ACCIDENTAL ONE-NIGHT STAND WITH MY CONTRACT LUNA

(Devina's POV)

I woke up in a haze, my head throbbing with a dull, persistent ache.

The world around me was blurry, the dim light filtering through the curtains casting soft shadows across the room.

I blinked several times, trying to shake off the disorientation, but the sensation of something warm and solid beside me made my breath catch in my throat.

My body went rigid, and I slowly turned my head to the side, hoping, praying, that I was imagining things.

But there it was-a broad, muscular form lying next to me, the sheets tangled around his waist. His face was turned away, hidden by the early dawn's shadows, but there was no mistaking the fact that this was a man.

Panic surged through me. What in the world had happened? How had I ended up in bed with a stranger?

My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that I was sure he could hear it. I pulled the sheets up to cover myself, suddenly acutely aware of my nakedness.

The air in the room felt thick, suffocating, and I fought the urge to scream.

I had to get out of here. I had to leave before he woke up. Before I had to face whatever terrible mistake I had made.

Stealthily, I began to slide out of the bed, my movements slow and deliberate. Every creak of the mattress sent my heart racing faster, and I glanced repeatedly at the man, terrified that he might stir at any moment.

I didn't dare breathe as I scanned the room for my clothes, my mind spinning with confusion. How had this happened? I couldn't remember anything after that last drink...

There! My dress was crumpled in a heap on the floor, near the foot of the bed. I reached for it, my fingers trembling as I slipped into the silky fabric, pulling it hastily over my head.

My shoes were nowhere to be found, but I didn't care. I couldn't stay here a second longer.

With shaking hands, I grabbed my small purse and tiptoed toward the door, my pulse roaring in my ears.

I had no idea where I was, or how I had ended up in this situation, but there was no time to dwell on it now.

I had to get out.

The door clicked softly behind me, and I bolted down the corridor, my bare feet padding silently on the cold floor.

The early morning light was growing stronger as I made my way through the unfamiliar hallway, but I didn't stop to take in my surroundings.

My only thought was escape.

I didn't even know if anyone else was here, but the thought of encountering someone-anyone-terrified me.

Finally, I reached what appeared to be the front entrance. My heart leapt with relief as I saw the door, heavy and ornate, looming before me.

Just as I got to the broad room was when I recognized the familiar hall.

This was where we stayed for the ball, but how did I end up in one of the rooms in here.

I didn't bother thinking it through as I lunged to the door and yanked it open, the cool morning air rushing over me like a breath of fresh air after being trapped in a stifling nightmare.

Without a second thought, I darted outside, the street stretching out before me, quiet and still in the early dawn.

I hurried down the driveway, my mind racing as I tried to piece together the events of last night. What had happened at the masquerade ball?

I remembered waiting for the chauffeur, but beyond that, everything was a blur.

I had no recollection of how I'd ended up in that room, with that man. Fear gnawed at me, sharp and unrelenting. I didn't want to think about what it meant, what it implied, but the questions swirled in my mind, threatening to pull me under.

I needed to get home, needed to figure out what I was going to say to Darius. My husband. God, what was I going to tell him? How could I explain any of this?

A cab appeared at the end of the street, and I frantically waved it down, desperation reeking all over me.

The driver pulled over, and I practically threw myself into the back seat.

"Where to?" he asked, glancing at me in the rearview mirror.

"Foxx's villa," I said, my voice barely a whisper, my throat dry. I leaned back against the seat, pressing a hand to my forehead as I tried to gather my thoughts.

As the cab pulled away, I leaned back in the seat, pressing a hand to my forehead as I tried to think.

But my thoughts were a tangled mess, slipping through my fingers every time I tried to grasp them.

The only thing I remembered clearly was the message Darius had sent through the driver last night, telling me he would be leaving early.

I wasn't surprised.

Every time we attended a public event together, he always left first, asking the chauffeur to drive me home later.

I was already used to it.

But last night, I had decided to stay a bit longer, to unwind.

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to recall what had happened last night but all I could recall was the masquerade ball-masks, music, laughter.

I had taken a drink, thinking it would help me relax, help me blend into the crowd unnoticed. After all, with everyone in costume, who would recognize me? But then... I had felt strange. Tipsy.

My head had begun to swim, and I remembered looking for the chauffeur, trying to find my way out of the dizzying haze. And then... nothing. Just a blank, black void.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to quell the rising panic. How could I have lost control like that? I had no idea what had happened after I took that last drink. And now, here I was, terrified, confused, and on my way back to face Darius. What would I tell him? What if... what if he already knew?

The cab driver's voice jolted me from my thoughts. "We're here, ma'am."

I glanced out the window and saw the villa's gates looming ahead. My stomach twisted into knots as I fumbled for my purse, only to realize with growing dread that I had no money on me. I looked down at my wrist, at the delicate diamond bracelet Darius had given me, and without a second thought, I slipped it off and handed it to the driver.

"I don't have any money on me, I hope that this would be enough." I whispered softly.

His eyes widened in surprise, and a slow grin spread across his face. "This... this is more than enough, ma'am."

I nodded stiffly, barely able to muster a smile. I had bigger things to worry about.

As I stepped out of the cab and made my way to the front door, my heart pounded with each step. I was terrified of what awaited me inside. I had no idea what Darius would say or do, but I knew I had to face him. There was no other option.

To my surprise, the house was eerily quiet as I stepped inside. No sign of Darius. No voices echoing through the halls. It was almost unsettling, the way everything seemed so... calm.

Lola appeared at the top of the stairs, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me. "Ma'am," she said with a polite bow. "You're back early."

I blinked at her, startled. "Early?"

She nodded, looking a little puzzled. "Yes, Madam. The Alpha didn't return last night, but we assumed you were together."

My heart stuttered in my chest. "He...he didn't come home?" I asked, barely able to keep the tremor out of my voice.

Lola shook her head. "No, Madam. Not last night. We were expecting you guys to be back from the party but the chauffeur had come home alone."

I felt the blood drain from my face. What? Darius hadn't come home? Where had he been?

I didn't know if I should be relieved or scared."

Quickly, I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "Oh, right. I came home earlier than him. He had some work to finish."

"Yes ma'am. Is there anything you want ma'am?" Lola asked.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Lola. That'll be all."

She hesitated for a moment before nodding and disappearing down the hall.

My heart was still racing as I made my way to the bedroom, shutting the door behind me.

The moment I was alone, I let out a shaky breath, collapsing against the door.

What was going on? Why hadn't Darius come home? And more importantly, why was I relieved that he hadn't?

I should've been panicking even more at the thought of him finding out what had happened last night but instead, I was grateful for his absence.

At least I had some time to figure things out before he questioned me.

My hands were trembling as I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower, hoping the hot water would wash away the lingering unease clinging to my skin.

But the hot bath did little to soothe my nerves.

I scrubbed myself clean, as if I could wash away the memory of waking up beside a stranger.

What had happened last night? Who was that man? And how had I ended up in his bed?

I closed my eyes, the water cascading over me, trying to calm the storm inside me.

But no matter how hard I tried, the fear wouldn't leave. It lingered, gnawing at me, reminding me that I was still on the brink of disaster.

When I stepped out of the shower, I felt no better, only more aware of the weight of the secret pressing down on me.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I headed back into the bedroom, my mind still swirling with confusion.

The door to the bedroom suddenly swung open.

I froze, my heart leaping into my throat as Darius stepped into the room.

His piercing eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world stopped spinning.