I hated conferences. The stiff collars, the posturing Alphas, the endless scent of dominance and perfume trying to choke the air out of the ballroom. Still, duty was duty, and Starfall's Luna didn't skip out on obligations.

I'd told myself this year would be easier. No politics, no tears in the bathroom, no pretending Warren's charm made up for his chronic lateness. We were solid. Comfortable. Seventeen years strong.

At least, that's what I thought when I spotted him laughing with another Alpha across the lobby, head thrown back, easy as anything. His eyes found mine, warm and familiar, and the world clicked neatly into place.

I told myself the rest of the day would be routine. Panels, politics, and polite smiles. Nothing I can't handle, I thought as I crossed the space and warmly wrapped my arm around Warren's back as the other Alpha took his leave.

"You're having fun," I smiled.

"Eh, I should win an award for my acting," he admitted with an amused snort. He leaned in for a kiss, and paused, as if he just noticed a perfume I was wearing. But just like that, it was gone and his lips were affectionately pressed to mine.

"Luna Allison! How have you been? Will you be joining us in a few for the Luna meeting?"

I smiled against Warren's lips warmly before pulling away and giving an older blonde woman a light embrace. "I wouldn't miss it, Luna Emily," I replied before looking back at my mate.

"See you soon, Warren?" I asked, giving him a happy little peck on the cheek.

"Of course, I know you'll be able to find me," he smiled back.

His scent brushed against my senses. Salt, citrus, and something crisp enough to sting. Polished. Familiar.

Once, it reminded me of home. Of our beach trips when we were too young to care about rank, of sunlight caught in his hair, of oranges ripening in the grove behind the pack house. That bright, clean smell had meant summer and laughter and everything simple.

Now it just smelled like windswept distance and impending storms.

"You have fun at your Luna power meeting," he added.

"Always do," I replied, pretending the air between us didn't feel a degree colder.

I gave Warren another quick kiss before walking off with Luna Emily at a leisurely pace.

"Power Meeting?" she asked with a chuckle. "Do I want to know?"

"It's better than what he called it last time," I replied with a grin as I reached for the handle of the heavy wooden door to open it for both of us. The door swung open, unleashing a wall of fragrance from the mingling of every Luna's perfume into a cacophony of competing notes, each trying to overpower the others. I couldn't help but sneeze. "He called it a secret Luna rave."

"God," she scoffed with a laugh. "If only. Thunderdome is a better term with all of the dang egos. You'd think we'd be the level headed ones..."

I gave a quiet snicker and took a seat as a tall, willowy woman with box dyed red hair tapped a gavel against her table top podium at the head of the oval table.

"Lunas!" She called loudly to be heard over the many different conversations, "Lunas, please settle down, we have a packed agenda for tonight and tight schedule for the room. On the table before you is the packet of information and topics we will cover. Luna Marissa of the Strawberry Moon Pack, you have the opening presentation..."

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It felt as if we'd covered the same topic of etiquette for the fifth time, maybe even the sixth, and my attention had long since drifted to finding the seams in the floral wallpaper and the rhythmic scrape of pens against paper.

"Luna Allison of the Starfall Pack, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

That snapped me upright like a pulled thread. "Well," I began, trying to sound thoughtful while desperately rummaging through the fog in my brain, "it's a touchy situation."

I opened my mouth to spin some diplomatic nonsense when something sharp seized my chest. The air punched right out of me.

"Luna Allison, are you ok?" Emily's voice broke through the rising static in my ears that I knew came when I was fighting passing out.

"I'm... I'm not sure," I said honestly, clutching my chest. Pain bloomed just behind my sternum, squeezing my heart and lungs. I felt as if I were a balloon and a child was squeezing me, seeing how far I'd give before I popped.