The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Vivian’s POV

We left the plane and headed straight toward the car waiting for us on the tarmac. Zaliver mentioned casually that our bags would already be in our room by the time we arrived. It wasn’t until I climbed into the leather passenger seat and settled in that I remembered something important.

"Where’s Venom?"

Zaliver reached into his front pocket and pulled out a sleek key fob, unlocking the car with a soft beep. His dark eyes gleamed as he looked down at it, almost like he was reuniting with a beloved old friend.

"He’s already here. Don’t worry you’ll get to see him before the ball."

Satisfied with his answer, I leaned my head back against the headrest, my eyes fluttering shut for a brief moment. My exhausted body was practically begging for sleep, but I definitely needed a long, hot shower first.

The drive was quiet. Peaceful. Long, but deeply peaceful. When we finally pulled up to the hotel, I felt like I was staring up at something straight out of a dream. The building towered above us like a modern-day castle gothic in its core design, but sleek and clean with glinting windows and sharp architectural lines. It was majestic. Intimidating. Pure Zaliver.

Instead of heading to the main entrance where anyone might spot us, he drove around to a secure side entrance and descended into a dark, underground parking area. After shutting off the engine, he stepped out and came right around to open my door, taking my hand in his like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I followed him, drowsy but comforted by the gentle way his fingers curled around mine.

Tomorrow, I’d explore. Tomorrow, I’d breathe in everything this magnificent place had to offer.

But tonight, I just needed him, a warm bed, and a long moment to exist in absolute silence.

The inside of the hotel was just as breathtaking as the outside opulent and polished in that effortless way only the truly rich seemed to manage. Everything gleamed brightly: the walls, the marble floors, even the very air felt expensive. Every step we took echoed softly against the marbled tiles. I wasn’t sure if it was just a lucky coincidence or if Zaliver had meticulously planned it, but the private halls we walked through were completely deserted. Completely still. Silent.

We hadn’t come in through the main entrance, and wherever this side door led, it looked like the entire staff had vanished into thin air. Or maybe it was just that late at night.

We stepped into a sleek elevator, the heavy metal doors whispering shut behind us. Zaliver punched in what looked like the most absurdly complex code I’d ever seen, his long fingers moving quickly like it was second nature.

"I’ll give you the code in the morning," he murmured, his voice soft as pure velvet.

Even at a low whisper, his voice rang loud in my ears thanks to my enhanced lycan hearing. But I appreciated the gentle effort. He knew how sensitive my senses were after a long day of travel, and I really wasn’t in the mood for anything loud.

When the elevator finally slid open, I found myself stepping into what could only be described as a royalty’s private penthouse. The place was massive, styled in a theme that screamed Zaliver in every single inch deep blacks and silvers layered over rich textures, from the shimmering wallpaper to the oversized bed draped in dark, heavy silk.

Then I saw it my travel bag.

"Yes!" I made a swift beeline for it, scooping it up with the pure relief of someone being reunited with an old friend. Without a second word, I disappeared into the attached bathroom, which looked far more like a temple made to worship luxury than a simple place to wash your hands.

Thirty minutes later, I emerged thoroughly clean, drowsy, and definitely in a much better mood. Zaliver was sitting calmly on the edge of the large bed, paper documents spread out in his hands like he was reading an urgent war report. When he looked up and caught sight of me, his lips curled into a slow, affectionate smile.

"Feeling better?" he asked gently.

I gave him a lazy nod and stretched my arms, yawning softly. Then I flopped onto the soft bed and wrapped myself tightly around a plush pillow, blinking up at him through half-lidded eyes.

Without another word, he rose from the mattress and disappeared into the bathroom. A moment later, the soothing sound of running water reached my ears. I must’ve started to drift off to sleep, because the very next thing I felt was the intense warmth of his bare chest as he slid into bed right beside me. His strong arms wrapped tightly around me, pulling me in against him like I was something incredibly precious.

I released the pillow and tucked myself closely against his warm skin instead.

"Night," I whispered softly into the quiet room.

"Good night, my little cloud," he murmured, placing a tender kiss directly onto my forehead. I felt the deep tension melt completely from his body as he exhaled. "Rest."

"No, no, no. If you think I’m going to let you place their table dead center or right in front of the room, you’ve clearly lost your mind or you’re trying to get fired," a sharp, furious voice rang out loudly across the grand hall. "Who even gave you that ridiculous idea? Do you want them surrounded and ambushed? I like my face the way it is, thank you very much. Put their table up there."

That had to be Jesse.

I hadn’t met her yet in person, but I didn’t need a name tag to recognize her. She was the only woman in the vast room who looked like she could command an entire army and still find time to critique your shoes. Petite but undeniably powerful, with skin like smooth espresso and a bold red mohawk that defied gravity itself, she stood right at the center of the total chaos, barking quick orders at trembling staff members who scrambled frantically to adjust heavy tables and chairs under her sharp gaze.

I was just passing by the main entrance when her loud voice caught my attention. Curious and half-amused, I paused right at the doorway to watch the show.