Abandoned Luna Now Untouchable (Cecilia) novel Chapter 22

Cecilia

The murmurs rippled through the grand ballroom the second I set foot inside, every eye snapping to me like sharks scenting blood in the water.

“She’s got some nerve showing her face here.”

“Does she actually think she’s still Xavier’s girlfriend? That’s rich.”

“Didn’t both packs already put out the engagement notice? This is social suicide.”

“Honestly, she’s not the villain. Xavier cheated-everyone knows it. How’s that her fault?” The gossip rippled through the crowd like waves, I felt their eyes on me-predatory, eager for drama. Most were here to witness my downfall, to see me humiliated. Only a rare few spoke up in my defense, and even they were quickly silenced.

Head high,spine straight, 1 let the rhythm of my Louboutins on the marble drown out the noise. Each step was measured, perfectly controlled-like the mask 1 wore for these people.

When Cici spotted me approaching, her face drained of color as though she’d seen a ghost. Her porcelain complexion turned ashen, those perfectly painted lips parting in shock. This wasn’t part of her script-l was supposed to be broken beyond repair by now, drugged and violated in some dingy hotel room, not walking confidently into the charity gala she’d orchestrated with my mother-in-law.

Dora looked equally panicked, her eyes darting between me and the exit as if calculating an escape route.

But no one looked more stunned than Xavier. He took a step toward me, only to be stopped when Cici wrapped herself around his arm like a desperate vine, clinging to her prize.

“Don’t go,” she whined, pulling him back. Forgetting where she was, she shouted across the room at me, “I’m being the Luna to Xavier! We’re going to be mates soon! Stop clinging to him…”

Xavier looked like he was about to lose his mind. Even surrounded by packs’ elite, he couldn’t hide his frustration. He lowered his voice, ordering Cici to shut up as he pried her fingers from his arm.

Cici’s eyes welled with tears, her lower lip trembling like a child denied candy.

When Xavier tried to move again, Gavin and Gray White-Cici’s brothers-stepped in to block him.

“Xavier, get a grip!” Gavin hissed. “Are you really going to humiliate my sister in public for that woman?”

“Let. Go.” Xavier’s voice was deadly.

The crowd’s excitement escalated, their whispers growing louder, more eager. Everyone loves a scandal, especially when it involves the aristocracy of two powerful packs.

1 continued my path through the ballroom, my pace unhurried. As I passed a table of champagne flutes, 1 casually picked one up, took a delicate sip, and kept walking. The cool liquid gave me strength, washing away the lingering taste of fear from last night.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Leave immediately!” Dora rushed down from the stage, intercepting me with her arms spread wide as if to physically block my path.

Xavier finally broke free from the White brothers and strode toward me, his handsome features hardened into an icy mask. “Don’t make a scene,” he said quietly. “Let’s go home, and I’ll explain-”

“Xavier,” I said, my voice cutting clean through the ballroom chatter. Cool. Slow. Laced with acid-sweet venom.

“Are you planning to announce your new side piece?”?”

The music died. The air thinned.

Xavier’s jaw tightened, eyes darkening as if I’d just slapped him in front of the entire pack.

“New side piece?” The word hit like a bomb to Cici’s family.

Gasps rippled through the room.

Cici’s composure cracked like cheap glass. Her voice shrieked above the silence.

“You shameless bitch!” she screamed. “I’m Xavier’s fiancée! I’m the Luna-his rightful one!”

“Shut up,” Xavier barked, his voice low and sharp like a warning growl. His hand twitched at his side.

Dora rushed forward, grabbing Cici’s wrist. “Sweetheart, please,” she whispered urgently, trying to contain the damage. “Don’t stoop to her level.”

I smiled, slow and deliberate. “No, don’t stop her,” I said sweetly. “Let her speak. The truth’s always more fun when it’s loud.”

Dora’s eyes snapped to mine. Pure panic. “Cecilia Moore,” she hissed under her breath, “if you say one more word, you won’t see a cent of the settlement.” Ah. There it was.

Xavier head turned slowly toward her, eyes narrowing. “What settlement?”

Dora paled.

“So much for true love,” someone muttered.

“She took money and still crashed the engagement party?”

“Desperate and bitter,” another voice whispered. “Probably mad her sugar daddy finally left her,”

The White family was visibly uncomfortable now. Their gazes darted between Dora, Xavier, and me. I saw the shift happen-the moment they realized this wasn’t a jealous ex making a scene.

This was something far worse.

Gavin White stepped forward, puffing himself up like a territorial Alpha. “Miss Moore, i think it’s time you left,” he said coldly. “Unless you’d like to be escorted out.” I tilted my head, smiling just enough to make his skin crawl.

He thought he could intimidate me?

“Escorted?” I repeated, voice velvet-smooth. “By who? You?”

I took a step forward, the sharp click of my stiletto echoing across the marble like a warning shot.

“In old pack tradition,” I said evenly, “when a Luna took her place, she acknowledged the mate who came before. She’d bow her head. Show respect. Submit.” My voice wasn’t loud-but the silence made sure it landed like a slap.

Gavin blinked, clearly thrown.

“You’re insane,” he snapped. “Completely delusional.”

Cici let out a laugh that bordered on hysterical. “Me? Kneel to you?” she spat. “You’re nobody! I’d rather kneel at your grave!” I met her gaze. Calm. Unflinching.

“You don’t believe me?”

I set my glass down, reached into my clutch, and pulled out the document.I held it up, the gold seal gleaming under the chandeliers.

“‘m sure you’re all eager for a new Luna, but perhaps you should check who’s legally standing here. Respect is earned, Cici-but sometimes, it’s just written in black and white.”

“Tell me, Cici,” I said softly. “Do I have the right to demand respect now?”

His grip tightened, right over the bandage hidden beneath my sleeve.

Pain bloomed like fire.

I felt the torn skin give way. Warm blood seeped through the fabric-again.

I didn’t flinch.

I stared straight into his eyes, voice cold as iron.

“We’re done,”

He froze.

I yanked my arm free and hurled the empty glass at Ciel’s feet, It shattered like a gunshot.

“Chain yourself to this inhuman bastard if you want,” I spat. “He’s all yours.”

Xavier’s mouth opened-but no words came.

Then he saw it.

The blood.

His palm was stained red.

His gaze snapped to my wrist, where the silk ribbon I’d tied to hide the wound was soaked through. Blood dripped steadily, trailing down my fingers, splattering onto the perfect cream carpet.

The room went utterly still.

The White family had been gathering their things, ready to leave in disgrace, Then Cici snapped.

She lunged at me like a feral thing, eyes wild.

“You worthless whore!” she shrieked, “Why didn’t they finish you off last night?! You should be dead!”

The room erupted into chaos.

But I didn’t flinch.

I stood tall-bleeding, broken, but unbowed.

Because now… the whole world knew the truth.

And 1?

I was done being silent.