The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Vivian’s POV

A heavy black envelope with golden trim lay resting in my hands. The script on the front was bold and completely unmistakable. Inside was a single card formal, crisp, and annoyingly dramatic.

Vivian Grey,

You are invited to the celebration in honor of my newly found mate.

Attendance is mandatory for you and the highest-ranking members of your pack. You are expected at the location detailed below in two days.

This is not a request.

Failure to attend without the reason being death will result in death.

A two-day stay only. Bring your alpha, luna, beta, their children, and any additional members you deem necessary. Fated mates must attend.

Theme: Black and White Masquerade Ball. No other colors permitted.

Sincerely, the one you wolves call,

Lupus Deus

I stared down at it, my lips pursed, then flipped it over and looked up at Zaliver.

"The amount of sass in this invitation has surpassed my own. Honestly? I’m impressed."

Zaliver grinned, his broad arms folded tightly across his chest. That smug expression of his made me want to roll my eyes, but instead, I just gave him a dry look.

"I’m glad I’ve impressed you," he said, tilting his head back arrogantly while somehow still managing to look down at me. "So, about the clothing..."

I didn’t even let him finish the thought. I gasped dramatically, bouncing up on my toes and racing over to him.

"I found the dress! It’s so pretty. But you’re not allowed to see it. Don’t even think about peeking through the luggage!"

I pointed a stern finger straight at him, narrowing my eyes as a sharp warning.

"Deal?" I challenged.

He slowly uncrossed his arms and wrapped them tightly around my waist, pulling me in so our bodies touched.

"Oh, I don’t know," he teased, his deep voice low and playful. "What do I get out of it if I behave?"

I narrowed my eyes and leaned in close, matching his smug grin with a confident one of my own.

"If you don’t peek, you can take it off me when the night’s completely over."

His pupils dilated instantly, his pale blue eyes darkening with sudden hunger.

"Deal," he said without even a second’s pause.

I smirked in triumph and turned toward his desk, opening his laptop and pulling up a large color chart.

"Right, since you’ve already declared your undying love for wearing black and only black, your only choices for the handkerchief are these two colors." I gestured clearly at the screen. "My dress is one of these shades, and I’m definitely not telling you which. Midnight blue would look amazing on you, by the way."

I looked at him expectantly, waiting for his input.

When he didn’t say anything at all, I squinted up at him. He looked completely distracted.

"What?" I asked, already prepared to ignore whatever opinion he had if it went against my ultimate vision.

He shrugged casually. "I don’t really care. You pick."

Before I could sass him for being far too chill about it, he pressed his hips firmly into my backside. I groaned and quickly slipped out of his arms, shutting the laptop tight.

"Mother Nature is not on your side today, Zaliver," I warned him, walking around the large desk to sit down in front of him. He slumped dramatically in his heavy chair, his eyes pleading.

"One more day," he muttered like a tortured soul. "Just one more day."

I giggled at his misery, and he looked up at me with mock innocence. I shook my head softly and leaned back.

"Anyway, I already packed for us, sent the decoration list over to Jesse, and made sure the food for the turtles is set "

"We don’t have turtles," Zaliver interrupted, raising a dark brow at me.

I crossed my arms.

"Not yet."

He lifted his hands in mock surrender and reached for a heavy file to sign.

I tilted my head, growing serious. "So... what’s the deal with leaving Albericus behind while we’re gone? Are you sure that’s safe? Don’t you need him if things go south?"

The thought gnawed relentlessly at me. We were about to walk into a massive gathering of the most powerful wolves on the entire planet. Some probably hated Zaliver. Others were likely deeply curious. All of them were dangerous. I didn’t like the idea of walking in there without his most powerful backup. My imagination was already listing a hundred ways things could spiral out of control.

Zaliver’s expression shifted when he noticed my sudden tension. He reached across the desk and took my hand in his. The instant our skin touched, the heavy weight on my chest eased up.

I smiled at him, small and soft.

But he didn’t smile back.

"Don’t stress, baby," Zaliver said calmly, his voice carrying that smooth edge he only used when he thought I was being adorably unreasonable. "He has to stay behind to handle things here... and to make sure his mate doesn’t try anything clever." His dark gaze locked onto mine. "Even if I needed him which I won’t we’ve got someone else coming with us."

I blinked. "Who?"

That peculiar smile of his spread slowly across his lips. I didn’t like the look of it.

"Your personal bodyguard. Specially assigned for intense situations like this," he said.

My brows knit together tightly at the wording. Bodyguard, singular. Not guards.

"My usual team isn’t coming?"

Zaliver shook his head slowly, his dark hair falling over his eyes like silk shadows. He reached out and gently stroked his thumb along my knuckles.

"They’re good for your protection here, especially around other important wolves. But out there?" His eyes darkened slightly. "I’ll feel better if you’re with him. Just for now."

I frowned up at him. "You know I can take care of myself, right?"

His lips curved into a warm smile, and he lifted my hand to press a soft kiss directly into my palm. That single touch sent a rush of heat straight up my arm, making my wolf stir beneath my skin.

"I know you can, Vivian. That’s not what this is about."

I tilted my head. "So... who is it then?"

He didn’t hesitate for even a second. "Venom."

I blinked in surprise. "Venom?"

"Mhm."

"But I beat him," I said flatly, remembering that spar a little too vividly. "Thoroughly."

Zaliver laughed softly, shaking his head in sheer amusement.

"You did, but even you had to notice he was holding back. Right?"

Ugh. He had a point. I didn’t like admitting it, but yeah Venom had definitely gone easy on me.