Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

I turned to find her pushing through the crowd, dressed in a different, even more revealing red gown that clung to every curve. She’d clearly changed in the hotel, choosing something designed to draw more attention.

“I’m back,” she announced, smiling up at me. Her eyes darted around, cataloging the important guests before settling on Varian. “Did I miss anything important?”

*If you’ll excuse me, Alpha, I should greet some of our business partners.” Varian said to me, completely ignoring Selene.

He disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with Selene, who immediately wrapped herself around my arm like an expensive accessory.

“Why isn’t he answering me?” she whispered when Varian

out of earshot, her fingers digging slightly into my forearm.

I was about to pull away when I noticed Lysandra looking in our direction, her green eyes briefly meeting mine before she turned back to her conversation.

Instead of creating distance, I deliberately slid my arm around Selene’s waist, giving her a perfunctory smile. “Nothing’s happened. Just a boring party.”

“Then I’ll make sure the night gets more exciting after the party,” Selene purred into my ear, her pheromones intentionally spiking.

I felt nothing. Not a flicker of interest, not a spark of desire. Even as she pressed her body against mine in a way that left little to the imagination, I remained completely unmoved.

What the hell was wrong with me? I was a healthy Alpha werewolf in his prime, yet for months now, I’d felt nothing for

threw themselves at me due to my position.

any woman. Not Selene, not the dozens of females wh

No one except-

I cut off the thought before it could form, refusing to owledge the obvious. Instead, I stared across the deck at Lysandra, wondering who exactly this “lost princess” was that had everyone so captivated, and why the hell I couldn’t find it in me to look away from my ex–wife long enough to care.

The entire party suddenly hushed. Conversations, died mid–sentence as heads turned toward the main cabin doors. The ambient music faded to an expectant murmur, and even the waves seemed to quiet their lapping against the yacht’s hull.

Moonlight streamed through the glass skylight overhead, creating a silver column that illuminated the entrance just as Alpha Alaric Ravencroft stepped through.

Fucking theatrical entrance. Of course.

His Alpha aura extended before him like a physical force, causing several lower–ranked wolves to instinctively lower their

gazes.

Former Alpha Caspian and Luna Aurelia followed, their aristocratic bearing unmistakable. Alaric strode directly to where Kieran stood with Lysandra. The two men embraced like brothers–in–arms, clasping forearms before pulling each other close in a display of pack loyalty.

Then Alaric turned to Lysandra, and my entire body tensed.

He pulled her into an embrace that looked far too intimate, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh. His lips brushed against her temple in a gesture that sent my wolf into a frenzy of possessive rage.

My vision bled red at the edges, blood–tint infusing my irises. The crystal tumbler in my hand creaked dangerously as my fingers tightened.

“I think Alpha Alaric really likes her,” Selene murmured beside me. “Maybe Beta Kieran’s engagement announcement on social media was just to protect the Alpha’s girlfriend.”

I didn’t respond, couldn’t respond, as Alaric’s hand settled at the small of Lysandra’s back. She leaned into him with the easy familiarity of longtime lovers, their body language speaking volumes.

“I’m not just speculating,” Selene continued, pressing closer. “I forgot to tell you, but that night, my friend overheard their conversation at the hotel. They were discussing plans to spend the night together.”

“Don’t follow me,‘ I snarled at Selene, my Alpha voice making her physically recoil.

I stalked toward the dimly lit bar area at the edge of the deck. Varian stood nursing a whiskey, his sharp eyes taking in the guests with practiced assessment.

“What’s got you so pissed off?” Varian asked as I approached, not bothering with pretense.

I signaled the bartender. “Your strongest werewolf special. Neat.”

The man nodded, reaching beneath the counter for a bottle few humans could tolerate. The amber liquid glowed with faint blue highlights–a spirit infused with rare herbs that affected even werewolf metabolism.

“Do something, Varian. This woman is driving me insane.” I knocked back the entire drink in one burning swallow.

Varian’s eyes widened slightly. “That’s your own fault. You wanted her as your Luna, now d

“Not Selene,” I growled, signaling for another drink.

Understanding dawned on his face. “Oh. Her. Easy, Alpha. We’re not on our territory.”

ith the consequences.”

I downed the second drink, welcoming the fire that spread through my chest. The alcohol’s effect would be brief–our

metabolism burned through toxins too quickly–but the momentary numbness was worth it.

Movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention. Lysandra stood across the deck, her gaze suddenly locking with mine. Instead of avoiding eye contact like she would have years ago, she held it deliberately, a confident half–smile playing

at her lips.

Then, with the poise of someone completely at ease in her own skin, she guided a man toward the bar. The man followed her like an eager puppy, hanging on her every word and gesture.

She approached with purposeful steps, seemingly unbothered by my presence as she positioned herself right beside me at

the bar.