Moonlight Betrayal-Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Astrid’s POV

The last of the guests had finally departed, leaving a comfortable silence in their wake. The remnants of the party, scattered decorations and lingering scents of grilled food, served as a testament to the warm welcome I had received.

Throughout the evening, I couldn’t help but notice how everyone had gone out of their way to make me feel included. Each conversation, each gesture, was imbued with a genuine desire to make me feel like I belonged. It was a stark contrast to my experiences in the Moonshade pack, where I had always felt like an outsider, a stranger in a foreign land.

Even Shadow, who had helped me escape from the Moonshade pack, had approached me at some point, albeit with a sulky expression. It was still surreal to think that this was the same "woman" who had expertly navigated me through the Moonshade compound, his disguise so convincing that I hadn’t suspected a thing until we were safely on the plane.

"Welcome to the pack," he had mumbled, his eyes avoiding mine.

"Thank you," I had replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "Is everything alright? You seem a bit... grumpy."

Before Shadow could answer, Rebecca had burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, he’s just upset because he lost the bet," she had said, her voice teasing.

"Bet?" I had asked, my brow furrowing in confusion.

Rebecca had then proceeded to explain the ridiculous prank that Shadow had orchestrated with the other pack members, a competition to see who would be the first person to meet me. He had never anticipated that Rebecca, or anyone else for that matter, would join the fray, and his carefully laid plans had been hilariously foiled.

"He thought he had it in the bag," Rebecca had said, her voice dripping with amusement. "He never expected that I would get involved, especially since he was the one who helped you escape."

I had chuckled, finding the whole situation incredibly amusing.

"It wasn’t even my idea to join the bet," Rebecca had added, turning to Shadow with a mischievous grin. "It was all Alex’s idea."

I turned to her in shock. "Alex?"

Rebecca nodded. "It seems so out of character for him right?" She asked me with a grin tugging at her lips.

Was I so obvious? "I mean, Alex doesn’t look like someone who would enjoy this sort of thing." I had replied to her.

Rebecca laughed. "Next time, put in mind that Alex is Kaeleen’s best friend."

I chuckled at that. It seemed Kaeleen had influenced Alex after all.

I had been involved in all the games they played, I was constantly reassured of their desire for me to stay in the pack with them, and they constantly reiterated that they were going to ensure that I had a nice time there. All these nice words that they were used to shooting my way. I was a bit overwhelmed by how nice everybody in the pack was, playing and how they were all approaching me without malicious thoughts. It was all a bit too good to be true.

After the party ended, I made my way back to the room where I had woken up that morning, a sense of gratitude washing over me. I had been so apprehensive about joining this pack, fearing that I would be met with the same hostility and rejection that I had experienced in the Moonshade pack. But I had been proven wrong. These people, these strangers, had welcomed me with open arms, treating me with kindness and respect.

Rebecca was right next to me as we walked slowly. She said she and Alex had a house in the compound so they were going to stay there for the night.

"Hey," I said, my voice soft. "Thanks for everything. I beer even thought I’d needed a party like this one. It helps to feel welcomed."

Rebecca smiled, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "You deserved it," she said. "We’re all really glad to have you here, Astrid."

"But why?" I asked her, the question had been nagging me all day.

Why were they so eager to welcome me into the pack without reservations?

"Kaeleen is a good judge of character. He’s the best and every member of the pack has seen it." She said to me.

"Okay?"

"We feel or rather try all feel that he wouldn’t be mated to someone annoying. Someone who doesn’t deserve it and to be sincere, if Kaeleen had noticed something from the beginning, something he didn’t like, he would not have brought you here." She said to me.

"But that’s not enough guarantee that will make them all like me." I said to her.

"Who said they all like you?" She asked me.

"Did you see the way I was welcomed and accepted?"

"Doesn’t mean they like you. And besides, you didnt meet the hostile pack members yet. When you become Luna you’d have to battle them." She ssid to me with a laugh.

"Battle?" I laughed.

"They are a bit hard headed. I don’t mean real battle but they’ll test you. And rest your patience and also annoy you to no end but I’m sure you can take it." Rebecca said to me.

"Hmmm." I said in thought.

"No need to overthink anything. Just go with the flow and put them in their seats. I may not be readily available everyday like today though but if you need my help at all, I’m right here." She said to me.

I gave her an appreciative smile. "Likewise you."

"What?" She asked in shock.

"Do t look at me like I’ve just committed an offence. If you need someone to talk with, then you can talk with me." I told her.

She nodded. "Thanks."

She turned to leave when a thought suddenly occurred to me, a nagging worry that had been lingering in the back of my mind since the party began.

"Rebecca," I said, my brow furrowing. "What about Serena? Why wasn’t she here tonight?"

Was she part of that small percentage that Rebecca referred to as hard headed? But when we spoke this morning she seemed perfectly okay and even curious to meet me but I hadn’t seen her at all throughout the party which although I did t want to say but I found it weird.

Rebecca hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering slightly. "She had something to do," she said, her voice a little too casual. "She couldn’t make it."

"Oh. Ieas hoping to get to know her better too." I told her with a laugh.

Rebecca released a sigh. "Yeah, me too."

I suspected there was something she wasn’t telling me. To be sincere, I wasn’t really close to Rebecca, this was a new friendship and one I didn’t want to destroy. I liked Rebecca so I was going to give her space. I wasn’t going to push her but instead let her trust me. frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Maybe I’ll see her tomorrow or the next time we meet."

Rebecca gave me a sad smile. "I hope so. Well, goodnight, I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight." I said as I walked into my room and she went her way.