CHAPTER TWENTY THREE LEONA'S POV

I looked around the garden, every pack member from the moonlight pack owned and headed by Alpha Zane was present. The guards that Kane had sent to escort me were already gone. Of course, they threatened and promised to harm Fiona if I didn't do their Alpha's selfish bidding. I palmed my forehead in tiredness and disgust. How couldn't they see how selfish, cruel and unfair their Alpha was? I guess people see the good in the bad and the bad in the good. I looked towards the garden and a man was giving a speech, something about their next list of events that would take place. I tried to listen, but I was just too bored, something about

"Traditional Wolf Activities"

Under the traditional wolf activities, he went on to list

" Howling Concerts, Moonlit Hunts, Lunar Rituals."

When he was done mentioning, they all screamed out in excitement.

Then he continued

"Magical and Mystical:

Shape-Shifting Ceremonies, Moonlit Vision Quests, Lunar Energy Harvesting:

*Celebratory and Social:*

Full Moon Feasts, Moonlit Games, Pack Bonding Rituals.

*Spiritual and Commemorative:*

Ancestor Honoring, Moonlit Storytelling, Lunar Renewal Ceremonies. "

I had no idea why I stuck around to listen when none of what he just listed interested me. They were pretty interesting events, which would have interested me on a normal day, but not today. I've got a lot on my mind, I have to deceive an Innocent Alpha, well not so innocent though.

I grabbed my clutches that allowed me to move without a hitch and left the garden. I was new to the environment, so I had no idea where I was going. I came to a still, trying to decide where to go when someone bumped into me. It was sudden and unexpected. I fell back, shutting my eyes closed, awaiting the impact. I felt an arm wrap around my waist, stopping me from falling.

"I'm so sorry." The person apologized. I opened my eyes to see a guy standing in front of me. He looked young and handsome. Should be around my age.

"It's fine," I mutter, my eyes not leaving him. Please don't tell me my stupid heart is falling for him.

"I'm sorry, again." He said.

His voice is extremely soothing, exactly what I need right now.

"It's fine." I chuckle looking down on my feet.

He was returning the stare and making me uncomfortable.

"Although you should consider slowing down, to avoid getting in trouble," I said.

He nodded, sighing while tucking his hands in his pocket. "Since I only take advice from pretty ladies, I'll take yours." He said.

I can't stop myself from chuckling. "That's funny. I'm not that pretty." I mutter, looking in the direction of the garden, the activity was still going on and they were currently cheering in excitement.

"Why is it always the pretty ones that are insecure." He asked and I shrugged. "I'm not insecure, I'm just telling you the plain truth," I replied and he made this humming sound with his mouth. When he stopped, a part of me wanted him to continue.

"Want to go over and see what they are up to?" He asked after a minute of silence.

"Huh?" I asked, looking back at him.

"You keep looking in that direction, why don't you go over." He said.

I had no idea my focus was still on the festival going on. "Nah, I'm not really from around here," I answered.

I wasn't interested in their festival, so why was I being drawn to it?

"That's fine, here at Moonlight Pack, we welcome everyone." He shrugged and before I could reply, he was carrying me towards the garden, where the festival was being held.

We get there and everyone gasps in shock on seeing us. The guy immediately clears his throat and they immediately compose. That little action doesn't miss my notice and I can't help but wonder who he was to get that kind of reaction from them.

He sets me down and immediately, people shift, making space for me to sit.

I mutter a few thanks which they accept wholeheartedly to my surprise.

The festival goes on and I end up performing. It wasn't my intention, but when you get dragged onto the stage by a friend you just met, you have no choice but to comply.

I go back to my seat after a display of my dancing skills, I'm exhausted, but also happy.

"You did good." The guy from earlier muttered in my ears, sending tingling sensations down my spine.

I clear my throat awkwardly, looking around and as usual eyes are on us. "Thank you," I mutter.

The activity continues deep into the night and when it's done, I'm pretty exhausted.

I look around and he's gone, just like that. No goodbyes? I feel disappointed as I get on my feet and leave the scene.

I'm walking carefully, to avoid tripping on something, when a shadow double-crosses me.

"They give you a mission to spy on someone and the first thing you do is go party?" The shadow asked in a deep angry tone, I rolled my eyes, knowing it was Kane's lackeys.

"You don't expect me to show up at his bedroom, do you?" I asked back in a sarcastic tone.

"Kane said to blend in, get his trust and finish him off. I'm going to use every method I can think of to do that, little moves are recognized." I said.

"You do that, you just do that, remember what is at stake here and I'm sure you won't want any harm to come to her." The figure says, pointing at me, before disappearing into the night.

I groan, setting my crutches aside and sitting on the grass. Times like this make me hate my life.

I sat at that spot for a while, and when I remembered I didn't have a place to sleep, I couldn't bring myself to stand up.

"Hey, there you are." Someone says from behind me and I turn to look. It's one of the girls I sat together with.

"Here I am," I muttered.

"I and the other girls are going to bed, would you like to join us?" She asked, coming to stand in front of me. I stare at her, trying to guess her reasons for making such an offer. I guess when you have no choice, you have no reason to object.

"Alright." I agree, standing up.