Chapter 184
The interviewer takes notes, then turns to me. “And now you’re raising your son together. How has that transition been?”
“It’s been wonderful having Arthur in Miles‘ life,” I manage. “Miles adores him.”
“I imagine it must be quite the adjustment, suddenly being thrust into the public eye as the Alpha President’s mate and the mother of his heir. How are you adapting to your new role?”
“I’m still figuring it out,” I admit. “It’s very different from my previous life.”
“Yes, I understand you were living quite anonymously before. And now you’re poised to become Luna of Ordan. Quite the change! What aspects of the role are you most looking forward to?”
“I, um, I’m taking things one day at a time right now.”
The interviewer’s smile doesn’t falter, but her hand jerks as she jots down my answer across the page. I’m pretty sure she’s changing my answer, because she’s writing a lot more than what I actually said. “And how do you see your relationship with the Alpha President evolving?” she asks. “Are there wedding bells in the future?”
Arthur smoothly steps in. “We’re focused on being a family right now
The formalities will come in due time.”
The interview continues in this vein for what feels like hours. She asks about our favorite activities as a couple, about how I’m decorating “our” home (I don’t correct her assumption th
I’ve moved in with Arthur), about my fashion influences, about my thoughts on werewolf–human relations in Ordan.
Not once does she ask about my art. Not a single question about my career, my residency, my creative process. It’s as if that entire part of my identity simply doesn’t matter here.
By the time the interview wraps up, I feel like I’ll explode if I don’t of this damn dress.
ex
I escape to the dressing room as soon as I can, where I immediately kick off the pinchy shoes and begin pulling pins from my hair. I scrub at my face with some makeup remover wipes, turning my skin red and angry.
When I chip one of the fake nails trying to unzip the back of my dress, I actually curse out loud.
“Need some help?” Arthur asks from the doorway.
I turn, feeling caught somehow. I can’t even speak. My throat is too tight, like the dress constricted my esophagus.
Sensing my discomfort as if it’s his own, Arthur steps into the room and closes the door behind him. He moves behind me, gently unzipping the dress. His fingers brush along my spine, cool and steady, so much unlike my own shaking hands. It’s soothing.
“I know today was a lot,” he says softly. “But it’ll get easier, I promise. You’re still finding your footing. It’s always like this at first.” He brushes his knuckles across my cheek. “And for what it’s worth, I think you did fantastic.”
I sigh, some of my frustration melting away as I look into his eyes. It’s hard to stay angry when he’s looking at me like that.
“I just wish I could be myself,” I say softly. “It feels like they’re trying to turn me into Selina.”
Arthur’s brow furrows. “No one is trying to turn you into Selina.”
“Really? Because I’m pretty sure this hairstyle came straight from her lookbook.” I gesture at the remains of my updo. “And don’t tell me she wouldn’t have aced that photoshoot and interview.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 184
“Selina was raised for it,” Arthur corrects me. “Trained since childhood to be the perfect political wife. I much prefer doing stuff like this with you than her, even if you’re not great at posing.
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I can’t help but snort, even though the memory of the photographer’s ire makes me shudder.
“How about this,” Arthur says, his arms encircling my waist. “Let me take you out. On a real date. Just the two of
- us.
Despite everything, I feel a small smile tugging at my lips. A date? Where?”
“It’s a surprise,” he says with a cheeky grin. “Just be ready tomorrow at eight.”
