Moonlight Betrayal-Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Kaeleen’s POV

The low, satisfying hum of the holographic projector was the only sound in the boardroom. We were currently three in the room. Alex and I stood side-by-side in the dark, watching the final design render of the ’Phoenix’ rotate slowly in mid-air. While Christina, our publicist, stood at the far end of the table.

The Phoenix was all sharp angles and predatory curves, a machine built to dominate. Every line, every polished chrome accent, every stitch on the custom leather interior was the culmination of three years of relentless work, sleepless nights, and millions of dollars in research and development. It was perfect.

"She’s a beast," Alex murmured, his voice filled with the same awestruck pride I felt swelling in my own chest. He took a sip of the whiskey from the glass in his hand. "The fastest production car on the planet. We actually did it."

"We did," I agreed, a slow smile spreading across my face. I reached out and swiped a hand through the hologram, dissolving the image. The lights in the boardroom came up, revealing the panoramic view of the city skyline at dusk. "Now comes the hard part. Showing her to the world."

Christina moved to the large mahogany table, setting her own glass of whiskey down next to a stack of marketing proposals. "The team has a few ideas. Standard press junket, a Super Bowl commercial, a feature in all the top auto magazines."

I shook my head, walking over to the wet bar to pour a drink for myself. "Standard isn’t what the Phoenix is about. It’s not a car for everyone. It’s a statement. The launch needs to reflect that. It needs to be an event. Something exclusive, something people will be talking about for years."

Alex smiled. "People are already talking about it. And we have orders placed down already...you know that."

I gave him a smile. "Of course I did."

Christina moved forward taking a seat. She gave us both a look that made me know she already had something in mind. She just wanted to run it by us.

"Alright, we are listening. What do you have in mind?"

"A black-tie gala," she said, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. "At the Grand Oak Ballroom. We invite the top one percent. Industry titans, oil sheiks, tech billionaires, a few carefully selected celebrities. We build anticipation. We don’t just show them a car; we give them an experience."

A slow grin spread across Alex’s face. "I like it. An experience."

"We start with a cocktail hour, live orchestra, the whole nine yards," she continued, "Then, a formal dinner. In the middle of the ballroom, under a silk sheet, sits the Phoenix. No one gets to see it until the main event. After dinner, we do the reveal. Lights, smoke, music a full production. We let them see it, touch it, hear the engine roar."

"And then we tell them they can’t buy it for another six months," Alex added, catching on. "Drive the demand through the roof."

"Exactly. Except for one," I said, taking a sip of my whiskey. This was the part of the plan that had been forming in my mind for weeks. "We auction off the first one. Serial number 001. Live, right there on the spot."

Christina’s eyebrows shot up in anticipation. "An auction? We could start a bidding war that makes international headlines."

"But we already have people who have paid for this exclusive vehicle." Alex pointed out.

"And they will get it. The auction is for those who slept on the deal. They join the frenzy and besides, the auctioned car will be special. Or rather, it is special." I said to them.

"And the best part," I said, setting my glass down with a decisive click. "One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction go to charity. The Emerald Protection & Heritage Foundation."

It was a charity my father had started years ago, one that supported struggling packs, funded education for young wolves, and purchased land to expand protected territories. It was a cause that was deeply important to me.

Alex was silent for a moment, processing it. Then he let out a low whistle. "That’s brilliant. It’s not just a product launch; it’s a statement of power and philanthropy. It tells the world that Emerald automobiles aren’t just about making fast cars; it’s about legacy."

Christina clapped. "It’s a brilliant idea but don’t you think those who had paid already or booked down would get jealous?" She asked me.

Alex shook his head. "Nope. Because they get the first batch of the vehicle. And besides only 3 people booked for this baby. And those 3..."

"...are alphas from respective packs." She completed. " I’ll get the events team on it first thing in the morning. The gala will be the talk of the town."

We spent another hour hashing out the preliminary details, drafting some of the guest list, and outlining the security measures needed. As Alex and Christina finally left, with Christina energized and ready to set the plan in motion, I remained in the boardroom, staring out at the glittering city lights. The excitement for the launch was a palpable thrum under my skin, but it was tangled with another, deeper feeling.

Astrid.

My mind was full of her. The image of her standing in her studio, a smudge of charcoal on her cheek, her eyes shining with a newfound confidence, eclipsed everything else. She was coming alive before my very eyes, shedding the layers of fear and pain like a snake shedding its skin. I saw it in the way she carried herself, the way she no longer flinched from my touch, the way she had started to smile, a real, breathtaking smile that made my chest ache.

This gala... it wouldn’t be complete without her by my side.

The thought was immediate and absolute. This wasn’t just a business event. It was a part of my life, a huge part, and I wanted to share it with her. I wanted to stand in that ballroom, surrounded by some of the most powerful people in the world, and have her on my arm. I wanted them to see her, not just as my mate, but as the incredible, strong, talented woman she was. The Luna of my pack. My Queen.

But a wave of apprehension followed the thought. The gala would be a high-pressure environment, a sea of unfamiliar faces, flashing cameras, and probing questions. It was everything she had been shielded from. The last thing I ever wanted was to make her feel like an accessory or put her in a situation that made her uncomfortable, that threatened the fragile peace she had fought so hard to build.

I thought about how to ask her. I couldn’t just mention it over breakfast or hand her a formal invitation. It had to be more than that. It had to be a request, not a command. An invitation into my world that respected the sanctity of hers.

A sudden, vivid image of her at the gala flashed in my mind. I saw her in a gown, something elegant and timeless, maybe in a deep emerald green that would make her eyes shine like jewels. Her hair would be styled, her quiet beauty turning every head in the room. She wouldn’t need to say a word; her presence alone would be a statement. They would see the strength I saw, the resilience that was more beautiful than any superficial glamour in that room.

A possessive, protective growl rumbled in my chest. The thought of showing her off to the world was intoxicating. I wanted every person there to know that this incredible woman was mine, and I was hers.

This was more than a product launch. It felt like a beginning. Our beginning, out in the open. It was a step, a massive one, but one I felt we were ready to take. I wouldn’t push her. If she said no, I would understand. But I had to ask. I had to give her the choice.

Leaving the empty boardroom, I felt a resolve settle over me. The excitement for the Apex gala was real, but it was a pale imitation of the anticipation I felt at the thought of seeing Astrid’s face when I asked her. I wouldn’t wait. I would go to her tonight.

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