Chapter Forty-eight
Claire changed into a black bodycon dress for the unveiling of the new library. She decided to go simple with accessorizing, wearing nothing but her engagement ring, her dipping neckline plain. Her hair was gathered up into a messy bun and her outfit was completed with heeled sandals.
Rosie would be following her to the unveiling which was a relief because Claire felt way in over her head. She had insisted on being allowed to do something because she was sick of moping in her bedroom but it was one thing to agree to go to a function and another thing to have to actually attend it.
Claire wouldn’t need to do much, the ladies of the Silverfall Book Club were already beyond excited that she had agreed to show up at all. As the unveiling had been set too close to her engagement ball, they had been expecting her to turn the invite down.
So all she had to do was show up, socialize a little, and then she could be on her merry way. Claire was aware that it would not be as straightforward as she played it out in her head but really, *what could go wrong?*
Claire stepped out of the mansion for the first time since she went to pick up Rachel and her parents, she took in a deep breath, the cool air filling her up with conviction. She could do this, she just had to smile and exchange pleasantries for at least half an hour, then she could leave.
When they got into the car, Rosie filled her in with details her helpful assistant thought were important enough for her to know.
“The Silverfall Book Club is trying to make reading materials readily available and also trying to encourage reading.” She rattled off from her pad. “So their goal is to build as many as ten libraries in a year, this is the third library in the project.”
Claire listened intently, filing away the information she thought was useful for later.
“The leader of the book club is Mrs. Blackwell, a prolific writer herself. Although, I’m certain that the attendees will introduce themselves so you’re not required to know them beforehand.” She added nicely like she could tell Claire was nervous about that.
“Thank you, Rosie.” Claire breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s my pleasure, Luna Claire… Also, I’ll be by your side the entire time and it’s my job to investigate the guests so please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.”
Claire nodded, she felt like she would be requiring Rosie’s help a lot.
The new library was built in a bustling but high-end corner of the city, the building was located across from a coffee shop and Claire couldn’t help but think that that little detail had been planned out.
There were already cars parked out front and there were a number of paparazzi already present. It would make sense that broadcast stations would want to cover the event seeing as it was for such a notable cause.
As soon as the car transporting Claire pulled up, there was a buzz in the air like everyone could tell that someone very important had shown up.
Rosie got down on her own and went around to Claire’s side where a bodyguard that had accompanied them was already holding the Luna Queen’s door open.
As soon as Claire stepped out, the paparazzi swarmed her and for the first time in her life, Claire was bothered by camera flashes, wishing she had thought ahead to bring along sunglasses.
Rosie did a wonderful job of guiding Claire through the throng, and the guards at the entrance of the library quickly held the door open for Claire with synchronized bows.
They would eventually get the time to interview her while the unveiling was going on. The paparazzi had merely swarmed her so that they could be the first to get a picture of her. The unveiling was bound to make the evening news now that the new human Luna Queen had made an appearance, they wanted to get her best angle.
Mrs. Blackwell herself, the leader of the Silverfall Book Club, came to meet Claire at the entrance. The foyer of the library had been converted into an event hall, it was small but very well done.
“We’re so honored by your presence, Luna Queen Claire.” A tall slender woman with graying hair in a chignon said to her with a genuine smile.
“I’m honored to be here,” Claire said in turn, taking the lady’s offered hand. Rosie had whispered to her as the lady came over so she knew who it was. “You must be Mrs. Blackwell, please just call me Claire.”
Mrs. Blackwell positively glowed when Claire addressed her by name. “I am, we truly weren’t expecting you to make it, we’re truly honored that you went out of your way to attend the unveiling.” She gushed, her soft brow eyes sparkling brighter when she saw the marks on Claire’s neck.
Claire had decided to stop hiding it, if Lukas wanted her to hide it, he wouldn’t have given her marks so high up that only turtlenecks could hide. “It was no trouble really,” She demurred, feeling overwhelmed.
“Of course, please come with me, Luna Claire.” Mrs. Blackwell invited, bustling forward.
Claire exchanged a look with Rosie, her assistant giving her a thumbs up with the biggest smile on her face. This made her smile, not a nervous, polite smile but a genuine smile that made the pressure in her head ease.
*‘She could actually do this.’*
The event was far easier to get through than she had been expecting, the ladies there were all werewolves but not one of them harbored any spite. They were all sweet and wholesome, all of them insisting on calling her by her title no matter how many times Claire protested.
Her interview with the reporters was short and concise and thankfully, none of them brought up her engagement ball.
It was such a success that Claire was in a bubble of excitement on her way back to the mansion, she was so glad that she had decided to go to the unveiling, it had grounded her in a way.
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