LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

It didn’t take long before they returned through the back gate of the imperial palace and entered its confines. Luna sighed heavily and glanced back, gazing sadly at the gate while bidding farewell to the freedom she had felt just hours ago. Turning forward again, she hugged the bouquet tightly. She stole a fleeting glance at Alkrevas. The man walked beside Zeus, who was leading him, and Luna gently touched her chest where her heart raced.

Wasn’t this strange? From their first meeting until yesterday, she and Alkrevas had never ceased to argue. If not arguing, it was because Alkrevas was imposing his will or trying to dominate her, not to mention his temperamental and possessive behaviour, that would surely drive Luna mad. But today, both she and Alkrevas were different. Luna only responded to Alkrevas’ calm demeanour, but calmness in an Alkrevas? This was a first.

Luna didn’t know what had caused this change in him. Had the predicted rutting season he was experiencing come to an end, or was there something else distracting Alkrevas? Pondering this, Luna recalled Ghea’s appearance in that narrow alley. She was sure the robed woman was Ghea.

Luna couldn’t forget her only hope for freedom. Whatever she felt now meant nothing to her because Luna’s only desire was to return home-the place where she felt so comfortable and safe. “Ghea, I hope you succeed…” Luna muttered in her thoughts.

Suddenly, Alkrevas’ steps halted, followed by Zeus because the reins that controlled Zeus were in Alkrevas’ grip. Luna immediately shifted her gaze from the flower petals in her hand to Alkrevas. Her forehead furrowed slightly, and for some reason, she trembled. She felt darkness engulfing Alkrevas out of nowhere. The man who had been calm now reverted to the psychopathic Emperor she knew.

Slowly, Alkrevas lifted his head, directing his dark brown eyes towards Luna. “Did you meet someone while I left you?” Alkrevas asked bluntly.

Confused, Luna blinked and shook her head. She wasn’t entirely lying, but she wasn’t entirely truthful either. After all, she had only seen and not interacted so that it couldn’t be categorized as a meeting. Alkrevas narrowed his eyes and stared sharply at her. If Luna hadn’t been sitting on Zeus’ tall back, she might have felt intimidated, but at least this time, she didn’t feel that way.

Due to her position, she was taller than Alkrevas, and she felt both pleased and proud. Luna defiantly returned Alkrevas’ gaze, causing him to purse his lips disapprovingly. “I dislike dishonesty more than anything,” he remarked.

Luna tilted her body slightly and scrutinized Alkrevas’ face from above, something she couldn’t do from below. She pulled the corner of her lips and extended a hand, gently and sensually stroking Alkrevas’ cheek before briefly kissing the corner of his lips. “That’s why you shouldn’t trust anyone. Even your soulmate. Isn’t that right?” Luna whispered. She withdrew her face and watched as Alkrevas’ dark brown eyes slowly turned red.

“If you forget, at the carnival, I was always by your side. When you entrusted Zeus, I sat where you could see me. When you tried to be romantic with me by buying flowers-” Luna shook the bouquet as confirmation. “-I felt you were watching me.”

“You always find answers to all my statements,” Alkrevas admitted.

Luna shrugged nonchalantly. “Being a public figure demands you to be adept at speaking.” She responded casually.

Then Luna looked ahead to the spacious area adjacent to the imperial horse stables, where aides, guards, and servants stood obediently awaiting their arrival. Luna sighed and wondered if this was what the royal family felt in their world. Weariness and annoyance at having no privacy? It wasn’t about the media but about those who worked around the clock for the royal family, trailing and following everywhere.

At least she was only followed by paparazzi when outside, but inside her home, she could be herself. But now? “They seem to be waiting for our arrival.”

Initially ignoring Alkrevas because he was still pondering Luna’s answer, he wondered what Luna was doing and how her life was. But when he followed Luna’s gaze and saw Sigmund, Zyne, Savon, some of his aides, and servants standing waiting for them, Alkrevas decided to think about it later. “Oh. Didn’t I tell you?”

“About what?” Luna asked sarcastically, her eyes suspiciously narrowing at Alkrevas, who smirked slightly. One of his free hands was tucked into his pants pocket, exuding an arrogant demeanour.

Even though the dangerous darkness aura around him seemed diminished, Luna still sensed it. Her instincts never let her relax near Alkrevas. Was it because her instincts realized he was a predator and she was his prey? Luna glanced at Judith from afar before returning her attention to Alkrevas’ face.

“The imperial family will host a banquet to celebrate the first day of the festival, and all nobles, delegations, and officials will attend the banquet.”

“What?”

“Miss Luna, tonight we will attend the Moon Flower Imperial Banquet, and you, as my soulmate, will be the emperor’s companion at the party.”

“Are you out of your mind? I don’t want to!”

“Are you refusing an emperor’s invitation, Miss?” Luna felt her eyes twitch in irritation.

Seeing Luna remain silent, Alkrevas didn’t budge. He smiled satisfactorily and gently stroked Luna’s leg. “You don’t need to worry. The attendants I’ve selected to accompany you are all professional and competent.”

“Not that-” Luna didn’t finish her sentence as Alkrevas resumed walking along with Zeus, and moments later, they arrived in the open area where everyone had been waiting.

Luna immediately put on a small smile upon seeing the servants, including Judith, welcoming her with radiant faces and broad smiles. It seemed walking with the Emperor was a pride and luxury that not many could attain, reminding Luna how ‘lucky’ she was.

Luna slowly dismounted from Zeus with Alkrevas’ assistance. Then she noticed some people bowing in respect while others knelt on one knee with their left neck exposed.

She took a deep breath and felt Alkrevas’ hand possessively circling her waist. She glanced briefly at him and realized he had been observing her with a penetrating and mysterious gaze.

“What is it?”

“One more thing, little mate.”

“What?”

“At the end of the party tonight, I will announce your status and our marriage.”

“You…” Luna clenched her fists tightly. “We barely even know each other!”

“Haven’t the moments we’ve spent together been a form of getting to know each other?” Alkrevas leaned closer to Luna’s ear and whispered, “Besides, I already know the secrets within your body very well.”

He then squeezed Luna’s waist for emphasis before pulling away. Luna’s face flushed deeply, but the fire of anger was evident in her dark brown eyes. Alkrevas laughed and walked away, leaving Luna stunned in place. “Prepare yourself beautifully, little mate. I want to see you adorned in the gown and jewellery I’ve provided.”

“You mad emperor!” Luna muttered angrily.

Judith approached and greeted Luna warmly. “How was your time touring the festival with His Majesty the Emperor, Luna?”

“Enjoyable.” Luna paused for a moment and watched as Alkrevas’ entourage moved farther away. “Judith, why didn’t you inform me about the imperial banquet scheduled for tonight?”

“I apologize, Luna. His Majesty instructed me not to tell you. He said he wanted to inform you himself.” Luna bowed her head in resignation.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

She looked down at her shoes and then raised her head again, gazing wearily at Judith. “How much time do we have to prepare before the event starts?”

“Four hours, Luna.”

“Will there be dancing as well?”

“Yes, and as Luna and the Emperor’s prospective empress, you will perform the first dance with His Majesty.”

“Damn it!” Luna stamped her foot in frustration. If Alkrevas made her his companion at the party, everyone would recognize her face, thus ruining any chance she had to blend in with the crowd later. People would recognize her without hesitation. Her escape plan was immediately thwarted. Was this another of Alkrevas’ strategies to ensure she couldn’t quickly leave the palace? And announcing their status publicly would make her the centre of attention, with all eyes on her, watching her closely.

Luna bit her lip in frustration. He was indeed cunning. What else would he do to crush her plans for freedom? For some reason, Luna didn’t want to know the answer to that question.

…