Chapter 136
The hall was a storm of motion, and at its center stood Sage.
Her voice carried above the clatter of furniture being moved and the shuffle of hurried footsteps. “No, not that way–turn the table just a little more. Yes, like that. And for the flowers, I want white on every corner, not red. Change them. Quickly.”
She spun before the assistant could even nod, already catching sight of two young women lingering by the far door. “And you two, come here. What are you doing? Have you finished with the guest rooms? Every detail has to be perfect. Especially the one prepared for Alpha Alexander and my sister. No excuses. The sheets should be new, the curtains freshly pressed, the scent subtle but clean… don’t do too much with that one. I’ll come check myself.
“Yes, Luna.” The girls chorused before they hurried off with nervous bows, leaving Sage to survey the chaos she had created. Her sharp gaze flicked across the hall, measuring, correcting, demanding. Her hands never stilled; she gestured here, adjusted there, a Luna in command, but with an urgency that betrayed her calm exterior.
Near one of the pillars, Laura leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, watching her friend with an expression caught between amusement and confusion. She didn’t even bother to hide her grin as Sage barked another order about candle placements.
Finally, Sage turned and found Laura’s eyes fixed on her.
“What?” Sage asked, narrowing her gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Laura pushed herself off the pillar, a small laugh slipping out before she could stop it. Because, Sage, you’ve lost your mind. Look at you… you’re running around like this is a wedding or something like that. You need to breathe. Calm down.”
”
“A wedding?” Sage repeated, blinking as if Laura had just spoken blasphemy. “Laura, you would compare a wedding to something this important? Are you crazy? This isn’t anything near a wedding.” Her voice rose with disbelief. “This is the first time I am hosting something of this scale as Luna of Silver Hollow. Do you understand that? Everything has to go well. No -better than well… perfect. And you think I’m doing too much?”
“Yes.” Laura folded her arms again, tilting her head. “Way too much… I mean, look at you.”
Sage stared at her, utterly scandalized. “Too much? I’m just getting started.” She pointed toward the hall where men were still rolling out rugs and women were dusting corners no one
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would ever notice. “Do you think I can afford to let anything slip? Faye is coming home for the first time since she was mated and left, and she’s bringing Alexander with her. Alpha Alexander. Do you think I want them walking in here, looking around, and thinking Silver Hollow is beneath them? Absolutely not.”
Laura arched an eyebrow. “So this is about Faye then.”
Sage let out a sharp sigh and crossed her arms. “Of course it’s about Faye, who else? She should see how well I’m doing, how I’ve settled into my role, how the pack thrives with me as Luna. I want her to know I have everything together. That things here are not just good… they’re flourishing. Even her mate, Alpha Alexander, should be impressed.”
Laura smirked. “And that matters because?”
Sage rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath before fixing Laura with a look.” Sometimes I wonder how we’re even friends.”
Laura grinned wider.
“Though I don’t know him much, I’ve heard things about Alpha Alexander,” Sage continued, ignoring the interruption. “That he has class, that he doesn’t tolerate weakness or disorder. Do you think I’ll give him a single reason to look down on Silver Hollow? Or Jason? Not a chance. I’ll make sure when he and Faye step into this place, they see refinement, they see strength, they see that Silver Hollow is worthy of respect.”
Laura gave her a long look, then shook her head slowly. “You know, it’s almost funny. All this effort, all this energy you’re pouring into your one–sided competition with Faye.”
Sage stiffened. “It’s not a competition.”
“Of course it isn’t.” Laura’s sarcasm was gentle but obvious. “Still, you might consider diverting a little of this energy into something else. Like making sure your dear Alpha Jason doesn’t embarrass you and the entire pack throughout this occasion.”
The words were barely out of her mouth before Sage’s expression darkened. The flush that rose in her cheeks wasn’t from running around the hall but from a rush of anger.
Her head snapped toward Laura, eyes sharp. “What do you mean by that?”
Laura raised her hands in mock surrender, but her smirk remained. “Only that you can control the flowers, the sheets, the food, and the candles all you want, Sage. But you can’t control him. And if anyone is going to turn this perfect little show of yours into a disaster, it won’t be the curtains being wrinkled. It’ll be Jason himself.”
The air between them thickened instantly. Servants bustled on, oblivious to the quiet storm
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Sage took a step closer, voice low. “Jason is our Alpha… my mate. And he will not embarrass
me.”
Laura tilted her head. “Won’t he? ”
Sage’s jaw tightened, but she forced herself not to rise further. She could already feel her heart pounding, her pulse quickening with the mixture of defensiveness and doubt Laura’s words always managed to stir in her.
Laura had a way of hitting too close to the truth sometimes, and Sage hated it.
But Sage didn’t let it show. She drew herself taller, smoothed her dress with grace, and forced
a smile she didn’t feel.
“You’ll see,” she said simply. “Everything will be perfect. So, just drop it.”
Laura studied her for a long moment, as though she could see past the polished surface Sage tried so hard to project.
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