The Hidden Luna Queen 2
Chapter 71

THIRD PERSON POV

Look at her, Isabelle thought with a scoff. Daring to enjoy herself.

The afternoon of the banquet had come and, as a prettily-dressed Maeve mingled with Xaden and Charlotte on the far end of the banquet hall, engaging in private, light conversation with one another, the dubious first Luna Princess observed from a distance. Delicately sipping at the glass of wine in her hand, she felt a familiar rage swell inside her, remembering the outcomes of their last encounters.

Maeve having the audacity to insult her in front of the royal family at the last banquet.

And then days ago in the hallway, when she dared to ignore a potential summons from the king himself.

She couldn't stand how self-important Maeve thought herself to be. There was no right for her to talk back against people with more influence and power than she could ever dream of having.

This time, however, Isabelle felt absolutely certain she had come up with a plan that was sure to throw Maeve off her game. Something that she would never expect, nor something that Xaden could defend.

All of a sudden, there were small, timid tugs on the back of her sleeve.

"So... why am I over here, again...?"

Isabelle suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. She found herself in the company of the ditzy daughter of an alpha of some inconsequential pack, so much so that Isabelle could not even remember the name of it or where it was located. Visit Job n i b .co m to read the complete chapters for free. To some, she might be considered pretty, what with her short, curly strawberry-blonde hair and light green eyes, but her less-than-impressive intellect was a turn-off to many men.

In any other case, Isabelle would never dare to be caught with a girl like this, but she served a greater purpose today.

"I told you," she said with a forced smile, turning back to the woman in tow. "You are here to make friends with that black-haired girl sitting over there."

Bewildered, the curly-haired girl followed Isabelle's pointed finger to the silhouette of Maeve, who was still lost in her conversation with Xaden and Charlotte, blissfully unaware she was the target of yet another plot.

"She does look nice, I guess..." she admitted. "But I already have lots of friends."

"Well... not so much to make friends, per se," Isabelle drawled, suddenly taking on a deep expression of sympathy, enticing the girl to draw closer to her. "You see, she really wants Prince Xaden to like her, but she does not know what to do. You used to visit with him from time to time, didn't you?"

The girl's slight blush in response told her everything she needed to know.

However much Xaden tried to pretend he was chivalrous and righteous when it came to his feelings for Maeve, Isabelle was more than aware of his frequent dalliances in the past. There had been many a time when she encountered lovestruck alpha daughters either outside the palace gates or out in the capital, asking to see the prince and demanding why he never called them again.

And there had been a few instances where she'd accidentally caught fleeting glimpses of faint bruises scattered across his neck.

"Oh-yes," she stammered. "Only a few times, though."

"Exactly! So you should go over there and tell her all of the things you did to get him to like you."

The girl's eyes brightened. "Oh, you mean like how I su-"

"I don't need the details, please," Isabelle quickly cut her off with a tight smile. "But do make sure to tell her everything. I'm sure she would greatly appreciate all the advice you have to offer her." Glancing back toward Maeve, Isabelle suddenly realized that Xaden and Charlotte were getting out of their seats, leaving her all alone. Her heart leaped into her throat.

This was it!

"Go now," Isabelle urged, nudging the girl forward. “She's all alone."

Much to her frustration, the girl decided to show some hesitance." Maybe I shouldn't... I'm supposed to be here with my new husband,” the girl muttered thoughtfully, glancing back towards the other side of the banquet hall where a young wolf, surrounded by a small crowd, loudly told his version of the battle. "He was one of the soldiers who fought on the border. I have to celebrate with him, too..."

"I didn't pull you aside for you to worry about the details, Dalia. We are doing this to help her."

The girl pouted. "My name is Delaney."

Ugh-potato, tomato, Isabelle jeered internally. "Please," she insisted." She needs you."

And with that final encouragement, the girl ventured toward Maeve, about to be an unwitting pawn in Isabelle's plan.

Isabelle watched with bated breath, waiting for Delaney to make contact with Maeve, and desperately wanting to see the unabashed glaze of horror that would cross her face when she listened to those horrid tales. But then

"Isabelle," Henry intervened, suddenly materializing behind her, taking her by surprise. "Alpha Karl and his wife seek our company. I need you to come with me right now."

Isabelle opened her mouth to protest, but the smile plastered on Henry's face left no room for debate. With a sinking feeling, she realized she had no choice but to obey. As she walked away with her husband, she put all her hopes and prayers into the will and ability of Xaden's former dalliance.

It was out of Isabelle's hands now.

MAEVE POV

The moment I learned that there was going to be another banquet held at the royal palace, where our attendance was unfortunately deemed mandatory, my stomach sank with dread.

One week was not enough time for me to mentally recuperate from the events of the last one, after all the dirty tricks that Isabelle had pulled. Not to mention, I was nowhere near ready to face Alpha King Arlan again. Any courage that I'd had in my body had been all but used up that night.

If given the choice, I would have elected to stay home. Without question.

Oh-how nice that sounded right about now. Locking myself in my bedroom and letting myself just relax in peace.

But I couldn't be selfish right now.

After all, this banquet was not held in my honor this time.

According to Xaden, this was to celebrate the brave wolves who fought against enemy Bear-Shifter forces and defended what was rightful werewolf territory. I was not clear on many of the details, but it sounded to be a very close battle... as in, there had been a strong likelihood that we could have lost. The thought was terrifying.

That was, if it hadn't been for the alpha heading the charge. Apparently, it was because of his remarkable display of valiance on the field that

spurred our soldiers to push on, even in the face of defeat.

The power of an alpha is amazing, I couldn't help but think.

I still had yet to learn who that brave alpha was, but as I sat toward the back of the royal banquet hall-the room surprisingly filled with wolves of many different ranks-I had a feeling that I would replace out before the afternoon was over. As I had gathered, most of those in attendance were either soldiers who had fought in last night's battle or were loved ones of the soldiers.

With that in mind, I was happy to attend and show my support for the brave men and women who kept us safe while we slept.

It was the least I could do. And all I had to do was be there. I swelled with relief-I didn't have to subject myself to merciless interrogations or anything.

I could enjoy myself in peace.

"See?" Xaden smiled next to me, his radiating warmth infectious and comforting. "This is hardly so bad, isn't it?"

I couldn't help but smile in return. He, admittedly, also contributed a great deal to my agreement to attend. "I admit, I like being able to hide among the crowds. It's an entirely different feeling to be here when I'm not the one in the spotlight." "But you look so stunning today," he murmured, looking me over with heat in his eyes. "Everyone should be able to see you."

My cheeks grew hot. I didn't think I looked any more pretty than usual. Knowing I would be surrounded by a larger group of people, I decided to opt for a simple, loose, all-black dress that exposed my shoulders and half of my back, while hiding my baby bump well enough under its billowy skirt. But that didn't stop Xaden from gazing at me like I was the most lovely creature in the world.

"You two are so adorable," Charlotte drawled from beside us, a teasing smile lighting up her face when I looked away, embarrassed. "But

remember, everyone is still unaware that you're poised to be Xaden's mate

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Xaden frowned at the reminder.

"-so you need to maintain discretion in public settings like this, if you want to wait to announce anything until after the baby is born," she continued. "There are many here looking for something to talk about."

I bit my lip. She was right. That was one of the conditions we had all agreed upon.

"Very well," Xaden huffed, looking displeased, which prompted a giggle unbidden to slip past my throat.

The three of us continued our casual conversation when all of a sudden, the Luna Queen approached us, asking for her son and daughter to accompany her to meet with an acquaintance of theirs.

Despite being ready to go, Xaden and Charlotte stalled, glancing worriedly at me, making me realize they did not want to leave me alone." Go on, it's alright," I tried to reassure them as I settled in my chair. "I can handle some time by myself." Even with my approval, it took a few moments for them to relent but they eventually did, promising to return as soon as they were able.

And so, I sat at that table alone, enjoying the solitude for once.

Here, I could just watch as everyone else mingled with fellow attendees, not paying me any mind. Here, I could be a wallflower and, for once, I was alright with that.

I was looking at everything and nothing all at once, blissfully ignorant of the rest of my surroundings and hopelessly unaware that different sets of footsteps were making their

First, I saw a young woman with short, curly hair stop within feet of my table, preparing to talk, but then-

"Excuse me," a deep, attractive voice spoke up beside me, unfamiliar, yet kind-sounding. "Is this seat taken?"

way toward my table.