarah stiffens beside me but I don't bother correcting the mistake . I nod in agreement , a small smile on my lips 18:50 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 45 129 4 55 vouchers The introductions pass by smoothly , and quickly , which I'm grateful for . I'm introduced as Kael's wife , while Sarah is Cameron's Luna and so our seating arrangements are rearranged accordingly . Initially , much to Sarah's horror , I'd been placed ahead of her . Just as we take our seats , the food is brought out . Platters of steamed fish , garnished with herbs . Small bowls of creamy soup , and more side dishes than I bother to count . " As we all know , the Alpha summit is a very important event . " Shirley begins , " Business deals are signed and pack alliances are formed . All the Alphas that will be in attendance this time around have been ranked in the top packs of the continent at one point or the other . " " So it's extremely important that the food is exactly to their tastes . While my pack is officiating at the summit this time , it's good we all get this experience as it might be any one of you the next time ." She says cheerily , The women applaud her and the event begins . Various dishes are served in little quantities and all the women gathered sample it , and give their opinions . I don't speak much . Only chipping in here and there when I'm asked . I've never been one for social gatherings and if there's one upside of being dethroned as Luna , it's that I'm not expected to sit through these gatherings anymore . Not that these women aren't good company , but their smiles are so well practiced , you can never truly know what's on their mind . I know I've smiled and laughed with more than a few people I secretly hated in my day . The event passes by quickly . It's polite , cordial , exactly what Shirley promised it would be . Until Sarah opens her mouth . " This one's pleasant , isn't it ? " she says , gesturing to a bowl of soup . She glances at me before turning back to the women . " Though I imagine Laila might prefer something heavier . Her husband was a rogue for quite some time ... old habits of taste are hard to shake , aren't they ? " The women exchange glances . Some chuckle softly while others glance over at me with curiosity . Sarah smiles like the joke was intended to be innocent and harmless . I meet her gaze , unbothered as I set down my spoon . " My husband wasn't a rogue ... " I trail off , watching Sarah smirk as if I'm about to fall right into her trap . " He still is ." I adjust . There's nothing to hide about Kael's identity . Being a rogue simply means not having pack affiliations . It's not something to hide . " He's probably only attending this summit because Grandfather Blackwood wants him to invest in the businesses of a few promising Alphas . " I lean back in my chair . " The cuisine is good , and he has the money to spare . So here we are . " 18:50 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 45 The Lunas giggle at my words , and Sarah's smile drops . The next meal to sample arrives . Thin slices of roasted lamb , drizzled with sauce . Sarah , not one to back down easily , comments again , 29 55 vouchers " I wonder , " She says lightly , " if you're adjusting well , Laila . It can't be easy . Going from Cameron to Kael . Two Blackwoods in a row . Most women would find it uncomfortable , getting married to their Ex - husband's brother . " Her voice is dripping with false admiration . The table goes silent , the Lunas exchanging looks of discomfort . I set down my fork carefully . I don't answer her immediately . I let her words hang there , let everyone see her airing the dirty laundry of the Blackwood Pack without hesitation . She's already making a fool of herself so I don't even have to try . After a moment , I turn to the Luna at my left . " What do you think of the sauce ? " I ask calmly . The woman hesitates , then answers . " It's ... a bit too strong . Overpowering ." I smile faintly . " Yes . Some flavors try too hard to stand out . They ruin the dish when they could've been subtle . With that , I carry on sampling the dishes in silence . AD Comment Send gift No Ads 18:50 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 46 Chapter 46 -Laila : :