THE CURSED LUNA

Christian pov

Observing the intensity on her face, it was clear that she was genuinely serious. We had confused her for our missing Amira, and my voice resonated as she stood there, visibly furious and seething with anger.

"Do not even think about comparing your Amira to me, do you comprehend?" she spat, directing an accusatory finger at me. The onlookers were taken aback, as Amira was never one to confront anyone; this woman was the complete antithesis of my Amira.

As she took a step closer, her eyes blazing with indignation, I felt a shiver run down my spine. The pack workers around us grew quiet, sensing the tension in the air. I tried to apologize, to explain the mistake, but she cut me off. "You think you can just look at me and see your precious Amira? I am nothing like her," she hissed, her voice low and venomous. "I am my own person, with my own story, my own struggles. Don't reduce me to a mere shadow of someone else."

I was taken aback by her ferocity, but a part of me understood. We had made a grave mistake, and this woman was rightfully angry. I tried again to explain, to make amends, but she turned on her heel and walked to the couch, leaving me feeling chastened and confused.

"We made a mistake by referring her to Amira; now she is behaving quite maliciously." I was just about to take action when my mother's voice interrupted. "Did you notice how she belittled you, Alpha Christian? If you intend to engage in business with her, it should be professional, not oppressive. Don't make the situation unbearable for her. She is not Amira."

My mother's words were like a splash of cold water, snapping me back to reality. I took a deep breath and nodded, acknowledging her wisdom. I knew she was right; I had let my emotions cloud my judgment.

I turned to face the woman, who was still seething with anger, her eyes flashing with resentment. I approached her calmly, my hands held out in a placating gesture.

"I apologize for the mistake," I said, my voice even and respectful. "We meant no disrespect. We're searching for someone, and we thought... never mind. It was an error, and I'm truly sorry."

Emily's expression didn't soften, but she seemed to be sizing me up, reassessing the situation.

"My name is Emily," she said finally, her voice still tight with anger. "And I assure you, I am nothing like your Amira."

I nodded, taking a step back to give her space.

"I understand, Emily. And I promise, our business dealings will be professional and respectful. Can we start over?"

"I am not here for business purposes; my intention is to clarify matters, and it is important for you to comprehend the nature of our relationship, which is business," she stated in a composed manner.

I acknowledged her words, but Sheelah's frustration intensified as she stormed over to Emily. "He is the alpha, and regardless of any misunderstandings, respect must be maintained, do you understand?" Sheelah asserted, positioning herself in front of Emily.

"No, Sheelah, please do not escalate the situation further."

But Sheelah was undeterred, her voice rising in indignation. "You will show respect, Emily. He is the alpha, and you will not speak to him in such a manner."

Emily stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I will not be intimidated, Sheelah. I am not some submissive who will cower at the feet of your precious alpha."

I stepped forward, trying to intervene, but Sheelah was having none of it. "You will apologize, Emily," she demanded, her hands on her hips.

My mom, who had been watching the exchange with interest, stepped forward. "I think that's enough, Sheelah. This isn't about dominance or submission. It's about clearing up a misunderstanding."

"Mother, do you understand what this woman intends to do?" She raised her voice, stating that speaking to Alpha Christian in that way is unacceptable, yet she failed to remain silent.

Emily approached me, her gaze fixed on the floor. "I apologize if I came across as disrespectful, but I am not your Amira, and I would appreciate it if you did not refer to me as such."

I nodded, accepting her apology, and gestured for her to continue. "Please, go on. I want to understand."

Emily took a deep breath and raised her eyes to mine. "I know you're searching for someone, and I know I'm not her. But every time you look at me, I see a glimmer of hope in your eyes. Hope that I'm the one you're looking for. And it hurts, because I'm not her. I'm me. Emily. And I deserve to be seen as myself, not as a substitute for someone else."

Her words struck a chord deep within me. I realized that I had been so focused on finding Amira that I had forgotten how to see anyone else. I had forgotten how to connect with someone on their own terms.

"I'm sorry, Emily," I said, my voice sincere. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Can we start over? Everything about our business proposal together, without the ghost of Amira hanging over us?"

Her expression softened, and she nodded. "I'd like that."

Sheelah interjected, clearly frustrated, as she stepped into our conversation. Grasping my hands, she guided me aside. "I am your wife, and you need to recognize me as such. Stop flirting with that foolish woman named Emily; she's merely a business associate. And why are you inquiring about Amira when you are married to me?" she exclaimed, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I pulled my hands free, feeling a surge of annoyance. "Sheelah, this has nothing to do with flirting or business. And her name is Emily. We're trying to clear up a misunderstanding."

Sheelah's eyes narrowed. "A misunderstanding? You're the one who's misunderstanding, Christian. You're so caught up in finding Amira that you're neglecting your duties as a husband. Me, your wife, is standing right in front of you, and yet you're still chasing after a ghost."

"Ghost? I believe Amira is still alive"