The Hidden Luna Queen (Maeve and Xaden)

THIRD PERSON POV

Look at her, Isabelle thought with a scoff. Daring to enjoy herself.

The afternoon of the banquet had come and, as a prettily-dressed Maeve mingled with Xaden and Charlotte on the far end of the banquet hall, engaging in private, light conversation with one another, the dubious first Luna Princess observed from a distance. Delicately sipping at the glass of wine in her hand, she felt a familiar rage swell inside her, remembering the outcomes of their last encounters. Maeve having the audacity to insult her in front of the royal family at the last banquet.

And then days ago in the hallway, when she dared to ignore a potential summons from the king himself.

She couldn't stand how self-important Maeve thought herself to be. There was no right for her to talk back against people with more influence and power than she could ever dream of having.

This time, however, Isabelle felt absolutely certain she had come up with a plan that was sure to throw Maeve off her game. Something that she would never expect, nor something that Xaden could defend. All of a sudden, there were small, timid tugs on the back of her sleeve.

"So... why am I over here, again...?"

Isabelle suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. She found herself in the company of the ditzy daughter of an alpha of some inconsequential pack, so much so that Isabelle could not even remember the name of it or where it was located. To some, she might be considered pretty, what with her short, curly strawberry-blonde hair and light green eyes, but her less-than-impressive intellect was a turn-off to many men.

In any other case, Isabelle would never dare to be caught with a girl like this, but she served a greater purpose today.

"I told you," she said with a forced smile, turning back to the woman in tow. "You are here to make friends with that black-haired girl sitting over there."

Bewildered, the curly-haired girl followed Isabelle's pointed finger to the silhouette of Maeve, who was still lost in her conversation with Xaden and Charlotte, blissfully unaware she was the target of yet another plot.

"She does look nice, I guess..." she admitted. "But I already have lots of friends."

"Well... not so much to make friends, per se," Isabelle drawled, suddenly taking on a deep expression of sympathy, enticing the girl to draw closer to her. "You see, she really wants Prince Xaden to like her, but she does not know what to do. You used to visit with him from time to time, didn't you?"

The girl's slight blush in response told her everything she needed to know.

However much Xaden tried to pretend he was chivalrous and righteous when it came to his feelings for Maeve, Isabelle was

more than aware of his pret

dalliances in the past. There had been many a time when she encountered lovestruck alpha daughters either outside the palace gates or out in the capital, asking to see the prince and demanding why he never called them again.

And there had been a few instances where she'd accidentally caught fleeting glimpses of faint bruises scattered across his neck.

"Oh yes," she stammered. "Only a few times, though."

"Exactly! So you should go over there and tell her all of the things you did to get him to like you."

The girl's eyes brightened. "Oh, you mean like how I su-"

"I don't need the details, please," Isabelle quickly cut her off with a tight smile. "But do make sure to tell her everything. I'm sure she would greatly appreciate all the advice you have to offer her." Glancing back toward Maeve, Isabelle suddenly realized that Xaden and Charlotte were getting out of their seats, leaving her all alone. Her heart leaped into her throat.

This was it!

"Go now," Isabelle urged, nudging the girl forward. "She's all alone."

Much to her frustration, the girl decided to show some hesitance. "Maybe I shouldn't... I'm supposed to be here with my new husband," the girl muttered thoughtfully, glancing back towards the other side of the banquet hall where a young wolf, surrounded by a small crowd, loudly told his version of the battle. "He was one of the soldiers who fought on the border. I have to celebrate with him, too..."

"I didn't pull you aside for you to worry about the details, Dalia. We are doing this to help her."

The girl pouted. "My name is Delaney."

Ugh-potato, tomato, Isabelle jeered internally. "Please," she insisted. "She needs you."

And with that final encouragement, the girl ventured toward Maeve, about to be an unwitting pawn in Isabelle's plan.

Isabelle watched with bated breath, waiting for Delaney to make contact with Maeve, and desperately wanting to see the unabashed glaze of horror that would cross her face when she listened to those horrid tales. But then-

"Isabelle," Henry intervened, suddenly materializing behind her, taking her by surprise. "Alpha Karl and his wife seek our company. I need you to come with me right now."

Isabelle opened her mouth to

protest, but the smile plastered on Henry's face left no room for debate. With a sinking feeling, she realized she had no choice but to obey. As she walked away with her husband, she put all her hopes and prayers into the will and ability of Xaden's former dalliance.