Emily Pov.

The statement caught me completely off guard, both for its content and the public setting in which it was delivered.

My heart raced with confused emotions - hope that his words might contain some truth, caution born from experience that men often said whatever served their immediate purposes, and uncertainty about how to respond appropriately in this complex situation.

"Really? I feel the same way about you too," I replied carefully, my voice much quieter than his had been.

What I truly wanted to say - that I was already developing genuine feelings for him despite our bizarre beginning and yesterday's violence - felt too vulnerable to express so publicly, especially with his sister's hostile presence creating such tension in the room.

Nathan intertwined our fingers, his grip warm and reassuringly firm as he guided me through the crowd toward an elevated platform at one end of the ballroom. There, an ornate throne-like chair awaited - clearly designed for the Alpha and positioned to provide a commanding view of the entire gathering.

Without hesitation, he seated himself regally before pulling me onto his lap in a gesture that was simultaneously affectionate and possessive.

"Nathan!" I gasped, glancing around nervously at the many observers. "What about the guests? Is this appropriate?"

Public displays of intimacy had always been strictly forbidden during my captivity - clients demanded absolute privacy for obvious reasons - making this very public positioning on his lap feel strangely exposing despite being fully clothed.

He merely grinned in response, clearly enjoying my discomfort as he adjusted me more securely against him.

"Let me show everyone how I cherish and pamper my Luna," he insisted, his tone brooking no argument despite its surface pleasantness. "This is your rightful place - by my side, elevated above all others."

With a casual authority that reminded me of his position as supreme leader of this community, Nathan snapped his fingers toward the musicians, commanding rather than requesting: "Play my favorite song."

Though his tone remained polite, the underlying command was unmistakable - this was not a suggestion but an order from the Alpha that expected immediate compliance.

The orchestra responded instantly, transitioning smoothly into a haunting melody that carried notes of both melancholy and passion.

As the music filled the ballroom, my attention was drawn inevitably to Mila, whose behavior had become increasingly provocative as the evening progressed.

What began as dancing with one handsome partner quickly evolved into a deliberate display of availability as she moved from man to man, each dance more intimate and suggestive than the last.

"She's danced with at least ten different men in the past twenty minutes," I realized with growing concern, noting the scandalized expressions on many of the older guests' faces. "And most of them look married based on the angry glares from their female companions."

I felt Nathan's body grow increasingly tense beneath me as he observed his sister's behavior, his jaw clenching visibly with each new partner she selected.

When she deliberately pressed herself against a particularly distinguished-looking older man, grinding against him in a manner entirely inappropriate for the formal setting, I noticed Nathan's hand clench into a tight fist, his knuckles whitening with barely contained fury.

Concerned that his anger might explode publicly and create an even greater scene, I gently cupped his face between my palms, turning his attention away from his sister's provocative display.

"Calm down," I whispered urgently, my lips close to his ear. "Everyone is watching us both. Don't let her provoke you into a reaction that would embarrass you as Alpha."

The reminder of his position and the public setting seemed to penetrate his growing rage, his expression softening slightly as he focused on me rather than his sister's increasingly outrageous behavior.

"You're right," he acknowledged with visible effort to control his emotions. "Thank you for your wisdom."

After several more minutes of watching Mila's deliberate campaign to disrupt our celebration, Nathan suddenly stood with unexpected decisiveness, lifting me effortlessly in his arms like a bride being carried across a threshold.

The abrupt movement startled me into clutching his shoulders for stability, though I knew his supernatural strength made dropping me virtually impossible.

With deliberate showmanship, he carried me toward the center of the ballroom, pausing briefly to address the assembled guests with a broad smile that appeared genuine despite the tension I could feel in his body.

"Please continue enjoying yourselves, everyone," he announced with practiced charm, his voice carrying easily through the vast space. "The celebration will continue well into the night, but it's time for my Luna and me to depart for our honeymoon."

He emphasized the final word with particular emphasis, his gaze briefly finding Mila across the room as though delivering a specific message directly to her.

The announcement of a honeymoon came as a complete surprise to me - Nathan had mentioned nothing about travel plans during our preparations for the evening.

"Honeymoon?" I whispered questioningly, keeping my voice low enough that only his supernatural hearing would detect it.

He merely tightened his grip slightly in response, a silent indication that I should play along with his unexpected declaration.

As he carried me from the ballroom amid polite applause and knowing smiles from the guests, I couldn't help noticing Mila's reaction from the corner of my eye - her face contorted with such naked fury that it momentarily transformed her beautiful features into something almost monstrous.

"She hates me with a passion that makes no sense," I thought with growing unease. "This goes beyond simple disapproval of her brother's mate choice."

I had initially assumed that Isabella, Nathan's former love and obvious continuing obsession, would be my primary "competition" and greatest obstacle to establishing a secure position as Luna.

However, the events of the evening had revealed a far more immediate and potentially dangerous threat in Nathan's sister.

"Jenny isn't the enemy at all," I realized with surprising clarity as Nathan carried me through the castle corridors toward our suite. "She's moved on with her life - happily married with children, focused on her own family rather than Nathan's new relationship."

Mila, however, clearly harbored feelings toward her brother that went far beyond normal sibling attachment - feelings that seemed to drive her to deliberate sabotage of our developing relationship.

"It's almost as if she's jealous," I thought with growing discomfort at the implications. "As if she wants him for herself, which makes no sense if they're truly siblings."

When we reached our bedroom, Nathan's carefully maintained composure finally crumbled, his rage erupting in a physical display of frustration as he set me carefully on my feet before slamming his fist into the nearest wall with enough force to crack the plaster.

"Dammit!" he growled, pacing the room like a caged animal while running his hands repeatedly through his hair in evident agitation.

"Nathan, please!" I urged, approaching him cautiously despite my instinctive fear of his anger after yesterday's experience. "Try to calm down. Getting angry won't help anything."

He turned toward me with eyes that flickered between normal and supernatural red, his control clearly hanging by a thread as he shook his head in evident disbelief.

"Did you see what my sister did down there?" he demanded, his voice rough with emotion. "She completely lost her mind! I should have slapped her face in front of everyone, but I've never disciplined her publicly. She's my baby! I raised her after our parents died."

The pain and confusion in his expression revealed how deeply her behavior had wounded him - this wasn't merely anger at a social embarrassment but genuine hurt from someone he clearly loved deeply.