The Eclipsed Life of Luna Mischa (by Jennifer Francis) novel Chapter 47

CH 47

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None of the arriving Alphas had asked where Christy was upon arrival, it was seen by them that today was simply Mischa’s place to stand next to Anthony and do the meet and greet. It was she thought, that they likely believed that Christy was off attending to other Luna Duties

within the pack.

That was how Anthony had decided to do meet and greets one Luna on his arm, while the other attended to Luna Duties. She’d not even arced up at that very thing, thought it was actually logical, and sometimes it even came in handy, especially when pups were being born on a full moon.

Though it was always her that went off and attended to that, regardless of if it was her time to be on Anthony’s arm. She didn’t argue it if the pack doctor requested her presence or a she–wolf specifically asked for her over Christy.

Mischa simply just excused herself politely and told Anthony why she was headed off away from the mating ball. He always just smiled and nodded, and when she came back from doing the paperwork if the mating ball hadn’t ended, there was Christy on his arm, and he kept her right there for the rest of the night.

He didn’t step away from her even with Mischa’s return to the mating ball, or with her going and just sitting down at a table to eat a belated meal or talk with their allied. He saw no need to have her rejoin him. He had two Mates and, as long as one was on his arm, that was all

that mattered.

Now, as she walked to the private dining room, having changed from the knit dress to something more formal and less warm, because the dining room wasn’t going to be as cold as outside, she found Anthony approaching her. She knew it was so they’d be seen walking together as if they weren’t at odds.

She didn’t stop him, and he smiled at her. “I like this dress on you,” he stated.

“Hmm, I’ve worn it many times. It is one of my favorites,” and it was. She was wearing a simple but elegant strapless dress that had black ruching across the bust, and black lace over white material down her body, then fell in a soft flowing white skirt. It wasn’t new, just classic colors that never went out of fashion.

She’d purchased dresses over the years with a view to wearing them multiple times, for all occasions. Most were a single plain color that could be dressed up with a nice shawl or jacket or if she added a blinged–out belt, so it kind of changed the style, so she didn’t have to go and spend money on new dresses all the time.

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Her closet had more accessories and different types of lace or sheer overlays that could be added to the top or bodice, even over the skirt of a dress, then actual dresses. She could mix

and match just about everything in her wardrobe. But this particular dress she liked as is, though she did have a black lace overlay for the skirt to make it look different.

“It suits you, and shows off your curves too,” he smiled, and they headed towards the private dining room. She knew he was trying to be charming and make her smile as well. So, they’d be seen as the happy couple they’d once used to be seen as.

She stood next to him at the entrance to the private dining room, and it was finally noticed that Christy wasn’t standing there on the other side of Anthony. This part of the night, both of them always stood with him, one on either side of him. Only now it was just her.

That very first, Alpha Bryan looked at her, and then at the empty space on Anthony’s left, “ Where is Luna Christy?” he asked right away. He was mated himself and understood protocol, had been here many times before and knew right away something was off, she supposed.

She said nothing, as she stood there with a polite smile on her face. When they walked into that room, they would also find there was no empty seat for Christy, as if she was running late. Which denoted that she wasn’t going to be attending the dinner at all.

“I’ll explain once we’re all inside, one conversation instead of repeating myself,” Anthony commented, and only after their allies were all in this room and seated, as were she and Anthony their units, which saw no spare seats left, did Anthony speak of Christy.

“Please excuse the fact that Christy is not joining us for this mating ball. Unfortunately, and to my and this pack’s disappointment, she has broken a pack law. So, she is currently under formal pack punishment.

“None here are above reproach, so she must accept the punishment for her wrongdoing as well. She will not be in attendance for the entire event.” Anthony told them all why his second Luna wasn’t in this room, and the way he’d worded it would also stop them from asking about why she wasn’t at the mating ball tomorrow as well.

She knew he’d thought long and hard as to what to tell their allies, about why Christy wasn’t going to be seen for the entire three days they were going to be here. Mischa watched as many of them just stared at Anthony. It wasn’t often and Alpha would formally punish his

own Luna, let alone announce it to their allies.

She knew it was not a small thing to state, and they were all now thinking about all they’d seen. There was no Christy on the shaming post out the front of the packhouse, which could only mean she was either confined to a cell or in her suite inside the packhouse not to be seen or heard.

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Not one of them asked the question of which law she had broken, but she knew they were all more than curious about it, and who wouldn’t be. The dinner moved on and normal conversation resumed. She sat there and said nothing, just sipped the glass of wine that was

in her hand.

Though she felt eyes upon her and when she looked at where it was coming from, she found Alpha Nicholas and his Beta, Jeremy, both looking at her. Nicholas raised an eyebrow at her. He knew she and Anthony were at odds, she’d voiced that to him herself outside and again at

his suite.

Now his brain had not only ticked, but he’d come up with the very reason they were at odds. It wouldn’t take a genius to do that, if they actually saw what Christy was like, which Nicholas himself did. He didn’t like Christy, so he understood that if Christy was under full–pack punishment and Mischa was here, but at odds with her Alpha Mate.

That Christy had likely done something to Mischa herself, that Anthony had probably saved Christy’s backside, but she had to be held accountable at the same time. She didn’t say anything, just swirled that glass in her hand and shrugged at him. He shook his head ever so slightly and returned his attention to those around him.

Though he was also the last to remain seated at that table, he had opted to sit and have coffee after dinner, whereas as most didn’t bother, she’d asked the server in the room to please bring her a coffee and Nicholas had stated, “I’d like one to please.”

Now it was just her, Anthony, and their units along with Alpha Nicholas and his Beta Jeremy in this dining room. Protocol dictated that she and Anthony were the last to leave the room, so they couldn’t do so until Nicholas and Jeremy did so. She watched Kendrick wave their Mates off, they looked to her, and she nodded. “It’s fine.” And they’d nodded and left.

Nicholas looked from Mischa to Anthony and his unit, as he thanked the server for his coffee, and waited until the server left the room before speaking, “As a long time Ally to this pack, may I inquire as to whom it was that punished your second Luna, Alpha Anthony?” Nicholas asked him directly.

Anthony looked right at him, knowing Nicholas didn’t particularly like Christy, he wouldn’t sit down and talk with her and had made himself very clear that it was her behavior he didn’t like. Right this minute she could also see that he was unconcerned about asking such a direct question.

He didn’t ask what she’d done or what law she’d broken, just who had punished her, and she knew that was because he could in fact figure out what the answer was, from who had been the one to punish her. It was also a direct question and so Anthony couldn’t lie to him about

it.

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He’d been polite enough to wait until everyone else was gone from this room, and Anthony knew he wouldn’t stand for being allied to a pack with a traitor that would see harm come to a Luna, that was considered worthy of public execution inside Nicholas‘ pack.

She watched Anthony frown, but then just nod his head once, “It was the Elders that made the final decision. Though I also dished out a full punishment myself,” he stated, “Please don’t concern yourself with it, Nicholas, the full punishment will be attended to regardless that she is Luna Ranked, and my Mate… I’d, however, rather not speak of such unpleasant things. The matter has been dealt with, I assure you.”

Mischa was certain that he didn’t want to go into details. Nicholas was likely to offer her sanctuary and cut their alliance in a heartbeat. Though she had her own plans for Christy, and that was why she wasn’t going anywhere. She felt Anthony’s hand slip into hers, right there on the dining room table, and he squeezed it gently.

She wondered absently if he was trying to comfort himself or show Nicholas that he and her, although they were at odds, they were still in fact solid and going to remain mated to each other. Which also implied that whatever Christy had done to warrant the Elders enforcing pack punishment on her. It had been forgiven, though left things tense. Which also meant it

was recent as well.

“I’m certain you don’t. But as your allied, and one brought to this pack by Mischa herself, I

feel I’d like to know if this crime harmed Mischa.”

“There was no physical attack on Mischa, if that is what you are asking,” Anthony stated, ” Though, she was hurt by Christy’s ill spoken words.”

Oh, he’d definitely thought about what to say, and technically none of that was a lie either; everything that had happened to her, had been done by him leaving her alone at Christy’s pleading and a worded accusation by Christy.

She found Nicholas‘ eyes on her as she sipped her coffee and said nothing at all. She also didn’t pull her hand from Anthony’s. He looked at her for a long minute, his coffee still untouched before him, but his finger was tapping gently on the rim of the cup as he thought about all he’d seen and now heard. Him wanting coffee, it had simply been an excuse for them to be alone in this room so he could ask what no one else dared to, she supposed.

He wasn’t afraid of many, was not only pure–blooded but was fierce in reputation. He didn’t like deceitful, traitorous wolves of any rank. “I see why you’re at odds now,” he stated, and then just stood up, and his Beta followed suit, “My offer from a year ago still stands, Mischa,” Nicholas stated and then walked from the room without even addressing Anthony.

“What offer?” Anthony asked the moment the door closed, his eyes turning on her.

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“That I am welcome to live in his pack, when we’re over, because he foresaw things not ending well between us.”

“Excuse me.” Anthony muttered.

“He doesn’t like Christy, you’re aware, stated he foresaw she’d come between us six months after you mated yourself to her. Told me when that happens I’m welcome to go live inside his pack,” she stood. “Just six months ago, he also offered me, time inside his pack at their day spa, stated if I ever needed a break from this pack. Perhaps I do need a break from being here and being around her. It’ll be nice to hang out with a Luna I get along with. I think a little holiday might just be in order, and there is nowhere safer for me to be; than the Rising Blue Lotus, now is there.”

“Your safest here…” he started, but trailed off, at her raised eyebrow.

“Hmm, am I?” she murmured and walked away, leaving him there to ponder those very words.

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