Chapter 75: The People’s Luna

Tessa’s POV

The journalist Kael brought to me started walking me through what I should and shouldn’t say during my speech, after I told him everything I wanted to say.

"It should be in the interest of the people, that’s why I’d advise it be done like this," he said.

"Alright, I agree. Print it for me."

He nodded and went to get it typed up for me in black and white.

Sitting there in the chair while the stylists put the final touches on my dress and hair, I found myself wondering where Lucian was. He was supposed to be beside his queen through all of this.

I just hoped my husband wasn’t in the hands of the bitch whose birthday had been the day before.

I never wanted to admit it, but Selene was my biggest nemesis as long as she was around.

That much I couldn’t deny. He’d flat-out told me he loved someone else.

No female wolf like me could live without love. That was more painful than physical torture.

I hoped he’d show up to stand by my side for this speech.

"Are you ready, Luna?" the journalist coach asked as he brought in the hard copy of my speech.

They’d already messaged everyone, and the crowd was outside with their cameras, pens, and paper.

Anything I said in that moment would be recorded forever and could be used against me later. So the journalist made sure to edit it carefully.

Kael walked in. "You need confidence," he said, patting me on the shoulder. "You’ve got this ... they already love and accept you. Just reassure them."

"Thank you, Kael," I said, and I meant it from the bottom of my heart.

"Before you go, someone else is here to see you."

Lucian walked in the moment Kael finished speaking.

"Lucian!" I said, and went to hug him.

"You’ve got this, Tessa," he said, his face cold and unhappy around me.

It looked like he’d only come to show up for me out of duty.

He took my hand as we stepped out the front door.

The sun shone down on us, the morning rays followed by the loud cheers and chants of the people.

"Luna! Luna! Luna!" I couldn’t hide my smile.

Lucian stood by my side with his fake smile.

The mic was placed in front of me. With Lucian seated to my left, I felt a little more confident.

"My husband, the Alpha, and I want to welcome you all to this hearing. Your presence is deeply recognized and appreciated."

"We love you, Luna!" they said in unison.

It looked like all of Winterwood had shown up for this hearing.

I’d get the exact number later, but it looked like nothing less than three thousand people. What had I done to deserve this kind of love and influence?

They hadn’t just chosen me ... they’d cleared the wrong Luna out of the way to give the title to its rightful owner. It was nothing I took for granted, even if I couldn’t tell them how grateful I truly was.

"I want to start by saying that during my reign as Luna ... which of course doesn’t end ... I will carry the interest of the people in my heart. Things are already in motion for that."

Their cheers interrupted me at this point.

"Thank you. The lady wolves will get a voice ... no more hiding in the dark. We’ll start this initiative by giving them opportunities at the top. If you know you’re talented in any art, or knowledgeable in science, prepare your qualifications for submission starting next week."

Loud cheers rose from the female wolves. Goddess, they were grateful, and I loved them for it. They were my strongest supporters, so I’d do anything for them.

I continued. "I’d love to start an academy, but that’s a lot to take on alone, so I’ll be working with my husband, the Alpha. We’ll build an academy for the young wolves of Winterwood, where they can be raised in their own areas of strength instead of just general knowledge like we had before. Progress on that will be communicated as time goes on."

I glanced at my husband. No reaction from him whatsoever. I looked back out at the crowd and continued.

"I just want you all to know that I love you, and that you are loved and cherished." I closed the book.

"We love you, Luna!" they chanted.

Lucian stood and took my hand, and together we raised our other hands to wave at the people. We waved for thirty seconds before heading back inside.

Lucian was already trying to leave.

"How did I do, Lucian?" He turned back and acted like he’d almost forgotten to say anything. "Oh ... you did well, Tessa. I have to give you credit for wanting to bring the people together and giving the women a voice," he said.

"About the academy I mentioned..."

"Yes, exactly, we’ll plan that later. I have a meeting with the other Alphas across the district now." He still wanted to leave without fully acknowledging me.

"Wait, Lucian," I called out.

I went to him and hugged him. "I wish you the best," I said, and kissed his lips for good luck.

He looked at me like something was wrong with me.

I didn’t care. Tessa was his wife and his Luna, and I’d do my duty to him even if he didn’t give a damn about me.

He left, and Kael came in, beaming at how everything had turned out. He pulled me into a side hug.

"I’m so proud of you, Tessa. The speech was fire ... great initiatives too," he said.

I just blushed.

"Thank you, Kael. None of this would’ve been possible without you," I said.

"C’mon now, I’m indebted to serve the Alpha’s Luna." We smiled at each other.

"This is a great way to start your reign, Luna. You’ve won the hearts of the people, and now they’d die for you in the long run ... that’s how great leaders are made," Kael continued.

I felt proud and accomplished, and I owed a lot of that to him.

I spent the rest of the afternoon greeting the Council elders and paying homage to the parliament representatives, taking pictures as the second-in-command of the territory.

When I was finally done, I went into the Luna’s chambers.

They’d been specially decorated for me. It felt like something beyond heaven, I promise you. If there was a life after all this, I didn’t want it ... because everything I needed was already right here with me.

I called for the makeup artist and fashion designer to work on me.

I’d won the hearts of everyone important in Winterwood except one ... my husband, the Alpha.

"Clear my schedule and get me ready ... beautiful, sexy, for my husband," I told them.

"No problem, ma’am," they said.

Men were always horny. Lucian wouldn’t be able to resist this once he saw it. It was my desire to give him the highest satisfaction he needed, and then some. That’s what I was here for, I told myself.

"Before we start, just to confirm ... makeup artist, your name is Vera, isn’t it?" She nodded yes.

"And fashion designer, you are..."

"Felicia," she said.

We got to work. I’d always been sneaky, and I had a few tricks up my sleeve. Lucian wouldn’t see me coming.