Luna Forsaken (Arya and James) novel Chapter 30

30 The Banquet That Bled: Smiles Like Knives

Arya’s POV

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Leah walked beside me like she was escorting a guest she’d decided to keep.

People watched us pass.

Some looked impressed with Leah.

Some looked amused by me.

Some looked angry that I wasn’t already gone.

As we approached the elite table, I saw James.

He stood near the head, speaking quietly with the Union representatives.

Two men and one woman, dressed in formal dark clothing, their insignias pinned neatly on

their chests. They looked de Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading!s of packs grovel for

acceptance.

James turned his head.

His gaze found me.

For a second, his eyes tightened.

Not anger.

Something else.

Panic, maybe.

Or guilt.

Then he looked at Leah.

And his face smoothed into control.

Leah lifted her hand, smiling at the Union officials like she belonged with them.

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“Welcome,” she said brightly.

The officials nodded politely.

James stepped forward as Leah reached the table.

“Arya,” he said quietly, just for me.

His tone was careful.

Not loving.

Not even familiar.

Just careful.

Like I was a fragile glass he didn’t want to shatter.

I didn’t answer.

Leah turned to the seat beside the head, her seat.

Then she gestured to a chair near James but not beside him.

My chair.

“Here,” Leah said warmly. “This is your place.”

My place.

Not the seat beside James.

Not the position I’d held.

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A chair positioned perfectly so the pack and the Union would see what the new order

looked like.

Leah sat like a queen.

James sat like a man trying not to flinch.

I remained standing.

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<30 The Banquet That Bled: Smiles Like Knives

The hall waited again.

Leah looked up at me with a smile that said, sit, and accept what you are now.

James’s gaze locked on mine. His eyes pleaded.

Just slightly.

Not enough for anyone else to notice.

Enough for me.

His mouth barely moved when he spoke, voice low.

“Please,” he murmured. “Just… sit.”

I held his gaze for a moment longer, then pulled the chair back and sat.

A murmur of satisfaction moved through the hall.

Leah beamed.

“There,” she said. “Was that so hard?”

I didn’t respond.

Leah didn’t need me to.

She turned to the Union officials, smoothing her dress.

“I hope the preparations meet your standards,” she said.

The female official offered a small smile. “Your hall is impressive.”

“Thank you,” Leah replied. “We’ve worked very hard.”

I felt the insult in the word we.

James lifted a glass.

“Welcome,” he said formally. “To the Nightwind pack.”

The Union officials lifted their glasses.

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“The Nightwind pack,” one of the men repeated, his voice strong. “We appreciate your

hospitality.”

Cheers rose.

Glasses clinked.

Food began to move.

Servants hurried forward, filling cups, serving plates.

The banquet began.

And Leah performed like she was born for it.

She laughed at the right moments.

She praised the pack.

She spoke of unity.

She spoke of safety.

She spoke of how proud she was to stand beside James.

And every time she said something sweet, the pack ate it up like starving wolves.

At one point, Leah turned to me again, voice still warm.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, loud enough.

A few people nearby leaned closer.

I didn’t answer.

Leah’s expression shifted slightly, still smiling but sharper now, like she was giving me one

last chance to play along.

“Arya?” she prompted gently. “Would you like to say something?”

Silence.

My hands stayed still on the table.

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Leah’s eyes glittered.

Before I could respond, or refuse, Rebecca’s voice cut through like a whip.

“This is why rogues cannot be Luna.”

The hall quieted quickly.

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Rebecca sat further down the elite table, dressed in elegance and cruelty, her eyes bright

with excitement.

She held her glass like she was enjoying the taste of the moment.

“A proper Luna,” Rebecca continued, voice loud, clear, confident, “would know etiquette.”

Leah gasped softly, putting a hand to her chest as if she was embarrassed to be praised in

such a way.

Rebecca ignored her performance and stared straight at me.

“If she knew how to act,” Rebecca said, “she would show gratitude.”

My jaw tightened.

Rebecca leaned forward slightly.

“Gratitude,” she repeated, “to her Luna for allowing her to remain.”

A few murmurs of approval rose.

Rebecca’s smile widened.

“After all,” she added, her voice turning deliberately vulgar, “she used to warm the Alpha’s

bed.”

The words landed like a slap across the hall.

Some people laughed nervously.

Some gasped.

Some leaned in with hungry eyes.

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They wanted to see me break.

They wanted to see rage.

They wanted blood.

Leah made a small, disapproving sound.

“Oh, Rebecca,” she chided softly, like she was trying to stop a scene.

But she didn’t stop it.

She let the insult sit in the hall like smoke.

James’s hand tightened around his glass.

His jaw flexed.

He didn’t speak.

Instead, his gaze slid to me, warning.

I felt his foot brush mine under the table.

Not an accident.

A signal.

A silent plea.

I turned my head slightly toward him.

His eyes were tense.

He didn’t speak loudly.

He didn’t dare.

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But his mouth moved as he leaned a fraction closer, voice low enough only I could hear.

“Please,” he whispered. “Not tonight.”

My stare sharpened.

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He swallowed and continued, urgent.

“The Union officials are watching. If they think we’re not united,”

I didn’t flinch.

I didn’t blink.

He squeezed his glass harder.

“They won’t sign,” he murmured. “Please.”

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Rebecca laughed softly, watching our subtle exchange like she was entertained.

Leah smiled in that calm, saintly way again.

“James,” Leah said sweetly, “it’s alright. Arya is still adjusting.”

Adjusting.

Like I was a problem they were patiently managing.

The Union officials watched with polite interest.

Not shocked.

Not offended.

Just… observing.

Measuring.

Recording.

Rebecca lifted her chin.

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“You see?” she said, voice smooth. “This is exactly what I mean. She doesn’t understand

the honour Leah is showing her.”

Leah’s eyes softened theatrically.

“It’s fine,” Leah said gently, turning to the hall. “Arya has been through a lot. We should

show compassion.”

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A wave of admiration spread.

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“She’s so kind.”

“She’s proper.”

“She’s a real Luna.”

The praise made Leah glow.

I sat still.

Silent.

Because if I opened my mouth, I would say something that would turn this hall into a

battlefield.

And I knew what James was asking.

Not because I respected Leah.

Not because I respected Rebecca.

Because the Union officials were here.

Because one wrong move could cost the pack their protection.

And James would blame me.

Even if he was the one who put me here.

I slowly turned my head, looking down the table.

My gaze met Nixon’s.

He sat rigid, his face carved into tight restraint.

His eyes were hard.

Not at me.

At James.

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<30 The Banquet That Bled: Smiles Like Knives

At Leah.

At Rebecca.

He watched like a man watching a slow execution.

I held his gaze.

Just a beat.

Long enough for him to understand exactly what I was thinking.

Do you see now?

Nixon’s jaw tightened.

He didn’t nod.

He didn’t react.

But his eyes shifted slightly, a flicker of something like agreement, like regret.

Then he looked away, like he couldn’t stand to keep watching.

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