Chapter 810

“You truly do look like a luna now,” Irene said as she stepped back to take a look at her handiwork. “A true future Luna in the making.”

“A future Luna who hasn’t had a proper cup of coffee in months,” I murmured.

She grinned.

“Which is why I made a call to the kitchen to have a fresh pot brewed before we leave.”

“You’re literally the best. Maybe I should be marrying you,” I teased as we headed out of the room.

She let out a soft laugh, and it felt good to hear her laugh.

“Don’t get too excited. It’s decaf with a little bit of caffeinated because Eliza said a bit of caffeine won’t hurt,” she chuckled.

“It’s better than nothing. I could still marry you.”

“Yeah, too bad you’re marrying my dad,” she teased back. “Honestly, I’d probably have better luck with you than I do with any of the other guys in my life.”

I knew she was joking, but I could hear the lingering sadness in her voice. It made my chest feel tight; she was in a difficult place with the men in her life, and I wanted to make things better for her.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked, treading the subject lightly.

“Right now? Absolutely not.”

We reached the kitchen, and the staff was already putting out mugs, cream, and sweetener.

“Good morning, Miss Irene,” one of them said, smiling at Irene with affection.

“Good morning,” Irene said in response as she grabbed the pot of coffee and poured two cups. She turned to me. “First order of business, learn to sip your coffee like a lady properly.”

She caught me before the mug was halfway to my lips.

“Excuse me?” I asked, raising my brows.

“You can’t just chug it like a commoner,” she said, rolling her eyes. “There’s a proper way to sip a hot beverage so you don’t look like a slob in front of packmates.”

“We aren’t in the 1800s, Irene,” I laughed. “Nobody cares about that kind of thing.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Trust me, everything you do, they care about.”
“Okay, well, let’s start our lessons once we get to the ballroom. For right now, I want to enjoy my coffee in peace.”
She sighed, but didn’t argue.

“Suit yourself.”
I watched as she gingerly blew on the steam from her cup and then brought the cup to her lips, sipping it slowly. I tried and failed to mimic her movements, but once I got my first taste of coffee, I pretty much chugged the rest of it like it was water.

I could hear the light laughter from the kitchen staff along with Irene’s deep sigh from behind me, but I really didn’t care. I just smiled and enjoyed my coffee.

The packhouse ballroom looked like a magazine spread; high ceilings, huge windows, two crystal chandeliers, plush floors, you could see yourself in.

I’ve only been here a couple of times, but Irene said she practically lived here growing up.

She took a variety of dance classes and etiquette classes, in addition to attending all the balls hosted by the Landry family.
Thankfully, I didn’t run into Liv or her friends, but I did see a few other packmates who eyed me carefully as I walked through the packhouse and stepped into the ballroom. Irene shut the doors behind us to ensure maximum privacy.

“Okay, so we are going to start simple,” she tells me as she walks to the center of the room.

“Posture, greetings, and how to walk and talk properly.”
“There’s a way to walk properly?” I asked, suddenly questioning the way I’ve been walking my whole life.
“Oh, honey, there’s a way to do everything properly,” she told me with a sly grin.

After an hour of walking around the ballroom like I was practicing for the runway and greeting invisible people, I wanted to collapse in a chair and never move again. Who knew Spending this time walking around a room the proper way would be so exhausting?

I was so caught up in my practice that I hadn’t noticed the door of the ballroom opening or the clicking of heels against the marble floor.
Irene hoor. It
was intake of breath that drew my attention toward the door, and then my eyes widened at who just walked into the ballroom.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting. I was hoping to speak to Judy.”
I had no words; I just stared at the woman in front of me, my body shaking and my breathing coming out in short rasps.
“Is now a bad time?” She asked, staring between Irene and me.
Her name came out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
“Selene Blackwell…”