Ch. I Refuse to Be Your Luna 205 I Refuse to Be Your Luna 205

Finished

Chapter 205 The Invitation

Lady Flourish’s POV

Damian’s question remained in the room long after he asked it, and I could feel my wolf grow restless beneath my skin as I tried to decide how much of the mall encounter I actually wanted to share.

His Alpha instincts were already fixed on me, and the silver ring on his finger caught the light every time he moved his hand.

“She provoked me,” I finally said, keeping my voice calm. “Phina came to the jewelry store while I was buying the rings.”

Damian’s jaw tightened. “What did she say?”

I watched his expression carefully. “She said things about Harold, about me being jealous, about being another woman.”

His eyes darkened. “Did she touch you?”

I shook my head. “She tried.”

His wolf growled low, and I reached for his hand before his anger could take over completely. “Damian, I handled it.”

His gaze dropped to our joined hands, and some of the tension eased out of his shoulders. “How?”

I hesitated. “I slapped her.”

His eyebrows rose. “You slapped Phina?”

“She slapped me first,” I said, lifting my chin. “So I returned it.”

For several seconds he simply stared at me, and then a quiet laugh escaped him.

I frowned. “What?”

His thumb brushed across my knuckles. “Nothing.” He leaned closer. “My mate knows how to protect herself.”

The warmth in his voice made my wolf settle. “I wasn’t going to stand there and let her insult me.”

“I know.” He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I would have done the same.”

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Chapter 205 The Invitation

I smiled despite myself. “That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you immediately.”

His expression turned serious. “You thought I’d make things worse.”

“You have a reputation for making people regret crossing you.”

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A faint smile touched his lips. “Only when necessary.”

“And was this necessary?”

His eyes softened. “If she had touched you again, yes.”

“You’re impossible.”

“And you’re my mate,” he said, without a moment’s hesitation.

My wolf reacted instantly, warmth spreading through the bond between us. For a moment neither of us spoke. Then Damian lifted his hand and touched the silver ring again.

“I still can’t believe you bought this for me.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because I mean it.” He looked at the ring. “I’ve never received something this simple that meant this much.”

My chest tightened. “I thought you would like it.”

“I do.” He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “More than you know.”

I looked away before he could see how much his words affected me. The moment settled into quiet again, and I suddenly remembered how late it had gotten.

“You should sleep.”

“So should you.”

“I have work tomorrow.”

“So do I.”

I smiled. “Then go to bed.”

He didn’t move. “You’re dismissing your Alpha?”

I stared at him. “I’m dismissing my husband.”

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Chapter 205 The Invitation

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His smile widened. “That’s better.”

He finally stepped away, but paused at the door to look back at me. “Good night, Flourish.”

“Good night, Damian.”

I closed the door after him and leaned against it for several seconds, my wolf unusually

content.

I touched the ring on my finger, and for the first time in a long while, I let myself enjoy something without immediately searching for the danger hidden behind it.

I had no idea that someone else was already planning to disturb that peace.

The next morning, I had barely settled into my office when my assistant told me someone wanted to see me.

“Who?”

“Kyana.”

My brows pulled together. “What does she want?”

“I didn’t ask.”

I sighed. “Send her in.”

A moment later Kyana walked in with an invitation in her hand and an overly pleasant smile. “Flourish.”

I leaned back in my chair. “What are you doing here?”

She extended the invitation toward me. “This is for you.”

I didn’t take it right away. “From whom?”

“Phina.” Her smile turned sweeter. “She wanted you to have it personally.”

I looked at the envelope, and my wolf picked up the faint scent of Phina’s perfume clinging to it. I finally reached for it.

Kyana’s eyes brightened. “Scared to attend?”

I

gave a quiet laugh. “Why would I be scared?”

“You know what you’ll be watching,” she said, tilting her head. “Harold is getting married.”

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Chapter 205 The Invitation

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I opened the invitation. The date was tomorrow.

“I’ll be there,” I said, looking back at her.

Her smile widened. “Good.”

She turned to leave, and I stopped her. “Kyana.”

She looked back.

“If Phina thinks this invitation will upset me, tell her she has wasted her effort.”

Kyana’s smile stiffened slightly, and I returned my attention to the card in my hand.

“Tomorrow is just another day.”

After she left, I stared at the invitation for several seconds. Then my phone vibrated. It was

Damian.

Dinner tonight?

I smiled and typed back. Of course.

I placed the invitation inside my drawer, having no idea that tomorrow’s wedding would bring me face to face with far more than Harold and Phina.

Because Damian had already decided he would attend with me, and he was about to walk into the very room where everyone still believed I was a woman waiting for Harold.

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A/A

12:22 Thu, Oct 1

Refuse To Be Your Luna