Chapter 6

(Sienna’s POV)

Once settled in the car on the way to the banquet, Arthur pulls out his laptop to brief me about the major factions of the kingdom. He shows me maps of the different territories and business holdings, followed by a quick rundown on the alliances and enemies.

“To uphold your end of our contract, Sienna, everyone outside of the two of us are to believe you to be Queen. A strong Luna must be able to hold her own and be aware at all times of the inner workings and politics of Royal life. Do you understand?”

I nod for him to continue the crash course with as little visible reaction as possible, praying he can’t see right through me.

There are many prominent Packs to keep straight. I learn more than I will likely remember about the who's who in the realm, particularly the Alpha leaders, their Lunas, and the Betas.

Arthur’s broad frame takes up part of my seat. Trying to appear ladylike while listening to his briefing, I shift slightly to face him more directly with my legs crossed. The slit in my dress opens a little, revealing my thigh.

I notice Arthur’s eyes drift to my exposed skin. Absentmindedly, while talking, he rests his hand there.

When he sees that I’ve noticed, he smirks and shrugs a little.

“We might as well start practicing being in each other’s space,” he says.

Then he keeps giving me the lowdown as if the warmth of his hand with fingers gripping my thigh isn’t sending tingles through me to my core.

“Now, that’s a broad overview. Representatives from each pack will likely be in attendance tonight. The major pack leaders from the Capitol, however, are the ones you should submit to memory.”

Next, he brings up pictures for me to look through.

“Aside from Landon,” he says, “you must be cautious around my cousin, Daniel, and uncle, Philip. You need to be especially wary of Uncle Philip,” he warns.

My eyebrows knit together as I focus on their facial features, while listening to Arthur list the reasons I should be cautious around them.

“Philip lost his inheritance rights and is angry, greedy, and power-hungry,” Arthur explains. “Ultimately, Uncle Philip seeks to reclaim my seat as King.”

My eyes shoot to meet his gaze. “That’s treason. Can you not have him arrested?”

He just shakes his head. “It’s more complicated than that.”

“Why did he lose his seat? With the money the Royal family has, I can’t imagine he needed more money,” I say incredulously.

Arthur nods, “Exactly, yet he spent a fortune on everything from private jets and yachts to prostitutes and had a gambling problem that nearly bankrupted the family. People who call him out disappeared,” he says casually as the car pulls up to the banquet hall.

My eyes widen as we step into the banquet hall. First, I look up at the heavy barrel-vaulted ceilings adorned with gold leafing and grand frescoes. The lighting is easily my favorite feature of the room.

There are three multi-tiered crystal chandeliers. Combined with the images depicted in the frescoes, it almost seems otherworldly. The light flickers a warm amber glow across the entire room.

I’m so distracted that I don’t realize I’m holding Arthur’s hand. He squeezes gently, drawing me back to the moment.

My eyes dart to his, expecting to see annoyance written across his features. But, instead, he’s looking at me with his head cocked to the side and an expression that looks like amusement.

At the banquet, it takes me by surprise how easily we fall into acting intimately. Arthur keeps his arm wrapped around my waist. It feels…natural, disturbingly natural.

“Come, Sienna, let’s go mingle,” he whispers in my ear.

His hot breath tickles my earlobe as his lips barely graze the sensitive flesh, sending the sensation of vibration down that side of my neck.

The amusement on his face at my reaction makes me want to slap him. I hold back the urge to roll my eyes or pull away. I can play this game too. My relationship with Landon prepared me for this well, I muse.

As we meet and greet everyone, he continues to periodically whisper things in my ear that only I can hear. I play along, giggling and smiling as we put on a show for the other partygoers.

In truth, he whispers everything from architectural details about the Capitol to weather forecasts, but outwardly, we appear as a couple, and that’s what matters.

The close physical proximity to Arthur awakens a sense of my wolf within me, something I haven’t felt from her in more years than I can remember.

It feels as though she is groggy, far away... but waking up more and more. Still, she’s even more alert than she was back at the house. Progress…improvement. She’s alive. This very well could work, think to myself hopefully.

Arthur’s caramel voice pulls me from my thoughts as he introduces me to yet more diplomats.

This is the most social I've been in my life. I hear whispers around us and look up at the emerald ceiling with tapestries, paintings, and intricate wood carvings, trying my best to ignore them.

“Is she the Luna to be?”

“Oh my goddess, she’s that clothing designer!”

“Which one?” another voice whispers.

Arthur takes notice and the opportunity to crash their conversation. “Hello ladies, may I introduce you to my fiancé?”

I smile and the women quickly bow their heads.

“Sienna, darling, these are the Lunas of the northernmost point of our realm.”

I slightly lower my eyes, careful not to be perceived as submitting to them, but rather a polite respect. “A pleasure to meet you all.”

“Likewise,” they return in unison.

“Lunas, forgive my intrusion on your conversation, but yes, to answer your question, Sienna is the talented high-end fashion designer behind the SH brand.”

One of the women beams brightly, boldly making eye contact with me before Arthur clears his throat, reminding her of her place.

She turns her clutch purse to show my brand’s logo. “I’m a huge fan,” she whispers.

I smile. “I’m glad. I have new designs preparing to release in just a few months.”

“Lovely, I cannot wait to get mine,” she returns.

Arthur nods, “Ladies, a pleasure as always.” Then he leads me back into the crowd.

The way his hand rests, relaxed yet firm, on the small of my back, the sound of his deep, smooth voice in my ear, and his scent of forest and spice make my pulse race and my belly flip, irritating me to my very core.

Still, I play along while quietly observing Arthur’s acting. His “performance” makes me feel uneasy. I think it’s because it all seems to come so naturally to him…like second nature.

It all seems practiced…worthy of an Academy Award, I think to myself.

This further convinces me that he is emotionally frivolous. That makes him more dangerous to me than anything else about him.

The music suddenly becomes louder. Couples begin making their way to the dance floor, but stop just short of entering the cleared wooden floor.

Arthur smiles, pulling me out to the center. With one hand in mine and the other around my waist, he begins leading.

As the other couples join us and the space becomes crowded, it feels like we are indeed alone. Arthur pulls my body to his, leaving no space between us.

My heart races. Warmth radiates through my body as my core begins to melt. Practiced, indeed…dangerous, definitely.