Chapter 36

Mel's POV

I try to hold it together as I find Moon at the grand dining table eating a bowl of Mac-n-cheese. “Where’s Mom?” she asks.

I force a smile. “C’mon, the ceremony is about to start. Are you finished eating?”

She nods, and Beth collects the empty dish and ushers us outside. “Hurry along, you don’t want to upset Alpha,” she urges gently. The sadness in her eyes tells me she’s aware of what’s about to happen, too.

I quickly locate Bliss and Patrick, sitting down waiting for the ceremony to begin. Bliss frowns when her eyes land on me. “Hey Mel, Malcom has been looking for you. You haven’t checked your phone?”

I place Moon in the empty chair beside her. “I need you to watch Moon for a minute,” I rush out.

Her eyes widen. “But Malcom-”

“Don’t let her out of your sight,” I shout over my shoulder as I hurry in the opposite direction. Dad is walking around, charming his people like the corrupt fucking asshole he is. It works in my favor though—that means he is too busy not to mind his