The Alpha Prince's Forbidden Luna

CONFLICTED

"I will never love you, Alex," she spat, her eyes aflame with fury. Her words cut through him like a knife slicing through ripe fruit. He struggled to keep his composure, meeting her gaze with a mix of disbelief and hurt. "This marriage you're forcing on me will never happen as long as I-"

"Arranged marriage, you mean," he interjected, his voice steady but laced with tension.

She looked breathtaking in a royal blue gown that hugged her figure, her hair cascading in deep, luxurious waves down her shoulders and back. Silver high-heeled sandals glimmered like stars against the polished floor. Adorning her wrists were a few delicate bracelets, gold earrings, and a locket resting just above her heart. The absence of makeup revealed a constellation of tiny brown freckles under her eyes and across the bridge of her nose, adding to her raw beauty.

Her anger was almost tangible, crackling in the air. "So that's why you'd send your goons to attack me, keeping me a prisoner here?"

For the first time in her life, she was shocked by the intensity of her fury. She had never believed she could feel this way about anyone. Sure, she had disliked her bullies in school, but she couldn't recall ever hating anyone like this.

Like him, she had initially rejected the arranged marriage, but over time, she had tried to accept her fate. Yet, his rejection felt like a dagger to her heart, and now she longed to escape, while he pretended to care.

The grand hall around them was a spectacle of opulence. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, telling tales of valor and love. A long, polished table stretched across the center, laden with delicacies that sparkled like jewels. The air buzzed with laughter and the clinking of glasses, celebrating the Silver Moon Year-a time marked by longer nights and shorter days, where darkness reigned for twenty hours with only four hours of sunlight.

Wolf years were divided into four distinct phases, each rich with significance. The Year of the Silver Moon brought nights shimmering with an ethereal glow, awakening ancient instincts within the pack. The air was thick with anticipation, and every howl echoed promises of transformation.

Next came the Eclipse Year, steeped in mystery and foreboding. As the moon darkened, shadows danced across the land, and the werewolves braced for upheaval. It was said that during an eclipse, the veil between worlds thinned, allowing ancient spirits to roam freely. This year would test their strength and unity against both external threats and the darkness within.

Then arrived the Year of the Howling Shadows, where whispers and secrets filled the night. The pack found themselves hunted by unseen forces, their howls a desperate call for truth against the encroaching darkness that threatened their existence.

Finally, there was the Lunar Cycle of Awakening, heralding rebirth and renewal. As the moon waxed and waned, the werewolves felt the pull of their primal natures. It was a time for forging bonds and intertwining destinies, as the pack prepared for the challenges ahead. Legends spoke of this cycle as when the true essence of the wolf emerged, igniting fierce loyalty among the clan.

As her words echoed in his mind, Alex snapped back to reality, fighting thoughts of losing himself in the depths of her world, exploring every hidden corner of her being. The table could become their playground, or perhaps she would cling to the tapestries, her body arching against the rich fabric as she surrendered to a whirlwind of ecstasy and longing.

Every glance exchanged was electric, their unspoken connection igniting a fire that consumed them both. He envisioned her breath hitching, her skin glistening with anticipation, as they explored the hidden corners of each other's souls, reveling in the intoxicating dance of pleasure and fulfillment.

Gasps rippled through the room as her words hung in the air. Alex blinked in disbelief; no one had ever dared to speak to him like that and lived to tell the tale. Heads would have rolled by now.

His anger morphed into a visible storm, drawing the attention of the guests. "First, you accuse me of forcing you into this marriage, and then you blame me for your attacks?" He narrowed his eyes, his voice low and menacing.

He stepped closer, but she stood her ground, unwavering. Deep down, he sensed her fear; he could practically smell it. Who wouldn't be scared with a seven-foot werewolf looming over them? Yet, he secretly admired her bravery.

Around her, he always transformed into a wolf. His younger brother, Max, had warned him not to reveal his human form, believing it would help her develop a strong hatred for him. But hearing her words now filled him with a sense of unease. He didn't need to be in wolf form to be heartless; everyone had heard his stories, yet he complied anyway. Max, married for two years, claimed to know better, having dated both human and merwolf girls. He often said, "Alex just fucks them," a statement that hung over him like a shadow, amplifying his inner conflict.

"You think I'm a monster who will attack you and-" Alex began, but he paused when he noticed her mocking smile as if to say, "Monster alert." He stood there in his wolf form, thick fur bristling, and caught himself before he could react.

She glanced past him at Jane, sitting at the table. "So you think I wouldn't know you've been frolicking with other merwolf girls?" Confusion washed over him. "What?" He feigned innocence. From her window, she had seen other merwolves slip out of his room every morning, semi-naked and seemingly enthralled by the night's escapades with him.

He let out a heavy sigh, trying to rein in his rising frustration. "Look, Zahi, this marriage was arranged for your protection. If you decide to leave, I won't come to your rescue." The finality in his tone was clear, but deep down, he knew he wouldn't be able to turn his back on her if she were in danger.

"Fine," she shot back, her gaze sweeping the room, landing on her parents and then back at him. "I don't need anyone else to rescue me or your help. I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."

With that, she turned and walked away. He watched her retreating figure and called out to the crowd, "Now that the tiny, annoying cat lady is gone, can we all celebrate?" Laughter erupted in the hall, echoing off the majestic marble walls. Zahi halted, her fists clenched, and stormed out. The hall was vast, and it would take her some time to reach the door.

Suddenly, Alex's voice rang out over the laughter, "Hey Zahi, you forgot something!" The laughter ceased. Zahi turned, her expression shifting to horror as Ned, Alex's cousin, held her cat, Ethan, in front of him. "No, please don't!" Zahi pleaded.

Ned threw Ethan into the air, and just as the cat was about to land, he kicked him with such force that sent Ethan flying, landing with a thud at Zahi's feet. She screamed, rushing to check on him, her heart racing. He winced in pain, and she thought about how her mom would check him out as soon as they escaped this nightmare.

Ned had been itching for revenge on Ethan ever since the cat spat in his eyes, but Alex had always stopped him. A cat's spit in a werewolf's eye was a nightmare, worse than a scorpion's sting. It left the wolf in excruciating agony for seven days, temporarily blind and plagued by hallucinations.

Zahi scooped Ethan into her arms, her voice trembling with anger as she shouted at Alex, "I hate you!" before dashing out of the hall.

Laughter erupted again, reverberating through the opulent space. Zahi's dad, Ra, her mom, Grace, and her twin aunts, Nina and Ivy, jumped from their seats and hurried after her.

Alex felt a wave of guilt wash over Alex. She was in pain, traumatized by what had just happened, but she had hurt him too. Regret gnawed at him for allowing Ned to take revenge on Ethan. Ned was being cruel, and Ethan had only defended himself.

He wanted to apologize, but he knew she wouldn't listen in her current state. His gaze met his parents, Elle and Fred, and his brother Max. They wore expressions of disappointment, and he understood what that look meant: he was doomed. His chance for redemption had slipped away.

His sister, Rita, and her friend, his supposed mate, Jane, seemed delighted by the chaos. They clinked their glasses and cheered each other on. General Gordon, Jane's Dad, wore a slight frown on his face.

Alex moved to the large windows overlooking the section of the mansion where Zahi and her family had been staying. Max joined him just as two cars pulled up from the garage. Zahi and her family were leaving.

"Do you think she'll come back?" Max asked. Alex didn't respond.

At that moment, he knew she wouldn't return. The horrified look on her face said it all. He turned away from the window and left the hall, pulling out his phone to text Ra, "How is Ethan?"

"Grace said Ethan will be fine-just a few broken ribs and a bruised paw, nothing she couldn't heal" Ra replied.

"I'm so sorry," Alex typed back.

"I know," Ra responded.

"How is she?" Alex asked, anxiety creeping in.

"Not so good," Ra replied, leaving a heavy silence lingering in the air.