Ivonne's POV
As I strolled away from the table a young woman with black curly hair and chocolate skinned stopped me halfway across the hall. She was in an elegant black dress that showcased her delicate shoulders and neckline.
She was indeed beautiful as the glow of the lights reflected in her brown skin, making it shine. "Hello, I'm Luna Ellen and it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure is mine," I managed a smile as I squinted my lids in thought, she appeared a bit familiar, however I couldn't place it. "Have we met before?"
"Yes," she affirmed and I nodded, realizing my brain was right. Ria was silent in my head as she observed the lady. "My husband and I visited the Moon pack a year ago."
"Oooh," I let out, apprehension creeping into my veins at the knowledge.
"It's good to see you looking better and radiant than you were," she murmured and took a sip from her glass.
"I guess," I blurted, unsure of how to behave in her presence as I was yet to discern if she was a friend or a foe.
"Trust me it was sad seeing you dull and lifeless. Behind your smile which you struggled to put out there, sadness lurked in your eyes," she further reminded. "I asked my husband if there was anything we could do and he said it was entirely up to you."
"Ummm okay," I murmured, eying the distance between me and the bathroom.
"Now you seem happy and I hope it stays that way," she spoke and to my surprise she sounded genuine.
"Me too," I smiled softly, feeling her sincerity.
"About your act with the rogues," she started just as I made a move to bow out of her face. "I think I speak for all the Luna's if I say you were indeed brave to put yourself in the line of battle."
"It was a decision not many of us would make, I included," she ended with a laugh and I joined her with a light one of mine.
"It was a really difficult decision," I agreed with her notion.
"I'm glad you are with Tobias," she said. "He's a nice man who would treat you right in the long run."
"He's already doing that," I blurted, my words rushed. "If you don't mind I need to use the restroom."
"No wonder you seem rushed," she chuckled. "Go on ahead darling."
"Thank you," I breathed a sigh of relief and squeezed her palm. "We'll get time to catch up soon."
Luckily she stepped aside for me to walk away and I couldn't be more thankful. My 4-inch black heels clicked on the marble tiles as I weaved my way in between the crowd, smiling and nodding at them in courtesy as I touched them.
I wasn't that familiar with the lower part of the pack house, nonetheless I discovered where the bathroom was before I set up my office which had a bathroom.
My office was on the first floor and I had no energy for the stairs, instead I made my way to the one downstairs. The bathroom was in three categories.
One was meant for the Alpha and Luna for emergencies, the second was for guests and the others for pack members who needed quick relief while at the pack house.
I went into the one marked A/L and shut the door. I wasn't really pressed, however I felt a bit claustrophobic out there for some reason unknown to me.
Maybe it was because I was in the space with the people I hated the most and were responsible for my trauma. The image of how I tumbled down the stairs and lost my child was still fresh in my mind.
How it happened was still a mystery, rather I knew it wasn't my fault. I felt a push before I went rolling down the stairs, and due to my state of pain after I couldn't decipher who it was.
Inhaling a deep breath, I turned on the tap and splashed water on my face. I did that a few times and switched off the faucet to lean on the sink and stare at my reflection.
'You are good don't worry,' Ria murmured in my head in an assuring tone. 'It's normal to have a drastic change of emotions after what you've been through.'
'I know but today was supposed to be a happy day,' I said in return. 'It was supposed to be a day to show them I was stronger and better than when I left.'
'When you were kicked out,' Ria corrected.
'Exactly,' I concurred, taking deep steadying breaths as I was feeling overwhelmed. 'So why now? Why does it feel as if I'm breaking down?'
'It's because you have been through a lot,' she explained. 'Your body and insides are finally letting go of the weight of your sadness. What you are feeling are just the side effects.'
'Are you sure?' I asked, hesitant to believe as I clamped my lids shut for a few moments.
'When have I been ever wrong?' She taunted in a playful manner and I bobbed my head and opened my eyes, grateful it was a closed space and no one saw me loosing it. 'Now go out there and be the perfect Luna you are.'
'Perfect is far from it but okay,' I beamed at my reflection and pushed my weight off the sink. "Let's do this."
I tucked my hair neatly behind one ear, brushing the strands away from my face and permitting it to fall on one shoulder, my brown eyes brighter from the small touch of makeup Lora had helped me with.
Whirling around, I flushed the toilet for dramatics and strolled to the door. Exiting the small space, I had only walked a few steps when I ran into the most unexpected person and the first thought that ran through my mind was, 'thank heavens I flushed.'
I pretended not to notice the bastard and strolled past him but halted as his fingers wrapped around my arm. Slowly, my glance shifted to the area his fingers were and up to his face.
Sending him a glare, I hissed and pulled away, prompting his hand to drop at his side and his vision solely on me as he murmured an apology, "sorry about that Ivonne."
"What are you doing here Lincoln?" I inquired, irritation creeping into my bones. "I just wanted to see you," he revealed rubbing the back of his head.
"Well you saw me out there," I uttered in a scoff. "And if you didn't you just did so can I go now Linc?"
"It's been ages you called me that," he issued a smile and took a step toward me.
"Okay let's not get ahead of ourselves," I blurted, putting my palms out to stall him. "If you have nothing to say then allow me return to the hall."
"No," he moved his head from side to side in denial. "I have something to say."
"Go ahead and say it," I suggested. "It'd help us not to be in each other's presence longer than necessary."
"It's more of a question than a statement," he revealed and I lifted my brow.
"Ask away Lincoln," I exhaled, trying to put a leash around my irritation which was about to bubble to the surface any moment. "I honestly want to hear it."
"Ivonne," he started out by calling my name, as serious as he gawked at me. "Do you think you are doing the right thing?"