《LUNA: Alpha鈥檚 Soulmate from Another World》


 Prologue

    That night, on one of the mid-spring nights,  is the season when flowers bloom. The leaves of the trees thrive after a long winter, and a woman is sitting on a long, soft, quality sofa in the lounge area of a five-star hotel. The moonlight, shining brightly because it was in theplete moon phase, entered the room where the woman was and shone on her smooth, white skin.


    The long dark brown hair, deliberately plucked, moved beautifully whenever the woman¡¯s head looked right and left like a silk scarf. The woman once again nced at the graceful watch looped around her right wrist before gazing up at the night sky adorned by beautiful, magnificent skyscrapers through the ss walls, showing a pair of dark brown irises filled with anticipation from the reflection.


    Luna Alicia is twenty-eight years old. At that young age, she already had a brilliant reputation that cannot be doubted. Many men vied for her attention, and many women envied her fame. Her wealth is beyond question. Living a life of luxury and wealth is like a gift after that woman¡¯s hard struggle. She¡¯s even ranked among the most sessful young women on one of the best-known sites.


    Luna is a famous influencer and young businessman who opened her beauty brand sessfully. Of course, she earned that position and reputation very hard. During her youth, she had to work day and night only for everyday meals. Being an orphan and living in an orphanage is one of the reasons Luna seeds; she doesn¡¯t want to live forever in poverty and dependence on others.


    When she was old enough, Luna decided to leave the orphanage. After leaving that horrible ce, Luna worked haphazardly, washing dishes at restaurants and newspaper sellers. She eventually became a waitress and owned a small apartment in the suburbs. Luna is indeed happy to see new things and includes art lovers.


    Ever since childhood, she has aspired to travel the world. So, when the opportunity came, she immediately took advantage of it by going around the ce to learn new things so that she could fill in her personal social media ount with her travels.


    Her travels initially limited her to easy-to-reach ces and museums to discuss art. She then expanded out of town and ended with overseas travel. All of her followers love the content Luna gives them. She also always had ideas for her content, so Luna became more popr.


    Of course, her efforts paid off, making her one of the influencers with quite a significant ie. The general public recognizes this and can travel worldwide to explore the various arts that exist to fill its content.


    Even from the results of her phone shots and recordings, which were quite far from the most sophisticated phone at that time to high-quality cameras, and the fact that she ended up having a crew and manager, it was a significant achievement for Luna.


    She no longer works day and night to raise money and can only make money with her hobby and interest in art. She is widely known, her entire content is increasingly popr with many people, and her wealth is increasing. Then, she decided to attend college with an art department to add to her knowledge. Years of self-study in art have helped her immensely in her studies in college, allowing Luna to graduate faster than others.


    Many people say that she is so lucky. Even her manager, Nicole, says that Luna has a great fortune. Only some people can be as fortunate as her. Luna responded positively to Nicole¡¯s words that everything she feels now results from her hard work for many years, breaking her bones, and letting go of the most important thing in her life: herself.


    She doesn¡¯t have time to rest. After school, she works as a waitress; if her waitressing time is over, Luna will work for her next job. She only sleeps for four hours every day. On weekends, she¡¯ll be busy working extra jobs or creating content by going somewhere where ess is easy and affordable. That¡¯s what she did in the past, the constant struggle.


    Luna indeed only sometimes depended on her ie as an influencer and content creator, so she decided to have a long discussion with her closest friend and manager. After a lengthy conversation, she decided to do business and create a cosmetic beauty brand and skincare line called ¡®The Angel.¡¯


    Due to Luna¡¯s reputation, intense promotion, the right target market segment, and affordable price, the brand is selling hard, increasing its wealth.


    Luna is undoubtedly grateful for her achievements. Especially after her business, Luna earned the nickname ¡®the youngest female billionaire.¡¯ It¡¯s like she¡¯s on a cloud. Every day, shees to elite parties. All marveled at her hard work, achievements, and beauty. Luna, an orphan raised in an orphanage, can show the world that a child like herself can also seed and have the right to stand among the elites of her country.


    Now, she is invited to an exclusive event, and only certain people will ept the invitation. The event was a fundraising event for treating children with Cancer and other chronic diseases organized by the Rozen family, a family of conglomerates known for its reputation and business empire centered on the property sector, such as Estate and the already well-known construction business in America and Ennd.


    The fundraising was carried out under the concept of auctioning antiques. In addition to art, Luna was recently also fond of antiques, which resulted from her visit to one of the museums in Beijing.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    The museum she visited exhibited a collection of antiques worth millions of dors dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Luna fell in love with the beauty and aesthetics of the disyed items, eventually bing one of the antique enthusiasts.


    After all, antiquities also have priceless art; even vases dating back to the Middle Ages have their artistic value, which is difficult to find in modern times.


    So Luna, as a fan of art and antiques, when hearing about the event from Nicole, immediately decided to attend and postpone her trip to Egypt because she heard that the items to be auctioned at this event were rare and difficult to find anywhere. She can¡¯t wait to see what items will be auctioned at the event.


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 Antique mirror (1)

    ¡°Are you sure this is Luna?¡± asked Nicole, sitting on another sofa in a simple ck dress wrapped around her body. If Luna lets her brown hair down, Nicole ties her ck hair up quickly. The sses, which used to perch on Nicole¡¯s nose, are now being stored and changed to blue lens contacts.


    ¡°Your opponents are the ones whose wealth outweighs ours whenbined.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I¡¯m a businessman, remember?¡±


    ¡°Huh! I know it,dy. You¡¯re arrogant.¡± Nicole grunted irritably, making Lunaugh slowly. Luna was not offended because she knew Nicole wasn¡¯t serious about saying that sentence.


    Then, their conversation came to a halt when the lounge area door was knocked on, and one of the event staff members said that the auction was about to begin. Of course, Luna immediately rushed out of the room, followed by Nicole to the hall where the event was.


    The staff who were with the two women directed them to one of the central seating areas. After briefly exining the event, the staff turned away, leaving Luna and Nicole in the chair with the other guests.


    Luna inclines her body to Nicole¡¯s right side and whispers in her manager¡¯s ear, ¡°I have a good feeling tonight. You¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°What if your gut¡¯s wrong?¡± Nicole asked with a sour face.


    Luna, who had focused her eyes forward where the stage was, inevitably turned her eyes to look at her manager and muttered, ¡°Don¡¯t you believe me?¡± before returning her gaze towards the stage, instead towards the podium on the stage.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry, and we haven¡¯t eaten anything since noon. You know?¡± Luna muttered to change the subject.


    Nicole opened her vibrating phone while answering, ¡°Patience. I heard this auction was only about ten things, after which dinner was held together. You can eat all you want. Besides, you bought burgers and nuggets at McDonald¡¯s on our way to this hotel.


    ¡°That¡¯s different!¡±


    ¡°All right¡­ ¡±


    The noisy sound of people talking instantly came to a standstill when a man in a tuxedo walked across the stage and stood behind the podium.


    The man Luna knew as the host at this auction started by opening the event and exining its purpose. Then, he continued with the series of events and the rules of the auction until finally, the auction began.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    During the auction, Luna could not stop her awkward smile as she saw people racing to own the item no matter how much money was spent. Even Nicole dubbed the auction an elite war.


    Luna fought for the antiques in the disy several times but always lost. Her aggression was defeated by a woman or a man twice her age.


    Luna and Nicole finally chose to be spectators, but Luna felt interested when the ninth-order item came out. It¡¯s a reasonablyrge mirror with frames made of gold carvings. ¡°Is it real gold around the mirror?¡± Nicole muttered in amazement.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Luna kept quiet and listened to the auctioneer¡¯s description. The mirror is dated to the 19th century, Queen Victoria¡¯s era. A historian discovered it in a remote area of Ennd, dusty in an old house.


    The historian, tracing the traces of an English nobleman at the time, found an old abandoned house on the outskirts of town. Residents said that the house used to be owned by a young woman, but something happened, and suddenly, the woman disappeared, leaving the house just like that.


    The surrounding residents, who were initially worried that the house was no longer inhabited, decided to forget its existence until finally, the historian arrived, found the mirror, and gave it to the Rozen family as a gift.


    The price of the mirror opened at a nominal hundred thousand dors. Then, some people started offering it at a higher price. The bidding price continued to rise until it hit five hundred thousand dors. Still, after that, no one wanted to bid anymore. The cost of five hundred thousand dors for antique mirrors is already costly, especially for some people. Mirrors are only used to decorate the room and do not have high value, like paintings or other antiques.


    Luna can¡¯t stop lifting her number board and doesn¡¯t realize it when her lips open. She says, ¡°A million dors!¡±


    Everyone immediately looked at her. Even the auctioneer looked at her chair with a suspicious look. After everyone woke up from surprise, whispers were heard. The auctioneer immediately counted one to three before knocking on the hammer, a sign that Luna was the winner, and bought an antique mirror for a million dors.


    After the mirror was reinserted, Luna was escorted to one of the rooms to make the payment. She didn¡¯t hesitate to swipe her American Express ck card. Afterpleting the transaction and the antique mirror was hers, Luna asked the auction organizers to send it to her Penthouse.


    Then, she was led back to her seat, where Nicole had been waiting. ¡°You¡¯re out of your mind, Luna!¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m in my right mind.¡±


    Nicole is tongue-tied. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re out of your mind! A million dors for a mirror? I doubt I even bought a fifty-dor mirror at the furniture store. Besides, you can offer it for five hundred fifty thousand or six hundred thousand dors or anything beyond five hundred thousand dors, but a million dors? Maya will be surprised when she hears this.¡±


    Maya Madhiaz. The woman who earned the title of her closest friend, or perhaps best friend, is a famous model. They met by ident at one of the party events four years ago. Maya, who was spreading her wings as a model, collided with Luna, making Luna¡¯s dress filled with red wine. Maya certainly felt guilty and took Luna to a separate area from the party hall, buying Luna a new dress from the boutique around the building where the party event urred.


    Later, when Maya finds out that the woman she identally watered was Luna Alicia, she immediately goes into hysterics and says she is a big fan of Luna.


    After that, they chatted, exchanged cell phone numbers, and often met for meals or vacations until they became close friends. Maya also knows Luna¡¯s past and vice versa. Every time theye to a show, they¡¯ll always be together, whether when Maya¡¯s with her boyfriend or alone. The organizers also invited Maya this time, but the woman could not attend because she was in the Asian region for a photo shoot.


    Luna smiled andmented, ¡°I don¡¯t think she¡¯d be surprised. Maya must have thought I¡¯d do something unreasonable.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    Finally, the auction ended and closed with a dinner. Many people came to Luna and congratted her on possessing the antique mirror. However, it can be seen that they were questioning her sanity.


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 Antique mirror (2)

    Nicole asked when they were already on their way home. ¡°So what are you going to do with the mirror?¡±


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have posted that mirror in the penthouse¡¯s living room. Do you know, I feel weird about it. Something scares me, and I want to stay away from it like it¡¯s inappropriate to be here. I think so, and the mirror seems to have a mystical aura,¡± Nicole said while shimmying her body.


    ¡°Is that so? But I don¡¯t feel anything. Luna paused before continuing, ¡°I intend to donate the mirror to a museum that has just opened in the Los Angeles area.¡±


    ¡°Good. I agree. I don¡¯t want to live in a ce where the antique mirror is on disy.¡±


    ¡°Did you forget that you just hitchhiked because your house is in the renovation stage? Nicole, please don¡¯t overdo it. Just think about your job. Ah yes! Aren¡¯t you going to protest because I canceled Mr Raj¡¯s appointment and postponed leaving for Egypt?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m still surprised at your stupidity by spending a million dors on a mirror!¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ Don¡¯t scream, and you¡¯re disturbing my driving concentration.¡± Luna said as she focused her eyes on the highway.


    A few minutester, she turned the steering wheel to the right and entered the courtyard of the residential building where her penthouse was located. The car she was driving entered the underground parking area and parked in a parking lot specifically for her.


    After ensuring no items were left behind, she exited the car. She was followed by Nicole, who was stillmenting on Luna¡¯s crazy decision. The manager is very chatty, but that¡¯s one of the good things for Luna because sometimes she needs a crowded atmosphere.


    She hates silence. The silence reminded her of her lonely past, even in an orphanage.


    The silence depressed her and caused insomnia, making her remember what people said about her, people whoughed andughed at her. Her coworkers, schoolmates, and evenments from prospective parents who want to adopt a child when they see her.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You¡¯re ugly¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re skinny. Are you malnourished?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing me!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re like a tree trunk.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to eat pizza? You can¡¯t afford food, hahaha¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve¡­¡±


    ¡°You stupid son of a bitch!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just a kid your parents threw away. Maybe you got dumped because you¡¯re ugly¡­¡±


    ¡°Wrench¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d rather be a ghost with your paleplexion.¡±


    ¡°You poor thing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Sorry, but you don¡¯t deserve to be our son. You don¡¯t look like a healthy kid.¡±


    ¡°What good are you here for? You¡¯re an unwanted child.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re useless!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too weak. How can you work properly?¡±


    And there are many other abusive words. Make her feel ufortable in an orphanage and choose to leave or quit her job because she doesn¡¯t want to be insulted like that. Although all that made Luna a strong woman, her heart was hurt, and she was traumatized, making her have to go to a psychiatrist and take tranquilizers so she could sleep well.


    But now, Luna¡¯s dark days are over, and she can move forward without fear of her past shadows. She can show those who criticize her that she is not the same skinny kid she used to be. She¡¯s Luna Alicia, a sessful and independent woman.


    Luna and Nicole finally arrived at the penthouse. A few minutes after their arrival, the antique mirror of the auction results arrived with two couriers.


    When the mirror arrived, she and Nicole argued about its cement because Nicole did not want to look at it. Eventually, the debate ended, and the decision was made-the mirror was ced in Luna¡¯s bedroom.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get cleaned up, and then we can watch a movie together.¡±


    Nicole nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll call Dawson and the others.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you do. Make sure they get to Egypt and rest. When I get there, we¡¯ll start filming.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Luna walks to her room while Nicole walks to the balcony with a cell phone in her ear, contacting the crew who had already gone to Egypt. Luna closes the room door and notices a mirror covered with white cloth. She walks up to the mirror and reaches out to pull out the white cloth that covers it, but her movements soon stop, and a speck of hesitationes to her.


    Nicole¡¯s words suddenly came to her head, making her heart beat fast. However, Luna immediately dismissed Nicole¡¯s doubts and words that revolved around her head.


    ¡°Nicole was just bragging¡­¡± she muttered to herself. With that in mind, she pulled out the white cloth that worked as a wrapper and looked at the antique mirror she had bought for a million dors.


    ¡°The mirror, you¡¯re making me have to work even more¡­¡± Luna jokes slowly.


    Her hand touched the mirror frame, and she was finally able to answer Nicole¡¯s question at the auction.


    ¡°The frame is only painted in gold and made of wood.¡± Luna noticed an upper carving that was like forming a symbol and the lower part of the frame that formed like a wolf.


    ¡°I wonder why this mirror is so neglected¡­¡± Luna rubbed the upper frame of the mirror and identally cut her hand to the point of bleeding from a very sharp, carved wooden tip.


    Luna immediately hissed and kept her hand away. She noticed the wound on her hand before turning around because she heard her phone ring.


    She approached his clutch on the bed, pulled out her phone, and looked at the screen. With a smile, she saw Maya¡¯s name on the screen. Luna picked up the call and talked to Maya over the phone. Nicole had reported what happened, and Maya served as the mother who scolded Luna.


    A bright light suddenly appeared in the middle of her conversation with Maya. As she turned around to see where the light came from, Luna gasped when the mirror, which had previously shown the room¡¯s reflection, turned into a strange ce. It was like a forest with a beautiful night sky; the moon and millions of stars decorated it. ¡°Maya, I¡¯m hanging up.¡±


    ¡°Wait, Luna¡­ I¡¯m still going¡­ Luna? Luna! Lu-¡°Luna disconnects the phone and walks near the mirror. She glued his eyes and briefly gouged her eyes, fearing that what she saw was hallucinations.


    ¡°Wow¡­ What¡¯s this? Magic?¡± she whispered, so amazed and confused. Without her noticing, Luna reached out, touching the mirror surface.


    And then thest thing she remembered was herself in the mirror.


    ¡­

 Temple

    Luna moans slowly and slowly opens both eyes. When she feels pain in her head and some areas of her body, a slight hisses out of her lips. At first, she was unaware of her surroundings because she was busy with pain. Still, when her ears heard the rustling sound of leaves blowing in the wind and howls of animalsing from a distance, she realized where she was.


    Her head moved left and right several times, and immediately, a panic struck her-the darkness. There was only darkness everywhere. No lights, mattresses, TVs, closets, or anything else she knew filled her bedroom; all that was left was a void and stone walls. ¡°Where is this?¡±


    Then she slowly rose to her feet, patting her dirty maroon dress. With trembling feet, she tried to take some steps, but her limp and trembling feet could not support her body, so she was again seated on the surface like a rock that became the foothold of the strange ce where she was.


    Luna breathes hard and tries to think clearly, repeating the chronology of the incident that caused her to end this way.


    The mirror¡­ The light¡­ Phone¡­ Her conversation with Maya¡­ Then thest one¡­ Luna gasps and notices her own body. Did she get sucked into the mirror that was emitting light?


    But how? What nonsense happened to her? Luna refreshes her long dark brown hair with furor.


    She wants to assume that what¡¯s happening to her is a dream. Still, it¡¯s ridiculous to think it¡¯s a dream because it feels too real for a dream that¡¯ll be easily forgotten. She can feel the things she touches, the headaches she feels, and even her heart beating when she puts her palms on the chest where her heart is, indicating that everything that¡¯s happening is real.


    Luna doesn¡¯t understand how and why this weird thing happened to her. For the second time, she rose to her feet, her feet still wearing high heels, and trembled violently. Her eyes tried to scan in the dark. Still, she could see nothing but the terrible dense darkness, even though her eyes had adjusted to the circumstances.


    Suddenly, he remembered a sophisticated, t object he had been holding when she entered the mirror. If that thing was in hand, it must have been identally carried on her ¡®travel¡¯ to this strange ce.


    With that cheerful thought, Luna was in a hurry to find a phone that would be the only source of light at this time. Her hands groped the surface where she stood, looking around the area. Relying only on her hands, she searched and searched until her palms touched a t object she knew very well.


    Luna screamed happily because her efforts to find the only thing she knew and be her savior had been sessful. Luna gets back on her feet and checks on her cell phone.


    She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized her phone was not broken. After unlocking the phone with a fingerprint, she checks thework, hoping that she is just delusional or drunk to go to an abandoned ce identally. However, her hopes were dashed when she saw no signal. The status on the screen is ¡®no signal,¡¯ indicating that the ce she is has no phone signal.


    It¡¯s disappointing because it¡¯s one of the signs that she¡¯s in a strange ce, but she can¡¯t be pessimistic. Wherever she is right now, some people can help her. After ensuring enough cell phone batteries, Luna immediately turned on the shlight, hoping to find a clue or exit from this strange ce.


    Her dark brown eyes filled with fear, and her fear of uncertainty circted wildly, following the shlight she lit. There were few things she could find. Only the walls were made of stone with vines and moss adorning them, and then there were significant enough cracks or ruins of the walls on the floor.


    So far, nothing unusual, but when her shlight is reflected by something, Luna realizes arge mirror is ced on an altar not far from her. At first nce, the mirror looks worn out and decorated by the thick moss on its frame, with two human statues simr to those she had seen in Greek cities or the historical cities of ancient civilization standing on either side of the altar like guardians for the mirror.


    Luna is so curious about the mirror. How can a mirror be in a strange ce like this? Judging by the mirror, it¡¯s not just any mirror, but she doesn¡¯t care about it right now because she has more important things to do.


    Once again, she noticed the surrounding atmosphere. ¡°Is this a temple?¡± she asked herself amid silence, for from fleeting sight, everything she saw was like a temple.


    Her head shakes briefly. She¡¯ll figure out that answerter. Now, all she has to do is find a way out and gather as much information as possible about this strange ce. With that thought, Luna tried to walk in the opposite direction to the altar where the mirror was, and her decision was not in vain. A smile of relief slowly etched on her lips when she found the exit.


    Luna runs small to the door, hoping to find help or something she can use as a clue. Her face turns pale when her feet pass through the exit, and the relief she once felt is lost and reced by a double panic.


    She circled the gaze and circled the surrounding area, raising her head to gaze at the dark sky decorated with thousands of stars and a full moon that shone very brightly and looked more extensive than usual, muttering, ¡°No¡­ No, it¡¯s not¡­ This can¡¯t be¡­ It¡¯s¡­ Where exactly¡­ ?¡±


    Luna tries to stay positive and steps further away from the building, which she concludes is a temple. Her whole body trembles as the dark expanse, dense lines of trees resembling forests, and the sounds of wild animals active at night greet her.


    The one thing Luna thought she was seeing was all that. The forest. She¡¯s in the middle of the woods, but the woods? Howe? She¡¯s in the middle of town, and I don¡¯t think there¡¯s such a dense forest near New York City.


    Luna nced at the temple building before running, her leg full of abrasions, towards the forest. ¡°Maybe I saw it wrong. Maybe it¡¯s not a forest or just an abandoned garden?¡±


    Luna tries to reason, though deep down, she knows it¡¯s impossible. How can there be an abandoned garden in a city as crowded as New York can be as thick as the one before her eyes with the temple in the middle? The asional moan escapes from her lips by running with her heels and injured legs, upsetting Luna. She finally stops to remove the heels attached to her feet before returning to run.


    She wanted to rest for a while, but her instincts forbade it. So she kept running and running, but not far away. She ran away from the temple building, but Luna stopped again. Her heart immediately thumped at the sound of a wolf howling in the distance.


    Her body trembled again, and her eyes nced at the cell phone in her hand. This time, her ears heard an owl-like sound, but somehow, it sounded more creepy.


    She was eager to shout as loud as she could to vent all the negative emotions that gathered inside her. Luna doesn¡¯t know how long she¡¯s been standing in the middle of a pitch-dark forest. Her trembling body was afraid of the situation, already starting to feel exhausted.


    Luma was so confused and utterly clueless about her situation. Her dark brown eyes circled the forest again wildly, but what she expected was not found. There were no signs or objects that she could use as a clue to get out of this situation. It was like she was in an endless nightmare where she couldn¡¯te back, a nightmare that traps anyone for good.


    Luna raises her head and looks back at the moon shining brightly in the sky, which looks more significant than she used to see through the Penthouse window.


    ¡°I¡¯d better wait until morning,¡± Luna said atst. She wouldn¡¯t go any deeper into the forest when her ears caught the sound of wolf howls.


    Not only wolves, there could be other wild animals she doesn¡¯t know about, looking for prey and would be ready to pounce on her anytime she passed by. Luna has to think smart in this situation. If she¡¯s desperate for signs of life in the middle of the night, then she could die. She¡¯d better return to the temple and wait till the sun rises.


    With that in mind, she initially turned around and walked towards her. Luckily, she had yet to run too far. Because the temple¡¯s building wasrge enough, Luna quickly returned to the temple without struggling to find or get lost. The shlight of her cell phone caught several dirty and in bad-condition statues decorating the temple¡¯s exterior.


    ¡°I want toe back soon. May all this be but a dream, and I will awaken in my bedroom.¡± Luna wiped the tears that wet her cheeks and stopped walking. Her zed eyes returned to the temple door, where she had first set foot in this strange and mysterious situation.


    Her body trembled as the cold blew hard against her, wrapped in a maroon-colored knee dress. Once again, it was a sign that what she was going through was real and not a dream, but she still couldn¡¯t stop asking herself.


    Has she started to lose her mind? Is she hallucinating right now? Did she identally take tranquilizers? But Luna has stopped taking them for three years after her psychiatrist said that she was better and dered sessful in fighting the depression she suffered.


    She took a long breath. At least the phone in her hand still had quite a lot of battery power, something to be thankful for under these circumstances. Luna turned off the shlight and sat limply on the temple¡¯s steps. Her hands were raised, and her hair was refreshingly frustrating.


    Once again, she nced at her cell phone screen, slowly swearing at the status of the signal that was still not there, and immediately turned off the phone because she had to save money on using it. She didn¡¯t know how long she¡¯d be in this weird ce, so she couldn¡¯t just use an object that could help herself in a critical situation.


    Luna¡¯s slowing down. She¡¯d better get back inside the temple. At least the temple was warm and safe,pared to standing still in the cold air or exploring the forest in the darkness, where danger lurked. She¡¯d better wait until the sunes up.


    With that in mind, Luna returns to the temple.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    While inside the temple, Luna¡¯s gaze immediately goes toward therge mirror attached to the wall on the other side of the door. Unconsciously, she walks up to the mirror. She stops walking when she is right in front of it.


    Luna slowly wipes before shedding tears, crying in distress. Her hand is stretched out to touch the mirror¡¯s surface, suddenly emitting a bright light. The light is currently disying something absurd, showing her apartment¡¯s bedroom and what is happening in her room. She sees Nicole, with a panicked and frightened face, searching for herself and shouting her name.


    ¡°Nicole¡­ Please help me¡­ I¡¯m here¡­ I went into the mirror¡­ And now, I don¡¯t know what this ce is and where¡­¡± Luna cried sadly.


    Luna reaches out to touch the mirror¡¯s surface, but the light slowly fades, and what she sees begins to disappear. ¡°No way! No!¡± Luna screams hysterically.


    Her hands clenched firmly, and she began beating the mirror hard. ¡°I want to go back! I want to go home! Nicole!¡± Luna fell seated and looked at the mirror, which now only showed her reflection.


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 Leave the temple

    Luna¡¯s two eyelids slowly opened when the blinding sunlight pierced her eyes. Moans escaped her lips, and her ears moved because she heard the sound of birds chirping in the forest. Her body lying near the mirror changed its position, and her eyes, which were still drooping, slowly opened.


    After feeling strong enough, Luna sat up and tidied her dishevelled appearance. She groaned when she felt the pain of sleeping on a hard pedestal. Luna yawned widely and turned to the right and left, noticing the state of the temple when the sun¡¯s light shined brightly.


    Some of the things she couldn¡¯t see in the dark can now be seen clearly in the light, such as a wall with even more severe cracks, and then rocks, tendrils and tree roots that adorn some areas of the temple, mosses and dry leaves are scattered, However, instead of making the temple ugly or unpleasant to look at, it is the opposite. Luna feels that the temple looks even more beautiful by emitting a marvellous mystical aura. It¡¯s like the temple has merged into one with nature.


    Luna¡¯s gaze stopped at the point where an engraved inscription decorated the wall. She glued her eyes and instantly stood up when she realized the shape of the engraved characters were words from hernguage. She walked close and reached out, wiping the letters gently.


    Time is the longest distance between two ces.


    ¡°Time is the longest distance between two ces,¡± Luna murmured slowly. She wondered if the sentence had a hidden meaning rted to mirrors. She nced at the opaque and dirty mirror for a glimpse before returning to read the sentence engraved on the wall.


    ¡°There are memories that time does not erase¡­ Forever does not make loss forgettable, only bearable.¡±


    Luna smiled ironically, reading the sentence because what was written was true. Memories will never be erased by time. No matter how small those memories are, they¡¯ll still fill one corner of the heart and mind. Even if it¡¯s lost, whatever it is, whether it¡¯s best friends, parents, rtives, or something.  It can never be erased easily.


    All this time, humans could only bear memories in their hearts, pretending to be happy, even though they were far from happy. Luna ms hard the sentences written on the wall, so much for herself, but all those sentences don¡¯t show a way to go back, even though that¡¯s what she needs, not a ¡®quote¡¯ rted to life.


    She walked back down the wall and stopped at one sentence. It¡¯s a little blurry and moss-covered, but some of the front sentences are still clearly visible.


    ¡°The rose was red when I came but after a while¡­ ¡±


    ¡°The rose? What¡¯s the rtion of roses?¡± Mumbled Luna read the sentence confused. She wanted to know the rest of the sentence, but it was blurry until it was erased and covered in nts, so she couldn¡¯t do it.


    Whoever carved all the writing on this wall doesn¡¯t seem to be from here, but the world she¡¯s from. That means she¡¯s not the first person toe to this strange ce.


    Luna sighed loudly. She can¡¯t stay here forever. If she doesn¡¯t want to get stuck again, she better get out of here. She can go back to find out how to get herself home after collecting all the information on the ce where she is today. Besides, she¡¯s getting thirsty and hungry because she didn¡¯t eat and drink all night after running away. If she insists on staying here, the first thing that will kill her is dehydration and hunger.


    ¡°It seems I need to find a river or spring to drink from,¡± she muttered to herself. With that thought, she put her phone into her bra-since there were no pockets to store it-then carried her heels in one hand.


    Her injured leg got worse by forcing her to walk barefoot, but it was better than her wearing heels. After wiping the mirror surface for thest time while shedding tears, Luna turns around and walks toward the temple exit.


    Just like she had seen inside, the temple building was almost covered with moss and vines. Some parts were already damaged and crumbling, and the statue she had seen the night before was also covered in moss. She observed the statues carved around the temple for a moment. Her brow furrowed slightly because all the statues depicted creatures unfamiliar to her. They resembled Centaurs, but instead of horses, the lower half of their bodies were lions.


    ¡°Would there be any mythical half-human and lion creature?¡± Luna shrugged her shoulders indifferently and walked away from the temple. She could see her footprintsst night.


    For the first hour, she felt at peace. However, she rarely gets this calm and peaceful atmosphere. If the effects of walking in the middle of nature are so good, she has long chosen to explore the city¡¯s forests if she is tired or stressed.


    The sound of birds, insects, and even the sound of forest animals fraying each other is like a melody in Luna¡¯s ear that has lived in the city with the constant noise of the city. What she¡¯s feeling right now is like therapy.


    However, after walking for two hours, she began to feel exhausted. Her feet hurt more, and she felt very thirsty. Bright sunlight shone down, causing sweat to pour down her dress. Luna sat for a while on the tree roots protruding from the ground. She wiped the sweat with the back of her hand while fanning her neck with her other hand.


    If only the GPS could work, maybe she wouldn¡¯t be circling the woods until she got lost. Then, when she felt enough rest, she went back on her way.


    Four hourster-a miracle for someone thirsty and hungry-Luna could no longer continue her journey. Her body was so weak, and her stomach had been growling for a while, demanding to be filled. During the journey, she hoped to find fruits like wild berries or anything edible, but there was nothing. No river or spring either.


    The only animals she encountered were brown furry rabbits, whose size was also unusual. They had wide, creepy eyes, which made Luna quite frightened. She sat on the ground with her back leaning against the trunk of a tree. Even the trees she encountered during the journey were not entirely simr to the trees she used to see.


    Most of the trees form like canopies, with thick leaves on top and upwardly pointed twigs. The leaves are certainly green and the same as any other tree. Some have orange or red colours, but what makes the tree different is that it has a big, fat tree trunk like a Sumo, isyered, and the roots stick out so big.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Some also have tree tendrils, and in those tendrils, the leaves are like crystal leaves that are beautiful when reflecting the sun¡¯s light. She believes the unique tree is one of many strange nts that grow in this strange ce.


    When she first saw the unique thing, the admiration murmurs did not stoping out of her lips. Luna did not dare to touch the tendrils that had the crystal leaves. Still, now, when she is in this condition, even flowers that have transparent petals or unique colours until a dragon passes before her eyes, she doesn¡¯t even care.


    Luna moans slowly and asks for help in her heart. She wishes a miracle woulde to her.


    ¡­.

 Ghea

    The sun, which was already high in the sky, shone so brightly that its rays freely entered through the window of the room where Luna was soundly sleeping. A groan escaped from Luna¡¯s lips as the light disturbed and woke her from her deep sleep. Slowly, Luna opened her tightly closed eyes and blinked several times to adjust her still blurry vision.


    Luna smiled slightly as she felt the softness beneath her body, stretching her arms and legs to loosen her muscles. Initially, she didn¡¯t realize her surroundings, thinking that what she was experiencing was just a dream because of the soft feeling beneath her body. However, momentster, her forehead furrowed in confusion when she saw the ceiling of the room with a small candle chandelier hanging in the middle.


    Huh? I don¡¯t have a chandelier in my bedroom, especially not one made of candles. Luna waspletely puzzled, but then she realized. Wait a minute! This isn¡¯t a dream! This is real! But¡­ Wasn¡¯t I in the forestst time? Why am I in a room?


    She was confused, wondering in her heart, ¡®Where am I now?¡¯ Suddenly, awareness flooded over her. Luna immediately sat up and looked around. The room she was in appeared simple.


    The floor, walls, and ceiling were made of sturdy-looking wood. There was a window on the right side where sunlight streamed into the room. The furniture in the room was also made of wood, such as the table, chairs, wardrobe, and even the bed she was lying on. Luna touched the nket, which had thick and soft fur, guessing that the nket warming her body was made from animal fur. Wolf? Bear? Luna couldn¡¯t guess what animal it was.


    Still, it felt sofortable and warm, even better than the high-quality nkets she had in her Penthouse. Luna rubbed her eyes with her hands before slowly lowering her feet from the bed, noticing a wide carpet also made of fur. She wiggled her toes and smiled at the tickling softness of the fur before looking around.


    ¡°Where is this?¡± she asked herself, confused.


    Luna looked down to check her condition and sighed in relief when she realized that the maroon dress she was wearing was still on her body. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, and when she nced at the small table near the bed, her phone and heels were neatly ced there.


    Luna slowly stood up and walked towards the table. She turned on her phone to check if the ce she was in had a signal so she could open GPS, but unfortunately, her hopes were dashed. Once again, she had to ept that the ce she was in was not where she came from.


    Feeling sad, Luna turned off her phone and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. She walked to the window to look outside and blinked in disbelief at the cityscape before her eyes. She didn¡¯t know where she was, but the city she saw looked like an ancient Roman city.


    Buildings with ssic styles, horse-drawn carriages, women wearing tunics reaching their feet in white, with outer garments simr to colourful togas embroidered with gold thread, while the men wore white tunics down to their knees.


    Some of them wore medieval-style clothing consisting of simple gowns with corsets for women and outfits consisting of trousers paired with long-sleeved shirts and vests or suspenders with boots and beret hats, like merchants, coachmen, shopkeepers, and others. Luna felt like she had stepped into a historical fantasy movie scene. There wasn¡¯t a single thing she recognized or found familiar.


    Slowly, she stepped back from the window with weak legs, then returned to the bed and sat on its edge with her mind starting to race. She was so confused, scared, and alone. ¡°I have to get out of here!¡± she concluded before standing up and quickly walking to the table.


    She took her phone and heels and walked towards the door. At that moment, she heard three knocks on the door and then a very feminine voice from behind it. ¡°Lady, are you awake?¡±


    Luna¡¯s body instantly froze, and she stared at the door with a vignt gaze. ¡°May Ie in?¡± Luna opened her mouth to respond, but she furrowed her brow again when she heard the woman¡¯s question in a foreignnguage, one she had never heard in her life.


    But why do I understand what this strange woman is saying? she wondered to herself. It seemed the woman outside sensed Luna¡¯s hesitation, so she murmured again, ¡°I know this is impolite, but forgive me. I muste in.¡± Soon after, the door handle moved, and the door opened.


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened when she saw the woman entering the room. The woman was so beautiful, with tan skin, straight, long blonde hair, and striking green eyes like emerald gemstones. The tall woman was dressed in a white gown with a skirt that reached her ankles and a brown corset around her waist. Brown leather shoes adorned her feet.


    Luna blinked in disbelief. It felt like she had stepped into a historical film, where the clothing and atmosphere matched her current experience. Luna pinched her arm-yet again-and hissed softly at the pain, confirming that everything was real and not a dream.


    ¡°Hi,¡± the woman greeted with a gentle smile. In her hands, she held a tray with a wooden bowl and arge wooden mug.


    ¡°How are you feeling,dy? I brought some warm soup and honey tea to restore your energy.¡±


    ¡°How¡­?¡± Luna tried to speak, but she was surprised when the foreignnguage she had heard came out of her mouth, not thenguage she knew. ¡°Where¡­ is this¡­?¡±


    The woman smiled understandingly. She ced the tray on the table and walked to the door, closing it tightly. It was then that Luna noticed the woman¡¯s ears were different, more pointed and longer. Huh? Did I see that right? She blinked before looking at the woman¡¯s ears again.


    I didn¡¯t see it wrong! she screamed in her mind. The woman approached Luna and reached out to touch a strand of Luna¡¯s dark brown hair.


    ¡°It¡¯s because of the bracelet I put on you,dy.¡± The woman then gestured towards Luna¡¯s left arm. When Luna followed her gaze, she noticed a dark purple bracelet encircling her wrist. Luna raised her hand and examined the bracelet, which looked like ss and appeared so beautiful in the sunlight.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bracelet with a trantion enchantment. Anyone who wears it can speak and understand thenguage of this world.¡± Suddenly, Ghea¡¯s face turned sombre.


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know how the portal works, not even the elders or our Queen. The portal is a mysterious force. It might not be ordinary magic, or maybe it¡¯s not magic at all, but part of nature. It¡¯s a dimension of time itself connecting two worlds. The portal can even move locations or have more than one. I¡¯ve always heard stories from the elders that mortals whoe through the portal can never return because no one knows how to open the portal.¡±


    Mortals? Humans here are called mortals? How ironic. ¡°So I¡¯m not the only one?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but they usually choose to leave Foryeust and settle in Vasilos Empire because many of them say that the Vasilos Empire¡¯s environment is simr to the world they came from.¡± Luna straightened up at this information.


    ¡°If you¡¯re interested, I can take you-¡±


    ¡°No. I want to stay here. I¡¯m sure there must be a way to return. I believe that. Shouldn¡¯t the portal work both ways?¡± She thought this because of the science fiction or fantasy films she had watched in theatres and on Netflix.


    There must be a way to get back. She had seen what happened on the other side of the mirror, how Nicole had frantically searched for her in the room before disappearing. Yes! That alone indicated that the portal works both ways and not just one way; it¡¯s just that the beings in this world haven¡¯t figured out the answer to that puzzle yet. ¡°That¡¯s why I need to stay here to find the answer.¡±


    ¡°You really want to go back,¡± Ghea concluded a fact.


    Luna nodded briefly. ¡°Of course. I have a life there and people I love.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never known the world beyond the portal, and I¡¯m so curious.¡±


    ¡°Curious?¡± Luna furrowed her brow. ¡°Is that why you¡¯re not afraid or suspicious of me? Shouldn¡¯t you feel those two things because I¡¯m a stranger?¡±


    Ghea smiled and waved her fingers, which glowed green. She summoned a long, strong vine from the ground that wrapped tightly around Luna¡¯s body, rendering her unable to express her astonishment.


    ¡°I can do this to you if you do something unpleasant.¡± Then the green light faded, and the vine that had wrapped around Luna¡¯s body receded into the ground.


    ¡°But I believe you¡¯re not that kind of person. You look weak and very exhausted.¡± Ghea pped her hands as if what she had just done was the easiest thing ever. Luna was mesmerized by the power she had witnessed. Ghea grinned proudly and answered Luna¡¯s question.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m very curious. I¡¯ve heard stories from one of the elders about another world from a mortal they once encountered, and that mortal described the ¡®other¡¯ world they came from. So I¡¯m curious.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ Wow¡­ that¡¯s amazing!¡± Luna praised Ghea, then cleared her throat and murmured, ¡°Have you ever dealt with umm¡­ mortals like me?¡±


    ¡°Never. This is the first time for me, but I¡¯m not surprised at all. After all, I¡¯m an innkeeper, and I encounter various kinds of beings.¡± Ghea has a point, Luna agreed silently. She took a deep breath, walked to the bed, and then sat on the edge of the bed.


    She watched Ghea for a moment before saying, ¡°It seems I¡¯m the only one who hasn¡¯t introduced myself. Sorry for being rude when you¡¯ve helped me. My name is Luna.¡±


    Luna thought Ghea would react like most people, eitherplimenting her name or giving a cheerful look like someone meeting for the first time. However, instead, the woman looked pale with fear and took a step back. ¡°Umm¡­ Ghea, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Your name¡­ Luna?¡±


    Luna sighed heavily. ¡°You don¡¯t need to speak so formally to me anymore. After all, I¡¯m just a stranger here, and yes, my name is Luna. The orphanage mother said she found my name on a piece of paper in the basket where she found me. Is there something that makes you react like that?¡± Ghea seemed hesitant for a moment.


    It seemed the woman didn¡¯t want to exin further. Still, given Luna¡¯s unique circumstances, Ghea let down her guard and stepped closer before sitting beside her with a worried expression. ¡°Luna is something sacred for the Vasilos Empire. I will exin it to you, but after you change your clothes and eat the breakfast I brought. You look very hungry and dirty.¡±


    Luna smiled, ¡°Thank you for reminding me.¡±


    Twenty minutester, Luna had finished cleaning herself and eating the food Ghea had brought. For a different world, Luna was surprised that Ghea¡¯s cooking didn¡¯t taste much different from her world, even tasting more delicious and savoury. The honey tea Ghea prepared also tasted fresher and sweeter, indicating that all the ingredients used were natural. Luna didn¡¯t see any modern transportation causing pollution, so the air she breathed still felt very fresh.


    Luna looked at her body, which was now dressed in a gown simr to Ghea¡¯s, minus the corset. She asked about the white tunics she had seen outside the window. Ghea exined that those garments were only worn by the royal family, nobles, judges, and other high-ranking officials in Foryeust and not bymoners.


    Luna looked at Ghea, who had just returned after stepping out for a while to get some snacks. In the woman¡¯s hand was a te filled with rose-shaped cookies. Luna smiled at Ghea, who returned the smile warmly. When Ghea wasfortably seated beside the bed, the woman nced at the item on Luna¡¯sp.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been very curious since I brought you here. What is that?¡± She was d Ghea was no longer speaking formally to her because hearing the woman speak formally made Luna feel a bit awkward. Formal behaviour was something she usually received from business clients, and Ghea was neither a business client nor a stranger.


    Proudly, Luna held up the smartphone in herp and replied, ¡°This is called a smartphone. It¡¯s used as amunication device in my world. Do you want to see how it works?¡± Ghea nodded her head.


    Luna pondered for a moment and thought ten minutes would be enough to demonstrate the advanced technology she had brought along. After exining, she smiled wider, seeing Ghea¡¯s blue eyes sparkle brightly. ¡°How is it?¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s amazing! It¡¯s extraordinary magic! I¡¯ve never seen anything like it. Even the surface of that thing moves when you touch it.¡±


    With a small smile, Luna shook her head and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t magic. It¡¯s called technology, a science.¡± She paused for a moment, observing Ghea still admiring the phone in her hand. ¡°By the way, what do you use tomunicate?¡±


    ¡°Magic and letters.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± For a moment, neither Ghea nor Luna spoke, both busy with their thoughts until Luna broke the silence and asked, ¡°So, why is Luna so sacred to the Empire¡­ umm¡­ what¡¯s it called?¡±


    ¡°Vasilos.¡± Luna quickly nodded. She turned off the phone, then hid it behind her back and looked at Ghea intently. ¡°Luna is the title given to the soulmate of an Alpha in Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°Alpha?¡±


    ¡°Just like the Foryeust Territory, which is dominated by fairies, fae, and other forest creatures, the Vasilos Empire is dominated by werewolves because the Vasilos region is primarily a werewolf territory.¡±


    Werewolves¡­ Luna wanted tough right now. So, she had truly entered a fantasy world where supernatural beings lived in reality. Werewolves and fae were mythical creatures in her world, with no proof of their existence. Still, here she was, talking to a fae and discussing arge kingdom seemingly ruled by werewolves.


    ¡°That¡¯s why Luna is so sacred. Do you know what a werewolf is?¡± Luna nodded and briefly exined that werewolves, vampires, and even fae were mythical creatures and fairy tales in her world.


    ¡°How funny that we are considered myths. Is that why you look at me as if I¡¯m not real?¡± Luna nodded.


    Ghea sighed deeply and continued, ¡°If you know about werewolves, do you know what a soulmate is?¡± Luna shook her head.


    ¡°Alright, a soulmate is a life partner for every werewolf. A soulmate is a gift from the Moon Goddess-Selene, for her creations.¡±


    ¡°Okay, then, what does that have to do with Luna?¡±


    ¡°Because the soulmate of an Alpha is the mother to the pack members, they receive the title Luna, which means moon. It is considered that Luna is a representative of the Moon Goddess for them, and because Selene and the werewolves highly revere women.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, this doesn¡¯t apply to Alkrevas.¡±


    ¡°Al¡­ what?¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas. The Emperor of the Vasilos Empire and the Alpha King of the werewolves.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡­

 Alkrevas

    ¡°Alkrevas. The Emperor of Vasilos Empire and the Alpha King of the Werewolves.¡± Luna could only stare at Ghea with a dumbfounded expression.


    After all, she was from a different world, so it was no wonder she reacted that way. Ghea sighed softly and handed her a te of pink fruit that looked like dragon fruit. ¡°He is one of the most admired and respected men on the continent of Rhodes.¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ okay¡­?¡± Luna murmured, still sounding confused.


    She lowered her head and examined the fruit on the te. She hesitated for a moment to eat it, but her mouth, ustomed to sweet foods like fruits, cakes, choctes, ice cream, and other desserts, couldn¡¯t resist, so she ate the strange fruit.


    She hummed in delight as the juice from the fruit flooded her taste buds, and the sweet and refreshing vour took over. She was truly pleased with the taste, which turned out to be simr to watermelon.


    ¡°Is that man very powerful? I mean, I know he¡¯s an Emperor and all, but is he so powerful that he¡¯s well-known throughout the entire continent?¡± Luna looked at Ghea with an indifferent expression, and the woman she was looking at showed disbelief.


    Why? Is something wrong? Should she be surprised and react dramatically to that statement? After all, she had met many high-ranking government officials, so hearing that didn¡¯t excite her much. Was she being too arrogant? Luna wondered to herself. She sighed softly and asked, ¡°Why is he an exception when ites to soulmates?¡±


    Ghea rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t question her reaction, and then the Fae woman began to tell her about the famous man. Alkrevas Remo de Vasilio. That was the name Ghea uttered with a face filled with both fear and admiration, like a fan talking about her idol.


    Alkrevas was an emperor who ruled thergest country on the continent of Rhodes, the Vasilos Empire. An empire known for its prosperity and wealth, not to mention its military strength, which was undeniably powerful. Alkrevas had sat on the throne since he was twenty-one, the age for an Alpha heir to take over his father¡¯s power.


    Alkrevas¡¯ parents, who possessed royal blood, were said to be more than ordinary werewolves; they were Lycans, whose strength was many times greater than that of regr werewolves. Ghea said that in the past, Alkrevas was the perfect crown prince of the empire, kind and friendly to everyone, with an elegant aura and the ability to be firm when necessary.


    Nothing wascking about him. If perfect meant anything, it was truly meant, in his case, by his appearance. Ghea said that Alkrevas was the most handsome man in Rhodes, far beyond just handsome¡­ more appropriately, he was beautiful.


    His face seemed to have been sculpted by the gods themselves. Although Ghea said that werewolves had superior genes in terms of physical appearance and strength, Alkrevas surpassed them all. Ghea said his handsomeness multiplied when he smiled, and every time Alkrevas smiled, women would immediately melt and fall at his feet.


    Alkrevas was also said to be a genius. He often helped his father, the former emperor, with state affairs. In addition, Alkrevas excelled in swordsmanship and martial arts, not to mention his hunting skills as a werewolf.


    As a prince, Alkrevas received many praises and was regarded as the best young sun of the empire. There was nothing wrong with him. Ghea also heard rumours that Alkrevas greatly respected women. Although many offered themselves to warm the crown prince¡¯s bed, he would politely and elegantly refuse, saying he wanted to save everything for his soulmate. Luna was silent for a moment. What an incredible man.


    Wasn¡¯t Alkrevas so perfect? Being able to restrain himself and wants to experience all firsts with his soulmate. In her world, finding a faithful man was so difficult. Luna remembered how many times she had to endure heartbreak from catching her boyfriend cheating. When all rtionships ended, her boyfriends would beg for her to return. She snorted inwardly. Return? Would empty, sweet promises be useful on a second chance if the same thing was bound to happen again?


    It could be concluded that Alkrevas was such a perfect man that he wouldn¡¯t even be real in her world. No wonder he was famous among many people. Who wouldn¡¯t be interested in hearing about him? Even Luna felt intrigued hearing about Alkrevas, but Ghea didn¡¯t stop there.


    The woman said that all of Alkrevas¡¯ perfection changed during hising-of-age party at neen, the age for a werewolf to meet his soulmate. The crown prince¡¯s birthday anding-of-age party was one of the grandest parties on the continent of Rhodes. All the young, unmated women from various backgrounds were invited, hoping one of them was the soulmate of the young sun. But hope remained just that-hope.


    As each hour passed, Alkrevas still didn¡¯t find his soulmate. Even when friends, rtives, and other werewolves found theirs at the party, he showed no signs of his soulmate¡¯s presence. ¡°It became a hot topic for months throughout Rhodes, with people saying that Alkrevas was a werewolf destined to be without a mate.¡±


    ¡°Is it because of his perfection?¡±


    Ghea shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. There are rumours that the royal family was cursed by a witch, making Alkrevas mate-less, even when he ascended the throne to rece his father as emperor.¡±


    ¡°And then?¡± Ghea stood and walked to the window, making sure no one was listening to their conversation, even though it was quite absurd since they were on the second floor of a building and in a busy area.


    Then, Ghea closed the window curtains and returned to her seat. ¡°I had to ensure there were no werewolves around, as their hearing is sharp and can pick up conversations from a considerable distance.¡± Luna nodded in understanding, now grasping the reason for Ghea¡¯s behaviour. ¡°Do you know why soulmates were created for werewolves?¡±


    ¡°Uhh¡­ to be a partner?¡±


    Ghea quickly shook her head. ¡°No. It¡¯s not just that. A soulmate, for a werewolf, isn¡¯t just an ordinary partner. A soulmate here has its true meaning. Werewolves are born with only half a soul, and their soulmate holds the other half. So, when they meet their soulmate, each individual¡¯s soul bes whole. Do you understand?¡±


    Luna nodded quickly. ¡°A soulmate keeps werewolves sane and prevents them from going mad or bing brutal. That¡¯s why many werewolves go insane or choose to end their own lives if their soulmate dies or they are separated from them.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine the heartbreak they experience from losing the half of their soul they¡¯ve waited so long for.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡± Ghea agreed. ¡°And this applies to Alkrevas.¡± Luna sensed that Ghea¡¯s story was about to get worse.


    ¡°After years of not finding his soulmate, Alkrevas started to lose control. The imperial family even travelled around the continent searching for the woman destined to be the prince¡¯s soulmate. Even during the coronation ceremony, everyone had to be careful not to provoke Alkrevas¡¯ anger. The man changedpletely. He became brutal, temperamental, cold, and cruel. He became a tyrant feared by everyone. Even his parents couldn¡¯t do anything.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Did he kill at will?¡±


    ¡°No. Luckily, he never did that. He never harmed innocent civilians, but every full moon, he would go to the imperial dungeons and kill all the prisoners there. That¡¯s what I heard.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ told me all that just because you heard it?¡±


    Ghea nodded. ¡°I heard it all from the people of Vasilos who stayed here.¡±


    Ghea paused for a moment and continued, ¡°Even though he¡¯s a tyrant and cruel, many women still hope that Alkrevas will choose them. Especially after years of being emperor, he has left the position of empress vacant.¡±


    ¡°He must have a pce full of women,¡± Luna murmured. From the movies she watched and the fantasy books she read, Luna knew that a king or emperor usually had a pce specifically for his concubines.


    ¡°Of course, there is a pce for the emperor¡¯s women, called the Rose Pce, filled with roses and the emperor¡¯s flowers. But I heard that the emperor had never set foot in that pce, and only guests and delegates entered it.¡±


    ¡°Oh wow. For a man who has gone insane and is cruel, he still sticks to his principles.¡± Lunamented sarcastically.


    ¡°So, is there a reason why Alkrevas is cursed? Or maybe the Moon Goddess didn¡¯t think to add a soulmate to her agenda when creating Alkrevas. He is already more than perfect.¡± She ate the remaining few pieces of fruit, then said, ¡°It¡¯s hard to believe.¡±


    Luna smiled and looked at the empty te. For a woman who had just arrived in another world, she feltfortable and not out of ce. Was it because of Ghea¡¯s open attitude and her continuous conversation? Making her feel epted in this strange world. If she had received such treatment continuously, Luna would have been tempted to stay and not return. ¡°How long has he been emperor?¡±


    ¡°Around ten years.¡± Ghea sighed deeply.


    ¡°Even when he no longer smiles, and his eyes look at everyone with cold, sharp emptiness, it doesn¡¯t diminish his handsomeness. I once saw him during a state speech, and his brown eyes were enough to make me melt.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re a fan of him.¡± Ghea¡¯s cheeks instantly flushed red, caught in her admission. Luna chuckled softly and unconsciously patted the woman¡¯s shoulder gently. When she realized what she had done, Luna quickly muttered an apology, although Ghea said it was fine.


    ¡°I¡¯m curious what he looks like to be so famous.¡± Luna smiled slightly and shook her head.


    ¡°No, although I¡¯m curious, there¡¯s something more important, which is the portal.¡± Luna nodded and looked at Ghea.


    ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s no way?¡± Ghea shook her head. Luna sighed sadly. She wanted to cry as hard as she could to release all the emotions inside her, but with Ghea nearby, Luna chose to hold back and try to stay strong. She had been alone often enough, so there was no harm in adding one more experience, right?


    ¡°Luna, if you want, I can take you to see around Foryeust. Or would you like to go to Vasilos? My brother happens to be going there for a business transaction in the capital of Vasilos, Mylonas Capital. At least you can see the city chosen by mortals who came in the past.¡±


    Luna considered Ghea¡¯s offer. If she couldn¡¯t return because the portal no longer appeared, she would have to make a backup n, but her priority was to go back. Nothing else mattered.


    ¡­

 Alkrevas (2)

    ¡°Where is Vasilos Empire located?¡±


    ¡°In the east of the Rhodes continent. The empire stretches from the eastern end of the continent, marked by Vasilos¡¯ military port called Limani, to the west of the continent, bordering the Foryeust territory marked by the Gerin River. To the north of the empire is the dukedom of Veniam, one of the territories serving as a fortress between the empire and the Nightwarm Kingdom, and to the south is the dukedom of Corydon, where thergest and busiestmercial port is located, bordering the Oceania Kingdom.¡±


    ¡°No wonder the Vasilos Empire is prosperous and wealthy,¡± Lunamented in awe. Ghea nodded in agreement. Luna wanted to refuse and stay here as per her initial n. Still, seeing Ghea¡¯s enthusiasm and feeling a sense of gratitude, Luna reconsidered.


    ¡°I guess there¡¯s no harm in seeing this world,¡± Luna murmured. At least she could make her journey a memory, and when she returned to her world, she could apply something she had discovered here. It didn¡¯t mean she was leaving and forgetting her goal, right?


    Luna reassured herself with that decision, but her heart felt uneasy about it for some reason. ¡°Alright, if it¡¯s not too much trouble, I want to see this world.¡±


    ¡°Hooray! I¡¯ll tell my brother. And Luna, don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re not a burden at all. You¡¯re the first mortal I¡¯ve met and friendly and easy to talk to. I¡¯m happy to be your friend. We¡¯ll be great travelpanions.¡± Luna wanted to argue that they were friends but didn¡¯t want to make Ghea sad.


    So she just nodded and smiled slightly, letting Ghea run out of the room to inform her brother they had one morepanion.


    Wait! She didn¡¯t even know Ghea¡¯s brother! Luna groaned andy back down on the bed, closing her eyes. ¡°I guess this will be a spectacr experience, and I could be a famous writer when I return to my world,¡± she murmured, apanied by a light chuckle.


    ¡­


    A tall, well-built man with broad, firm shoulders stood before arge window. His sharp, cold brown eyes observed the beautiful view of the pce¡¯s back garden, blooming with flowers.


    His neatly styled brown hair adorned his head. With both hands in his pants pockets, the man stood elegantly, although the dark, dominant, and dangerous aura surrounding him made the staff, assistants, and aides prefer to keep their distance and only approach when necessary.


    The man¡¯s aura was so intense that those without power or born into the lowest Omega caste in the werewolf hierarchy would bow and tremble in fear. Even the aides, assistants, and staff born into Beta or Gamma bloodlines had to restrain themselves from showing fear. They preferred to remain obedient and not resist, as this man was like a bomb that could explode at any moment.


    The man¡¯s body, dressed in a white shirt, cravat adorned with a gold eagle brooch with red gemstones, and dark grey vest, looked fresh and fit, considering he could go rogue at any time without a soulmate.


    That man was Alkrevas Remo de Vasilio, the emperor of the Vasilos Empire. The most powerful man on the continent of Rhodes, leading a vast country known as the ¡®powerhouse of the east.¡¯ A man who had everything and was admired by many. He was often the topic of conversation because he did not have a soulmate.


    His brown eyes never wavered, even when he realized the principal office of the empire had be silent, with not even the sound of paper shuffling. His hands, hidden in his pants pockets, clenched tightly, and then he nced from the corner of his eye as the staff and aides awaited his decision.


    At this moment, he was holding a closed meeting to discuss the policy on harvest revenue for the welfare of the Vasilos people, even though just an hour ago, he had been discussing noble rights in the council of nobles. It was ironic because what he was discussing now differed entirely from the meeting an hour ago.


    ¡°Your Majesty, if we raise the price of food, many people willin and be unable to afford daily consumption,¡± a senior staff member told him.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Marquis Dyras is right. Especially with winter approaching.¡± Alkrevas remained silent, saying nothing, giving his subordinates the green light to voice their opinions.


    Although he was known as an oppressive and cruel leader, this didn¡¯t mean he ignored the people of Vasilos. He still considered the country¡¯s interests, but his unstable wolf soul caused him to lose control.


    If he didn¡¯t go to the dungeon and ughter the prisoners there on full moon nights, Vasilos would already be a sea of blood. His parents believed it was better to sacrifice the lives of high-level criminals than hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.


    Slowly, Alkrevas turned and walked to his desk. He sat down calmly and then observed the report papers given by his staff the day before. His fingers tapped rhythmically on therge wooden desk.


    Finally, after careful consideration, Alkrevas agreed on the harvest policy before adjourning the meeting. Savon Szar entered the room with a sullen face as the meeting ended.


    He sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as he asked Savon, his right-hand man and Royal Beta of the empire, ¡°Is there no vige left that hasn¡¯t been visited by Vasilos¡¯ representatives?¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°None, Alpha. We¡¯ve visited them and brought in all the women from across the continent.¡± Alkrevas opened his eyes, revealing terrifying red irises, a sign that his wolf side, Norris, had taken over.


    Unlike his human side, which had given up on finding a soulmate and epted that they were born without one, Norris, his wolf side, never gave up. Norris always believed they had a soulmate because they were born with only half a soul and were not whole.


    Norris growled and mmed the table, causing a cracking sound. Not long after, the sturdy wooden table split, and everything scattered to the floor. It was the fifth table in a week that the Alpha and emperor had destroyed. ¡°Alpha-¡±


    ¡°Keep searching! Whatever it takes, you must bring the woman before me! If they¡¯re hiding, drag them to me! Whatever it takes, I must have a soulmate!¡±


    ¡°Alpha, what if¡­¡± Norris growled a warning.


    ¡°Do you think I want to marry a woman who doesn¡¯t even catch my interest?¡± Savon mped his mouth shut. ¡°Mention marriage again, and I won¡¯t hesitate to lock you in the dungeon.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, the moonflower festival ising soon. Regarding your presence at the banquet, several noble families have offered their daughters to be yourpanions.¡±


    ¡°I wille alone, as I do every year.¡± Savon nodded obediently and remained silent. Norris slowly calmed down and gaveplete control back to Alkrevas. The red eyes that had filled Alkrevas¡¯s gaze returned to their brown colour.


    ¡°I lost control of Norris again.¡± Alkrevas massaged his throbbing head. ¡°Is there anything else you need to report to me?¡±


    ¡°This is about the sacred forest in the Foryeust territory.¡± Alkrevas immediately looked at Savon with interest.


    The sacred forest had long been abandoned because it no longer had power, a forest known for having a portal that connected this world to another realm. Alkrevas smiled mysteriously. ¡°What¡¯s going on with the forest?¡±


    ¡°A few days ago, I received a report that a bluish light was seen in the middle of the forest. It looked like arge magical light, and after it appeared, the sacred forest regained its power.¡±


    That means the portal in the sacred forest is active again, Alkrevas said. ¡°Have you received any suspicious reports? If the portal is active again, a mortal has entered this realm like in the past.¡±


    ¡°Nothing yet, Alpha. Both from the Foryeust side and our representatives in the area, neither has reported anything.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Alkrevas paused for a moment and slowly stood up. ¡°I want to run to the hills. If there¡¯s anything urgent, report it to me via mind-link. Understood?¡±


    ¡°What about your scheduled meeting with the Oceania envoy?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t miss it.¡± Then Alkrevas walked out of the room.


    There was one thing he had to investigate on his own. With that thought, he headed to the south side of the pce, ensuring the guards followed his wishes, before running into the forest and transforming into his wolf form, disregarding his clothes that were torn to shreds.


    A groan followed the sound of bones cracking and shifting. Although the transformation only took a few seconds, anyone who witnessed it would immediately be tense because what emerged after it was not an ordinary wolf but a ck-furred Lycan with very sharp fangs.


    This time, Alkrevas allowed Norris to take control of the body, but he remained in the corner of his mind. Norris howled loudly at the still-bright sky before continuing to traverse the dense forest growing on the south side of the imperial pce.


    The Lycan¡¯s face was etched with a wide grin disying sharp teeth. ¡°Should we hunt someone, Alk?¡± Norris asked his human side.


    ¡°Not today. We did it the day before yesterday. If we do it now, we¡¯ll get caught. I don¡¯t want to deal with trivial matters. Father will be angry if he finds out we¡¯re still doing it.¡±


    ¡°In that case, we can kill them all. After all, theyughed at us for not having a soulmate. Let them feel what we feel before they die at our hands.¡± Norris spoke with a gaze filled with cruelty and bloodlust.


    ¡°It has been so long since I tore apart those bastards who tried to force us to marry a stranger.¡±


    ¡°Hold yourself back. It¡¯s not time to kill the nobles yet.¡± Alkrevas said with a soft click of his tongue.


    ¡°You will get your hunting time tomorrow. I¡¯m sure the rogues will be happy to meet you.¡± Norris finally conceded and agreed with Alkrevas¡¯s words, running swiftly through the forest, heading to a ce known only to them.


    ¡­¡­

 Mylonas Capital (1)

    Luna breathed a sigh of relief. After a rather long journey, they finally arrived at the main entrance gate of Mylonas Capital, the capital of the Vasilos Empire, located in the city of Anqyra-a city in the Vasilos Empire that directly borders the territory of Foryeust. She groaned and yawned while watching Ghea, who was busy preparing all their arrival documents to present to the gate guards.


    Luna then shifted her gaze to the front window of the carriage, focusing on the coachman¡¯s seat where Ghea¡¯s brother, George, was sitting upright, holding the reins of the horses tightly. Her eyes identally caught sight of George¡¯s pointed ears, indicating that he was a Fae and not an ordinary human like herself.


    She raised her hand and touched her ears, remembering her introduction to George a few days ago, which had sessfully made her cheeks blush. How could she not? The man looked handsome with his emerald green eyes and charming smile. He didn¡¯t even mind her joining them in Mylonas. George treated her like a gentleman, never selfish.


    Luna could also see how close Ghea and George were, indicating that their sibling bond was very strong. Sometimes, seeing their interactions made Luna feel sad and envious of Ghea. But it didn¡¯t matter as long as she had Nicole and her own best friend, Maya. Luna didn¡¯t need siblings. She had lived alone for a long time and had often seen sibling rtionships, so why should she feel sad and envious?


    She quickly dismissed those thoughts from her mind, then looked down and checked the simple, soft blue dress she was wearing before turning her head to look out the window, where rows of two-story houses stood neatly. Some of the buildings were shops bustling with customers.


    Luna still couldn¡¯t believe she was seeing the scenery in front of her eyes in real life, as she thought all of this only happened in movies or fairy tale worlds. She reached out and ced her hand on the carriage window. Although the carriage they were riding was considered ordinary, not everyone liked using carriages. After all, why use a carriage when there was teleportation magic?


    Teleportation magic. Luna remembered the sensation of using that magic for the first time. When she entered the bluish-white light portal, her body felt like invisible hands were pulling it, and she felt the gravity leave her body.


    Although it was only for a few seconds, she felt like her head was going to explode. Even inside the teleportation portal, with her eyes closed, she could still feel the sharp light piercing her eyes. Then, the after-effects of using teleportation were really unpleasant.


    Nausea, dizziness, and weakness attacked her body multiple times worse than when she had a fever and flu. Ghea said the effects she felt were normal because it was her first time experiencing teleportation magic. If done continuously, her body would start to get used to it until the effects reduced and eventually disappeared.


    At least with teleportation, their journey became shorter, and Luna could sleep in the carriage as much as she wanted after using teleportation.


    ¡°Luna, are you alright?¡± Ghea¡¯s voice brought Luna out of her reverie. She blinked and directed her brown eyes to Ghea¡¯s blue ones, which were looking at her with concern.


    ¡°Do you still feel the effects of teleportation magic? Is it because your body hasn¡¯t adjusted to this world yet that you¡¯re still feeling the effects?¡± Ghea asked, her voice full of worry.


    Luna shook her head. ¡°No, really, I¡¯m fine. The herbal potion you gave me for the past two days made me feel better, even more refreshed than before. Besides, three days of experiencing the effects? I¡¯m not that weak. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Luna looked out the carriage window and murmured, ¡°It¡¯s just that I still can¡¯t believe that besides my world, there are other worlds. No wonder I was curious about where all the myths of werewolves, fae, vampires, and supernatural beings came from. Humans couldn¡¯t have just made them up. There must have been a time when they saw supernatural beings.¡±


    Ghea nodded with great interest. ¡°Tell me about your world, Luna. What do you usually do, and how about your family?¡±


    Luna smiled sadly and leaned back in the soft andfortable carriage seat. For an ordinary carriage, this seat felt very cozy. Luna closed her eyes for a moment and thought. ¡°The city where I live is very busy. It¡¯s never quiet from the hustle and bustle of life. Skyscrapers stand tall,peting to be the most magnificent.¡±


    ¡°Skyscrapers?¡± Ghea asked, raising her eyebrows.


    ¡°Yes. Buildings that are very tall and dominated by ss. They are ces where people work and be ves.¡±


    ¡°ves?¡± Ghea asked, clearly puzzled.


    Luna smiled bitterly. ¡°Yes, ves to time and corporations.¡± Luna cleared her throat and continued, ¡°You could say my world is not as peaceful as this. The sky is filled with pollution, factories, technology, cars, airnes. You know, we use objects to fly from one continent to another.¡±


    Ghea shook her head in amazement. ¡°Really? No teleportation magic?¡±


    Luna shook her head quickly, ¡°No, none. All the things I mentioned earlier are human inventions.¡±


    ¡°Objects that are veryrge and heavy, but can fly in the air. I can say that¡¯s a miracle. In my world, there are no more horse-drawn carriages because using horses is considered animal cruelty.¡± Ghea furrowed her brow, looking ahead before turning back to Luna with an understanding look.


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget mobile phones. Honestly, there are many astonishing things in my world.¡± Luna paused for a moment and looked at Ghea¡¯s radiant face. ¡°Regarding my life, I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s considered lucky or not. Being a well-known person means I can¡¯t have any privacy.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ in your world, you¡¯re quite famous?¡± Ghea asked, her eyes widening.


    Luna shrugged nonchntly and smiled, ¡°Believe me, spending a few days here is much better for me than being a famous woman.¡±


    She let out a deep sigh and murmured, ¡°As for family¡­ I don¡¯t have one. I don¡¯t know who my parents are, and I was raised in an orphanage.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Luna,¡± Ghea said softly.


    ¡°No, no. I¡¯ve epted my situation a long time ago. With my circumstances, I can stand on my own without anyone¡¯s help, and I¡¯m happy with my life now. Besides, now I have two friends who care about me.¡±


    Luna shrugged nonchntly and smiled, ¡°Believe me, spending a few days here is much better for me than being a famous woman in my world.¡±


    Luna took a deep breath and murmured, ¡°As for family¡­ I don¡¯t have one. I don¡¯t know who my parents are, and I was raised in an orphanage.¡±


    Ghea looked at her with pity. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Luna.¡±


    ¡°No. No need. I¡¯ve epted my situation a long time ago. With my circumstances, I can stand on my own without anyone¡¯s help, and I¡¯m happy with my life now. Besides, now I have two friends who care about me,¡± Luna said with a warm smile.


    Suddenly, the sound of a horse neighing was heard, and shortly after, the carriage came to a stop. Luna and Ghea exchanged looks and nodded, understanding that their conversation had to pause for a moment. They also remembered hiding Luna¡¯s identity as a dimensional traveler. There was a knock on the carriage door three times, and Ghea slowly opened the door and got out.


    Luna waited in the carriage for quite a while, and fifteen minutester, Ghea returned with a relieved smile. Luna felt the carriage start moving again, and that was when she realized that the gate guards had allowed them into the capital. ¡°What did you say about me?¡±


    ¡°About that¡­ George has prepared new documents for you, stating that you are a resident of Foryeust.¡±


    Luna was surprised. ¡°How is that possible? When? Why¡­?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ghea said with a smile. ¡°My brother has connections in the Foryeust poption department. He just needed to exin a little and provide a service fee, and you got new documents.¡±


    ¡°But we left two days after my arrival in this world¡­ how could it be so fast?¡±


    ¡°The poption system in Rhodes is very reliable. You just need to report a birth or death, and within an hour, all documents are ready. So don¡¯t worry. Oh, and to hide your real name, I changed your name on the identity card to Luna. So no one will be suspicious if I call you Luna, because your name and Foryeust ent can deceive the werewolves. I just don¡¯t want you to be misunderstood.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thank you, Ghea. Truly.¡± Luna then opened the front window and murmured her thanks to George. After that, she asked Ghea, ¡°So where are we going after this?¡±


    ¡°While George meets his business client, how about we go to the market and¡­ Luna?¡± Ghea called out to Luna, who was busy admiring the view from the window.


    One word Luna could use to describe Mylonas Capital: Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Mylonas City looked a lot like Zurich in Switzend with its old, traditional, and ssic buildings.


    The statues adorned the city, the shops, the birds flying in the sky, the restaurants with outdoor seating, and Luna even saw a river in the distance with a beautiful bridge, minus the office buildings, monorail trains, cars, and people in modern clothes.


    No wonder many humans whoe to this world choose to settle in Mylonas because it feels like they are not in another world but in Zurich. Even Luna, who had only been to Zurich once for work, admitted that it felt like she was back in Zurich and not in Mylonas.


    Luna felt her heart pounding and her eyes heating up. Her body trembled, and momentster, she shed tears. Ghea noticed with concern. ¡°Luna, are you crying?¡±


    Lunaughed and moved away. She immediately wiped the tears running down her cheeks. She said, ¡°Mylonas is very simr to one of the cities in my world.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± asked Ghea, her eyes wide with curiosity.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Luna replied, looking out the window at the rows of ssic-style buildings lining the street. ¡°It¡¯s amazing how this world has a little resemnce to where Ie from. Is the bridge spanning the river a tourist spot? It looks very crowded.¡± Luna asked, pointing to the bridge she saw.


    Ghea shook her head and answered, ¡°Actually, no. It¡¯s just an ordinary bridge, but soon it will be the Moon Flower festival. I heard many Mylonas residentse to the bridge to throw their moon flowers with their partners, so at the peak of the festival, the river will be decorated with the golden petals of the moon flowers.¡±


    ¡°Wow,¡± said Luna, her eyes sparkling.


    ¡°And where is the imperial pce? Mylonas is the administrative center of Vasilos, isn¡¯t it?¡± asked Luna.


    Ghea was about to answer when the carriage stopped, and shortly after, the door opened. George, with his sweet smile, immediately greeted the two pairs of eyes that were chatting inside the carriage. The man¡¯s tousled blond hair looked so fitting on his handsome face. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to be dropped off at the inn?¡±


    ¡°I want to take our guest for a little tour,¡± Ghea replied with a soft chuckle. ¡°Now, Luna, I¡¯ll take you to the market and see the imperial pce. Didn¡¯t you ask where it was?¡±


    ¡°Is that possible?¡± Luna asked enthusiastically.


    George chuckled softly and, this time answered Luna¡¯s question, ¡°The imperial pce is sorge and vast. And the market is near the town square. If you go to the town square, you can see the imperial pce from a distance.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Luna! You won¡¯t regret going to the Mylonas market,¡± Ghea eximed excitedly as she got off the carriage.


    Lunaughed and nodded before following her down. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡­

 Mylonas Capital (2)

    ¡°I never expected that walking around the market in Mylonas would be so enjoyable. All the items disyed by the vendors are so interesting and unique,¡± Lunamented excitedly, her eyes sparkling as they sat at one of the outdoor tables of a restaurant near the town square.


    From their vantage point, Luna could see the town square, where there was arge fountain with an elegant and dominant wolf statue in its center. Birds were chirping and flying around the fountain, adding to the magical atmosphere. People from various walks of life were also rxing in the square.


    The women wore beautiful dresses, while the men wore suits with long tails, vests, cravats, or ties apanied by essories. Although some women wore simple dresses like Luna and Ghea, the square was a ce where people from different social sses gathered as one. They didn¡¯t seem to harbor any hate, with some even greeting each other warmly, creating a harmonious atmosphere.


    Gheaughed at Luna¡¯sment and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be amazed during the festival. Merchants from all over the continent wille and sell their goods, and let me tell you, it¡¯s spectacr. Even the Gaia festival in Foryeust is extraordinary, so you can imagine what it will be like in Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Luna nodded, shifting her gaze from the town square to the magnificent and luxurious building in the distance, the Imperial Pce of Vasilos, standing gracefully with its spires reaching toward the sky.


    A building that stretched wide from east to west. The grand structure, predominantly white with elegant touches of gold and a blue roof, added to its majestic appearance. Luna could see the imperial gs fluttering on each wall of the pce. Even from a distance, she could sense the opulence and grandeur emanating from the pce¡¯s medieval architecture.


    Luna couldn¡¯t see the entire building due to the high walls separating the city from the pce grounds. Still, from where she sat, she could already guess the generosity of the pce¡¯s interior. Four tall towers stood at the corners of the pce, strong and sturdy like guardians. Ghea mentioned that the distance from the square to the pce was quite far, taking two hours to reach the main gate. If it looked huge from afar, one could only imagine its grandeur up close. Ghea followed Luna¡¯s gaze and smiled.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know a pce could be sorge and magnificent,¡± Lunamented in awe, her voice clearly reflecting her amazement.


    ¡°Amazing, isn¡¯t it? This is also my first time seeing the imperial pce. Like its owner, the pce exudes an aura of power and dominance that makes anyone both admire and fear it,¡± Ghea replied, still gazing at the pce.


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget the dangerous and mysterious aura. Don¡¯t be deceived by the apparent luxury, Ghea. Didn¡¯t you tell me that the Emperor of Vasilos is a feared tyrant?¡± Luna added with a serious tone.


    ¡°And don¡¯t forget respected,¡± Ghea emphasized, her eyes shing sharply.


    ¡°Yes, that¡­ so surely the ce holds great dangers within¡­¡± Luna looked at Ghea, who was observing the imperial pce, before lowering her gaze to the teacup she had ordered a few minutes ago.


    ¡°But I admit the architecture is extraordinary, indicating that the owner is extremely wealthy.¡± Luna smiled ironically and lifted her head. ¡°So, where do we go next?¡±


    Ghea sighed and smiled slightly. ¡°George said he just finished meeting his client an hour before dinner. Do you want to rest at the inn, or continue exploring?¡±


    ¡°Is there an antique shop around here? I¡¯d like to take a look¡­¡± Luna asked eagerly, her eyes sparkling with hope.


    Ghea smiled at Luna¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°It seems you¡¯re an antique lover. Am I right?¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll ask the restaurant waiter. Wait here. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Luna nodded and watched Ghea walk into the restaurant to ask.


    Luna shifted her gaze back to the town square once Ghea was out of sight and smiled in disbelief. Everything seemed normal. Everyone looked like ordinary humans, but when she remembered that most of them had wolf souls and could transform into wolves at any time, it was truly extraordinary, she thought. Even the predators she saw were so beautiful.


    The men had handsome faces, and the women had beautiful faces as if their beauty was designed to trap prey. Luna shook her head, trying to dismiss the thought. Ghea had said that the werewolves in Vasilos ate livestock meat and not the flesh of other creatures, so Luna should feel at ease, right?


    While busy observing the town square, Luna¡¯s eyes identally caught sight of a strange figure standing near amppost. Luna couldn¡¯t tell whether the figure was male or female because they were wearing a cloak with a hood that covered their face, but judging by their posture and height, the figure seemed to be a man.


    Luna frowned suspiciously because the man was wearing a ck cloak and hood that stood out amid the vibrant colors of the surrounding clothes, making the ck cloak and hood seem conspicuous and odd.


    Luna continued to watch the figure, who was staring at a couple standing near him, but as if sensing her gaze, the man suddenly turned, and Luna felt as though his eyes were looking directly at her. A chill ran down her spine, her breath caught, and her heart started pounding. She quickly looked away and smiled at Ghea, who was returning from the restaurant.


    The wind blew gently, making her brown hair flutter beautifully. Luna quickly tucked a stray lock behind her ear as it was bothering her. ¡°How did it go?¡± she asked.


    Ghea smiled slightly. ¡°I asked the waiter. There¡¯s an antique shop not far from here, just a few blocks away. We can walk there. Shall we go now?¡± she said.


    Luna tried to smile and nodded, although her mind was still preupied with the mysterious figure from earlier. ¡°Thank you, Ghea. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    They both stood up and started walking towards the antique shop, leaving the town square. Luna nced back at the spot where the mysterious cloaked man had been, only to find it empty. She quickly brushed off the unsettling feeling before standing up and letting Ghea take her hand, leading her into one of the bustling alleys.


    ¡­


    Whether it was just her imagination or not, Luna felt like she was being watched. She didn¡¯t know exactly when it started, but she had felt it since leaving the antique shop with Ghea. She had asked the fae woman if she thought the same. Still, Ghea had immediately shaken her head and said she didn¡¯t notice anything unusual, even confirming it by looking around carefully.


    Hearing Ghea¡¯s response, Luna felt relieved and tried to dismiss the difort. However, a few minutester, the feeling of unease and vignce returned. For the second time, Luna felt as if a pair of eyes were watching her.


    That was why, for the past five minutes, she had been constantly looking over her shoulder, trying to ensure that her feelings were wrong. Ghea didn¡¯t notice her difort at all, as she was drastically recollecting Mylonas¡¯ history with bright, eager eyes.


    They continued walking around Mylonas, visiting stalls selling various trinkets, or just grabbing a bite at avable eateries. Eventually, they arrived at the town park, where Luna¡¯s unsettling feeling grew stronger, setting off rm bells in her head. Luna¡¯s steps halted, and Ghea had to stop as well.


    The woman looked at Luna with a questioning expression before ncing over Luna¡¯s shoulder. Her initially confused face brightened as she eximed, ¡°Luna, look! Apple candy!¡± Then Ghea grabbed Luna¡¯s hand and pulled her to one of the sweet stalls.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna groaned internally. She could only stand still with her arms crossed, her eyes following Ghea as she picked out the candy she wanted to buy. Her brown eyes inadvertently strayed across the street, and her breath caught, and the hair on the back of her neck stood up as she saw the mysterious cloaked man again.


    The man was standing strategically behind a building in the alley so that unless one looked closely, people wouldn¡¯t notice his presence. Luna blinked and turned to get Ghea¡¯s attention. When she finally got Ghea to look and pointed to where the mysterious man was standing, the spot was empty again.


    ¡°Oh my, you might have identally seen a tracker or an elite imperial guard,¡± Ghea said, shaking her head slightly.


    ¡°Really?¡± Luna murmured uncertainly, ncing at the spot where the man had stood before letting out a heavy sigh.


    Luna bit her lip, still feeling uneasy. ¡°But why would he keep watching us? Could it be something we did?¡±


    ¡°Why would you think that?¡± Ghea frowned. They continued walking along the city sidewalk toward their inn located in the eastern part of Mylonas.


    Ghea smiled reassuringly. ¡°Several times, trackers or elite imperial guards have visited my inn, and they are indeed very mysterious. Maybe you noticed them because you¡¯re a ¡®neer¡¯ paying attention to your surroundings, unlike the ¡®locals¡¯ who generally don¡¯t care about what¡¯s around them.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ maybe you¡¯re right.¡± Luna nced at the apple candy in Ghea¡¯s hand and smiled as she saw the woman enjoying the candy so much that she started humming.


    Her brown eyes turned forward again, taking in each building one by one, and she smiled slightly, epting Ghea¡¯s exnation for what she had seen.


    ¡­

 Mate

    In the evening, when dinner time arrived, Luna and Ghea headed to a simple restaurant that also served as a bar on the ground floor of the inn. Both of them had changed into morefortable attire: chemisesyered with soft-colored leggings and topped with thick fur cloaks to ward off the cold of Mylonas at night. Their hair was left loose, as they intended to retire after dinner.


    Descending the stairs, they scanned the bustling restaurant to locate George. Ghea spotted her brother first and walked over to a table, with Luna following closely behind. Several men they passed stopped talking and stared at Luna, making her feel somewhat uneasy and ufortable, especially as some openlymented on her beauty, describing it as rare and seldom seen, which was undoubtedly due to hering from a different world.


    Luna sighed heavily and decided to ignore thements from the rugged-looking men who dominated the restaurant. It wasn¡¯t long before Luna and Ghea joined Gregory at the table. As a caring brother, George immediately asked about Luna¡¯s day spent in Mylonas Capital.


    With enthusiasm, Ghea recounted their adventures, making sure to mention Luna¡¯s love for antiques. Luna herself chose to sit quietly, chin resting on her hands, observing Ghea with a happy expression and sparkling eyes.


    A restaurant server arrived to take their orders. Luna deferred to George to select the best dishes as she wasn¡¯t familiar with the menu. Once the server left, Luna asked George about the dish he ordered, prompting Ghea to express her own hunger after hearing George¡¯s exnation.


    ¡°Why are there so many men here?¡± Luna couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity any longer.


    ncing behind her, Luna noticed several tables upied byrge, intimidating men who had stopped talking as if they were listening to the conversation between her and the two faces seated with her, but that couldn¡¯t be possible, right? The atmosphere was lively, and the tables were spaced far apart; it wouldn¡¯t be feasible for them to overhear the conversation at their table.


    Luna shifted her gaze back to the fae siblings, noticing their exchanged nces. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°Oh, nothing,¡± Ghea quickly replied, fiddling with her hair. ¡°Many of them are traders from out of town here for the festival.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see now.¡±


    The server returned with their orders, carrying a trayden with delicious food. The enticing aroma and wafting smoke triggered Luna¡¯s hunger, making her stomach audibly growl. Ghea, sitting beside her,ughed and handed her a te of steak-like meat with sauce and several vegetable sds.


    Luna immediately picked up her knife and fork, examining the perfectly cooked meat on her te. She leaned in towards Ghea and asked, ¡°What kind of meat is this?¡±


    ¡°Beef.¡± Luna¡¯s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.


    Luna had suspected that the meat on her te wasn¡¯t from the familiar livestock she knew or perhaps from some unfamiliar creature. Still, her suspicion turned out to be unfounded. Livestock such as cows, buffaloes, and chickens also existed here-another simrity between this ¡®world¡¯ and hers. Luna began to silently enjoy the meal ordered for her, asionally responding when Ghea or George asked her questions.


    An hourter, dinner concluded, and George invited them to take a walk around the inn¡¯s surroundings to aid digestion. Luna noticed the pouch of coins carried by George and asked Ghea, ¡°Do they still use gold and silver coins for payment here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they do,¡± Ghea replied with a smile. ¡°In Rhodes, the main currency is called Parime, but each region has its own local currency. However, the Vasilos Empire uses Parime as its primary currency. Parime consists of three types: gold, silver, and bronze. It may seem antiquated to you, but it¡¯s quite efficient here.¡± Luna nodded in understanding.


    It meant this world had a financial system from the past that existed on Earth, where copper coins were used as currency. ¡°Sometimes, transactions involve the exchange of goods and usually employ magic stones. Not everyone possesses magic mana.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see now.¡± Luna raised her head and looked at themps installed at every street corner or building, not light bulbs filling them, but magic stones or magical power. Some used blue-colored fire, indicating it was lit with spirits. Still, glowing stones with magical content were preferred by some people for everyday use because they were safer.


    They stopped at a street junction, and Luna was surprised by how busy the entire street was. Whether horse-drawn carriages, people bustling about, or¡­ was that a wolf? Luna opened her mouth to ask but immediately remembered that the Vasilos Empire was werewolf territory. This meant wolves were amon sight here. Luna also observed how some wolves transformed into human form in seconds.


    ¡°Werewolves are creatures not shy about their bodies. Because each time they transform, their clothes will no longer function,¡± Ghea exined with a hidden smile behind her hand, seeing Luna¡¯s shocked reaction. ¡°So don¡¯t be surprised to see them transform back into humans in a state of undress.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t they cold?¡± Luna asked, still puzzled.


    ¡°Werewolves have a higher body temperature than other creatures, and don¡¯t worry; each werewolf has essories with magical properties where they can instantly dress when returning to human form. See?¡± Ghea affirmed her statement, gesturing towards one werewolf who had just transformed back into a human. True to Ghea¡¯s words, a whitish light surrounded the werewolf, and when the light faded, the werewolf was dressed again.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Luna eximed in amazement, her eyes widening with admiration.


    Gheaughed at Luna¡¯s reaction. ¡°So pure and easy to read,¡± she said. She grabbed Luna¡¯s hand and pulled her towards George, who was walking further ahead.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s not fall behind,¡± Ghea said enthusiastically.


    ¡­


    Luna slept fitfully. Sweat drenched her neck and entire body, and her eyes snapped open at the sound from outside her room. She sat up abruptly and nced at the other bed where Ghea was peacefully asleep. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and temples before swinging her legs off the bed.


    Her brown eyes scanned the pitch-dark room before focusing on the open window. She heard the rumble of rain apanied by thunder, a stark contrast to a few hours ago when the moon had illuminated the sky brightly. The curtains fluttered in the rain-swept wind, and Luna, d only in a nightgown gifted by Ghea, shivered as the cold draft reduced the room¡¯s temperature. Hurriedly, Luna walked towards the window.


    Arriving near the window and peering out, the bustling city scene from earlier now appeared eerily silent. As far as the eye could see, there was not a soul walking or even standing in a shelter waiting for the rain to cease, in contrast to New York, which would surely remain lively despite the storm. The heavy rain soaked the streets, nts, and buildings. Luna flinched as lightning illuminated the sky, and the subsequent thunder made her hastily shut the window.


    Her hands wrapped around herself, Luna moved to embrace her own body. The nightmare that had awakened her in the cold air seemed triggered by the thunderous roar. Luna indeed disliked thunder sounds the most, as they reminded her of dark times in her life. Moreover, with the unfamiliar atmosphere of this new world, she felt uneasy and ufortable. Her breath caught when she heard a sound from outside the room, the same one that had woken her up. Although the rain and thunder masked the sound, it was loud enough for her to hear clearly.


    Luna reached for themp on the table. She debated whether to wake Ghea but chose not to disturb the visibly tired woman. Barefoot, Luna walked to the door and opened it slowly. ¡°Luna? Why are you awake? Where are you going?¡± Suddenly, Ghea¡¯s soft voice sounded.


    She turned around, and Ghea was sitting on the bed, looking at her worriedly. Luna shook her head and opened her mouth to answer Ghea¡¯s question when the strange sound was heard again, this time clearer due to the open door. Luna frowned, hearing it resembling cries of pain and the sound of arge object falling and hitting the wooden floor. ¡°Do you hear that, Ghea?¡±


    Ghea nodded and walked up to Luna, who was peering into the inn¡¯s hallway. There was nothing there. Empty. Dark. Deserted. Ghea peered through the door and said, ¡°Is there a fight downstairs?¡±


    ¡°Midnight like this when everyone¡¯s asleep? Are you sure there are no ghosts in this world?¡±


    Ghea waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Of course not. Ghosts are just myths.¡±


    ¡°In my world, ghosts are considered real. Many sightings have been captured on camera, and their videos are spread on the inte.¡±


    ¡°Videos? Inte?¡± Ghea sighed deeply.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what nonsense you¡¯re talking about, but one thing¡¯s for sure, there are no ghosts. Spirits exist in this world, but they are just legends and inhabit a dense forest located on Rynia Ind, a small ind east of Rhodes.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not lying. Besides, the sound we hear is not from ghosts. Is there a robber? It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if that¡¯s true, given how lively Vasilos is right now.¡±


    ¡°Should we check?¡±


    ¡°Are you insane?¡±


    ¡°But our rooms are the only upied ones. Even George isn¡¯t in his room. Your brother¡¯s door is wide open.¡± Ghea nced toward George¡¯s room to verify Luna¡¯s statement. She blinked and looked at Luna doubtfully. ¡°You can use your nt powers if we¡¯re in an emergency.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not nt powers, it¡¯s magic¡­¡± Ghea sighed heavily and decided to stop. Now wasn¡¯t the time to debate the names of her abilities, and upon reflection, Luna was partially right.


    When she disyed her power, she used nt roots. ¡°Alright, because you¡¯re a mortal creature, it¡¯s better for you to walk behind me.¡±


    ¡°I can defend myself too¡­ hmm, okay.¡± Luna agreed, realizing that whatever they might encounter downstairs might not just be an ordinary robber. It could be a creature with magical abilities or physical strength beyond that of an ordinary human. Insisting on proving Ghea wrong could be suicidal. She had only recently arrived in this world and still didn¡¯t know everything about it, so it was better for her to take cover behind Ghea¡¯s back, and if possible, she would hide somewhere.


    Then they walked out of the room, traversing the quiet and dark hallway. Themp Luna had previously carried was now in Ghea¡¯s hand. The two women, disheveled with nightgowns clinging to their bodies, walked side by side along the corridor.


    As Luna had said, all the rooms were empty, and their doors were open except for themselves.


    ¡°Should we run?¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the best choice, we should at least find George first,¡± Ghea said anxiously.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    They continued walking until they reached the stairs leading downstairs. Luna gripped the hem of Ghea¡¯s nightgown. Her heart was beating so fast and hard that her ears could hear the beat themselves. Luna took a deep breath, and the stench of blood dominated the room.


    ¡°Ghea, something¡¯s wrong¡­ Ghea¡­¡± Luna pinched the bridge of her nose to block out the horrific smell. Her eyes scanned the area before focusing on Ghea, who was halfway down the stairs. What Luna didn¡¯t expect was to see Ghea frozen, her legs trembling and face pale. Themp she was holding was directed toward the inn¡¯s hall, which also served as a restaurant and bar.


    ¡°Ghea?¡± Luna followed her and looked in the same direction.


    Immediately, her breath caught, and she copsed on the stairs. Before her, Luna saw a sea of blood with dismembered bodies scattered around. What made Luna feel as if her heart stopped was the figure standing in the midst of the gruesome scene. A man in a ck cloak, his hood down, stood in the sea of blood. In his hand, he held a long, sharp sword stained with red. His face and the clothes beneath the cloak were also sttered with blood.


    The handsome face illuminated by the lightning was adorned with a wide, terrifying grin. His red eyes, like gemstones, stared directly into her brown eyes.


    What shocked Luna even more, was her strong instinct telling her that this was the cloaked man she had seen twice while exploring the city.


    The man took a deep breath, closing his eyes before reopening them and murmuring, ¡°Mate.¡±


    ¡­C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

 Egoism

    Luna¡¯s face turned pale. Her heart raced in panic. She didn¡¯t understand what the madman meant by those words, but she knew it couldn¡¯t be good. The crazed look in his eyes and his expression signalled genuine madness. Luna¡¯s grip tightened on Ghea¡¯s nightgown, her panic rising as she tried to avert her gaze from the man¡¯s terrifying red eyes, which emitted a warning growl that shattered the silence.


    Luna didn¡¯t know why the man growled, but her eyes automatically returned to his ominous red gaze. ¡°My mate.¡±


    The man hissed again, slowly approaching the staircase where they stood with Ghea. A blood-stained sword in his hand scraped against the floor with a chilling sound. Luna shuddered involuntarily as the man drew nearer. ¡°Ghea!¡±


    ¡°He killed George,¡± Ghea whispered, tears streaming down her face. Luna forced herself to look away. Her stomach churned at the gruesome sight resembling a massacre.


    Trying to ignore the scene, Luna searched desperately for George, hoping Ghea was mistaken. But her breath caught seeing George¡¯s body sprawled on the wooden floor, wounds from the sword evident. Unlike the others, George seemed intact, albeit barely. Luna swallowed hard, feeling fear grip her as the man approached closer. ¡°Ghea!¡±


    ¡°We have to go now! Or we¡¯ll die, too!¡± Luna whispered urgently, her mind solely focused on escaping. The rules against such mass killings seemed nonexistent to her.


    Focusing on survival, Luna urged Ghea to wake up from her grief. ¡°Ghea! Snap out of it!¡±


    ¡°We need to run,¡± she continued anxiously. Knowing thatrge, imposing men like those who had already met gruesome fates could fall victim to the robed man, Luna¡¯s every thought was now consumed by flight.


    Run.


    As if hearing Luna¡¯s plea, the robed man growled, baring his fangs as a warning not to flee but to stay put. Luna saw it as a threat and tried harder to awaken Ghea. After much effort, Ghea finally understood the gravity of the situation and activated her magic.


    ¡°Luna, go upstairs! Find the nearest room and see if there¡¯s an escape route! I¡¯ll try to hold him off and follow you!¡± Luna hesitated for a moment before obeying Ghea¡¯smand. As Ghea used her magic to bind the robed man with solid roots, Luna ran upstairs, searching for a room with a sizable window. Returning to her room would waste precious time.


    She found a room with a sufficientlyrge window. Opening it and peering down, she saw the inn¡¯s roof and shrubbery below-a viable route for her and Ghea to escape without risk of injury.


    ¡°Luna!¡± Ghea¡¯s distant shout reached her ears.


    ¡°Save yourself!¡± Luna felt her blood drain at Ghea¡¯s cry, torn between staying to help Ghea, who had guided her in this world, or selfishly fleeing for her safety.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Luna cursed loudly, frantically searching the room for a self-defence weapon. asionally ncing at the door, she sharpened her hearing, hoping to hear Ghea¡¯s voice. Still, it never came, heightening Luna¡¯s fear.


    After rummaging through the room, Luna finally found a dagger hidden under the bed. She didn¡¯t know why it was there, but it offered some means of defence. With resolve, she returned to the staircase where she had left Ghea. At the top step, she witnessed Ghea being lifted, struggling, by a ck-and-red light encircling her neck, choking her, emanating from the robed man who stared at her with murderous intent.


    Luna gulped. The robed man possessed powers akin to Ghea¡¯s, but he seemed more incredible and formidable.


    Taking a deep breath, Luna acted without hesitation. She silently descended the stairs and swiftly plunged the dagger into the man¡¯s abdomen, startling him. Luna heard him fall and turn, and she saw Ghea coughing and struggling to rise.


    Suddenly, a firm, powerful grip seized Luna¡¯s hand. The robed man¡¯s crimson eyes met Luna¡¯s brown ones, his grip tightening. Luna instantly regretted her impulsive decision. The man grinned widely, a pleased purr escaping his lips.


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill me, mate,¡± he whispered sensually, drawing closer.


    Luna saw him inhale deeply as if savouring her scent, adding, ¡°Your expression of confidence is quite beautiful.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s insane,¡± Luna thought. Spontaneously, she bit the man¡¯s arm, eliciting a growl from his lips. His grip loosened, allowing Luna to kick him down the stairs.


    Luna should have used a moment. She immediately helped Ghea, injured and distressed, guiding her upstairs to hide in the nearest room.


    ¡°Run. Go, little mate. There¡¯s nothing a hunter enjoys more than chasing its prey,¡± the man taunted gleefully.


    Luna briefly nced back and saw him standing, retrieving his sword. Trembling, she recognized the cruelty and madness in his red eyes, but the most apparent emotion was obsession.


    A palpable obsession.


    Luna averted her gaze and hastened her steps, dragging Ghea. They entered a room, unfortunately without an exit.


    Luna quickly locked the door and barricaded it with whatever she could find. Turning to Ghea, who was still gasping, she asked, ¡°Ghea, are you okay?¡±


    Ghea took a deep breath, closed her eyes briefly, and then opened them, staring resolutely at Luna. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you run? I told you to run! Go! Save yourself!¡±


    Luna shook her head. ¡°No. I can¡¯t. You helped me when I first came to this world. I can¡¯t just leave you now.¡±


    Luna nced towards the door, her heart pounding as she heard no sound behind it. ¡°Do you know who he is?¡±


    Ghea pursed her lips and lowered her head. ¡°Ghea?¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Luna. But next time, you don¡¯t need to help me anymore. Your life is what matters. You¡¯re not from here; you need to go back to your world,¡± Ghea said, gripping Luna¡¯s hand tightly.


    ¡°But whatever happens, I¡¯m grateful.¡± Ghea paused briefly before answering Luna¡¯s question, ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I caught a glimpse of his face in the reflection of the magic he used¡­ and as far as I remember, only those of high rank have such colours.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Luna¡¯s hands were squeezed tighter by Ghea. ¡°He¡¯s the Emperor. Emperor Alkrevas. I¡¯m not sure if I saw him wrong or not.¡±


    ¡°What? How can an Emperor massacre his people, within his territory, so brutally like that?¡± Luna asked, distraught. She paced back and forth in front of Ghea. Her bare feet made no noisy sound.


    ¡°Then do you know what he meant by ¡®mate¡¯? Like a friend?¡± Luna asked in confusion, recalling that the word was used to refer to friends in one part of her world.


    Luna sighed softly, rubbing the bridge of her nose in frustration. ¡°Why did he kill everyone so brutally?¡±


    Ghea bit her lower lip and murmured, ¡°I think what Emperor Alkrevas meant is¡­ soulmate.¡±


    Ghea then lifted her head and looked directly at Luna. ¡°You are his soulmate.¡±


    Luna stood still, staring at Ghea as if she had two heads, with an expression suggesting Ghea had lost her mind. Her disbelief was evident. ¡°You are his soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Are you joking? I¡¯m not even from here. How could I be a ¡®soulmate¡¯ to a werewolf, especially a crazy and sadistic one like him?¡± Luna ran her hands through her hair in frustration, holding her breath as she heard footsteps slowly approaching.


    The sound of shoes on the wooden floor created a loud creak in the otherwise silent inn. Luna ced her index finger on her lips, signalling Ghea to stay quiet, but Ghea only shook her head, her face downcast.


    ¡°Little mate¡­ where are you, darling?¡± Luna bit her lip, trembling with fear. Was she in a horror film instead of a fantasy one? The tension and terror felt too real.


    ¡°Little mate¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s pointless,¡± Ghea whispered very softly. ¡°Werewolves have super sharp senses of smell and hearing. He can locate us just by the sound of our heartbeats, especially since you are his soulmate. He can track you by your scent.¡±


    ¡°Soulmate? All I feel right now is a real fear, not attraction or anything like ¡®The one,''¡± Luna replied, her eyes widening at Ghea¡¯s words, finding them hard to believe.


    ¡°Trust me. I can easily show interest in someone, and the man out there-¡± Luna pointed towards the door, indicating the psychopathic Emperor. ¡°-is far from my list of interesting men.¡±


    Luna¡¯s breath caught as she heard the door handle being forcefully turned. ¡°Ghea, can¡¯t you use your power to save us?¡±


    Ghea shook her head. ¡°No. My mana ispletely drained from trying to hold him off. His power is far above mine.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    Ghea tried to stand but fell again. Luna winced at the sight of bruises forming around Ghea¡¯s neck. Luna scanned the room and entered a small bathroom. There was only a small window, just big enough for an adult¡¯s head.


    Their heads could fit, but not their bodies. Why did they choose a room without a proper window? And why didn¡¯t this room have a window?


    Returning to the room, Luna decided to save Ghea first. ¡°You have to live, Ghea. I¡¯m sure George wouldn¡¯t want to see you die in vain.¡±


    Luna whispered as she hugged Ghea for the first time. ¡°You have to continue George¡¯s dream. Just because he¡¯s gone doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s left your side. I¡¯m sure his spirit is with you now.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? What are you saying?¡± Luna¡¯s current egoism was clear. She didn¡¯t want Ghea to die because the woman had helped her.


    At least Luna had to repay her debt to Ghea; if the woman died, she would always owe her. ¡°You have to stay alive.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ Luna, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re¡­ no! I can¡¯t! He¡¯s your soulmate, but I met you first. Right now, all I have is you¡­¡± Luna pressed her lips together and hugged Ghea again. She whispered soothing words to Ghea, hearing the door being battered.


    Luna brought her lips close to Ghea¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°You have to stay alive. Find out how I can return to my world, and we can leave this ce together.¡±


    Luna pulled back and gave Ghea a meaningful look, feeling that her chance to find a way back would beplicated if she fell into the psychopathic Emperor¡¯s hands. Ghea was her only hope since she knew the truth. ¡°Okay?¡±


    Ghea considered Luna¡¯s words. What Luna said was tempting, but could she do it? This world was full of memories with George. Their parents had left them since childhood, and George had been her guardian.


    They had always been together, and seeing George die felt like a thousand knives piercing her heart. She no longer had the will to live. So why stay here? Ghea finally nodded and struggled to stand.


    Luna then guided Ghea to the bathroom, cing her in a superficial bathtub with water. ¡°Hide here, Ghea. You have to stay alive.¡±


    After saying that, Luna left and closed the door tightly. She took a deep breath and stood in the middle of the room, readying herself. She knew the man might take her because she was his ¡®soulmate,¡¯ but she wouldn¡¯t go without a fight.


    Before long, the barricaded door was destroyed. Splinters of wood and debris flew before falling to the floor. Luna saw the robed man-Emperor Alkrevas-entering the room, his red eyes like gleaming gemstones.


    The corners of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile as he arrogantly strode into the room. ¡°I think this game of hide and seek should end, little mate.¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Luna asked sharply, full of hatred. ¡°Why did you kill them all?¡±


    ¡°Ah! That¡­ they angered me by talking about you and betting on your body.¡± Luna gritted her teeth. It was typical for her, especially in her younger days. ¡°I don¡¯t like my mate being objectified. You are my woman, mine. My mate.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so sure I¡¯m your mate? I don¡¯t feel anything for you. Not the slightest spark. You¡¯re insane.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just a mortal. Naturally, the effect is different, but I promise, when my im mark is on your smooth neck, you¡¯ll feel what I feel with just my touch.¡±


    Luna pressed her lips together, ncing at the area where she had stabbed him. Her face paled upon seeing the knife was gone, and there was no wound, only bloodstains on his torn clothes proving it had happened.


    Luna refocused on the man¡¯s psychopathic red eyes and murmured, ¡°I belong to myself, not anyone else.¡±


    Alkrevas smiled briefly before his smile vanished, reced by a cold, emotionless expression. Then he swiftly ran towards Luna, subduing her, pinning her down, locking her hands and feet.


    He clicked his tongue softly as Luna struggled, writhing and screaming. Alkrevas bent down, burying his face in Luna¡¯s neck.


    Besides the electric sensation coursing through his body when they touched, her unique scent of spices mixed withvender was addictive, calming his turmoil. ¡°Let me go!¡±


    ¡°Where have you been hiding, little mate?¡± Luna mped her mouth shut at his question. Alkrevas smiled widely. Norris no longer controlled him, but the passion and possessiveness he felt had not diminished, only intensified.


    ¡°I¡¯ve searched the entire continent for you.¡± Alkrevas felt his fangs itch, wanting to sink them into her neck, specifically at the sensitive spot. He tried to im her so no other man could take her away.


    Now that he was whole, Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t let anyone, even his soulmate, break that wholeness. He wouldn¡¯t let go of the beautiful creature struggling in his embrace.


    If possible, he would lock his soulmate in his private chamber, bound to the bed, where only he could see and touch her. ¡°My mate.¡±


    Luna took a deep breath, then fiercely headbutted his face and kicked him hard in the groin. She didn¡¯t stop there; she punched his handsome face with all her strength, not caring if her hand got hurt. Finding the right moment, she kicked his stomach.


    Luna then ran out of the room, trying to lead the psychopathic man away from Ghea. ¡°Now I leave everything to you, Ghea.¡±


    ¡­

 The predator

    Luna ran out of the room and hurried down the dark hallway. She could hear angry growlsing from the room she had just left. ncing briefly behind her, she turned her gaze forward again, running with all her might.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna hoped that Ghea¡¯s presence wouldn¡¯t be detected by the mad Emperor, who seemed solely focused on her. Her only hope was Ghea, and if Ghea got caught, she wouldn¡¯t have a chance to return to her world.


    With bare feet, she descended the stairs swiftly. Luna did her best to ignore the horrifying scenes filling the entire ground floor. Her body trembled with terror as her feet touched a thick, red liquid puddle emitting a pungent smell. She fought back tears of fear, knowing that even a slightck of focus could cause her to copse and fall. Luna didn¡¯t want to bathe in the blood of the innocent victims in by the mad Emperor. Besides, she had to leave immediately.


    Her brown eyes focused on the moving door that opened and closed due to the strong gusts of wind. Once again, Luna nced back, specifically at the staircase leading to the second floor, before running towards the door. She stepped out of the inn.


    The wind and heavy rain greeted her immediately. Luna hesitated for a moment, but her uncertainty was immediately dismissed when she heard growling from inside the inn. She dashed through the rain, instantly soaking her body. She shivered from the cold, but her determination to flee from that monster kept her going, pushing her legs to keep swinging. She looked left and right, searching for a hiding ce, but found none that could offer protection.


    All shops were closed, and residential houses were dark, indicating that the residents were sound asleep. Luna bit her lip nervously, standing in the middle of the street. She wanted to find a horse or a carriage that could serve as transportation, but there was none. It was as if circumstances forced her to surrender and let herself be caught by the monster.


    Luna resumed running until she reached a street intersection, turning right and running again. The wounds caused by herck of footwear started to hurt her bare feet.


    ¡°Where should I hide?¡± she panicked inwardly. She kept running, but her feet abruptly stopped when her eyes caught sight of a small alley between buildings on the right side of the road.


    Luna paused briefly to weigh her options, but it didn¡¯t take long because her ears heard a wolf howl in the distance. She didn¡¯t know if the howl came from the monster chasing her or another wolf, but she couldn¡¯t stand still.


    Finally, she made a decision and turned into the narrow alley. Hoping it would connect the street, she had just passed with another main road. Luna walked cautiously along the alley, her body trembling violently, her body temperature drastically dropping due to the constant rain. Her heart hoped that the rain would wash away her tracks and make it impossible for the monster to find her. Luna slowly slowed her pace before stopping. She took a deep breath and leaned against one of the building walls.


    Her legs were starting to feel weak,pounded by the trembling of her body from the cold, making her condition worse. She was lucky hypothermia hadn¡¯t attacked her yet, or else she might have died foolishly. Freeing herself from the monster had brought her closer to death.


    Luna ran her wet, long hair through her fingers and tilted her head back, letting the rain soak her face. But her moment of calm was abruptly disturbed when she heard a sound like gravel being stepped on. The adrenaline that had subsided returned, and she immediately became alert. Luna straightened up and directed her gaze to the source of the sound. She frantically searched her own body for her phone, which she always carried, but cursed silently when she remembered that she had left her phone at Ghea¡¯s inn in Foryeust and hadn¡¯t brought it with her to Mylonas.


    Luna looked up upon hearing footsteps echoing along with the rain. Then, instinctively, her eyes turned to her left side. Her face paled instantly at the sight of a wolf¡¯s silhouette standing proudly and dominating not far from where she was, the creature with its backlit figure from a magical stone illuminating the night, casting arge and terrifying shadow.


    Luna couldn¡¯t see the wolf¡¯s face. Only its sharp red eyes and terrifying fangs were visible to her. The wolf growled and approached cautiously, calcting every step. The predator kept closing in on its prey, its sharp gaze signalling for the cornered victim to stop running.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Luna muttered in panic. Her feet stepped back each time the wolf advanced. Her heart raced, her breath was ragged, and a cold sweat began to trickle down her temples. Luna discreetly nced around, trying to find something-anything-that could serve as a distraction.


    Her steps grew wider and her brown eyes blinked rapidly, pushing away raindrops falling on her eyshes. Lightning shed in the distance, briefly illuminating the tense night. She cleared her throat softly and blurted out nervously, ¡°You know, in my territory, wolves are considered wild and fierce animals.¡±


    The predator in front of her growled softly, causing her breath to catch. Luna pped her forehead gently and chuckled nervously. ¡°Umm, haha¡­ but wolves are actually adorable animals. I once fed wolves with my friend during our vacation¡­ umm¡­ is there a zoo around here?¡± Luna asked herself inwardly.


    The wolf¡¯s growl intensified, making her hair stand on end. Damn it! I need to find an escape route! she thought.


    Slowly, the wolf moved and stood upright on its hind legs with majesty and elegance. The rain intensified, soaking its thick, glossy ck fur under the faint moonlight. This made the creature appearrger and more menacing, yet simultaneously beautiful.


    Nevertheless, looking at the creature still made Luna¡¯s heart race with fear. Her brown eyes shifted from the red eyes to the sharp ws and fangs that could easily tear and shred anything. The wolf stood on two legs, its wolfish body covered in thick, ck fur blending into the night¡¯s darkness, and one thing crossed her mind immediately upon seeing this: Lycanthrope.


    Luna had briefly read about this mythical creature after binge-watching the Twilight movies with Maya in the past, and the images she saw on Wikipedia were nothingpared to the genuine Lycan standing before her. It turned out that what Ghea said was true, that the psycho Emperor was a Lycan and not just an ordinary werewolf.


    ¡°You don¡¯t like being called cute and adorable,¡± she concluded innocently.


    ¡°Um, Your Majesty, you know in my ce, ¡®mate¡¯ means friend,panion, buddy, anything like that. Since we don¡¯t know each other, we can¡¯t be friends. Right?¡± Luna rambled; what nonsense did you juste out of your mouth? She grumbled inwardly with frustration. Luna¡¯s footsteps stopped when she touched somethingrge. Her eyes nced briefly and found a bottle lying there.


    The wolf¡¯s muzzle moved, and a deep voice interspersed with growls greeted her: ¡± You are my mate.¡±


    Those red eyes sharpened and added, ¡°I think it¡¯s time we stop this game. I want to hug you. Come here, little mate.¡±


    ¡°I heard the imperial pce is so grand and vast?¡± Luna disregarded the Emperor¡¯s sentence and kept yelling out random, unimportant sentences.


    She was indeed so shocked to learn that the creature could speak in its wolf form, but her surprise was fleeting upon seeing their shrinking distances. Her brown eyes again nced at the ss bottle and hoped the creature did not realize its intentions. Hearing Luna¡¯s question, the creature turned its head in confusion, staring at Luna as if it were a strange creature he had met for the first time.


    Lunaughed again and mumbled, ¡°I don¡¯t like to stay in the pce. You know, Emperor, there must be ghosts there.¡± he added with a sarcastic tone.


    ¡± How did you find a way to me quickly?¡± Luna herself was frustrated. Luna turned the narrow alley in continued. Darkness wrapped, clearly. That.


    Luna turned at the narrow alley intersection and kept running. Darkness closed in around her, making it difficult to see clearly. At moments like this, she wished Mylonas was like New York, filled with the glittering lights of the city. Luna¡¯s footsteps halted as she saw arge wall ahead of her, indicating that the path she had taken was a dead end.


    It was the most frustrating thing in her life. Reluctantly, she had to turn back and find another route, but Luna was helpless as the dangerous Lycan now blocked the way she needed to escape from this dead end. Luna looked left and right, panicking because, this time, she was truly cornered and had no way out.


    A cracking sound was heard, and in just a few seconds, therge, tall, and terrifying Lycan creature transformed back into its human form. Luna screamed and tried not to look at the naked man standing not far in front of her.


    ¡°Are you finished? I think you can no longer escape from me, little mate,¡± the man nced briefly at the wall behind Luna. Hearing the man¡¯s deep baritone voice, Luna shuddered immediately, unsure if that reaction was a good sign or the opposite.


    ¡°Unfortunately, I have to tell you, little mate, your efforts are in vain,¡± Luna swallowed hard, trying to find a gap or opportunity to escape from the worsening situation. However, desperation only trapped Luna further.


    The man approached Luna cautiously and vigntly as if she might throw something at him. ¡°It¡¯s time I take you to the pce. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired and cold.¡±


    ¡°Are you really Emperor Alkrevas?¡± Luna asked innocently and foolishly. Just moments ago, she confidently referred to the man¡¯s wolfish form as His Majesty the Emperor. It seemed the man thought the same thing, as his red eyes stared directly at Luna with a scornful gaze, and one of his eyebrows raised perfectly.


    ¡°Why would an Emperor walk alone? And why would you kill innocent people just because of theirments?¡± Alkrevas certainly didn¡¯t say anything, as he didn¡¯t need to answer or exin anything to the woman in front of him.


    He continued to approach and finally stopped right in front of Luna, pressing her against the wall with his muscr body. His hands reached out and were ced on either side of Luna¡¯s head, imprisoning her under his power and ensuring his beautiful soulmate could no longer escape.


    He leaned forward, his red eyes focusing on Luna¡¯s trembling and pale lips, furrowing his brow. His lips thinned into a line, indicating his displeasure with what he saw.


    ¡°This is my territory, my domain. I can do anything within my territory, and they dared to speak ill and belittle my soulmate, the future Empress of the Vasilos Empire,¡± Alkrevas said in a low, heavy voice, filling the space with intimidating authority.


    Lunaughed awkwardly. ¡°Uhh¡­ you know, being an empress is not easy, and I¡­ definitely don¡¯t want that.¡±


    Luna hit Alkrevas¡¯s nose with her forehead, causing him to groan in pain and pull back both arms to cover his nose, which was bleeding from Luna¡¯s attack. Luna herself used this opportunity to try to escape again, but she was faster.


    The man immediately reached out, grasped Luna¡¯s long, wet hair, pulled the woman slowly, which felt like holding a steel grip, and then mmed Luna¡¯s body onto the wet, slippery, and water-filled road. Luna let out a groan of pain from her lips, then felt fluid running from her temples when her head struck the road during the rough treatment, and then she felt a fluid flow from her face.


    Luna tried to get up, but she couldn¡¯t. Suddenly, her head felt dizzy, and her vision blurred. When she raised her hand to see what was flowing, she found that the fluid was her blood.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Luna murmured as her body was positioned from prone to lying.


    Her eyelids moved whenever the rain fell on her face. Luna felt arge, muscr arm move slowly circling her back, slowly lifting part of her body onto herp. She groaned loudly at the sound of the dent in her head and the pain in her body. Then her face was cupped, and a soft, soft thingnded on her lips. Alkrevas, the psychopathic Emperor, dared to kiss her after injuring her! What kind of psychopathic Emperor?


    ¡°You are not allowed to leave me or try to run away, or I will punish you.¡± The man growled, full of threat. Luna felt her body shaking with fear at the cold, threatening tone.


    Luna¡¯s heart seemed to stop beating as she felt the temple that was bleeding, licked by the man and the sound of the psychopathic Emperor¡¯s snoring.


    ¡°Your blood, like ambrosia, so sweet.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ insane¡­ are you¡­ not sane?¡±


    ¡°This is your fault, little mate. If only you had appeared in front of me earlier, I wouldn¡¯t be like this,¡± Alkrevas said while gently and lovingly stroking Luna¡¯s cheek. A gaze of usation and longing appeared in his eyes.


    ¡°Now I feelplete. The soulmate I thought I would never have is now in my embrace.¡±


    ¡°Let go¡­ of me¡­!¡± Luna murmured, trying to resist the pain in her head.


    ¡­

 The predator (2)

    Alkrevas grinned widely with pure happiness. He pressed his face against Luna¡¯s neck and greedily savoured her scent. ¡°Hmm¡­ my precious little mate.¡±


    Luna forced herself to raise both hands and push against the bare chest of the man standing naked beside her. Under different circumstances, she might have blushed with embarrassment. Still, right now, she cared little for the mad Emperor standing dangerously close.


    All she wanted was to keep as far away as possible from a man who seemed dangerously obsessed with her-obsessions she feared would lead to something dangerous and deadly.


    Alkrevas smiled affectionately at Luna¡¯s attempts to distance herself. He grabbed one of Luna¡¯s hands, sensually nibbling her fingers before brushing it away and pressing his face back into her neck. Then, he ced light kisses around the area, searching for her sensitive spots.


    As his lips found one of those sensitive spots and felt Luna¡¯s body shudder intensely, Alkrevas knew he had found what he was looking for. He withdrew his face, gently caressing the area with desire before revealing his sharp fangs and signalling to Luna what would happen next.


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened in horror at the sight, and a soundless scream escaped her lips as Alkrevas¡¯s fangs sank into her neck. Tears streamed down her face as she felt a pain twice as excruciating as any she had ever known before. Gradually, the cries of pain subsided, reced by soft moans as she felt a burning sensation spreading throughout her body.


    ¡°Stop¡­,¡± Luna moaned softly, digging her nails into Alkrevas¡¯s shoulder, but his response was only to bite harder.


    When Alkrevas finally withdrew his fangs, Luna could no longer move. Her entire body was limp, powerless. Alkrevas licked the bite mark proudly, the mark of a male wolf¡¯s im on his mate. A im that dered the woman in his embrace as his soulmate, possession, and queen.


    With an obsessive gaze, he looked at the two bite marks and murmured, ¡°My im looks so beautiful adorning your smooth neck. You are nowpletely mine. Our souls have merged as one, and nothing can separate us. Not anyone, not even you, little mate.¡±


    Luna felt her body tremble, this time not from cold but from a strange current spreading through her entire body, centred where Alkrevas had touched her. She shook her head faintly and tried to escape Alkrevas¡¯s grip but failed. This time, Luna sobbed loudly and whispered, ¡°I belong to no one but myself!¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ sleep, little mate,¡± murmured Alkrevas, gently closing Luna¡¯s eyes with hisrge hand.


    ¡°When you wake up, you will be the luckiest woman on the continent. You will wake up in our chamber by my side.¡± Luna struggled, but her head throbbed, and she seemed to hear Alkrevas¡¯s whispered words in her ear, words she couldn¡¯tprehend-a mantra, she guessed, because darkness joyfully approached her.


    As Luna fell unconscious from the sleeping mantra he had given her, Alkrevas raised his hand. They tenderly watched Luna¡¯s slumbering face, admiring her beauty and absorbing her warmth.


    His hand reached out to gently stroke Luna¡¯s cheek. He briefly kissed the woman¡¯s lips in his embrace and whispered, ¡°I have finally found you, my soulmate.¡±


    Alkrevas then lifted Luna¡¯s body tenderly, carrying her as if she were a bride out of the narrow alleyway. He nced at the wound adorning his soulmate¡¯s temple and smiled as he saw it slowly heal due to his saliva. Indeed, a mate¡¯s saliva was the most potent remedy for a werewolf. If a werewolf was injured, only a lick and saliva from their mate could heal the wound, even if it was superficial and minor. This was a unique advantage, signifying that soulmate pairs relied on each other, ensuring each partner loved and cherished the other.


    Alkrevas walked calmly down the quiet street. The once heavy rain had gradually subsided to a gentle drizzle. Once again, he smiled as he looked at the woman in his arms. Then, Alkrevas contacted his friend and best aide, Sigmund, through Mindlink. ¡°Sigmund, I need you to investigate someone¡¯s identity.¡±


    ¡°Alpha? Where are you? Why couldn¡¯t we reach you? I¡¯ve been searching for you for an hour! Savon even sent imperial troops to find your whereabouts,¡± Sigmund eximed with panic and relief.


    ¡°Just follow my orders,¡± Alkrevas growled softly, his tone filled with undeniable authority.


    He was furious that Sigmund dared to question him. Still, that anger quickly subsided due to the overwhelming joy and happiness in his heart. Moreover, for the first time, he felt Norris was not restless or thirsty for blood, choosing instead to sit calmly in his mind, his sharp gaze fixed on the woman in his arms. His red eyes slowly returned to their usual state, bing dark, empty voids like deep abysses. Alkrevas directed his dark gaze towards a group of knights with several of Vasilos¡¯s best trackers.


    They stood not far from where he originated, waiting obediently and faithfully. It proved Sigmund¡¯s statement about Betanya¡¯s excessiveness in sending imperial troops to find and fetch him was true. Alkrevas snorted softly and stopped walking.


    Sigmund responded with a puzzled murmur, ¡°Who should I look for, Your Majesty?¡± His voice sounded hesitant, afraid that his question might provoke Alkrevas¡¯s anger again.


    Suddenly, Alkrevas realized he didn¡¯t know the woman in his arms¡¯ name at all. The knights nearby immediately assumed a vignt stance, standing tall. At the same time, one of their leaders approached, draping a thick, warm cloak over Alkrevas¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Your Majesty, why are you soaking wet and out in the rain?¡± Captain Arais asked with concern, his eyes filled with worry.


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out when I return to the pce,¡± Alkrevas replied coldly, his gaze still focused on the woman he held.


    Alkrevas then severed his Mindlink conversation with Sigmund and responded briefly and tly to Captain Arais, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Captain Arais nced at the woman in the Emperor¡¯s arms. Still, his action immediately received a warning growl that made him fearfully bow, not wanting to anger the Emperor. ¡°The carriage is ready to take you back to the pce, Your Majesty,¡± he said tremblingly.


    Alkrevas nodded and allowed Captain Arais to lead him to the nearby imperial carriage. Each step felt heavy, yet his gaze remained sharp and vignt, ensuring no one dared approach or disturb them.


    Upon reaching the carriage, Alkrevas carefully ced the woman inside, his eyes examining every detail of her face, which was still somewhat unfamiliar to him. ¡°We will soon arrive at a safe ce,¡± he whispered, this time with a warmer tone as if to reassure himself.


    ¡°Savon,¡± Alkrevas called through Mindlink while inside the carriage. He adjusted his soulmate¡¯s position forfort, grateful that the knights were driving the imperial carriage and not Zeus-his private horse, as he didn¡¯t want his soulmate exposed to the rain again like moments before.


    Savon promptly responded to his call. ¡°Alpha, why didn¡¯t you inform me about your departure?¡± he whispered.


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. Neither his aide nor Betanya irritated him by asking unnecessary questions. ¡°I want you to handle the chaos at the inn on Xrosk Street.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, are you-?¡±


    ¡°Most of them are rogues disguised as traders, and the rest have mocked the imperial family. I want you to deal with the negligent border guards allowing rogues to enter my territory.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, investigate a Fae woman staying at the inn. Find her, capture her, and bring her before me.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± After receiving a positive response from Betanya, Alkrevas severed the Mindlink. They buried his face in the crook of his soulmate¡¯s neck.


    He kissed his im mark and murmured, ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re in my arms, little mate. Mine.¡±


    Then, in the silence of the carriage punctuated by the sound of horse hooves or the carriage wheels, Alkrevas stared out the window with a dark and mysterious gaze. His hands tightened around his soulmate¡¯s body.


    ¡­Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.

 Luna (1)

    The horse-drawn carriage carrying Alkrevas and Luna finally arrived at the Imperial Pce residence. After passing through the main gate and the outer pce, the carriage finally stopped in the inner courtyard, which was also the main pce of the Vasilos Imperial Pce, where the Emperor¡¯s residence was located.


    Slowly, the carriage door opened, and Captain Arais uttered briefly, ¡°We have arrived, Your Majesty.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded, adjusting the woman¡¯s position in hisp before carefully stepping down. His dark eyes nced briefly at Captain Arais, but no words escaped Alkrevas¡¯ lips. This was immediately responded to with a brief nod from the captain, understanding the implied and desired message from the Emperor¡¯s gaze.


    Once Alkrevas was sufficiently distant, Captain Arais approached his troops, who had been the carriage guards and issued amand. ¡°Return to patrolling the eastern border.¡±


    After receiving acknowledgement from his troops, he watched as they all transformed into wolves before running towards the eastern border. Captain Arais looked towards the pce door and took a deep breath. Seeing the woman in Emperor Alkrevas¡¯ arms-The Alpha King-he knew she was Luna Queen and the future Empress of Vasilos Empire.


    The Emperor Alkrevas¡¯ scent enveloped the woman¡¯s body so firmly, a sign that their mating process had already begun. Captain Arais bowed towards the pce with happiness and reverence before turning around and transforming into a brown-furred wolf. He howled into the night darkness, immediately answered by other howls from his troops before they ran towards the border. The cold night wind prated his fur, but the enthusiasm within him kept him running tirelessly.


    Meanwhile, Alkrevas entered the pce, passing servants and staff who respectfully weed his arrival. Therge room with its high ceiling was adorned with shimmering gold and crystal ornaments.


    The head of the pce household staff and his butler-Zyne-stood faithfully and obediently waiting at the end of the line. The man, appearing in his forties, had a t and emotionless face. Even upon seeing a woman in his Lord¡¯s arms, he showed no reaction, disying the minimum surprise expected of a servant and staff member.


    Zyne was adept at hiding emotions and burying feelings, qualities that Alkrevas appreciated. This ensured that everything the Emperor did would not be questioned, and his decisions would not be doubted. That¡¯s why Zyne managed to maintain his position and be the only person who had been by Alkrevas¡¯ side since he took the throne.


    ¡°My Lord,¡± Zyne murmured, bowing respectfully. Despite his not-so-young age, the sses perched on his nose did not detract from the man¡¯s handsomeness.


    Alkrevas halted beside Zyne. The man stared at his butler with dark brown eyes and said, ¡°Prepare everything needed for my Queen, and summon Annabeth to meet with me.¡± The Emperor¡¯s deep, firm voice echoed through the grand hallway, creating an increasingly tense atmosphere.


    Alkrevas then resumed walking, not allowing Zyne to ask questions or respond. He continued towards his private chamber, located within the Emperor¡¯s residence. The Imperial residence was situated in the deepest part of the main pce. It was thergestplex within the main pce.


    The security of the Emperor¡¯s residence also need not be questioned further and could be categorized as the best security in the pce environment. Even the most minor incident could be detected by the guards who stood watch, including the Emperor himself.


    Zyne personally chose the Emperor¡¯s household servants and staff with Alkrevas¡¯ approval, ensuring their loyalty and steadfastness against any betrayal. Every step Alkrevas took exuded unwavering confidence, and the aura of power radiating from him made everyone he passed feel a mixture of awe and fear.


    Four guards stationed at the entrance to the Emperor¡¯s residence immediately saluted upon the owner¡¯s arrival. Their eyes remained fixed straight ahead, even as two opened the door without ncing elsewhere, fulfilling their duties silently.


    As the door closed behind him, Alkrevas continued down the corridor, passing through doors that led to rooms in the Emperor¡¯s residence. His steps paused briefly at one door that served as the entrance to the sunroom. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he imagined entering the room and being greeted by his soulmate with a gorgeous smile.


    He had never entered the sunroom before because the ce was utterly useless. He rested in his chamber,pleted essential tasks in his private office, read books in his private library, and drank tea alone on the balcony. However, everything was different now. If he wanted to rx his body after attending to Vasilo¡¯s affairs, Alkrevas would stroll through his private garden or run in his wolf form in the forest, but now it was different. He had to rearrange every room in this residence to ensure his soulmate¡¯sfort.


    With that thought in mind, Alkrevas continued his stride. They halted at therge, ck double doors with the imperial emblem and a wolf engraved on both sides. Carefully, Alkrevas opened the door and stepped inside.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    He walked towards the king-size bed adorned with ck silk sheets. He gently ced his soulmate on the plush mattress and covered her body with a thick nket. His forehead creased as he observed his soulmate¡¯s trembling body. When his palm touched her forehead, Alkrevas grimaced, feeling the stark temperature difference between their bodies-he, a Lycan with a warm body, and she, a mere mortal with a cold body due to being exposed to rain.


    Alkrevas hurriedly lit the firece. He removed Captain Arais¡¯s cloak from his shoulders. Then he crawled onto the bed, ensuring that the bed canopy curtains, with their ties, were drawn open, obscuring them both from prying eyes and providing them privacy. Alkrevas smiled and gently stroked his soulmate¡¯s soft cheek, then slowly removed the damp nightgown worn by her.


    Once done, he wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her tightly to warm her beloved¡¯s body. Norris howled joyfully in his mind because, after so long, they could feel the warmth of their soulmate¡¯s body that the Moon Goddess bestowed upon them. Norris¡¯ ck-furred tail wagged swiftly back and forth before he spoke to Alkrevas through their bond.


    ¡°I told you so, Alkrevas. We would find our soulmate. You should have believed in me and not lost hope.¡±


    Alkrevas smiled, listening to Norris¡¯ words withplete confidence. ¡°I know, Norris, but years of waiting for our soulmates to appear have made us restless, and sooner orter, we might turn Feral.¡±


    ¡°I no longer care about the past; now our soulmate is in our embrace.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m sure all the Packs in Vasilos will rejoice upon hearing this news,¡± Alkrevas broke off hismunication with his wolf soul before nuzzling his face into the crook of his soulmate¡¯s neck. Although the imed mark he had given was temporary, and he would need to reaffirm it during their mating process, it was enough for now. Their scents had melded together, signalling to other male wolves or different species that the woman in his arms belonged to him.


    His eyes slowly closed, recalling when he met his soulmate in the town square earlier that afternoon. He hadn¡¯t expected his decision to disguise himself and track down a group of rogue wolves as part of a hunt would lead to meeting his other half. He remembered the pain of seeing his soulmates so intimately standing before him, mingling in the square and sharing happiness.


    Norris¡¯s mournful howl, the cries of his heart, and the disappointment he had felt on his eighteenth birthday resurfaced. However, fate seemed to have decreed their meeting. Alkrevas inadvertently nced across the square where a small cafe was located, where his soulmate sat alone, illuminated by the sunshine. The woman¡¯s eyes were fixed on him, and for a split second, their gazes met. That was when he realized that the woman sitting there was his soulmate.


    Initially, Alkrevas had been incredulous at his discovery. After all, he had traversed the entire continent in search of his soulmate, only to end up disappointed. He hade to believe it was all hallucination or mere magic, as it wasn¡¯t the first time a woman had used dark magic to deceive him into thinking she was his soulmate, Luna, and Vasilos¡¯s Empress. Many noble families exploited women within their families to seduce him, although none had seeded.


    Alkrevas paused for a moment, reflecting on his long journey and the decisions he had made. He had a very high sexual desire, which was natural, especially since he was a Royal Lycan with more excellent hormones than ordinary werewolves. Thus, it wasn¡¯t surprising for him to take some women as concubines or mistresses to vent all the pent-up desires in him and his wolf soul. However, Alkrevas hadn¡¯t done any of that. He chose to vent it all by fighting or killing criminals and rogues.


    The reason rumours of his brutality in the Imperial Underground Prison spread every whole moon night. True rumours, even the massacre in the Mylonas region, was his doing. However, no one knew except Zyne, Savon, Mathias, and Sigmund.


    He couldn¡¯t control the turbulent emotions inside him, affecting his sanity. Honestly, Alkrevas didn¡¯t feel guilty at all, as those who died at his hands were those who tried to manipte chances with the absence of his soulmate by his side or mocked him as a cursed man.


    But all his doubts were dispelled as the wind blew, lifting his soulmate¡¯s hair strands, carrying her sweet scent to his nose, convincing him and Norris that the woman was his. Throughout the day, he ignored his initial purpose and secretly followed his soulmate.


    Jealousy gnawed at his soul as he watched the woman who should have been in his arms smiling andughing with others, speaking to and touching others. All of that was his. Herughter, smile, touch, voice, and breaths belonged to him. The woman was destined for him, and no one else had the right to receive all that, but Alkrevas restrained himself. He couldn¡¯t just appear before his soulmate.


    He promised to appear before her in his best attire, kneeling with one knee and offering his hand to her like a gentleman. Unfortunately, his n was dashed when he saw his soulmate sitting with a man at dinner, talking andughing, and then he saw them walking together. His anger peaked when he sat among dozens of merchant men at the inn. He smelled a group of rogues, even though not in the bar where he was. However, they were in the same building as him. Then, he also heard the merchants discussing the rare beauty of his soulmate, betting on who among them could sleep with his soulmate.


    Instantly, Alkrevas lost control. Norris, too, seethed upon hearing the conversation. Then, he killed them all with his sword in seconds. Everyone who listened to themotion immediately rushed downstairs, paling at the horrific scene on the lower floor. Alkrevas wasted no time and killed those who tried to flee, as well as the rogues caught red-handed by him. Lastly, he killed the man who was with his soulmate.


    He quickly shook his head to dispel that memory. A sense of turmoil and panic overwhelmed him as he watched his soulmate flee from him. If he weren¡¯t a Lycan, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to chase his soulmate so swiftly. He couldn¡¯t track the woman through her scent during rain because the water would wash away a person¡¯s natural scent. To his advantage, his soulmate was just a regr mortal being.


    ¡­

 Luna (2)

    Alkrevas took a deep breath and tightened his embrace. He feltplete, having what he desired most in the world. His next task was to ensure his soulmate would no longer leave him. If necessary, he would chain her legs or injure them to prevent her from leaving this ce, where he could freely gaze upon his soulmate.


    Alkrevas closed his eyes, a contented purr escaping him once again. He inhaled his soulmate¡¯s scent once more. Instantly, his body warmed, and the passion he had suppressed surged like a massive wave. Every cell in his body heated up. He could feel his primal instincts rising and hardening. Especially when he realized his soulmate¡¯s soft, innocent body was currently in his possessive embrace.


    Alkrevas couldn¡¯t wait toplete the mating process, touching every inch of his soulmate¡¯s body, iming the deepest parts of her soul, and pouring out all the love, longing, and desire he felt. Alkrevas would ensure that his soulmate could think of nothing else but him.


    He longed to feel her tempting, luscious lips that he was currently touching, screaming his name with satisfaction, begging for more every time he thrust into her body and poured out his love. Alkrevas couldn¡¯t wait to do it all.


    A knock on the door suddenly disrupted the precious moment he was experiencing. Alkrevas sighed heavily and invited whoever was outside to enter.


    Slowly, he got up, parted the curtains, and closed them tightly again, hiding the beautiful creature from everyone. No one should look at his soulmate except him or without his permission.


    No one should.


    With a body devoid of any clothing, Alkrevas stood confidently in front of his subordinates. He felt no shame, as this was ordinary for a werewolf. Especially in the old days when there were no magic stones to provide clothing for werewolves or when public mating rituals were still held in various packs; although such rituals were still allowed, no werewolves performed them anymore due to their possessive nature that flowed in their blood and also seemed cruel. Nevertheless, it was allowed if something unwanted happened and required public mating to be performed.


    Zyne promptly grabbed the highest-quality sleeping robe and dressed Alkrevas in it. Alkrevas¡¯ dark eyes carefully observed each person entering his private chamber and sharply asked Zyne, ¡°This will be the first andst time my time with my Queen is disturbed. Understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Annabeth.¡± The woman called Alkrevas was the head servant of the female servants in the imperial pce, managing their tasks. Annabeth, who looked like she was in her twenties but was over three decades old, immediately bowed respectfully and responded to Alkrevas¡¯ formal call. ¡°Select the best servants to be ced by my future Queen¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°What about the Empress¡¯s Pce? Should I prepare it, too?¡±


    ¡°No need. Vacate Gech Pce. My Luna will stay with me here, at Grian Pce.¡± Alkrevas walked towards the firece and observed the dancing mes.


    The light from the fire created a soft orange glow. The sound of wood crackling as the fire consumed it was like a soothing luby. ¡°Zyne, have you prepared everything for my soulmate?¡±


    ¡°In progress, My Lord. You can inspect the resultster in the left-wing room.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Alkrevas then turned to Savon from behind his back. ¡°Have youpleted your task?


    ¡°Yes, Alpha. The inn has been cleaned, and I have captured the negligent border guards, allowing the rogue group to enter Mylonas territory. They are in the military detention cell in the western Mylonas forest.¡±


    ¡°What about the fae woman I instructed you about?¡±


    Savon shook his head, delivering unwee news to Alkrevas. ¡°When I arrived at the location, the fae woman had disappeared. The tracking team is currently trying to pursue her.¡±


    Savon paused briefly and continued his report, ¡°From the inn data I found, the woman¡¯s name is Ghea, and the woman with her¡­ is named Luna.¡±


    ¡°Where is Sigmund?¡±


    ¡°I spoke with Gamma Mathias about the military forces you will send to the southern border,¡± Alkrevas nodded in understanding. He returned to gaze at the firece with utmost seriousness. He had instructed Sigmund to find a woman; that woman was his soulmate, Luna.


    ¡°Luna¡­ My Luna¡­¡± Alkrevas murmured.


    ¡°Instruct Sigmund to find out Luna¡¯s identity. Where she¡¯s from, her family, where she lives, even the smallest details like her favourite food.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Very well, you may leave.¡±


    Afterwards, Zyne, Annabeth, and Savon walked out of the room, firmly closing the door behind them. Alkrevas stood still until he no longer heard the footsteps of his three subordinates. He turned and walked towards the bed where Lunay, drawing the curtains aside and sitting beside the bed, reaching out to y with his soulmate¡¯s hair, which was starting to dry.


    ¡°Awake, little mate. Luna¡­ I want to see those warm brown eyes of yours again. I want to see my reflection filling your eyes, and I want to see every emotion emanating from there. My Luna¡­ My Queen¡­¡±


    Then, his dark eyes inadvertently caught sight of an essory encircling his soulmate¡¯s left wrist. His forehead furrowed, and he murmured, ¡°Trantor bracelet, why¡­?¡± Instantly, Alkrevas¡¯ jaw tensed, and a possibility began to form in his mind.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Luna groaned softly and slowly opened her heavy eyelids. Initially, she didn¡¯t understand what was happening, and her memory was still not catching up and was remaining nk. A broad smile spread across her lips as she felt her body lying in a ce so soft and plush. She attempted to move, feeling every muscle ache every time she tried. Her forehead creased slightly, and her eyes blinked in confusion.


    Why did her body feel like it had been hit by a car? Seriously, she had experienced that when she was young. Of course, it was due to her carelessness of not ensuring the vehicle¡¯s way through and breaking the traffic lights so quickly.


    Luna opened her mouth to call out for Nicole but then realized she was in another world, a supernatural realm called Khthon. She raised her hand and massaged her throbbing head. The surroundings were pitch ck, making her unable to see clearly.


    She took a deep breath and closed her eyes again. One by one, memories began to flood back. Mylonas, Ghea, George¡¯s death, Ghea¡¯s grief, the massacre, and thest thing that happened¡­ Luna jolted upright, forgetting the soreness throughout her body. Her hand instinctively reached to touch her temple, where she remembered being injured by that psychopathic Emperor, and her neck, where she was bitten, but found nothing there. Smooth. Clean. No scars or pain.


    ¡°Am I dead?¡± Luna wondered silently. Then, as she pinched herself to check if she was alive or not, she felt pain, indicating she was indeed alive.


    She then felt around, realizing she was on a bed with a mattress and soft,yered pillows with silk sheets and a thick, soft nket covering her naked body. Luna¡¯s eyes widened. Naked? She panicked and checked her own body. She was naked without clothes!


    ¡°Damn, bastard!¡± Luna cursed inwardly. Not only did he hurt her, but now he stripped her naked! What kind of man does that to a woman? Especially to a woman he ims as his ¡®soulmate¡¯.


    Luna snorted softly. If she was his soulmate, why did he dare to hurt her? And without any guilt whatsoever. Luna shivered, recallingst night¡¯s events and the magical spells he had whispered. He was genuinely despicable, putting her to sleep with magic.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna gripped the nket tightly. Then she realized why it was so dark around her; thick curtains surrounding the bed blocked the iing light. Luna pulled aside the nket and was about to open the curtains. Still, they were already drawn back, and the man currently her enemy appeared before her with a different appearance from yesterday.


    If Luna had seen him yesterday as a mysterious viin in a cloak and then as a psychopath with blood soaking his body and ruby-red eyes, now he looked like an emperor from a historical drama.


    A white coat with gold embroidery, gold buttons, gold epaulettes on the shoulders, and a red gem brooch at the cor with golden embroidery details. A red sash draped from the left shoulder to the right waist, with a badge pinned at the top of the sash and a belt encircling his waist, carrying a sword that she remembered as the tool of the massacrest night. White trousers and many medals on the right chest were visible. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his feet were d in high-quality ck leather shoes. Not to mention the imperial robe draped over his back. At a nce, Luna already knew the man before she was someone influential, none other than the Emperor himself.


    Luna immediately pulled the nket to cover her entire body. She shifted away as the psychopathic Emperor sat down beside the bed. She stared cautiously, her brown eyes never wavering from his incredibly handsome face. Luna opened her mouth to ask a question, but her throat felt so dry, and when she tried to speak, no sound came out.


    She gave him a sharp re, sitting in front of her, staring so closely and coldly, but behind it all was a surge of obsession so real that it made Luna shiver to realize it.


    ¡­

 A translator鈥檚 bracelet

    ¡°¡­¡±


    Luna blinked in confusion. The man opened his mouth and spoke, but she couldn¡¯t understand a word; it was all in a strange, rapidnguage. What was happening? Why couldn¡¯t she know what the man was saying all of a sudden? She had understood thenguage of this world before, but now she didn¡¯t. Luna touched her left wrist where the trantion bracelet usually was but couldn¡¯t find it. Panic instantly washed over her face, and her brown eyes quivered as she saw a small sneer form on the psychopathic Emperor¡¯s face.


    ¡°¡­¡± the man said, sounding like flowing water to Luna, then he took something out of his pocket and disyed it in his hand for Luna to see. Luna gasped as she saw her trantion bracelet in the psychopathic Emperor¡¯s hand.


    She wanted to scream and curse at the man with every colourful phrase in her vocabry, but speaking would reveal her identity as someone not from this world.


    Or had it already been discovered? Luna clenched her fists tightly and red at the man before her with a deadly look. The man spoke again, but Luna couldn¡¯t understand, so she ignored his words. She turned her face away, and at that moment, she felt her hand grabbed and something ced on it. When Luna nced to see what the man was doing, she saw the psychopathic Emperor putting the trantion bracelet back on her.


    ¡°I find it very strange for a resident of Foryeust not to understand the officialnguage of all the countries on this continent, especially needing a trantion bracelet.¡± Luna clenched the nket even tighter.


    She did not want her identity to be exposed so easily merely because of the trantion bracelet¡¯s existence. ¡°So, little mate, I want to know who you really are and where youe from, hmm?¡±


    ¡°What business is yours, Your Great Majesty the Emperor?¡± Luna asked sarcastically.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know each other well enough to share our secrets,¡± she added, then snorted softly and muttered in protest, ¡°Hell! You even kidnapped me and locked me up in this strange ce.¡±


    ¡°This is not a strange ce, little mate. This is my private chamber. We are in the imperial pce of Vasilos,¡± Alkrevas exined calmly.


    ¡°Oh my God! He is insane,¡± Luna muttered softly.


    Then she jumped in surprise as she felt a warm,rge, and gentle hand stroke her bare back. Her brown eyes instantly locked onto Alkrevas, who had somehow gotten so close to her. Their faces were only inches apart, and if they moved even slightly, their lips and noses would touch. Their breaths intertwined, and Luna was sure he would kiss her without permission if she let her guard down.


    Quickly, Luna rolled to the other side of the bed to put as much distance between herself and Alkrevas as possible. In doing so, the nket covering her body wrapped around her like a burrito. Luna smiled triumphantly and pointed at Alkrevas with her index finger. ¡°Stay there!¡±


    ¡°Do you think I will listen to your orders? I am the one in control here, little mate. I am the Emperor, and no one canmand me.¡±


    ¡°To Hell with control! I don¡¯t care about that. Just stay away from me. Thest time you got close to me, you bit my neck and hurt me. What else are you going to do? Strangle me to death? Or cut my body into pieces because you¡¯re offended?¡± Luna threw out the words boldly.


    Alkrevas frowned in displeasure at the usation from his soulmate. If it were anyone else, he wouldn¡¯t care and immediately cut out their tongue as a lesson. Still, the one using him was his soulmate.


    ¡°You are my soulmate, and I did what I had to do. im you. Besides, I can heal your wounds quickly with our bond strengthening.¡±


    Luna didn¡¯t care about that; what concerned her was how easily this man hurt the person he imed as his soulmate-doing things she couldn¡¯t ept, even ughtering without remorse. What kind of man hurts the woman he says is half his soul? Oh, the type of man in front of her. A psychopathic and cruel man. No wonder he was called a tyrant. Monsters like him wouldn¡¯t have a conscience because they had died long ago.


    ¡°If our bond wereplete, I could know your thoughts, little mate,¡± Alkrevas said confidently.


    ¡°In your dreams, psychopathic emperor,¡± Luna replied inwardly. She held her breath as the man stood up, and soon after, she heard footsteps entering the room.


    Luna hissed softly as the bed curtains were drawn open. Sunlight streamed in through therge window on the left side of the room, piercing her eyes. She blinked several times to adjust her vision before ring sharply at the women in maid uniforms with imperial crest pins on their left chests.


    Alkrevas, observing Luna¡¯s every move from the beginning, chuckled softly and said, ¡°They are the pce¡¯s best servants whom I have chosen to serve you, little mate. They have my permission to touch you.¡±


    Luna red at Alkrevas in anger upon hearing hisst words, but Alkrevas ignored her piercing gaze. He stood up and brushed off his sleeves. Then, Alkrevas gave his soulmate onest look before turning and walking out of the room, remembering to give orders to the servants. ¡°Prepare my soulmate for the mating ritual tonight.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± All the servants replied in unison.


    ¡°And as for you, little mate, don¡¯t try to run. I can easily chase and catch you. Don¡¯t make me put chains on your feet and ce a tracking spell on your body.¡±


    Then Alkrevas left the room while Luna stared at his back, disappearing behind the door in astonishment. ¡°Did he just threaten me?¡± she asked herself.


    Alkrevas sat in his office chair, gazing out the window at the most beautiful garden in the imperial pce, filled with various flowers and trees, fountains, a magnificent pavilion, and the finest statue of the Moon Goddess. This garden was the pride of its owner, himself, as the Emperor of the Vasilos Empire. His dark brown eyes took in the view of the garden. Usually, looking at his private garden, whether from the balcony or the window, would calm his mind, but not this time. The beautiful scenery did not affect him.


    He could only stare nkly as numerous thoughts and possibilities filled his mind, even causing Norris to curl up in the deepest corner of his thoughts, unwilling to interfere with the inner turmoil he was currently experiencing.


    His fingers tapped the desk¡¯s surface, creating a tense atmosphere throughout the room. The staff and aides who came to report or deliver documents dyed their tasks, not wanting to disturb the Emperor¡¯s seemingly foul mood.


    Rumours about Emperor Alkrevas arrivingte at night carrying a drenched woman in his arms had spread throughout the imperial pce, and it was inevitable that these rumours would leak beyond the pce walls. The rumours also stated that the woman brought by the Emperor was his soulmate, the long-lost half of his soul that everyone believed would never appear in the Emperor¡¯s life. Of course, the Emperor neither denied nor confirmed the rumours, allowing them to spiral out of control.


    Alkrevas let the rumours reach the ears of the nobles, especially the leader of the noble faction, Marquis Cirillo. The older man would no longer bother him with attempts to match his eldest daughter with Alkrevas. Besides, Alkrevas had more important matters to consider than rumours spread by his gossip-loving subordinates.


    Alkrevas¡¯s eyes blinked rapidly when he heard a knock on his office door. He shifted his gaze from the window to the white-painted door with gold carvings. He gave permission, and soon the door opened. Mathias, the Royal Gamma, third inmand and the highest general of the imperial forces, stepped into the room.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Alkrevas asked in a firm yet tense tone.


    ¡°It¡¯s about your orders, Alpha,¡± Mathias replied, standing respectfully.


    Alkrevas immediately straightened his posture. After seeing the trantion bracelet on Luna¡¯s arm, he had contacted Mathias through the mind link, asking him to send imperial envoys to Foryeust to investigate the possibility of the portal bing active again, as reported by his Beta a few days ago.


    ¡°I have sent Commander Abony to carry out your orders.¡± Thea Abony,mander of the Blue Moon, the second unit of the Imperial Knight Order, one of the elite imperial forces besides the White Night, under Mathias¡¯smand.


    ¡°Good,¡± said Alkrevas with a slight nod.


    The Vasilos Empire had five elite Knight units known for their exceptional strength and skills. The first unit was White Night, the second was Blue Moon, the third was the Knights of Dukedom Veniam, the fourth was the Knights of the House of Orion and Soleia, and finally, the Royal Pack Knights. The Royal Pack was a particr unit where all the knights were the best warriors from various Packs across Vasilos, meaning the Royal Pack¡¯s strength was unmatched by the other four units. While the other four units contained multiple species, the Royal Pack consisted purely of werewolves, tasked explicitly with tracking enemies or anything asmanded by the Emperor, essentially the imperial trackers.


    In addition to the elite knight units, there are the imperial guards and a secret intelligence unit called The Shadow, which is directly under themand of the Emperor. Only Alkrevas knows of The Shadow¡¯s existence, as it is a unit designated for carrying out his secret orders. There are also forces from various noble houses and warriors from different packs. The Vasilos Empire is known for having the best military and formidable defences.


    Alkrevas paused briefly and gave a short nod. His dark brown eyes stared intently into the distance before asking, ¡°What are the results?¡± His dark brown eyes turned red like ruby gemstones for a moment before returning to normal.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    He looked at Mathias with a cold, freezing gaze. Suppose Mathias wasn¡¯t a werewolf and a warrior. In that case, he might have immediately fallen to his knees and exposed his left neck as a sign of submission.


    Mathias crossed his arms behind his back, his ck military uniform fitting perfectly on his muscr, broad-shouldered frame. His dark blonde hair was perfectly styled, and his blue eyes looked at the Emperor with emotion. For a moment, his lips formed a thin line, a sign that doubt had crept in, but he decided not to withhold the information he had received from Thea.


    ¡°ording to Commander Abony, it is true that the power in the sacred forest has reactivated, and the magic mist that had previously disappeared has returned, covering the entire forest.¡± Mathias paused briefly before continuing, ¡°Commander Abony has also investigated the truth of the light.¡±


    ¡°The results?¡± Alkrevas asked in a demanding tone.


    ¡°The light was indeed seen a few days ago, soaring high into the sky, and the elders of Foryeust also said the sign indicated that the portal had reactivated, but they found no activity around the temple when they checked the ce.¡± Alkrevas¡¯s fingers tapped faster as he listened to the report.


    ¡°When Commander Abony tried to enter the forest for further investigation, he was stopped by the Knights of Foryeust. They forbid outsiders from setting foot in the forest.¡± Alkrevas¡¯s tapping fingers stopped.


    His dark brown eyes immediately focused outside the window, where he saw a woman in a light blue dress walking around the garden, followed by several female servants he had personally selected.


    ¡°That means they don¡¯t know that a ¡®neer¡¯ arrived through the portal,¡± Alkrevas murmured.


    He could already conclude something from Mathias¡¯s report, confirming his suspicion. Luna was not from this world. The light was seen a few days ago, as was the forest¡¯s power returning. Shortly after, he met Luna wearing a trantion bracelet. It was unusual for someone to wear a trantion bracelet at an adult age, especially since the primarynguage used in Rhodes was the same, and only those from outside this world wore such bracelets to adapt.


    From that fact alone, Alkrevas realized that Luna was a mortal being from another world who hade through the portal, just like in the past. That was why he had never found her, no matter how hard he searched across the continent. He believed that Luna¡¯s arrival had been known first by the Fae he saw with her at the inn, preceding the Foryeust royal authorities.


    A slight, terrifying grin slowly appeared on his lips. If Luna came from another world, Alkrevas was sure she would try her hardest to return to her world. This wasn¡¯t the first time he had faced a mortal being from another world.


    ¡°Order Thea to destroy the temple in the forest. Leave nothing behind.¡± Hemanded in a firm, unyielding tone. His eyes were as sharp as knives, emphasizing the importance of the order to him.


    ¡°Alpha¡­¡±


    ¡°You must understand where my Lunaes from, right? I want to prevent her from leaving. I can¡¯t let her slip from my grasp and disappear from my life. After searching hard, I finally found what I was looking for.¡± Mathias sighed deeply, understanding his Alpha and Emperor¡¯s thoughts. If he were in Alkrevas¡¯s position, he would think the same. Fear was inevitable, especially knowing that the soulmate he had been waiting for was not from the same world.


    ¡°I think it will be difficult to destroy the temple because the magic mist will make anyone get lost, and Queen Maia will be furious with our actions.¡± His words were total of caution.


    Alkrevas¡¯s jaw tightened. Mathias was right, but leaving the portal active would be too risky. Alkrevas would be haunted by the fear that his soulmate could leave him at any moment. ¡°What about the Fae?¡±


    ¡°The tracker hasn¡¯t found her yet. Thest time they caught her scent, she was at the border of Vasilos and Foryeust.¡±


    ¡°That means she has returned to her territory. I don¡¯t know what my soulmate was thinking about protecting that Fae, but we must capture her immediately. Besides us, the Fae knows the truth about Luna. Order Thea to search the Fae¡¯s residence; we might find something about Luna there.¡±


    Mathias nodded in agreement with Alkrevas¡¯s orders. ¡°And Mathias, summon Markus to see me.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure, Alpha? Lord Markus is in the northern region inspecting the situation there, and it will take a few days for him to reach Mylonas even with teleportation portals.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. There¡¯s something important I need to discuss with him.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll send a message for him to return to the Capital.¡± Mathias paused momentarily, unsure of the Emperor¡¯s reaction to the question he was about to ask. Still, he gathered his courage and asked, ¡°When will you introduce Luna to the public, Alpha?¡±


    ¡­

 Escape (1)

    What should I do now? That was the question that kept spinning in Luna¡¯s head since the psychopathic emperor left her in an unfamiliar room with the maids who were watching her with judging eyes. Luna was so nervous and scared that the orders that the man had given to the maids to prepare her felt like a signal that something terrible was going to happen to her.


    The mating ritual.


    Of course, Luna was not stupid. She knew what the word ¡®mating¡¯ meant, and to make matters worse, the psychopathic emperor was a man with a wolf¡¯s soul. Luna shivered at the thought of having to mate with a madman who ughtered many people over trivial matters. That was what gave her motivation. So, after breakfast, Luna told the maids that she wanted to walk around and explore the pce, which was immediately agreed upon without any hesitation on their faces.


    Seeing all this, Luna smiled triumphantly inside. Unlike their cold and annoying master, the maids were gentle and kind to her. Besides the judging looks, there were also worried nces apanying them-honestly, Luna didn¡¯t know why they were looking at her with concern-but she chose to ignore those looks and focus on her n.


    Luna walked around the pce, memorizing its structure-every door, window, and hallway intersection. She also counted the guards stationed at every corner, which was quite a lot. After finishing her tour inside the pce, she explored outside the pce.


    She wandered through the pce¡¯s front garden and then to the back garden, which one of the maids said was the emperor¡¯s private garden. Hearing that information, Luna wanted to be mean and destroy the garden, to ruin the pride the man felt for his beloved garden. However, she abandoned that thought when she saw the garden¡¯s beauty, which exceeded the beauty of any painting on canvas.


    Luna clutched the skirt of her light blue dress and walked to one of the flower bushes. She bent down and examined a red flower that looked like a rose, or was it indeed a rose? Luna reached out, touching the petals that were so soft, and a fragrant aroma immediately wafted around her. It seemed the flower she touched was indeed a rose, but different from ordinary roses, its scent was more robust, and if Luna looked closely when the petals were hit by sunlight, they appeared translucent, more like crystal.


    Luna murmured in awe and walked to the next flower, which looked like lilies but was more considerable. Then she went to the next flower and the next until she finally felt exhausted, at which point one of the maids suggested she sit in the gazebo while sipping a cold drink.


    Luna agreed with the idea and walked to the pavilion. She saw a pair of beautiful chairs with a table ced in the middle of the pavilion, surrounded by small waterfalls-like curtains. She walked over a small bridge before finally arriving at the pavilion. Carefully, she sat in one of the chairs, not forgetting to grumble because the blue dress she was wearing made her ufortable. She then let the maids prepare cold drinks and snacks for her. Luna took that opportunity to look around the area. Bordering the back garden was a very dense forest and a very high wall. There was no way out for her if she wanted to escape through the garden.


    The main gate could have been a better option, and the pce¡¯s side gate was also heavily guarded. Luna sighed heavily; if only there were a secret passage in this pce, it would be much easier. And even if there was a secret passage, it was unlikely that the psychopathic emperor would tell her about it.


    After rxing in the gazebo, Luna returned to the emperor¡¯s residence, and here she was. Sitting stiffly in the drawing room, listening to the maids exin their desire to make Luna as beautiful as possible. The few hours spent together made the maids open up more to her and act more friendly. One of them even expressed gratitude for her presence in the life of the increasingly troubling psychopathic emperor. Luna could only smile wryly at this.


    Luna watched the sky, now tinged with orange, indicating that evening was approaching, which meant there was less time to devise a n. She stared at her untouched lunch te. Twice, the maids had reheated the food and asked if the menu was not to her liking. Of course, Luna said no because she wasn¡¯t actually hungry and felt nauseous looking at the food in front of her. Her stomach churned with anxiety that wouldn¡¯t subside.


    She had repeatedly asked for the food to be removed and even permitted the maids to eat it. Still, they refused and insisted she eat, especially since she needed a lot of energy for the mating ritualter that night. Luna snorted loudly at this.


    After a long silence, ¡°Do you know when His Majesty the Emperor will return?¡± she asked. She ced the teacup in her hand on the table and looked at the maids standing in a row on the right side of the room. One maid stepped forward. Luna guessed that this maid was more senior and would be her head maid.


    ¡°His Majesty will return after dinner, Miss. I was just informed to prepare you before His Majesty arrives.¡± Luna frowned. When was this woman informed? The maid had been by her side all morning and hadn¡¯t spoken to anyone. Luna brushed aside her confusion as there were more pressing matters to think about.


    ¡°Oh. He won¡¯t be having dinner with me?¡± Luna asked, surprised, because if she thought about it, she had felt calm and peaceful all day. Was the man giving her space to adapt? Or giving her a chance to be free before being forever confined? Creating an illusion for her that life in the pce as the man¡¯s empress and soulmate wasn¡¯t as evil as she had thought.


    ¡°No, Miss. Tonight, His Majesty is scheduled to attend a dinner banquet with the councillors and ministers.¡± Luna shrugged indifferently and decided to grab her untouched lunch te.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°That means I have to eat now and prepare. Is that correct?¡± The maid nodded. Luna gave a small smile and then began eating the food she had neglected since noon, making the maids breathe a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Would you like the dessert to be changed, Miss?¡± another maid asked, seeing Luna staring at the dessert cake with a disinterested look.


    ¡°Oh, no need; I just want to finish my meal quickly and get ready.¡± Luna smiled wryly and resumed eating slowly. Every bite felt heavy as if adding to the burden in her already anxious heart.


    An hourter-she deliberately slowed down her eating-Luna began to prepare herself.


    Luna was directed to a bathhouse with a spacious bathing area and showersing from statues adorning the corners of the bath. While she was being cleaned in the tub, the maids scrubbed her skin quite challenging, making her feel a stinging sensation whenever her skin came into contact with the water and soap. This made Luna feel as though they were trying to erase her identity as if she were a nk canvas ready to be filled ording to the emperor¡¯s wishes.


    When they were finished, the maids immediately braided her long brown hair. They also painted her lips red with lipstick, making her look less pale and more lively. Then, pink powder was applied around her breast area, which sessfully made her feel embarrassed as it revealed her nipples, hardened by the cold air. Next,vender-scented oil was applied to her jawline, around her neck, and down to her corbone.


    The maids said thevender oil was necessary in the area where the psychopathic emperor would ce his im mark to reduce the pain. Luna rolled her eyes discreetly upon hearing this. Did they think thevender oil would act as a lubricant to make the man¡¯s fangs pierce her neck more smoothly? Such a bizarre theory. Just say that the psychopathic emperor wanted to smellvender on her body. Thinking about this made Luna want to run around the pce so that what the man smelled would be sweat instead ofvender.


    When the preparations wereplete, and Luna was dressed in a thin nightgown that honestly served no purpose as every inch of her body was visible through it, the maids ced her in the emperor¡¯s bedroom, sitting her on the bed like a bride waiting for her groom before leaving the room and closing the door tightly.


    Luna remained silent for a moment, making sure the maids had really left, before getting off the bed and hastily removing her transparent nightgown. Then she walked to one of the doors she believed to be the psychopathic emperor¡¯s dressing room, opened therge wardrobe that stored the man¡¯s clothes, and took out a piece of men¡¯s clothing in a gothic vintage style. ¡°It¡¯s better to wear this than that damn chemise nightgown,¡± she muttered to herself.


    Fortunately, the top she wore wasrge and long enough, its lower part covering down to her knees. She didn¡¯t have time to look for pants, and judging from the emperor¡¯s body size and height, any pants she found would surely be too big and loose at the waist.


    With that thought, Luna left the dressing room. She looked around the bedroom and cautiously opened the door. She peeked through the gap, seeing that the maids were still on guard in the chamber area, waiting for their master to arrive. Luna closed the door again and carefully ran to the balcony area. She looked down and groaned inwardly at the great height from the balcony to the ground, then looked to the right and left. Her eyes blinked, and a smile formed on her lips. Another balcony was visible on the right side. It belonged to an empty room next to the emperor¡¯s chamber.


    Luna carefully calcted the distance and risk, and then, daringly, she climbed onto the balcony railing. She nced briefly into the room and saw the door handle moving. So, setting aside her fear and hesitation, Luna jumped to the other balcony. She groaned as her body hit the balcony floor uponnding, and she felt her head slightly bump against the balcony railing, but she couldn¡¯t waste any time.


    ¡­

 Escape (2)

    Luna was determined not to let that man touch her, and with that resolve, she did something daring. Once she felt better, she immediately ran into the room, carefully exiting what turned out to be an empty chamber. She ran down the corridor and hid in another room, an empty bedroom.


    Luna quickly walked to the balcony and looked down. She murmured happily when she saw a more oversized balcony below. After ensuring the situation, Luna pulled a bedsheet, tied it to the sturdy balcony railing, and climbed down using the tied sheet. Since the sheet was long enough, she couldnd on the lower balcony without injuring her legs.


    ¡°Now all I need to do is find a hiding ce and avoid the Guards,¡± she thought, taking a deep breath.


    With adrenaline pumping and a strong sense of rebellion, Luna ran inside, finding herself in arger sitting area adorned with luxurious furniture and thick carpets. She exited the room, ran down the corridor, and always ensured no guards were present at each intersection she reached. Whenever she encountered patrolling guards, Luna would hide behind objects or long window curtains, feeling her heartbeat quicken every time she was almost discovered.


    She heard amotion in the distance when she reached the pce¡¯s main hall. It seemed her escape attempt had been discovered, and the psychopathic emperor was terrorizing the servants and guards. Luna giggled at the thought of the emperor¡¯s face and ran through the main hall to the next corridor. This time, she saw guards and several well-dressed men she guessed were nobles working in the imperial pce. Luna had to find an exit. It was better to hide outside than inside the pce. Still, unfortunately, she heard the psychopathic emperor¡¯s voice not far from her, and Luna cursed the man¡¯s superior abilities.


    Luna looked left and right, found an open door, and ran inside. She closed the door and barricaded it with whatever she could find before standing anxiously waiting on the other side of the room. She nced toward the window and peeked outside but quickly hid behind the wall upon seeing two men standing not far from her hiding spot.


    Luna peeked out, watching the two men engage in a serious conversation. She sharpened her hearing, not caring that she was eavesdropping. ¡°Are you sure this is what the Alpha wants? Doing this is tantamount to inciting a war with Foryeust.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Savon. On the one hand, I understand Alpha¡¯s reasons, but on the other hand, I know it¡¯s a rash decision,¡± the other man replied with a heavy tone.


    Luna frowned. Was the Alpha they mentioned the psychopathic emperor? Alkrevas? ¡°At least for now, I can prevent him from destroying the temple.¡±


    Temple? Luna was increasingly confused and curious.


    ¡°I will try to speak with Alpha once the situation is stable. The presence of that mortal creature is making Alpha even more irrational. Mathias, do you think that woman is truly Alpha¡¯s soulmate?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t seen the woman in person, but whatever it is, I trust Alpha,¡± Mathias replied with solid conviction.


    ¡°Alright. I will ask Foryeust to do something to hide the portal. We must prevent Alpha¡¯s intention to destroy the temple in the sacred forest.¡±


    WHAT? THAT PSYCHOPATHIC EMPEROR WANTS TO DESTROY THE TEMPLE?


    If that happened, the only way back to her world would be gone. Luna bit her lower lip in panic. She moved away from the window so the two werewolves wouldn¡¯t notice her presence. One of them could hear her heartbeat or smell her scent. Luna sat on the other side of the room, curling up in the darkness that seemed to embrace her with its coldness.


    No. This must not happen. She had to leave immediately, return to the temple, and go home before the psychopathic emperor¡¯s n came to fruition. If the portal were destroyed, Luna would be trapped here forever.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    She didn¡¯t want that to happen.


    ¡­


    Alkrevas deliberately spent more time than usual working and dining at the banquet. He even allowed the counsellors and ministers to speak to their heart¡¯s content about their hidden agendas in dominating politics. All this he did to give his soulmate more time to prepare.


    He sipped his wine while imagining his soulmate waiting in his private chamber, looking beautiful and bashful. However, that was unlikely, given her attitude toward him earlier that morning. Alkrevas sighed inwardly. The image of a small smile on her lips only made his heart more restless. Both he and Norris could no longer wait to meet their soulmate. Completing the mating process would bind her soul to his, reducing her chances of leaving because Alkrevas knew that even a short distance between them would make her body and soul react. Not just physical pain but mental anguish and anxiety would make her choose to return to his side.


    With this thought, Alkrevas ced his ss down, stood up from the banquet chair, and walked out of the dining hall. Sigmund and Zyne, along with several imperial guards, followed behind him. Alkrevas walked with long, quick strides toward the emperor¡¯s residence. Impatience swelled within him, making his steps even faster, ignoring the guards, servants, and pce staff he passed.


    When he reached his chamber door, he saw Luna¡¯s servants and guards standing vigntly. One servant, noticing his presence, immediately bowed respectfully, followed by the others. ¡°How are Luna¡¯s preparations?¡± Alkrevas asked.


    ¡°Going well, Your Majesty. Miss Luna did not resist,¡± the servant replied with a bowed head.


    ¡°Is she inside?¡± Alkrevas asked again.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. She is in the bedroom waiting for you. We checked before stepping out of the chamber.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded briefly. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, I hope you¡¯re not sleeping to avoid me.


    Of course, that might happen, but he hoped Luna would wait for him as he imagined. She couldn¡¯t go anywhere with the servants and guards on watch at the door, but Alkrevas wasn¡¯t sure. He dismissed that possibility from his mind and stepped toward the door. ¡°I¡¯m going in, so you can leave now.¡±


    Alkrevas stepped into the chamber, ignoring the servants who bowed obediently, letting one of them close the door behind him. He walked through the sitting room and stopped at the bedroom door. Alkrevas took a deep breath and turned the door handle. His entire body tensed, and as he stepped into the bedroom, a calm and quiet atmosphere greeted him. Alkrevas¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. The magical stonemps illuminated the room dimly, creating a romantic ambience. Still, due to the light, he realized that Luna was not waiting on the bed. Alkrevas sharpened his senses.


    Nothing. He didn¡¯t hear a heartbeat or breathing. He searched for Luna, hiding in the darkness with his vision, but there was no sign of her. He walked to the dressing room, rummaged through the wardrobe, and came back out. A low growl escaped his lips.


    ¡°Luna? Little mate? Are you trying to make me angry?¡± Alkrevas hissed, his eyes slowly turning red, and his fangs and ws began to emerge. Anger started to infiltrate every vein. Norris was beginning to rage inside him, and if Alkrevas couldn¡¯t hold back Norris¡¯s urge, his wolf spirit might have taken over by now.


    Then his eyes nced at the floor, where a chemisey. Luna¡¯s distinct scent of cheddar, roses, and a hint of musk, unique to her, was strongly present. Alkrevas walked over, picked up the nightgown, sniffed it, and growled. He couldn¡¯t believe it. His soulmate dared to escape to avoid the mating ritual.


    Annoyed, Alkrevas walked out of the bedroom with the nightgown in his hand. He roughly opened the chamber door, startling the servants and guards nearby. He looked at all his subordinates, showing his red eyes, which were both terrifying and stunningly beautiful, as only Alkrevas had ruby-like red eyes when his wolf spirit dominated. ¡°My Luna is not in the bedroom. It seems she has gone somewhere. Find her and bring her back to my chamber. Now!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± murmured everyone in confusion.


    ¡°Do I need to repeat myself?¡± Alkrevas hissed, holding back his anger.


    The frightened servants responded with fearful squeaks. Alkrevas ignored them and mmed the door shut again. He removed his coat, revealing his muscr and well-built body d in a white shirt. He returned to the bedroom and took a deep breath, trying to detect where his soulmate had gone by following her scent.


    Alkrevas closed his eyes before opening them again and directing his red gaze toward the balcony. He quickly walked to the balcony and looked down. ¡°Has that woman gone mad?¡± he growled to himself. The cold night could not calm the fiery rage burning within him.


    ¡­

 Found you

    Luna held her breath and pressed her back against the wall as she heard footsteps outside the door of the room where she was hiding. She guessed it was the sound of the imperial guards running to find her on their Emperor¡¯s orders. She bit her lower lip and nced out the window, noting the pitch-ck sky, indicating it was alreadyte at night.


    Won¡¯t that man ever give up until he achieves his goal? Luna asked herself irritably.


    She stayed still until the sound of footsteps gradually faded away. When she was sure it was safe, Luna stood up. She returned to the window to check if the two men she remembered as Savon and Mathias had left, but luck was not on her side this time. The two men were still there, looking around cautiously. It seemed one of them had sensed her presence and searched for her using their sharp hearing.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Luna cursed inwardly. Those two were the psychopathic Emperor¡¯sckeys, and if they spotted her, they would undoubtedly report her whereabouts to Alkrevas. With that thought, Luna returned to her position. She weighed whether to continue hiding in the room or leave her hiding ce and find a new one.


    But if I stay here, sooner orter, that bastard will find me, she thought anxiously. Luna nervously bit her lower lip and decided to leave.


    She couldn¡¯t just stay put and let him catch her so easily. Finally, Luna removed the objects she had used to barricade the door, then opened it slightly and peeked out. She looked left and right to ensure no servants or imperial guards were around before fully stepping out of the room and running in the opposite direction from where she hade.


    Luna ran and stopped when she reached an open area, an ample space resembling an exhibition hall or ballroom. Unlike the pce¡¯s exterior, which showcased grandeur and elegance, this open area focused on highlighting the dignity of the Imperial family with majesty and bravery. The high ceiling was filled with artistic paintings depicting the Empire¡¯s past and legends, with statues and portraits of former emperors proudly disyed on the walls.


    In several ces, the hall¡¯s walls were adorned with luxurious marble, precious stones, and gold, reflecting the wealth and prosperity of the Vasilos Empire. Beautiful crystal chandeliers hung gracefully. All this wasplemented byrge windows framed with high-quality wood and draped with the finest fabrics, allowing sunlight to enter freely.


    Luna walked to one of the paintings of a former emperor, the ancestor of the psychopathic Emperor. She observed the painting momentarily and frowned at the red eyes depicted. Luna turned in the direction she hade from and started running again as she heard the approaching footsteps of the guards. She ran away from the hall, not knowing where she was headed, but the only thought in her mind was to get as far away from the psychopathic man as possible.


    At the same time, Alkrevas stood on his bedroom balcony, his anger growing. Unable to hold back Norris any longer, he finally allowed his wolf spirit to take over partially. His dark brown eyes quickly turned red, and a loud growl escaped his lips.


    He took a deep breath and suddenly turned his head to the side, where another balcony from an empty room was located, and that¡¯s when he realized the trail left by Luna, the scent of her body leading to the balcony on the right. A slight smirk appeared on his lips, and he jumped to the opposite balcony with ease.


    A mix of admiration and annoyance filled him because of his soulmate¡¯s reckless and daring actions. She was just a fragile mortal. If she had done something this extreme and fallen from such a height¡­ Alkrevas couldn¡¯t imagine the possibility. He could only thank the Moon Goddess for protecting his soulmate from harm.


    Alkrevas stepped into the room and headed straight for the exit. He could easily follow his soulmate¡¯s trail with his sharp sense of smell.


    ¡°Does she think she can escape me so easily?¡± Alkrevas smiled sinisterly, eager to hold his soulmate again.


    ¡­


    I can¡¯t waste any more time, Luna thought as she approached arge door. She looked left and right before opening the door. Her steps halted, and her eyes widened.


    ¡°Oops?¡± Luna whispered as she identally entered the pce kitchen area. Many kitchen staff and servants were still bustling around, seemingly unaware of the current situation, as they ignored her presence and continued with their tasks.


    Luna nervously rubbed her neck when one of the servants looked at her with a frown, and before the servant couldment, Luna quickly closed the door and walked to her right. Unlike before, when she had to run to avoid the imperial guards and servants, she chose to walk this time. Not because she wasn¡¯t afraid of getting caught but because her feet were tired and starting to blister from not wearing shoes.


    Luna stopped for a moment. She bent over, leaning against the pce wall. Her breathing was ragged, and sweat dripped from her temples and back. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her gaze fell on the torch used for lighting at the end of the corridor.


    Why is there a torch there instead of the usual lighting? Luna wanted to investigate but felt too exhausted to walk any further, especially after her daring stunt of jumping from balcony to balcony and descending with a bed sheet. Tonight had been more action-packed than her entire twenty-plus years of life. It was a miracle she hadn¡¯t fallen and broken any bones due to her reckless actions.


    ¡°At least I can hide here, and that psychopathic Emperor won¡¯t find me,¡± Luna said to herself with relief.


    ¡°Psychopathic emperor?¡± Luna¡¯s body tensed upon hearing the deep, baritone voice she knew so well. A voice filled with freezing coldness and anger made her heart pound fiercely. Her body flinched as her shoulder was gently squeezed. Slowly, Luna turned around. Her breath caught when her brown eyes met terrifying red ones.


    ¡°Y-Y-Your¡­ M-Majesty¡­¡± Luna stammered nervously. She was so shocked that the psychopathic Emperor had found her so quickly.


    How could this happen? I made sure to run in circles, to hide. Whatever it took. How did he find me so quickly? I¡¯ve only been standing here for less than five minutes! Luna felt a surge of anxiety.


    Damn! she cursed inwardly, and to make matters worse, he heard her just now! What would happen to her now? Luna bit the inside of her cheek and tried to step back, but Alkrevas¡¯s grip on her shoulder prevented her from moving.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had such a unique nickname for me. Psychopathic Emperor¡­¡± Alkrevas murmured as he stepped closer, reducing the distance between them until it disappearedpletely.


    ¡°If you weren¡¯t my soulmate, I would have already cut out your tongue for mocking me,¡± Alkrevas murmured with a sharp, deadly tone. Luna winced as his grip on her shoulder tightened.


    ¡°And how dare you run away, making me search the entire pce for you.¡± Alkrevas then lowered his gaze, examining Luna¡¯s body, which was only covered by his oversized shirt.


    ¡°And on top of that, you¡¯re wandering around the pce in that attire. Showing off what¡¯s mine to everyone¡¯s eyes?¡± Luna swallowed hard and gave an awkward smile.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t running away! Yes! I was¡­ umm¡­ I was looking for you¡­ Yes! That¡¯s right! I¡¯ve been waiting too long!¡± Alkrevas raised an eyebrow, clearly seeing through Luna¡¯s lie, and her formal tone amused him even more.


    Alkrevas¡¯s ears twitched as he heard the sound of running footsteps approaching their location. He pulled Luna close, holding her tightly, ensuring his body blocked her from anyone else¡¯s view.


    Alkrevas leaned down and whispered something in Luna¡¯s ear that made her face turn pale before pressing her face against his broad chest.


    Sure enough, momentster, his Royal Beta-Savon, Zyne, and several pce guards appeared and stopped a few meters behind him.


    ¡°Alpha!¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    Savon and Zyne spoke worriedly at the same time. Alkrevas looked down at his tiny soulmate¡¯s body, which fit him perfectly like puzzle pieces. One arm encircled her tightly while the other hand gently stroked her soft, long brown hair. Alkrevas smiled smugly, feeling her body tremble before gazing at his subordinates.


    ¡°Prepare the nearest bedroom for me and my soulmate. We¡¯re both too tired to return to my quarters.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Zyne replied promptly, carrying out the order without question. He turned and walked away, leaving Savon with several guards and the Emperor, holding the mortal woman imed to be his soulmate. Savon nced briefly, but due to Alkrevas¡¯srge frame, he couldn¡¯t see the mortal woman¡¯s face.


    ¡°Alpha, I just heard-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to listen to your chatter, Savon.¡± Alkrevas interrupted coldly, apanied by an irritated growl.


    Savon bowed, pressing a fist to his chest. He stared at the stone floor coldly before murmuring, ¡°Forgive me, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Go.¡± Savon obeyed and signalled the guards to leave. Once alone with Luna again, Alkrevas chuckled softly.


    ¡°Do you regret your decision, Little mate?¡± he whispered before nuzzling into her neck, inhaling her natural scent that grew stronger from her body.  Luna could only grit her teeth.


    ¡­

 Cunning

    In the end, I am the one who will win. I will make sure you crave my touch, and when the sun rises, my ownership marks will adorn your body, officially making you mine.¡± Luna desperately wanted to kick the man¡¯s groin again, to destroy his precious treasure, but as if understanding her thoughts, Alkrevas restrained her and easily lifted her body, cing her on his shoulder like a sack, then walked back the way they came.


    Luna struggled and writhed strongly. She groaned loudly and kicked her legs, but with two hard ps on her buttocks from the psychopathic Emperor, she immediately fell silent. After recovering from her shock, Luna voiced her protest.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a child! And you can¡¯t force your will on me! Do you know that¡¯s equivalent to rape?¡± Alkrevas smiled cynically.


    At this moment, he was already walking down the main corridor. He met Zyne, who had been waiting for him and was led to one of the nearby bedrooms. Zyne, understanding the Emperor¡¯s desires, immediately provided a warm and thick bear fur robe, which felt soft andfortable on the skin.


    Alkrevas covered Luna¡¯s body with the robe before answering, ¡°Who said I would force my will? You will beg me yourself.¡±


    ¡°That will never happen!¡± Luna eximed, her voice full of determination despite her eyes betraying an undeniable fear.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t youe looking for me? Even jumping off the balcony and endangering your own life? That means you missed me so much.¡± Alkrevas continued with a triumphant smirk that made Luna even angrier.


    ¡°You-¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence as she felt Alkrevas¡¯s stepse to a halt and then heard the sound of a door opening, its creak sounding frightening to her ears.


    ¡°Do not disturb me with my soulmate until tomorrow,¡± Alkrevas ordered firmly.


    ¡°Very well, Your Majesty,¡± Zyne replied respectfully, bowing.


    Luna grew increasingly panicked upon hearing Alkrevas¡¯s orders to his butler. She squirmed more vigorously, ignoring the pain in her stomach caused by Alkrevas¡¯s strong shoulder pressing against her.


    ¡°Let me go! Please put me down! I¡¯m human and have the right to make my own choices!¡± Luna screamed, hoping her cries would hurt the werewolf¡¯s ears.


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t react, not even showing any difficulty as Luna wriggled in his grasp. He enjoyed the view of his soulmate¡¯s enticingly moving backside. He groaned as a strong surge of arousal rose within him, causing his manhood to awaken. One of his hands lifted and squeezed Luna¡¯s buttocks sensually, making Luna freeze instantly.


    ¡°Y-you!¡± Luna stammered in disbelief, her eyes widening. Her face turned red with anger and embarrassment.


    Then she shrieked as her body was unceremoniously dropped and thrown onto an incredibly soft king-sized bed. Lunay in the middle of the bed, staring at Alkrevas, who stood at the bedside with a hungry look and a dark, dangerous aura, signaling that he was a true predator. His eyes glittered with an undeniable desire, making Luna¡¯s skin crawl.


    Luna hurriedly turned and crawled away, but her ankle was grabbed and held tightly. She screamed when her body was pulled closer to the psychopathic Emperor. She realized she was prey, and the predator before her was devising a n to consume her, ying with the situation effortlessly, but Luna couldn¡¯t just stay still.


    She lifted her leg, intending to kick Alkrevas¡¯s hand off her ankle and then run away when he suddenly asked in a low voice, ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired of this? Don¡¯t you feel your thirst has beenpletely drained from running and trying to avoid me?¡±


    Luna red at him suspiciously. ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± she hissed cynically.


    Alkrevas sighed deeply and sat on the edge of the bed. His hands rested on his thighs, and his face was buried in his palms, hiding a cunning, maniptive smile from Luna¡¯s view. He lifted his head and showed Luna a sad expression.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t like me. Especially after what happened, but I¡¯m serious. You are my soulmate. You may not feel it, but I do. After living for decades thinking I didn¡¯t have a soulmate and was alone, seeing you before my eyes made me lose control. Forgive me.¡±


    Luna grew more suspicious. What was with this sudden change in demeanor and sweet words? ¡°What are you nning? A few minutes ago, you were threatening me.¡±


    ¡°Norris.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°The name of my wolf spirit. When my eyes turn red, my wolf spirit is taking control. Norris and I are afraid of losing our chance to be like other werewolves.¡±


    Luna backed away further. She would never let her guard down and trust the psychopathic Emperor¡¯s words because this sudden change was very suspicious. Was he trying to manipte her? To elicit sympathy from her? To lull her with sadness and trap her?


    There was a knock at the door, and Alkrevas stood up. He walked to the door, and Luna saw a servant enter carrying a tray with a clear ss bottle filled with water. After the servant bowed and stepped out, Alkrevas closed the door again and leaned against it. His red eyes watched Luna for a moment before he straightened up and walked to the table where the ss bottle and two crystal sses were.


    Alkrevas poured water into both sses before approaching Luna. He downed his drink in one gulp and then offered the other ss to Luna. Instantly, Luna looked skeptically at the ss. ¡°Drink. I know you¡¯re thirsty. You kept ncing at the bottle.¡±


    ¡°No. Thank you.¡±


    Alkrevas chuckled softly. ¡°If you¡¯re afraid the drink is poisoned, you¡¯d know immediately because I just drank it. I would die before you.¡±


    ¡°Why have you suddenly be kind?¡±


    Alkrevas nced at Luna¡¯s feet. ¡°You got hurt again because of me. And you are my soulmate. I don¡¯t like seeing my soulmate anxious, sad, or afraid, especially because of me.¡±


    You should think about your actions first! Luna grumbled in her mind.


    She looked at the ss in Alkrevas¡¯s hand. The rule of not epting ss from anyone, especially a stranger and a psychopath like the Emperor in front of her, rang loudly in her head. But what he said was true. If there were poison in it, the effects would be immediate. Sleeping potion? Such drugs didn¡¯t exist here, especially for werewolves, as they wouldn¡¯t be effective because Ghea mentioned that they only reacted to silver and a nt called wolfsbane.


    Wolfsbane was a rare nt that grew in the northern region of the continent of Rhodes. The Veniam Duchy controlled the nt, and it wasn¡¯t sold freely. Wolfsbane wasn¡¯t a deadly weapon for werewolves, but its effects were significant. Besides causing paralysis, wolfsbane could make a werewolf unconscious if given in small doses.


    Wolfsbane would slow down a werewolf¡¯s immune system and healing, drastically lowering the immunity of the one who consumed it. Short-term effects included poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, vomiting blood, fever, muscle pain, and, in severe cases, blood vessel rupture and paralysis. If consumed long-term, it could kill the wolf side of a werewolf.


    Luna thought for a moment. All potions and medicines wouldn¡¯t affect the psychopathic Emperor, so even if he drank poison, it wouldn¡¯t affect him. But Luna was very thirsty, and for some reason, she suddenly felt hot.


    Once again, her eyes gazed at the ss of water. No! She had to resist! However, the heat in her body slowly started to increase, and she began to fan herself with her hands. Her entire body was sweating, and for some reason, the inside was churning with a strange sensation.


    A moan escaped her lips, and she hugged her trembling body tightly. Luna whimpered softly. Her eyes widened as she felt the cool and pleasurable sensation of Alkrevas touching her forehead with his palm.


    Alkrevas ced the ss he was holding on the nightstand and opened the window curtains. The night sky, which had previously been bright, was now pitch ck, with thunder rumbling in the distance.


    ¡°It seems it will rain again like before,¡± Alkrevas muttered absently. He looked at his soulmate over his shoulder and took a deep breath, an effort to restrain himself from greedy actions.


    A loud moan escaped Luna¡¯s lips this time, and her body began to lie helplessly on the bed. Alkrevas walked to the corner of the room, closing a beautifully carved container emitting odorless smoke.


    ¡°I forgot to tell you one thing, Luna.¡± Luna, lying and moaning from the intense heat, turned her head toward Alkrevas upon hearing his voice.


    ¡°Thevender-scented oil the servants applied to you is not ordinary oil. It¡¯s an aphrodisiac oil that absorbs into your body.¡± Alkrevas slowly undressed and walked toward Luna.


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m surprised the aphrodisiac¡¯s effectssted so long in your body. That¡¯s why I burned Bizantym flowers to trigger the effect faster.¡±


    ¡°Bi¡­ zan¡­ tym¡­?¡± Luna murmured, confused.


    ¡°Yes. Bizantym. A rare flower found only in the Vasilos Empire.¡±


    Bizantym is a flower that resembles a chrysanthemum. The difference between the two flowers is color, aroma, and function. While chrysanthemums are white, Bizantym is dark purple. The aroma of Byzantium is also more intense when fresh, and when dried and burned, that intense aroma disappears. The function of Bizantym is not for decoration or tea.


    The flower is more often used as a sedative and even a hallucinogen. The smoke it produces can also trigger aphrodisiac oil to work faster, serving as an arousal stimnt. This is why some packs have traditionally used these two items in urgent and important situations.


    So the servants lied to her? Luna was furious upon learning this truth.


    She tried to stand up, but with every slight movement, the heat red up more, and she felt her cheeks redden, especially when she noticed the dampness between her legs. What is this? That man yed dirty! Luna crawled to another corner of the bed, but her body copsed, and she looked at Alkrevas standing beside the bed, right in front of her.


    ¡°Shhh¡­ Luna, forgive me¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re so¡­ devious!¡± Alkrevas sighed deeply.


    ¡°If you keep resisting like this, it won¡¯t end well.¡± Alkrevas knelt by the bed and gently kissed Luna¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°Only I can take away all that heat and difort.¡± Then Alkrevas took a deep breath and hummed with pleasure.


    ¡°Your scent is getting stronger, mixed with the feminine scent of your body¡­ hmm, and I¡¯m sure there¡¯s one ce that needs my attention.¡±


    ¡°So that you know, I¡¯ve slept with many men!¡± Luna knew it was a foolish statement. She was still a virgin and had never gone all the way in any rtionship, but she wanted to hurt the psychopathic Emperor in any way possible.


    Cowardly actions should be met with cowardly actions. ¡°You could never match up to them!¡±


    A growl escaped Alkrevas¡¯s lips. Jealousy gripped him. But his anger quickly subsided, and he murmured, ¡°We can test your imter. Whether what you said is true or not.¡±


    Then Alkrevas kissed Luna¡¯s lips and walked to the sofa. Sitting down, he said, ¡°I won¡¯t do anything to you, little mate. See? If you don¡¯t want it, I won¡¯t force my will. I¡¯ll only do it if you ask and beg me. Besides, what you¡¯re feeling now is nothingpared to the heat you¡¯ll experience after weplete the mating process.¡±


    Heat? What is that?


    ¡°You¡­! Nggh¡­¡± Luna moaned as the heat attacked her again. Alkrevas¡¯s touch did cool the heat, and she craved that cool touch again.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to drink?¡± Alkrevas closed his eyes and murmured, ¡°No problem. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll want it after we¡¯re der.¡±


    ¡°Hnggh!¡± Luna arched her back upwards, her entire body tense. The vibrations of passion slowly reced the heat she felt. Her eyes began to lose focus, and with a soft moan, she whispered, ¡°I will kill you!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I want to hear, my Luna.¡±


    ¡°I will get back at you for all of this!¡± Alkrevas clicked his tongue in annoyance at his soulmate¡¯s stubbornness.


    Luna opened her mouth, her breath ragged, her body craving release. The pleasure that could soothe the turmoil within her. Alkrevasy on the sofa, trying to calm Norris, urging him to touch their soulmate,plete the mating process, and fully im their soulmate.


    Patience, Norris. Patience will yield results. You know that, don¡¯t you? We¡¯ve waited for decades. There¡¯s no harm in waiting a few more minutes. Alkrevas tried to calm his wolf spirit.


    Norris growled. I want to do it now! Alk. Please do it now, or I¡¯ll render you powerless and take over this body right now!


    Norris. We will wait until our soulmate begs us. Understood? Alkrevas murmured firmly.


    Norris growled in increasing anger and disagreement but eventually nodded. Just as his conversation with Norris ended, he heard his soulmate¡¯s sobs for the first time, then listened to the woman murmur.


    ¡°I beg you¡­ take away this feeling¡­ touch me¡­¡± Alkrevas smiled. In the end, he was the one who won.


    ¡­

 Chapter 22 Claiming (1)

    Alkrevas tapped his finger on the arm of the sofa slowly and orderly. The man¡¯s brown eyes stared lustfully at Luna¡¯s bed, sighing for his touch.


    He was silent for a moment, and his finger-tapping stopped. Then, slowly, he rose to his feet and walked up to Luna. He stood by the side of the bed with his hands folded over his chest. His dark, domineering aura was thick all around him. His brown eyes turned red for a moment, but they returned to cold, dark brown.


    A mysterious little grin was engraved on his face before asking, ¡°Are you sure you want me to touch you? Alkrevas asked in a mocking tone, ¡°Don¡¯t you hate me and want to kill me?¡±


    His entire muscle moves and tights contain the turmoil of Norris¡¯s passion and urge to im the woman lying in front of him. Meanwhile, Luna trembled because of Alkrevas¡¯ deep, husky voice, making the heat fluctuations inside her body even more intense.


    There was the sound of lightning in the distance, and not long after, raindrops began to rain on the earth. The rain grew so fast that it eventually became quite a powerful storm. The wind blew hard from the pce¡¯s open windows, and with the flick of a finger, Alcrevas used his magic to close the windows tightly and turn the atmosphere into a warm room by lighting a firece.


    Then, he whispered a spell secretly to lock the room door and block ess so that he would have enough time with his own woman and not be bothered by anyone for long. Then Alcrevas climbed onto the bed. His body weight moved the bed, and he leaned to the right.


    Luna nced at the man and reached out, touching the man¡¯s jaw with trembling hands. Her palms, which came into direct contact with the man¡¯s skin, emitted arge spark and spread all over her body, making the sense of heat and passion in her body instantly subside.


    ¡°Touch me¡­¡± Luna once again took out a slip, giving the man permission to do whatever he wanted to so that the heat and passion inside her body would subside.     Alkrevas nodded his head and approached, briefly kissing Luna¡¯s red lips. Groans came from Alcrevas¡¯ lips, and aplete and happy feeling spread throughout his body. The atmosphere he felt when he touched and kissed like this waspletely different, and Alkrevas did not feel Alkrevas touching his lips.


    He felt the shock still in his body even after their lips parted. This is what Alcrevas awaits, the one he longs for. He¡¯s been dreaming of this moment his whole life, and finally, after waiting long enough, he gets to feel it. He can touch his soulmate, hug, and confide in his soulmate. He looked at the woman lying before him with an adoring look.


    ¡°It¡¯s your choice, your wish, little mate. I¡¯m just doing what you want.¡± Alkrevas muttered to make sure.


    Manipting circumstances was easy for him, especially after sitting on the throne for dozens of years. The politics of the pce are not easy, and if he doesn¡¯t think cleverly or cunningly, his position will shake. Although he was an Alpha King, in Vasilos¡¯ empire, the ruling nobility wasn¡¯t just werewolves; there were other species to mortals. Although its kind still dominates it, it does not mean that it can subdue other species.


    His alpha tone only made them bow to fear and kneel, but they did not shake their stand and give their obedience.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna sighed loudly, and finally, tears fell down her cheeks-tears of resentment for not being strong against the feelings that attacked her body and for not being able to ept the defeat she rarely had. She gnashed her teeth and shrieked at the sound of thunder getting louder and louder, and Alcrevas realized it.


    ¡°Does the sound of lightning bother you, little mate?¡± asked Alkrevas with a nted smile. His hands moved unclothed and reunched a spell to repel the sound from the outside.


    ¡°See? No more thunder sounds will bother you.¡± He ducked and kissed Luna¡¯s forehead, filled with sweat. However, Luna immediately threw her face, unwilling to receive sweet treatment from Alkrevas. Of course, Alkrevas saw it all with a smile; his soulmate looked lovely and seductive.


    Defiantly rejecting his touch was refreshing to Alkrevas. ¡°Let me calm your body, little mate.¡±


    ¡°Not that¡­ It¡¯s¡­ I don¡¯t hate you¡­¡± Her voice gasped. Luna¡¯s brown eyes, dominated by a haze of passion, tucked in a vivid sense of rebellion.


    Alcrevas touched Luna¡¯s face and noticed the alternating emotions in the brown eyes. It turns out that the eyes are the windows of the heart. Alkrevas can see all kinds of emotions and feelings that radiate in his soulmate¡¯s eyes. He again steals a kiss on Luna¡¯s lips, and at the same time, both of her hands grab Luna¡¯s clothes, ripping the clothes off in a rough pull, showing how aggressive an Alkrevas is.


    After removing Luna¡¯s clothes, Alkrevas reached out, wiping the surface of her soulmate¡¯s skin faintly, leaving sparks on Luna¡¯s body and a spray on her own body. He and Luna groan to feel the effects of their soul bond.


    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful, little mate. Your whole body is mine, isn¡¯t it?¡± the man asked while looking at Luna¡¯s smooth breasts. The woman¡¯s nipples looked hard, teasing him and asking for his attention.


    Luna could not answer because her brown eyes were glued to Alkrevas¡¯s sturdy shoulders, biceps muscles, the man¡¯s chest, and six packs of muscles that decorated the man¡¯s abdomen.


    The body of the psychopathic emperor was so perfect and beautiful that even the statue of the Greek gods he saw could not match what was in sight-dashing, mighty, powerful, massive, emitting a powerful pheromone, not to mention the strong scent of the man¡¯s body. Luna opens her mouth to speak but cannot say a single broken word.


    Her eyes moved down and down, and she gulped, seeing the bulge in the area between the man¡¯s legs, which looked big.


    Looks like the guy hid the monster under his pants, Luna thought and shoved.


    ¡°Luna, answer me when you ask,¡± Alkrevas muttered with a grin, realizing she was distracted by the woman¡¯s focus on his body.     Luna bites her lips and closes her breath when one breast is gently squeezed by Alkrevas¡¯s big hand, and then the man¡¯s fingers y her hardened nipples. Luna¡¯s body trembled, and a loud sigh escaped her lips. She opened her mouth, and her breath came out heavily. She finally nodded her head. With the man¡¯s brief touch, it made her body submissive and obedient.


    Luna cursed her own body. The spark of passion spread all over her body, getting stronger until logic faded inside her head, and all she wanted was that man¡­ Fuck that guy¡­ im oneself to be the man¡¯s. Luna reached out and grabbed the man¡¯s biceps, stuck her fingernails in the man¡¯s skin.


    ¡°Do it now! Fuck me! Shit! Unggh!¡± Luna bites her lower lip and sighs as a light kiss as a feather is given around her neck by Alkrevas.


    Alkrevas changed his position. Now he¡¯s on top of Luna¡¯s body, squeezing her with his body, locking her between himself and the bed, locking her away from running away by cing her legs on either side of her soulmate¡¯s body. Then he used both hands to y Luna¡¯s two breasts that needed attention.


    Alkrevas inhales Luna¡¯s scent as much as possible, and one of his eyes turns red, indicating that his soul and wolf soul merge, dominating the body to experience the precious moment awaited.


    Alkrevas pointed his lips at the woman¡¯s lips, but when he tried to kiss the lips of her soulmate, she turned again. Alkrevas grunts slowly, then grabs Luna¡¯s jaw, confronts the woman¡¯s face, and, without omission, attaches his lips to Luna¡¯s lips, kissing and pressing her lips firmly, making love so intensely and emotionally.


    Alkrevas poured out his entire sense of restraint, making the original kiss so soft that it became a seething, intense, and obsessive consciousness. Alkrevas teases Luna to open her mouth to give her ess, but she is denied. It made a slight growl escape from her lips, and she pressed Luna¡¯s jaw, making the woman gasp and open her mouth.


    Alkrevas took advantage of the opportunity. His tongue jutted in and imed Luna¡¯s entire mouth; he also invited the woman¡¯s tongue to dance with her. The kiss he gave her was getting deeper. Luna was already running out of breath, but she could not escape. Both hands moved up and grabbed Alkrevas¡¯ dark hair, which turned out to be so soft. Then Luna closed her eyes, which was the wrong choice for her because with her eyes closed, her other senses heightened, and her body became more sensitive.     Alkrevas groans and slowly moves one hand down, then touches Luna¡¯s inner thigh. Luna is shocked, and her tightly closed eyes immediately open, and that¡¯s when her brown eyes meet Alkrevas¡¯s brown-red eyes. Immediately, Alkrevas pulls his lips, smiles, and directs his red, swollen lips toward Luna¡¯s ear.     He bites the leaves of the woman¡¯s ears sensually before whispering, ¡°You said you¡¯ve done this with another man, little mate?¡± Then Alkrevas points his fingertips at Luna¡¯s sensitive spot between her legs.


    He rubbed the hardened woman¡¯s clitoris and felt the woman¡¯s body jolt and vibrate. With his keen sense of sight, Alkrevas could see Luna¡¯s whole body blushing and the woman¡¯s lips swollen from her nervous movement. ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not lying.¡± Luna hisses with a husky voice, followed by a loud moan. One hand was raised to cover her mouth, which made this strangely disgusting sound, as Alkrevas began to y her clitoris slowly and sensually, stimting her body to be more sensitive.


    ¡°Ah¡­ ! There! Yes!¡± Luna trembled deliciously. The passion in her body turned into an unexpected pleasure.


    ¡°Open both your legs.¡± Lunaplied. Open his legs to Alkrevas. It shows a body part that no one else has ever seen in that man. Luna sees Alkrevas staring at her intimate part with a hungry look. The man stuck out his tongue, licking his lips before he breathed.


    ¡°Your scent, incredible, Luna,¡± then Alkrevas began to y Luna¡¯s clitoris with increasing tempo. Luna¡¯s body fluids slowly came out of the woman.


    Luna volunteered her body to Alkrevas because all she wanted was the pleasure that only the man could give her. Luna is widening her legs.


    Meanwhile, Alkrevas grabbed Luna¡¯s hand with his free hand, eliminating the woman¡¯s efforts to hide the beautiful sighs from her mouth and pressing the woman¡¯s hand on the side of her head. ¡°Don¡¯t. I want to hear your voice, little mate.¡±     Luna¡¯s body is wriggling. Her gaze began to blur as a result of passion. Alkrevas smiles broadly at the sight of Luna finally bowing under his rule. He snapped his fingers and took away the pants he was wearing. He put his naked body in front of Luna, and because there were no more pants on the man¡¯s lower body, Luna could see the man¡¯s big, challenging, and tense genitals. Standing tall with pre-cum fluids adorning the tip of that thing.


    The man has a monster under his pants, Luna mutters in disbelief. Her body shivered at the sight in front of her eyes, and she wondered if the man would fit inside her. Luna groans as Alkrevas¡¯ handy intensified, and the man slowly ducked, sucking Luna¡¯s nipples and asking for attention.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see if you still want to lie?¡± murmured Alkrevas, then he slipped his body between Luna¡¯s legs to keep it open, after which he put one finger into Luna¡¯s vagina. At once, his fingers were squeezed hard, and Alkrevas groaned favorably.


    ¡°You¡¯re so narrow like this. Squeeze me hard. You want it so bad, huh?¡± Luna doesn¡¯t say anything and wiggles her hips, asking Alkrevas to move. Alkrevas followed and began moving his fingers, preparing the woman to ept her easily. He twirls his fingers inside and then moves in and out at a fast tempo.


    Luna¡¯s body trembles, and she screams with a restrained voice when Alkrevas also squeezes her breasts, sucking and biting her nipples firmly. Luna tries to close her legs, but because of Alkrevas¡¯ body, she can¡¯t do that. The screams grew louder, and furious and happy grunts from Alkrevas apanied them.


    Alkrevas raises his face and swallows Luna¡¯s scream with a possessive kiss full of lust. Only one finger moves inside Luna¡¯s body because Luna is still a virgin. He wants to enjoy her virginity with his penis. Luna takes off the links of their lips and curls her back with pleasure. Something strange and strange but enjoyable began to gather in Luna¡¯s stomach. Her body trembled, and her breath roared. Her heart was racing, and veins were sticking out of her neck.


    Luna¡¯s apparent pleasure on her face made Alkrevas impatient to insert his genitals into the woman¡¯s body, but he had to make sure that Luna was more than wet enough not to feel sick. The tip of her finger touches Luna¡¯s inside, looking for the woman¡¯s most sensitive spot and knowing the woman¡¯s entire body spot. A slight grin rises on his lips when he finds what he¡¯s looking for, seen from the reaction of the woman¡¯s body with wide-eyed eyes. ¡°I found it, a sensitive spot in your body.¡±


    Luna raises her head and looks at the ce where Alkrevas¡¯ hands are ying. She could see the man wet with the liquid, and Luna mmed her head back into bed. The strange taste gathered and grew stronger.


    ¡°Come. Come for me, little mate.¡± Finally, Luna released everyone gathered in her belly. She¡¯s moaning so hard. The peak of pleasure immediately struck her. Her first orgasm he felt from the hands of the psychopathic emperor.


    Luna trembles and continues to release liquid from inside her body, making Alkrevas smile contentedly. When the wave of orgasms she felt ended and Luna returned from the earthly paradise she first felt, Alkrevas pulled his finger out, showing how wet the man¡¯s hand was by Luna¡¯s liquid.


    Alkrevas licked his hand and mumbled happily. ¡°Sweet. I like it. My thirst is slowly diminishing.¡±


    Alcrevas muttered and then drew his finger close to Luna¡¯s lips. ¡°Suck it. Feel what I feel.¡± Luna listened and opened her mouth, sucked and licked Alkrevas¡¯s fingers, felt her liquid in the man¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Good little mate.¡± Praise Alkrevas happily.


    ¡°It seems easier to make you obedient and submissive to me when I touch you like this. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Luna didn¡¯t answer anything.


    Still busy sucking Alkrevas¡¯ fingers with brown eyes staring straight at the handsome face of the man. Alkrevas smiled at how sexy and seductive his soulmate was. He pulls his fingers out and grasps his genitals, cing his significant possession over Luna¡¯s belly, indicating that the man is above average in size.


    Is that normal? Is that real? Luna couldn¡¯t even think for long because of the spark inside her body, the feeling of turmoil and heat, desire and lust. She regained control of herself after calming down for a moment due to the orgasm that came to her.


    ¡­

 Claiming (2)

    ¡°Looking at how narrow and responsive your body is to me, you¡¯re inexperienced. Do you still want to deny that no man has touched you, little mate?¡±


    Shit!! Luna¡¯s curse is in her heart. She thinned her lips and shook her head weakly.


    ¡°Really?¡± as if flirting with her, Alkrevas was faster and faster to rub his finger against Luna¡¯s clitoris. Meanwhile, the other hand, which was holding his penis firmly, moved up and down, along with the tempo of his finger rubbing Luna¡¯s clitoris.


    Alkrevas groans, and his whole body is tense. Sweat began to appear and flowed freely in the chest up to the man¡¯s stomach. Luna opens her mouth, which somehow feels so dry. Her brown eyes followed the grain of sweat that flowed down the beautiful body and longed for her to lick the area, touch it, and feel the warmth radiating from it. But she couldn¡¯t get up. Just reaching out couldn¡¯t because of a sense of self-mastery.


    The look of passion and the desire Luna gave made Alkrevas even more filled with desire.  Alkrevas positioned his body and drew his penis in front of Luna¡¯s vagina.


    He bent over and pressed Luna¡¯s body with his body. His lips moved, and kisses were on the neck, corbone, and Luna¡¯s jaw. One hand was ced on the side of Luna¡¯s head while the other pointed his penis into Luna¡¯s body.


    Luna¡¯s body tensed with anticipation, and when she finally felt the man prate her, trying to enter her with his penis, Luna screamed. The sensation of heat and pain immediately overwhelmed her.


    There¡¯s no pleasure, and there¡¯s only pain. She struggled fiercely, trying to push Alkrevas¡¯s body away, trying to free herself from him, but he didn¡¯t budge and kept moving deeper. Luna¡¯s breath hitched as she felt Alkrevas stop, her body trembling with pain. She sobbed, and tears flowed freely from the corners of her eyes due to the intense difort.


    Alkrevas nced down at where their bodies were joined and whispered softly, ¡°I will punish you if you keep struggling.¡±


    Luna shook her head and begged Alkrevas to remove his manhood from her body. She scratched his body and face with her fingernails.


    Luna struggled and tried to resist, but Alkrevas only sighed deeply, groaning in pleasure. ¡°Do you know that harming the Emperor¡¯s body is forbidden and is the gravest crime in Vasilos?¡±


    Alkrevas chuckled softly, then took a deep breath and murmured, ¡°I haven¡¯t fully entered, and it already feels so good. Stop moving, little mate. You¡¯re squeezing me so tightly. It¡¯s so narrow.¡±


    ¡°You fucking asshole! I¡¯ll make you regret it! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± Luna gritted her teeth, upset.


    ¡°Still with your empty threats, little mate?¡± Alkrevas chuckled slowly. He ducked and kissed Luna¡¯s forehead, then stole a kiss from her lips.


    Then Alcrevas again said, ¡°Hold on a little longer. Then without hearing Luna¡¯s response, Alkrevas pulled out his penis before re-entering Luna¡¯s body with one strong push.


    Alkrevas pushed in until he reached the deepest part of Luna, indicating that he was entirely inside. He groaned as he felt Luna¡¯s walls squeezing him tightly. The warmth and softness enveloping him made him never want to leave this position. He finally feltplete. He was in the ce where he belonged, in the embrace of his soulmate.


    Alkrevas lifted his body, seeing Luna trembling and sobbing before ncing down to where they were joined. He moved his hips slightly, pulling his manhood out, and saw the nectar of his soulmate mixed with blood.


    Alkrevas smiled with satisfaction and triumph. He was the first for his soulmate. No other man. The woman was merely lying to provoke anger in him. Alkrevas was pleased because, like himself, who was the first andst for Luna, Luna was the first andter for him.


    Alkrevas began moving inside Luna¡¯s body, entering and exiting slowly, ignoring Luna¡¯s protests and asking him to stop. However, her protests gradually turned into moans and cries of pleasure, eventually bing pleas.


    Alkrevas gripped Luna¡¯s waist, guiding her movements to match his rhythm. What started as slow and gentle to allow Luna to adjust quickly changed to a fast and rough pace. He thrust into Luna forcefully, pushing hard and without mercy.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Luna moaned, followed by soft whimpers. She felt soplete. His significant, challenging, and long member entered her deeply. The tempo he used to move his hips and thrust into her made Luna¡¯s body tremble uncontrobly.


    This time, she was entirely ovee by desire and passion. Her hips tried to change the rhythm Alkrevas set, but his grip prevented her from doing anything, forcing her to submit. Alkrevas dominated her entirely.


    ¡°Faster! Harder! Please give it to me! I need it!¡± Luna screamed out loud. Her arms stretched out, and Alkrevas grabbed his hand, but the man growled and pushed Luna¡¯s hand away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. You can¡¯t do that until I permit you. This is your punishment.¡± Luna whines and tries to touch Alkrevas again with her hand, but this time, her hand is immediately held by one Alkrevas hand over her head. Luna wriggles and shouts out of protest. She squeezed Alkrevas¡¯ penis stronger and opened her mouth with breathless breath.


    Alkrevas continued moving inside Luna¡¯s body. He knew she was close to reaching her peak, making him slow down his tempo. Luna murmured her protest and moved her hips on her own. She gasped when Alkrevas pped her thigh. ¡°Don¡¯t. It would be best if you didn¡¯t do that. I¡¯m the one in control here. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°I beg you¡­¡±


    ¡°Say my name,¡± Alkrevas murmured while moving his hips, entering her with a slow and irresistible rhythm. Luna¡¯s entire body trembled, and she moaned.


    Alkrevas then began ying with Luna¡¯s clitoris again, eliciting cries of pleasure that made Norris howl with delight in his mind. ¡°Come on, little mate. I¡¯ll give you what you want if you say my name.¡±


    ¡°Nggh¡­¡± Luna gripped the bed sheets and arched her back, thrusting her breasts towards Alkrevas. She crossed her legs behind his body, trying to push him to enter her at the rough and fast tempo as before.


    ¡°Haah¡­!¡± Luna¡¯s eyes widened as, with one strong thrust, Alkrevas entered her body, giving Luna a warning that the man could be cruel even in their lovemaking. Luna swallowed and murmured, ¡°Alk¡­ re¡­ vas¡­¡±


    ¡°Good job, my empress. Now ept my seed.¡± Then Alkrevas moved with a wild and rough tempo, not considering whether Luna felt pain.


    He unleashed all his restrained desire and passion, taking Luna for granted. However, Luna¡¯s sense of pleasure within her body grew stronger despite the pain. The spark within her intensified, and Luna could feel the peak of pleasure she had felt before returning. She continuously screamed Alkrevas¡¯s name, making the man even more brutal with her.


    Alkrevas gave kisses and bites all over Luna¡¯s body, and then the man possessively and roughly kissed her lips. Alkrevas ensured to im not only the lower part of her body but also her lips, and when he pulled away from her lips, he gave a light kiss on Luna¡¯s neck, precisely at the sensitive spot that would be the proper ce of his im.


    Alkrevas smiled as his lips touched the temporary im mark he had given himst night. This caused a moaning sound, and the woman¡¯s body trembled. He raised his head and saw that the im mark had begun to fade.


    Unlike temporary ims that can fade in two days or less, an urate im will not fade. It informs the entire pack of male wolves that the female already has a soulmate and reveals the soulmate¡¯s identity within the hierarchy. From the im mark, it can be seen whether the imant is an Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or even Omega.


    Alkrevas extended his two fangs and licked the spot in preparation. Then, he quickened his movements inside Luna¡¯s body. ¡°Come, little mate,¡± he whispered before pushing in with a firm thrust.


    Instantly, Luna screamed as the orgasm hit her powerfully and intensely, making her body convulse and loud moans escape from her lips. During this release, Alkrevas lowered his face and sunk his fangs into the chosen spot on her body, indeed iming his soulmate and strengthening the mate bond between them.


    Luna screamed as Alkrevas¡¯ fangs sank deeper and deeper, turning the sparks she felt into a powerful jolt, causing Luna to experience a second orgasm from the iming bite.


    When the marking process ended, Alkrevas withdrew his fangs, licked the blood that flowed out, and observed the true im mark he had given Luna for a moment. The imed mark on the right side of her neck signified that Luna was his Luna, his soulmate. Alkrevas moved his hips again, and it wasn¡¯t long before his orgasm hit, following Luna¡¯s earlier climax.


    He released all his seed inside Luna¡¯s body abundantly. He ensured that none of his seed spilled out by thrusting deeply several times, watching Luna, whoy weak and helpless, though some still spilled out and dripped onto the bed sheets.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Once he calmed down and his heartbeat gradually returned to normal, Alkrevas reached for Luna¡¯s head, looking into her weary brown eyes.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over, Luna. The night is still long. I forbid you from closing your eyes,¡± Alkrevas emphasized his words by moving his still-hard andrge member again.


    ¡°No ¡­¡±


    ¡°You know, I have to knot to ensure you carry my child.¡±


    ¡°Knot ¡­?¡±


    ¡°A binding. Every Alpha pair does it to ensure a sessor after their mating process. It¡¯s an instinct for Alpha werewolves after iming their soulmate.¡±


    Is the knot the psychopathic emperor referred to the same as what ordinary wolves do during mating? Luna had once identally seen a BBC documentary on YouTube about wolves mating, and they would lock together for half an hour to ensure the male¡¯s seed fertilizes the female. Is it like that? Or something else?


    ¡­

 Claiming (3)

    Luna bit her lower lip nervously. She was so exhausted, and her body temperature was starting to return to normal, although notpletely. Her mind was also bing more precise than before. Still, her body was now filled with a sensation like a strong electric shock emanating from where she touched the psychopathic emperor, especially where their bodies were joined, causing her to tremble again with rising passion.


    Knot. Ghea hadn¡¯t exined that term, but Luna could consider itter. If she couldn¡¯t get an exnation from the psychopathic emperor holding her, she could find out by asking or searching for information. There were more important things right now.


    ¡°No. If I end up pregnant, I don¡¯t want to be pregnant,¡± she whispered in panic and spontaneously tried to free herself from Alkrevas, but her efforts were futile because Alkrevas gripped her waist tightly.


    As for Alkrevas, hearing Luna¡¯s mumble, he immediately frowned in displeasure and began moving his body again, eliciting moans and reactions from Luna. This time, he made sure to release his ¡®knot¡¯ because the woman in his arms was his soulmate and would be his empress, and he had to do everything, not only to im her but also to ensure that his soulmate couldn¡¯t leave his side.


    Alkrevas kissed Luna and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t think about anything, little mate. Your only focus right now should be me.¡±


    Then Alkrevas intensely yed with Luna¡¯s clitoris, still sensitive from their previous lovemaking. ¡°Should we change positions?¡±C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Luna didn¡¯t have time to answer or refuse as Alkrevas swiftly pulled his penis out, turned Luna¡¯s body onto her stomach, then pulled her waist close to him, spreading her legs wide. In the kneeling position, Alkrevas could see his soulmate¡¯s wet and contracting entrance begging for his touch. Alkrevas grabbed his manhood and, with a strong thrust, entered Luna¡¯s body again. He groaned and grunted in satisfaction, seeing himself inside his soulmate¡¯s body. Only he could do all this, and only he could see the expression on Luna¡¯s face. Alkrevas squeezed Luna¡¯s buttocks and then moved at a rapid pace.


    Luna¡¯s body arched, and she screamed from Alkrevas¡¯s rough treatment. Hisrge manhood filled her, and in this new position, she could feel every inch of him, moving and thrusting in and out, piercing to the deepest part.


    Luna buried her face in the pillow, her arms stretched out, gripping the sheets tightly. Alkrevas panted in pleasure, his brown eyes having fully turned red. His hands roamed over Luna¡¯s body, then one hand grabbed her breast, squeezing firmly and ying with her nipple, while the other hand reached for her clitoris, stimting the spot to elicit the desired response from her.


    For a while, the room was filled only with the sound of skin pping against skin, apanied by Alkrevas¡¯s growls and Luna¡¯s moans and sobs. The room temperature, which had dropped, rose and heated up again. Luna tried to reach for Alkrevas and wed at him in protest and anger because he had wreaked havoc on her emotions and herself. Still, all she received was his hand gripping her wrist, pulling her hand back, and locking it behind her back before pressing down on her body and speeding up his pace.


    Alkrevas buried his face in the crook of Luna¡¯s neck, licking the imed mark he had just given her, then bared his fangs and bit her neck again, though not as profoundly as when he imed her and in a different area to intensify the pleasure she would feel from his touch.


    Sure enough, Luna screamed and sobbed from the pleasure spreading throughout her body. Luna¡¯s body trembled more violently, and her eyes squeezed shut. Still, momentster, she felt a different aura from the psychopathic emperor behind her, bing darker, more dangerous, and full of dominance. Suddenly, Luna¡¯s eyes flew open as she felt his manhood swell, growing more prominent than before while pounding into her forcefully.


    Luna panicked, remembering Alkrevas¡¯s mutterings about the ¡®knot¡¯ he would do to her. She squirmed and struggled to free herself, even kicking wildly at Alkrevas, not caring that his manhood was still moving rapidly and wildly inside her. Luna turned her head, her breath catching when she saw the red eyes recing Alkrevas¡¯s dark brown ones, and he was in a half-transformed state into a Lycan. My God! Is this what he meant by ¡®knot¡¯?


    Luna grew increasingly panicked and pulled her hand from Alkrevas¡¯s grasp, seeding because he intentionally released her. Then his hand, with nails transformed into ws, squeezed her buttocks, making his ws dig into her skin painfully.


    ¡°Stop! Stop! Stop!¡± Luna screamed hysterically, but Alkrevas¡¯s only response was a wide grin, showing sharp fangs that exceeded even knives and could kill her so quickly. Then, a growl intermixed with snarls emerged from his throat.


    ¡°I said stop, you damn psychopath!¡± Alkrevas onlyughed sadistically while speeding up his movements, and Luna¡¯s breath caught as his oversized penis began the knotting process.


    The man¡¯s ns swelled and formed barbed hooks around its tip, prating Luna¡¯s cervix and touching the walls of her womb. His manhood seemed locked inside her by these barbs as she felt her futile attempts to expel him, only to realize he was securely anchored.


    Then Alkrevas let out a loud growl, releasing all his seed into Luna¡¯s body, causing her to scream as loudly as possible due to the pain and difort from his moving penis and the barbs digging deeper. Alkrevas smiled victoriously. The knotting process and the barbs ensured that not a drop of his seed escaped, making sure it all stayed inside her to do its job.


    Alkrevas copsed on top of Luna, kissing her shoulder and nape as she sobbed beneath him. He remained still, unable to withdraw until the knotting process wasplete. Meanwhile, Luna, donementing her fate, began to rage. She screamed and cursed at Alkrevas, not caring that he was a stranger and an emperor of some far-off empire.


    ¡°Go away! Get out! Leave me alone!¡± Luna pushed at Alkrevas¡¯s body, which only made him hold her tighter.


    ¡°You bastard! Immoral! Cunning! Maniptive! Scoundrel! Let me go! Get yourself out of me!¡± Alkrevas only chuckled softly, not at all offended by her insults.


    His hand caressed Luna¡¯s sweat-drenched side, and he inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. ¡°Even if I could, I wouldn¡¯t, despite howfortable it is inside you. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t until the knotting is over.¡±


    Then Alkrevas exhaled sensually into Luna¡¯s ear, whispering, ¡°Besides, I have no intention of releasing you until dawn.¡±


    ¡°You-¡±


    ¡°Now rest. I¡¯m giving you twenty minutes. When you open your eyes again, you must be ready to ept me,¡± Alkrevas interrupted, then whispered a spell into Luna¡¯s ear, causing her eyes to shut tightly and her body to rx immediately.


    ¡­


    Luna groaned and slowly opened her eyes. She winced at the sunlight piercing through the bedroom window. She turned over, raising her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. That¡¯s when she felt the pain all over her body, especially in her intimate areas, and memories of what the psychopathic emperor had done to her flooded back, one by one.


    Luna gritted her teeth. What a cruel and shameless man. How dare he make her fall asleep forcibly, then wake her up to touch and roughly retake her until the sun started rising in the east. Not to mention the knotting process he subjected her to. Luna gripped the nket covering her body and then looked down, seeing how her chest was covered in kiss marks. This made her too scared to stand in front of a mirror and see her entire body.


    Slowly, Luna tried to get up but couldn¡¯t because something was holding her down. Realizing what it was, her eyes twitched in annoyance at the muscr arm protectively and possessively wrapped around her waist.


    Luna turned to look behind her and saw that damned emperor sleeping soundly like a baby, showing no remorse for what he had done to her all night. Luna winced as she moved her legs. Her whole body was sore, and she wanted to soak in warm water to ease the pain.


    That man dared to act deceitfully, taking her virginity and doing something strange inside her to ensure she got pregnant. Luna clenched her fists tightly and pushed Alkrevas off her. After seeding, she got out of bed and, limping, walked to an object propped near the sofa.


    Luna stared at the object with a vengeful look before unsheathing it and dragging it back to the bed. She didn¡¯t care about her strength or her body condition because only one thing was on her mind: killing Alkrevas with his sword. Luna walked to the other side of the bed where Alkrevas was sleeping soundly. She stood by the bed for a moment and, with trembling hands, lifted the sword, which was quite heavy. She would never forgive that man, ever. He had dared to manipte her into begging.


    Luna would never forgive the psychopathic emperor who exploited her weakness and satisfied his desires with her body. She snorted softly. Mate? What nonsense was that? She didn¡¯t believe she was the soulmate of that psychopathic emperor. He was using her under the guise of being mates. He probably treated all women the same behind the pce walls, using them to satisfy his lust, and she was just his next target for whatever reason.


    The servants easily used the aphrodisiac on her and then triggered it with the Bizantym flower, meaning this wasn¡¯t the first time. Ghea also said that the psychopathic emperor had lived alone for years, so it made sense, right?


    ¡°Do you think I was bluffing with my threatst night? I want to kill you, and I will do it. I don¡¯t care if I¡¯m branded a criminal in this world. Because soon, I will return to my world and live normally. I will erase my memory of this world. No matter what happens, I will go back to my world,¡± Luna whispered softly; then, with a look full of vengeance and anger, she aimed the sword¡¯s tip downward and swung it at Alkrevas¡¯s neck.


    ¡­.

 The secret (1)

    With a gaze full of revenge and anger, Luna pointed the tip of her sword downward and swung the sword in her hand right at Alkrevas¡¯s neck. Her heart was pounding rapidly, and the few seconds that passed with the sword swinging felt like an eternity. The closer the sword¡¯s de got, the more time seemed to stretch, but everything stopped abruptly. Time froze in an instant as Alkrevas¡¯s hand quickly raised and gripped the sword so tightly, thwarting Luna¡¯s attempt to kill the man.


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened in shock, and her brown eyes met Alkrevas¡¯s red eyes, which were zing with fury. In stark contrast to the rage-filled red eyes, Alkrevas¡¯s lips formed a wide grin that sent shivers down Luna¡¯s spine. Despite this, she continued with her n, trying to press down on the sword and push it with all her strength. However, it was a futile effort as the strength difference between her and Alkrevas was vast. Alkrevas didn¡¯t even seem to struggle while holding the sword above his neck.


    A drop of blood began to fall onto Alkrevas¡¯s skin, followed by more drops, indicating that his grip was so firm that the silver sword¡¯s de pierced his palm, causing a severe wound as blood started to flow profusely. Alkrevas did this to control his emotions, especially considering that his soulmate was trying to kill him after their mating night.


    Luna¡¯s determination was strong; she didn¡¯t want to give up easily because, with Alkrevas dead, nothing would hinder her n to return to her world. The possibility that Alkrevas might know her true identity was annoying, especially given his attempts to destroy the temple where the portal was located.


    Luna snorted internally. It hadn¡¯t even been forty hours since she had been beside the man, and they ended up in such a situation, proving that they weren¡¯t meant to be together, right? However, despite her thoughts, her heart and soul felt differently. Somehow, these thoughts made her heart and soul ache, refusing to ept reality. Her heart and soul desired to be in the warm and protective embrace of the man, just like the previous night.


    The pain and the inability to hurt him, not to mention the trembling in her body upon seeing his wounds and blood, made her feel she couldn¡¯t bear to see him suffer. Luna¡¯s jaw clenched.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Where did all these strange feelingse from? She didn¡¯t even know Alkrevas well enough to fall in love with him. Luna pushed aside all the feelings and emotions stirring within her heart, closing off the foreign feelings with logic. She wouldn¡¯t let these strange feelings take over and make her forget that she didn¡¯t belong here, that she needed to return to the people who worried about and loved her.


    With that thought, Luna poured all her strength into fighting Alkrevas, which elicited a soft chuckle from him. The wide grin on his face turned into a mocking smile.


    ¡°Do you think you can defeat me, little mate?¡± he asked in a deep and raspy voice, the kind typical after waking up, and hearing that made Luna¡¯s body respond. The trembling in her body grew more potent, and her heart felt like it was going to explode.


    What was happening? Alkrevas¡¯s red eyes grew darker before he lowered his hand for a moment and then pushed the sword out of Luna¡¯s hand, sending it flying away. Luna screamed in frustration and looked at the sword that Alkrevas¡¯s strong push had thrown away, a reckless action as she took her eyes off her enemy.


    Alkrevas clicked his tongue softly, then used the momentum to rise and grab Luna¡¯s body, pushing her down onto the bed. He then grabbed Luna¡¯s hands, locking them behind her back with one hand. Alkrevas exhaled sharply as he saw Luna struggle hard, trying to break free, which made him sit on her body, pinning her down with his legs so she couldn¡¯t move, incapacitating her in an instant.


    Luna screamed in anger and hissed, ¡°Let me go! You bastard! Let me go!¡± She writhed and tried to free her hands from Alkrevas¡¯s grip.


    Luna red at him from over her shoulder with a sharp gaze. Still, Alkrevas didn¡¯t care and was entirely unaffected because what he felt at that moment was intense pleasure, an electric shock running through his entire body from the touch of her skin and their eye contact. Even the sound of his soulmate¡¯s heartbeat, which was in sync with his own, made Alkrevas drunk with desire.


    Alkrevas groaned and felt Norris trying to take control of his body. He immediately bent down and kissed the nape of Luna¡¯s neck, which elicited a soft moan from the woman. He didn¡¯t stop there; Alkrevas also kissed the imed mark he had given her the previous night on the right side of her neck, making her moan loudly, and her breathe in ragged gasps. ¡°What are you-¡±


    ¡°How long do you n to resist like this, little mate? You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re my soulmate. Attempting murder, injuring the emperor, and speaking harshly would make you a high-level criminal and get you a death sentence. Do you know that, my empress?¡± Luna¡¯s body tensed at the man¡¯s address to her.


    Empress? Luna¡¯s face turned pale. No. It can¡¯t be. She was not the man¡¯s soulmate and couldn¡¯t be the empress. Panic immediately overwhelmed her. She tried to push away Alkrevas, who was still sniffing the crook of her neck. Luna struggled to ignore the vibrations and electric shocks running through her body. The urges of desire would not sway her.


    No. Alkrevas clicked his tongue, then moved his face away from Luna¡¯s neck, observing her for a moment, and then, a scream escaped Luna¡¯s lips. The scream turned into a groan of pain, and she closed her eyes tightly.


    Luna buried her face in the sheets. Her head pounded as if something was hammering inside it. The sensation was so honest it made her want to shoot her head. Something seemed to be pushing and trying to enter. Luna tried to resist, which made Alkrevas growl and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t fight me, little mate. Let me into your mind.¡±


    Luna whimpered. No. She didn¡¯t want this. What was the man doing to her? Entering her mind? A tear slowly trickled from the corner of her eye due to the pain, and then a tiny sob escaped her lips. ¡°My beautiful Luna¡­ give me permission to enter.¡±


    Luna screamed as the pain intensified. The pressure she was resisting grew more substantial, and she began to lose, unable to withstand the foreign power.


    Finally, the force entered her mind, making itselffortable inside her, then read all the thoughts in her head, controlling her mind at will. The presence was so dominant that Luna could only lie weakly, crying. She felt a kiss on the back of her head from Alkrevas, and then he moved off her body.


    ¡°What¡­ what did you just¡­ do?¡± Luna whispered weakly.


    Alkrevas reached for the pants lying on the carpet and casually put them on. He examined the wound on his hand, which had already started the regeneration process-taking longer because his sword contained silver-and finally healedpletely. It was one of the healing abilities of a werewolf, and it was beneficial on the battlefield.


    Alkrevas clenched his hand several times, then used magic to create a bracelet with the thinnest and lightest chain. After that, he walked to where his swordy. He bent down, picked it up, sheathed it, and ced it on the sofa.


    Alkrevas turned toward the bed, seeing his woman lying in a fetal position, her body shaking, indicating she was crying. He closed his eyes and quickly entered Luna¡¯s mind, reading her thoughts, and smiled at the curses she directed at him. Alkrevas would need more effort to break his woman¡¯s rebellious spirit and make her more obedient and submissive to him.


    ¡­

 The Secret (2)

    Alkrevas walked over to the bed and stopped at its side. For a moment, he stood still and asked Norris not to disturb Luna anymore within her mind. Then, Alkrevas examined the bracelet on his hand and muttered an incantation. The bracelet became enveloped in a dark purple light and a ck mist. Finally, the light disappeared, and the bracelet returned to its original state.


    Carefully, Alkrevas ced the bracelet on one of Luna¡¯s ankles. When he finished, he gently caressed her exposed leg, ending with a stroke on Luna¡¯s trembling back. He sighed softly andy down, pulling Luna into his embrace and kissing the im mark on her neck. ¡°This is what I want, for you to be in my arms, my soulmate.¡±


    ¡°What did you do to me?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything, Luna. I only did what I should do as your soulmate. I just wanted to know what you were thinking. Soulmates share not only one heart, soul, and life but also one mind.¡± Alkrevas smiled and began to move his hand up, exploring Luna¡¯s body, stopping at her breasts and gently squeezing them. Luna¡¯s entire body shivered, and a protest escaped her lips.


    ¡°Just like your personality, you also have a strong and brave mind,¡± Alkrevas whispered sensually. ¡°And honestly, that¡¯s very enticing, making me excited to see you fight against me.¡±


    Alkrevas pressed his genitalia against Luna¡¯s buttocks, hardened by his morning erection, a usual urrence for a man. However, Luna¡¯s resistance and efforts increased his desire, and he sensually rubbed himself against her buttocks.


    Luna tried to resist. Her body was still tired and sore from their lovemaking the entire night, and if he touched her again, she wouldn¡¯t be able to move. The thought of the pain and fullness she felt when he knotted inside her made her shudder.


    Luna nced at the bed sheets, which had bloodstains, reminding her again that the man lying beside her was the one who took her virginity.


    Adding to that, the adrenaline she felt had vanished, leaving her weak. She didn¡¯t want to ept her defeat and tried to break free, but all his touches and actions against her sessfully made her body betray her. The electric shocks running through her body felt like growing mes, and Luna couldn¡¯t hold back her desire. Unlike before, she couldn¡¯t resist.


    Even without any aphrodisiac or the scent of Byzantium smoke as a trigger, she was conscious and in control. Yet, she was lured and entranced by his touch. The electrifying sensation throughout her body felt so pleasurable, and Luna opened her mouth, letting out a beautiful moan like a siren¡¯s song.


    Alkrevas smiled in victory, clearly seeing that the mate bond tying him to Luna¡¯s soul had the same effect on her as it did on him. Alkrevas purred happily and hugged Luna even tighter. ¡°Should I give you more attention, my Luna? I think you want it so badly.¡±


    ¡°No-Ugh¡­¡± Luna squeezed her eyes shut.


    Alkrevas inhaled deeply, taking in Luna¡¯s natural feminine scent that filled the room. Still, it all ended when Savon contacted him through the mind link. ¡°Alpha, your presence is requested in the meeting room.¡±


    Alkrevas stopped moving and growled softly, causing Luna to flinch. He kissed the top of her head and whispered an apology before responding to Savon, ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to disturb me during mating time?¡±


    Sorry, Alpha. It¡¯s a military situation.


    What¡¯s going on?


    One of the border teams in the southern region spotted a group of Goblins. Not far from the border wall.


    Damn! Those giant green-skinned creatures are causing trouble again! Alkrevas muttered as he released Luna, then got out of bed and called for the pce servants. Shortly after, the Emperor¡¯s servant and Luna¡¯s maid arrived and stood obediently on one side of the room with their heads bowed.


    ¡°I have to go to the meeting.¡± His servant nodded in understanding and began to work. ¡°Help Luna get ready.¡± Then Luna¡¯s maid also moved to work.


    Alkrevas stepped closer to Luna, covering her with a nket, then whispered, ¡°I will attend a meeting with my generals. Get ready, and we will have breakfast together.¡±


    Luna pressed her lips thin and said nothing. Alkrevas chuckled softly and murmured, ¡°Trying to give me the silent treatment, huh? Luna, respond to me with your voice.¡± Luna didn¡¯t budge and chose to close her eyes. ¡°Or do you want me to touch you in front of the servants?¡±


    ¡°Go away!¡± Luna hissed angrily.


    Alkrevas wasn¡¯t offended by Luna¡¯s sharp tone; he justughed and stole a kiss from her lips. Then, he walked out of the room towards the Emperor¡¯s residence.


    ¡­


    Luna sat with a distant gaze in the sunroom at the Emperor¡¯s residence. After an awkward breakfast with that psychopathic Emperor and his subordinates, Luna chose to return to the Emperor¡¯s residence.


    After all, she had no other option but to go to the Emperor¡¯s residence to clear her mind. If she looked for another ce and roamed the imperial pce, she would indeed be the centre of attention among the visiting nobles or the pce staff. At least this way, she could dress morefortably, unlike yesterday when she had to wear a long and wide dress with an undergarment, a chemise, a corset, and a petticoat, not to mention stockings and a garter, which made her ufortable.


    Now, she was only wearing a bodice as an undergarment, then an ivory white blouse with an A-line skirt and a green vest, not too different from her modern clothes, although with a different design. She felt like she was wearing vintage clothing on Halloween night. Luna reached for a cup of tea poured by a servant while sighing hard. Why did noblewomen in ancient times love drinking tea so much? Just drinking a cup, Luna was already so bored; what she wanted was a ss of Americano coffee she bought at a cafe near her apartment building.


    She immediately put the cup back and looked out the window, her hand unconsciously ying with the trantor bracelet on her wrist while thinking about yesterday morning¡¯s events when Alkrevas removed the bracelet from her hand.


    Luna tapped her foot wrapped in heels at a fast pace, having a bad feeling about yesterday¡¯s events, especially with¡­ Luna looked down and observed the ankle bracelet that the man put on her ankle that morning. She saw a dark purple light shrouded in ck mist before raising her head and gathering her courage to address her head maid, Judith. ¡°Judith, can I ask you something?¡±


    Judith immediately stepped closer to Luna and bowed, asking kindly, ¡°What is it, Luna? Is there something you want to know about the imperial pce of Vasilos?¡± Luna winced inwardly.


    If only they all knew that Luna was her real name and not just a title, but at least Luna felt less stiff or ufortable with the call. She just had to think that everyone calling her Luna wasn¡¯t addressing apanion title of Alpha but her name. That¡¯s why she didn¡¯t force the servants to call her Luna.


    Luna shook her head and asked, ¡°Does His Majesty the Emperor know magic?¡±


    Immediately, the servants looked at each other as if the question was a secret or taboo topic that couldn¡¯t be discussed with just anyone. Judith pressed her lips thin and stepped closer, then knelt beside the chair where Luna was sitting. ¡°Actually, Luna, His Majesty the Emperor is not just an ordinary Alpha King for the werewolf race and the Emperor for Vasilos. He is an Alpha King with special abilities.¡±


    Luna blinked in confusion. At the same time, Judith bit her lip hesitantly. ¡°His Majesty the Emperor, he is a wizard.¡±


    That meant the psychopathic Emperor was a wizard. Luna snorted inwardly. ¡°A wizard?¡±


    Judith nodded briefly. ¡°But that fact is kept secret from the public, and only the pce inhabitants know about it. We also signed a magical contract to keep that fact secret and not talk about that topic carelessly.¡±


    ¡°If so, why can you say it so easily to me?¡± Luna asked, her eyes sharp.


    Judith answered Luna¡¯s question with a nce at the new im mark Alkrevas had given her during their lovemakingst night. Instantly, Luna understood the meaning of that look. Because of Alkrevas¡¯ im mark, she was now officially part of the pce and no longer an outsider.


    Immediately, Luna felt the area where Alkrevas¡¯ im mark twitched, signalling that the mark was there and genuine on her. Ensuring she wouldn¡¯t forget the existence of that mark, Luna quickly covered the imed mark with her hand, then nodded in understanding. ¡°Why does he want to hide that fact?¡±


    ¡°Because wizards are dangerous to most regions in Rhodes. Wizards are born with vast mana and contain dark powers. If a wizard cannot control that mana, then¡­¡±


    ¡°Besides bing feral, the Emperor of Vasilos will cause destruction not only to Vasilos but to the entire continent. That¡¯s what you mean-a great threat.¡± Luna pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Judith nodded, the weight of the burden evident. Luna looked out the window, seeing the bright sky contrasting withst night¡¯s storm. If not for Alkrevas¡¯ magic, Luna might have been terrified by the thunderps.


    ¡°But, His Majesty the Emperor is a great man. He can control the vast mana, and with his power, Vasilos is spared from the Goblin terror. If you want to know, Vasilos is protected by a shield created by His Majesty. That¡¯s why, once a month, the Emperor inspects the border points to ensure the shield works well. The Tower of Magic, where the Mages reside, also highly respects His Majesty.¡±


    Luna didn¡¯t care about that; what she cared about was the bracelet on her ankle. She had to find out what kind of bracelet Alkrevas had put on her, its function, and how to remove it before she left. If what Judith said was true, it would be difficult to remove the bracelet from her ankle, and when Ghea came, all her ns would be ruined. ¡°How can he control the vast power you mentioned?¡±


    ¡°The former Empress. She had wizard blood in her veins, and her uncle and great-grandfather were proficient wizards.¡±


    ¡°Can you tell me about it?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. His Majesty the Emperor has permitted me to ask you and the other servants anything about him.¡± A lie. Luna knew it was wrong and inappropriate to learn about someone¡¯s past from others instead of the person. Still, she wanted to find out about Alkrevas without having to talk to him. She was sure that if she asked, that psychopathic Emperor would interpret her curiosity as interest. At the same time, Luna just wanted to find any weaknesses of Alkrevas to useter.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much. The head maid, Mrs. Annabeth, knows because she has been in the pce for a long time.¡± Luna pressed her lips thin and nodded. Unlike her maid, that woman seemed very loyal to Alkrevas and would not be easily tricked. So, if she tried to find out through the head maid, it would not be easy.


    ¡°Thank you, Judith.¡± Luna paused for a moment and looked at the door. It was still a long time until nightfall, so wouldn¡¯t it be better for her to find out more about werewolves? Like knots, mates, and other things. If she was lucky, she could also learn about the wizards in Alkrevas¡¯ blood. After all,pared to Ghea¡¯s exnations, information from werewolves themselves would be more urate, and there was one option where she could find out this information herself without having to ask.


    ¡°Judith, can you take me to the imperial pce library? I want to read some books to pass the time.¡±


    ¡°If you want to read-¡±C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    ¡°No. No.¡± Luna quickly cut Judith¡¯s sentence. ¡°I want to go by myself. Staying in the Emperor¡¯s residence all day is starting to bore me. May I?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Luna.¡±


    Luna stood up and walked out of the room, following Judith, who had walked out first to guide Luna to the library.


    ¡­

 The Library (1)

    Upon arriving at the Imperial Pce library, Luna approached the reception desk. Initially, her presence was rejected by a staff member she encountered at the entrance, who exined that the Imperial Pce library was only for the Imperial family and official personnel due to the sensitive information it contained.


    The staff member directed Luna to the Imperial Library, which is open to nobles and the public. However, when Judith showed Luna a gold badge shaped like the emblem of the Vasilos Empire, with a base made of rectangr leather-resembling a card-the library staff immediately fell silent, bowed, and whispered an apology before stepping back.


    Luna sighed heavily and nced at Judith for an exnation. ¡°Not all staff and official personnel working at the pce are werewolves, Luna. So, they might mistake you for an ordinary noble rather than the future empress. The staff member we just encountered is one of them. He is a mortal and cannot recognize you by scent, aura, or your im mark.¡±


    Judith nced at Luna¡¯s neck, which Luna cleverly covered with her long, flowing hair. ¡°That¡¯s why His Majesty the Emperor ordered me to carry the Imperial badge temporarily while you adapt.¡±


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you misuse it?¡± Luna asked seriously, without feeling embarrassed or guilty. She noticed Judith¡¯s face pale before her servant bowed deeply with a trembling body.


    ¡°Judith, I¡¯m not using you of doing that. Stand up. I¡¯m just asking.¡± Judith kept muttering apologies until Luna grew irritated, but she restrained herself and gave the woman a chance to answer.


    ¡°The item I hold cannot be used carelessly, Luna. I have sworn an oath to His Majesty the Emperor when he gave me this badge, and if I misuse it, I will die on the spot. This badge is not an ordinary badge. The Imperial badge I hold has the Emperor¡¯s dark mana, which instantly turns into poison if I break the oath, and it is bound to me until you are ready to take over.¡±


    Luna frowned and nced at the Imperial family badge in Judith¡¯s hand. Like the bracelet on her ankle, she saw a purple light with a dark mist enveloping the badge, indicating Judith¡¯s words were true. Wait a minute, why could she see all that?


    ¡°This badge is used as a symbol that you are part of the Imperial family and serves as a pass card for every ce you visit. You will be given a second badge to mobilize the military, which can be used in emergencies or when you rece His Majesty the Emperor, but that will only be given after your inauguration.¡±


    ¡°The badge that signifies I am the empress and the second-highest-ranking person in this empire. Is that correct?¡± Luna stared ahead, hoping she would never have to hold that badge.


    ¡°Why do I have to be ready to take over before it can be given to me?¡±


    ¡°That¡­¡±C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    ¡°Because that badge¡­¡± Luna pointed to the shining object in Judith¡¯s hand with her index finger and continued, ¡°¡­ has magic that can turn it into a killing tool. Isn¡¯t that right? And His Majesty the Emperor doesn¡¯t want me to die because of his magic.¡±


    Luna guessed while smiling. She felt her guess was correct when she saw Judith looking down at the floor because to that psychopathic emperor, a servant¡¯s life was meaninglesspared to hers. The man didn¡¯t want her to die because of the magic surrounding the badge. ¡°So, how many Imperial badges are there?¡±


    ¡°Three.¡±


    ¡°And all the badges are held by the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Previously, the Imperial family badges did not have dark mana.¡± Suddenly, a voice interrupted Luna¡¯s conversation with Judith.


    Luna turned and looked at a man dressed as a noble. He wore a suit, vest, and cravat adorned with a luxurious brooch. He also wore a shirt and the Imperial emblem pin on the leftpel of his coat. The man¡¯s neatly styled dark hair and darker skin indicated he spent more outdoors than indoors.


    Luna turned her body to face the man and stood stiffly while the servants with her bowed respectfully. ¡°However, a few years ago, there was misuse by a servant using the former empress¡¯s badge. This made the emperor furious, and he decided to implement all these procedures to prevent it from happening again.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that indicate theck of security for such important Imperial items, allowing misuse like that? How could an Imperial family badge end up in the hands of a staff member? Especially the former empress¡¯s badge, which should have been stored away if its owner had passed.¡±


    ¡°How can you conclude that?¡± Luna shrugged indifferently. The man sighed softly and nodded.


    ¡°That was a negligence that will not happen again. The staff member who stole the badge was the former empress¡¯sdy-in-waiting, and now all three badges are kept by the Emperor. But from what Judith is holding, His Majesty has given you one.¡±


    ¡°Will the poison also activate on her?¡±


    The man in front of her red suspiciously at Luna¡¯s question. ¡°Of course not, because the magices from His Majesty the Emperor¡¯s mana energy himself.¡± Luna clicked her tongue inwardly. That waspletely unfair.


    ¡°Besides, His Majesty doesn¡¯t need to use the card for ess. This empire is his.¡± The man was right. Luna admitted it inwardly with annoyance. Luna looked down and examined the bracelet on her ankle, then the gold badge in Judith¡¯s hand.


    Her frown deepened as she saw the purple light with a ck mist bing more visible. ¡°Can you see the purple light shrouded in ck mist?¡±


    ¡°Sorry?¡± the man murmured, confused.


    Luna shook her head. Judging by the reactions of those around her, only she could see it. She blinked and asked again, ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Just as she asked, a second man with a simpler appearance, long blonde hair, and blue eyes came to the side of the stranger speaking to her for the past few minutes. The blonde man carried a stack of thick books in his hands.


    ¡°Allow me to introduce myself, I am Gamma Mathias Santiago. Nice to meet you, Luna.¡± The man, whom Luna now knew as Mathias, bowed respectfully with his hand ced over his left chest.


    After straightening up, Mathias continued, ¡°And the man with me is Gerald Barachi, my deputymander and assistant from the First Order Knight Brigade, White Night.¡±


    Luna nodded. She made no effort to be friendly with Alkrevas¡¯s subordinates because her purpose at the library was not to socialize or make connections but to seek information.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Gamma Mathias, Mr. Gerald.¡± Luna paused briefly before continuing, ¡°But it seems I must be on my way.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, please go ahead, Luna. Sorry to keep you here.¡± Gamma Mathias and his assistant stepped aside, and Luna resumed her walk to the reception desk. Upon arrival, the staff warmly greeted her as if her arrival had been announced beforehand.


    Luna signaled Judith to wait near the reception desk, as she didn¡¯t want to be followed or disturbed. Then she approached one of the receptionists. ¡°Hi, umm¡­ can you tell me where the section on werewolves or Rhodes is?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you can go to the left side of the library. There is a special area for that information. All books rted to basic information about Rhodes and werewolves, as well as other species, are there. Would you like me to take you there, Luna?¡± the staff member offered kindly.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not necessary. Just tell me where to go.¡± The staff member patiently and kindly gave Luna directions. After receiving the instructions, Luna thanked them.


    Luna ensured her servants did not follow her before walking towards the special area containing all the basic information about this world. She walked silently, her heels clicking against the marble floor, echoing throughout the quiet library. Luna surveyed the entire library area.


    The library consisted of two floors, and the entire area was dominated by white. The marble floor she walked on was a mix of cream, maroon, dark gray, and brown, forming a pattern. In the main hall of the library, near the reception desk, there was a statue of a wolf and a golden globe-like decoration. The bookshelves were installed along the walls, neatly and evenly filled with thick books.


    Severaldders helped visitors reach the upper shelves. The library¡¯s ceiling had a simple chandelier hanging from it, and along the walls, there were magic stonemps simr to those she had seen in the city. In one area of the library, Luna also saw rows of chairs with tables and disys of beautiful statues.


    Before she knew it, Luna stood in front of a white door, which she opened slowly. Unlike the rest of the library, the special area she entered was arge hall with towering shelves along the circr walls. In the hall¡¯s center was afortable white sofa set, perfect for sitting and reading. One wall was left free of bookshelves, and there hung arge map of the continent of Rhodes. With the imperial emblem prominently disyed above the map, Luna murmured in awe.


    ¡­

 The Library (2)

    The library area she walked through was already like a dream, let alone this room. If she lived here, this room would be her favorite spot,cking only a firece and a nket. Luna smiled at the thought, but then she quickly realized. Hastily, Luna patted her cheeks to wake herself from the daydream.


    She couldn¡¯t be tempted. No. She had to stay focused on her original goal.


    After steeling herself, she walked to one side of the shelf. She ran her fingers over the rows of book covers. Her eyes scanned the book titles one by one. asionally, Luna pulled out a book, opened it before closing it again, and returned it to its ce.


    Twenty minutester, Luna finally sat on the sofa with several books rted to werewolves. She massaged her thick legs before reaching for one of the books. Luna had hesitated to read because she feared she couldn¡¯t read foreign writing since she wasn¡¯t from the same world. However, she marveled every time she opened a book, as the bracelet on her wrist would emit light, and magically, she could read the foreign text with ease.


    Luna adjusted her position to be morefortable and then began reading the books she had taken. She read quickly because the information she obtained from some of the books could have been more helpful; it was only about Khthon, its history, ancient stories, beliefs, and the Vasilos Empire, among other things. Then, she finally focused on one particr book.


    Luna picked up the book and slowly ran her hand over the cover. The title on the cover was ¡°Creatures of Khthon.¡± She opened the table of contents and searched for the chapter on werewolves. After finding the chapter she was looking for, Luna began to read.


    WEREWOLVES


    Luna skipped the first and second parts, which discussed the definition, origins, hierarchy, and legends rted to werewolves. Terms like mind-link, pack, Alpha, and Lycan-a superior figure and said to be the royal hierarchy for werewolves-were already known to Luna. She had read about all of these briefly in other books, and honestly, what she read in this book wasn¡¯t much different from what she knew from her world, especially since she was directly connected to one werewolf-correction, Lycan-himself. Luna stopped at the third part of the werewolf chapter.


    Part III. Terminology in Werewolves


    Shifting


    Shifting is a term for a werewolf that changes form from human to wolf and vice versa. Wolf pups first move when they are 5-6 years old, but before shifting, they can meet and talk with their wolf soul when they are four.


    The first shifting process is more prolonged and painful for female wolf pups than for male wolf pups. Before the first shifting process, wolf pups experience a high fever and pain as their bone structure changes. This canst for two to three days, depending on the blood flowing in their bodies. If they have Alpha blood, it can happen in less than two days because superior blood makes the process faster, as well as for Betas and Gammas. Only Omega wolf pups can experience a more protracted process because the blood in their bodies is not vital.


    Although the initial shifting process is painful and prolonged, it bes easier once they get used to it. That¡¯s why, when adults, wolves take only a few seconds to shift without feeling any pain.


    However, for werewolves with mixed blood, the shifting process rarely urs. If werewolf blood is more dominant than other species¡¯ blood, shifting can happen, but if not, shifting cannot be done. Therefore, the advantages of a werewolf cannot be possessed by those with mixed blood.


    Luna stopped reading about the shifting process and looked at the door. Did every werewolf out there have to suffer before they could have all those advantages? She wondered if there were cases where the shifting process failed, and the wolf pups died due to an unsessful shifting.


    She quickly dismissed that terrible possibility and continued reading, skimming through the next sub-chapters like Soulmate, Mind Link, pack, Packbond, Full-moon, and other essential terms rted to werewolves. Then Luna stopped at a sub-chapter that caught her attention.


    Soulmate


    A soulmate is a term for a werewolf¡¯s partner. Werewolves are born with half a soul, and what canplete that soul is the Soulmate chosen by the Moon Goddess (Mother of the werewolves). Each werewolf can recognize their partner with just one look, a scent, or even a touch (marked by an electric jolt running through their body every time their skin touches). Their bond (mate bond) will never be broken until death, which is why werewolves who have lost their soulmates often prefer to die rather than be feral and lose their wolf soul due to loneliness.


    A soulmate can be both a strength and a weakness for the werewolf. Their partner can quickly heal wounds using saliva but inflict wounds that take a long time to heal, even with the werewolf¡¯s advantages. Additionally, soulmate partners have theirmunication bond, known as mate link-simr to mind link but specific to soulmates.


    However, the most exciting aspect of soulmate partners is the mind. Since they are a pair of souls, once theyplete the mating process, each individual can enter and read their partner¡¯s mind, see all their memories, and even inhabit their partner¡¯s thoughts. The barrier between them will crumble, leaving no mental separation, signifying they are of one mind, and every emotion felt can impact the partner and vice versa.


    Luna lowered the book, her face pale. No! That couldn¡¯t be! If she indeed was the Soulmate of that psychopathic emperor and the headache she had this morning was his attempt to enter her mind, then¡­ No! She had to think positively. That couldn¡¯t be possible. She was human and from a different world, and soon, she would return home. So, Luna was sure Alkrevas was mistaken. That man was hallucinating because he had been without a mate for too long, and what about the electric jolt every time they touched? No, Luna was convinced it was all just a coincidence. With optimism, Luna continued reading the book.


    Scent


    Scent is one of the most critical identities for werewolves, as a werewolf relies heavily on their very sharp sense of smell, making Scent vital for their life. Scent can tell which pack a werewolf belongs to and their rank (e. g., Alpha). The smell is produced by a nd usually located at the pulse points (neck and wrists), behind the ears, cheeks, and genitals (for females).


    Generally, Alphas-who are always born male due to the strong Alpha male gene-have a very dominant and intimidating scentpared to Betas and Gammas. Alphas usually use their Scent to attract female wolves during their Heat, especially to entice their soulmates. Betas and Gammas have scents that are still dominant but not as strong as Alphas. Their scents are more about identity and attracting their soulmates. For Omegas, their Scent is quite faint. Still, it has a distinctive sweet or soft characteristic, unlike the musky Scent of Alphas, Betas, and Gammas.


    HeatContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Heat is a period that urs every three months for female wolves. Heat indicates that during this time, female wolves are fertile and ready to be impregnated by male wolves. During this period, female wolves will produce a colorless (clear) fluid with a distinctive aroma that serves as lubrication during mating. Another name for this clear fluid is slick.


    During Heat, female wolves emit potent pheromones to attract male wolves and be more easily aroused. This is why some packs in ancient times locked up their unmated females experiencing Heat in a location far from the pack to avoid fights among the male wolves. For those who have mates, the female is confined in the house with her Soulmate.


    Typically, Heatsts for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the condition of the female wolves. The first Heat urs at age 15, signifying that the female is mature and ready to find a mate. The heating process can be harrowing for female wolves if not alleviated through sexual intercourse, especially if they do not have a mate to help reduce the Heat and pain. This is why many unmated females choose to engage in sexual rtions with unmated males to satisfy their sexual urges during Heat. Only strong female wolves can endure the heat period without sexual intercourse.


    Rut


    Rut is the heat version for male wolves, but unlike Heat, Rut does not produce a clear fluid (slick). Rut urs naturally when male wolves are 16 years old (once in a lifetime) and, like Heat, signifies that the wolves are mature. However, there are cases where male wolves experience a Rut due to stress and pressure, mainly when influenced by a female¡¯s Heat.


    During Rut, male wolves be more aggressive, dominant, and sensitive, often leading to fights with other male wolves. If they do not have a mate, male wolves will seek unmated females to satisfy their sexual urges,peting with other males for unmated females in Heat.


    # Male Wolves with Mates


    For male wolves who already have a mate, their protective and possessive behavior towards them will intensify to the point where they will not let their mate out of sight.


    # Mating/Bonding


    Mating/bonding is a process where two souls, who are soulmates, im each other. This process strengthens the bond between them and forms a link called a matelink. The process is preceded by three stages: eye contact, giving recognition (a im in the form of a phrase or word), and marking the mate with a scent by rubbing their face on the neck and cheeks and then rubbing their bodies together in wolf form to transfer the Scent. After these three stages, the mating process is the final step that must bepleted.


    Mating is done by biting with fangs at the intersection of the neck (specifically at the sensitive point where the pulse is) to mark and im their mate. The bite mark serves as a warning to other wolves that they have a soulmate. By biting and marking, their scents will automatically mix and form a new, unique scent, indicating that they havepleted the mating process. This process urs when the soulmate pair engages in sexual intercourse.


    # Feral


    Feral refers to a werewolf that has lost sanity (gone mad) and givenplete control of the body to their wolf soul. This usually happens when a werewolf has not found or has lost their Soulmate for an extended period. The longest a werewolf can endure before turning feral is ten years. Their instinct to have a mate and unchanneled hormones will make them restless and temperamental.


    Feral is marked by initial symptoms such as difficulty controlling the shifting timing, which often urs unexpectedly, a more frequent presence in wolf form, easy anger, irritation leading to rampages, loss of appetite, and a preference for staying in the forest. If a werewolf bes feral, the best option is to kill it as it bes dangerous to the surrounding environment.


    # Knotting


    Knotting is a process where a male wolf ejactes inside his mate¡¯s body (womb). This process canst from 30 to 60 seconds. During this process, the knot nd on the male wolf¡¯s penis erges and forms a hook-like structure that attaches to the walls of the mate¡¯s womb. During knotting, the male wolf cannot withdraw his penis and remains locked inside his mate.


    This process can be painful for the mate (due to the hook). It ensures the male wolf¡¯s sperm can enter and work perfectly to fertilize his mate. Usually, this is done by an Alpha to ensure his mate bes pregnant and produces offspring. During this process, the male wolf typically shifts to a ¡®partial¡¯ form (where the body remains human, but the eyes turn golden, indicating the wolf side¡¯s dominance, with ws, fangs, tail, wolf ears, and arger body due to iplete bone transformation) to make knotting easier. Therefore, knotting is only done when the male wolf wants offspring.


    Luna quickly closed the book when she finished reading about knotting. Her breath hitched, and her heart raced. Her body trembled as she remembered what she had felt the night before. She instantly mmed the book on the table and stood up.


    She paced near the sofa for several minutes, digesting all the information she had read. Her brown eyes nced at the book she had just read before yelling in frustration. ¡°Damn psychopathic emperor!¡±


    Her previously subdued anger red up again. Luna ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. She couldn¡¯t get angry. She had to control her emotions. Anger wouldn¡¯t solve anything. She needed to find a solution or a way out of this problem.


    With that thought, Luna sat back on the sofa and opened the book she had just read. She flipped through the pages, looking for a way out of this situation, and as if God had heard her prayers, the book stopped at a chapter titled ¡®Reject.¡¯


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened, and from the title, it seemed that what was written inside was rted to the soulmate bond and a solution to her problem. Although she didn¡¯t know what a rejection was, its impact, or how to do it, she just needed to read everything she needed to know now. ¡°Let¡¯s see ¡­¡± Luna murmured to herself.


    Rejection ¡­


    Suddenly, Luna heard amotion outside, and shortly after, the door to the room she was in burst open and fell to the marble floor with a loud crash. Luna froze as she saw Alkrevas standing in the doorway with ruby-red eyes, a tense body, and a dark, dominating aura.


    His knife-like fangs were visible, and a fierce, angry growl escaped his lips. Luna¡¯s body involuntarily responded with fear and arousal, and she hated herself for it.


    ¡°What the hell ¡­?¡± Luna muttered in disbelief.


    ¡­

 Matebond (1)

    A Few Hours Earlier


    The sound of swords shing and swinging, apanied by the shouts of knights training, filled the sword training field. The gunshots from the shooting area not far from the training ground added to the bustling atmosphere of the Vasilos Imperial Knights¡¯ main training hall.


    None of them sat idly chatting; all the knights trained with full strength and seriousness, especially with their Emperor on the podium overseeing the training alongside Beta Savon, the aide, general, andmander. Alkrevas observed every movement and posture of the knights, looking for even the slightest mistake they made.


    ¡°Where is the entire archer unit?¡± Alkrevas asked without diverting his gaze from the knights securing the empire¡¯s entire realm. Nheless, his aides understood his question was directed towards Beta.


    Beta Savon crossed his arms behind his back, looked towards the forest, then back at the Emperor¡¯s back, bowed, and replied, ¡°The archery unit is training in the forest by hunting wind deer, Alpha.¡±


    Of course, there was no response from Alkrevas. He remained silent after hearing Beta¡¯s answer. ¡°Does Alpha want to see the training?¡±


    ¡°No. No need.¡± Then Alkrevas turned to face Zyne while removing his coat and gloves, remembering to remove the cravat and all essories attached to his body. Finally, he took off his shirt, revealing his muscr upper body with perfect muscles disyed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stretch my muscles a bit.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, if that¡¯s the case, I can prepare the Emperor¡¯s training hall. You don¡¯t need to-¡± Sigmund did not finish his sentence when he saw the Emperor¡¯s palm directed at him, signaling him to stop talking. After that, Sigmund chose to bow obediently and step back.


    Alkrevas watched the knights still training earnestly before looking at one of his strongest generals, Almbra. He smiled slightly before stepping towards the general, patting the tall,rge, muscr man decorated with scars on the shoulder, and asking, ¡°Shall we duel, Almbra?¡±


    The man did not answer momentarily, but then he nodded and said, ¡°With pleasure, Your Majesty.¡± Then, the two men started to prepare and descended from the podium to the middle of the field. This time, the knights had stopped training and moved away from the training area.


    They watched their general and the Emperor facing each other for a duel with eager eyes because, for them, seeing their Emperor, famous for his prowess in martial arts and weaponry, disy his skills in front of them was a rare sight and could serve as motivation to improve their techniques and skills continually.


    Alkrevas smiled and rotated his shoulders, clicking his tongue softly as he felt a slight ache from sitting too long at his desk managing paperwork. Of course, he regrly trained and ran for stamina and body health, honing all the sword and weapon skills he had learned for decades. But after the arrival of his soulmate, he had neglected that due to focusing on the woman he had to supervise twenty-four hours a day.


    He stared into the distance for a moment. The bracelet he had ced on Luna¡¯s ankle functioned as a tracking device and a tool to block her thoughts from him because Luna had not yet learned how to build a mental wall between their minds. Alkrevas did not want to set up the mental barrier spell to read Luna¡¯s thoughts continuously and know what she thought about him, but he allowed a bit of leniency. He wanted to give Luna privacy since she needed to adjust to his presence.


    Moreover, he could deactivate the mental barrier if he wished. With just a singlemand from within his mind, the spell would disappear, and if he wanted to reactivate it, he could do the same. After all, he needed to concentrate on carrying out state duties. If he focused on Luna¡¯s thoughts, all his work would never be finished, and he would bebeled azy Emperor.


    Thinking about that, he chuckled softly. Alkrevas checked the bracelet signal and found his woman in the sunroom. He guessed she was rxing, sipping tea, and talking to the servant he had assigned to apany his soulmate. Alkrevas blinked to focus and stood casually, noticing his general was already positioned to attack. Alkrevas weighed the wooden sword andmented, ¡°I prefer using real swords, but since we¡¯re training, I have to ept this.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty knows it¡¯s a training procedure, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Alkrevas observed the military uniform worn by Almbra. ¡°You know our fight is unfair from the start, right?¡±


    ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean I will give up, Your Majesty.¡± Alkrevas smiled, satisfied with Almbra¡¯s confident response. The man¡¯s ambition to be the strongest knight was extraordinary, making it worthwhile for Alkrevas to appoint him as one of his generals. Besides his strength and technique, the man had a sharp mind and was an expert strategist.


    ¡°Good. I like your answer.¡± Alkrevas looked at his bare upper body and wiped away the bangs that had fallen from his hair due to sweat. The sun was shining brightly, signaling that summer had arrived.


    ¡°I will restrain my strength. I will grant you any wish if you can wound me even slightly.¡± Alkrevas¡¯ statement could be seen as a trap by some because wounding an Emperor is a severe crime punishable by death, akin to rebellion.


    However, they were neither Emperors nor generals; they were two knights eager to showcase their swordsmanship. ¡°I promise to hold back Norris.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Instantly, Almbra ran with incredible speed. As the general andmander of the Royal Pack forces, who were trackers, Almbra, despite hisrge frame, could move like the wind without making a sound. Even his footsteps were inaudible.


    The swing of the sword he held also made no sound. The man moved like a ballerina. While trackers usually had small and slim bodies, Almbra was an exception. Nevertheless, Almbra couldn¡¯t be underestimated; he captured many fugitives and criminals targeted by the empire.


    Alkrevas smiled, seeing his former student fight him with such enthusiasm. He moved left and right, dodging Almbra¡¯s attacks leisurely. One hand was behind his back, while the hand holding the wooden sword remained still.


    Alkrevas¡¯ face was cold and dismissive. He seemedzy and uninterested, but Alkrevas felt the opposite despite that. His dark brown eyes sparkled brightly, and the corners of his lips curled into a small smile.


    ¡°Come on, Almbra. I didn¡¯t be your teacher to see you ck off.¡± Alkrevas murmured. He clicked his tongue as his feet moved swiftly like a dancer to avoid Almbra¡¯s attacks.


    Alkrevas jumped and spun in the air beforending on the other side of the arena, a few meters behind Almbra. His hand holding the wooden sword moved, shing the air aimlessly. ¡°If it¡¯s like this, I¡¯m more interested in fighting Savon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m better than Beta Savon,¡± said Almbra, facing the Emperor. His grip on the sword hilt tightened, and his jaw clenched.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Alkrevas murmured, ncing briefly through the corner of his eye at Beta, who smiled at Almbra¡¯s words.


    ¡°Show me, then.¡± Alkrevas spread his legs to brace himself as he saw Almbra running. He held the sword, ready to counter Almbra¡¯s attack. When Almbra¡¯s wooden sword swung at him, Alkrevas squinted and immediately parried.


    Alkrevas fought back against Almbra¡¯s various attacks with calcted precision. ¡°I always tell you not to focus on one point, Almbra.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Then Almbra stepped back to catch his breath, strategize, and assess his weaknesses. After that, he attacked again, and unlike before, Almbra heeded the Emperor¡¯s advice and no longer focused on one vital point. He then attacked Alkrevas again, swinging his sword expertly. However, since his opponent was the Emperor himself, who had been his sword master in the past, every attack heunched was easily countered and parried.


    Sweat began to pour, and breaths became heavy. Their hearts raced quickly, and if not for their stamina as werewolves, they would have already been exhausted. Almbra quickened his movements, trying to attack the stomach, neck, and legs. However, what he didn¡¯t expect was that his previously rxed opponent was now bing serious.


    Alkrevas fought back. His wooden sword swung skillfully as if the sword were a part of him. Alkrevas spun while swinging his sword, but Almbra managed to dodge and counterattack. Yet, Alkrevas did not stop there. He used his foot to kick Almbra, sending him flying quite a distance.


    As Almbra was stunned by the attack, Alkrevas came in and swung his sword, which Almbra miraculously blocked at thest second.


    ¡°Very good, Almbra, but unfortunately, I have to end our duel,¡± Alkrevas said, pulling back his sword and surprising Almbra. Alkrevas took advantage of the moment to punch Almbra in the stomach and face, then threw him to the ground. The sword in Almbra¡¯s hand was released and thrown away, leaving him lying helplessly as the Emperor pointed the wooden sword at his neck.


    ¡°I win.¡±


    Alkrevas stepped back and extended his hand to Almbra, helping his General up. He then patted Almbra¡¯s shoulder and praised his prowess before leaving the arena. Zyne was waiting at the arena¡¯s edge with a towel in hand. Alkrevas handed the wooden sword to one of the knights and took the towel, wiping away the sweat from the recent fight.


    Savon, Sigmund, and his other aides approached. ¡°Where is Mathias?¡± Alkrevas asked after he had cleaned himself of sweat.


    Sigmund calmly replied, ¡°Gamma is investigating the dam in the western region.¡± Alkrevas nodded. He dismissed his aides, generals, andmanders as he walked toward the pce. Now clothed in a shirt, his body felt lighter after some exercise.


    ¡°What¡¯s my schedule after this?¡±


    ¡°Lunch with Marquis Bloyd to discuss the mineral mines in the Sigrard region.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded. He stopped walking and looked at Beta with a severe gaze. ¡°Discuss rotating the border guards with Mathias. We need to tighten the border wall, as the Goblins seem to be looking for a gap to enter. Make the schedule random and different from one time to another.¡±


    ¡°Anything else, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°Coordinate with Mathias to change the guards at the posts. Ensure the point is always heard during shift changes. I will inspect the protective shield after the Moonflower Festival. Prepare for my departure as well.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± Alkrevas nodded and permitted Savon to carry out his tasks. After Beta left Alkrevas with Sigmund, Zyne, several imperial pce soldiers, and male servants, Alkrevas looked towards the Empress¡¯s pce, visible from where he stood-the pce, more beautiful and striking in structure than other pce buildings.


    ¡°Zyne, has the greenhouse been updated?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. The staff is currently finishing the construction. It will bepleted tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°And the arrangements for my Empress?¡±


    ¡°Everything is neatly stored in the room beside your chamber.¡± Alkrevas rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. He smiled, imagining Luna¡¯s reaction tomorrow when he took her for afternoon tea in the greenhouse or perhaps lunch.


    ¡°Sigmund, move the cab meeting to the day after tomorrow. I want to clear my schedule for tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°But the Ministers will¡­¡±


    ¡°Give them any reason, and during the cab meetingter, besides discussing the tax system, I also want to discuss the wedding ceremony and the coronation of the Empress.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°You may go.¡± Alkrevas then walked into the main pce. He followed the signal from the bracelet he had ced on his soulmate. He smiled, realizing the signal was now in the imperial pce library, reserved for the imperial family and pce staff. The library was closed to the public and housed history,prehensive books, and various information, scripts, and records of Vasilos from the past.


    Upon reaching the library entrance, Alkrevas stepped inside, signaling the soldiers and servants to wait outside. His dark brown eyes saw Luna¡¯s servant standing near the reception desk with library staff, and upon noticing his presence, everyone immediately bowed in respect.


    ¡°Luna is in the Rhodes storage room, Your Majesty,¡± one library staff informed him. Alkrevas nodded, signaling them all to leave, and as the door closed tightly, Alkrevas locked therge library door. He didn¡¯t want his alone time with his soulmate to be disturbed.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    ¡­

 Mate bond (2)

    ¡°You are mine. You are my soulmate. You are my woman.¡± Luna could feel her body trembling and shivering in fear. Her heart raced so fast it felt suffocating. Hearing Alkrevas¡¯ obsessive whispers felt like a heavy punishment for crimes she had nevermitted.


    Luna felt the wind breeze against her exposed smooth white skin, reminding her that Alkrevas had mercilessly torn her clothes apart. As she lifted her head, she stared into the ruby-red eyes of the psychopathic emperor before her.


    Taking a breath, Luna not only saw anger and obsession in his gaze but also desire and adoration so palpable. The protest ready to be voiced against Alkrevas halted in her throat as she beheld his gaze. Luna¡¯s tongue felt dry, and shivers ran down her spine from Alkrevas¡¯ overwhelming presence.


    Her hands slowly lifted and gripped the shirt Alkrevas wore, attempting to push him away. She ignored the electric shock that coursed through her body from their touch. But the more she moved, the closer they became, and Luna felt her back against the wall.


    Alkrevas smirked and leaned his face into her neck, teasing with a mark of ownership in a gentle bite, then sensually sucking her earlobe. ¡°My Luna¡­¡± Alkrevas whispered into Luna¡¯s ear as if affirming something, imprinting his words into her soul.


    Luna shook her head, trying to banish the turmoil within her soul and mind, striving to think logically in her cornered situation. She breathed as Alkrevas¡¯ hand, which had earlier touched her intimate area through her underwear, now crept behind her, squeezing one of her buttocks firmly.


    Panic spread through Luna¡¯s body, and she began to struggle to free herself from him. She didn¡¯t want him touching her again afterst night. No. Not because her body was sore and tired but because she refused to be his ve. She refused to ept any touch from him. Understanding Luna¡¯s thoughts, Alkrevas¡¯ gaze darkened, and the smirk faded from his lips.


    ¡°Your Majesty, please let me go,¡± Luna murmured, choosing to speak formally as she realized they were in a public ce.


    Honestly, she wondered why Alkrevas was so angry as to behave aggressively toward her. ncing briefly at the door that had been torn off andy on the marble floor, she couldn¡¯t finish her sentence as she felt something pressing against her abdomen-arge, hard object hidden beneath Alkrevas¡¯ trousers that had ravaged her all night long.


    Luna¡¯s eyes trembled. She tried once again to push the man away from her, but like her previous attempts, she failed. Alkrevas pressed his body against hers, reducing her space to move, and she could feel his warmth through his shirt. Every time Luna moved, her nipples brushed against the soft fabric of his shirt.


    ¡°Your Majesty, I beg you¡­¡± Luna whispered as she felt the grip on her neck tighten. It didn¡¯t hurt enough to cut off her breath, but Alkrevas¡¯ grip served as a warning for her to stay silent.


    ¡°I¡¯m still recovering fromst night,¡± Alkrevas narrowed his eyes. With one swift movement, he lifted Luna¡¯s body, then forced her legs around his waist. He pressed Luna¡¯s body against his muscr frame, pinning her between his body and the bookshelf. Luna felt her body tremble violently, her heavier breathing matching her rapidly racing, irregr heartbeat, much like his.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    The atmosphere grew heated, their surroundings filled with the sound of their heavy, intertwined breaths. Alkrevas saw Luna¡¯s wide brown eyes and the firm grip of her tiny hands on his shirt, causing the fabric to crumple and the golden threads used to embroider his shirt to be slightly damaged. Alkrevas grinned and reached for Luna¡¯s covered intimate area, his darkened eyes filled with a mist of desire and obsession as he gazed at her exposed breasts.


    ¡°Stop! Stop! We can¡¯t do this here! This is a library!¡± Luna protested again and tried to break free. Still, it was difficult when her body was trapped, and Alkrevas¡¯ hands gripped her buttocks tightly.


    Alkrevas chuckled and rubbed his cheek against Luna¡¯s, trying to leave his scent on her body, then released one of his hands and caressed Luna¡¯s body before finally stopping at one of her breasts. He roughly squeezed and yed with Luna¡¯s hardened nipple.


    Luna moaned, and her body began to respond, the intensity of their touch increasing the electric sensation coursing through her body. Luna refused to sumb to the desired awakening within her. She opened her mouth to protest again, but her breath caught when Alkrevas positioned his intimate area directly over hers and then rubbed his concealed manhood against her clitoris through the fabric.


    With the cloth touching her sensitive spot, she felt her vision blur. Luna couldn¡¯t control her body¡¯s response and cursed silently because, in just one night, she hadpletely surrendered to Alkrevas¡¯ touch. Luna groaned and screamed in pleasure and frustration.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± Luna didn¡¯t know if she was begging him to stop or if it was the opposite. She was surprised herself by the pathetic plea that escaped her lips. It was something she had never imagined herself doing to the psychopathic emperor who was forcing his will upon her.


    Luna shook her head, fighting against her own body as Alkrevas moved faster, provoking something unfamiliar to gather within her. Luna could feel the orgasm slowly approaching, even as he was ying with her body¡¯s response.


    Luna released her hands and wrapped them around Alkrevas¡¯ neck, then buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her sense of smell immediately filled with the distinctive scent clinging to Alkrevas¡¯ body. Her body¡¯s response grew wilder, and Luna couldn¡¯t help but bite Alkrevas¡¯ neck, trying to stifle moans and screams from escaping her lips.


    If anyone else saw her like this, she would bebeled as cheap and a prostitute. Tears welled up in her eyes without her permission, and she whispered, ¡°I beg you, stop¡­¡±


    ¡°Since when have you been acting so weak like this, little mate?¡± Alkrevas hissed mockingly. He was intoxicated by sexual desire and pleasure, feeling Luna¡¯s bite on his neck and her breath in the crook of his neck, hitting his heated and sensitive skin.


    ¡°Or are you just pretending so that I sympathize and forgive you?¡± Luna furrowed her brow in confusion, still not understanding the reason behind Alkrevas¡¯ anger. He lifted his head and observed Luna¡¯s lush lips as red as roses, looking wet, tempting, and more seductive than usual.


    Alkrevas licked his lips uncontrobly, then raised his hand, gently stroking Luna¡¯s cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and murmured, ¡°You¡¯re trying to resist, but you¡¯re feeling what I¡¯m feeling, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Alkrevas emphasized his question by brushing Luna¡¯s lips with his thumb, unleashing a strong sensation that spread throughout their bodies, causing them both to moan involuntarily from the shock of the sensation. ¡°What you¡¯re feeling right now is called mate bond, Little mate.¡±


    Luna¡¯s head moved from side to side in an attempt to resist, but her body, which had its thoughts, immediately reacted. Her lips parted, a deep breath escaped, and her entire body felt unsettled.


    ¡­.

 Mate bond (3)

    ¡°Matebond that binds you and me. We cannot live apart. You will suffer, as will I. You will never feel the pleasure I give, my touch that delivers a million sensations, if you think of leaving. You cannot live without me.¡± Alkrevas briefly kissed Luna¡¯s lips, tasting the enticing red lips that had been tempting him from the start.


    His tongue darted in, dominating Luna¡¯s mouth and iming her. Simultaneously, Alkrevas¡¯ free hand moved to stroke Luna¡¯s back and grip her waist. Their hearts beat in unison, and the strong mate bond between them would not allow Luna to reject his touch.


    ¡°We are soulmates, little mate. You. Me. This bond. It¡¯s real.¡± Alkrevas whispered before kissing Luna again.


    ¡°No ¡­ I ¡­ Ah!¡± Luna gasped and widened her eyes as Alkrevas gently bit her tongue while pulling the string that held her underwear, leaving her fully exposed to him while Alkrevas himself remained clothed. He pulled away, ending the short yet rough and punishing kiss.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me. Should I prove more about Matebond to you?¡± Luna stared at Alkrevas in panic, understanding the meaning behind his question. She tried once again to free herself, but her body was powerless as one of Alkrevas¡¯ fingers stroked her entrance, ying with her clit before entering her body.


    Squirming and moving inside her, Alkrevas heated her entire body. He added his second finger, then the third, moving in and out rapidly. Luna tilted her head back, staring at the library ceiling adorned with a simple chandelier and beautiful paintings, exposing her smooth neck marked with wet red traces from Alkrevas¡¯ actions the night before.


    ¡°See? How can I not be tempted when your body reacts like this to my touch?¡± Luna gripped both of Alkrevas¡¯ shoulders, digging her nails in, but Luna couldn¡¯t leave a mark because of the shirt Alkrevas was still wearing.


    ¡°I-it¡¯s not fair! It¡¯s not fair!¡± whimpered Luna amidst her moans and pleasurable gasps. Alkrevas¡¯ fingers moving inside her allowed Luna to feel the peak of pleasure that had momentarily slipped away returning to her. Her legs tightened around Alkrevas¡¯ waist, and her back arched. ¡°Stop, damn it! Stop!¡±


    ¡°Say my name, little mate.¡±


    ¡°N-no¡­¡±


    ¡°You want to know about another fact of mate bond? The bond you¡¯re trying to reject?¡±


    ¡°Please ¡­¡± Luna sobbed softly. Her vision started to blur from pleasure, and finally, orgasm approached her strongly. Her body convulsed in Alkrevas¡¯ embrace, and her nectar soaked his hand and clothes.


    Luna sobbed and red at the psychopathic emperor in front of her with a deadly look. ¡°Let me go, you bastard¡­!¡±


    Alkrevas ignored Luna¡¯s sobbing and kissed her forehead, sending warmth throughout Luna¡¯s body. Then he pressed his forehead against Luna¡¯s, his passion-filled red eyes gazing at her lips and then at Luna¡¯s two exposed breasts.


    Alkrevas briefly licked Luna¡¯s nose, eliciting a small whimper from Luna, and he murmured, ¡°Your age. You will age slower to match my lifespan. There¡¯s more¡­¡± Alkrevas released Luna¡¯s hand that gripped his shoulder and directed her hand toward his manhood.


    ¡°Only I can satisfy your sexual desires. Only I will be the center of your world, and only I can calm your restlessness.¡± Luna stared at Alkrevas in disbelief, but her heart began to believe because, for the first time in years, she could sleep soundly without sleeping pills when she was with Alkrevas, aside from their activities. Luna didn¡¯t have nightmares, and she felt lighter.


    Alkrevas, closely watching Luna, took advantage of the opportunity as she was thinking and unfocused. He quickly unbuttoned his pants, then directed his genitalia towards her vagina.


    Alkrevas squeezed Luna¡¯s buttocks and then pped her to snap Luna out of her thoughts. He gave her a moment to digest his words, but that moment had passed, and he wouldn¡¯t allow his soulmate¡¯s focus to be diverted. Her eyes had to be fixed straight on him, and her mind had to be filled with him and his touch.


    Luna¡¯s body jerked at the sharp p on her buttocks, and a scream escaped her tempting lips. Panic spread across Luna¡¯s face as she realized Alkrevas was ready to enter her.


    ¡°No! Someone might see! I don¡¯t want this!¡± Luna protested, but Alkrevas ignored her words. He couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. He had been restraining himself from thrusting in for some time now, and now was the moment. He positioned Luna morefortably, and with one thrust, he plunged deep into her body, iming her and filling Luna to the core. Luna gasped, her mouth opened in a suppressed scream.


    A low growl escaped from Alkrevas¡¯ lips as Luna gripped him so tightly, and a satisfied purr emanated from his chest as he returned to the ce he most desired: inside Luna¡¯s body.


    Alkrevas licked the fresh mark of ownership, causing Luna¡¯s body to respond. Then he lightly kissed around her neck, jaw, corbone, and face.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one else here but us, little mate. I¡¯ve sent everyone away and locked the door if that¡¯s what you fear.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Nggh ¡­ Ah!¡± Luna moaned loudly, unable to contain the sound as Alkrevas moved to thrust into her with a quick pace. She depended entirely on Alkrevas, clinging to him, and her hands wrapped around Alkrevas¡¯ neck again. She was afraid to fall, but somehow, she trusted that Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t let go of her or hurt her.


    Luna¡¯s body moved up and down, following the rhythm set by Alkrevas. His manhood easily entered and withdrew, prating her intensely. Luna hardly felt her back rubbing against the books. In their lovemaking position, Luna could feel every inch of Alkrevas.


    ¡°You ¡­ seem to really enjoy this position, naughty little mate,¡± Alkrevas murmured and again spanked Luna¡¯s buttocks, this time on the other side, causing both cheeks to blush. Luna knew Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t tire of the standing position they were engaged in. Still, she hoped for the opposite, wishing this lovemaking to end soon.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Luna trembled, her mouth forming an ¡®O¡¯ as Alkrevas¡¯ manhood touched her g-spot. He focused on thrusting into that spot and further heightened her pleasure by ying with her clitoris. Luna screamed and grabbed Alkrevas¡¯ hair. She was overwhelmed by pleasure, and the sensations coursing through her body were uncontroble. Luna finally sumbed to Alkrevas¡¯ touch and responded eagerly. ¡°Alkrevas! Nggh! Faster!¡±


    Alkrevas concealed a smirk of victory upon hearing his name shouted by Luna with such pleasure. He increased the tempo, making their lovemaking rough and wild. He turned and walked towards the table, all the while continuing to thrust into Luna¡¯s body. He thenid Luna¡¯s body on the table filled with books, changing the tempo to slow yet deep, intense, and powerful. Ensuring Luna remained focused on him.


    ¡°Alk ¡­ this feels so incredibly good ¡­!¡± Alkrevas gazed at Luna¡¯s flushed and pleasure-filled face, then his eyes shifted to Luna¡¯s breasts. He grabbed one and squeezed, ying with her breast firmly, then he leaned down and sucked on the nipple of the other breast, eliciting a pleasurable response. He treated each breast the same way, alternating between them before lifting his head upon hearing Luna¡¯s moans.


    Alkrevas smirked and reached out, grabbing Luna¡¯s hair, and Luna¡¯s response was to grip him tightly between the narrow walls with force. ¡°Ah ¡­ you seem to prefer it when I handle you roughly,¡± Alkrevas murmured contentedly.


    Luna rocked her hips and pleaded with Alkrevas. ¡°See what the mate bond does to you? You can¡¯t resist my touch.¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas ¡­ please ¡­ faster!¡±


    ¡°Tell me you want me, and I¡¯ll grant your request.¡±


    ¡°Alk ¡­¡±


    Alkrevas reaffirmed his statement by pausing. He let himself stay inside Luna¡¯s body. Soft moans escaped his lips, and his breath was ragged from Luna¡¯s grip and her hips¡¯ movements. He gripped Luna¡¯s hips, stopping her and spanking her inner thigh. For a moment, he refocused on Luna¡¯s two breasts. ¡°Say it!¡± hemanded firmly.


    ¡°Alk ¡­ I want you ¡­¡±


    Luna was engulfed in a haze of desire, her logic disappearing. All she wanted now was pleasure and waves of satisfaction, regardless of anything else. If she were to realizeter, she might curse her weakness and resignation, but there was no loss. She wondered why she had refused Alkrevas¡¯ touch when she could have used and toyed with the man ¡­


    Wait a minute!


    Luna smiled and reached out, stroking Alkrevas¡¯ muscr bicep beside her body. She opened her legs wider and whispered sensually, ¡°Your Majesty. I want you. Destroy me. Make me a mess, please. I want you.¡±


    Alkrevas¡¯s red eyes darkened further, and Luna marveled as one of his eye colors changed to a deep brown. This indicated that the human soul and the wolf¡¯s soul of the man were synchronizing into one, mastering her body. ¡°Say you belong to me,¡± Alkrevas murmured in a deeper voice than usual.


    ¡°I belong to you.¡±


    Alkrevas smiled with satisfaction and began to move again inside Luna¡¯s body, this time with a fast and wild pace. He was thrusting and ravaging Luna¡¯s insides with hisrge and hard genitalia. He groaned and asionally growled. The dominant Alpha aura, so thick, only heightened Luna¡¯s arousal.


    The man controlled every movement and didn¡¯t hesitate to act roughly towards her. Luna screamed as he pulled his genitals out and flipped Luna over, making her bend over like a prostitute on the table. Alkrevas thrust back in and pounded Luna¡¯s body roughly. One hand squeezed her breast and pinched Luna¡¯s nipple while the other hand rubbed and yed with Luna¡¯s clitoris. Alkrevas¡¯ body enveloped Luna, and as he stood tall again, one hand gripped her waist and then her buttocks, making his manhood move more easily.


    Luna screamed and felt her body tremble violently. She began to weaken, and thousands of stars appeared before her eyes. ¡°Let go. Give it to me, little mate. Let¡¯s release everything together,¡± whispered Alkrevas softly, and then he elerated the pace that no ordinary human could achieve.


    ¡°Now.¡± Luna¡¯s body, understanding and obedient to Alkrevas¡¯mand, immediatelyplied and released everything that had gathered in her stomach. Orgasm approached her simultaneously with Alkrevas, releasing his seed inside Luna¡¯s body. The peak of pleasure they felt together intensified multiple times over a longer duration.


    After calming down again, Luna felt her body weak, unable to support herself with both hands anymore. Her eyes widened when she realized that Alkrevas still feltrge inside her. ¡°No ¡­ I¡¯m tired ¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not over yet, little mate. Shouldn¡¯t I punish you for having useless thoughts?¡± Then Alkrevas moved again inside Luna¡¯s body.


    ¡­.

 The Night Before Moon Flower Festival (1)

    Alkrevas knelt by the side of the table and spread Luna¡¯s legs wide. His reddish-brown eyes focused on Luna¡¯s wet vagina, filled with her fluids. After their wild lovemaking, Alkrevas saw Luna lying helplessly with her eyes closed. He licked his lips with a hungry gaze and then touched Luna¡¯s vagina with his fingers, eliciting a small moan from her. He nced at Luna¡¯s trembling legs. Alkrevas hadn¡¯t yet tasted his main course and wanted it now.


    With that thought, Alkrevas brought his face closer to Luna¡¯s intimate area, inhaling the aroma emanating from there, then extended his tongue, tasting the sweet fluid mixed with his seed. Alkrevas decided to do nothing but feast on the outer parts without touching anywhere else. He rubbed his tongue up and down her clitoris, pushing from one side to the other, then sucked on the now-hardened little nub, gently biting it. At the same time, both his hands softly yed with Luna¡¯s breasts.


    He felt Luna¡¯s body jolt and heard her breathing quicken. ¡°Y-Your¡­ Highness¡­?¡± Luna mumbled softly with a hoarse voice.


    ¡°Ah¡­ ahhh¡­ stop¡­! I¡­¡± Luna¡¯s moans made Alkrevas feel his blood rush to a single point, and his hardened genitals became even more erect and stood tall.


    He did nothing but feast on her, and even though he hadn¡¯t touched anything but her clitoris, Alkrevas could guess that Luna¡¯s vaginal walls had contracted and were rereleasing fluids. Alkrevas clicked his tongue as he saw his seed flowing out and, with his fingers, pushed and inserted the white fluid back inside.


    ¡°Ohh¡­ ummm¡­ Your¡­ Highness¡­ stop¡­ I beg¡­ ah¡­?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t even unleashed all the passion I¡¯ve been holding back for you, little mate. Do you want to make me suffer?¡± Luna¡¯s eyes widened at Alkrevas¡¯s words. She tried to close her legs, but Alkrevas held them open with his hands. Alkrevas continued to lick and service Luna with his mouth, feasting and savouring what he desired the most.


    He pressed his mouth and focused on Luna¡¯s sensitive spot with the teasing of his tongue. ¡°Should I fill your body again with my seed?¡±


    ¡°No. I think I will¡­ ah! Stop! Ahhh¡­!¡±


    There was no way Alkrevas would stop just like that upon seeing his soulmate cry out in pleasure while begging and trying to stop him. He so enjoyed Luna¡¯s expression when they made love, and the tears streaming down her cheeks only fueled his excitement and desire.


    Alkrevas grabbed Luna¡¯s hips, spreading her vagina wide for him, then thrust his tongue inside, wriggling within Luna¡¯s body and moaning with delight at the sweetness of his soulmate¡¯s fluids. Due to Alkrevas¡¯s stimtion, Luna felt something gathering in her stomach again.


    After repeated orgasms and endless lovemaking, Luna didn¡¯t expect her body to respond so quickly again. Not to mention that they were engaging in this indecent act in the library, specifically in the imperial archive room. But Luna didn¡¯t care, as every lick and touch from the man seeded in driving her mad and ending up as a ve to her lust.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Finally, Luna climaxed once more. Her body convulsed, releasing a copious amount of fluid from within her.


    Did I squirt in front of that perverted man? Luna asked herself internally. A soft chuckle from Alkrevas reached her ears, causing her to frown in displeasure.


    Alkrevas watched proudly, then licked clean Luna¡¯s intimate area before standing up. He lifted Luna¡¯s limp body from the table and carried her to the sofa. He sat down and then positioned Luna on hisp, facing him. Luna¡¯s body trembled violently, her head resting weakly on Alkrevas¡¯s shoulder. Still, she straightened up when she felt his fingers caressing her intimate area. She shook her head quickly, but Alkrevas ignored her protest, and a soft moan escaped her lips as she felt the tip of his penis touch the front of her vagina.


    Alkrevas carelessly removed his shirt and embraced Luna, enveloping her in his warmth, their skin fully touching. With a single thrust, he re-entered Luna¡¯s body. In their new position, Luna could feel Alkrevas more intensely. She shivered and looked at him in disbelief.


    She nced back and saw a puddle of fluid near the table, evidence of their indecent act in a public ce. Luna felt Alkrevas move his hips, guiding her body to the rhythm he desired. Her breathing quickened, and her heart was about to explode. Luna¡¯s tangled long hair moved in time with their rhythm, as did her breasts.


    ¡°Alkrevas¡­ hmm¡­¡± Luna moaned his name in pleasure, driving Alkrevas¡¯s desire further out of control.


    ¡°Ahhh! More¡­! Give me more!¡± Luna¡¯s madness grew, drool dripping from her open mouth. Alkrevas didn¡¯t give her time to calm down and rest.


    How many times had he ejacted inside her? Three? Four? Or even more? Luna moved on Alkrevas¡¯sp, and each time his manhood touched her deepest walls, she felt like she was in heaven.


    Alkrevas growled enthusiastically and quickened his pace. Luna¡¯s breasts, right in front of his eyes, looked so enticing. Alkrevas leaned forward and took one of Luna¡¯s nipples into his mouth, biting and sucking, not letting go. Then he switched to the other. One hand gripped Luna¡¯s hip while the other squeezed her breast, demanding his attention.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    With a few final thrusts, Luna screamed as the orgasm hit her, and Alkrevas roared as he followed, releasing all his seed inside her. After theirst about of lovemaking ended, Luna copsed into Alkrevas¡¯s arms and closed her eyes. Alkrevas chose to remain silent, catching his breath while stroking the head and hair of his unconscious soulmate.


    ¡°I will keep doing this until your body is bound to me and depends on me,¡± Alkrevas said with a sadistic smile, kissing Luna¡¯s lips.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let any thoughts I saw in your minde true.¡± Alkrevas¡¯s hand caressed the bracelet on Luna¡¯s ankle and the trantor bracelet on her wrist. With his soulmate asleep from exhaustion, he could freely delve into Luna¡¯s thoughts, and Norris muttered in agreement.


    He growled jealously at some of Luna¡¯s memories but breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he held all of her firsts. Alkrevas gazed at Luna¡¯s beautiful face with a mysterious look and reactivated the barrier magic.


    ¡°,¡± hemanded in his heart, and the barrier magic resumed, preventing him from reading Luna¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you don¡¯t know anything about the mind barrier, my dear Luna¡­¡± Alkrevas took Luna¡¯s hand and kissed its back gently.


    ¡°You can use me however you like. I don¡¯t care¡­¡± he whispered in Luna¡¯s ear. Then he kissed her nose and turned away from her peaceful face.


    ¡°Ah¡­ if only I could meet the bastards who tried to seduce you¡­¡± he muttered, staring at the bookshelf on the wall with the menacing look of a killer.


    ¡­.

 The Night Before Moon Festival (2)

    One Week Later


    Luna groaned and mmed the dressing table before her to vent her anger. She was so frustrated and upset, not to mention her body ached and was sore due to the actions of that psychopathic Emperor. Since the incident in the library, Alkrevas had locked her in the chamber and did everything to her. He didn¡¯t let her go, continuously satisfying his desires without end.


    Luna could only rest when Alkrevas had to perform his duties as Emperor during meals and baths. Alkrevas didn¡¯t miss the opportunity to touch her, which went on for a whole week.


    Her forehead furrowed deeply. She suddenly remembered some information she had read in a book. Was Alkrevas experiencing a phase called a rut? The man had said that everything he was going through was part of her punishment, but from what she knew, all the signs Alkrevas showed pointed to that phase.


    Alkrevas was more protective of her and growled at anyone who came near her. He was alert and didn¡¯t let others interact with her, not even the servants, which was why Alkrevas himself served Luna amidst his busy schedule. He always came with food during meal times, ate together, bathed her, helped her dress, and apanied her while working on documents from within the Emperor¡¯s residence.


    Of all these signs, the clearest ones were his sexual desires and protective behaviour. If it was confirmed that Alkrevas was experiencing a rut, what triggered him to go through it? From what she read, a rut is triggered by stress or a heat period. She wasn¡¯t a female wolf, meaning she didn¡¯t experience a heat period. If it was stress, what caused it? Was it her? Or something else?


    On the bright side, Luna didn¡¯t have to wear the cumbersome and annoying clothes, just simple andfortable dresses. But the downside was she couldn¡¯t move from the bed at times. Besides her sore and aching muscles, Alkrevas ced a transparent barrier magic on all doors, windows, and even the balcony, preventing her from escaping or doing anything reckless.


    At first, Luna was furious andshed out, knowing her movements and social interactions were limited. But slowly, she chose to restrain herself and said nothing. She would serve the man; after all, she still had to process the fact he asserted in the library about the mate bond between them, that she was his soulmate. Only now could she finally get out of bed, though with difficulty.


    Luna didn¡¯t want to ept it, even though the reality was right before her because she wasn¡¯t from this world. However, interacting only with Alkrevas made her reconsider all the evidence Alkrevas showed her. He never missed reminding her that they were soulmates, engraving that fact in her head, even when they made love. Although she currently regarded Alkrevas as just her bedmate and nothing more, as a form of her stubbornness, her heart couldn¡¯t lie. Her heart and soul were tempted to ept that Alkrevas imnted in her mind.


    So, after a long enough time, Luna started epting that fact, and here she was. Sitting in front of the dressing table, angry at herself for readily epting such an irrational fact. Her eyes turned to the night sky, which was so clear after being shrouded in rain for the first time in a week.


    Judging by the Moon¡¯s position, it would soon be dinner time, and Alkrevas woulde, pushing the dinner trolley for the two of them with a beaming face. The man seemed happy to have her confined. Luna snorted while looking around. She felt like a bird trapped in a luxurious golden cage.


    Luna stood up and walked to the balcony. She wanted to stand in the middle of the balcony and look at the sky but couldn¡¯t. Luna reached out to the balcony door and opened it. Still, when she tried to step out, the transparent barrier immediately activated, preventing her from stepping outside.


    Luna had tried various ways to break through the barrier, but it didn¡¯t work. So now she could only curse and hurl insults at the psychopathic Emperor who had confined her.


    Luna slumped into the ottoman chair and buried her face in her hands. At this point, she had be nothing more than a toy to satisfy the Emperor¡¯s lust and trapped in the damned Emperor¡¯s bedroom to keep the secret from getting out. Her frustration and boredom could be alleviated if she were in her world, with the inte, streaming services, and her phone to ease her boredom. But here? She could only sit on the bed sofa, roll on the floor, or look out the window.


    Luna snapped out of her reverie when she heard a knock on the door. Her eyes blinked in confusion, but she didn¡¯t hesitate to permit whoever it was to enter. Luna felt her tension melt away when she saw Judith enter with two of her servants, smiling.


    Luna needed human contact, and Alkrevas did not count. ¡°Good evening, Luna. How are you?¡± Judith greeted warmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Luna nced at the door and muttered uneasily.


    ¡°Sorry if I¡¯m intrusive, but why are you here? Why not His Majesty?¡±


    Because usually, that bastardes. Their routine was quite simple.


    Alkrevas would bring dinner, receive Luna¡¯s insults and curses, force her to eat, clean himself, make love until dawn, rest, and have breakfast, and then Alkrevas would face Luna¡¯s venting anger. He¡¯d leave the room to get ready, return at lunchtime, do his work in the chamber under the guise of being Luna¡¯s friend, go out to train,e back for tea, try to get close to Luna, then leave again for his duties as Emperor and Alpha, and return to the room with dinner. This had been happening for the past week, so she was surprised to see a change in this routine.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s alright, Luna. I understand. You just finished experiencing your heat, so I understand if you prefer the Emperor¡¯s presence.¡± What? Heat? Since when? What lies had that man told to justify imprisoning her?


    Luna blinked and then realized the servants looked at her with envy, happiness, and joy. What the hell! Luna screamed in her mind.


    She clenched her fists to control her anger and walked towards Judith. She wouldn¡¯t correct the psychopathic Emperor¡¯s lie, as trying to rify the misunderstanding would be pointless when her body was covered in marks from their continuous lovemaking.


    Luna forced a smile. ¡°His Majesty is in a meeting with the domestic affairs staff responsible for organizing the festival.¡±


    ¡°Festival¡­?¡± Luna blinked momentarily before remembering Ghea¡¯s words that the moonflower festival would be held soon. ¡°Do you mean the moonflower festival?¡±


    Judith nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Yes, tonight is the final night of preparations. Tomorrow, the festival will begin.¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna stood up and ran to one of the windows facing Capital Mylonas. She mumbled as she saw the beautiful glittering lights beyond the pce walls.


    ¡°Preparations areplete, and tomorrow will be the beginning of a week full of happiness in Vasilos, Luna.¡± Luna smiled wryly. If she remained imprisoned in this chamber, she promised to find a way to kill that damned Emperor again.


    ¡°Do people perform any special traditions during the festival?¡±


    ¡°Usually, the day before the festival, merchants start setting up their stalls, and at night-like now-many residents gather in the halls, dancing together to wee the festival.¡±


    Luna widened her eyes in surprise, not believing that the day before the festival, Mylonas was already bustling with residents joyfully weing it. She imagined what was happening in the city centre now. Under beautifully decorated festival lights beneath a starry night sky illuminated by the Moon, everyone danced with joyousughter. It must be enjoyable.


    Suddenly, Luna wanted to experience being in that atmosphere, but what could she do when she was the personal prisoner of the psychopathic Emperor? She nodded to dispel the desire and asked Judith, ¡°Why is it called the moonflower festival?¡±


    Judith smiled slightly as she prepared dinner, helped by another servant. ¡°In the past, the Vasilos Empire went through a dark time. A deadly gue spread. Werewolves couldn¡¯t heal from the gue, and one by one, they died. Werewolves and other races, like fairies and vampires, were also affected. One day, an oracle residing in the temple received a message from the Moon Goddess that the gue could be cured by consuming the petals of the moonflower.¡±


    ¡°And then¡­?¡±


    ¡°The Emperor at that time, who was His Majesty¡¯s great-great-grandfather,unched a major expedition, with many other kingdoms participating to find the flower.¡±


    ¡°So the flower was found?¡± Luna asked, confused.


    Judith nodded. Luna saw that the servants had finished setting the table for dinner. She walked over and sat in the chair, her eyes watching Judith curiously as the woman¡¯s story defied logic. Still, she had to remember that she was now in a supernatural world filled with magic and mythical creatures.


    ¡°Yes. The moonflower was found on Mount Pratha, located on a small ind south of Rhodes, known for its dangers. Besides being inhabited by dark creatures like monsters, the path to the summit was deadly. The flower was the only one found. It took great effort for the expedition team to bring it down the mountain alive and undamaged.¡±


    ¡°Were there any conflicts over it? After all, it wasn¡¯t just werewolves affected by the gue.¡±


    ¡°No. The flower was immediately taken to the Selena Temple and cultivated there because the temple stood on sacred ground and had crystal fragments from the Moon that were sacred.¡±


    ¡°And after that, the gue ended, and the moment was turned into a celebration,¡± Luna said softly. ¡°Is the moonflower also a symbol of lovers?¡±


    ¡°Ah, about that¡­ it¡¯s just a tradition. Some say that the moonflower was a gift from the Moon Goddess to her cursed lover, and when the flower was in her lover¡¯s hands, the curse was lifted, and the Moon Goddess lived happily with her lover. Others say that the moonflower was a gift from the God of Love to the Moon Goddess as an expression of his love for her.¡±


    Judith helped Luna wash her hands while saying, ¡°That¡¯s why many soulmates or lovers ce replicas of the moonflower into the river from the Mylonas bridge or the banks of the Fritz River.¡±


    ¡°What about during the festival?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s simr to other festivals, like celebrating the Vasilos Empire¡¯s anniversary. However, everyone will pray to the Selena Temple on thest day and thank the Moon Goddess for her help.¡± Luna nodded and looked out the window. She longed to see the night preparations for the festival, but it seemed that wouldn¡¯te true.


    ¡°Thank you, Judith, for exining it to me,¡± Judith responded with a smile and a nod, bowing respectfully. At that moment, she heard from the guard at the door that Alkrevas had returned and was on his way to the room.


    All the servants immediately withdrew, leaving Luna alone. Shortly after, the door opened. Alkrevas appeared elegant and luxurious, embodying the most powerful man in Rhodes, the Emperor of a strong and prosperous superpower.


    Alkrevas approached Luna, kissing the mark of his im on her neck before kissing her forehead and hugging her tightly. A pleased rumble emanated from his chest, and Luna bit her lip to refrain from making a sarcasticment. ¡°How was your dinner? I¡¯m sorry I was so busy I couldn¡¯t join you.¡± Luna didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Norris said he misses you too,¡± Luna responded with a calm hum. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to greet your soulmate with a smile, little mate?¡±


    ¡°Why should I? I don¡¯t need to be sweet to you.¡±


    ¡°Really? I nned to lift my magic from around the chamber, allowing you to explore the festival tomorrow. Still, you prefer staying in the room and serving me.¡±


    Luna¡¯s eye twitched with annoyance, but Alkrevas¡¯ words were tempting. So she immediately forced a sweet smile at Alkrevas and murmured, ¡°Wee, Your Majesty. How was your work?¡±


    ¡°Oh? My Luna looks so beautiful when she smiles at me.¡± Luna rolled her eyes internally at Alkrevas¡¯ murmur.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to curse at me? Or hit me? Or try to drive me away this time?¡± Luna could detect the mocking tone in Alkrevas¡¯ voice, as these were things she had been doing for the past week because he imprisoned her for unreasonable reasons.


    Alkrevas walked to the sofa and sat in the middle. One hand rested on the sofa¡¯s armrest while the other extended towards Luna. ¡°Come here, my Luna. If you want to greet me, you must do so wholeheartedly. I am your soulmate; shouldn¡¯t you wee me with joy and love?¡±


    I must restrain myself. I must hold back my emotions and anger towards that damned man, or he will take back his words, and I¡¯ll be confined to the chamber during the festival. Luna thought to herself. I can vent my angerter. So Luna, be patient¡­ be patient¡­ I have to y smart this time. Please don¡¯t show my anger in front of that psychopathic Emperor. Remember what you¡¯re thinking? Now use him¡­ use him, and then discard him. Isn¡¯t that a good revenge? Luna thinned her lips.


    Still thinking all these thoughts to calm her emotional turmoil, she began to learn from the past that attacking and resisting was futile. Especially after a week of interacting with Alkrevas, she realized he enjoyed seeing her rebellious attitude and wasn¡¯t ashamed to admit it. Conquer me and make me submit? Hah! Who is that man? Not even her lover!


    Luna pondered all this, unaware that Alkrevas was watching her with a sinister and mysterious smile.


    ¡­

 First Day of the Moon Flower Festival (1)

    The next day, the imperial pce felt busier than usual. Luna stepped out of the Emperor¡¯s residence for the first time in a week, noticing the pce¡¯s more festive atmosphere. She guessed it was all because of the moonflower festival. She nced at Alkrevas walking beside her with a cold and expressionless face.


    He was wearing the mask of the ¡®Cruel and Tyrannical Emperor.¡¯ One of his hands was possessively wrapped around her waist. Luna bit her tongue to avoid making sharpments about the anklet, whose purpose she still didn¡¯t know. She had asked many times, but Alkrevas never answered and permanently changed the subject.


    Luna looked at her body, wrapped in a lc and white A-line dress. Her hands touched the pearl choker ne with a violet gemstone in the centre and matching earrings. Shest wore such luxurious clothing when she attended a g held by a renowned businessman in London.


    Luna turned to observe Alkrevas¡¯ attire. As usual, he wore nobleman¡¯s clothing, though more straightforward than normal. His white outer coat had gold embroidery with beautiful patterns on the cor and cuffs, a white waistcoat with gold buttons, the finest shirt, and a dark purple cravat that matched the theme of her dress. His legs were d in white trousers and high-quality leather shoes.


    Unlike usual, Alkrevas didn¡¯t adorn his chest with many military badges or imperial insignia, nor did he wear the sash symbolizing the imperial family. There wasn¡¯t even a brooch as an essory.


    The only jewellery Alkrevas wore was a gold ring with a gemstone that matched the colour of his red eyes in the centre. Luna frowned in confusion but didn¡¯t dwell on it further.


    They entered the pce¡¯s main dining hall, which was vast, with a long table surrounded by many chairs. These chairs were already upied by staff, nobles, generals, and ministers who had been waiting. Alkrevas walked confidently and arrogantly to the head chair with a wolf¡¯s head carving on the backrest. Luna was seated to the right of the head of the table, across from Beta Savon and Gamma Mathias.


    Next to Gamma was an empty chair, followed by seats upied by nobles. Luna nced at Sigmund and Zyne standing on either side of the Emperor, tall and obedient, then to her right, where a woman in a military uniform was seated. The woman¡¯s hair was styled in a formal bun. Many badges adorned her uniform, and Luna could see her tanned skin, indicating she spent more time outdoors like Gamma Mathias.


    Alkrevas spoke briefly before permitting us to start breakfast. Many nobles and staff around the table stared at Luna with questioning and curious looks. Luna sighed loudly.


    She had no intention of introducing herself or making small talk. Whispering was heard around her, and Alkrevas, who was usually so sharp and keen on the atmosphere, ignored it, pretending not to listen and focusing on eating his breakfast while discussing with Beta Savon.


    Luna ate her breakfastzily, but her hand stopped moving when the woman beside her asked, ¡°Is the food not to your liking, Luna? If so, I¡¯ll ask the servant to rece your te with a new menu.¡± Luna was startled before turning to the woman beside her. She quickly shook her head.


    ¡°But you seem uninterested.¡±


    ¡°Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something. No. You don¡¯t need to call the servant, miss.¡±


    The woman beside her smiled gently. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be formal with me, Luna. I¡¯ll serve you, but I don¡¯t deserve to be called a miss. I am a knight.¡±


    Luna winced inwardly. ¡°Oh, alright, I apologize again.¡±


    ¡°Allow me to introduce myself. I am Commander Thea Lobato Abony.¡±


    ¡°Luna.¡±


    ¡°Your name is so unique. If I weren¡¯t attentive, I would think your name was Luna.¡± Once again, Luna winced inwardly.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    If only the general beside her knew that her statement was a fact, what would her reaction be? Luna just gave a sheepish smile and responded minimally to General Abony. Then, she automatically turned to Alkrevas and found him watching her intently, ignoring Beta Savon, who was talking. Luna immediately started and lowered her head.


    Since when had Alkrevas been watching her and listening to her conversation with Commander Abony? What did that mysterious look he gave her mean? Why did Luna feel a strange sensation creeping into her heart? However, Luna quickly set aside those feelings.


    Alkrevas couldn¡¯t possibly know about her secret past. She still didn¡¯t trust the mate bond that tied her to Alkrevas, so she wouldn¡¯t believe that Alkrevas could read her mind just because they were soulmates. He might be suspicious because of the trantion bracelet she wore, but he couldn¡¯t prove anything. Right?


    Luna lifted her head and looked at Alkrevas again, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that his eyes were no longer on her but on Gamma Mathias. She exhaled and refocused on the food in front of her.


    After breakfast ended and Alkrevas discussed some crucial matters at the dining table with his aides and staff, he dismissed the breakfast gathering, leaving only himself, Beta Savon, Gamma Mathias, Sigmund, Zyne, and Luna in the room. Luna looked out the window, longing to walk in the garden.


    ¡°Since today is the first day of the moonflower festival, I will leave the pce to check on the festival¡¯s progress.¡± Everyone was surprised to hear Alkrevas¡¯ words, including Luna, who thought such a task was unlikely for an emperor.


    ¡°But, Alpha. That is a task-¡±


    ¡°Did you just contradict me, Savon?¡± Alkrevas asked sharply. Beta Savon immediately bowed and mumbled a negative response.


    Alkrevas nodded in satisfaction and continued, ¡°I will evaluate the domestic department¡¯s work and check on the people of Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°What if your identity is recognized, Your Majesty?¡± Sigmund asked worriedly.


    ¡°I will use a disguise spell if that¡¯s what you fear.¡± Alkrevas nced at Luna, who was still sitting silently. ¡°Zyne, prepare a cloak for my Luna. I will take her with me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡­


    Luna stared at therge, sturdy horse in front of her. She frowned and turned her head toward Alkrevas, who was talking to Sigmund not far from where she stood. Then she looked at the pce gate, standing not far from her. Even though it wasn¡¯t the main gate but a side gate, it was just as grand and luxurious as the main gate. Luna heard footsteps and directed her gaze toward the source of the sound, seeing Alkrevas walking towards her.


    When he stopped beside her, Luna noticed that the gemstone in the ring Alkrevas wore was glowing slightly. As if understanding her gaze, he said, ¡°This ring is no ordinary. It stores my disguise spell. With this ring, others will see me differently.¡±


    Luna squinted and observed Alkrevas¡¯ appearance, which still looked identical. ¡°I thought it was a magical item that werewolves use to get dressed after transforming.¡±


    Alkrevas chuckled softly at Luna¡¯s words, surprising her. ¡°Why are youughing? And why do I still see you the same?¡±


    Alkrevas shook his head briefly. ¡°Because you are my soulmate,¡± he replied casually, then looked at the horse near them.


    He gently stroked the animal¡¯s head, causing it to snort and whiny softly, as if recognizing its owner and happily weing him. ¡°His name is Zeus. He¡¯s my favourite horse.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ I thought you didn¡¯t need a horse,¡± Luna murmured sarcastically.


    ¡°Can you ride a horse?¡± Luna looked at the horse¡¯s tall back before nodding.


    Luna indeed knew how to ride a horse because she had gone horseback riding with Maya several times. Still, the horse she choseter differed significantly from Zeus, and she feared falling off. ¡°Do you want to pet him?¡±


    Luna nodded and stroked Zeus¡¯ body before pulling her hand back and looking at Alkrevas, who was still busy pampering Zeus. She didn¡¯t expect that they were now chatting casually like friends. ¡°Zeus is a horse I¡¯ve cared for since he was little.¡±


    ¡°No wonder he obeys you so well.¡± Luna looked out the gate and asked, ¡°How will people see you if you use a disguise spell?¡± She was curious because she saw no change in Alkrevas.


    Luna yed with the edge of her cloak and looked at Alkrevas again, finding him watching her. The wind blew gently against them, making Luna¡¯s loose and partly tied hair flutter beautifully, as well as her skirt and cloak. Luna adjusted her slightly messy hair while waiting for Alkrevas¡¯ answer, trying to ignore his intense gaze.


    ¡°It depends on how they want to see me. This ring will create an illusion based on each person¡¯s thoughts and views.¡± Alkrevas answered casually, then approached and extended his hand, gently tucking a strand of Luna¡¯s hair behind her ear.


    ¡°Seeing you like this reminds me of the first time I saw you in that restaurant.¡± Luna felt her breath catch. So at that time, when she met the eyes of a mysterious man standing in the square, it was her mistake.


    She shouldn¡¯t have looked at the strange man in the ck cloak among hundreds of colourfully dressed people, but if they hadn¡¯t met then, Luna would have met Alkrevas for the first time when¡­ Luna shivered at the thought and hoped Ghea had escaped safely.


    Ghea was the key to her freedom and returning to her world, as she couldn¡¯t do anything while in the pce. Luna said nothing and bit her lip to hold back the sarcasticment, ready toe out of her mouth.


    ¡°Get on. We must leave now before lunchtime arrives.¡± Alkrevas then extended his hand to Luna, helping her mount the horse.


    Several of the Emperor¡¯s male servants approached to help, and when Luna wasfortably seated on Zeus¡¯s back, Alkrevas followed. He adjusted Luna¡¯s cloak before grabbing the reins and pulling them. Luna was grateful she had changed intofortable clothes for leaving the pce and horseback riding; if she had still worn her breakfast dress, she would have had a hard time.


    Zeus neighed before trotting slowly towards the pce gate. Luna¡¯s eyes widened once they passed through the gate, and she murmured in awe. Unlike behind the gate where she mounted Zeus, the road they travelled was crowded with shops and people passing by, indicating that the gate they passed through connected directly to the heart of Mylonas city.


    Luna murmured in amazement at the bustling city with various decorations to celebrate the festival. The shops, restaurants, and souvenir shops, as were the street vendors selling their goods, were crowded with visitors.


    Horse-drawn carriages continuously passed, and the noise made the city feel so alive, even more so than when she first entered Mylonas Capital. Luna looked left and right. She was so engrossed in the city¡¯s bustling atmosphere on the festival¡¯s first day that she didn¡¯t notice one of Alkrevas¡¯ hands circling her waist protectively and her body leaning against his chest.


    ¡­

 First Day of the Moon Flower Festival (2)

    Luna watched children running around joyfully with replicas of moon flowers. It was her first time seeing a festival, as she had never attended events like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year¡¯s celebrations in her world because she was too busy surviving or working. This new experience was happening in a foreign world she had recently discovered.


    As Zeus strolled, Luna marvelled at her surroundings. She was so engrossed in the festival¡¯s details that she didn¡¯t notice Alkrevas¡¯s protective arm around her waist, her body leaning against his warm chest.


    ¡°Is this your first time seeing a festival?¡± Alkrevas initiated a conversation, noticing Luna¡¯s excitement and glowing face. The peaceful and warm atmosphere gradually eased Luna¡¯s tension, making her less guarded and less hostile toward Alkrevas for the first time.


    ¡°Yes, you could say that. I was too busy surviving to enjoy such pleasures,¡± Luna answered honestly, with a hint of a sad smile. She added, ¡°I wasn¡¯t born with a silver spoon like you.¡±


    ¡°Does my life seem beautiful to you, little mate?¡± Alkrevas asked. Luna shrugged indifferently.


    ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, you¡¯re the sole heir to the throne, cherished by both parents. Ah, you have parents, while I don¡¯t.¡± Luna couldn¡¯t hide the envy in her voice. She had never felt parental warmth and longed for it, though it seemed impossible. She had tried to find out about her parents. Still, she found no clues, eventually giving up and watching others with their parents with envy.


    Alkrevas remained silent, as it was the first time Luna opened up about her life to him, despite the bitterness in her words. He wouldn¡¯t deny Luna¡¯s words, even though his reality was far from beautiful. As the sole heir, he hadn¡¯t escaped threats. Assassins had infiltrated his room to kill him when he was four, sent by opposition nobles. Poison mixed with wolfbane and other deadly substances was frequently found in his food or drink.


    His path to his current position was fraught with challenges, including usations of being cursed for not finding his soulmate upon reaching adulthood and pressure from nobles. Only the imperial family and pce staff knew the truth.


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t want to show his dark past to the werewolfmunity or Rhodes residents. It was all in the past, and now, no one could harm him. He could kill those who tried. Alkrevas didn¡¯t have weaknesses-his soulmate wasn¡¯t a weakness but a strength. He feltplete with Luna, something he had never felt before. Alkrevas dismissed these thoughts and asked, ¡°Where are your parents?¡± feigning interest.


    He pulled Zeus¡¯s reins, made therge ck horse stop, and directed Zeus to a quiet path. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Luna answered curtly, frowning as Zeus stopped and Alkrevas dismounted. ¡°Why did you get off? Why are we stopping here?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a stable nearby. I¡¯ll leave the horse there because we need to walk from here. Are you sure this is an emperor¡¯s job?¡± Luna asked doubtfully, watching Alkrevas extend his hand to her with a smile. She frowned, puzzled by the calm and tame demeanour of the usually psychopathic emperor. Luna sighed and epted Alkrevas¡¯s hand, and with his help, she safely dismounted Zeus.


    She observed Alkrevas¡¯s face and noticed no tension. ¡°Are you trying to cheer me up?¡± she asked suspiciously, unable to believe Alkrevas¡¯s calm demeanour.


    ¡°Why do you always see the worst in every good thing you get? And I told you I¡¯m inspecting. There¡¯s no harm in my Luna apanying me, right?¡± Luna frowned deeper but eventually nodded in eptance.


    ¡°Besides, the first day of the festival is the most enjoyable and awaited.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Judith¡¯s exnation wasn¡¯t entirely wrong, but there¡¯s something only on the first day.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°The carnival.¡± Alkrevas then took Zeus¡¯s reins and said, ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± He went to the stable and returned to Luna, offering his arm. After Luna took his arm, feeling the muscles beneath his coat, they walked toward the busy festival.


    ¡­


    She was returning from the festival, the sunset in the west, painting the sky a beautiful orange. Birds pped their wings, and Luna felt she was witnessing a scene usually seen on a canvas-an actual painting. She marvelled and murmured, ¡°Rarely do I see such a beautiful sky, usually filled with skyscrapers.¡±


    Realizing her words, she quickly looked at Alkrevas walking beside Zeus. Unlike her riding Zeus, Alkrevas preferred to walk, leading the horse. Luna bit her lip, fearing his reaction, but he stared nkly ahead. She cleared her throat to get his attention, but he ignored her.


    What¡¯s with that guy? Luna wondered, confused.


    Luna looked ahead and saw the side gate of the pce, indicating she would soon be back in her luxurious prison. She sighed softly and nced left at the row of shop buildings. One by one, she observed the items being sold from afar. Although it was gettingte, the shopping area remained busy, even more so than when she left the pce in the afternoon.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Luna smiled, seeing a couple, possibly married, exiting a bakery. The man held a basket of warm, savoury bread while the woman carried a beautiful bouquet. Luna remembered thest time she received a bouquet was during her cosmetic productunch, more as a congrattory gesture than a romantic one. Suddenly, Zeus stopped walking, and Luna turned her gaze from the couple back to Alkrevas, who had also stopped.


    Luna frowned in confusion. Alkrevas still stared ahead nkly, but soon, he turned to her. Luna blinked, noticing his dark brown eyes seemed unfocused and misty. Still, it vanished instantly when Alkrevas blinked and gazed at her with his intense look that never failed to make her shiver. ¡°Why did you stop?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something I need to check. Wait here.¡± Without waiting for Luna¡¯s reply, Alkrevas walked away, leaving Luna on Zeus¡¯s back and crossing the street. Luna shook her head in confusion and looked around.


    identally, Luna¡¯s gaze fell on a small, narrow, dark alley between the shops. It seemed ordinary to others but not to Luna. She tightened her cloak and squinted, seeing a hooded figure standing alone in the alley. What made Luna uneasy was the figure¡¯s eyes staring directly at her.


    Only their brown eyes were visible. A strong wind blew, making Luna¡¯s cloak, clothes, and hair flutter, as well as the hooded figure¡¯s cloak, revealing beautiful near-silver blonde hair. Luna knew that hair colour well, and when her brown eyes met familiar green eyes, she tensed up. A glimmer of hope grew stronger within her. ¡°Ghea?¡± Luna whispered.


    She quickly dismounted Zeus, intending to approach Ghea, but stopped when Ghea turned and disappeared into the alley¡¯s darkness. Additionally, Alkrevas¡¯s sudden presence made Luna divert her gaze from the alley to Alkrevas, her eyes widening at therge bouquet in his hand.


    ¡°You-¡± Luna couldn¡¯t speak as Alkrevas handed her the bouquet.


    ¡°I saw you looking at the woman with the bouquet. Your gaze clearly showed you wanted it, too.¡±


    ¡°You noticed?¡± Luna smiled as she inhaled the fragrant flowers. She gently caressed the petals unfamiliar to her from Earth. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Anything for you, little mate.¡± Alkrevas hadn¡¯t noticed Luna wanted the bouquet until he saw her delighted expression when he gave it to her. His real purpose was not to buy flowers but to verify Mathias¡¯s report via mind-link earlier. He left to locate the fae target using magic for a moment in a quiet ce. Before Luna got suspicious of his sudden absence, he bought the bouquet as an excuse.


    Alkrevas scanned the area cautiously. For a moment, his dark brown eyes turned red before returning to avoid arousing Luna¡¯s suspicion. Norris sat alert and tense, tapping his tail in Alkrevas¡¯s mind. Like him, his wolf soul was also on guard.


    Because their target was a threat, Alkrevas thought angrily. He recalled Mathias¡¯s report.


    ¡®Alpha, the tracker team reported something shocking from the fae¡¯s inn.¡¯


    ¡®What is it?¡¯ Alkrevas asked coldly, his tone like a knife. ¡®Give me positive news, Mathias.¡¯


    ¡®Yes, Alpha. The fae¡¯s presence¡­ the trackers found the object you seek during their search at the inn. They also detected ck magic around the inn. The fae¡¯s trail leads south of Rhodes. The teleportation magic traces are still visible near the inn.¡¯ Alkrevas waited silently for one more piece of information.


    ¡®The tracker team followed the fae¡¯s trail, and the target is now detected in Mylonas Capital. Your target is in Mylonas, Alpha.¡¯


    ¡®Damn! Deploy the trackers, your troops, and Tana¡¯s forces. Find the fae and drag them to me!¡¯


    ¡®Yes, Alpha.¡¯ After ending the mind link and leaving his soulmate¡¯s side, Alkrevas immediately called his elite team, The Shadow, to search for the target. He watched Luna from a distance, his eyes turning red. His hands clenched tightly, and his jaw tensed.


    ¡®No. Whatever happens, I won¡¯t let my soulmate slip from my grasp. No matter if I have to destroy the world. I won¡¯t let my soulmate go. I must eliminate anything that threatens my happiness, even if it¡¯s Luna¡¯s only chance to be happy.¡¯


    Alkrevas crushed the bouquet he had just bought, his gaze dark and cruel. He brought the petals to his nose, inhaling their fragrance, and smiled softly, filled with obsession.


    ¡°My beautiful Luna. Your ce is by my side. Remember that,¡± he whispered to the petals in front of him.


    ¡­.

 Imperial Banquet (1)

    It didn¡¯t take long before they returned through the back gate of the imperial pce and entered its confines. Luna sighed heavily and nced 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 nce 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 experiencinge 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 ce where she felt sofortable and safe. ¡°Ghea, I hope you seed¡­¡± 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 nonchntly. ¡°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.¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    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 itter. ¡°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 rx near Alkrevas. Was it because her instincts realized he was a predator and she was his prey? Luna nced 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¡¯spanion 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 apany you are all professional andpetent.¡±


    ¡°Not that-¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence as Alkrevas resumed walking along with Zeus, and momentster, they arrived in the open area where everyone had been waiting.


    Luna immediately put on a small smile upon seeing the servants, including Judith, weing 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 nced briefly at him and realized he had been observing her with a prating 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. Alkrevasughed and walked away, leaving Luna stunned in ce. ¡°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.


    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 hispanion at the party, everyone would recognize her face, thus ruining any chance she had to blend in with the crowdter. People would recognize her without hesitation. Her escape n was immediately thwarted. Was this another of Alkrevas¡¯ strategies to ensure she couldn¡¯t quickly leave the pce? 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 ns for freedom? For some reason, Luna didn¡¯t want to know the answer to that question.


    ¡­

 Imperial Banquet (2)

    Alkrevas entered his private office. He briefly nced at the golden que shaped like the emblem of the Vasilos Empire, mounted on the wall just above his desk chair. The Vasilos Empire, a prosperous country with the best military strength, a nation he had led for decades, a superpower both feared and respected, a country within his grasp, his own.


    He shook his head slightly, then continued his interrupted steps towards his desk chair before sitting down. Two imperial gs stood in two corners of the room, bookshelves lined one wall, and in the center of the room was a set offortable and high-quality sofas on a carpet from a country with a unique culture across the continent.


    Alkrevas surveyed the entire room before leaning back in his chair. He tapped the desk with his fingers at a slow tempo, his eyes fixed on the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.


    His solitude was interrupted by the sound of a knock on the door. Alkrevas did not respond immediately, taking a few minutes before finally granting permission. The door slowly opened, and the doorkeeper announced that the head of the tracker team-Lieutenant Pherril, had arrived.


    Alkrevas nodded, and shortly after the doorkeeper left, Pherril entered in full military uniform.


    Pherril Dyrus. He was a male wolf from one of the packs in the eastern region of Vasilos called the Knightblood pack.


    Pherril joined the tracker team when his abilities as a great tracker were recognized by the Alpha of his pack. With recognition and rmendation from his Alpha, Pherril enlisted as a knight of Vasilos. In his third year with the imperial tracker team, he received a promotion due to his achievements inpleting several missions, leading to his position as one of the lieutenants of the Royal Pack forces.


    Now, he had once again delivered good results in his mission to locate a fae as the head of the team. ¡°Pherril Dyrus of the Royal Pack forces, greeting His Majesty the Emperor, the sun and owner of the empire. May Selene always bless and protect Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°May Selene always bless you,¡± Alkrevas responded calmly. He straightened up and sped his hands on the desk. His dark brown eyes never left Pherril, whom he had been waiting for. ¡°How are you, Lieutenant?¡±


    ¡°Good, Your Majesty.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded in satisfaction. ¡°I hope your journey back to Vasilos and the capital was without issues.¡± He then nced at Mathias, who had arrived with Pherril, before focusing back on Pherril.


    ¡°Now, I want to hear the report from your mission.¡± At this, Pherril nodded and stepped closer while Mathias moved to Alkrevas¡¯ left side, standing obediently beside the Emperor. ¡°I hope you bring me satisfactory results.¡±


    Pherril pulled a pouch from his military coat and ced it on the desk. Alkrevas eyed the pouch briefly before reaching for it. A magic pouch can store various items, evenrge ones, without capacity limits. The bag was handy for carrying many items during long journeys, formal expeditions, or storage.


    Tracker teams often used the magic pouch, a breakthrough from the Magic Tower, to trace and gather evidence. Alkrevas examined the pouch before reaching inside, and magically, the empty pouch produced items. He ced each item on the desk one by one. When the bag was empty, he handed it to Mathias.


    Alkrevas scrutinized the items before him carefully. ¡°All these items were found by the tracker team at the inn. They were stored in a small hiddenpartment beneath the inn¡¯s floor.¡±


    Alkrevas reached for a piece of clothing. He examined it closely, noting that, due to its numerous open areas and short length, it resembled more of a nightgown than an outfit for going out. To Alkrevas, it looked more like a camisole. There were also very high heels and a strange box.


    ¡°All these items have Luna¡¯s scent so strongly,¡± Alkrevas frowned. Honestly, he didn¡¯t like it when others referred to his soulmate as ¡®Luna,¡¯ but he couldn¡¯t me them for using the term, as it was the name given to the soulmate of an Alpha.


    ¡°We searched elsewhere, but there was nothing more. We only found these three items.¡±


    ¡°What about the Fae you were tracking?¡±


    ¡°Its presence at the inn was brief-perhaps only a few minutes because the scent isn¡¯t powerful,¡± Pherril answered thoughtfully.


    ¡°Further investigation shows that the Fae came to meet someone,¡± Mathias added to Pherril¡¯s report. ¡°And that person is a wizard.¡±


    ¡°Yes, there was a date the ck magic activity was detected inn.¡± Alkrevas listened intently. His eyes stared nkly into the distance, processing all the information he received.


    Pherril nced at Mathias and then nodded, continuing, ¡°Besides the ck magic activity, there were also signs of teleportation portal use-¡±


    ¡°What about the search in Mylonas?¡± Alkrevas interrupted coldly.


    He did not need the report he had already heard; he needed information he had yet to receive. ¡°Are there any new developments?¡±


    ¡°At the moment, we are still tracking it. The Fae¡¯s scent is powerful in the city center of Mylonas. Beforeing to see you, I received a report from my subordinates. It seems there is suspicious activity in the Swricke district rted to ck magic. We are trying to determine whether this activity is connected to the Fae.¡± Alkrevas¡¯s dark brown eyes fixed on Pherril.


    The Swricke district was located in the southern part of Mylonas, the most distant district from the imperial pce, known as a dark or red-light district, where illegal activities were centered.


    From prostitution, ck markets, ve trading, and illicit auctions to drug trafficking, everything urred in that district. Only some people could enter or exit this district. If the activity was rted to the Fae he was hunting, he could not underestimate his quarry. For someone who had never set foot in Vasilos, let alone Mylonas, the Fae was quite bold to enter such a district.


    Alkrevas did not respond. He could contact the head of the trading guild, and the information managed confidentially if he wanted information rted to the Swricke district. ¡°Do you know if the Fae was trying to meet my soulmate when we returned to the pce?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Mathias murmured incredulously.


    ¡°I left Luna for a few minutes, and when I returned, I detected the Fae¡¯s scent around my soulmate. All my suspicions were confirmed when I read Luna¡¯s thoughts.¡±


    Pherril nodded. ¡°That means the Fae we¡¯re looking for is closer than we thought.¡±


    With a nod, Alkrevas gave his final order and permitted Pherril to return to his duties. Once Pherril had left, Alkrevas looked at the items on his desk. He reached out, took Luna¡¯s clothing, and inhaled the strong scent of Luna that clung to the fabric. ¡°Has Markus arrived in Mylonas?¡±


    ¡°Yes, the capital¡¯s border guards reported that Duke Veniam has headed to the imperial pce. He should arrive in a few minutes,¡± Mathias replied. Alkrevas nodded in understanding. ¡°In that case, I will excuse myself to check the pce security.¡±


    ¡°Have the delegates arrived?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Beta Savon and Sigmund are weing them.¡±


    Alkrevas leaned back. ¡°Very well, you may go,¡± Alkrevas murmured. Mathias then bowed, turned, and walked out of the room.


    When the door was securely closed, and Alkrevas was alone again, his dark brown eyes turned red like a ruby, indicating the anger he had been holding back. He looked back at Luna¡¯s belongings and stood up.


    ¡°Fritz.¡± Instantly, a man in a ck cloak, with a ck face cover revealing only his eyes, a ck hood, and a long, fearsome sword hanging at his side, emerged from the darkness.


    The man named ¡®Fritz¡¯ was the leader of The Shadow, the Emperor¡¯s elite intelligence force. Fritz knelt on one knee in front of Alkrevas and lowered his head. ¡°You know what to do.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± With the swiftness of the wind, Fritz vanished once more. Alkrevas sighed softly, cing the box he had found into his coat pocket, and then put the other two items into his desk drawer. After that, he walked out of the room to prepare himself.


    ¡­


    After several hours of preparation, Luna was finally ready. She felt like a doll for the servants at this point. Every dress prepared for her had to be tried on, along with shoes and essories. When she finished her makeup, Luna was exhausted and unable to stand from the dressing chair.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    All the servants stepped back, gazing at Luna with hopeful eyes, wishing for praise for their hard work in making her look beautiful. Honestly, this wasn¡¯t Luna¡¯s first time in such a position.


    When preparing for a G, Luna would spend hours at the salon getting dressed, trying on many dresses, and so on. However, what made her tired was that, unlike modern dresses, the gowns in this world were more like European ball gowns from the past with manyyers. not to mention the constrictive bustiers or corsets. Despite that, Luna felt a sense of satisfaction each time she saw her reflection in the mirror.


    The makeup used differed from what she was used to, but it sessfully made her look even more beautiful. Her hair, partly loose and adorned with pearl pins, gave a stunning illusion like a starry night sky. Around her neck and ears, she wore gemstone nes and earrings toplete the look.


    Luna forced herself to stand and positioned herself in front of therge mirror. She turned around and examined the dress she was wearing carefully. ¡°What do you think, Luna?¡±


    A smile spread across Luna¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful.¡±


    Luna¡¯s ball gown was more luxurious than anything she had seen before entering this world. The entire gown was made from a soft material-one Luna had never encountered before-colored navy blue mixed with white, with the waist adorned with delicate and beautiful gold flower appliques. A navy blue sash extended from her left shoulder to her right waist, embellished with a blue-gold ribbon brooch set with blue gemstones.


    Luna gazed at her reflection in the mirror and turned to her servants, who looked at her thoughtfully. ¡°Thank you. I love it. You all did an amazing job. This is the first time I¡¯ve looked this beautiful.¡±


    All the servants immediately bowed and answered Luna with heartfelt replies. Luna looked back at her reflection. At that moment, she heard the door guard announce Alkrevas¡¯s arrival. Shortly after, the door opened, and Alkrevas appeared before everyone, looking stunning. He wore a navy coat, waistcoat, and half-cape with gold detailing-the color perfectly matching Luna¡¯s gown. A blue gemstone brooch was pinned to his cravat, and his hair was styled back, making him look even more handsome.


    Alkrevas walked into the room and paused. For a moment, he¡¯s an entire appearance from head to toe before focusing on her eyes. He then continued his steps and stopped in front of Luna. One hand reached up, gently brushing Luna¡¯s cheek, and he murmured, ¡°Until now, I didn¡¯t know if angels existed, but seeing you, I¡¯m now sure that angels are real. Evident in the woman standing before me.¡±


    Luna¡¯s cheeks, flushed from the makeup, instantly turned even redder. She quickly turned away and reached for a fan that matched her dress from one of the servants. ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you know how beautiful you are, little mate?¡±


    Luna turned back to Alkrevas and folded her arms over her chest. ¡°I¡¯m curious how many women you¡¯ve charmed with your sweet words.¡±


    Alkrevas extended his hand, took Luna¡¯s hand, and softly kissed its back. ¡°None. Only you.¡± Then Alkrevas wrapped Luna¡¯s hand around his arm. ¡°Shall we go now? I¡¯m sure many people are curious about you.¡±


    ¡­

 Chapter 38 Imperial Banquet (3)

    Luna and Alkrevas walked side by side toward the eastern part of the pce, where the Diamond Hall, the venue for the Imperial Banquet, was located. The sound of heels and shoes meeting the marble floor apanied their journey.


    Luna nced back, observing the Emperor¡¯s entourage consisting of guards, aides, and servants following faithfully. She turned her gaze forward and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself amidst the opulent atmosphere.


    ¡°Are you feeling nervous?¡± Alkrevas asked as he noticed Luna¡¯s unusual demeanor. His gloved hand lifted and briefly brushed Luna¡¯s cheek. Instantly, Luna felt a gentle tremor through her body. Although the sparks she felt when they touched were not direct skin-to-skin contact, the gesture from Alkrevas elicited a reaction in her, reminding her of the time they had recently spent together in bed.


    ¡°Of course. I didn¡¯t know Vasilos had a mad Emperor?¡± Alkrevas¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion and displeasure at Luna¡¯s response, but he restrained himself from reacting.


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t want to ruin the banquet night just because they were arguing. Besides, this was his chance to announce that he had found his soulmate andpanion, who would be his Empress to help him rule the empire. He also wanted to show the noble factions that they could no longer undermine or attempt to bring him down by using rumors of him being cursed, which had been circting among the pce elite, to ruin his reputation.


    ¡°You know I¡¯m not from, um, Vasilos. I¡¯m not a noble either. I¡¯m just amoner. Will they ept me?¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking this all of a sudden? The little mate I¡¯ve seen has never cared about what others say about her. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Alkrevas asked with a slightly teasing tone.


    Damn! Luna was sure her attitude would eventually have a boomerang effect, and this was one of those moments.


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t care at all about how others viewed Luna. He even ignored the whispers of servants about him. He knew all the rumors circting in the pce about him, but he yed dumb. Alkrevas was aware of her thoughts. He was saying all this to make Alkrevas reconsider his decision. It was only toote once they entered the banquet hall.


    Alkrevas could withdraw all his ns and return to his chambers, but it seemed that was not going to happen. ¡°Why do you think so? It¡¯s not that I¡¯m indifferent to the rumors, but I don¡¯t want your reputation to¡­¡±


    ¡°And since when do you care about my reputation?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you feel a bit ttered by my concern?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re saying all this to change my mind, but unfortunately, little mate, I won¡¯t do that.¡± With that, Alkrevas closed the conversation, and the rest of their walk was filled with silence.


    As they entered the eastern part of the pce, the previously quiet atmosphere became lively.


    asionally, they passed by guests who greeted them. Finally, they reached the entrance of the banquet hall, where two footmen stood in their uniforms. The two men immediately straightened up upon seeing the Emperor¡¯s arrival. Then they opened therge double doors made of the finest wood adorned with beautiful carvings and white paint.


    One of them announced loudly, ¡°The Sun of the Vasilos Empire-His Imperial Majesty Alkrevas Rome de Vasilos, and the Emperor¡¯spanion-Miss Luna, are entering the room.¡±


    Luna winced inwardly. Unlike Alkrevas, she didn¡¯t even have a surname in this world. But she dismissed that thought as her feet stepped into the room, where all the guests present immediately knelt on one knee for the men and bowed in respect while spreading their gowns for the women.


    Luna¡¯s heart pounded rapidly as she walked down the red carpet. Although her head was held high and she did not bow, giving an impression of confidence, inside, she was beginning to feel anxious. She did not belong to this world; it meant her ce was not here but in her world.


    Silence enveloped the banquet hall. The ssical music that the band had yed in the corner of the room abruptly stopped. Only the sound of their footsteps could be heard.


    Luna looked at the throne positioned at the end of the carpet. Unlike the Audience Room or Throne Room, where the podium for the throne is rtively high, the podium where the throne was ced was rtively low. Just by climbing three steps, they had reached the throne.


    Alkrevas sat on the throne while Luna stood to his left as Beta Savon and Gamma Mathias joined them on the podium. The music resumed, and one by one, nobles and guests, both delegates and officials, approached the podium to pay their respects to Alkrevas.


    As Alkrevas engaged in conversation, discussing light topics with each guest, Luna chose to observe the decorations of Diamond Hall. Diamond Hall, described by Judith as the most luxurious and spacious hall in the imperial pce, lived up to its reputation.


    Among the other grand halls in the pce, Diamond Hall was the only one entirely decorated in gold. From the wall carvings to therge chandelier hanging from the ceiling and even the flower vases or other objects filling the hall, everything was adorned in gold. Additionally, the roof of the hall featured paintings depicting the early history of the imperial family, done by a renowned artist from the Oceania Kingdom. Imperial gs decorated the wall areas, and a que bearing the imperial crest adorned the central part of the hall where the throne was situated.


    Despite this, Diamond Hall was rarely used, reserved only for major imperial events, and otherwise kept closed. However, not this time; for some reason, Alkrevas had chosen Diamond Hall for the Moon Flower Festival banquet, an event that could have been held in another hall. Judith¡¯s description of Diamond Hall proved to be urate.


    The hall was dominated by gold and white. Although the gold decor was dazzling, it was less excessive than Luna had feared. Flowers adorned various corners, and there was a buffet with the finest food and drink avable. Luna scanned the room, trying her best to ignore the gazes of the guests directed at her.


    Luna had never been into any other rooms. From her experience in Diamond Hall, she became curious about the luxury of the Throne Room and the Hall of the Imperial Family, where portraits of past emperors and their families were disyed. She regretted declining to enter these crucial rooms during her tour and instead focused on memorizing the pce¡¯s exit routes.


    Her thoughts were interrupted by a clearing of the throat.


    Suddenly, Luna blinked and directed her brown eyes down to the podium, specifically to a man in his sixties apanied by a woman of the same age and a younger woman. ¡°Marquis Ian Cirillo of the House of Cirillo greets His Majesty the Emperor, the sun and owner of the empire. May Selene always bless and protect His Majesty.¡±


    ¡°May Selene bless you, Marquis Cirillo.¡± Luna heard Alkrevas¡¯s response, and for some reason, she felt that Alkrevas¡¯s response seemed half-hearted or somewhat disinterested.


    However, she said nothing and continued to watch the man she knew as Ian Cirillo. The greetings continued with the Marquis¡¯s wife-Dorothy-andstly, the Marquis¡¯s only daughter-Amelia. The conversation then began, and Luna paid close attention to Amelia, as, for some reason, since the beginning, she had noticed the young woman ncing at Alkrevas with an interested look that was quickly hidden by lowering her head.


    ¡°Who is the woman apanying you, Your Majesty?¡± Luna blinked at the question. Immediately, she gave a sweet smile and introduced herself politely.


    She was slightly taken aback when she noticed Marquis Cirillo giving her a sharp, hateful look. ¡°She is a beautiful woman, but unfortunately, she is frommoner stock and does not deserve to be by your side.¡±


    ¡°Retract your statement, Marquis,¡± Alkrevas growled softly.


    ¡°The woman you look down upon is the imperial consort-to-be.¡±


    ¡°So the rumors I heard are true, Your Majesty?¡±


    Luna saw Alkrevas tighten his grip on the armrest of the throne. ¡°Don¡¯t make me banish you, Cirillo.¡±


    ¡°You cannot do that, Your Majesty. The Noble Faction will be furious if you embarrass me in front of the delegates. You still need our support to remain on the throne.¡±


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Was Marquis Cirillo openly threatening Alkrevas? Why was the man so bold? But as quickly as the question arose, so did the answer in her mind. Marquis Cirillo believed he had power and was confident that Alkrevas would do nothing.


    Luna only knew a little about the Vasilos Empire¡¯s politics. Still, one thing was sure: if the noble faction chose to withdraw their support, Alkrevas¡¯s position would be shaken. Not to say it would copse, but the faction would do everything to overthrow Alkrevas. It wasn¡¯t the first time such things happened, even in her world.


    Alkrevas had absolute power and dominance as an Alpha, but that was all. As she recalled from Ghea¡¯s words, werewolves indeed dominated Vasilos, but there were still other races residing in Vasilos, including mortal beings, and Alpha Command only instilled obedience, not loyalty, like the werewolves. An Alpha¡¯s effect would be useless for other species; it might have a significant impact on humans because they were the weakest species here, but not on others.


    ¡°I will remember that, Marquis.¡±


    After the Marquis family turned away, Alkrevas sighed heavily and raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. ¡°He thinks I won¡¯t do anything. I could kill him anytime.¡±


    ¡°However, the Noble Faction cannot be underestimated, Alpha.¡± Beta Savon responded.


    ¡°Indeed, the imperial faction has power, but you also need the noble faction. After all, many of themon people rely on the nobles for their livelihood, which impacts the economy, and we still need Cirillo to guard the Vasilos borders.¡± Luna mentally agreed with Beta Savon¡¯s words.


    Still, for some reason, she guessed that Alkrevas¡¯s thin patience might snap and cause him to do something about Marquis Cirillo.


    ¡°Where is Sigmund?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s making sure there are no shortages at the event.¡±


    ¡°That aide of mine never stops working,¡± Alkrevasmented wearily. The greetings continued until no more guests approached. Alkrevas breathed a sigh of relief.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡­

 Duke Veniam

    Alkrevas rose confidently and approached Luna, extending his hand towards her. ¡°Little mate, it¡¯s time for our first dance. Would you dance with me?¡± Luna looked around hesitantly. With a slightly held breath, she reached out and epted Alkrevas¡¯ hand.


    Luna heard whispers of anticipation throughout the hall as she walked beside Alkrevas toward the dance floor, feeling her legs tremble. ¡°Can¡¯t you dance?¡± Alkrevas teased gently.


    ¡°Of course I can!¡± Luna replied with newfound conviction.


    Why did I say that so confidently? she wondered to herself. She wasn¡¯t sure if the dances here would be the same as those in her world; if they were different, she would surely be terribly embarrassed. Why hadn¡¯t she asked Judith for a crash course in dancing? But were dances different everywhere? Err¡­ but this is a different world, though the music she heard was so familiar, almost like the ssical music she knew. Hah! Luna was thoroughly confused.


    ¡°Why are you nervous then?¡± Alkrevas asked.


    ¡°Everyone is watching!¡± Luna replied, ncing at the guests observing them.


    Alkrevas chuckled softly. ¡°Isn¡¯t that better?¡± he asked yfully.


    Once they reached the center of the dance floor, Alkrevas released Luna. The man bowed gracefully, extending his hand with a small, gentlemanly smile. Luna returned Alkrevas¡¯ gesture with a curtsy and epted his hand. They drew closer. One of Luna¡¯s hands rested on Alkrevas¡¯ shoulder while the other held his hand; one of Alkrevas¡¯ hands encircled Luna¡¯s waist, and his other hand held hers. The music began, and Alkrevas moved, leading the dance skillfully.


    Luna felt relieved to know it was a waltz; if it were some strange and unfamiliar dance, she would have fled the hall. ¡°You¡¯re very good at dancing,¡± she said.


    ¡°Do you think I know nothing about festivities?¡±


    ¡°Where did you learn?¡±


    ¡°Dance ss.¡±


    Their dance continued. Initially, they had the dance floor to themselves, with the guests choosing to be spectators, but gradually, other couples joined in. The first song ended, followed by the second and third. They danced on until Luna¡¯s feet grew tired by the end of the third song.


    Alkrevas decided to end their dance by stepping back and bowing. ¡°Thank you, mydy, for giving me the chance to dance with you.¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°And I with you, Your Majesty. Thank you for choosing me as your partner for the first dance.¡±


    They walked off the dance floor, and the guests seized the opportunity to engage Alkrevas in closer conversation regarding imperial matters or business issues. Initially, by Alkrevas¡¯ side, Luna gradually found herself separated from the psychopathic Emperor. Alkrevas surely noticed, attempting to approach Luna as she became cornered by other women, but his efforts were consistently thwarted. Luna sighed heavily and decided to engage with the female guests trying to talk to her.


    Twenty minutester, Luna finally stood in a corner of the room with a ss of champagne in hand. Leaning back, she watched Alkrevas busy in conversation with delegation guests from a distance. Several times, Alkrevas signaled her toe over. Still, Luna declined, either eating food from the buffet table or pretending not to notice.


    In the lively party atmosphere, she found a moment to herself, observing quietly. Standing behind a pir, hidden in shadows, meant no one noticed her presence, a fact she was grateful for. She was tired of talking and entertaining guests. If only she could escape to the balcony on the second floor or to the sitting rooms designated for resting, that would be even better. Unfortunately, revealing herself amidst the guests would thwart her intentions, as many were curious to know who she was.


    Luna took a sip of her drink, unaware of someone standing beside her. When she realized, she gasped and nearly dropped the ss in her hand. With a deep breath and a hand to her chest, she looked at the man standing beside her. ¡°Beta Savon. I didn¡¯t realize you were here.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you by Alpha¡¯s side, Luna? The Luna must apany their Alpha in all circumstances.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Luna replied sarcastically. She dropped her formal tone with Beta Savon since he had spoken informally to her first. ¡°I was just taking a short break. My feet are starting to ache from the shoes I¡¯m wearing.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Would you like to rest in the sitting room?¡±


    ¡°No. Here is fine. I-¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence as she heard three taps of a cane, indicating someone¡¯s arrival, and indeed, shortly after the taps, a footman¡¯s voice announced, silencing the room. Alkrevas walked to the center of the room and stood at the forefront to wee thete guest.


    ¡°The leader from the northern region, Duke Markus Adolf de Veniam, enters the room,¡± the footman¡¯s voice echoed. The guests murmured in anticipation. When the door opened, the chatter subsided into silence. Luna heard footsteps. From where she stood, she could see a man with dark hair walking towards Alkrevas.


    The man, whom she knew as Duke Markus and carried the title de Veniam, was d in a beautifully decorated military uniform adorned with various medals on his right chest. Luna observed as Alkrevas and Duke Veniam spoke. From their brief interactions, it was clear they shared a close rtionship.


    ¡°Come. Alpha instructed me to escort you to his side,¡± Beta Savon said.


    ¡°He knows I¡¯m with you?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Luna nodded and ced her ss on the nearest table, then walked back to Beta Savon¡¯s side. ¡°But before that, I want to ask. Who is Duke Veniam? Why does he seem close to the Emperor?¡±


    An annoyance crept into Beta Savon¡¯s expression as if Luna¡¯s question was entirely unworthy of consideration, but Luna didn¡¯t think so. She hadn¡¯t been here long and hadn¡¯t been taught anything since arriving, so it was fair for her to ask and want to know.


    Despite his irritation, Beta Savon answered, ¡°He is the Duke of Veniam Duchy, a region in the north. The Cold Duke of the North. That¡¯s the title given to Duke Veniam by the nobles of the Capital.¡±


    Luna nodded as Beta Savon provided this information. ¡°The northern region is cold and the farthest from the imperial pce, bordering Vasilos and the Nightale Kingdom. Despite that, the Duchy is the strongest domain, and the Veniam family is the wealthiest after the imperial family due to their numerous mines and gemstones.¡±


    Luna nodded again, digesting Beta Savon¡¯s exnation. ¡°And it can be said that between Alpha and Duke Veniam, they still have family ties.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Duke Veniam is Alpha¡¯s cousin. The previous Duke was the younger brother of the previous Emperor. Duke Veniam is also one of the imperial generals and has been the Emperor¡¯s chancellor for five years.¡±


    No wonder they seemed close, Luna concluded inwardly.


    ¡°Alpha intended to pass the throne to Duke Veniam if he became Feral,¡± Beta Savon continued. Luna widened her eyes and looked at Beta Savon in disbelief. ¡°But that didn¡¯t happen because you appeared in front of him.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe¡­¡±


    ¡°You can ask the rest of Alpha. Now we should move. Alpha has ordered me to bring you back to his side.¡±


    ¡°When did he do that?¡±


    ¡°Just now. Follow me.¡± Beta Savon said, tapping his temple with his finger, indicating that he wasmunicating with the Emperor through a mind.


    Luna nodded understandingly and walked towards the center of the hall, where Alkrevas stood with Duke Veniam and other equally prominent nobles. As she walked towards Alkrevas, she reyed Beta Savon¡¯s exnation of the young Duke in her mind. I¡¯ll have to ask Alkrevas more about Duke Veniamter.


    For some reason, Luna wanted to know more and felt intrigued by Markus Veniam, the man she had just seen for the first time.


    ¡­

 Declaration (1)

    The interest she felt was not about the attraction between a woman and a man she had just met but rather an interest in the man¡¯s identity. For some reason, seeing Duke Veniam¡¯s face from afar sessfully made her unable to take her eyes off the Duke. Luna felt a sense of familiarity with the figure of the second most powerful man in the Vasilos Empire.


    Luna observed the man¡¯s features more closely as the distance between her and the object of her curiosity decreased. The hair she saw from afar appeared dark, but it was actually dark brown and perfectly styled. Then there were those beautiful green eyes, the rosy red lips, the strong jawline, and the tall, sturdy, and upright body.


    The Duke¡¯s face, which looked friendly, was in stark contrast to Alkrevas¡¯ arrogant face. However, for some reason, Luna could detect emptiness in those beautiful green eyes, indicating that the friendliness shown was merely a camouge mask to hide his authentic expressions and emotions. Seeing all this, Luna realized that, like Alkrevas, she also had to be cautious with the Duke. After all, Duke Veniam still had imperial blood in his veins.


    Luna observed more closely the medals adorning the left chest of the Duke¡¯s military uniform and then noticed a regiment badge pinned to the white sash. This badge symbolizes the Veniam region¡¯s troops. It consisted of two crossed swords, a bird-like phoenix engraved in the center of the cross, surrounded by intricate, beautiful carvings, and a crown-like engraving on top.


    Luna briefly saw the same emblem on the badge adorning the blue cape the man was wearing, indicating that her assumption was correct. The badge she saw was the emblem of the Veniam Duchy troops. Luna also noticed the Vasilos Empire¡¯s emblem adorning the hall¡¯s walls above the throne before returning her gaze to the two men who were her target.


    Upon reaching the two men, Luna erased all the feelings and thoughts dominating her. ¡°Finally, my future empress has returned.¡± That was the first sentence Alkrevas said when Luna arrived at his side. With a sweet smile, she bowed to greet him, then let Alkrevas pull her body close to him.


    Luna bit her lower lip as she felt the possessive grip of the psychopathic Emperor around her waist, and she felt like cursing Alkrevas when he boldly kissed her cheek and the hollow of her neck. What was that man thinking? Acting intimate in public? Luna red at Alkrevas and saw the man smiling in satisfaction.


    As if feeling victorious because his hidden intentions had seeded. Luna clenched her fists at her sides. She knew Alkrevas¡¯s purpose in doing all that was to warn the men throughout the hall that she was the Emperor¡¯s, the Emperor¡¯s property and woman, and that she should not be touched or approached.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Luna, I haven¡¯t introduced you to my chancellor and the prime minister of the Vasilos Empire, Duke Veniam.¡±


    Once again, Luna looked at Duke Veniam and gave a polite smile followed by a light greeting, but what surprised Luna was the Duke¡¯s expression. The man looked at her with a pale face as if he was seeing a ghost instead of a human.


    ¡°My Lord?¡± Luna murmured in confusion.


    Duke Veniam blinked several times and cleared his throat softly, trying to change his surprised expression to a friendly one. ¡°Forgive me, Lady Luna looks very simr to someone I know, so I was slightly startled.¡±


    Duke Veniam chuckled softly andmented, ¡°Your Majesty, you are fortunate to have a beautiful woman as your soulmate, Miss Luna. Your years of waiting and efforts have finally paid off.¡±


    ¡°You are right, Markus.¡±


    Luna shifted her gaze from Duke Veniam to Alkrevas, and it seemed that Luna wasn¡¯t the only one who sensed the oddity in Duke Veniam¡¯s reaction. Alkrevas felt the same way, as the man didn¡¯t take his eyes off the Duke. ¡°So when are the wedding and coronation ceremonies?¡±


    ¡°As soon as possible, I want to prepare both events perfectly. That¡¯s why, after the cab meeting the day after tomorrow, I want you to start preparing these two major events.¡± Luna felt her heart stop beating at Alkrevas¡¯ response to Duke Veniam¡¯s question.


    Luna nced briefly at Alkrevas before refocusing on Duke Veniam, who nodded obediently at the Emperor¡¯smand. ¡°How about the northern region? Is everything alright? Have the urgent issues been resolved?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Everything is fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that. I need my chancellor to carry out state duties. You know that, right?¡± Alkrevas raised his hand and briefly patted Duke Veniam¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Yes. I will stay in the Capital for a long time. I will faithfully stand by your side, Your Majesty.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded happily. ¡°While you¡¯re here, you can speak with the delegation from Nighwarm Kingdom. You can also rx because the next two days will be busy for us.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Your Majesty.¡± Then Duke Veniam took his leave and turned to go. Other nobles began conversing with Alkrevas, and Luna felt like a trophy wife standing by Alkrevas¡¯ side as a disy. Even if Alkrevas did not talk to her, the surrounding nobles would likely ignore her and act as if she did not exist.


    Luna sighed in frustration in her heart and finally mustered the courage to ask Alkrevas for permission to go to the restroom. She breathed a sigh of relief when she received permission from Alkrevas without much debate.


    ¡­


    Luna walked through the garden in silence. For the first time, she had some time alone. After going to the restroom, she decided to go to the garden and breathe in the fresh air. She was reluctant to return to the hall, and it was rare for her to experience freedom, but she knew that the freedom and solitude she felt would notst long. She had to return to the hall soon if she didn¡¯t want Alkrevas to cause a scene.


    With a gentle sigh, Luna sat down on a garden bench. She looked up at the sky, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She didn¡¯t know why she was crying. It could be longing, anger, or pent-up emotions. Whatever it was, she let it all out with her tears. The starry sky and moon reminded her of her friend-Maya. She still remembered their spontaneous camping trip.


    Luna also saw a beautiful sky back then, although not as beautiful as the one she saw now. It still made her murmur in awe. ¡°Maya, Nicole, how are you?¡± Luna whispered to the night.


    Suddenly, she heard footsteps followed by conversation, and judging by the voices, Luna guessed that the neers were women. Luna hurriedly ran to the maze and stopped behind a wall of foliage. She peeked out and confirmed her thinking; the neers were two women, and from their appearance, they were nobles.


    Luna turned to leave but stopped when she heard one of the women¡¯sments. ¡°Why would His Majesty be with a woman who has no background? She¡¯s not even a noble. Just look at her appearance. Completely ssless.¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you heard, Penelope? Rumor has it that the woman is His Majesty¡¯s soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Hah! Soulmate? You know she could have used ck magic on His Majesty and then imed to be His soulmate.¡± The woman, whom Luna identified as Penelope, replied cynically. ¡°Don¡¯t you think so, Rosaline?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    Luna couldn¡¯t see the faces of the two women named Penelope and Rosaline because the shadows of the gardenmp post obscured them.


    ¡°Marquis Cirillo never stops expressing his disappointment. After all, his daughter was supposed to be a candidate for Empress. His beloved daughter lost to a woman with an unclear background.¡±


    ¡°But wasn¡¯t Marquis Cirillo¡¯s daughter already at a disadvantage from the start? The Emperor had already chosen Commander Abony as his prospective Empress if he didn¡¯t find his soulmate within a year.¡±


    ¡°Do you think this is the Emperor¡¯s n, Rosaline?¡±


    ¡°n or not, I just feel sorry for Commander Abony. The Abony family has been preparing for their daughter¡¯s wedding, and I also heard that Commander Abony has feelings for the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Rosaline?¡±


    ¡°Rumor has it that General Thea has stayed at the Emperor¡¯s residence several times. Even the imperial household staff has been preparing for Commander Abony¡¯s arrival at the Empress¡¯s pce.¡±


    Luna sighed softly and walked away. She continued to distance herself from the two gossiping women who enjoyed discussing rumors that might not be true. Commander Abony?


    Luna had met her once during breakfast that morning, but she didn¡¯t see anything in the Commander¡¯s gaze or gestures. To Luna, Commander Abony acted like a subordinate to a superior, unlike the Marquis¡¯s daughter she had seen. Luna tried to think logically, and even if she was jealous, it might be influenced by the mate bond.


    Whoever was right, whether it was Alkrevas or the rumors, Luna didn¡¯t care. She cared about escaping from all this and returning to her world. Luna stopped in the middle of the maze, where a fountain and a stone garden bench were located.


    Luna sat down and took a deep breath, trying to dispel the turmoil suddenly rising in her heart. ¡°Commander Abony and Alkrevas? Of course, they are a good match. Unlike herself, Commander Abony is skilled with a sword and a Commander, meaning her military capabilities are unquestionable.¡±


    At that moment, Luna didn¡¯t realize that she was acknowledging the mate bond tying her to Alkrevas, and she was unaware she was jealous.


    Luna sighed softly and rubbed her temples because her head was aching. ¡°Are you starting to have feelings for him?¡± Suddenly, someone asked her, and Luna gasped in surprise.


    Luna immediately turned slightly to see where the voice came from because the voice she heard was not unfamiliar but very familiar. Instantly, Luna looked around to search and then found a hooded figure hiding in the darkness. Her breath caught, and her lips trembled when the hooded figure stepped out of the darkness towards her. When the light fell on the figure, Luna confirmed the feeling in her heart, and relief washed over her. The figure, a woman with blonde hair and forest-green eyes, walked towards her. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to return to your world anymore?¡±


    ¡°Ghea?¡±


    ¡°Hi, Luna.¡±


    Luna immediately stood up and ran to Ghea, hugging her tightly. Ghea hugged her back and chuckled softly. ¡°I¡¯m so grateful you¡¯re okay. I was worried about you.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t die so easily, Luna. After all, I want to avenge my brother¡¯s death.¡±


    ¡°Against His Majesty?¡± asked Luna, pulling away from Ghea. Ghea nodded in response to Luna¡¯s question. She looked at the Fae woman who had helped her with a doubtful expression. ¡°You know it won¡¯t be easy.¡±


    ¡°I know. That¡¯s why I will seek revenge after you return to your world.¡± Luna nodded in understanding. ¡°Seeing you in the city earlier today was quite a surprise.¡±


    Ghea smiled slightly. ¡°Sorry, I couldn¡¯t approach you then. The Emperor has ordered his men to track and capture me.¡± Luna¡¯s eyes widened in shock at Ghea¡¯s words. Was it because Ghea was connected to her? Or was it something else? But if it was something else, what was it? Luna felt a bad premonition.


    ¡°So? Do you like that Emperor? Do you not want to return?¡± Ghea asked, narrowing her eyes and looking at Luna inquisitively.


    Luna shook her head. ¡°Of course, I want to go back. That¡¯s my biggest wish right now. You know this world isn¡¯t my ce, Ghea.¡±


    Ghea nodded in understanding upon hearing Luna¡¯s answer. ¡°Have you found a way for me to return?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve spoken with a witch.¡± Then Ghea began exining in broad strokes the method she had learned from the witch about how the portal worked.


    When she finished, Luna looked at the fountain with a doubtful gaze. ¡°I know it sounds uncertain, but we have to try it. The witch wille first to activate the portal.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure my items can be used?¡±


    ¡°The things you brought aren¡¯t from here, plus a strand of your hair. That might trigger the portal¡¯s power. The portal isn¡¯t part of this world either. So I think it will work,¡± Ghea exined confidently.


    ¡°Then where are my things?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°The Royal Pack, the imperial tracker team, tracked me to my lodging. They found your items that I kept, Luna.¡±


    ¡°What? Does that mean-?¡±


    Ghea nodded slowly. ¡°Yes. All the things you brought from your world are with the Emperor, and the likelihood that he knows your true identity is very high.¡±


    ¡­

 Chapter 41 Declaration (2)

    Luna walked into the hall, filled with fear. If what Ghea said was true, it meant that Alkrevas had known her identity from the beginning. Was that why Alkrevas asked about the trantion bracelet she wore, followed by the cryptic and mysterious statements he gave her at every opportunity? Not to mention his obsessive behavior. Did the facts Alkrevas knew to make him stressed and trigger the rut phase?


    The situation would be even moreplicated if all those possibilities were actual. Luna wanted to confirm the suspicions she had just learned about, but it would take a long time, and she needed more time to uncover the truth.


    She was sure Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t open his mouth and admit everything so quickly. He was cunning and would cover up the truth until the end if he deemed it worth hiding.


    Luna stopped walking, feeling an urge to scream to vent her frustration. She looked around, searching for Alkrevas, but couldn¡¯t find him. Luna shook her right leg, where the trantion bracelet and the anklet Alkrevas gave were neatly wrapped, before approaching one of the guests nearby. Unfortunately, the guest was a man. ¡°Hi, excuse me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, hi, Miss Luna. Is there something you need?¡± the man asked kindly. All the friends he was talking to stepped aside, leaving Luna alone with the male guest.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Did you see His Majesty the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Oh, His Majesty went with Duke Veniam to the lounge to discuss something.¡± Luna nodded in understanding. She was about to leave to find where Alkrevas had gone, but her steps halted when her hand was grabbed. She turned and saw her hand being held by the stranger. Luna red at her hand being grabbed, and the man seemed to understand.


    The stranger quickly released her hand and mumbled awkwardly, ¡°I apologize for my rudeness, but I wanted to speak with you.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°His Majesty the Emperor set limits on us guests talking to you, so this is an opportunity. I apologize. Let me introduce myself; I am the young Count Mogris Redgyro from the Count Redgyro family. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Luna.¡± Luna held back as the man reached for her hand and kissed the back of it. Even though it was a form of politeness, it was still unpleasant. She quickly withdrew her hand from the young Count¡¯s grasp and hid it behind her.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, young Count,¡± Luna responded curtly.


    ¡°Are you enjoying this party?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°In a few days, my residence will host a party. I want to invite you to attend as an honored guest.¡±


    ¡°But isn¡¯t that a bit much?¡± Luna asked hesitantly. After all, this was her first appearance in the social world of the Vasilos Empire, and she was Nothing more than the Emperor¡¯s soulmate. She immediately remembered the conversation between two noblewomen she had overheard in the garden a while ago.


    ¡°No, Miss. You are the future Empress and soulmate of His Majesty the Emperor, so I want to invite you. Besides, I want to be friends with you, and so does the Redgyro family upon hearing the news of your arrival at the pce.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    ¡°I will send you an official invitation. I think you will get along well with my sister, Adeline.¡± Luna only smiled politely.


    Morris Redgyro¡¯s nervousness became apparent in his gestures and expressions when he raised his hand to scratch his neck while smiling shyly. Without being asked, the nervous man said, ¡°Sorry, but you are the most beautiful woman here, and I can¡¯t help but be captivated by you.¡±


    Has he had the man in front of her gone mad? Obviously, the young Count Mogris Redgyro knew she was the soulmate and future Empress, yet he dared to express admiration and attempt to flirt. Was he not afraid of death?


    Luna wanted to retort but didn¡¯t want to cause a scene in the middle of the party, especially since she was currently the center of attention among the guests. They were clearly whispering, and Luna could bet that a new rumor about her would soon emerge.


    Luna raised her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. In her world, even a minor incident could spark gossip with significant impact, especially here, where hierarchy, caste, reputation, and status were clear measures of a person.


    Luna opened her mouth to say her goodbyes. She needed to end this nonsensical conversation, get as far away from the party as possible, or return to her bedroom to rest. But all her intentions were thwarted when she felt a hand brush against her exposed back and then wrap possessively around her waist.


    Alkrevas¡¯ scent immediately dominated her sense of smell, and as she looked up to see his face, Luna¡¯splexion turned pale, and her heart raced. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Luna whispered in surprise.


    Young Count Mogris Redgyro immediately bowed, greeting and showing respect upon realizing the Emperor¡¯s presence. His body was trembling with fear, and his face turned pale. Luna could even see beads of cold sweat forming on the man¡¯s temples. ¡°It seems you were having a serious conversation.¡±


    Alkrevasmented with a calm voice and a friendly smile, but his brown eyes gave the young Count a cold and piercing look. ¡°What were you discussing?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­¡± Luna nced at the young Count briefly, then answered honestly, ¡°Nothing much. He just wanted to invite me to the Redgyro family banquet.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Is that so?¡± Luna furrowed her brows but nodded nheless. ¡°Did I ask him to approach and speak with you?¡±


    ¡°No, Your Majesty, I-¡± The young Count was about to exin but hesitated and fell limp with a face full of fear when a long, sharp sword was pointed at him, more precisely at his neck. Luna gasped and grabbed Alkrevas¡¯ arm, which was extended, holding the sword aimed at the innocent young man.


    ¡°Your Majesty, stop! You can¡¯t!¡± Luna screamed in panic, but her efforts were in vain. Alkrevas¡¯ arm didn¡¯t lower and instead pressed the de of the sword harder against the young Count¡¯s neck until it cut and drew blood.


    Luna felt her heart stop. She looked at Alkrevas¡¯ aides, even at the Chancellor, Duke Markus Veniam, but they all shook their heads and didn¡¯t attempt to approach. Luna realized that if they did approach and try to calm the Emperor, the situation would be even more difficult. The entire hall fell silent. All eyes were on the Emperor and the woman by his side.


    Luna bit her lower lip, racking her brain for a way to prevent Alkrevas from killing a nobleman at an official event. After all, she did not want to witness another murder. Once was already enough. Luna shook her head, trying to dispel the horrific memory and focus on the present.


    ¡°Are you trying to defy my orders, Young Count Redgyro?¡± Alkrevas asked in a soft yet deadly tone. Slowly, his brown eyes turnedpletely red, indicating that the situation was worsening.


    ¡°Wait, Your Majesty. Maybe we should talk about this-¡± Luna tried to intervene but didn¡¯t finish her sentence when Alkrevas shot her a warning look. Luna cursed Alkrevas, criticizing him for his temperamental nature, and wondered why she couldn¡¯t speak to the opposite sex without his permission. She had her rights.


    Thinking about this made her even more furious. Besides, where did Alkrevas get the sword? She didn¡¯t see him carrying one¡­ Luna nced at Duke Veniam and saw that the sword sheath on his belt was empty. She bit her lip in frustration and refocused on Alkrevas.


    ¡°Are you trying to approach my soulmate, Luna, and future Empress?¡±


    ¡°No, Your Majesty, I was just¡­¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, how about we rest and-¡± Luna paused momentarily as an idea popped into her head. Initially, she felt hesitant, but this was a desperate situation, and it seemed like the only way to distract Alkrevas and calm him down. With that thought, Luna raised both hands, cupping Alkrevas¡¯ face, pulling it towards her as she stood on tiptoe, then pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss.


    Luna closed her eyes and pressed her lips harder, eliciting a response from Alkrevas. When she got the reaction she wanted, Luna smiled victoriously. After feeling it was enough, Luna broke the kiss, opened her eyes, and looked into the red eyes, staring back at her without blinking. ¡°Calm down, Alkrevas,¡± Luna whispered.


    The sound of the sword dropping to the floor echoed loudly, signaling that the imminent disaster had been averted without bloodshed. Both of Alkrevas¡¯ hands gripped Luna¡¯s waist tightly, and he kissed her possessively. Then Alkrevas buried his face in the crook of Luna¡¯s neck, kissing the imed mark before inhaling her scent deeply.


    Luna bit her lower lip. Her trembling hands stroked Alkrevas¡¯ hair, his face still buried in her neck. She was so relieved to have saved a life from a senseless death. Once Alkrevas felt calm, he lifted his head and looked at Luna¡¯s face briefly before surveying the guests, who were holding their breath, watching everything that had happened.


    ¡°Listen, everyone. Tonight, I dere the woman by my side, Luna, as the future Empress of the Vasilos Empire. My soulmate and Luna will stand by me in ruling Vasilos.¡± Alkrevas paused briefly, then continued, ¡°One week from now, I will hold an engagement ceremony, and after winter ends, I will have the wedding and coronation. There will be no objections or refusals from any of you. If you try to undermine my woman, show disrespect, or attempt anything malicious, you will have to kill me first. If I find any of you trying to protest, I will consider you a traitor and will execute you on the spot. Your families will be eradicated, and your bodies will be thrown to the rogues in the neutral territory. Understood?¡±


    The neutral territory was and not governed or acknowledged by any nation. It was a deste, uninhabited area used by countries like Vasilos, Nightingale, and Foryeust to exile their rogue members. However, there were instances where rogues banded together to plot revenge, cause chaos, andmit crimes in their target territories. That was why rogues were often kept in the imperial dungeons, especially in the notorious prison rumored throughout the empire.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± All the guests replied in unison, kneeling on one knee before the Emperor. ¡°We obey yourmand.¡±


    ¡°One more thing, no one is allowed to approach her without my permission. You must go through me to invite the future Empress.¡± Alkrevas momentarily nced at the young Count and muttered, ¡°Consider yourself lucky that my Luna saved your life.¡± Then Alkrevas turned, pulling Luna with him as they left the hall.


    They left behind guests who whispered about the Emperor¡¯s deration.


    ¡­

 After the party (1)

    Everything that happened during the party was unexpected for her, and somehow, it exhausted Luna. They stopped just outside the closed door of the banquet hall because Alkrevas wanted to have a serious conversation with one of his aides, allowing her to re at Alkrevas¡¯s back in front of her. However, it was only momentarily, as the psychopathic emperor resumed his wide stride, dragging her along. Luna gasped and growled.


    ¡°Hey!¡± she called out loudly.


    ¡°Wait, I-¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence when she realized the emperor¡¯s guards, maids, and aides were following behind. Then, when she looked ahead, she saw Alkrevas giving her a warning look over his shoulder, indicating not to speak recklessly. For the first time, Luna obeyed and shut her mouth. She let Alkrevas drag her somewhere unknown.


    It took them a few minutes to reach their destination, climbing stairs, passing through connecting areas, and walking down corridors. Luna recognized all their paths, knowing that Alkrevas was dragging her back to the emperor¡¯s residence in the innermost part of the main pce.


    Upon arriving at the emperor¡¯s residence and the door closing tightly behind them, signaling their private space had been reached, Luna urgently asked Alkrevas, ¡°Don¡¯t you think you were overreacting with all of that?¡± Her breath becamebored as she struggled to keep up with Alkrevas¡¯s vast strides,pounded by her gown and heels, which made her likely to fall if she wasn¡¯t careful.


    ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Luna called again, louder this time, but the man did not respond and instead thinned his lips while staring ahead with a piercing gaze. His grip on her wrist tightened, causing a hiss of pain to escape Luna¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Hey! Are you pretending not to hear me?¡± Luna shouted. She stopped walking and resisted with all her strength so Alkrevas couldn¡¯t drag her like a doll anymore, and then she yanked her hand away from him forcefully.


    Luna looked at her reddened wrist from his grip, then red at Alkrevas with a sharp, murderous look. ¡°Why did you do all that? You almost killed an innocent, awkward man!¡± Luna growled.


    ¡°Do you want to ruin my reputation? Isn¡¯t my appearance at this party for the first time supposed to build my reputation as a future empress?¡± For a moment, Alkrevas didn¡¯t move; he just stood still with his back to Luna like a statue.


    Luna observed the detailed imperial emblem beautifully embroidered in the middle of Alkrevas¡¯s robe before looking at the back of his head. Two of the emperor¡¯s servants arrived, asking if they needed anything. Still, with a hand gesture from Alkrevas, they bowed and withdrew.


    Luna pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. ¡°Isn¡¯t that one of your goals in making me yourpanion at this banquet? The reason you made that deration? So I would get support because I¡¯m not from the Vasilos nobility, right?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Then why?¡±


    Suddenly, Alkrevas turned around and took wide steps toward Luna. One hand gripped Luna¡¯s jaw firmly, while the other hand circled Luna¡¯s waist possessively, pulling her body close to his. Alkrevas¡¯s red eyes-still not back to normal since leaving the banquet hall-stared straight into Luna¡¯s trembling brown eyes, indicating that behind her brave and always challenging demeanor, there was an intense underlying fear.


    Alkrevas smirked, then kissed the corner of Luna¡¯s lips briefly before whispering obsessively, ¡°Because you are mine.¡±


    After saying that, Alkrevas pulled his body away, withdrew his hands, and walked towards the chamber. Luna stood still for a moment, but not for long. She quickly turned and ran to catch up with Alkrevas, who was already at the chamber door.


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t need to do all that if, in the end, you were going to make the announcement. Not to mention, with the rumors, that man also understands that I am your soulmate.¡± Luna murmured thest three words with some hesitation.


    Alkrevas, who was about to open the chamber door, immediately abandoned his intention, lowering his hand and turning to look at Luna, who bowed. One of his eyebrows arched up, and he signaled the door guard to step aside. He then hugged Luna tightly, kissing the top of her head gently.


    Alkrevas inhaled the woman¡¯s scent profoundly and buried his face in her soft hair. His eyes closed tightly, and a mysterious smile appeared on his lips. ¡°As you said, I am yours,¡± Luna added softly.


    ¡°What¡¯s with all these changes? Why did you finally acknowledge the sacred bond between us, hmm? It makes me wonder¡­¡± Alkrevas muttered casually. He pulled away slightly and lifted Luna¡¯s chin gently with his fingers ced under her chin.


    ¡°Is there something I don¡¯t know about?¡± he asked, watching Luna open her mouth briefly before mping it shut again. She shook her head slightly and turned away. She stepped past Alkrevas, opened the chamber door, and entered the room. Instantly, darkness greeted Luna, and if the moonlight hadn¡¯t been streaming in through the window, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to see her surroundings.


    Luna heard a snap of fingers, and the darkness enveloping the chamber turned into bright light. Lamps made from magic stones lit up beautifully, and the crystal chandelier adorning the ceiling also contributed to its glow. Luna turned and folded her arms, ring sharply at Alkrevas. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Where did you go? I was looking for you.¡±


    ¡°I was having a conversation with the chancellor and some ministers.¡±


    Luna sighed loudly and sat on the sofa in the chamber¡¯s sitting area. ¡°Little mate? What¡¯s wrong? I can tell something is bothering you. Tell me.¡± Luna pursed her lips and shook her head. She looked up at Alkrevas and gave him a sweet smile for the first time. She could see how surprised he was, evidenced by his reaction and the fact that he didn¡¯t blink.


    Alkrevas opened his mouth to ask something but stopped when he heard a knock and the voice of a servant saying that warm water for bathing was ready.


    ¡°Your Majesty, you should go to the bathroom first. I need to remove my makeup and remove all the essories I wear.¡±


    Alkrevas looked suspicious but nodded. ¡°I will call your maid to assist you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    When Alkrevas left, apanied by several pce maids, leaving Luna alone, she finally rxed her entire body. She had almost impulsively asked about General Thea and the truth behind the conversation she overheard between two noblewomen. For some reason, her heart felt so uneasy.


    Her soul was constantly restless, wanting to seek the truth. A strong urge tightened her chest whenever she recalled the noblewoman¡¯s words. Luna rubbed her tired face and stood up. She walked into the dressing room and approached the window. She opened the window with one push, gazing at the night sky adorned with the moon and stars.


    Her solitude was suddenly disturbed when she heard the sound of wings pping from her right. When she turned towards the sound, Luna blinked in confusion at a bird resembling a pigeon. Still, its body was transparent, as if it wasn¡¯t a bird from nature but rather a magical creation.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    Luna saw the cute little bird fly right in front of her, and when she noticed the bird¡¯s tiny feet, she saw a scroll tied with a red string. Wondering where the bird came from, she nheless took the scroll. As soon as the scroll was in her hand, the transparent bird vanished, and Luna murmured in amazement, thinking the messenger bird was made of magic. But her amazement quickly turned to confusion as she looked down at the small scroll in her hand. She turned and walked to the center of the room, unrolling the scroll and reading the brief message written on it.


    ¡°Antique shop Mianne. Bolmeghan District. Noon. G.¡±


    From Ghea? Luna hurriedly tore up the scroll and threw the pieces into the firece. She rubbed her rapidly beating heart. Ghea asked to meet, but what excuse could she give Alkrevas to get permission to leave the imperial pce gates? The first opportunity was a stroke of luck, but a second chance?


    Luna bit her lip and returned to the window, gazing into the distance with a troubled expression. Her hands gripped the window frame tightly. As did her hair, a gentle breeze blew into the room, causing the curtains to sway softly and rhythmically. Luna closed her eyes, trying to calm herself with the soft caress of the wind on her face. Still, her tranquility was short-lived when she felt a pair of strong arms circle her waist protectively.


    Her eyes snapped open, and she turned to the side, seeing Alkrevas watching her intently with his brown eyes. There was an emotion in those eyes that Luna couldn¡¯t identify, and for some reason, it disturbed her deeply. ¡°Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you gotten used to calling me by my name?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ umm¡­ Alkrevas.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t changed your clothes?¡±


    ¡°I was waiting for the maids.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve been waiting outside. They¡¯ve been waiting for your permission to enter.¡±


    Luna¡¯s cheeks instantly flushed with embarrassment. She had been so preupied with her thoughts that she hadn¡¯t heard the maids knocking. She cleared her throat softly and removed Alkrevas¡¯s hands from around her, then walked over to therge mirror that showed her entire body from top to bottom.


    ¡­

 After The Party (2)

    Luna nced at Alkrevas through the mirror¡¯s reflection. She had to try her hardest to act average upon seeing the man in in pajama pants paired with a sleeping kimono. However, it wasn¡¯t the attire that flustered her but how he wore it. The belt was tied around his waist to keep the kimono closed. Still, the top was open because it was worn carelessly, revealing his perfectly toned muscles, a solid chest, and six-pack abs. If Alkrevas wasn¡¯t watching her with an intimidating gaze, Luna might have drooled over such a sight.


    Seeing such a view wasn¡¯t unfamiliar to her, especially since many male models maintain a perfectly muscr body to attract attention. But for some reason, seeing those models didn¡¯t interest her, while just glimpsing Alkrevas¡¯s broad chest and perfect abs made Luna feel the need to fan herself.


    Was it because she had touched that area directly with her hands? After all, it wasn¡¯t the first time they had made love, so Luna immediately shook her head and pped her cheeks. Get a grip, Luna! Remember your main goal! Don¡¯t get tempted!


    ¡°Why are you still there? I want to change clothes and get ready for bed. Are there any maids outside?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Luna,¡± Judith replied from outside the door.


    ¡°Come in. I want to change clothes.¡±


    Alkrevas remained still, his body leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, his brown eyes never leaving Luna, seated at the dressing table, removing essories and makeup. When she was done and stood up to unbutton her gown, Alkrevas suddenly said, ¡°Stop. I will help my Luna change her clothes. You all may leave.¡± Luna turned to stare at Alkrevas in disbelief. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. Turn around.¡±


    ¡°No. I want my maids to help me. Why should it be you?¡± Luna replied angrily. Alkrevas smirked and walked closer, stopping right behind her, and ced his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them. ¡°Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Be quiet. Don¡¯t move. Whatever little n is spinning in your head, I prefer your defiant attitude over your obedient one.¡± Luna¡¯s mouth formed a perfect ¡®O¡¯ in shock at the absurdment she had just heard from the psychopathic emperor.


    ¡°I said, don¡¯t move.¡± Then Alkrevas began unbuttoning her gown one button at a time. When all the buttons were undone and the gown slowly fell to the floor, Alkrevas wrapped his arms around Luna¡¯s body, burying his face in the crook of her neck.


    Luna gasped when one of Alkrevas¡¯s hands squeezed her breast, and he murmured, ¡°Do you know?¡± Luna felt her heart race once more.


    ¡°I want to dress you myself, buttoning each button up to the top. And when you look beautiful just for me,¡± Luna gasped as Alkrevas¡¯s hand squeezed her breast again. She felt his other hand, which had been on her stomach, start to creep downward, caressing her thigh and ending up stroking the surface of her most sensitive area, covered only by her underwear.


    Alkrevas smiled seductively, watching Luna¡¯s face in the mirror¡¯s reflection as he whispered, ¡°I will unbutton it one by one, tear the dress off your body, and strip you naked. I imagine all that when I see you looking so beautiful. Can I do that?¡±


    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± Luna hissed in panic.


    Alkrevas chuckled and kissed Luna¡¯s reddening earlobe. ¡°Right now, I¡¯m thinking of fulfilling my desire and dressing you up and undressing you. Do you know how I feel every time I unbutton your dress? It¡¯s thrilling.¡±


    Luna started to squirm, trying to free herself. Still, with Alkrevas¡¯s hands locked on her sensitive spots, one touch and squeeze made her body go weak, and she sank deeper into the psychopathic emperor¡¯s embrace.


    Luna lifted her hand to cover her mouth, which let out a soft moan. ¡°Look at your face, little mate. Isn¡¯t it beautiful? Full of passion and pleasure. Only my touch can do that.¡± Alkrevas then squeezed both her breasts. ¡°You are my future empress.¡±


    ¡°What are you¡­ uhh¡­ doing?¡± Luna murmured, her breath ragged.


    Alkrevas kissed the imed mark on Luna¡¯s neck, making her body tremble violently, and a loud moan escaped uncontrobly. ¡°Bend over, my Luna.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Luna squeaked fearfully. But Alkrevas didn¡¯t respond; instead, she pushed her body, making her bend over toward the mirror.


    ¡°Spread your hands on the mirror.¡±


    Luna obeyed. Her body was trembling uncontrobly, and she watched in the mirror as Alkrevas stood right behind her, spreading her legs wider and tearing off her underwear. Then she saw Alkrevas discard his kimono haphazardly, remove his pants, and tease her entrance with his manhood. ¡°Look at yourself in the mirror. Never close your eyes, or you won¡¯t get your reward from me.¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas, not now, I-Ahh!¡± Luna moaned as the man¡¯srge, ready member entered her with a single powerful thrust, filling her. Luna gasped as she felt kisses on her back and shoulders, apanied by Alkrevas¡¯s hands caressing her buttocks and waist.


    ¡°Don¡¯t close your eyes, little mate. That¡¯s an order,¡± Alkrevas said, followed by a smack on one of her buttocks. Luna flinched in surprise and immediately opened her eyes, realizing she had closed them due to the overwhelming sensations. The sparks coursing through her body felt even more intense, making even the slightest touch from Alkrevas provoke a reaction.


    Luna could see her body blushing deeply, her face disying an embarrassing expression. Still, it was nothingpared to Alkrevas¡¯s reflection, looking so robust. His face was flushed with pleasure, his brown eyes gazingnguidly, and Luna couldn¡¯t tell which was more erotic, the scene before her or the pornographic film Lucy had forced her to watch as ¡®education¡¯ since she was still a virgin in her mid-twenties. Of course, the current view was far more erotic. That thought suddenly entered her mind.


    Luna opened her mouth, her breath heavy. Alkrevas began to move with a slow, intoxicating rhythm. One of his hands yed with her breast while the other reached for her lengthy hair, twisting it and pulling until Luna¡¯s body arched slightly. ¡°You are mine,¡± Alkrevas hissed possessively.


    Luna couldn¡¯t respond and only moaned. Those two words kepting from Alkrevas¡¯s mouth as if he were branding them into Luna¡¯s soul and body.


    For the rest of that night until dawn, neither Alkrevas nor Luna left the chamber. The servants, the emperor¡¯s maids, and the imperial pce guards chose to withdraw, giving the soulmate couple space to share their love.


    ¡­


    A gentle breeze filled the quiet bedroom, entering through the open window. Sunlight illuminated the entire room, and birds chirped asionally in the sky. The window curtains fluttered softly, as did the tightly closed bed curtains. Luna slowly opened her eyes and groaned. She stretched all her muscles, but soon after, a wave of pain and soreness washed over her.


    Shey still for a moment before sighing loudly. If this continued, keeping up with Alkrevas¡¯s seemingly endless stamina, she would fall ill sooner orter. Recalling their wild lovemaking the previous night, Luna felt amazed that her body had managed to endure until the end. She pushed her messy, long hair away from her face just as the bed curtains were pulled open.


    Alkrevas stood there with a cold, emotionless face, indicating that he was in emperor mode, not the annoying man who enjoyed teasing her. His brown eyes scrutinized her sharply, making Luna, who was lying with a nket covering her naked body, feel uneasy. Something was on his mind, but Luna didn¡¯t know what it was.


    She noticed Alkrevas¡¯s body was dressed in a white shirt under a ck kimono, gold patterns, ck trousers, and ck leather shoes. His dark hair looked still messy and wet. From his appearance, Luna deduced that Alkrevas had just finished cleaning himself in the bathroom.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, my Luna,¡± Alkrevas murmured in his deep, baritone voice. Luna shivered at the sound and instinctively pulled the nket tighter around her body. She nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯s only six in the morning. You can sleep again. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re still tired afterst night¡¯s party.¡± Luna bit her lip to hold back a sarcastic remark.


    Alkrevas sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch her face, brushing away stray hairs and tucking them behind her ear. ¡°Your face is pale.¡±


    ¡°Whose fault is that?¡± Luna couldn¡¯t help butment, her eyebrows knitting together. Alkrevas chuckled softly. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    Alkrevas shook his head and stroked Luna¡¯s forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t frown like that,¡± he murmured, then answered her question. ¡°You. Funny.¡± Then Alkrevas looked at Luna again, this time with a dangerously mysterious gaze, making Luna feel ufortable.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Luna asked, unable to bear the sight of anger shing in his brown eyes. She tried to sit up, but Alkrevas pushed her back down as he stood up. ¡°Are you leaving?¡±


    ¡°I have a morning meeting. You know that, right?¡±


    ¡°Have you had breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Not yet. I¡¯ll have breakfast with the ministers, but I must ensure you¡¯ll eat yours because you don¡¯t intend to go back to sleep.¡± After that, Alkrevas called a servant and began giving instructions for Luna¡¯s breakfast.


    Slowly, Luna sat up, not forgetting to cover her body with the nket. She watched Alkrevas, who was still talking to the head butler, Zyne, and Luna¡¯s face showed a sullen expression. It¡¯s so unfair. My body is trembling and exhausted, sore everywhere, but look at that bastard! He looks so fresh and fit!


    Alkrevas returned to the bed and sat beside her after talking to Zyne, reaching out his hand to pull back the nket covering Luna¡¯s legs. His hand yed with the two anklets around her ankles as he murmured, ¡°Is there anything you want to do today?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Today is the second day of the festival. How about you walk and see the vendors in the market?¡± Alkrevas suggested without looking at Luna¡¯s face, still focused on his hand ying with the anklets on her feet. Luna¡¯s heart raced. Did Alkrevas know something? But it couldn¡¯t be.


    Luna didn¡¯t want to doubt Ghea¡¯s words, and from Alkrevas¡¯s behavior, he might know. Still, he was confident she wouldn¡¯t run away and wasn¡¯t overly cautious. Luna sighed softly, knowing that was just her naive thinking. Alkrevas wasn¡¯t that kind of man. She was sure of it.


    ¡°Will you apany me?¡±


    ¡°No. I have a long meeting with the ministers, a meeting with the delegates in the throne room to wee them, and then ensure the preparations for tomorrow¡¯s cab meeting. You can represent me by reviewing the festival on the second day.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It would be a shame to miss the Moon Flower Festival, which only happens once a year. This festival is said to be more lively than the Empire¡¯s birthday festival.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes. You can ask Judith and some of your maids to apany you. If you want to go, tell Zyne so he can arrange everything, including the guards who will protect you.¡±


    Whether by luck or not, Alkrevas granted her permission to leave the pce gates without him at a perfect time when Ghea had requested a secret meeting with her in the city.


    Is God on my side this time? Luna wondered in her heart.


    ¡­

 Second day of the Moon Flower Festival (1)

    During breakfast, neither Luna nor Alkrevas spoke. While the man was busy feeding himself, Luna was preupied with her thoughts, thrilled at the prospect of leaving the pce gates, walking through the bustling festival, and experiencing the imperial festival, which had a different atmosphere from the festivals she had seen in New York or elsewhere. However, the one thing she was most excited about was meeting Ghea. She didn¡¯t even protest and allowed Alkrevas to do whatever he wanted with her, such as helping her bathe, get ready, and brush her hair.


    Luna thought it was all worth it for the permission he granted her to leave the pce gates. She observed Alkrevas standing behind her, busy brushing her hair, and noticed his mysterious yet perfectly matched outfit-a ck outercoat and waistcoat, a white shirt with a white cravat adorned with a ck gemstone pin, breeches, and leather boots. Coupled with his handsome face and neatly styled hair, it was no wonder Alkrevas was the center of attention for all the women in the empire.


    Hell, if he existed in her world, Luna was sure Alkrevas would be a celebrity or actor with many fans. Luna smiled, imagining all this. What would Alkrevas¡¯ reaction be if he were chased by paparazzi or invited to TV shows he didn¡¯t like?


    ¡°Why are you smiling?¡± he suddenly asked. His brown eyes were still fixed on her strands of hair, but as if he had a third eye, he could guess that Luna was watching him. Luna blinked and chuckled softly, then nced at her maids lined up on one side of the room.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Luna replied nonchntly.


    ¡°Why are you doing all this? Let my maids handle it. I know you have a busy schedule.¡±


    ¡°Sigmund can handle them all, as can Savon and Mathias.¡±


    Luna sighed heavily. ¡°How long are you going to brush my hair? This is more than enough,¡± she said, lifting her hand and touching a few strands of her hair, which felt so soft from being brushed so carefully by Alkrevas. Hearing this, Alkrevas¡¯ hand stopped moving.


    He lifted his head and looked at Luna¡¯s reflection in the mirror. For a moment, a flicker of emotion that Luna didn¡¯t recognize filled his brown eyes, but it quickly disappeared, reced by the familiar look she knew. Alkrevas put down the brush he was holding, but he didn¡¯t stop there; he also styled Luna¡¯s hair into a simple braid. Once finished, he stepped back and smiled in satisfaction at the result, which Luna admitted was better than her attempt.


    ¡°Something¡¯s missing¡­¡± he murmured softly. Then he walked to the essory storage, opened one of the drawers, and took out a silver hairpin with flower-shaped crystal petals, matching the pastel yellow dress she was wearing. Luna watched as Alkrevas approached her and pinned it in her hair.


    ¡°It seems you enjoy dressing me up more than I do myself,¡± Lunamented, seeing the emperor¡¯s expression as he stood behind her.


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯m going out. Why all this luxury?¡± Judith suddenly gasped, causing Luna to turn her head toward her maid.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Judith?¡± Judith shook her head, murmuring an apology while bowing her head. Luna sighed softly and looked back at the psychopathic emperor, who was still watching her closely. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Your appearance is fitting for a future empress, Luna. What I did is simplerpared to other noblewomen,¡± Alkrevasmented casually. ¡°And yes, I enjoy dressing you up.¡±


    ¡°If so, you could change your profession to a beauty stylist.¡±


    Alkrevas frowned in confusion. ¡°What?¡±N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Luna hurriedly said. ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving soon?¡± Alkrevas took a pocket watch out of his waistcoat pocket and nodded.


    He approached, giving her a brief kiss on the lips, causing the maids in the room to buzz with excitement before he left. After Alkrevas left, Luna sat back down at her vanity and was immediately surrounded by her maids.


    ¡­


    Luna¡¯s excitement and anticipation slowly diminished during her carriage ride to Mylonas City Square. Her eyes stared out the window with a vacant look. Her mind was filled with various thoughts, making her less enthusiastic about the city¡¯s beautypared to before.


    Luna shifted her gaze from the window and noticed Judith sitting calmly and elegantly across from her, wearing a hat. Luna looked down and yed with the edge of her cloak, mumbling, ¡°Will Anne arrive at the square on time?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Luna. She will arrive on time.¡±


    Luna nodded and looked back out the window. Her diminished excitement had a strong reason.


    Some time ago, while she was strolling in the emperor¡¯s private garden, a thought urred to her. For some reason, the thought suddenly came to her. After all, Alkrevas was a man who strictly upheld his words and was very possessive.


    So, it was strange for Alkrevas to give her permission to go out without him by her side. Although the guards apanying her were numerous, it didn¡¯t change her suspicion. Thus, Luna made a new n before heading to the festival. ¡°Luna, would you like to go to the bridge?¡±


    ¡°Is it allowed?¡±


    ¡°Of course. The second day of the festival is the perfect time to go there. There are few young couples yet so that you can see the Fritz River during the day. Although not as beautiful as at night, I think the view will still be stunning.¡±


    ¡°Alright. We can go there after walking around the square and the festival area.¡±


    Soon, Luna heard the sound of horses neighing, followed by the carriage stopping. Luna straightened her hair and cloak before the carriage door opened. Luna smiled as a familiar face appeared behind the door.


    ¡°Forgive me for making you leave your important work to guard me,¡± Luna said, extending her hand to ept the hand of a man who smiled warmly. She stepped out of the carriage, followed by Judith.


    The man-Mathias-chuckled softly and replied, ¡°No, Luna. It is an honor for me to guard and protect you.¡±


    Mathias released Luna¡¯s hand and walked a few steps behind her. Luna turned her head to Mathias, ncing at the sword at his waist before stating her intention to the Gamma. ¡°That¡¯s a great idea, Luna. I also rmend the same as Lady Judith. The Redlouz Bridge is the perfect ce to see the beautiful Fritz River.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you agree, Mr. Orion,¡± Luna said with relief.


    ¡°Mathias.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Just call me Mathias, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Oh, alright.¡±


    For some time, they walked around the square, exploring the festival market that Luna had yet to visit yesterday, buying food sold there, and then sitting at a small restaurant for lunch. After that, they walked towards the Redlouz Bridge, a tourist attraction for visitors to Mylonas Capital. Upon reaching the bridge, Luna murmured in awe. What Judith and Mathias had said was true.


    The view before her was so beautiful, like a painting she had seen in an art exhibition. Luna walked to the bridge¡¯s railing, looking at the calmly flowing Fritz River. asionally, a canal boat passed by. Birds flew around, trees and rocks filled both sides of the river, and some trees had pink and orange leaves, adding to the colorful scenery. Leaves and flowers asionally fell to the river¡¯s surface and floated with the current. The gentle and soft breeze, the sunlight, the bright blue sky without clouds, everything looked extraordinarily beautiful.


    Luna looked down and noticed the reflection in the river¡¯s water, which was so clear, like crystal. ¡°Wow, this is the first time I¡¯ve seen a painting in real life.¡±


    Judith smiled and said softly, ¡°I¡¯m d you like it, Luna.¡± Luna turned to look at Judith before gazing into the distance again. ¡°Where would you like to go after this, Luna?¡±


    ¡°May we rest here for a while, Judith? I really don¡¯t want to leave such a beautiful view.¡±


    ¡°Of course, Luna.¡± Judith then stepped back, giving Luna some space to be alone and enjoy the beauty before her, while Mathias chose to stand at a distance with a watchful gaze. He asionally nced around the area before refocusing on the woman observing the Fritz River.


    However, the tranquility was suddenly disrupted by the sound of amotion not far from the bridge.


    Mathias turned his head towards the source of themotion. He ordered a few knights nearby to check what was happening and assist if necessary. After giving his orders, Mathias looked back to where Luna was standing. He furrowed his brow when he noticed something different about the woman standing in Luna¡¯s ce.


    For a moment, Mathias searched for the oddity, then realized it. The scent surrounding the woman indeed smelled like Luna, but upon closer inspection, there was another scent. It was as if Luna¡¯s scent was merely clinging to the clothes, a camouge, and the foreign scent was the real one. Mathias¡¯ eyes widened, and he ran towards the woman.


    He reached out, grabbed, and spun the woman around, and his blue eyes met a different face, one he recognized as one of the pce maids. ¡°Anne,¡± Mathias growled softly.


    ¡°M-Master Gamma, I¡­¡±


    Mathias tightened his grip on her arm and looked around urgently. He saw Judith helping some children whose goods had scattered before turning back to Anne. ¡°Where is Luna?¡±


    ¡°Luna¡­ she¡­¡±


    Mathias clicked his tongue and turned just as the knights he had sent to check themotion returned. In their midst was a man with a battered face. Somehow, he felt that all the events happening around him were rted to Luna¡¯s disappearance.


    ¡®Your Majesty, your suspicions were correct,¡¯ Mathias sent a message through the mind link to Alkrevas.


    ¡®I know. You don¡¯t need to do anything, Mathias. Bring that foolish maid to me.¡¯ After Alkrevas said that, the mind-link was cut off, and Mathias sighed deeply and looked at Anne with a sharp gaze. ¡°Where is Luna?¡±


    ¡°I truly don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°This morning, Luna sent me to deliver a letter to an antique shop in the Bolmeghan district to meet a woman. After meeting the woman, my mind suddenly went nk, and I only came to when you pulled my hand, Gamma.¡±


    ¡°Damn!¡± Mathias then signaled his men to apprehend Anne, pulling her along before running his fingers roughly through his hair. He approached Judith and called out to her. ¡°We¡¯re heading back.¡±


    ¡°What? But Luna¡­?¡±


    ¡°Luna just left for the Vasilos Museum with some knights. His Majesty is waiting for her there. You can return to the pce now, Lady Judith.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Alright then.¡±


    After Judith left, Mathias pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at the beautiful clear sky. At the same time, he could see dark clouds in the distance, indicating that a storm wasing soon.


    ¡­

 Second day of The Moon Flower Festival (2)

    Luna blinked and turned to look at the woman who had suddenly approached her along with Anne. The woman introduced herself as a witch helping Ghea, and then they performed a teleportation spell. Now, Luna found herself in an empty house located in a corner of the city. She felt confused, but perhaps this was part of Ghea¡¯s n after reading her letter.


    Luna sat down on an old wooden chair and sighed deeply. Her dark brown eyes gazed at the woman who had helped her, and she asked, ¡°May I know your name?¡±


    ¡°Beth.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so, um¡­ Beth, where is Ghea?¡±


    Beth didn¡¯t answer; instead, she started chanting a spell over a crystal ball not far from them. Curious about the crystal ball, Luna slowly approached, then blinked when she saw Ghea¡¯s face in it. ¡°Ghea?¡±


    ¡°Luna! Thank goodness Beth brought you. Thank you for sending that warning letter.¡±


    Luna nodded. ¡°So, what¡¯s going on? Didn¡¯t we just meetst night? Why did you contact me again and request this meeting?¡±


    ¡°The Emperor has captured the witch who was going to help you return.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and she is being held in a secret underground prison. You know what I mean, right?¡±


    ¡°The prison where¡­ all the prisoners are killed by the Emperor himself?¡±


    Ghea nodded and murmured, ¡°We must rescue her immediately, and only you can do that, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Where are you now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m currently hiding. Sometime after your maid arrived, a few knights entered the shop. Luckily, there¡¯s a secret door in the shop, and the shop owner kindly helped me.¡±


    Luna nced at Beth with a doubtful look, and as if understanding, Ghea exined, ¡°Beth is a student of the witch who was going to help us. She suggested the n for me to meet you now.¡±


    ¡°Ghea, I don¡¯t know where that prison is. How can I rescue the witch?¡±


    ¡°You have to find its location. Tonight is the full moon. You know what that means, right? I guess the legend of the full moon and werewolves exists in your world, too.¡± Luna¡¯s face paled at Ghea¡¯s words. She knew exactly what she meant. On a full moon night, the wolf side of werewolves would dominate and take over their bodies, turning them into half-human, half-wolf beings with their strength at its peak.


    They would be more aggressive, temperamental, sensitive, and ferocious, essentially more like bloodthirsty monsters hunting humans. ¡°If the case with regr werewolves is already very dangerous, you know what effect it has on Lycans? The reason why the secret prison and those rumors exist.¡±


    Luna bit her lower lip and nodded in understanding, but where was she supposed to find the prison¡¯s location if it was all just a rumor? Luna didn¡¯t know, and she suddenly felt trapped in a difficult position, wanting to lock herself in a bathroom with a shower and bathtub. She missed her world and her life, but why was the journey to return to all that so hard? ¡°Luna?¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Luna swallowed hard.


    ¡°Let me be the bait,¡± Beth suddenly said. Luna looked at the young woman in disbelief. ¡°I will make two rings that can emit light to a specific person. These rings will be connected and will show the way to the other ring¡¯s owner.¡±


    ¡°Like connecting rings?¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t. I don¡¯t want to involve-¡±


    ¡°Luna!¡± Ghea suddenly shouted, cutting off Luna¡¯s refusal with an angry expression. ¡°Isn¡¯t this what you want? You want to go back, right? Don¡¯t waste any opportunity! If you want to achieve everything, cast aside your doubts. Don¡¯t be a coward!¡±


    ¡°Ghea, why are you¡­?¡±


    Ghea sighed loudly. ¡°You want to go home, right? The journey you are taking to achieve your desire is not easy. You have to sacrifice many things to reach it.¡±


    Then, Ghea looked at Beth, who was standing behind Luna. ¡°Beth. Please do it. Make something with connecting magic. If possible, make the item you give to Luna not attract the Emperor¡¯s attention. You know that besides the Emperor and a Lycan, he is the greatest Wizard.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ how do you know?¡±


    ¡°The dark witch who will help us.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Beth responded and started chanting a spell. Luna watched Beth work, and it didn¡¯t take long before two inconspicuous items were in the woman¡¯s hands. Beth wore one item, a ring, and then gave the other item to Luna, a very small red gemstone.


    Luna looked at the gemstone in her hand and stared at Beth in confusion. ¡°You can keep this gemstone in your pocket, slip it into your clothes, or set it in your jewelry. It¡¯s just a regr gemstone, but at night, it will emit a thread of light that will guide you to me. And Luna¡­¡± Beth then approached and knelt before Luna, reaching for her leg and examining one of the anklets there, a gift from Alkrevas.


    ¡°Do you know the function of this anklet?¡± Luna shook her head. ¡°This anklet has a tracking spell and also a limiting spell.¡±


    ¡°A limiting spell?¡±


    ¡°Luna, do you know one of the advantages of a soulmate pair?¡± Ghea suddenly asked. Luna paused for a moment and listed the advantages of soulmates she knew from books. ¡°Luna, it¡¯s more than that. Soulmates are connected through their souls. This means the Emperor can read your thoughts and your heart. You can even meet in dreams.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and it seems the Emperor uses the limiting spell to minimize his chance of reading your thoughts and heart.¡± Luna turned pale at Beth¡¯s exnation. ¡°Its function is like a dividing wall. Actually, your mind can form a wall to prevent your soulmate from entering. Still, it seems he deliberately didn¡¯t tell you anything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for his benefit, Beth.¡±


    ¡°The limiting spell is currently inactive, which means His Majesty the Emperor is monitoring you through your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°What should I do?¡± DAMN EMPEROR! Luna shouted in her heart, and for some reason, she hoped Alkrevas heard her curse, ¡°Is there a way?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s simple. You just need to imagine a very tall and strong wall surrounding you that no one can break. If you seed, then you¡¯ve created a barrier.¡± Luna nodded in understanding. ¡°What about me? Can I read his thoughts?¡±


    Beth shook her head. ¡°If you were a werewolf or another creature, maybe, but you are just a mortal. However, you can feel his mood, his emotions, and feelings. You just need to imagine the bond connecting the two of you.¡±


    ¡°The mate bond?¡±


    Beth nodded. ¡°And imagine you are touching that bond; then you will feel the flow of emotions your soulmate is experiencing.¡± Luna bit her lower lip but nodded again.


    ¡°Can you remove this anklet?¡± Luna asked while rubbing the anklet Alkrevas had given her.


    Beth shook her head. ¡°That anklet has a power stronger than mine. I¡¯m just an ordinary mage.


    Maybe my teacher can do it.¡± Then she stood up and grabbed the crystal ball. Beth spoke a few words to Ghea before the crystal ball went dark, and then she smashed it into pieces.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°The Emperor has arrived,¡± Beth whispered so softly that Luna had trouble hearing it. ¡°After saving us, you must retrieve your belongings, Luna.¡±


    Just then, the door was forcefully broken down. The once-empty room was suddenly filled with knights in full uniform, some even wearing armor. After the knights surrounded her and Beth, Alkrevas entered with an extremely cold expression. His clothes hadn¡¯t changed since that morning, but the aura around him had. Luna stood up and felt her heart pounding, especially when Alkrevas smiled at her and walked towards her with long strides.


    When Luna was in Alkrevas¡¯ embrace, she heard him whisper, ¡°You are really testing my patience, Luna.¡± Then he whispered something in her ear, and thest thing Luna heard before darkness overtook her was Alkrevas¡¯mand to capture Beth.


    ¡­

 Full Moon (1)

    A groan escaped from Luna¡¯s lips before her eyelids fluttered open. The first thing she saw was the familiar bed canopy, then the room, and finally, the man sitting on a chair right beside the bed.


    The man exuded such a terrifying and dangerous aura that Luna shivered upon feeling it. The brown eyes that had looked at her calmly that morning were now red and zing with anger.


    The man leaned back in his chair, with his hands resting on the chair¡¯s arms and his right leg crossed over his left, exuding the posture of a powerful and arrogant man. His red, luscious lips formed a thin line, and if Luna didn¡¯t know who he was, she might have been captivated by his handsomeness.


    Luna took a deep breath and slowly tried to stand up, but she had barely moved when the man gave a full-throated growl. ¡°Your Majesty¡­ what happened?¡± Luna murmured, her voice trembling. A sneering, mocking smile spread across Alkrevas¡¯ face as he heard Luna¡¯s words, as if what she said was a useless joke to him.


    ¡°Tell me,¡± Alkrevas murmured, intertwining his fingers on hisp. ¡°What were you talking about with that witch?¡±


    ¡°Witch?¡±


    Alkrevas sighed softly. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk in circles,¡± he said quietly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to pretend anymore, Luna. We both know each other¡¯s secrets, right? I can read your mind, and you are not from this world.¡± Luna gripped the nket, covering her body tightly.


    ¡°Besides, it was an easy puzzle to solve, Luna. The trantor bracelet you use. The fact that you¡¯re the only woman I haven¡¯t met. Your visit to the imperial archives. Anything else? Oh! The coincidence of the portal in the sacred forest is reported to emit light and be active again after a long time. Did I miss anything?¡± Luna couldn¡¯t say anything in the face of all the facts Alkrevas listed. He wasn¡¯t stupid, and Luna was just trying to deny the reality that Alkrevas knew her secret.


    There was no way a fool easily deceived could sit on the throne. From her interactions with Alkrevas, it was clear he was cunning, loved manipting situations, and was obsessed with her.


    ¡°Of course, if I couldn¡¯t read you through here,¡± Alkrevas murmured, tapping his temple with his index finger. ¡°It would all be spection, but after reading your entire mind and your past and gaining full ess to you through the mating process, all my spections were confirmed.¡±


    ¡°Where are my belongings?¡± Luna murmured.


    ¡°Oh. Is that the reason for your change in behavior over the past few days? Are you trying to get your belongings back from me? This makes me lower my guard and then seize the right moment to reim my things, right?¡± Alkrevas asked mockingly while Luna simply pressed her lips together in response. Not agreeing or disagreeing with Alkrevas¡¯ words. ¡°The belongings found in that Fae inn, I will keep as my treasure. After all, those items belong to you-my soulmate.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed softly and added, ¡°Honestly, I felt annoyed seeing the materials I guessed were for clothes you wore. It¡¯s too revealing and short. I wondered about the clothes from your world, but I am also curious about how you look in them.¡± Luna gritted her teeth, holding back her anger. ¡°So, Luna? Is there anything else I should exin?¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you angry that my name is Luna?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m happy because it signifies that your fate is to be my Luna. I am only angry at those who call you Luna, so from now on, I forbid everyone from calling you Luna.¡±


    Then Alkrevas stood up and approached the bed. He bent down, kissed Luna¡¯s forehead, and murmured, ¡°I will never let you go. No matter what happens.¡±


    ¡°But I want to go home!¡±


    ¡°Your home. Your world. Now it is here. With me.¡±


    ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to!¡±


    ¡°Be as stubborn as you want, Luna. I don¡¯t care because sooner orter, you will ept the reality that you are my soulmate. Your ce is beside me. Your world is now here. You will never be far from me again.¡±


    A single tear slowly rolled down Luna¡¯s cheek, and small sobs escaped from her lips. ¡°Shh¡­ my poor little mate. Don¡¯t cry. You know Norris, and I will be sad to see you cry.¡±


    ¡°I have a family.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Aren¡¯t you an orphan?¡±


    Instantly, Luna reached out and grabbed Alkrevas¡¯ coat cor. ¡°You-¡± Luna hissed softly at his question but restrained herself when she saw the ze of anger in his brown eyes. She swallowed all her frustration and decided to change her tactic.


    ¡°Please, I beg you, let me go. I want to return.¡± Then she lowered her head and murmured, ¡°What if our positions were reversed? Wouldn¡¯t you want to return to your world?¡±


    Alkrevas furrowed his brow deeply. ¡°No. I wouldn¡¯t want that as long as I can be with my soulmate. I wouldn¡¯t care if I had to leave my life in this world.¡± Instantly, Luna lifted her head, looking at Alkrevas¡¯ serious face. Slowly, her hands released, and with a face clearly expressing defeat, Luna looked out the window, not wanting to see the powerful Emperor standing near her.


    ¡°You want to return because you want to find your biological parents?¡± Luna suddenly turned towards Alkrevas and stared at him intently. ¡°I saw your thoughts, Luna. You want to find your parents, but you¡¯re afraid. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know that¡¯s a vition of privacy?¡± Luna growled.


    ¡°There is no privacy between soulmate pairs, little mate.¡± Alkrevas sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.


    ¡°Stop denying your destiny. Stop denying this sacred bond. You are only causing yourself suffering.¡± Alkrevas paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°You know, even though I knew you weren¡¯t sincere when you said you were my soulmate, I was still happy.¡±


    Then he straightened up, adjusted the cor of his coat that Luna had previously grabbed, and murmured, ¡°Tonight, I won¡¯te to your room to sleep, and I¡¯m sure you know why. You should rest and think about what I said.¡±


    Alkrevas turned and walked toward the exit, but his steps halted when Luna let out a soft whimper: ¡°I want to know their reason.¡± He turned and looked at Luna over his shoulder. If he hadn¡¯t had super-sharp hearing, Alkrevas might not have heard the words.


    Norris fidgeted restlessly in his mind, scratching at the barrier wall. His wolf soul wanted to soothe their sad soulmate. Still, Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t let Norris do so-not with the full moon approaching when their emotions and sexual hormones were all over the ce.


    Alkrevas stood still, not asking, not leaving, waiting for Luna to say more. ¡°I want to know why they abandoned me, but I¡¯m scared. I¡¯m afraid of being disappointed.¡± Alkrevas sighed deeply and walked back to the bed. He lifted Luna¡¯s chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.


    Norris howled and whimpered upon seeing the beautiful dark brown eyes filled with tears and sadness. ¡°Let me go back. Please.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t because I know that if I let you go, you won¡¯te back.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    ¡°I waited so long for my soulmate, Luna. I traveled across the continent to find my soul mate, calling all the women to the pce to see them one by one. Norris and I were so desperate. We lived alone for years. Our hope dwindled and disappeared each year you didn¡¯t appear. I nearly went mad. I nearly gave up and chose to die rather than be Feral. So when you stood before me, I promised myself I would never let you go. I¡¯m willing to destroy this world for you. I¡¯m willing to kill everyone so they won¡¯t mock you. So, forgive me. If you are selfish, then I can be selfish too.¡± After saying that, Alkrevas kissed Luna¡¯s cheek and lips, then turned and walked out of the room. He didn¡¯t look back onest time.


    Luna screamed and cried out of frustration, anger, and sadness. She threw anything within reach, but unfortunately, it was only soft pillows. Luna ran her fingers through her hair in frustration and buried her face in the bed, punching the mattress with her clenched fists.


    Her entire body trembled, and she howled, crying over a situation that had never once favored her. But as her sobbing began to subside, Luna threw off the nket covering her. How could Alkrevas know her deepest intentions? She hadn¡¯t told anyone. Not Ghea, not Nicole, not even Maya, her best friend. She had tried to erase that thought repeatedly.


    Searching for her parents was the biggest reason she wanted to seed; with money, she could do anything, but she was scared. She was so afraid of hearing the reason why her parents abandoned her, but every time she tried to take a step to find out, Luna would retreat.


    Luna cursed the mate bond that tied her soul to Alkrevas because, through this bond, he knew her deepest secret, the secret she had tried so hard to forget. Luna buried her face in her hands and once again screamed to vent her frustration.


    Her eyes closed as she imagined all the events that had urred, making Luna feel even more distressed. She cursed the mirror she had bought back then. If only she hadn¡¯t been drawn to it, maybe none of this would have happened. Luna took a deep breath, then wiped her face, opened her eyes, and saw the anklet Alkrevas had given her around her leg. She remembered Beth¡¯s words and tried to build a wall around her mind so Alkrevas could no longer read her emotions and thoughts. Still, Luna groaned as she felt a pounding in her head as if something was stopping her from doing so.


    Suddenly, Luna stared at the anklet on her leg and grabbed it. She pulled at it with all her strength, trying to remove it, but it wouldn¡¯t budge. Luna let out a bitterugh; of course, it wouldn¡¯te off. If someone like Beth couldn¡¯t do it, how could she, a mere mortal?


    Remembering Beth¡¯s words about the anklet, Luna realized that Alkrevas had been monitoring her all this time. He could easily enter and read her mind and dwell within it, and this realization made Luna feel a surge of conflicting emotions. The anklet she tried to remove glowed each time she wanted to take it off, a sign that it held unusual power. A scream of frustration escaped her lips.


    Then she climbed out of bed, roughly wiping away her tears. No. She wanted to return to her world not because of her parents but because she didn¡¯t belong here. She needed to get back to where she was supposed to be. She needed to return to Marinka and Lucy, who were surely worried about her. Luna didn¡¯t care if she was considered stubborn or heartless; all she wanted was her life back as it was.


    With that thought, Luna ran to the chamber door and tried to open it, but it was locked tight. Luna pounded on the door from the inside, shouting for the guards she knew were stationed outside, but her shoulders slumped when she heard one of the guards say, ¡°We apologize, Miss. You are not allowed to leave the room. We cannot defy the Emperor¡¯s orders. It¡¯s best if you rest.¡±


    Luna grumbled in frustration and ran to the window. The balcony door and everything else were locked tight as if Alkrevas had anticipated her moves. Luna ran her fingers through her hair in frustration and stood in the middle of the quiet room, and slowly, her body copsed onto the thick carpeted floor. The turmoil in her heart was overwhelming. On one small side, she was tempted to stay, to give Alkrevas a chance, to overlook whatever he had done, but on therger side, she wanted to go home. She missed Maya and Nicole, and she couldn¡¯t just ept Alkrevas.


    She nced at the sky, which was growing darker, and the moon was beginning to adorn the sky. ¡°Dinner time is almost here,¡± Luna murmured to herself. A few minutester, she heard a knock on the door and Judith¡¯s voice from outside, indicating that her words were true.


    ¡°Miss, what would you like the chef to prepare for dinner tonight?¡± Luna sighed softly. The words of that psychopathic Emperor were indeed true. Everyone had been forbidden from calling her ¡°Luna,¡± even Judith, who had always called her Luna, now called her ¡°Miss.¡± If this continued, she would feel increasingly ufortable.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Luna cleared her throat softly and walked to the window, then replied, ¡°Anything, Judith. Tell the pce chef that I want his rmendation.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Miss.¡±


    She then heard footsteps retreating and the door closing tightly, indicating that Judith had left. Luna bit her lip and extended her hand, rubbing the window ss and checking its thickness before nodding her head.


    She pulled out the gemstone Beth had given her from inside her clothes and murmured in amazement when she saw a transparent white light stretch from the gemstone in her hand out the window. Luna looked outside, furrowing her brow when she saw Alkrevas, along with his Beta and Gamma, riding horses toward the direction the transparent white thread pointed.


    Luna put the gemstone back and searched for something to tie her hair. Then, she changed into a lighter dress that would allow her to move easily before taking a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Judith,¡± she murmured into the silence of the room.


    ¡­

 Full Moon (2)

    As the sky had turnedpletely dark and night had fallen, the bedroom door opened. Judith entered, pushing a trolley carrying Luna¡¯s dinner. Luna, who was sitting on the sofa and staring out the window, immediately shifted her gaze towards Judith. A soft smile appeared on her maid¡¯s face, and a warm greeting came from her lips.


    ¡°Judith, does the full moon affect all werewolves?¡± Luna asked as she walked towards Judith, who was setting the food on the table.


    ¡°Not all of them, Miss. The omegas are not significantly affected by the power of the full moon. Omegas only feel ufortable and have unstable emotions; otherwise, nothing else happens because, fundamentally, omegas do not have a wolf spirit within them. Only werewolf blood flows in their veins. That is why omegas cannot transform into wolves.¡±


    Judith smiled and removed the food covers. ¡°I am one of them. It¡¯s the reason I can stay by your side.¡± Luna nodded. ¡°Almost all the maids and servants in the pce are omegas from lower noble families, and some are mortals or other species.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I understand now.¡±


    ¡°Does that mean pce guards and knights are also affected?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ you could say so, Miss,¡± Judith answered hesitantly. ¡°Why? Why did you suddenly ask me about this?¡±


    Luna smiled broadly and shook her head. Then, she began eating her dinner calmly. ¡°What do they do?¡±


    ¡°Run and hunt in the forest until dawn. Those who do not have soulmates usually seek female wolves to satisfy their sexual desires, and vice versa. This typically happens with male wolves. The male wolves will chase their targets and duel with rivals to im victory and show who is the strongest and most dominant. Once victory is achieved, they can be with their prize for the rest of the night.¡±


    ¡°And those who have soulmates?¡±


    ¡°Usually, they will run and hunt together or mate. So, many mated pairs will mate in the open areas.¡± Luna needed to learn how toment on this. She was sure it was more like a wild sex party, like an orgy, focusing on animal instincts-oh well, they were half animals.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you should stay in the chamber. Mortals won¡¯t be affected, and you won¡¯t be a target, but the scenes outside are wild, and I fear you might be frightened.¡±N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Luna nodded. ¡°Alright. I understand, Judith.¡± Luna then focused on eating her dinner, trying not to arouse any suspicion in her maid. But when the time she had been waiting for arrived, as the transparent white thread she saw became brighter, Luna quickly put her n into action. ¡°Judith, I want to freshen up. Can you prepare some warm water for me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, of course, Miss. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Luna sat quietly. She didn¡¯t move rashly. A smile appeared on her lips when she heard Judith leave the door unlocked. Whether Judith forgot or trusted her, Luna didn¡¯t want to think about it. She waited silently for five minutes, and when the time was up, Luna stood up, walked casually to the door, and opened it. Sure enough, there were no guards outside the chamber door.


    The sitting room looked empty. With a deep breath and her hair tied back, Luna walked to the chamber door and opened it. As she had guessed, the emperor¡¯s residence hallway, usually bustling with guards, was now so quiet. It appeared empty, and the pce could be attacked during such a lull. Still, Luna was sure Alkrevas had anticipated this, and of course, the omegas should not be underestimated.


    Besides, this was certainly not the first time, and Alkrevas was a great wizard-something Luna reluctantly admitted.


    She exited the chamber and walked around the emperor¡¯s residence to avoid running into her maids or Judith. Once she reached the main entrance of the emperor¡¯s quarters, she carefully opened the door. Luna slipped out and ran to one of the nearest rooms. She sighed softly and searched for something she could use as a cloak. After that, she went back out and descended the stairs to the ground floor, and that¡¯s when she pulled out the hidden gemstone.


    After ensuring the direction indicated led out of the pce, Luna walked towards the exit. Still, she stopped when she saw knights guarding the pce, whom she suspected were not werewolves. ¡°Damn!¡± Luna cursed under her breath.


    She turned and headed to the staff area. She needed to find servant clothes or any attire for a disguise, but when she arrived, Luna saw the transparent white thread from the gemstone leading to a corridor. She nced left and right to check the situation, then followed the direction, which turned out to be a corridor she had seen the other day.


    ¡°Is this some kind of alternate exit from the pce? Like an emergency exit?¡± Luna chuckled softly. At least, unlike before, there were no guards in the corridor. Whether the guards had abandoned their posts or were werewolves on duty, Luna didn¡¯t care.


    Carefully, Luna grabbed the nearest candle and walked down the corridor. She faintly heard themotion outside, indicating that Judith had discovered her departure. Luna nced back briefly and murmured an apology to Judith before continuing.


    She walked for quite a while, relying on the candle and the transparent white thread to lead her to Beth and the dark witch. The sound of her footsteps echoed through the narrow and damp corridor. Luna stopped several times when she heard the squeaks of rats in the distance. She hesitated, questioning if following the transparent white thread into this corridor was the right decision.


    She could have entered the forest as nned by disguising herself, but Luna dismissed the thought and kept walking. Her steps halted when she saw a wall ahead.


    ¡°A dead end? Why a dead end?¡± Luna murmured in confusion. Luna searched for something resembling a door but found nothing. Only walls surrounded her. Luna was sure she hadn¡¯t taken a wrong turn because if she had reached a junction, the transparent white thread would have guided her.


    She looked up at the low ceiling of the corridor. The walls on either side were filled with tree roots that were likely thousands of years old, indicating that the corridor led somewhere else, but to where? That was the question. Could it be the nearest location to the underground prison? The transparent white thread leading her must be heading to the underground prison where Beth was, but what if it wasn¡¯t? Luna didn¡¯t doubt Beth¡¯s magic; she was just unsure of the path she was taking.


    Her assumption might have been correct because it didn¡¯t make sense for a guarded corridor tock significance, and bringing prisoners after the emperor¡¯s sentencing only sometimes happened on the surface, right? However, seeing the dead end ahead made Luna doubtful. She bit her lower lip in confusion. The wall ahead seemed to be made ofrge stones. Luna reached out and felt the wall¡¯s surface but found nothing unusual.


    She sighed deeply and looked at the glowing gemstone in her hand. She couldn¡¯t give up. With that thought, Luna ced the candle on a t surface and carefully felt the wall¡¯s surface. There could be a hidden button like in the movies, and a door would open.


    After searching for several minutes without sess, she sighed. It seemed she would have to return to the pce and choose her initial option. But as she turned to leave, she noticed a small box covered in root hair. The small box, located at the lower left part of the wall, had inadvertently caught the candlelight. Luna blinked and bent down, removing the roots and blinking again to see the box more clearly.


    Luna reached out and touched the box, causing a bright purple light to appear, and suddenly, a rumbling sound like something heavy moving echoed. She turned to the wall that had caught her attention and murmured in awe as the wall she thought was nothing more than a barrier moved entirely as if disappearing. A transparent wall reced it, but as Luna approached it, the gemstone that had guided her trembled before shattering.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Luna turned pale as she saw the fragments of the gemstone fall to the stone floor.


    She looked ahead at the next corridor, then back at the shattered gemstone. ¡°Oh, forget it!¡± Luna murmured and ran through the wall. Once she passed through the transparent wall, it moved back to its original ce as if nothing strange had happened.


    ¡­

 Full Moon (3)

    She stopped walking for a moment, looking back at the wall created by magic, then forward with hesitation, but decided to continue walking, pushing aside all doubts. For several minutes, Luna walked in the dim candlelight and silence until she arrived at arge door made of thick wood with an engraved emblem.


    She took a deep breath and pushed the wooden door, which made a creaking sound, then stepped into the room behind the door, which turned out to be a vast hall. It was empty and silent. There was nothing there except for old, moss-covered statues.


    Luna nced around and looked up, seeing that most of the hall¡¯s ceiling had copsed. Still, the remaining intact parts were made of stained ss, which formed a beautiful pattern. It looked somewhat like a cathedral. ¡°It¡¯s almost midnight. Do you think His Majesty wille like on previous full moon nights?¡± Luna strained to hear a voiceing from behind anotherrge door on the opposite side of the hall from where she entered.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m sure he wille. That monster won¡¯t pass up the chance to y, right?¡±


    ¡°Hush! Speak appropriately! You know the werewolves are roaming freely in the forest right now.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°Those poor prisoners down there.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s their fate. If they hadn¡¯tmitted such serious crimes against the Empire, they wouldn¡¯t have ended up here.¡±


    ¡°Entering the underground prison is the same as waiting for death.¡± There was a brief silence, then the voice resumed. ¡°Prigione sotterranea. A secret prison hidden from the public. A ce to imprison high-category criminals. Even Vasilos Imperial Prison-Sainte Cloche, known for its tight security and filled with notorious criminals, is different from the prison down there. I¡¯ve heard that once you enter, it¡¯s impossible to get out.¡± Luna felt her heart stop at those words. ¡°Of course, because those inside be the monster¡¯s prey and toys.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Should we leave before His Majesty arrives? Guard from a distance. We mustn¡¯t be in his sight, or we¡¯ll be victims. At this time, he won¡¯t hesitate to kill someone. Even Gamma Thymos warned us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember the knight¡­¡± Luna couldn¡¯t hear the rest because the two knights guarding had walked away from the door. Luna leaned against the nearest wall and took a deep breath, trying to steady her heartbeat, but no matter how hard she tried, her heart kept racing. She looked down and noticed her trembling hands. Was this the right decision? She could find another way to get to the sacred forest, right? Luna shook her head quickly. No. She couldn¡¯t waver. Gianna had already helped her, even going as far as finding a dark witch.


    ¡°I can¡¯t waste any more time!¡± she whispered. From the conversation she overheard, Luna was convinced she was in the right ce, and this empty hall hid the entrance to the rumored underground prison-Prigione Sotterranea. So she ran and frantically searched for the entrance.


    Luna¡¯s steps halted when she saw another corridor, this time leading downward. Arge statue in front of the corridor well hid it. A feeling of unease washed over her as she saw the dark and gloomy corridor. Still, without further thought, Luna descended the stairs and faced an iron door. She could hear the cries and fearful murmurs of the prisoners inside. She tried to push the iron door, but it was locked.


    At least Luna didn¡¯t need to struggle to find the key, as she saw it hanging near the door. For a moment, Luna wondered if this was one of Alkrevas¡¯s traps. He had read her thoughts. She couldn¡¯t build a mental barrier due to the anklet on her leg, so he must know she intended to rescue the two imprisoned witches. But whatever it was, Luna didn¡¯t care. She didn¡¯t mind facing Alkrevas¡¯s wrath as long as she could get out of the underground prison before he arrived.


    With that thought, Luna took the key, unlocked the iron door, stepped inside, and locked it again from the inside. Alkrevas couldn¡¯t possibly break down such a strong and heavy iron door, right? She thought confidently. Then she walked through the rows of cells filled with dirty and wounded people. Some of themughed, reaching out to her for help, while others chose to curl up in the corners of their cells.


    Luna looked left and right, searching for Beth until she reached one of the cells at the far right end and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Beth sitting alongside another woman. ¡°Beth!¡± Luna murmured. The two women immediately turned to her, and Beth stood up, walking towards Luna. ¡°Thank goodness you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°You made it.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Luna unlocked the cell door and murmured, ¡°You must hurry. It¡¯s almost midnight. Can¡¯t you use magic here? Like teleportation?¡±


    ¡°No. Very strong spells protect this prison.¡± Was that what the transparent wall was? No wonder Beth¡¯s gemstone shattered, Luna thought to herself. She nced at the ring Beth wore and didn¡¯t see the gemstone. As if understanding, Beth murmured, ¡°I removed the guiding gemstone before crossing the barrier.¡±


    Luna nodded. Knowing this, she was at a loss for words. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s get out of here now.¡± She ignored the cries of the prisoners begging for her help as well; some even dared to grab her dress. Luna¡¯s brown eyes widened in fear before she forcefully pulled her dress away, tearing it.


    She ignored all the prisoners, trying not to care, but couldn¡¯t help stopping when she heard one of them say, ¡°We¡¯re all going to die!¡±


    Luna turned to look at the prisoner. ¡°You¡­ you can¡¯t escape from here! You can¡¯t run away!¡± the prisoner approached and clutched the iron bars. Luna took a breath when she saw the condition of the prisoner-emaciated with a bloodied face, tattered clothes, and a vacant stare. ¡°Your fate is to die here! That monster! He won¡¯t let you live!¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Beth asked angrily.


    The prisoner grinned wickedly. ¡°Once you enter this ce, you can never leave!¡±


    ¡°No. That¡¯s not true!¡± Luna shouted, refusing to ept the prisoner¡¯s words or the conversation she had overheard between the two knights earlier. She then tried to pull Beth away. ¡°Come on. We¡¯d better go.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t attract the monster¡¯s attention. Don¡¯t make a sound, move, or show that you¡¯re alive. Never. He will kill you! He will tear you apart! He will eat you! I¡¯ve warned you. It¡¯s all up to your fate.¡±


    ¡°Bastard!¡± Beth, whom Luna had guessed was quiet and calm for some reason, was easily provoked by the words of the prisoner, who seemed insane.


    But Luna didn¡¯t ignore the man¡¯s words. She had already witnessed Alkrevas¡¯s cruelty firsthand, even when the psychopathic Emperor was in his best mind, let alone now, influenced by the full moon, making him a hundred times more dangerous.


    ¡°We¡¯d better get out of here before-¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence as the noise above them grew louder. She and Beth exchanged nces before running back to the cell. Beth pulled the cloaked woman, whom Luna guessed was the dark witch.


    Luna closed the cell door and searched for a hiding spot but found nothing. The satisfiedughter of the prisoner who had warned them turned into a chilling silence as growls and a dark aura suddenly dominated the entire underground prison. Luna held her breath when she heard the sound of ws scraping against stone and heavy footsteps. Some prisoners began to cry and pray, asking for forgiveness from their gods.


    Then the tension turned into fear and panic as the thick and sturdy iron prison door was easily shattered and thrown far away. Luna took a breath and ran to the corner of the room, as did Beth and the dark witch, whose name Luna still didn¡¯t know.


    Her ears perked up, and her skin prickled when she heard the sound of heavy breathing and low growls. It was silent again for a moment, but it was shattered by a roar that filled the entire underground prison, followed by screams and cries. It didn¡¯t stop. One by one, screams of pain and cries alternated, indicating horrific deaths. The stench of blood filled the air, making Luna¡¯s stomach churn.


    ¡°Abigail, isn¡¯t there anything we can do to stop this?¡± Luna turned to Beth when she heard the question, then looked at the dark witch named Abigail. The woman shook her head.


    ¡°No. Magic doesn¡¯t work here. The Emperor¡¯s mana is so pure that his spells have an iparable strength to mine.¡±


    ¡°Then what should we do-¡± Beth suddenly stared intently at Luna. ¡°-we have a way. A way to distract the monster.¡± Luna felt her heart drop to her stomach. She sensed that death was right in front of her.


    ¡°We have the one thing that can distract the monster. His soulmate.¡± Abigail merely observed Luna. ¡°Miss, I know this is presumptuous, but please help us, and we will help you return to your world.¡±


    ¡°But I-¡± Luna couldn¡¯t finish her sentence. Her body was filled with sheer terror. The sounds of screams and horrific footsteps grew closer. asionally, Luna heard cracking noises, as if bones or stones were being crushed, the sound of breaking metal and rubble, and she felt like she was in a thriller movie where the killer was searching for her.


    ¡­

 Full Moon (4)

    Luna took a deep breath and considered Beth¡¯s words. She needed Abigail to return to her world, so she had to save both women. With that thought, Luna stood up and walked to the bars, peeking out. She realized that some torches had gone out due to the winding from above, making the atmosphere quite dark. In the dim light, she saw arge creature in the distance, tearing apart prisoners, eating their flesh hungrily, and then leaving their mangled bodies to find the next target.


    She turned back and asked, ¡°Can¡¯t His Majesty smell my scent? As my soulmate, shouldn¡¯t he be able to sense my presence?¡± Luna asked, noticing that her presence hadn¡¯t distracted the monster.


    Abigail replied, ¡°No. This prison is filled with bad odors, and as predators, their hunting instincts take over their minds. The scent of blood will attract their attention. It might be different if you were closer because, with eye contact, the mate bond would awaken the monster.¡±


    ¡°That means you have to go out and stand in front of him.¡±


    Luna held her breath at Beth¡¯s words, then shook her head in fear. She stood up again and walked to the cell bars, looking out. Her heart pounded as the monster came into view. The psychopathic Emperor she saw now was not in human form.


    Alkrevas had transformed into a half-wolf, covered in ck fur, with a body towering andrger than normal, almost touching the high prison ceiling. His head was shaped like a wolf, with a muzzle and fangs, red eyes, wolf ears, sharp ws adorning his hands, and a long, thick ck tail.


    The wolf stood on two legs. One hand dragged a victim¡¯s body while the other crushed iron bars. What she saw was reminiscent of images she had seen on Google but far more terrifying, with fangs dripping saliva and thick red liquid. Luna could see the ck fur was wet, indicating that what the monster was doing was so brutal that itsrge body was drenched in blood.


    She clutched her dress as she watched Alkrevas destroy a cell, pull out the prisoner who had warned them earlier, and tear the man¡¯s body apart, ripping limbs and chewing flesh, discarding the remaining meat and bones haphazardly. Alkrevas threw the man¡¯s head to the stone floor, crushed it underfoot, and moved to the next target.


    Luna felt her stomach churn uncontrobly. She regretted eating dinner beforeing here, as she then ran to the corner of the prison and vomited everything in her stomach. What she witnessed was more horrifying than the sadistic Saw movies she had watched with Nicole.


    The smell of blood grew stronger in the air, mixed with the scent of urine, making Luna continuously vomit until only clear liquid came out. She cried and shook her head. Everything she saw was worse than she had imagined. Alkrevas was ughtering everyone here without mercy, doing so most brutally and terrifyingly. What kind of crimes had the prisonersmitted to deserve such a horrific death? ¡°Luna, are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m scared. He¡¯s not what I thought. He¡¯s a real monster¡­¡±


    ¡°Luna, you have to stay strong-Kya!¡± Beth screamed as one of the cell doors was forcefully thrown against the outer wall of the cell. Luna heard whispers of pleas and crying before hearing screams followed by other horrifying sounds that made her imagination run wild. Luna curled up and covered her ears, trying to block out the terrifying noises.


    In the midst of her turmoil, Alkrevas, fully controlled by Norris, reached thest two cells. He turned to the left cell, smashed the door, and grabbed a woman who was kneeling and begging for mercy. His jaw opened wide, and his fangs were ready to tear into the woman in his grasp when his nose caught a very familiar scent.


    Norris growled and threw the woman against the wall, hearing the crack of bones before she slumped to the floor dead. He turned around, his red eyes staring straight at the cell in front of him, focusing on one of the women curled up in the corner, trembling. ¡°Lu¡­ na¡­¡± Norris murmured in a deep, hoarse voice, apanied by a low growl.


    Beth, upon hearing the murmur, immediately stood up and said, ¡°Your soulmate is here¡­ your soulmate is here.¡± Meanwhile, Luna, hearing the hoarse whisper, shivered in fear.


    ¡°Mate.¡±


    Luna looked up and widened her eyes as her gaze met the familiar red eyes. Not Alkrevas, but Norris stared at her intently. ¡°Mate! Mate is here!¡±


    ¡°N-no¡­ no!¡± Luna pressed her back against the wall. For the first time, she was afraid to be in the same room with Alkrevas. She was terrified. ¡°No! Don¡¯te here! Please!¡±


    ¡°Mate!¡± Norris growled, thinking Luna¡¯s words were a rejection. Then, Norris walked to the cell door and destroyed it. Ignoring the two women in the cell, Norris approached Luna. The angry look in his red eyes immediately changed to one of lust, adoration, and obsession as he saw Luna¡¯s face more clearly.


    Arge wed hand reached out to grab Luna, but she panicked and tried to escape. Unfortunately, Luna was not as fast as Norris. Just as she was about to reach the shattered cell door, Norris turned and chased her, grabbing her hair and pulling her into a tight embrace.


    Luna gasped. The soft and warm ck fur surrounded her, and for some reason, she felt calmer than anywhere else in the world, but when she felt a lick on the nape of her neck, she panicked. She struggled and squirmed.


    ¡°LET GO! LET GO OF ME! YOU MONSTER! LET GO!¡± Luna fought and tried to break free from Norris¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Monster! You¡­ you¡­¡± Luna identally touched Norris¡¯s blood-covered chest. When she raised her hand and saw the thick red liquid covering it, she panicked and shivered in fear. She screamed and struggled, making Norris growl from his muzzle.


    ¡°AH!¡± Luna screamed as her body was mmed against the wall, and Norris¡¯srge, wed hand choked her neck. Luna thrashed and scratched at therge arm, pulling at the soft, thick ck fur.


    Luna felt liquid flowing and soaking her body, realizing that Norris¡¯s ws had punctured her neck. ¡°Please¡­ let go¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t say that, mate. You are my mate, but I am the Emperor. If you are defiant and disrespectful to me, I will not forgive you, even if you are my soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­¡±


    ¡°I am not a monster. I am your soulmate. Remember that.¡± Luna nodded quickly. Norris grinned widely, a terrifying sight if it could be called a grin. Luna¡¯s body trembled with fear. Maybe Norris wouldn¡¯t kill her, but the monster before her would certainly do something.


    ¡°Mate smells so good. Your scent arouses me. I want to be with my mate. We haven¡¯t mated yet, but the mortal always forbids me. I also want to feel my mate¡¯s body. Norris wants to im his mate.¡±


    Luna nced briefly at where Beth and Abigail had been, seeing that the two women were gone. ¡°W-wait¡­ we¡­ let me return to my room.¡± Luna squeaked in fear. Norris raised one hand, stroking Luna¡¯s cheek with his sharp ws, making her shiver. Her eyes widened as Norris growled softly at her. ¡°Maybe¡­ Alkrevas has a reason for forbidding you to appear before me now.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Norris roared angrily. Mate will leave me! I am always in Mate¡¯s mind, and Mate does not want me and the mortal! Mate will reject us! No! Mate is ours!¡±


    ¡°You are in my mind¡­?¡± Norris brought his muzzle closer and licked the skin at Luna¡¯s corbone and upper chest, purring contentedly as he listened to Luna¡¯s heartbeat, which was like a symphony to Norris. Luna¡¯s eyes widened as the choke on her neck tightened.


    ¡°Nor¡­ Ris¡­ let go¡­ I¡­ can¡¯t breathe¡­¡± Luna started to run out of air and blood and began to feel weak. Suddenly, the ws withdrew, and Norris¡¯s hand fully released her neck. Luna¡¯s body copsed to the stone floor as she coughed, trying to fill her lungs with the oxygen they had nearly run out of.


    ¡°I am always in my mate¡¯s mind-that¡¯s the mostfortable ce. I never want to leave my mate¡¯s mind. It¡¯s warm, soothing, and I love it all.¡± Slowly, Luna looked up, her breath catching as she saw the ruby-red eyes glowing even brighter.


    ¡°Now I control this body. The mortal can do nothing until the full moon ends and dawn arrives. Mate is with me. I want to im my mate.¡±


    Luna shook her head in fear. ¡°I¡­¡± she whispered, trying to back away, but Norris took it as rejection and growled loudly, causing Luna¡¯s ears to hurt.


    Suddenly, Luna turned and tried to run, but Norris grabbed her leg and pulled her back. With hisrge body and heavy weight, Norris pinned her down, enveloping her body like a cocoon. The next thing she heard was Luna¡¯s scream for help as the pain came from what Norris did to her, apanied by his growls.


    It went on for quite a while.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Then, after it was all over, Luna¡¯sst memory before darkness overtook her was Norris¡¯s red eyes turning to panic.


    ¡­

 Duke Markus Oalo Adolf de Veniam (1)

    Markus Adolf de Veniam, also known as Duke Veniam, is one of the bachelors in the Vasilos Empire. He is so well-known that no one in the empire recognizes him. Besides his reputation and name, Markus Veniam¡¯s handsomeness has made women fall in love with him, making the young Duke the center of attention wherever he goes.


    He is a direct descendant of the Veniam family, blood-rted to the imperial family. Markus Veniam¡¯s father, Magnus Rohelio de Veniam, was the brother of the former emperor, making Markus a cousin to Alkrevas and the only person with a blood rtion to the heir to the throne.


    Markus Veniam is also renowned as a sword expert like his cousin. He picked up a sword as soon as he could walk. As he grew older, his swordsmanship skills improved so much that the former emperor personally awarded him a sword as a sign of affection and gave him the title of swordmaster at sixteen.


    Markus Veniam began assisting his father-the previous duke-in his duties as Duke and managing the duchy at seventeen. The staff of Veniam Duchy regarded Markus as the perfect heir, known for his sharp thinking, ability to make the best decisions, and ability to find solutions to various problems. His strategies were wless.


    When arge-scale rogue group attacked the northern region, they won the battle due to Markus¡¯s excellent strategy. Markus would think ahead if there were two options, choosing the one with lesser risk. This made the northern region led by Veniam Duchy one of the best areas with the second-highest economic level after Mylonas Capital.


    At the age of twenty-three, Markus Veniam chose to contribute to the security of the Vasilos Empire as a knight by leading the war against goblin forces and monsters threatening the empire¡¯s peace. While other nobles chose to remain inactive, Markus stood on the front lines, eliminating enemies and beheading any who dared disturb the security of Vasilos. Upon returning to the capital with victory, the Vasilos Empire awarded Markus the honorary knight.


    After receiving this title, Markus dedicated his life to bing part of the imperial military, making Veniam Duchy one of the empire¡¯s strongest forces while simultaneously prospering the poption in the Veniam region. At the age of twenty-six, after bing the general of the imperial security forces and with Alkrevas inaugurated as emperor, his cousin entrusted him with the position of Imperial Chancellor and Prime Minister of Vasilos. Alkrevas chose him not merely because of their blood rtion but due to his achievements as a knight and his sess in leading the Veniam region.


    The nobles agreed with the Duke¡¯s appointment. Shortly after Markus was inaugurated, he began his duties, dedicating his life to Vasilos and faithfully apanying Alkrevas. For a considerable time, he performed his duties and apanied the emperor. He always stayed on the emperor¡¯s side, which required him to appoint a representative to manage the northern region.


    This proved effective, especially since he appointed his best aide. However, when he received a report about Veniam demanding his return to the area, Markus had to leave his position temporarily and entrust the prime minister¡¯s duties to the deputy prime minister.


    Five yearster, after choosing to return to the Veniam region to resolve critical issues, he returned to the capital to fulfill his duties as chancellor and prime minister and respond to the emperor¡¯s summons.


    Of course, Markus¡¯s achievements were not merely by luck. He faced many challenges. The wars were filled with bloodshed, the deaths of his brothers on the battlefield, trauma, and even a near-death experience. Markus might have just been remembered in history if he were not a werewolf. Furthermore, the position he held required Markus to be extra vignt, as not everyone liked him.


    Some envied and hated his achievements, position, and power. He often came close to drinking wolfsbane mixed into his food or drink, faced assassination attempts, and more. Additionally, the death of the former duke due to depression from being separated from his soulmate for so long once brought Markus to the lowest point in his life.


    Reflecting on it, Markus became who he is today because of his life journey. The process he went through was long and arduous. His never-give-up attitude wasrgely inherited from thete duke, and he also had a promise to keep-a promise to thete duke. Markus blinked and snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a knock on the door of his chamber in Duke Veniam¡¯s mansion, a luxurious mansion located in the main district of Mylonas Capital.


    He had just returned from the forest after a full moon night. He intended to rest before going to the imperial pce. Still, it seemed he had to cancel that n when he opened the door and saw his aide-Jaxon Raylon, who had knocked.


    ¡°Why are you here at this hour, Jax?¡± Markus asked as he opened the door wider, inviting his aide inside. Markus casually poured an alcoholic drink into a tall ss prepared by the servant for him. He didn¡¯t care about his appearance, dressed only in silk pajama pants and an untied robe, revealing his broad chest and perfectly toned abs.


    Jaxon looked around. ¡°You didn¡¯t bring a female to your room, Markus?¡± the man asked, confused.


    ¡°I already did that in the forest. You don¡¯t need to worry. Alcander has calmed down in my mind if you¡¯re concerned.¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared, and it¡¯s just that your wolf spirit is unpredictable. You and the emperor are the same. Besides, I¡¯m worried about you,¡± Jaxon said worriedly. When they were alone, he dared to speak informally to Markus because they were friends. Still, it was a different story if they were not alone and in public, where all eyes watched sharply.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry. I won¡¯t be Feral if that¡¯s what you¡¯re concerned about,¡± Markus said calmly. ¡°So, what is it?¡±


    ¡°The emperor sent a message asking you to see him immediately.¡± Markus frowned at Jaxon¡¯s words. Alkrevas hadn¡¯t contacted him through the mind link, and his cousin chose to summon him formally to the pce. Markus wondered what his cousin was thinking, especially since finding the woman who turned out to be his soulmate.


    Soulmate¡­, Luna¡­ Markus started to think and then nodded in understanding. He¡¯d better see Alkrevas to find out why his cousin was summoning him and discuss Luna.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll go right away. Prepare my horse.¡± Jaxon nodded after hearing Markus¡¯smand, bowing and turning to leave the room. After Jaxon left, Markus sighed heavily and drank his drink until it was empty. He wondered about Loena and needed answers to all the questions in his head. The only one who could provide those answers was Alkrevas.


    His green eyes slowly turned red, indicating that Alcander was not yet fully calm but better than before. He watched the dark sky gradually lighten, signaling that dawn was approaching.


    Reluctantly, Markus called a servant and began preparing to go to the imperial pce.


    ¡­

 Duke Markus Oalo Adolf de Veniam (2)

    Markus stood before the Emperor¡¯s chamber door with Zyne by his side. He adjusted the cor of his coat before signaling to Zyne that he was ready to meet the emperor. Seeing Markus¡¯s nod, the butler immediately opened the door and walked towards the master bedroom, where Alkrevas¡¯s strong scent mingled with a familiar feminine scent to Markus.


    Zyne knocked on the door three times and announced his arrival to the Emperor. After receiving permission to enter, Zyne opened the bedroom door, allowing Markus to enter before closing it tightly again. Markus took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart due to the scent he inhaled. Alexander, who had been rxing with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and became alert.


    After all, he and Norris were the same, so Alcander was very interested in his brother. Markus tried to calm Alcander as he walked towards the Emperor, sitting on a chair on the right side of the bed. Part of the bed¡¯s curtains was closed, and part was open to give the emperor a view beyond the curtains.


    The man¡¯s hands were outstretched, and as Markus approached, it turned out that the emperor was holding someone¡¯s hand, more precisely, a woman¡¯s hand, lying with her eyes tightly closed. Markus faintly heard groans from the woman and realized that the Emperor was healing her with healing magic.


    For several moments, there was only silence. Markus stood at a considerable distance while Alkrevas continued to perform healing magic. ¡°Do I need to call the pce doctor or healer, Your Majesty?¡± Markus finally decided to ask, seeing the exhausted look on Alkrevas¡¯s face as if he might faint at any moment.


    ¡°I¡¯ve treated her external wounds with my saliva, but why is she still unconscious and getting worse?¡± Alkrevas murmured, with a hint of panic that surprised Markus slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve also healed her internal wounds with my magic, but why¡­?¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± Markus finally dared to ask. He stepped closer, and once again, his body froze, and his breath caught at the sight of the face. His entire body trembled, but he couldn¡¯t rejoice just yet, not until the investigation wasplete.


    Alkrevas sighed softly and released Luna¡¯s hand, which he held tightly. He leaned back against the chair, looked up at the ceiling, and answered, ¡°Norris. He mated with herst night.¡±


    ¡°Luna?¡± Markus nced at the woman, who appeared to be peacefully asleep. He might have thought she was sleeping if not for the trembling eyelids and cold sweat.


    Markus nodded and stepped closer. He scanned Luna¡¯s body briefly and said, ¡°It looks like she has a fever. I¡¯ll ask Zyne to call the doctor.¡± With that, Markus stepped out, instructed Zyne, and returned to the room.


    This time, he saw Alkrevas burying his face in Luna¡¯s stomach and repeatedly whispering apologies. ¡°Your Majesty, the doctor will arrive shortly,¡± Alkrevas said nothing. ¡°So how did this happen?¡± Markus asked again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand either. She was suddenly in the dungeon after I forbade her from leaving the chamber and going anywhere. Then Norris made it so I couldn¡¯t take control of my body. I couldn¡¯t control my wolf spirit. I ensured the guards were outside the pce to prevent me from reaching her! I set up a barrier spell around the pce. Ensured that unaffected servants and staff by the full moon were on guard and watching over her. I didn¡¯t want to hurt her like this! She wasn¡¯t ready to mate with my wolf side, but¡­ she defied me! Now look at this. If I had known it would be like this, I would have gone far away before the full moon.¡±


    ¡°What was thedy doing in the dungeon? That ce is secret and so deep in the forest. Even if she managed to leave the pce, she wouldn¡¯t have reached there without encountering other werewolves or guards.¡±


    ¡°A secret path. Somehow, she knew about it. All this happened because of those two damned wizards! They exploited my Luna¡¯s innocence for their freedom! I¡¯ll kill them if they¡¯re caught again.¡± A knock followed by Zyne¡¯s voice announcing the doctor¡¯s arrival.


    Alkrevas granted permission to enter and let the doctor examine Luna. After finishing, the doctor said, ¡°Thedy has a fever due to trauma and exhaustion. I¡¯ll prescribe a potion to rx her body and calm her mind. I¡¯ll also prescribe a fever-reducing potion.¡±


    Then, the doctor excused himself, apanied by Zyne, to discuss Luna¡¯s care. Markus crossed his arms over his chest, watching his cousin, who never left Luna¡¯s side. He sighed heavily and gently patted Alkrevas¡¯s shoulder.


    Feeling the pat, Alkrevas calmed his turbulent emotions. He took a deep breath, straightened up, and looked at Markus with a nk stare. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Markus murmured in confusion.


    ¡°I have something to discuss with you.¡± Markus nodded and said nothing, choosing to remain silent and give Alkrevas the chance to speak further. ¡°You know about the other world beyond the portal, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Markus held his breath instantly. He lowered his head briefly before turning and walking to the bedpost, leaning against it with his arms folded across his chest. He couldn¡¯t stand upright because, for the first time in a long while, his cousin had brought up a taboo topic for the Veniam family. Especially after the rogue group attacks in the past. ¡°Alkrevas, I can¡¯t talk about this.¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I saw your expression when you first saw Luna¡¯s face.¡± Alkrevas shifted his gaze from Luna¡¯s face to Markus.


    ¡°If you¡¯re confused, her real name is Luna.¡± Markus was stunned for a moment, then nodded in understanding.


    ¡°What did you realize?¡± Markus kept his mouth shut. ¡°You entered the portal and went to that other world. Am I wrong?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Markus took a deep breath and decided to speak, ¡°Luna looks very much like her. When I first saw her, it felt like nostalgia. If my father were alive, he might think the same.¡±


    ¡°Luna is an orphan.¡± Markus immediately looked at Alkrevas in surprise but quickly shook his head.


    ¡°I have to find a reason for her to choose this world and not return to her own, Markus.¡± Alkrevas reached out and stroked Luna¡¯s cheek, then wiped away the tears that flowed from the corner of her eye.


    ¡°And you said her face is simr. Isn¡¯t there a strong possibility?¡±


    ¡°But thest time I crossed the portal and searched for them, I heard they were gone. The reason my father was depressed and ultimately chose to die rather than live without his soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you miss your mother and sister?¡± Alkrevas asked directly.


    Markus¡¯s body trembled instantly, and his arms fell weakly to his sides before clenching tightly. He lowered his head, holding back the tears that wanted to flow. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Markus lifted his head and continued, ¡°Especially seeing Luna¡¯s face, which looks so much like my mother¡¯s, makes this longing even stronger.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded and then stood up. He walked to a painting and moved it aside, then pressed part of the wall inward. There was a grinding sound, and Markus realized there was a hidden storagepartment in the wall.


    Alkrevas took out three items from inside and walked toward Markus. ¡°Luna, shees from another world.¡± He then showed Luna¡¯s belongings.


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    ¡°Are these items you saw in that other world?¡±


    ¡°Not all of them because it¡¯s been so long since I visited that world, and I don¡¯t know what developments have urred there, but I think so.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded and asked, ¡°You understand my point, don¡¯t you? There¡¯s always a possibility, Markus.¡±


    Markus nced at Luna¡¯s face before reaching for one of the items in Alkrevas¡¯s hand. ¡°You just need to prove she¡¯s your family,¡± Alkrevas added tly.


    ¡°Why do you sound so sure?¡±


    ¡°I need a reason to bind her. If she¡¯s not your family, I can make her your family. I need her by my side. I don¡¯t know what will happen if she leaves me. I¡¯ve waited so long for my soulmate, Markus. I can¡¯t let her go when she¡¯s in my grasp.¡±


    ¡°Alright, if that¡¯s what you want, Alkrevas. I¡¯ll try to investigate further.¡± Markus returned Luna¡¯s belongings to Alkrevas.


    ¡°I¡¯ll return to Veniam Duchy and try to enter the portal, but it¡¯s not easy because the portal¡¯s power doesn¡¯t always ept my blood.¡±


    ¡°You could try using Luna¡¯s blood.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be more effective than going to the sacred temple to check the blood ties? Use Luna¡¯s blood to open the portal. If she has that woman¡¯s blood, she¡¯s your family, and the portal will ept her. Just like your blood. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡­


    Darkness enveloped her. Luna felt trapped and unable to get out. She tried to reach for something with both hands but failed. She felt so alone and didn¡¯t know what to do. Luna whimpered and cried for help, but no one could save her until she felt warmth in her cold hand. Then, slowly, a shimmering golden thread appeared before her, guiding Luna out of the dark.


    Slowly, the darkness vanished, reced by light. The next thing Luna knew, her eyes opened to a familiar sight. She frowned slightly as she felt warmth in her hand. When she nced, she saw her hand tightly held by a pair ofrge, rough hands-hands she knew well, Alkrevas¡¯s hands.


    She shifted her gaze from their joined hands to Alkrevas¡¯s face, which seemed deep in conversation with someone. ¡°I understand.¡± The familiar voice responded to Alkrevas.


    Shortly after, Duke Veniam appeared with a tense face. He strode out of the room quickly, disappearing behind the door. After Duke Veniam left, Alkrevas refocused his brown eyes on her. They widened them in surprise at seeing her eyes open. He immediately stood up and gently stroked Luna¡¯s head. ¡°You¡­ why are you here¡­?¡± Luna croaked.


    Alkrevas gave a sad smile and kissed Luna¡¯s forehead softly. ¡°Sleep again, Luna. You have a fever. We¡¯ll talk when you¡¯re better.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ that time¡­¡±


    The regret in Alkrevas¡¯s eyes was apparent. ¡°We will talk. I promise I will be by your side when you wake up again.¡± He then ced his palm over Luna¡¯s eyes, gently closing them so she could sleep again.


    ¡°Now close your eyes and rest. I will call the doctor to check on you.¡± For some reason, Luna obeyed him, perhaps because of her tired and aching body, or maybe because, for the first time, she felt so calm andfortable being near Alkrevas.


    She didn¡¯t know.


    When Luna awoke for the second time, the sky was bright, indicating morning had arrived, or perhaps it was already afternoon. Honestly, she didn¡¯t know what time it was or how long she had been unconscious, but unlike before, her body felt better this time. Luna slowly sat up and stretched, then tried to move, but something held her back. Luna sighed softly when she realized why her body was difficult to move. Alkrevas was asleep on her right side.


    He was sitting in a chair, leaning toward the bed. One of his hands was used as a pillow, while the other was draped over Luna¡¯s body. His head was turned to the side, and with his tall,rge, and muscr body, Luna was sure his sleeping position was ufortable.


    ¡°You kept your promise¡­¡± Luna whispered, reaching out to wake him, but stopped when she remembered the previous night¡¯s events and quickly withdrew her hand.


    She looked at her wrist, which had been bruised and injuredst night, but now she only found smooth skin. Instantly, Luna looked at Alkrevas. Did he heal her? Just as the question crossed her mind, she saw Alkrevas stir and open his eyes.


    Luna watched closely as Alkrevas ruffled his hair and yawned, looking like an ordinary human and not a supernatural being.


    A momentter, Alkrevas stood up when he realized Luna was watching him.


    ¡°Luna? Are you awake? Let me check your temperature-¡± Alkrevas stopped mid-sentence as Luna instinctively pulled away from his outstretched hand. He immediately lowered his hand and sighed softly. ¡°I¡¯ll call the servant to prepare a light breakfast for you.¡±


    He then reached for the bell rope to summon a servant. Once the servant arrived, Alkrevas gave instructions about Luna¡¯s needs, and after finishing, he sat back down in the chair. Luna opened her mouth to speak but closed it again when Alkrevas shook his head. ¡°We will talk after you finish eating.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Luna replied softly. ¡°But I just want to ask you one thing.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Do you regret what you did?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I admit what I did was beyond the limit. I can¡¯t use the full moon as an excuse. Everything Norris did resulted from my decision to keep him from meeting you.¡±


    Luna nodded, then lowered her head while Alkrevas restrained himself from pulling the fragile little mate into his arms. ¡°Little mate¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Alkrevas was surprised to hear Luna¡¯s sudden apology. He hadn¡¯t expected her to apologize. He had braced himself for her curses and anger but wasn¡¯t prepared for an apology.


    ¡°Norris¡¯s reactionst night¡­ I realize it wasn¡¯t entirely your fault but also mine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not angry?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m angry¡­ furious¡­ but¡­ there¡¯s a reason you kept him inside you, and I disobeyed yourmand.¡±


    Alkrevas took a deep breath. He had prepared himself for this moment. This time, he didn¡¯t want to vent his anger like before; he tried to talk calmly. Luna was wrong, but he was also incorrect. This time, they both shared the me for what happenedst night. Silence fell between them.


    Luna busied herself by looking at her hands on the nket. At the same time, Alkrevas intently observed her face, reading all her emotions, feelings, and thoughts before murmuring, ¡°I will remove the barrier spell.¡±


    ¡°Sorry?¡±


    ¡°I will teach you how to create a barrier so that I won¡¯t read your thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Yesterday I tried to do it and¡­¡±


    ¡°Because of the barrier spell that was blocking it.¡±


    Luna nodded in understanding. Alkrevas took a chance and reached out to brush away a strand of hair that had fallen over Luna¡¯s face, but seeing her flinch and pull away, he retracted his hand. Like everyone else, his soulmate was afraid of him too, fearful of his wolf side, and somehow, it hurt more than seeing her hate him.


    Alkrevas closed his eyes, listening to Norris¡¯s sad whimpering in his mind.


    ¡­

 Last Day of Flower Festival (1)

    ¡°Lady, today is thest day of the Moon Flower Festival. Don¡¯t you want to spend some time outside?¡± asked a servant to Luna as she sat pensively in the sunroom. The hot tea served on the table for her remained untouched, gradually cooling, along with the cake and snacks. Luna said nothing and continued to gaze at the view of the Emperor¡¯s private garden, clearly visible from the sunroom.


    ¡°Lady, do you not like the tea that was served? Would you like a different drink? Perhaps something cold, as today¡¯s weather is quite hot, and a cold drink would be best,¡± asked another servant who noticed Luna¡¯s untouched drink. The two servants exchanged worried nces due to Luna¡¯sck of response and bowed their heads in concern.


    Not long after, Judith, who had just returned from reporting to the head of the imperial household staff regarding the previous night¡¯s incident, entered with a small smile. However, that smile faded upon seeing the Lady she served looking gloomy. She nced at the servants standing by in the corner of the room, and upon seeing their anxious expressions, Judith couldn¡¯t help but feel worried.


    She stepped closer, bowed, and gently asked Luna, ¡°Lady, would you like to walk in the garden? Now is the perfect time to see the flowers in bloom. Didn¡¯t you want to see the Emperor¡¯s rare flowers? Or would you prefer to rx in the greenhouse? I can ask Master Zyne to open the greenhouse for you-¡±


    ¡°You were reprimanded and punished because of me, right?¡± Luna suddenly asked, her eyes never leaving the view outside.


    ¡°Lady, it wasn¡¯t your fault-¡±


    Luna shifted her gaze from the garden to Judith¡¯s face for the first time, then lowered her head and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. My actions have caused you trouble.¡± She took a deep breath and lifted her head. Luna smiled and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to say it wasn¡¯t my fault, Judith.¡± Luna looked back at the garden and murmured, ¡°I truly don¡¯t belong here.¡±


    ¡°No! Lady, please don¡¯t say that.¡± Luna gave a bitter smile. Regardless of the reassurance, she felt her words were valid. She didn¡¯t belong here; she didn¡¯t even belong in this world. Initially, she only wanted to return home without considering the people around her. Judith pressed her lips together and then sat beside Luna¡¯s chair on the floor.


    The servant took Luna¡¯s hand and held it gently. After patting the back of Luna¡¯s hand for a moment, she said, ¡°Do you know, Lady? You remind me so much of my daughter. Your demeanor and behavior are so simr that sometimes I feel like I¡¯m taking care of my daughter again.¡±


    ¡°Why do you think that?¡±


    Judith smiled and looked out at the garden with a faraway look. ¡°My daughter had a free spirit. She didn¡¯t like to be confined or ordered around. Since childhood, she has always visited the forest with myte husband to explore nature. Brave and unafraid to fight back, she would sometimes defy my orders. She refused to act like a properdy and wasn¡¯t afraid to face the consequences of her decisions.¡±


    Luna smiled. ¡°Do you see me like that?¡±


    Judith nodded. ¡°I can see the same light in your eyes as in my daughter¡¯s. I know His Majesty the Emperor is somewhat excessive regarding you. Although I can¡¯t do much, I know you are a soul that cannot be constrained.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯ve been alone since I was a child. I¡¯ve chosen my path, faced people alone, walked my way, and lived alone. Even when the depression hit me, and all I wanted was to die, I rose by myself. No one helped me until recently when I found friends and someone I consider family. They have made my days bearable and helped me release all the darkness that followed me.¡±


    ¡°Lady¡­¡± Judith whispered, holding back tears in the corners of her eyes. From Luna¡¯s words, Judith realized that the young woman¡¯s life was soplicated and dark. What would His Majesty the Emperor¡¯s reaction be if he knew all of this? Two souls were both engulfed in darkness. Could they walk together towards the light, or would they only sink deeper into the abyss of darkness?


    ¡°I¡¯m sure, whatever His Majesty the Emperor has done, he did not mean to cause harm,¡± Judith dared to say. Though she was an omega, she was also a werewolf and knew what had happened to Luna the night before. It was evident from the Emperor¡¯s increasingly strong scent, which had altered Luna¡¯s natural aroma. Not to mention, early that morning, she had seen His Majesty carrying Luna¡¯s unconscious body with a panic-stricken, guilt-ridden expression.


    Judith remembered cleaning the woman¡¯s body, covered in bruises and wounds, and even when she cleaned Luna¡¯s intimate area with a warm towel, she saw blood there. Judith realized that Luna had just undergone a mating process with the Emperor¡¯s wolf side. She bowed her head.


    As a female wolf, Judith knew how painful mating with a soulmate in wolf form could be since there was no rationality, only primitive instinct. How much more painful must it be for Luna, a mere mortal? And considering that the Emperor was not an ordinary werewolf but a Lycan.


    Judith clearly remembered the unwritten rule that if a werewolf had a soulmate from a different species, they needed to discuss the situation and obtain consent from their partner before mating in wolf form. From the Emperor¡¯s expression, showing fear and panic for the first time, Judith guessed that the process had urred without Luna¡¯s consent. She had worked in the pce for a long time, andst night was the first time she had seen the Emperor so distraught. Fortunately, his possessive instinct did not interfere with her cleaning Luna. Instead, he had given her permission and left the room to provide privacy.


    ¡°You know, Lady, you are the only one His Majesty the Emperor allowed to be rude to him.¡± Judith looked up and smiled at Luna. ¡°I was initially shocked, but I once saw something even more surprising.¡±


    ¡°What was that?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°When you scolded His Majesty or were harsh to him, the Emperor smiled gently, and his usually cold brown eyes looked warm. The mask he always wore disappeared, reced by a soft expression. Maybe you didn¡¯t notice it, but I and the other servants did.¡±


    Judith paused and slowly stood up, gently squeezing Luna¡¯s hand before letting it go. ¡°For His Majesty the Emperor, who has sat on the throne for so long, I think your attitude is something new and refreshing for him, who is usually met with obedience or fear. This is just my thought, and I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s right or wrong.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it have something to do with the mate bond?¡±


    Judith shook her head. ¡°His Majesty the Emperor is an Alpha, Lady. And Alphas demand respect from all individuals, without exception, even from their soulmates. An Alpha¡¯s instinct ispassion. If you defy or show the slightest disrespect, it will trigger the Alpha¡¯s anger. That¡¯s why, even though they are in the highest caste, Alphas are highly respected by everyone. Their unpredictable temper. Whenever people are near an Alpha, it¡¯s like standing on thin ice that could break at any moment.¡±


    Luna listened carefully to Judith¡¯s exnation. ¡°So it¡¯s surprising to see His Majesty the Emperor allow you to be yourself and not demand respect from you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Judith signaled the waiting servants to remove the food and drinks from the table and asked, ¡°Lady, wouldn¡¯t you like to take a walk in the city? Today is thest day of the festival. Before everyone goes to the temple for the ritual and the closing ceremony, you should take this opportunity to buy some snacks.¡±


    ¡°Can I act normally and pretend nothing happened afterst night?¡± Luna asked more to herself, but Judith caught the question with her sharp hearing. ¡°No. I will stay in the pce. My body still feels unwell.¡±


    ¡°Would you like some warm food prepared for you? And maybe take the medicine the doctor prescribed? Your fever has gone down, but there¡¯s no harm in taking more medicine if you still feel unwell.¡± Luna shook her head and stared nkly at the garden again.


    Judith sighed heavily and stepped back, giving the young woman space to sort out her feelings. ¡°Alright, Lady. If you need anything, you can call me. I will be waiting outside.¡± Judith then bowed and signaled all the servants to leave. The servants nodded and bowed respectfully to Luna before quietly exiting the room.


    ¡­

 Last Day of Flower Festival (2)

    When Luna finally experienced solitude, she sighed in relief. Luna knew Judith was trying tofort her. The woman had been so kind to her despite what she had done, and that only made Luna feel more uneasy. She closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. A gentle breeze blew into the room through the open windows and balcony doors.


    Luna took a deep breath and tried with all her might to fend off memories ofst night, but no matter how hard she tried, the memories flooded her mind and dominated her thoughts. Her entire body trembled, and a tear fell down her cheek. She was in a dilemma. On the one hand, she was angry at Norris and Alkrevas for what they had done to her, ming them for the pain she felt. But on the other hand, she knew she couldn¡¯t entirely me them because there was a moment when she had given consent.


    Her body had epted all of it, making Luna hate her weakness for Alkrevas¡¯s touch. She could me the mate bond, but how could she me a bond whose very concept she still couldn¡¯t ept?


    Luna was so confused. She should have raged, screamed, hurt, and taken revenge on Alkrevas for all the pain he caused her. But in reality, she did nothing but remain silent and choose to distance herself. It wasn¡¯t out of fear of Alkrevas, especially after she saw him brutally kill people for the second time, but because she didn¡¯t trust herself. The vital spark she felt every time she touched Alkrevas clouded her judgment. She sighed heavily and opened her eyes, staring at the beautifully painted ceiling of the sunroom. Luna raised her hand and spread her fingers, observing the painting through each gap before clenching her hand as if trying to grasp something out of reach.


    Slowly, she lowered her hand and looked outside again, but just then, she heard the doorkeeper announce Alkrevas¡¯s arrival. Shortly after, the door opened, and he entered the room. Unlike his usual immacte appearance, Alkrevas looked slightly disheveled. The waistcoat and cravat he wore this morning, adorned with a brooch, were gone, leaving only a white shirt with ck trousers and leather shoes. His usually neatly styled brown hair was tousled, indicating he frequently ran his hands through it out of frustration or some other reason.


    At least the ck coat with maroonpels he had worn this morning still hung on his shoulders, though unworn. Luna watched warily as he approached her with a cold and expressionless face. Still, both expressions softened when she instinctively pulled away and closed her eyes as his hand touched her.


    Alkrevas clenched his hand tightly and then drew it back. He sighed softly and kissed Luna¡¯s forehead gently, causing her eyes to fly open. Alkrevas turned and walked to the chair opposite Luna, sitting down and signaling Sigmund and Savon, who were also in the room, to step outside.


    Once alone, Alkrevas opened his palm, emitting a golden yellow light towards the door to ensure no one outside could hear their conversation. ¡°Luna, would you like to apany me to the ceremony at the temple?¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking? Don¡¯t you usually ignore my opinions?¡±


    ¡°Luna, I¡¯m trying here.¡± Luna lowered her head and murmured an apology.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. I know you hate me.¡± Luna quickly lifted her head, feeling a lump in her throat. She did hate Alkrevas, but for some reason, hearing those words felt like a sharp knife piercing her heart, causing immense pain.


    Do I not hate him anymore? Luna asked herself internally. ¡°Especially after what I did to youst night¡­¡±


    ¡°You make me sound like a wicked woman¡­¡± Luna sighed softly and added, ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t hate you¡­¡± Alkrevas looked at her skeptically.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be angry at me for disobeying yourmand?¡± Luna paused momentarily and added, ¡°We also haven¡¯t talked about what happenedst night.¡±


    Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose, acknowledging Luna¡¯s words in his heart. He had promised to discuss everything that happenedst night with her after breakfast. Still, Alkrevas forgot that there was a vital schedule he couldn¡¯t postpone or miss, namely the cab meeting. So after breakfast, Sigmund hade to fetch him.


    Alkrevas was relieved because he wasn¡¯t ready to talk to Luna then. Still, now that it was brought up again, Alkrevas had to keep his promise. ¡°Alright, but you haven¡¯t answered my request yet.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty. I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°How about we leave the pce after lunch? I want to take you somewhere. Besides, it¡¯s the festival¡¯sst day, and you don¡¯t want to miss this opportunity. I can ask Savon to represent me at the closing ceremony.¡±


    For some reason, Luna pondered the offer. She should say no, but her heart was tempted, and she was intrigued to ept the invitation. However, could she feel at ease being alone with Alkrevas afterst night? Luna clenched her fists tightly and murmured, ¡°Alright.¡±


    A beautiful smile instantly blossomed on Alkrevas¡¯s face. ¡°Okay. I have quite a bit of free time right now. We can talk.¡± Alkrevas took a deep breath. The least he could do before this conversation was to calm down and ensure he didn¡¯t get angry and lose control.


    Alkrevas hoped the Moon Goddess could help him. Norris, calm yourself. Don¡¯t get angry, no matter what happens, Alkrevas warned his wolf soul. Norris just nodded before resting his head on his front paws and closing his eyes, still feeling guilty aboutst night.


    ¡°One thing we need to agree on. We will talk with cool heads. Both you and I.¡± Luna agreed with Alkrevas¡¯s statement. ¡°I will ask first. How did you end up in the dungeon?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ wanted to free Abigail and Beth. Those two witches.¡± Luna bit her lower lip. She didn¡¯t need to lie because Alkrevas would know all the answers without her needing to hide anything.


    ¡°They could help me return home through the portal.¡±


    ¡°You think so?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°How did you find the location?¡±


    ¡°Yesterday, before Beth was captured, she gave me a gem with guiding magic. You should know that.¡± Alkrevas pressed his lips thin. He did know, but he deliberately asked to hear it from Luna¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Luna, I confined you in the pce and forbade you from leaving for a reason. You knowst night was a full moon; you should know it was dangerous.¡± Alkrevas paused momentarily and continued, ¡°You saw it yourself, right? The effect of the full moon on me?¡±


    ¡°Why did you kill them all? I know they were criminals, but¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be honest. I should kill them and consume their flesh than to kill the nearest pack or terrorize the city.¡±


    ¡°You did that when we first met in the city.¡±


    ¡°You already know the reason.¡± Luna sighed softly. Slowly, Alkrevas stood up and walked to the window. He looked at the view outside and turned his back to Luna.


    ¡°Luna, Norris is not an ordinary wolf. He is a Lycan. His instincts are twice as dangerous as a regr werewolf. Do you know what was on my wolf soul¡¯s mind when we first met?¡± Alkrevas nced at Luna over his shoulder.


    ¡°Mating,¡± he looked back out the window. ¡°But not mating between you and me, rather mating between you and him, likest night.¡±


    Luna¡¯s shoulders tensed. ¡°I held back my wolf soul because I knew it wasn¡¯t time for you to do that with him. When you still hadn¡¯t epted our mate bond. That required your consent. That¡¯s why I never showed you my wolf side after our first meeting. I restrained Norris. I locked him away so he wouldn¡¯t hurt you, but I couldn¡¯t control him during the full moon, Luna. Not when Norris is more dominant than me.¡±


    ¡°Why did I ce the empire¡¯s best knights outside the pce? To prevent me froming to you, to stop me from breaking in. I even set up protective magic on the windows and the emperor¡¯s balcony so I couldn¡¯t enter.¡± Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.


    ¡°But all my preparations were in vain, and you ended up there when Norris waspletely under the full moon¡¯s influence. Driven by fear and his love for you, his soulmate, he did that. The opportunity came to him when I couldn¡¯t do anything.¡± Alkrevas turned and walked toward Luna.


    ¡°Even when I tried to take over and stop everything, I couldn¡¯t.¡± Then Alkrevas stopped right next to Luna, sitting on the floor, and carefully reached out, taking Luna¡¯s trembling hand and pressing his forehead against hers.


    ¡°I know what we did was unforgivable, but I want to say that I¡¯m sorry and regret it.¡±


    Luna took a deep breath and felt her eyes heat up. She could feel the sincerity in his words, and for some reason, it made her heart feel so calm and at peace. Luna swallowed and whispered, ¡°It wasn¡¯t entirely your fault, but I was at fault, too. If I hadn¡¯t been reckless, maybest night wouldn¡¯t have happened. Even I¡­ my body¡­ for a moment enjoyed it all¡­¡±


    Luna finally admitted. ¡°I was so scared to admit all of it, but it¡¯s true. My body recognized and responded to your touch.¡±


    Luna took another deep breath and added, ¡°I acted foolishly. You confined me for my safety, but I put myself in danger. I was so blind and focused on my goal.¡±


    ¡°Luna, stay here. You don¡¯t have anyone in your world. Give me a chance.¡± Hearing Alkrevas¡¯s words, Luna turned her gaze away and fell silent.


    She couldn¡¯t bear to look into those brown eyes that gazed at her for the first time with pleading mixed with other emotions. She didn¡¯t want to get lost in the depths of those brown eyes because Luna knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to get out once she entered. ¡°I don¡¯t care if I have to beg you repeatedly as long as you change your mind.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a selfish woman, Alkrevas.¡±


    ¡°Luna¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve long since stopped hoping for happiness.¡± Luna bit her lower lip and felt tears streaming down her cheeks. Seeing this, Alkrevas reached out and wiped her tears away. Though Luna flinched and moved away from him, she didn¡¯t feel uncertain this time. ¡°I¡¯m a cowardly woman, Alkrevas. I don¡¯t deserve¡­¡±


    ¡°The Moon Goddess paired my soul with yours. That means she thinks you deserve to be by my side.¡± Alkrevas slowly stood and cupped Luna¡¯s face. ¡°Give me a chance. I will prove that our mate bond is real and atone for my sins to you.¡±


    ¡°But how can I give you what you want when I fear you?¡± Luna decided to admit the one thing that weighed heavily on her heart-the most significant reason she wanted to return to her world.


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate you anymore, but I fear you. All I sawst night haunted me, even in my dreams. You, it was my first time, and what you didst night, tearing those bodies apart¡­¡± Luna was startled when she realized her fear wasn¡¯t because Norris mated with her but because of the murder scene. ¡°What if I make a mistake and you kill me?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t do that, little mate.¡± Then he embraced Luna tightly. He closed his eyes and held Luna, who was trying to break free.


    ¡°Please. Don¡¯t be afraid of me. Please, don¡¯t be afraid of me¡­ please¡­¡± Alkrevas whispered in Luna¡¯s ear. Slowly, Luna¡¯s muscles rxed, and she fell deeper into Alkrevas¡¯s embrace. Her body went limp, and she buried her face in the man¡¯s shirt-d chest.


    It felt so warm¡­ Luna had never had a ce she could call home. Is this what it feels like to have a home? The pleasant warmth. Tears streamed down her cheeks even more.


    ¡°One month. Give me one month to show my sincerity, and during that month, I will keep Norris from meeting you unless you want him to. And if you still want to return to your world after one month, I will grant it.¡± Alkrevas suddenly said.


    ¡°I will apany you. I will go with you.¡± Then he released the embrace that enveloped Luna¡¯s body and cupped her face with both hands. ¡°On the condition that you stop making ns to leave me. Let go of that fae woman.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°You just need to trust me.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡±


    ¡°I will give you until tomorrow evening to think about it.¡± Alkrevas stared intently at Luna¡¯s face, waiting for her agreement. When he saw Luna nod, Alkrevas breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°During that month, I want to get to know you,¡± Luna spoke softly.


    Alkrevas¡¯s face blossomed with a smile. ¡°Of course. You can ask me anything about myself.¡±


    Alpha, Duke Veniam wants to meet you. Suddenly, Savon contacted him through a mind link. During the mind link, his gaze turned vacant and cloudy.


    Tell him to wait for me in the study. After that, Alkrevas blinked his eyes back into focus and walked toward the door, saying, ¡°We can continue our conversation during our walkter this afternoon.¡± Luna nodded.


    When Alkrevas had left, and Luna was alone in the sunroom, she realized something after a few moments, ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t have an outburst since I opened my eyes.¡± Luna couldn¡¯t help but smile at her thoughts. ¡°Was Alkrevas waiting for that dramatic moment?¡± But the smile slowly faded from her face, and Luna stared at the blue sky through the window. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I should give him a chance¡­ and if I do, what about Ghea?¡±


    And could she handle facing Norris again? What ifst night¡¯s incident was repeated?


    If she wanted to give Alkrevas a chance, it meant she had to ovee the trauma within herself and all the emotions festering in her heart.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡­

 Selene temple (1)

    Luna stood in front of the mirror, her eyes staring uncertainly at her reflection. A few minutes ago, Judith left the dressing room with the other maids after being helped to prepare, giving her some time alone.


    For a moment, Luna was silent, unaware, when her hand lifted to touch Alkrevas¡¯s im mark on the right side of her neck. She only realized what was happening when a strong jolt apanied by heat spread through her body, causing her to lurch forward, weakened. Fortunately, Luna reflexively touched the mirror for support; otherwise, she might have fallen to the floor. Her breathing wasbored, and her heart pounded rapidly.


    Her eyes blinked in surprise at her body¡¯s reaction to touching the im mark. She couldn¡¯t believe such a slight touch could provoke such a strong response. It was no wonder her body had overreacted when Alkrevas touched her-just likest night.


    Luna clearly remembered how all logic and sanity had vanished entirely when Norris licked the imed mark on her right neck, leaving only an overwhelming desire. Alkrevas had transformed her body into one that craved his touch, and Luna didn¡¯t know which was better: bing a willing ve to Alkrevas¡¯s desires or being his enemy.


    Memories ofst night flooded into Luna¡¯s mind, sending a shiver down her spine. She instinctively touched the bite mark Norris had left on her shoulder, which had turned red. Luna shook her head quickly, trying to act normal, especially when she heard the door open and footsteps approaching, indicating Alkrevas¡¯s arrival.


    Luna slowly stood up and inspected the green dress she wore to leave the pce, looking for wrinkles or dirt. But then she realized why she was concerned about her appearance. Since when did she care about that? Nervously biting her lower lip, Luna looked at her reflection in the mirror and froze when Alkrevas appeared in the reflection, indicating he was close by. He watched her silently and said, ¡°You look very fitting in that dress.¡±


    Alkrevas walked closer and looked at Luna, who stood stiffly in ce. ¡°Why do you look so tense? Act as you did before.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed loudly and ced his hands behind his back. ¡°Aren¡¯t you considering my offer? If you want to judge whether I deserve a chance, you must treat me casually.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m still a bit ufortable,¡± Luna mumbled awkwardly. She cleared her throat to steady herself before shrugging nonchntly. So where are you taking me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s already past noon, and many merchants are packing up and preparing to go to the Selene temple. Do you want to go there? We can visit a few shops while walking to the temple.¡±


    ¡°Walking?¡±


    Alkrevas shook his head slightly, ¡°I can take you directly to the city center with teleportation magic, but if you prefer a carriage ride, that¡¯s fine too.¡±


    Luna looked at him hesitantly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯ll keep my promise. I¡¯ve locked Norris away and won¡¯t let him out until you¡¯re ready.¡± Luna nodded and began to consider Alkrevas¡¯s options.


    ¡°Teleport to the city center? I want to walk around there.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Alkrevas turned and walked toward the dressing room door. ¡°Follow me.¡± However, he stopped and turned back. Suddenly, he knelt and looked up at Luna.


    ¡°Before that, there¡¯s something I need to do.¡± Luna remained silent as light emerged from Alkrevas¡¯s hands, and the bracelet he had ced on her ankle emitted the same light. It didn¡¯tst long, and when Alkrevas stood up again, he said, ¡°I¡¯ve removed the restraining magic. Now, imagine arge, tall, and solid wall surrounding you, protecting you. Can you do that?¡±


    Luna nodded, then began to concentrate, imagining what Alkrevas had described. He watched her intently while she was busy creating the barrier to keep Alkrevas from reading her. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about what Norris saidst night.¡±


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s settled inside my mind.¡± Luna opened her eyes and stared directly into Alkrevas¡¯s brown eyes with her own dark brown ones. ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because of the mate bond that connects our souls. Essentially, we are one, so our minds are also one. That¡¯s why I can read your thoughts and memories, feel your emotions, and even feel pain if you get hurt. That¡¯s why Norris can settle in your mind and linger there, and he¡¯s even more free to do so because you haven¡¯t created a barrier.¡±


    ¡°What about the magic barrier?¡±


    ¡°It prevents me from reading your thoughts, but not my wolf soul. Magic only works on physical beings, not on intangible ones. Norris is merely a ¡®soul¡¯ I possess as a werewolf.¡±


    -Are you mocking me? I¡¯m not a mortal ghost!- Norris growled at Alkrevas¡¯s exnation to Luna.


    Alkrevas ignored his wolf soul¡¯s outburst and smiled at Luna. ¡°You might not fully understand the concept of a soulmate, as it takes a long time to grasp. That¡¯s why werewolves are taught about soulmates from a young age.¡±


    He paused for a moment and asked, ¡°Are you able to do it?¡±


    ¡°It feels more like hypnosis but a bit difficult.¡± Luna paused and murmured, ¡°Can I enter your mind?¡±


    Alkrevas shook his head, ¡°You¡¯re a mortal, Luna. The only thing you can do is feel my emotions and connect with me through dreams. You can also feel pain when I¡¯m hurt, but the pain you feel will be much lesspared to what I feel if you get hurt. It would be like a small scratch for you but a sword wound for me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± Luna closed her eyes again and tried to build the wall around herself once more. It was prettyplicated, as something seemed to be blocking her, and Luna wondered if it was Norris¡¯s soul. So, she imagined pushing that barrier away and continued to build the wall, making it strong and tall, unable to be broken.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    She slowly opened her eyes and murmured, ¡°I¡¯m done. Did it work?¡±


    ¡°Let me see.¡± Alkrevas stepped closer and stared directly at Luna. Instantly, Luna felt a headache, as if something was hitting her head. Still, the feeling didn¡¯tst long, as it quickly disappeared.


    ¡°You seeded. I can¡¯t get into your mind.¡± Luna smiled, feeling relieved. ¡°Can I read your thoughts if I want to?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d have to learn mind-reading magic.¡± Alkrevas thought for a moment. ¡°I can teach you, but it¡¯s magic that uses pure mana like mine, and most mortals aren¡¯t from this world, which means they don¡¯t have mana.¡±


    ¡°Is Mana like chakra?¡±


    ¡°Chakra?¡± Alkrevas smirked slightly.


    ¡°Sort of yes and no. Both originate from the heart and pump throughout the body like blood. The difference is in their uses. Mana is used for magic and to enhance sword techniques, while chakra is usually used for elemental powers. While mana can stand alone, chakra cannot. Chakra still needs a small amount of mana in the body.¡± Alkrevas ced one hand on his hip and asked, ¡°Where did you learn about chakra?¡±


    ¡°Err¡­ I¡¯ve seen it in anime¡­¡±


    ¡°Anime?¡±


    Luna scratched her temple, feeling unsure how to respond. It was fortunate that Alkrevas knew she wasn¡¯t from this world. Still, it wasn¡¯t straightforward because of the many differences between the two worlds.


    ¡°Should we go?¡± Luna tried to divert Alkrevas¡¯s attention, and she was thankful he didn¡¯t ask further. He chose toply and walked out of the room.


    Luna followed him and was puzzled when Alkrevas led her to his private study. Unlike the official Emperor¡¯s office, which disyed the luxury and elegance of the Vasilos Empire, Alkrevas¡¯s private study was more modest, dominated by bookshelves filled with various thick books.


    Luna walked to one of the shelves and ran her fingers over the books, reading each title. Most books were about politics, strategy, economics, and matters rted to his role as Emperor. For some reason, Luna¡¯s heart raced. She felt like she was starting to understand Alkrevas. ¡°You seem to be trying hard to be a wise Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Alkrevas replied. He leaned against the side of the desk, watching Luna as she examined his book collection. ¡°Although my reputation is quite terrifying, and I¡¯m considered a tyrant, all I want is the well-being of all the people of Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°And you do it very well.¡± Luna smiled slightly, surprised that she was genuinelyplimenting him. ¡°Unfortunately, you kill so easily.¡±


    Alkrevas shrugged. ¡°I¡¯d rather be called ruthless than weak. At least no one dares to challenge me directly.¡± Alkrevas straightened up. ¡°Let¡¯s pause this conversation. Didn¡¯t you want to take a walk in the city center?¡±


    ¡°This is one way for me to judge whether you deserve a chance.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded in understanding, then knelt and pulled back the beautiful carpet covering the center of the room. Instantly, a turquoise-colored magic circle with aplex pattern appeared before their eyes. Luna gasped and walked closer. ¡°This is¡­¡±


    ¡°My teleportation magic.¡±


    ¡°Can you create this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a Wizard, and sometimes certain matters require me to discreetly go to the magic tower. The elders of the magic tower asionally need my opinion on their magic and research.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°This teleportation magic is different from the one that connects different regions. Normal teleportation has limited range, but mine does not. You can go anywhere, but it can¡¯t be used carelessly. Since I¡¯m the creator, only I can operate it.¡±


    ¡°What if I want to use it when you¡¯re not around?¡± Alkrevas looked at Luna suspiciously. ¡°I¡¯m just asking. Besides, your teleportation magic can¡¯t take me back to my world.¡±


    ¡°You would only need a drop of my blood or a strand of my hair. Or¡­¡± Alkrevas raised his hand, showing a ring with a ck gemstone on his index finger.


    ¡°You can use this ring of mine. It¡¯s the Imperial family ring passed down through generations to the heir to the throne. The ring contains a mana reserve that its owner stores. Now, it holds my mana.¡±


    Luna didn¡¯t know what to say. Despite her seemingly long time here, she still felt unfamiliar with many things. If she and Alkrevas had gotten along from the beginning, would she have learned more about this world? Suddenly, she felt a pang of regret. ¡°Can Norris use magic?¡±


    ¡°No. He can only use brute force.¡± Alkrevas replied tly and honestly, making Norris growl in his mind. Seeing this, Luna couldn¡¯t help but chuckle softly, and Alkrevas raised one eyebrow in question.


    ¡°I thought you would try to make Norris look good before me.¡±


    ¡°Norris is indeed foolish. I wonder why the Moon Goddess paired me with Norris. I don¡¯t need a stupid wolf soul.¡±


    -You insolent mortal! I won¡¯t speak to you until you apologize!-


    ¨CFor what? I¡¯m just saying what I feel. Besides, this isn¡¯t your first time hearing that from me.-


    -Damn mortal!- Norris cut offmunication and turned his back on Alkrevas, angrily swishing his thick ck furry tail.


    ¡°Are you ready? Shall we go now?¡± Luna neatly fastened her cloak and walked closer to Alkrevas. He extended his hand to her. ¡°You need to touch me if you don¡¯t want to be left behind.¡±


    Luna took a deep breath and hesitantly took Alkrevas¡¯s hand. Upon contact with Alkrevas, she felt like a million volts were electrocuting her entire body. Added to that were her racing heart, the feeling of butterflies in her stomach, sparks of desire, and memories of the previous night, making her entire body flush, especially her cheeks.


    She felt like a live, boiled crab. Grr! Why can¡¯t my body¡¯s response ever return to normal? she protested inwardly. ¡°To the square?¡±


    Luna nodded.


    Alkrevas snapped his fingers, and instantly, the magic circle emitted light that enveloped them. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This won¡¯t make you feel dizzy or nauseous.¡±


    Then, they disappeared within the magic circle.


    ¡­.

 Selene temple (2)

    After spending more time walking around the city with Alkrevas, even longer than their first outing, Luna finally realized that the man with immense wealth, who bought her all kinds of jewelry, dresses, and shoes, was quite frugal or perhaps stingy. Yes! It was a surprising discovery. Typically, suppose someone has abundant wealth and power. In that case, one of the ways to disy both is by spending moneyvishly, never ncing at the bill after eating or shopping, and so on. But Alkrevas was different. He didn¡¯t think twice about anything when it came to her, but it was a different story when it came to himself.


    Whenever they went to a boutique, and Luna asked why Alkrevas didn¡¯t buy clothes, he would reply that he could still use his current garments because they were still in good condition and not worn out. Or when Alkrevas saw the price of items disyed in expensive stores, his brow would furrow, and he would grumble about the prices when they left the store. Most surprisingly, Alkrevas was skilled at bargaining. This skill was essential for an Emperor who often engaged in negotiations, whether in business or politics. Still, Luna was embarrassed because she wasn¡¯t good at haggling.


    Essentially, all the money spent was solely for Luna and not himself. Lunamented that Alkrevas would do the same for other women, but what was his response? ¡°No. Why would I spend my money on others? It¡¯s very inconvenient.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know the concept of treating someone?¡±


    ¡°They have their own money. They can pay for themselves-unless they are you or my family. I don¡¯t care if I spend all my money on buying anything, but they are strangers whose names I wouldn¡¯t even remember. Otherwise, I would just be taken advantage of.¡±


    Alkrevas had a point. Luna thought to herself. ¡°You must remember all the names of the nobles?¡±


    ¡°Not all. I¡¯m already overwhelmed with state duties. I prefer to remember just the noble houses of Vasilos.¡±


    Reflecting on this made Luna shake her head. Despite his strengths, Alkrevas also had his shorings. It showed that no creature in any world was perfect. ¡°So, where do you spend your money?¡±


    ¡°Charity events,¡± he answered briefly. ¡°Do you see up ahead? We have to walk uphill to reach the temple. Is that okay for you?¡± Luna noticed his red hair and green eyes, recing his usual brown hair and eyes.


    At the moment, Alkrevas was using magic to disguise himself so that no one would recognize him as Alkrevas, the Emperor of Vasilos. Even his handsome face was slightly altered. He said it would be challenging to use camouge magic to hide his identity as they would be entering a sacred temple, where the temple people, including the Oracle, would not be affected by camouge magic, which was essentially just a mist surrounding Alkrevas to alter people¡¯s perception and view of him. So Alkrevas chose another option, changing his facial features.


    Alkrevas mentioned that this magic still risked being detected due to his dominant Alpha aura, but it was better than camouge magic. Luna smiled; despite the changes, he was still handsome. ¡°I often ran around the city park every morning to keep fit. Since I¡¯ve been in this world, I rarely exercise.¡±


    ¡°I saw your memories. Your world is¡­ interesting,¡± Alkrevas said tly.


    Luna rolled her eyes. She then looked ahead, watching the people in front of them walking towards the temple. She gasped when she felt a grip on her hand and immediately turned to look at Alkrevas. ¡°We should hold hands if we don¡¯t want to get separated. The higher we go, the more crowded it gets.¡±


    ¡°This is your first time, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°No. As a prince, I used to sneak around among the people like this.¡± Then, they both fell silent. Alkrevas was busy keeping Luna from being pushed or bumped by others while Luna was lost in her thoughts.


    She was so surprised; just a few hours spent with Alkrevas made her feel more at ease, and the memories ofst night felt like a bad dream. It should have been questioned, but Luna couldn¡¯t shake the peaceful feeling in her heart when she was with Alkrevas. The trauma she had felt diminished, as did her doubts and fears. ¡°Little mate, don¡¯t daydream if you don¡¯t want to fall.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Luna then shook her head to clear the strange feelings and focused on the front. She murmured in awe as she saw therge, magnificent temple building standing not far ahead. Tall columns stood strong, painted white, with ssical carvings.


    Statues of Selene adorned various corners of the temple, making it look like a temple from ancient Rome. Arge fountain with a wolf statue stood before the temple, pouring clear and refreshing water. Lush green trees surrounded the temple, and gs with symbols representing the temple of Selene and the imperial crest fluttered in the breeze.


    If Luna was already mesmerized and amazed from the outside, it was nothingpared to when she walked through the temple gates and entered the front hall. Her astonishment never ceased. ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful. I¡¯ve never seen anything this stunning anywhere.¡±


    ¡°The Temple of Selene is indeed the best temple in Rhodes.¡± Alkrevas looked at Luna. ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    They walked along a path, passing through a garden filled with nobles. Luna nced at the garden and could see nobles gathering and chatting. Luckily, Luna wore a cloak and a head covering to hide her face.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to use my magic?¡± Alkrevas asked again as he saw Luna tighten her head covering to hide her face. ¡°The nobles can be quite annoying.¡±


    ¡°No. Compared to me, they wouldn¡¯t notice your aura?¡±


    ¡°The nobles there aren¡¯t werewolves. So they won¡¯t know. Werewolf nobles are usually in a different garden.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°To pray to Selene.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Fifteen minutester, they heard the sound of bells ringing, signaling that the offering ceremony was beginning. The holy knights who guarded the temple guided them to a room in the center of the temple. The room, which was the temple¡¯s main hall, was filled with statues of the goddess Selene, and when Luna looked up, she saw a painting of the goddess.


    She was immediately curious about the ce that seemed to be the entrance to an underground prison, but Luna hesitated to ask. ¡°In addition to the offering ceremony, there is also a closing ceremony for the festival here. So you might see Markus leading the closing ceremony and giving a speech.¡±


    ¡°Not Lord Savon? Isn¡¯t he your representative?¡±


    ¡°Markus volunteered. He came to see me personally after the cab meeting was over.¡±


    Luna nodded in understanding and was captivated as the offering ceremony began. She honestly couldn¡¯t believe that everything she was seeing was real, not just a dream, from the melodic singing to the arrival of the oracle named Acasha, who brought a golden chalice as Acasha poured the water from the chalice onto the altar where another fountain with clear water was located. Luna blinked in disbelief as the fountain¡¯s water turned into transparent gold mixed with the chalice water. ¡°So beautiful,¡± Luna murmured, deeply touched.


    Then, she heard Acasha recite an ancient phrase that Luna didn¡¯t recognize before kneeling in front of the statue of Selene, and white light emanated from the Oracle¡¯s body. Several temple priests then retrieved the moon flowers from the fountain pool and ced them in a box, which was carried away. After that, one by one, people put the flowers they had brought on the altar before leaving the room, and the ceremony concluded.


    Luna recalled the appearance of the moonflowers she had seen as they were ced into the box. If the flowers were magical, the answer would be yes. The flowers she saw had transparent gold petals with a slightly closed center. Inside the still-budding flower, Luna saw a sparkling light like diamonds. The flower¡¯s stem and leaves were also unique, a glowing dark blue. ¡°I didn¡¯t know the flowers were real.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not the first to say that, little mate.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going now?¡±


    ¡°To the main temple grounds. The closing ceremony is held there.¡±


    ¡°Is Duke Veniaming with his family?¡±


    ¡°No. Like me, Markus¡¯s parents have passed away. He also hasn¡¯t met his soulmate yet, or rather, he hasn¡¯t found his soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t found?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a story I should tell, but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find out sooner orter,¡± Alkrevas spoke with a tone so mysterious. Luna furrowed her brows in confusion but didn¡¯t ask further as she heard the sound of enthusiastic apuse. When she looked ahead, she saw Markus Veniam standing behind the podium. ¡°After this is over, I want to take you somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find outter, and don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t kidnap you.¡±


    Luna smiled. ¡°Of course, you must return me to the pce, or someone will go wild looking for me.¡± Alkrevasughed at Luna¡¯s response.


    One of Luna¡¯s hands rose to her chest, specifically the area where her heart was beating fast. For some reason, she felt impatient and eager to leave. What kind of ce did Alkrevas want to show her? Luna nced randomly to the right, but all her excitement ended, and her breath seemed to stop when she saw a familiar face.


    Ghea?


    ¡­

 Cliff (1)

    Luna blinked to make sure what she saw was real, but when she refocused, Ghea¡¯s figure had disappeared. Immediately, she wondered. If it was indeed Ghea, why was she so bold to appear in public? Ghea was not a criminal, but she had attracted the ¡®attention¡¯ of the Emperor, making her whereabouts a subject of search.


    Luna bit her lower lip and nced briefly at Alkrevas, watching Duke Veniam¡¯s speech on the podium. The man¡¯s hands were folded, and his false green eyes looked intently at the Duke. Luna turned to her right side again, feeling both restless and curious. Afterst night¡¯s incident, she hadn¡¯t heard any news about Beth and the ck witch, Abigail, who had fled.


    Slowly, Luna bowed her head, her heart feeling a bit hurt because she was used as a pawn for those two women to escape, but at the same time, they would help her return to her world. Ghea had promised to find a way for her to return, even if it meant meeting the ck witch. She couldn¡¯t doubt Giana¡¯s kindness. Or was she ignoring reality and being naive?


    Her eyes nced at Alkrevas again. Instantly, memories of the man¡¯s promise echoed in her head like a spell. Alkrevas¡¯s offer tickled her heart. Just one month, no more. She could consider the one month as a vacation, and when it ended, she could return to her world.


    Luna didn¡¯t take Alkrevas¡¯s words about joining her seriously because the man had arge country to lead, but she couldn¡¯t ignore his words either. Adding one month to a ce full of magic and supernatural things was pretty good. She could also sort out her feelings, and maybe when her trauma was gone, she could talk to Norris again, getting to know Norris¡¯s wolf soul more deeply. Luna bit her lower lip and felt her fingers twisting the fabric of her dress. On the one hand, she owed Ghea and didn¡¯t want to disappoint her, especially since Ghea was the first person to help her and the first person she asked for help.


    Ghea willingly hid to avoid Alkrevas¡¯s radar, looking for solutions and ways, even meeting the ck witch to help her return. But on the other hand, there was Alkrevas. Could she trust him? Hold on to his words after everything that happened. Was there an ulterior motive behind Alkrevas¡¯s offer? Luna sighed softly. For the first time, she couldn¡¯t make a decision.


    She wanted to curl up in a hidden ce, out of everyone¡¯s reach, especially Alkrevas, because being near him made her mind unable to think clearly. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Alkrevas suddenly asked, bringing Luna back to her thoughts.


    Slowly, Luna turned and looked up, her breath catching as his green eyes met her dark brown ones. Though they weren¡¯t real, those green eyes could hypnotize her like his brown eyes. Both looked mysterious and deep. Luna held her breath as Alkrevas¡¯s face got closer until their noses touched and their breaths mingled. Just a little more, and he could kiss her lips. What? What was she thinking? Where did that thoughte from? ¡°The speech and closing ceremony are over,¡± Alkrevas whispered in a baritone voice that was so enticing.


    Luna quickly turned her head to the podium, and sure enough, Duke Veniam was no longer there, and some of the people who came were starting to disperse. She was so busy with her thoughts that she didn¡¯t even notice the event had ended, nor did she hear any apuse that might have happened after the speech.


    Luna looked back at Alkrevas¡¯s green eyes and murmured, ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s over.¡± Her heart pounded quickly when she saw where his green eyes were looking. Luna licked her lips, which felt so dry. That made a crooked smile appear on Alkrevas¡¯s face. ¡°Didn¡¯t you want to take me somewhere?¡±


    ¡°Ah yes! You¡¯re right.¡± Alkrevas said, pulling his face away.


    He stared at Luna¡¯s lips intensely, weighing whether to give in to his desires or stick to his decision. But then Alkrevas clenched his hands and looked away. He mustn¡¯t waver. He had to be patient. If Luna made the right choice, he would do what he most desired.


    With that thought, Alkrevas pushed back his raging desires and passions, calming his erratic heart and mind because momentary desires wouldn¡¯t bring good results and would increase the likelihood that Luna wouldn¡¯t give him a chance. Though he wouldn¡¯t let her slip from his grasp by any means, the one-month opportunity to make her love him was the best option.


    This way, he wouldn¡¯t have to go through the trouble of chaining or binding her because Luna would entirely give herself to him. Wouldn¡¯t that be better? He just needed to make her sympathize with him and change her view of him, and everything would go ording to his n, manipting her mind. If he seeded, Luna would undoubtedly not think of leaving him and entirely depend on him.


    Why hadn¡¯t Alkrevas thought of all this from the start? Oh, it was because he felt so desperate. After years of waiting for the presence of a soulmate in his life, he wanted to im and bind her. He did not consider other factors like feelings because he thought his destined woman would immediately ept him. He lost sight of everything besides possessing her when what he had been waiting for stood before him. Honestly, acting rashly wasn¡¯t his habit. The mate bond and Norris drove him to approach incorrectly.


    As an Emperor, he always calcted and determined every step to take, using tactics and control over situations, staying calm, and ensuring every factor was in his grasp. Life as an Emperor was like a chessboard, with moves made carefully and thoughtfully, weighing all options, using everything avable, and discarding what wasn¡¯t needed.Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.


    So now he had to change his game, and if he seeded, Luna would say ¡®yes¡¯ to his offer. The rest, he just needed to bind her minor by little without her realizing it. ¡°We should go now if we want to arrive before sunset.¡±


    ¡°What exactly do you want to show me?¡± Luna asked with a suspicious look.


    ¡°I told you it¡¯s a surprise. You¡¯ll find outter.¡± Then Alkrevas walked to the exit of the Selene temple. Luna looked back-more precisely at the statue of Selene-for thest time before following Alkrevas, who had already started to walk away.


    ¡­

 Cliff (2)

    ¡°Are you sure you want to take me somewhere? Not to, um¡­ kill me?¡± Luna asked as she looked at the forest in front of her. Alkrevas chuckled, entertained by Luna¡¯s question. Instantly, Luna turned and squinted at him. ¡°Why are youughing?¡±


    ¡°Your words are so strange. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done it when we first met.¡± Alkrevas answered casually and without emotion, making Luna sigh softly and murmur in agreement. But why was Alkrevas taking her to the forest?


    It seemed there was no other reason than her usation, or she looked at Alkrevas suspiciously, searching for answers in his expression but finding nothing. ¡°I won¡¯t do anything if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about. I promised I wouldn¡¯t let you meet Norris until you¡¯re ready.¡±


    Luna couldn¡¯t hide her sigh of relief, but she still felt confused about why Alkrevas was taking her to the forest, especially since the recent incident had happened. So Luna had no choice but to remain cautious. Could it be that the psychopathic Emperor had changed his mind and decided to release Norris, for example? Luna sighed inwardly. If she kept thinking suspiciously like this, how could she give Alkrevas a chance?


    If she gave him a yes answer, she had to learn to trust him, even if only for a month. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll trust you this time.¡±


    Alkrevas smiled slightly and said, ¡°Come on, the sun will set soon. You¡¯ll be safe as long as you¡¯re with me, so there¡¯s no need to worry about bandits.¡±


    ¡°So there are bandits in the Vasilos Empire too,¡± Lunamented softly.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather deal with bandits than rogues.¡±


    ¡°Rogues?¡± Alkrevas nodded, and slowly, they walked through the forest.


    Luna followed in silence. The confident steps Alkrevas took indicated that he was often in this forest and had frequently traveled this path. Of course, as a werewolf, Alkrevas would interact with forests more often, but this forest differed from the one connected to the imperial pce.


    ¡°Yes, rogues,¡± Alkrevas replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s the nickname for werewolves who are expelled from their pack formitting high-level crimes, and the punishment is indiscriminate. Every werewolf can¡¯t live without their pack, so they go crazy ormit other crimes. Their regret and loneliness turn into vengeance, and there¡¯s no leader like an Alpha to control them.¡± Luna nodded in understanding.


    Wolves are pack animals, so for a wolf to live alone is torturous. Instantly, she remembered the massacre at the inn that night. Alkrevas had said that many of them were rogues and were all betting on her. At that time, Luna didn¡¯t ask further because she hated Alkrevas so much and was also afraid, but now, for some reason, she was curious about it. But was she willing to disrupt the peace between her and Alkrevas for an answer? She decided in her heart that I¡¯d ask if there was a chance.


    ¡°How much longer until we arrive?¡± Luna asked, realizing they had been walking in the forest for almost fifteen minutes. She was starting to get tired, and her feet were beginning to blister from walking all day in shoes. asionally, Luna stopped to rest her sore feet before continuing to walk.


    ¡°Ugh, my feet hurt,¡± Lunained softly, but Alkrevas continued walking casually, ignoring her growing fatigue as if he didn¡¯t hear herint. Luna¡¯s face turned into a pout. When her eyes spotted an old, dead tree, she ignored Alkrevas and sat down on it. Luna lifted her feet, took off her shoes, and massaged her sore feet while examining the blisters caused by her shoes.


    Alkrevas had already stopped walking and turned around, watching Luna sit on the tree trunk while grumbling softly. He smiled slightly before hiding the smile and walking over. ¡°So insensitive! If this is how it turns out, I¡¯ll refuse that psychopathic Emperor¡¯s request! I could have gone to the temple with Judith. Hah! So annoying! It¡¯s been a long time since I wanted to kill someone as much as I want to kill that bastard! What kind of man lets a woman walk through the forest!¡±


    Alkrevas felt entertained hearing Luna¡¯s chatter, calling him an insensitive man and other names, even cursing him and nning his murder.


    Although those were dangerous words to say to an Emperor for most people, and such a person would be considered a criminal, thrown into prison, and executed, for Alkrevas, it all sounded and looked very funny and adorable. Luna¡¯s pouty face and slightly pursed lower lip make him want to bite that lip.


    Alkrevas knew what she was feeling, but he deliberately remained silent. He would only do something once Luna asked for his help. But throughout the journey, she only chattered. He sighed softly and knelt beside Luna, grabbing her foot, ignoring her protests, and carefully examining every part of Luna¡¯s foot. ¡°What do you want to do? Let go of my foot!¡±


    Alkrevas looked up and stared straight into his soulmate¡¯s brown eyes, filled with anger, and then murmured, ¡°Have you forgotten that we¡¯re soulmates?¡±


    ¡°So what does that have to do with my foot?¡±


    Alkrevas looked at Luna mischievously and answered, ¡°I can heal the wounds on your foot with my saliva.¡± Then Alkrevas lifted Luna¡¯s foot, sticking out his tongue, ready to lick her foot. Luna¡¯s face instantly turned red, and in panic, she kicked Alkrevas, causing him to fall and groan, clutching his chin tightly. Luna panicked even more and quickly knelt beside Alkrevas.


    ¡°Are you okay? Oh my goodness, what should I do? You¡¯re not hurt, right? I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to!¡± Luna said anxiously while examining Alkrevas¡¯s chin. Her hands cupped his face to check the injury. In his heart, Alkrevas smiled.


    Luna¡¯s kick was nothing significant. It felt like a slight tap to him, and even if he were injured, it would heal immediately. But he pretended to be in pain to see Luna¡¯s face up close and receive her attention. For the first time, Alkrevas felt the world wasplete. The woman¡¯s eyes and thoughts were only focused on him. Her worried face was for him, and she touched him without any coercion.


    ¡°Oh my, you shouldn¡¯t have done that! Look, it¡¯s red like-huh? Why is there nothing?¡± Luna¡¯s eyes narrowed, and her face turned sour when she saw the smile that Alkrevas couldn¡¯t suppress etched on his lips. ¡°You¡¯re just messing with me, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Alkrevas replied. His hands gripped Luna¡¯s waist and pulled her until she sat on hisp. Luna widened her eyes and red at Alkrevas.


    ¡°I really felt pain from your kick. You have a strong kick.¡± Luna snorted softly. Alkrevas released one hand and pointed to his chin.


    ¡°It will get better if you kiss it.¡± Luna felt the corner of her eye twitch in annoyance. She ignored Alkrevas, pushed him away, and stood up. With shoes in both hands, Luna walked away, this time faster. She left Alkrevas still sitting on the ground,ughing.


    ¡°Damn annoying emperor!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Luna, we¡¯re here,¡± Alkrevas whispered. Luna, who had closed her eyes, slowly opened them.


    She groaned softly and lifted her head from Alkrevas¡¯s shoulder, then looked around. When did she fall asleep? Luna recalled what had happened before she closed her eyes. She had been walking with her blistered feet. Alkrevas had asked her to stop so he could heal her wounds, and finally, Luna let him heal her-not in the way he had mentioned earlier, but in a usual manner.


    After that, Alkrevas carried her on his back for the rest of the journey. The calm sounds of the forest, the gentle breeze, and the warmth radiating from Alkrevas,bined with her fatigue, made her eyes heavy, and soon she fell asleep.


    Alkrevas stopped walking and slowly lowered Luna from his back. Then he put the shoes he was holding back on her feet. He nced up and saw Luna still looking around sleepily before lowering his head again.


    When he finished putting the shoes on Luna¡¯s feet, Alkrevas stood up and murmured, ¡°What do you think?¡± Luna murmured in awe, feeling refreshed from the gentle breeze on her face.


    She hadn¡¯t expected to see such a beautiful sight before her eyes. ¡°This is my secret ce when I run in the forest. Beautiful, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Luna nodded. She was standing on a high cliff, but what stunned her wasn¡¯t the green expanse of trees below but the view far ahead-a city bathed in light, with the imperial pce standing majestically in the center and high, sturdy walls surrounding the capital of Vasilos not to mention the night sky filled with stars and illuminated by the moon, making the view before her seem like a dream.


    Fireflies flew around her, adding to the magical feeling of it all. ¡°That¡¯s Mylonas. I found this ce by ident.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful,¡± Luna murmured in awe, still unable to believe what she saw. For the umpteenth time, she couldn¡¯t think she could see such a breathtaking view. Luna tucked a strand of hair blowing in the wind behind her ear before looking at Alkrevas, who stood not far behind her with a broad smile. ¡°Thank you for bringing me here. The view is truly stunning.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is very beautiful,¡± Alkrevas murmured in agreement, but his eyes were not on the distant city view but on Luna, who was looking at the city with bright eyes and a wide smile.


    ¡­


    The next day, Luna sat on the sofa in her bedroom, her gaze distant. Her head rested on her hand, and she leaned against the sofa¡¯s back. Sunlight warmly lit the room. Judith, who had been observing Luna¡¯s behavior since she returned to the pce after spending time with the Emperor, felt worried.


    What was making the young woman so thoughtful and gloomy all day? ¡°Miss, are you hungry? I can prepare some snacks before lunchtime,¡± Judith said. Luna blinked and directed her brown eyes toward Judith, shaking her head. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, miss? Is something bothering you?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ um¡­ nothing, Judith. I¡¯m just thinking.¡± In a few hours, the sun would set, and the deadline Alkrevas had given her to think would end. Luna had yet to find the correct answer to his offer. She didn¡¯t know whether to say yes or no. The inner turmoil was so intense, making her gloomy since morning. ¡°Judith.¡±


    ¡°Yes, miss?¡±


    Luna wanted to ask Judith¡¯s opinion about her problem but decided against it and instead asked, ¡°Where is His Majesty the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°His Majesty is in his office right now. If you want to see the Emperor, I can apany you,¡± Judith replied. Luna considered Judith¡¯s words before nodding. She thought it best to talk to Alkrevas and ask him a few things before deciding. Besides, there was no harm in asking, right?


    The man had given her permission so she could consider all the pros and cons of each decision before giving Alkrevas an answerter in the evening. Judith immediately helped Luna get ready, and after that, they left the chamber, walking down the corridor of the Emperor¡¯s residence and passing the exit guarded by two pce guards.


    Luna walked through the main pce corridor, observing the interior and the expensive and luxurious antiques decorating every corner of the pce. Without realizing it, she arrived at the left wing of the castle, where state activities took ce. There were separate buildings for several ministry departments, but the center of activities was where the Emperor resided. Luna walked, ignoring the whispers of nobles and staff, who were civil servants, about her. Of course, some greeted her warmly, but Luna was sure it was only to gain her sympathy to get close to the Emperor.


    When she arrived near the Emperor¡¯s office, Luna encountered Sigmund and a young man. ¡°Good afternoon, Miss Luna,¡± Sigmund greeted warmly. The two men bowed to her respectfully.


    ¡°Good afternoon.¡±


    Luna nced at the man beside Sigmund, and as if understanding, the man said, ¡°Ah, sorry, I forgot to introduce him. He is the aide to Duke Veniam-Count Jaxon Raylon.¡±


    Count Raylon then extended his hand, which Luna immediately epted. ¡°I¡¯m Jaxon Raylon. Nice to meet you, Miss Luna.¡± The man paused for a moment, then smiled warmly. ¡°It seems the rumors I heard are true.¡±


    ¡°Rumors?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that His Majesty¡¯s soulmate is as beautiful as a goddess. His Majesty is truly fortunate to have you.¡±


    ¡°Ah, thank you.¡± Luna smiled politely, pulling her hand back, then asked Sigmund, ¡°Is His Majesty inside?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Miss Luna, but he is currently speaking with Duke Veniam. It seems they are discussing something important. Do you want to meet the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir.¡±


    ¡°Ah, then, would you mind waiting? After the discussion is over, I will inform His Majesty of your arrival.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind, Sigmund.¡±


    ¡°Then please, let me escort you to the waiting room.¡±


    Luna followed Sigmund to the waiting room, and once inside, one of the staff brought in a tea set. Judith poured tea from the teapot into the cup while Luna sat ufortably. She hoped she wouldn¡¯t have to wait too long for Alkrevas.


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 Ghea鈥檚 Help (1)

    It didn¡¯t take long for Luna to wait for Alkrevas¡¯s meeting with Duke Veniam to end because after waiting for about ten minutes, Sigmund approached her and said that the Emperor was waiting for her in his office. Luna breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up, asking Judith to wait for her before following Sigmund. Upon arriving at the Emperor¡¯s office, Luna encountered Duke Veniam, who was talking with Beta Savon and Gamma Mathias. From the expressions on their faces, Luna guessed that something was going on that made all three men look tense.


    Hearing her footsteps, the three men turned towards her and bowed respectfully, greeting her, which Luna warmly returned. ¡°Are you here to see His Majesty, Miss Luna?¡± Gamma Mathias asked with a small smile.


    Luna nodded and shifted her gaze from Gamma Mathias to Duke Veniam, feeling his intense and fixed stare. Luna looked at him in confusion. ¡°You should go in, Miss Luna, His Majesty must be waiting for you inside.¡± Gamma Mathias¡¯s voice broke Luna¡¯s confusion, and she nodded. After giving a final greeting, Luna entered the room, apanied by Sigmund.


    ¡°Your Majesty, Miss Luna is here,¡± Sigmund said, bowing and stepping out of the room. Luna breathed when she saw Alkrevas sitting seriously in his office chair. He held a document in his hand, and when Luna nced to the right side of the desk, she saw a stack of other papers. Just like this morning at breakfast, his appearance was still perfect. Except now, he had removed his coat and was wearing only a gray waistcoat over a ck shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Luna bowed, spreading the skirt of her dress, and murmured a greeting to the Emperor. She could swear she saw him smiling amusedly.


    Alkrevas ced the document he was holding on the desk and leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. His brown eyes scrutinized Luna before asking, ¡°What brings you to see me? It¡¯s not like you to take the initiative toe.¡±


    Alkrevas signaled to Zyne, standing in the corner of the room, to step out and give them privacy. Once the butler left them alone, Alkrevas continued, ¡°And you don¡¯t need to be formal with me anymore; there¡¯s no one else here besides us.¡±


    ¡°At least I practiced Judith¡¯s pce etiquette lessons.¡±


    With a nod, Alkrevas stood up. He walked around the desk and leaned against the corner of it. ¡°Sit,¡± he said, gesturing with his eyes toward the set of sofas on the right side of the room. Luna nodded and walked to the couch. She didn¡¯t want to talk, standing right in front of Alkrevas.


    She didn¡¯t know her body¡¯s response to whether he intended to do something strange. Luna didn¡¯t want to embarrass herself more than she had yesterday. ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°I want to talk about your offer.¡±


    ¡°Alright. What about my offer? Do you want to give me your answer now?¡±


    Luna was momentarily silent, thinking of the right words to convey her intentions without offending and making him angry. In his anger, Alkrevas could withdraw his offer and choose to lock her in the chamber as before.


    Luna took a deep breath and looked straight into Alkrevas¡¯s eyes. ¡°Can I trust you? If I ept your offer and after one month I still want to return, you won¡¯t go back on your word and will let me return to my world.¡±


    ¡°I am indeed a tyrant and kill people easily, but I never break my promises.¡±


    Luna nodded. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I want you to call off your men who are trying to capture Ghea. After all, she isn¡¯t a criminal. She¡¯s just helping me return to my world.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She has already coborated with a ck witch, little mate. ck witches are criminals. Not only the empire, but the Magic Tower also considers ck magic forbidden.¡± Alkrevas paused momentarily, ¡°Speaking of that, I must start searching for that ck witch again because of your actions.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t know¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t prolong the matter, saying, ¡°You can ask me for something else. If you want the things you brought from your world, I will give them to you.¡± Luna instantly looked up at him with bright, hopeful eyes. ¡°But on one condition.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I want to see you wearing those clothes.¡±


    Luna frowned. Pervert, she grumbled inwardly. She then thought about Alkrevas¡¯s words. If she epted his offer, what about Ghea? Would she be disappointed in her? Especially since the man making the offer was the one who killed Ghea¡¯s brother. Luna was again filled with confusion, but Alkrevas¡¯s offer was tempting. She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip anxiously. Lost in her internal struggle, Luna didn¡¯t realize Alkrevas had moved closer and was sitting on the table right before her. Opening her eyes, she gasped to see Alkrevas¡¯s face close to hers.


    ¡°Y-you¡­ why¡­ you¡­?¡± Luna stammered. Her entire body heated up, and she trembled as Alkrevas gently stroked her arm, sending a familiar spark through her. Luna swallowed and whispered, ¡°Step back, give me some space to-unggh!¡± She moaned softly as Alkrevas¡¯s fingers touched the imed mark he had left on her right neck.


    ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint you, Luna,¡± Alkrevas murmured in a husky voice. His brown eyes stared intensely into Luna¡¯s dark brown eyes.


    ¡°If you say yes, I swear you won¡¯t regret your decision.¡± He curved the corners of his lips into a small, seductive smile. Alkrevas¡¯s brown eyes briefly moved down to look at Luna¡¯s red lips before returning to her eyes.


    ¡°I will fulfill all your desires and treat you as the luckiest woman.¡± Then Alkrevas touched Luna¡¯s chin, ¡°And I will give you pleasure every time. Don¡¯t you like my touch?¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas, step back, you¡¯re making me¡­¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence because she felt something soft on her lips. Her eyes widened before she slowly closed them, immersing herself in Alkrevas¡¯s gentle kiss. Just as Luna began to enjoy the kiss he was giving, Alkrevas smiled and pulled away, breaking the connection of their lips. Luna let out a soft groan of dissatisfaction. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re teasing me, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Alkrevas licked Luna¡¯s lips and whispered, ¡°Why would I tease my own soulmate?¡± Then he stepped back and folded his arms, making his bicep muscles bulge and be visible. Luna swallowed hard and felt her heart pounding so fast it was annoying. Why? She should hate him more and avoid him after the harrowing incident in the dungeon, but why was she getting closer to him and feeling like a teenage girl experiencing her first love?


    Wait a minute! Was she falling in love? That¡¯s impossible! She hadn¡¯t only known Alkrevas briefly, and their first meeting left a wrong impression. She even hated Alkrevas. What was with all these changes? She could find reasons not to hate him anymore, but love? No. No. She shouldn¡¯t forgive his actions, but his apology¡­ Luna stood up and walked to the door, leaving Alkrevas sitting on the table with a mysterious expression.


    Luna paused for a moment. She turned and saw Alkrevas still in the same position, allowing her to see only his back and the back of his head. Luna took a breath and made a decision. We need your things, Luna, so you can return, Ghea¡¯s words suddenly echoed in her mind.


    Luna clenched her fists tightly. ¡°Luna, if you¡¯re asking if you can trust me, I should be asking the same thing,¡± Alkrevas murmured, then turned to look at Luna over his shoulder, making her only able to see the side of his face. She couldn¡¯t read the emotions in his deep brown eyes, but somehow, Luna¡¯s body trembled from being the subject of his gaze. ¡°Can I trust you?¡±


    Luna¡¯s heart stopped for a moment. She swallowed because her throat felt so dry, and she wanted to get as far away from Alkrevas as possible. ¡°I¡­ you can trust me.¡± Luna said softly, ¡°I should go now and not disturb your work any further. Good day.¡±


    With that, Luna left the room, leaving Alkrevas on the table with his head bowed. A soft chuckle escaped his mouth, and suddenly, a loudugh filled the room. Alkrevas covered his face with his hands, continuing tough until theughter abruptly stopped, and he stared sharply at the spot where Luna had been sitting, showing his dangerously obsessive nature.


    ¡°Is that so? Unfortunately, I don¡¯t believe your words,¡± he muttered to the room¡¯s silence. He took a deep breath, inhaling Luna¡¯s natural scent that dominated his office, making Norris restless in his mind. ¡°Damon.¡±


    Immediately, a man in a ck robe, hood, and mask emerged from the room¡¯s darkness. A long sword sheathed in a scabbard hung at his waist. The man¡¯s golden eyes looked at the influential figure sitting on the table before kneeling on one knee. ¡°You called for me, my Lord? What is it?¡±


    ¡°What about the task I gave you?¡±


    ¡°The target is in an abandoned house in the Borj district. They blend in with the locals to evade the knights and trackers you assigned.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed softly and slowly stood up. He put one hand in his pants pocket and then pulled out a chunk of gemstone. Alkrevas could feel the ck magic mana emanating from the gem fragment, and he smiled, guessing that the gem fragment Mathias found in front of the secret door was used as storage for tracking magic that Luna used to find the dungeon. Alkrevas turned, walked to the desk, ced the gem fragment on it, and said, ¡°Keep watching, Damon.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my Lord?¡±


    Alkrevas looked at Damon, themander of the elite intelligence unit, ¡®The Shadow.¡¯ True to its name, ¡®The Shadow¡¯ was the Emperor¡¯s shadow, operating directly under itsmand. Their existence was like a myth; no one knew if ¡®The Shadow¡¯ was real because no one had ever seen the secret force in action, and those who had seen them were either buried underground or turned to ashes. Members of ¡®The Shadow¡¯ were hybrids possessing different strengths-for example, thete Emperor of the Vasilos Empire, Alkrevas¡¯s father.


    Thete Emperor Heizen was a hybrid, with the wizard and lycan blood flowing through his veins, and this bloodline was passed down to Alkrevas. Damon himself was a hybrid with demons and werewolf blood. Alkrevas was the one who subdued Damon and made him submit, as Damon was previously a free hybrid, like the other members of ¡®The Shadow.¡¯All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡®The Shadow¡¯ is bound by a unique pact that causes each member to die if their master dies. This is why ¡®The Shadow¡¯ has different members in each regime. When Alkrevas ascended the throne, he found hybrids with the most significant potential and subdued them all to be The Shadow. Alkrevas smiled and said, ¡°Damon, I want you to watch over my soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Yes, my Lord.¡± With that, Damon left, leaving Alkrevas alone in his room. He walked over to the window and stared at the view of his private garden with a vacant look.


    ¡­

 Ghea鈥檚 Help (2)

    Luna sighed heavily and looked at the evening sky. The time Alkrevas had given her was up, and she was waiting for him in the chamber¡¯s waiting room. asionally, her foot tapped nervously while her hands fidgeted with the teacup. ¡°Miss, is something bothering you?¡±


    Luna slowly shook her head and replied, ¡°I¡¯m just waiting for His Majesty the Emperor.¡± Just as she said that the door opened, and Alkrevas walked in with a rxed expression. He signaled Judith and the other servants to leave and then closed the door tightly, not forgetting to lock it. He leaned against the door and looked at Luna sitting on the sofa. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that? What do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°Your answer.¡± Alkrevas straightened up and walked closer to the sofa, adding, ¡°You won¡¯t regret your decision if you give me a chance, Luna. Just say yes. Then you¡¯ll get what you want from me, whether it¡¯s wealth, power, or even¡­¡± He finally stood directly behind the sofa, touching Luna¡¯s ear.


    ¡°¡­ me.¡± Alkrevas whispered sensually, sessfully making Luna shiver. ¡°There¡¯s no harm, is there? If it doesn¡¯t work out, I¡¯ll personally take you back to your world. I¡¯ve also ensured that Norris won¡¯t confront you until you¡¯re ready. Everything ording to your wishes. I¡¯ll also give you your belongings.¡±


    Luna sighed heavily. She drank the cold tea and murmured, ¡°Can¡¯t you give me more time?¡± Then Luna stood up, taking a deep breath. She lowered her head, her hands hanging by her sides, clenched tightly. Then she looked up, turned around, and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll give you a chance.¡±


    Alkrevas grinned in satisfaction but quickly reced it with a small smile. ¡°You won¡¯t regret your decision.¡± Then Alkrevas walked into the bedroom, making Luna wonder what he was doing, but it didn¡¯t take long for him to return, this time with Luna¡¯s belongings in his hands. ¡°Now, change into your clothes.¡±


    Luna felt her eye twitch in annoyance. She walked over and took the items from Alkrevas. She checked her smartphone and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw no scratches or cracks on the LCD screen. Thest thing she needed was a broken phone. Ignoring Alkrevas, who was watching her closely, she focused on turning on her phone to ensure nothing was wrong. Then, a mischievous idea suddenly popped into her head. When she returns, she¡¯ll need evidence, right? As soon as her phone was on, Luna opened the camera app and quickly took a photo of Alkrevas. He blinked and asked, ¡°What did you just do?¡±


    ¡°Making evidence.¡± Then she turned off her phone again.


    ¡°What is that thing?¡±


    Luna waved her phone in the air, smiling smugly. ¡°This? This is called technology, Your Majesty.¡± Then Luna walked to the bedroom and added, ¡°Now, I must carry out your order and change my clothes.¡±


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    After much effort, Luna finally managed to remove her gown and put on her maroon dress. Seeing the dress clinging to her body in the mirror¡¯s reflection reminded her of Nicole¡¯s recent shopping trip to the mall to find this dress for the auction event. Luna sighed deeply, put on her heels, and let her hair down, allowing it to cascade beautifully.


    She moved from side to side, smiling with relief that the dress still fit her. During her time at the imperial pce, she had abandoned her strict diet and ate as much as she could, influenced by Judith and the maids who constantlyined about her being too skinny. Luna hummed softly, feeling morefortable and like herself in her maroon dress.


    Her solitude was interrupted when she noticed a rabbit entering through the window. Luna quickly turned and frowned. She walked over to the rabbit, bent down, picked it up, and whispered, ¡°What are you doing here, little rabbit?¡± But as soon as she asked, the rabbit in her hands turned into cotton, leaving a small piece of paper in her hand. When Luna opened the paper, her heart began to race.


    ¡®Luna, you haven¡¯t forgotten my struggle, have you? Everything I did, I did to help you. I am your friend, just as you are mine.¡¯


    What did the woman mean? How did her writing suggest that Ghea knew about her decision? It couldn¡¯t be possible. She couldn¡¯t think badly of Ghea; the woman was reminding her, afraid Luna might forget what had happened. After all, Luna was the one who sought Ghea¡¯s help first. Luna reread Ghea¡¯s message.


    ¡®I have found the right time to help you return to your world. Three days from now. Meet me at the cafe in the town square, where you waited for me before. I¡¯m sure you remember because it¡¯s where you first saw Emperor Vasilos. As I said, bring your belongings. Beth and Abigail have prepared everything. I will wait for you at two in the afternoon.¡¯


    After reading the note, it suddenly burst into mes and turned to ash. Luna didn¡¯t know what to do. She copsed to the floor, grabbing her hair in frustration. Closing her eyes, she screamed silently. She didn¡¯t know what to do, but one thing was sure-she had to meet and talk to Ghea.


    With that thought, Luna calmed her heart, slowly stood up, and confidently walked out of her room. She stood in the middle of the sitting room where Alkrevas was. Luna showed a sullen face and said, ¡°Are you satisfied?¡± Initially, she didn¡¯t look at Alkrevas, but when she did, her breath caught. Alkrevas¡¯ brown eyes were full of intense emotions. His gaze was filled with anger, lust, possessiveness, adoration, and jealousy, but what dominated the most were lust and envy. He slowly stood up and growled deeply, the Alpha aura around him intensely dominating the surroundings, making Luna tremble.


    ¡°What is that? What¡¯s with that outfit? As I suspected! That¡¯s not a dress but a camisole!¡± Alkrevas said furiously. ¡°You wore that outfit in front of other men? Showing off your body¡¯s curves?¡± He added angrily, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this.¡± Then, in a sh, Alkrevas approached Luna and, without permission, seized her lips in a possessive kiss. He pulled back briefly, sneering coldly. ¡°One more thing you forget, Luna. If you say yes, that means you consent to me touching you again.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Luna whispered before her eyes widened as Alkrevas kissed her harshly and punishingly. One of his hands gripped Luna¡¯s waist possessively while the other tightly grabbed her flowing hair.


    ¡­

 Meeting (1)

    Their deep, piercing brown eyes met with the warm, dark brown eyes, even as their lips intertwined. Neither Luna nor Alkrevas chose to close their eyes. A few momentster, Luna closed hers, unable to withstand such an intense gaze. A soft sigh escaped from Luna¡¯s lips, and she could hear a low growl from Alkrevas. The man¡¯srge, warm hand, which had been possessively wrapped around Luna¡¯s waist, slowly moved up, caressing her exposed back before stopping on her buttock and giving it a gentle squeeze.


    Luna gasped immediately and tried to push Alkrevas away with both hands, attempting to break the kiss. However, each time Luna managed to pull away and move her head back, Alkrevas would hold her head and advance his face, causing their lips to meet again.


    Luna felt her heart pounding rapidly, and she began to run out of breath. Her body writhed as the oxygen in her lungs began to deplete. Each time she tried to speak to Alkrevas, he would silence her with a deep kiss. Finally, Luna decided to bite Alkrevas¡¯ lip, but the man just chuckled before sliding his tongue into Luna¡¯s mouth, exploring every inch and leaving his mark inside.


    Luna grasped the cor of Alkrevas¡¯ coat. Her entire body trembled and weakened. If it weren¡¯t for Alkrevas, she might have been sitting on the carpeted floor. When their connection ended, Luna immediately inhaled deeply, gathering oxygen into her lungs, while Alkrevas gave feather-light kisses on her chin and neck.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Unlike Luna, who was breathless, Alkrevas appeared normal and calm. He chose to tease Luna with gentle touches. A soft moan suddenly escaped Luna¡¯s lips because Alkrevas didn¡¯t give attention to the spot her body craved. Both her hands tightened and yed with Alkrevas¡¯ silky hair.


    ¡°Please¡­¡± Luna whispered. Whatever she was asking for, Alkrevas seemed to understand, only smiling slyly and continuing to give light kisses, this time on her corbone and the exposed upper chest, leaving a wet, reddened trail. He showed no intention of paying attention to the imed mark on Luna¡¯s right neck. ¡°Alkrevas¡­¡± Luna moaned softly, trying to guide his kisses to the throbbing area on her right neck.


    ¡°What do you want, little mate?¡±


    Luna swallowed and gasped when Alkrevas squeezed her buttock again, but unlike before, this time, the squeeze was strong enough to make her body tremble. Luna¡¯s head tilted left, showing the spot that craved Alkrevas¡¯ touch. Her eyes looked at Alkrevas with pleading, and Alkrevas couldn¡¯t help but smile in satisfaction.


    He directed Luna¡¯s legs to wrap around his waist, securing her with his hands so she wouldn¡¯t fall. He then walked to one of the walls, pinning Luna¡¯s body with his strong frame against the cold wall. ¡°This hurts so much, touch¡­ give¡­ the throbbing makes my body go wild¡­¡± Luna rambled withbored breaths.


    Alkrevas caressed Luna¡¯s exposed thigh. Due to the high slit of her dress, it was easy for him to do what he most wanted at that moment. Alkrevas thought for a moment; the dress Luna wore wasn¡¯t bad at all, even though he only wanted this revealing dress to be worn for him alone, and no other man should see this appearance beside him.


    He caressed Luna¡¯s waist, groaning softly as he felt the satin fabric meeting her smooth skin. What an erotic sight I see right now, Alkrevas thought with passion. A momentter, his forehead furrowed. ¡°Did you show this face to other men? It¡¯s impossible that no man is interested in you.¡± Alkrevas spoke with a possessive and jealous tone.


    ¡°No. I am not a slut wearing this dress to attract men.¡± Luna answered, slightly offended, but that feeling vanished when Alkrevas pressed her body more, causing her womanhood, covered only by a thin piece of underwear, to rub against Alkrevas¡¯ clothed abdomen. ¡°My clothes¡­ haa¡­ are still better¡­¡± Luna tried to speak, but she couldn¡¯t focus due to Alkrevas¡¯ hands on her buttocks.


    ¡°Should I punish you, little mate?¡± Alkrevas asked with a small, sadistic smile, but it immediately vanished, reced by a sensual look. A momentter, Alkrevas lowered his face to Luna¡¯s neck, which she had deliberately offered to him, giving attention in the form of bites and licks on her im mark. Luna¡¯s body trembled violently, and a loud moan escaped her swollen lips. She threw her head back and closed her eyes in pleasure as millions of butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and a powerful jolt spread through her body.


    This sensation was what her body desired; Luna couldn¡¯t think clearly. All she could think about was her sensitive spot, where the imed mark was, being given special attention by Alkrevas. Luna was so focused on the pleasurable and familiar sensations in her body that she didn¡¯t realize Alkrevas¡¯ hand had moved, pushing aside her underwear.


    Luna only realized it when Alkrevas¡¯ fingers touched her womanhood. The man chuckled softly and lifted his head,menting, ¡°I think I should ask the imperial family¡¯s designer to make a dress with the same model as this one for you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Luna squeaked softly.


    Alkrevas rubbed his fingers on Luna¡¯s womanhood again and said, ¡°You look so sexy wearing it for me, and don¡¯t forget the easy ess for me to touch you.¡±


    ¡°What are you-kyaaaa!¡± Luna screamed as Alkrevas pulled off her underwear and discarded it carelessly. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re already so wet, little mate. I think you want this too.¡±


    ¡°No¡­!¡± Luna moaned as Alkrevas¡¯rge fingers slid into her body, finding and touching her sensitive spots before moving in and out.


    ¡°Lean on me, little mate,¡± Alkrevas whispered as he pulled his fingers out, adjusting Luna¡¯s position to make her morefortable by removing her legs from his waist and supporting her body with one of his legs. He then reinserted his fingers into Luna¡¯s womanhood, moving them with a slow, intense rhythm that lulled Luna into pleasure.


    Alkrevas used his free hand to grab both of Luna¡¯s hands, pinning them to the wall above her head, rendering her immobile. His brown eyes slowly turned red, and his gaze fixated on Luna¡¯s exposed cleavage. With Luna having removed her bustier, she wore nothing beneath the maroon satin dress, allowing Alkrevas a clear view of her hardened nipples. He bent down, sucking on them through the dress and smiling with satisfaction as Luna moaned in pleasure. His mouth focused on Luna¡¯s breasts while his fingers continued to move in and out, coaxing an orgasm from her body.


    ¡°Please¡­ do it¡­ do it¡­¡± Luna whispered passionately, her mind unfocused and clouded with pleasure. Alkrevas¡¯ touches felt like unparalleled heavenly bliss, making Luna fear that her body would never feel this way without his touch, causing her to depend entirely on him.


    Isn¡¯t that what you want? Her inner voice suddenly questioned, whispering with every touch from Alkrevas. But Luna couldn¡¯t think about it for long as the familiar sensation in her body made her focus on Alkrevas¡¯ fingers and mouth. Just a little more¡­ she thought blissfully.


    Something was building up in her stomach, and when Alkrevas touched and yed with her clitoris with his thumb, Luna¡¯s body tensed up, and an orgasm hit her hard. Alkrevas kept moving his fingers to prolong the moment for Luna before finally withdrawing them.


    Luna¡¯s breath came in ragged gasps, and her unfocused eyes gazed at Alkrevas as he sensually licked his fingers, savoring her taste. Luna licked Alkrevas¡¯ fingers before sucking them clean, never breaking eye contact. When he nodded in satisfaction, Luna rubbed her wet womanhood against Alkrevas¡¯ thigh, trying to gain another moment of pleasure while teasing him.


    Alkrevas allowed Luna¡¯s actions for a few moments before he pulled the top of her dress down, exposing her breasts and possessively squeezing them. He yed with her breasts and nipples that had been begging for attention. Then he repositioned Luna, bending her over and pulling her dress until the satin fabric gathered at her waist. Alkrevas groaned and murmured in satisfaction at the sight before him. He squeezed Luna¡¯s buttocks, spreading them apart and observing her wet, ready intimacy.


    ¡°This should be a punishment, not a reward for you, but I¡¯ll make it a reward because you epted my offer,¡± Alkrevas said in his deep baritone voice before hurriedly removing his clothes, lowering his pants, and gripping his already hard manhood.


    He thrust into her with a single powerful motion, making both of them moan in pleasure as he reached Luna¡¯s deepest parts. Alkrevas began moving his hips with a slow, deep rhythm, ensuring that Luna felt him inside. He trembled and opened his mouth in pleasure as he thought Luna¡¯s inner walls were squeezing him tightly. Alkrevas then increased the tempo, pressing his chest against Luna¡¯s back. One hand squeezed and yed with her nipples while the other hand touched her clitoris.


    It didn¡¯t take long for them to reach the peak of pleasure. They climaxed together, their orgasms hitting them simultaneously. While Luna took deep breaths to calm herself, Alkrevas gave feather-light kisses and bit the upper back and nape of her neck. Luna¡¯s body shivered as she felt Alkrevas¡¯ manhood still inside her, growing hard again. ¡°Alk¡­ I¡¯m tired¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you think this is enough for me?¡± Alkrevas asked hoarsely, whispering the question into Luna¡¯s ear before biting her earlobe. He then began moving his hips again, this time rougher. Luna screamed before her moans turned into loud cries of pleasure, but that pleasure suddenly vanished when Alkrevas withdrew his manhood.


    ¡°Why did you stop?¡± Luna asked with a whimper.


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t answer, choosing instead to flip Luna around, wrap her legs around his waist, and thrust back into her womanhood. He then walked to the sofa, sat down, and guided Luna¡¯s hip movements with his hands. He caressed her thighs, pushing her dress aside, and looked down to where they were joined. His dark gaze filled his red eyes momentarily before he closed them in pleasure.


    ¡°Alk! I feel so full! You¡¯re so deep!¡± Luna babbled, speeding up her hip movements. ¡°Alk! Please¡­ I want it!¡± she cried out as Alkrevas¡¯ fingers yed with her clitoris.


    Luna¡¯s response made Alkrevas¡¯ manhood squeeze tightly, causing him to growl. The haze of lust enveloped them both, with only one goal in mind: release. The heavenly worldly pleasure they both craved. Alkrevas let Luna take the lead. Watching her use him to satisfy her desires was incredibly hot. Alkrevas closed his eyes and tilted his head back. His body tensed, and the vein in his neck stood out clearly.


    Luna moaned and screamed louder, and when the peak of pleasure hit them both again, she immediately stopped and copsed into the warm embrace of the psychopathic Emperor. Her body convulsed, and her insides felt hot. She could feel Alkrevas¡¯ seed moving inside her, filling her womb until it began to drip out.


    Alkrevas kissed Luna¡¯s temple as she closed her eyes, brushing away the hair stuck to her face due to sweat. Then, he kissed her lips softly, and Luna responded immediately. ¡°Do you think this is over? This is just the beginning, little mate. I won¡¯t release you until morning,¡± Alkrevas whispered in Luna¡¯s ear, while Luna moaned as she felt his manhood hardening inside her again.


    ¡°You¡¯re insufferable¡­¡±


    ¡­.

 Meeting (2)

    Luna slowly opened her eyes and shifted her sleeping position. Immediately, she felt pain all over her body and groaned. Slowly, Luna pulled back the nket and sighed deeply as she saw the kiss marks from Alkrevas covering her body. She covered herself again with the nket and forced herself to sit up. The bedroom door opened at that moment, and Alkrevas appeared with a breakfast tray. He was only wearing a white shirt and ck pants, a sign that he had just finished his morning workout. Luna¡¯s eyes twitched in annoyance at how normal and unbothered Alkrevas looked while she felt her bones were broken.


    Seeing Luna¡¯s expression, Alkrevas chuckled softly and walked over. He kissed her lips and cheek briefly while wishing her a good morning. Then Alkrevas helped Luna put on somefortable clothes and brought the food tray from the table to the bed. ¡°I want to eat by myself,¡± Luna said stubbornly.


    Alkrevas smirked and observed Luna¡¯s still trembling body, a result of their continuous and rough lovemaking. Alkrevas admitted that he had been a bit excessive and lost control of his desires, not giving Luna any breaks and making their lovemaking wild and rough. Still, he knew that Luna enjoyed it all, which was evident from her cries of pleasure and moans asking for more.


    ¡°Are you sure? You even seem to have trouble sitting properly.¡± Alkrevas then sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the te and spoon. ¡°I¡¯ll feed you.¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡­¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence as a spoonful of food entered her mouth, stopping her protest against the Emperor. With a pouty face, Luna finally relented and let Alkrevas feed her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask the healer to heal you. I think I was a bit too much when I unleashed my strength,¡± Alkrevas said while feeding Luna. ¡°It¡¯s all because of that damn dress.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Such a fickle man, Luna grumbled inwardly.


    ¡°I liked you wearing that dress, but for me. And realizing that it wasn¡¯t just me who saw your body, but other men too, made me burn with jealousy. I wanted to gouge out the eyes of everyone who brazenly looked at my soulmate¡¯s body and fantasized about you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know this world existed when I wore that dress.¡±


    Alkrevas frowned. ¡°When I recall entering your memory, you once wore underwear in a public ce.¡± Alkrevas¡¯s frown deepened, and Luna could hear a slight growl from his chest. A sign that both Alkrevas and Norris were unhappy with that fact.


    ¡°That¡¯s called a bikini. It¡¯s worn specifically at the beach¡­ Ouch!¡± Luna yelped as Alkrevas grabbed her jaw tightly and pulled her face close to his. ¡°What are you¡­ let go! It hurts!¡±


    ¡°Whatever it¡¯s called, you exposed your body! Your body! Mine!¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty.¡±


    Alkrevas released his grip and resumed feeding Luna, who lowered her head while hissing. ¡°If I have the chance, I¡¯ll burn all those indecent and revealing clothes!¡±


    Luna paled at Alkrevas¡¯s words. She then nced at her maroon satin dress lying helplessly on the floor because Alkrevas had discarded it after tearing the front part of the dress in his impatience to remove it from her body. ¡°I¡¯ll wear all that just for you from now on. I promise.¡± Alkrevas said nothing and only stared at Luna with a sharp, warning look.


    ¡­


    Two dayster, after a long night with Alkrevas, Luna got up from the bed and went downstairs. She pulled the string to ring the bell, grabbed her sleeping kimono, and put it on. She could briefly see her own body, now covered with even more kiss marks, and if she hadn¡¯t asked Judith to let her clean her body herself, Luna would have blushed with embarrassment. Even now, she was very embarrassed because she noticed the servants stealing nces at her exposed neck and cleavage.


    Judith bowed respectfully to her and asked, ¡°Miss, would you like to have breakfast first?¡± It was the first question Judith had asked in the past three days as if she knew that Luna¡¯s energy had been drained by serving the Emperor¡¯s endless desires. Usually, Luna would nod, but this time, she shook her head and asked for warm water to be prepared.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Where is His Majesty?¡± Luna asked curiously. She looked left and right, searching for the man who usually teased and stole opportunities to touch her every morning before leaving the room. Luna looked at Judith curiously.


    Judith smiled, helped Luna stand, and replied, ¡°His Majesty is meeting with Duke Veniam. I heard they were riding and hunting in the eastern forest of the pce, and Duke Veniam would be returning to his territory for some time, so His Majesty wanted to meet him. That¡¯s the information I got from His Majesty¡¯s servants.¡±


    Luna frowned but eventually nodded in understanding. Then, her eyes wandered over the breakfast menu on the table with a contemtive look. Her mind was busy thinking about the message Ghea had sent her and Alkrevas¡¯s reaction. If she left secretly, it was sure that he would be furious and do something that would not end well for Luna, but if she told Alkrevas, aside from suspicion, he would ce knights by her side, that is if Alkrevas allowed her to meet Ghea at all. The worst possibility was that she would not be allowed to go, and the pce would capture Ghea.


    Luna was perplexed; again, she had to choose between twoplex options. She had already decided to give Alkrevas a chance, but if Alkrevas¡¯s response to Ghea dered her friend a criminal, she couldn¡¯t tell Alkrevas anything about Ghea. Luna tugged at her hair in frustration.


    ¡°Judith,¡± Luna softly called her head maid.


    ¡°Yes, what is it, miss?¡±


    Luna pressed her lips together briefly before asking, ¡°If you were faced with two difficult choices, what would you do?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­ it depends on the importance of the two choices, but if both are equally important, then I would choose the one with the least risk. That is the simplest solution.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Luna muttered softly. This time, she gazed at the sky through the wide-open bedroom window. Luna took a deep breath and walked over to the window. She looked down at the pce servants and guards bustling about the pce grounds, not far from the garden open to pce residents, nobles, and guests.


    Luna turned her gaze to the forest not far from the pce. ¡°Judith, can I leave the pce gates today?¡±


    ¡°Ah, about that¡­ His Majesty gave us instructions three days ago to apany you if you wish to go to the city.¡± Luna nodded. That meant Alkrevas had given her permission to leave the pce grounds since she had decided to ept his offer. Luna bit her lower lip and turned to face Judith. ¡°Do you want to leave the gates and go to the city, miss?¡±


    Luna smiled and nodded. ¡°Please prepare for my departure. I will go after breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡±


    ¡­


    After breakfast and making preparations, Luna finally set off and headed to the city in a carriage. Judith and one of the other maids apanied her on the journey. During the trip, Luna wondered about Ghea¡¯s reaction when she learned of her decision while simultaneously thinking about Alkrevas¡¯s anger. This made her head spin, and she pushed all those thoughts away by closing her eyes. It didn¡¯t take long before she arrived at the town square.


    Luna got out, followed by Judith and the apanying maid. They strolled around the square, visiting several shops and restaurants to taste sweet cakes. Finally, Luna said to Judith, ¡°Uh, Judith, I want to meet my friend for a bit. Is that alright?¡±


    ¡°Of course, miss.¡±


    Luna sighed in relief and asked Judith to show her the way to the meeting ce with Ghea, as she was unfamiliar with their current location and the path to take. Upon arriving at the location, she asked Judith, the maid, and the apanying guards to wait inside the cafe while she sat outside.


    Luna waited for quite a while until the chair across from her was pulled out, and a woman in a simple dress sat down gracefully. The woman¡¯s hair was braided and draped over one shoulder, her green eyes sparkling beautifully in the sunlight. A soft smile adorned her lips, and Luna couldn¡¯t help but be surprised at Ghea¡¯s different appearance. ¡°Hi, Luna.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you look so beautiful, Ghea. Why do you look so different?¡±


    Ghea chuckled softly and replied, ¡°Because I don¡¯t want to make people around me suspicious. Myst appearance was too conspicuous even with a cloak; it¡¯s better to blend in, right?¡±


    ¡°What about Beth and also¡­¡± Luna couldn¡¯t finish her sentence because Ghea leaned forward and covered her mouth with her hand. Ghea shook her head and gave Luna a meaningful look. Seeing Luna nod in understanding, Ghea pulled back her hand and rxed in her chair.


    ¡°So, is it true that you found the right time for me to return?¡± Ghea nodded. ¡°Then why do you want to meet me?¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking? Of course, to take you to the portal.¡±


    Luna held her breath for a moment before lowering her head. She bit her lip nervously, feeling the urge to run and hide. She didn¡¯t know how Ghea would react to her decision. Angry? Disappointed? Or hateful? Luna swallowed hard in confusion and opened her mouth. ¡°About that¡­ Ghea¡­¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Luna whispered, full of regret. ¡°I¡­ I made a deal with the Emperor.¡±


    ¡­

 Dark Magic (1)

    For a moment, there was only silence. Neither Luna nor Ghea spoke. While Luna looked at Ghea nervously, afraid of the reaction from the woman who had helped her so much and whom she considered a friend, Ghea chose to hide all the emotions swirling inside her and to digest Luna¡¯s words better. Luna nced at Judith and her servant sitting inside the cafe waiting before looking back at Ghea.


    Her heart pounded rapidly because she didn¡¯t want Ghea to be her enemy. The woman was her first friend here, and herst desire was disappointment. She nervously bit her lip before summoning the courage to call out to the still-silent Ghea.


    ¡°Are you angry with me?¡± Luna asked directly, not wanting to beat around the bush. ¡°About my decision to ept the agreement with the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Can you exin what that agreement is?¡± Ghea finally asked, her tone so calm and gentle that Luna couldn¡¯t tell if she was angry. ¡°I need to know about the agreement, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ umm¡­¡± Luna was trying to decide whether she should exin the details of her agreement with Alkrevas to Ghea, as the man had not given specific terms. Still, Luna chose not to go into detail and told her she would stay a bit longer in this world before returning to her own with Alkrevas¡¯s help. Luna twisted her intertwined fingers on the table, staring intently at Ghea, trying to find a trace of emotion in the Fae woman¡¯s green eyes, but all she received was a smile.


    ¡°Ghea?¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s your choice, so be it. I can¡¯t stop you.¡± Ghea murmured.


    A waiter arrived with the cold drinks Luna had ordered before Ghea¡¯s arrival. The waiter ced two sses on the table, one in front of each woman, before turning and leaving them alone again. Ghea reached for her ss of the colorful, rainbow-like drink, observing it intently.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it better this way? With your choice, you can return more peacefully without being haunted by the Emperor, right?¡± Ghea sighed softly and gazed into Luna¡¯s brown eyes with a gentle expression. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m not angry. After all, it¡¯s your decision. I can¡¯t control you.¡±


    ¡°Ghea¡­ are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, if you¡¯re asking if I¡¯m disappointed, of course, I¡¯m disappointed.¡± Ghea said honestly.


    ¡°After all, the first person you asked for help was me, and I¡¯ve done everything I can to find a way to fulfill your wish.¡± Ghea took a deep breath and smiled at Luna, ¡°But I guess you chose the easiest path. After all, he is your soulmate, so of course, you would choose him.¡±


    ¡°Ghea! That¡¯s not what I meant-¡± Luna couldn¡¯t finish her sentence and could only swallow nervously at Ghea¡¯s downcast, gloomy face.


    Suddenly, Luna¡¯s lips thinned, and guilt overwhelmed her. An awkward atmosphere immediately enveloped them, and Luna cursed herself for disappointing Ghea, to whom she owed so much, as well as George.


    Luna gasped, recalling a vital variable she had forgotten: George, Ghea¡¯s older brother. Luna took a deep breath and decided to summon the courage to speak softly, ¡°Ghea, about¡­¡± But she stopped herself and withdrew her words before it was toote. Wouldn¡¯t mentioning George only make things more awkward?


    But Luna needed Ghea¡¯s opinion and approval, especially after the message she had sent three days ago. ¡°Ghea, I just¡­¡±


    ¡°No, Luna. I understand. Really.¡± Ghea murmured. She looked up and gave Luna a serene gaze. One hand reached out and held Luna¡¯s nervously sped hands. ¡°I¡¯m indeed disappointed, but no matter what, I still respect your decision. I¡¯m sorry for the message I sent you the other day.¡±


    Ghea sighed again and murmured, ¡°I was selfish.¡±


    ¡°Ghea¡­¡±


    ¡°After all, in the end, you will still choose your soulmate over anyone else. You two are bound by a soul bond, and I can¡¯tpete with that.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me¡­ really, I¡­¡±


    Ghea shook her head. ¡°I hope you will continue to be my friend, for I am alone, and you are all I have.¡± Luna swallowed hard and felt her heart race. ¡°George is gone now, and I have no other purpose.¡±


    ¡°Ghea, about George¡­¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Ghea gave Luna a reassuring smile as she stood up. She walked over to Luna and squeezed both of Luna¡¯s shoulders with her hands. Her green eyes gazed intently at Luna, causing Luna¡¯s heart to tremble and her eyes to well up.


    ¡°I know, but it¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s not even the Emperor¡¯s fault. George, he made an illicit deal with a rogue, and I should have stopped him before it was toote.¡± Ghea tightened her grip on Luna¡¯s shoulders and whispered, ¡°It¡¯s all my fault.¡±


    ¡°Ghea, no¡­¡±


    ¡°I should go now. I¡¯m sure the Emperor is looking for you since you left without his permission for my sake. I don¡¯t want you to get into trouble with him. I hope we can meet again another time, Luna. Goodbye.¡±


    Then Ghea released her hands and walked away, leaving Luna sitting in her chair, overwhelmed with increasing guilt. After Ghea¡¯s figure disappeared, Luna stared at the ss before her with a blurred gaze. Why did it feel so bad? Why did her heart feel uneasy hearing Ghea¡¯s words? Why? Luna bit her lower lip and frustratedly ran her hands through her hair.


    Of course, she felt all that after seeing the disappointment on Ghea¡¯s face. After all, Ghea had done everything to help her, even bing a fugitive and dealing with Beth and Abigail, who were dark witches. And after all that, she threw away Ghea¡¯s efforts and chose the man who had brutally killed her brother. Luna immediately put herself in Ghea¡¯s shoes and clenched her fists.


    If she were Ghea, she would undoubtedly feel profoundly betrayed and disappointed. She would hate herself for choosing a psychopathic man over a friend who had fought so hard to help her. Luna felt awful seeing Ghea so calm and epting of all her decisions, not hating her and not considering her a friend.


    ¡°Miss, we should return now. His Majesty is calling for you to appear before him.¡± Luna¡¯s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Judith¡¯s gentle voice beside her. She blinked and looked up, seeing Judith smiling at her sympathetically. Luna then pushed her chair back and stood up. She nced at Ghea¡¯s untouched ss before walking out of the cafe.


    Unaware that a pair of green eyes were watching her from the shadows full of resentment.


    ¡­


    ¡°Ungrateful woman!¡± was the first curse Ghea uttered as she entered a modest house that served as her hideout in Mylonas Capital.


    Two women sitting at the dining table, enjoying a ss of tea, immediately looked at her with confused expressions. Ghea walked to the dining table and sat in one of the chairs, burying her face in her hands.


    ¡°Damn! Damn! Damn!¡± the woman cursed repeatedly, then banged the table hard to vent her emotions. The two women sitting with her exchanged nces before looking at her intently, seeking an exnation for her anger that was taken out on the dining table, causing the tea in the cups to spill over the table. ¡°Ugh, stupid woman!¡±


    Beth sighed softly, reached for a cloth from one of the shelves, and wiped the tea-soaked table, asking, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Judging by your condition, you came alone and not with her, so something must be wrong.¡± Beth handed another clean cloth to Abigail, who smiled gratefully at her student.


    Ghea took a deep breath and lifted her head, staring at the two dark witches who had made a pact with her. She nced at the sky, which had turned orange, then looked back at the two women waiting for her answer. Slowly, she nodded and replied, ¡°Luna chose to make a deal with that psychopathic Emperor.¡±


    Then Ghea recounted her conversation with Luna. After finishing, she snorted and murmured, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that aside from being naive, she was also so stupid.¡±


    Beth remained silent and continued her work while Abigail chuckled softly. She moved her teacup further away and murmured, ¡°Of course, that possibility woulde, Ghea. After all, Alkrevas has long waited for his soulmate and will do everything to bind his soulmate so she won¡¯t leave. Did you think he would sit idly by once he knew his soulmate¡¯s desire to return?


    Besides, Alkrevas is a man who can manipte anyone, and with the soul bond that binds them, Luna would choose him. Even if she thinks her choice is her own will, fundamentally, it is the soul bond that drives her to ept any deal between them.¡±


    Ghea clenched her fists in anger, unwilling to ept Abigail¡¯s words even though they were true. Ghea stared at the table momentarily and felt her eyes heat up, and then tears began to flow. ¡°I will not let that murderer be happy. He has to pay for my brother¡¯s death!¡±


    Ghea stood up and murmured, ¡°I¡¯m resting in my room. You two go ahead and have dinner. I¡¯m not hungry.¡± Afterward, Ghea walked towards her room, stepped inside, and closed the door, not forgetting to lock it so no one could disturb her. She walked to the simple wooden bed andy down. Her eyes stared nkly at the ceiling before closing tightly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± she whispered to herself. Then she changed her position to lie on her side and took a small locket ne from under her pillow. She opened the locket, revealing a photo of George and Ghea as children.


    ¡°How can that damn Emperor get what he wants and live happily, but I can¡¯t?¡± she whispered into the silence of the room.


    ¡°Brother, even the usations against you were false. There¡¯s no way you dealt with rogues, right? There¡¯s no way you gambled and staked Luna. Right?¡±


    Ghea closed her eyes, curling up in a fetal position while clutching George¡¯s photo, then cried alone. ¡°I promise, Brother. I will avenge your death. No matter what.¡±


    ¡­

 Dark Magic (2)

    As the day turned into night, a man sat weakly on the stone floor in a damp room dimly lit by a torch¡¯s me. Blood dripped from his wounded nose and mouth. One of his eyes was tightly shut, while the other streamed with tears. His hair was tangled, and the clothes he wore were tattered and soaked with blood. Two knights and an executioner standing behind the man disyed only expressionless faces yet brimming with emotion.


    A groan escaped the lips of the man sitting on the floor, his eyes fixed on a man seated in a chair, legs crossed. This man radiated a strong, dangerous, and powerful aura. His back leaned against the chair¡¯s backrest, which resembled a throne more than a regr chair. His hands rested on the chair¡¯s arms, his fingers tapping lightly.


    ¡°Ha¡­ why are you doing this¡­?¡± With one hand raised, signaling the two knights, the man sitting on the floor was once again tortured. The sounds of screams and agonized wails filled the room, echoing and creating a horrifying atmosphere for anyone who heard it-except for the man seated in the chair. ¡°I beg for mercy¡­ I beg for mercy, Your Majesty¡­¡±


    Alkrevas furrowed his brow. Seeing the man groveling near his feet, pleading for forgiveness, was genuinelyughable. He sighed and rested one of his elbows on the armrest, using his arm to support his head. He looked at the man who continued to bow before him, banging his forehead on the stone floor until it bled, before signaling one of his knights to stop the man¡¯s actions. Immediately, his messy hair was pulled back, preventing the man from hurting himself further.


    ¡°Agh!¡± the man screamed, struggling, then cried out in pain as another blow struck his face. ¡°Be quiet,¡± the knight said in annoyance.


    ¡°I¡­ I really¡­ don¡¯t understand, Your Majesty¡­ why¡­ are you doing this to me? What have I done to make you angry and do all of this¡­?¡± the man asked, his eyes filled with despair.


    The man¡¯s breath became erratic, and due to the silver injection given before the torture, he couldn¡¯t heal. Slowly, his strength faded away, as did the life of his wolf spirit. He then cried and bowed again, causing the knight, who was irritated by the sound, to click his tongue. Alkrevas smiled slyly and looked at the man with a bored gaze. ¡°Please¡­ exin¡­ Your Majesty¡­!¡±


    ¡°You insolent fool!¡± the temperamental knight resumed torturing the man until he could only lie weakly in the middle of his blood. ¡°Your Majesty, we should kill him now.¡±


    A cold and terrifying chuckle escaped Alkrevas¡¯ lips. He signaled his two knights to step back before asking, ¡°You¡¯re asking for answers from me, Count Dalmian?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    Alkrevas shifted his sitting position, this time sitting upright. A mysterious gaze filled his brown eyes, consumed by darkness. His figure, illuminated only by the torch¡¯s me, created a terrifying silhouette-a true predator ying with its prey before him. One hand extended toward Beta Savon, who loyally stood by the right side of the Alpha.


    The Beta took several documents inside his coat and handed them to Alkrevas. ¡°Why am I doing this? You want to know my reason for all of this?¡± Alkrevas muttered indifferently.


    The stench of blood filled the room as Count Dalmian¡¯s blood pooled on the floor. The sh wounds on his Achilles tendons and the sword stab in his abdomen grew worse. Alkrevas examined the investigation reports given to him some time ago. He had deliberately done nothing even though he knew of the Count¡¯s crimes because he wanted to catch the man red-handed, and his patience had paid off.


    ¡°Now that you bring it up, I¡¯m curious about something, like¡­¡± Alkrevas paused for dramatic effect, causing Count Dalmian to hold his breath and his heart to race.


    ¡°The secret documents you hid in your hidden vault, or the illegal human trafficking transaction reports across the continent? Kidnapping? Prostitution? Or¡­ smuggling rogues into the empire? Which one should you tell me about first?¡±


    Alkrevas sneered and tossed the report in his hand onto the stone floor, staining the papers with the pooling blood. ¡°People like you are so foolish and never learn. If you thought your ns might be exposed or fail, you should have burned and destroyed all the evidence.¡±


    Alkrevas stood up and walked closer, stepping on the investigation reports he had ordered to investigate the rogue infiltration that gathered at the inn that day. Alkrevas was certain his enemies were nning something using those rogues, especially since their arrival was close to the Moon Flower Festival. Still, unfortunately, he had acted first by killing them all. ¡°Do I need a reason to crush an insect that annoys me?¡±


    Count Dalmian swallowed hard, noticing the brown eyes of the Emperor gradually turning into a terrifying shade of red. Panic seized him, and he cursed the leader of the noble faction, Marquis Ian Cirillo, who had put him in this position. He should have known that the older man was using him, only to be discarded once caught.


    ¡°Marquis¡­ Cirillo¡­¡± Count Dalmian muttered. ¡°He¡­ ordered me to open Dalmen territory and smuggle the Rogues¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Alkrevas smiled faintly, not at all surprised, as Marquis Cirillo¡¯s territory bordered Dalmen and the southern border of Mylonas Capital-the capital of Vasilos.


    ¡°You know, if Duke Veniam were here, he¡¯d be furious for being embarrassed in front of me for neglecting his duty to guard the border.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty¡­¡±


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even kill my soulmate, forcing my knights to work overtime at night to kill the assassins you sent. Are you that foolish? Sending assassins to the Emperor¡¯s residence in the main pce-Grian Pce?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    Alkrevas clicked his tongue softly. ¡°You¡¯re even more foolish for making me-a Emperor-kneel before you. So it¡¯s no problem if I kill you, isn¡¯t that right, Savon?¡± Alkrevas asked his Beta, who loyally apanied him.


    ¡°Indeed, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­ forgive me! I beg for mercy¡­ give me one more chance¡­ Your Majesty!¡± Count Dalmian pleaded, bowing once again.


    Alkrevas stood up and brushed off his dirty trousers before walking towards the door. ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t want to waste my energy on someone like you. Kill him.¡±


    After that, Alkrevas stepped out of the room, and the guards on either side of the door immediately closed it. Alkrevasughed as he heard Count Dalmian¡¯s screams and wails, which sounded like music to his ears until only silence remained.


    They walked out of the imperial pce dungeon in silence. Still, when they reached the pce¡¯s main hall, Alkrevas issued amand. ¡°Seize all of Count Dalmian¡¯s illegal assets, inveand state his crimes again, because I¡¯m sure what we¡¯vewhatwe¡¯ve uncovered a small portion of his offenses against the empire.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Kill his entire family without exception, even illegitimate children or distant rtives. Anyone with blood ties to him must die.¡±


    ¡°I will do it, but won¡¯t this spark protests and condemnation from the opposition?¡±


    ¡°The opposition, you say?¡± Alkrevas sighed heavily, pausing in his steps.


    ¡°I should have killed them all before they acted recklessly.¡± His eyes nced sharply at Beta Savon.


    ¡°I am the Emperor, the owner of this empire, and I hold the highest authority in this realm. Every word I speak is absolutew. Anyone who chooses to defy me will be considered a traitor, and those who protest will be eradicated. We can rece them with morepetent people.¡±


    ¡°I am loyal and devoted to you, Alpha. I will carry out your orders.¡±


    ¡°Remember, Savon. There must be no exceptions. You never know when one of them will use family and blood ties as an excuse to rebel against me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    After Savon departed, Alkrevas signaled one of the servants standing in the corner of the room to approach. ¡°Has my soulmate returned?¡±


    The servant bowed obediently and respectfully before answering, ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Luna has returned and is waiting for you in the dining hall.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded and nced at the ck shirt and ck trousers he was wearing. Although they weren¡¯t dirty, the scent of blood clung to him, and he didn¡¯t want Luna to react negatively to the metallic smell lingering on his body. ¡°Tell Zyne to prepare the bathing chamber for me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    After the servant left, Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration and ruffled his hair in annoyance. Then he walked to his private study and summoned Damon, asking the Hybrid to report on Luna¡¯s daily activities.


    As Damon spoke, Alkrevas listened quietly, a mysterious smile on his face. He mused that he couldn¡¯t wait to go to the dining hall and talk to Luna.


    ¡­


    Ghea sat silently at the dining table the following day, eating breakfast. Her body, d in a simple dress, did nothing to detract from her appearance; the beauty of a Fae was widely known, so it was no surprise that when Beth and Abigail saw Ghea for the first time, they were stunned.


    Her long blonde hair cascaded down beautifully, shimmering when touched by sunlight.


    However, all that beauty couldn¡¯t mask the expression on Ghea¡¯s face, indicating that the Fae¡¯s mood was terrible.


    Beth and Abigail exchanged nces before Beth finally said, ¡°How about we make Luna realize her mistake and choose to leave with us?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ghea asked in confusion.


    This time, Abigail responded, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you something, but you need to finish your food first, since you didn¡¯t eatst night, Ghea.¡± Reluctantly, Gheaplied with the dark witch¡¯s request because she wanted to hear an exnation of Beth¡¯s words. Ghea quickly finished her meal, and once she was done, Abigail snapped her fingers, enveloping the three of them in a dark green shield.


    ¡°I did this so no one can eavesdrop.¡± Abigail then pulled out a blue jewelry box, opened it, and pushed it toward Ghea.


    When Ghea looked at the box¡¯s contents, her brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°What are the ring and ne for?¡± Ghea asked irritably. She didn¡¯t need jewelry right now; besides, a Fae like her had no interest in such things. Perhaps fairies did, as they were creatures attracted to beautiful things, but not the Fae.


    Even though they were of the same species, the characteristics between fairies and the Fae were very different. ¡°I don¡¯t need any of this.¡±


    ¡°Listen to me. We¡¯re going to make Luna realize her mistake, and eventually, she will choose us.¡±


    ¡°That crazy Emperor won¡¯t be interested in any woman besides Luna.¡±


    ¡°I know, Ghea.¡± Abigail pulled out the ne with the ruby pendant from the box and began chanting a ck magic spell.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Instantly, the ruby pendant was enveloped in ck mist, and slowly, the fog was absorbed into the pendant, causing the gemstone to glow brightly before returning to its original state. ¡°All you need to do is put this ne around her neck.¡± Then Abigail exined the idea that hade to Ghea¡¯s mind the previous night. Once she finished, Ghea smiled widely.


    She was right to ask for help from Abigail and Beth. ck magic was indeed the solution to all her problems. Ghea chuckled softly, put on the ring from the box, and then ced the ne back inside. ¡°What will that Emperor feel when he¡¯s betrayed by his own soulmate, huh?¡±


    Beth smiled faintly. ¡°You know, betrayal from someone destined to be with you will hurt a hundred times more than ordinary heartbreak.¡±


    ¡­.

 Sacred Forest (1)

    The sound of birds chirping was the first thing Luna heard when she opened her eyes. A soft groan escaped her lips as she slowly sat up. Her eyes blinked for a moment, adjusting her vision before focusing on the figure of a man standing on the carpet in the center of the room, wearing a shirt and trousers that clung to his body. He appeared busy reading through a stack of documents, the contents of which Luna herself didn¡¯t know, while listening to another man, younger and neatly dressed. And yes, the man was Alkrevas, with Sigmund at his side.


    Luna observed Alkrevas in silence, studying the Emperor, who still looked dignified despite his simple, unadorned clothing. She sighed as shey back down, staring at the beautiful canopy of the bed with an empty gaze. It had been a week since her meeting with Ghea at the cafe. Luna remembered clearly that during her journey home, all she could think about was Ghea¡¯s reaction at that time-calmness and eptance without any anger-disappointment, yet still eptance.


    It was all so unexpected to Luna because she had encountered many people before, and she wouldn¡¯t have been surprised if Ghea chose to hate her, but that wasn¡¯t the case. During the carriage ride to the pce, Luna thought that Ghea¡¯s behavior and eptance of her decision might not be sincere, but¡­ for some reason, Luna still wanted to hold on to the belief that Ghea was a good person because she was the first person who had helped her when she first arrived in this strange world, the first to extend a hand to her.


    But if her thoughts were wrong¡­ Luna didn¡¯t know how she would react. She smiled to herself. This naive thinking of hers was pretty annoying. Since arriving in this world, she had relied heavily on others, but what else could she do? Without it, she might have gone mad or perhaps even been killed by now.


    Faintly, she could hear the conversation between Alkrevas and Sigmund. For a man who was so possessive, Alkrevas quickly allowed Sigmund to enter the room, even though he was a man. Perhaps Sigmund had a soulmate that made Alkrevas lower his guard a bit? Or was there an urgent matter that forced him to allow Sigmund to enter?


    Speaking of Alkrevas, Luna was more curious about his calm demeanor when he met her during dinner that day. There were no strange questions, no suspicions, just light questions about her day. No suspicious looks, no wary behavior, nothing that suggested anything negative. Even the meeting with Alkrevas, which should have taken ce when Luna arrived at the pce, was postponed until dinner due to ¡°urgent matters.¡±


    Was that one of Alkrevas¡¯s strategies to keep her from meeting Ghea for too long or to keep her inside the pce walls until nighttime? She didn¡¯t know. The man smiled throughout dinner, even when they returned to the Emperor¡¯s residence and entered the bedroom. Luna had thought Alkrevas would discuss Ghea when they were in the room since he would indeed have received reports from Judith and the guards escorting her, but there was nothing.


    It was as if he trusted her, or more precisely, trusted the agreement between them. There was no attempt to break through her mental defenses to read her thoughts or to force her to exin everything that had happened and the conversation between her and Ghea. Yet she often caught Alkrevas staring at her with a dark, mysterious gaze, even though he would quickly cover it up with an arrogant smirk or a teasing look.


    Luna felt irritated, but then she felt relieved and confused at the same time. In the end, she dismissed all her thoughts. She chose to think positively that Alkrevas was giving her space, waiting for her to speak on her own, or maybe more that he didn¡¯t care as long as she epted his offer. Luna sighed loudly, feeling like she was in a game that demanded her to think hard. Guessing the people around her who were like enigmas was genuinely exhausting.


    The frustrated sigh Luna let out was louder than she had thought because a pair of eyes immediately turned towards her with a questioning look.


    Alkrevas gave Sigmund final instructions before allowing him to leave. When the door to the room closed tightly, leaving her and Luna alone, Alkrevas walked over to the bed and slowly sat down at the edge. He reached out and gently caressed Luna¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°What are you thinking about, little mate?¡± Luna, startled from her thoughts by Alkrevas¡¯s presence, quickly shifted her gaze from the bed¡¯s canopy to Alkrevas¡¯s handsome face, which seemed too perfect to be urate if she hadn¡¯te to this world. Alkrevas leaned in, narrowing his eyes, studying Luna¡¯s deep brown eyes more closely, reading all the emotions reflected there.


    ¡°Want some breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Good morning¡­¡± Luna decided to greet him with a brief mumble.


    Alkrevas nodded slightly in response and summoned Luna¡¯s exclusive servants through a mind link. Shortly after, the door opened, and the servants entered, pushing a trolley filled with breakfast dishes. After arranging all the food on the table, the servants excused themselves and left the room.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Alkrevas asked casually as he stood up. His eyes briefly nced at Luna¡¯s neck and corbone, which were marked with red, wet traces, signs of their lovemaking the previous night, then looked at his im mark, which had reddened again because he had sunk his fangs into the area to intensify their passion the night before. Then Alkrevas walked over to the table and lifted the covers from the food, carefully inspecting the breakfast menu prepared by the pce¡¯s kitchen team.


    Hearing that question made Luna furrow her brow as memories of what she had done with Alkrevas the night before flooded back. That¡¯s when she realized that her entire body ached and felt weak, especially the lower part of her body and, of course, her intimate area. She knew that Alkrevas was a ¡°monster,¡± not just metaphorically but literally.


    However, the man should have realized that her stamina differed vastly. She immediately red at Alkrevas, who looked perfectly fresh and vigorous, as if the previous night hadn¡¯t been exhausting for him. In stark contrast, she had to force herself to sit up.


    ¡°Terrible,¡± Luna replied with a sulking tone. Was it the case that werewolves had such an immense libido like Alkrevas? Or was it just that this particr man couldn¡¯t control his urges and was always aroused? ¡°It¡¯s so unfair,¡± Luna muttered very quietly.


    ¡°What¡¯s unfair?¡± Alkrevas asked as he walked over to the bed, carrying a tray. He sat down in his previous spot and ced the tray on the bedside table. ¡°Get up. It would be best if you ate a lot. I can feel how frail your body is. I¡¯ll feed you.¡±


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened in shock, and she clenched her teeth in frustration. How could he make such ament?


    Luna didn¡¯t know whether to bang this psychopathic Emperor¡¯s head against the wall or to stab him with a fork, which would likely be pointless. She sat up again, gripping the nket that had fallen to her waist tightly, revealing her body d in a simple nightgown-Alkrevas had dressed her in the gown before they went to sleep after their wild lovemaking. ¡°I can eat by myself.¡±


    Alkrevas paused while pouring water from a bottle into a ss, then turned to observe Luna¡¯s condition. He clicked his tongue softly, then resumed pouring the water into the ss. ¡°You? Eat by yourself? Don¡¯t be stubborn, Luna. I can see you¡¯re struggling just to sit up. Your body has no strength and is trembling.¡±


    ¡°You think this is my fault? If the man who slept with mest night realized that our physical conditions are different, maybe this wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡±


    Alkrevas smirked and sat on the edge of the bed with the te in his hand. He began to spoon food and feed Luna, who epted it half-heartedly. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could be so sarcastic.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been doing it all along.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Alkrevas paused, feeding Luna, and watched her chew the food with an intense gaze, which sessfully made Luna shudder under his stare. ¡°Besides, what I said is true. You were so thin and light when I carried you when I first met you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only human,¡± Luna hissed sharply. ¡°And even if I were an athlete, my stamina would still not match yours.¡±


    ¡°Athlete?¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Since I¡¯ve been at the pce, I¡¯ve gained weight, and I swear I won¡¯t even touch a scale when I get back.¡± Alkrevas rolled his eyes at Luna¡¯s strange statement. He didn¡¯t fully understand, but if Luna thought she had gained weight, he felt she hadn¡¯t changed and had gotten even thinner.


    ¡°And why did you have to bring up my weight? That¡¯s a taboo topic to discuss with a woman! You should be aware of our physical differences, and you should be considerate of me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my soulmate. Born toplete me. And just so you know¡­ I¡¯ve been holding back all my desires for a long time. Waiting for you for decades is no short time.¡± Luna opened her mouth to retort, but Alkrevas silenced her by putting a spoonful of food into her mouth.


    Reluctantly, Luna swallowed her protest along with the food. However, her sharp gaze never wavered from Alkrevas¡¯s face, which was full of smug satisfaction. Alkrevas continued to feed Luna until the te was empty. After that, he offered her some cut fruit and water.


    When they were done, Alkrevas ced all the dirty dishes on the table and returned to bed. He watched Luna try to get off the bed but failed due to herck of strength. Her fragile, trembling body looked so tempting to him. Suppose it were for something other than the morning meeting with the ministers. In that case, Alkrevas might have already torn the nightgown off that enticing body. ¡°I¡¯ll be back veryte tonight.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why?¡± Luna asked, clearly pleased.


    Alkrevas shook his head at his soulmate¡¯s behavior before leaning down and touching Luna¡¯s face. He gently stroked her cheek, then tucked her hair behind her ear. His hand then moved down to touch the imed mark on the right side of Luna¡¯s neck, eliciting a small moan and a shiver from her body. A strong surge of energy coursed through them, and Alkrevas noticed Luna¡¯s heavy breathing. He smiled in satisfaction. The more often he made love to Luna, the stronger the mate bond would be.


    ¡°There¡¯s a banquet at Marquis Esthel¡¯s residence. I have to attend because he¡¯s part of the Emperor¡¯s faction.¡±


    ¡°Ah, he¡¯s one of your supporters¡­¡± As far as Luna could recall from the brief lessons Judith had given her, the leading noble families consisted of twenty families, with the rest being branch families. The noble faction led by Marquis Cirillo included nine prominent noble families.


    Meanwhile, the Emperor¡¯s faction, led by Duke Veniam and Duke Dillite-whom Luna had met at the Imperial Banquet and was only a man in his forties-included eleven noble families. ¡°You¡¯re not taking me with you?¡± Luna asked, purely out of curiosity.


    Alkrevas reached for his coat and put it on. Luna blinked in surprise when she noticed that, this time, Alkrevas was wearing his formal attire, a military uniform specifically for the Emperor. For someone who was always dressed with the help of attendants, the man didn¡¯t seem to have any difficulty, especially when putting on the coat, the special belt, and the sash that symbolized the imperial family. When Alkrevas finished putting on his gloves, he finally answered Luna¡¯s question, ¡°No. I don¡¯t want to show what¡¯s mine in front of other men.¡±


    Luna rolled her eyes. ¡°Maybe if I gave you an absolute bond, I¡¯d do it.¡±


    ¡°Absolute bond? What¡¯s that?¡±


    Alkrevas leaned down and kissed Luna¡¯s forehead before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll exin itter. For now, you should rest because tomorrow is my day off. So use your solitude wisely.¡±


    After saying that, Alkrevas stole a kiss from Luna¡¯s lips, then turned and walked out of the room. Luna could only sit there, staring at Alkrevas¡¯s back, which was covered by a cloak bearing the imperial emblem.


    ¡­


    What Alkrevas had said to her was true. When night came and dinner was over, Luna, who usually dined with Alkrevas, ate alone in her room this time. Even as she prepared for bed, she wasn¡¯t disturbed by him. Luna was grateful she had heeded Alkrevas¡¯s advice to make the most of her time alone. However, her mind was filled with questions about an absolute bond. When she asked Judith, the woman remained silent and then changed the topic, indicating that she didn¡¯t want to answer, even though she knew what Luna was asking. Luna had also tried to find information in the library, but unfortunately, her search yielded nothing.


    She looked at her reflection in therge mirror. She asked Judith, ¡°Judith, do you know about the banquet at Marquis Esthel¡¯s that His Majesty is attending?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s a party to celebrate his son¡¯s engagement to the daughter of Count Asher¡¯s family.¡± Luna nodded. ¡°Usually, His Majesty doesn¡¯t stay long at parties held outside the pce.¡±


    ¡°Then why does it seem like he¡¯s staying longer this time?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps he¡¯s also holding a meeting? You don¡¯t need to worry about anything. It¡¯s best if you go to bed, as it¡¯s gettingte.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Judith.¡± Luna removed the thick shawl she was wearing to cover and warm herself, then walked toward the bed. Judith turned off all the lights, including the ones from the magic stones and the candle mes. After bidding Luna goodnight, Judith left the room, leaving Luna alone on the bed.


    For the first ten minutes, Luna couldn¡¯t close her eyes, and she kept staring at the canopy of her bed. During the next ten minutes, she felt sleepy but couldn¡¯t close her eyes. She shifted her sleeping position to lie on her right side. Even though therge, spacious bedroom she was staying in was quite dark, Luna didn¡¯t feel scared because the curtains of the bedroom windows were left open, allowing the moonlight to pour in freely.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Then, in the third ten minutes, Luna drifted off to sleep. The peace and darkness surrounding her slowly made her feel at ease. Her heartbeat became a soothing luby, so it didn¡¯t take long for her to fall into a deep sleep and enter the world of dreams.


    However, just twenty minutes after falling into a deep sleep, something suddenly disturbed her. She was abruptly awakened by the sound of footsteps inside her room. Luna didn¡¯t move from her position, initially thinking it was Alkrevas. Still, that possibility vanished when she didn¡¯t feel the usual effect she experienced when they were in the same room. Instead, she felt a sense of alertness.


    The danger rm rang loudly in her mind as she heard the footsteps drawing closer. Luna seized the opportunity to attack the intruder in her room using a pillow and nket, kicking the intruder in the stomach. As the intruder groaned in pain from Luna¡¯s sudden assault, she dashed toward the door.


    Unfortunately, she failed when vines suddenly covered the exit and wrapped around her hands and feet, lifting her several meters into the air. Luna gasped and struggled, demanding release, but all that stopped. She was shocked when she saw the familiar blonde hair and face beneath the nket. ¡°Ghea?¡±


    ¡°Hello, Luna¡­ I hope you¡¯re pleased with our meeting.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ how did you¡­ what are you doing here?¡±


    Ghea gave a small smile and pulled a ne from the pocket of her trousers. ¡°What am I doing?¡± She giggled, seeing Luna¡¯s confused expression. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m here to help you return to your world, Luna.¡±


    ¡­

 Sacred Forest (2)

    ¡°Help me go home? What do you mean, Ghea?¡± Luna asked, her face clearly showing confusion. Her forehead furrowed deeply as she looked at Ghea, who was gazing at her with a pitiful expression. Luna¡¯s eyes widened as the roots coiled around her hands and feet tightened.


    ¡°Ghea?¡± Luna repeated in disbelief as if what she had just heard was a hallucination.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t understand. I¡¯ve already told you that I-¡± Luna gasped as Ghea approached, grabbing her chin firmly and pulling her face closer. Luna held her breath as she saw the sh of anger in Ghea¡¯s green eyes before it quickly disappeared, reced by a sorrowful gaze. ¡°Ghea-¡±


    ¡°I truly feel sorry for you,¡± Ghea said softly, abruptly cutting off Luna¡¯s words. Luna blinked and winced as she felt Ghea¡¯s nails dig into the skin of her cheek. ¡°What has that Emperor done to you to make you this afraid? I know you chose to stay here because that dreadful man threatened you, didn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°No, I-¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­¡± Ghea smiled and touched a strand of Luna¡¯s soft, beautiful hair, cared for by the pce servants.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Luna, I will help you. Tonight. I will take you back to the portal, and you can return to your world. I only hope you will never forget my efforts and sacrifices.¡± Then Ghea pulled her face away from Luna¡¯s, removing her fingers from Luna¡¯s chin before stepping back. Her green eyes carefully observed the Emperor¡¯s bedroom, where Luna had been resting, before she smiled cynically.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you realize that you¡¯re being kept in a luxurious cage right now?¡± Ghea asked as she walked to a small table with a beautiful flower vase. She raised her hand to touch a closed bud, and the flower slowly bloomed with her power.


    ¡°Everything he said was just an excuse to keep you here and prevent you from leaving, and before the month ends, he¡¯ll find a way to bind you here forever.¡±


    Luna¡¯s heart raced. Ghea¡¯s words were partially correct, but it was part of her agreement with Alkrevas. He would try to make her stay here, to choose this world over the one she came from.


    Luna had considered everything, but this choice carried the least riskpared to further involving Ghea, especially after hearing that Ghea had be a target of the empire for coborating with ck magic users, something Luna had not known until she spoke with Alkrevas.


    She swallowed hard, looked down at the roots coiled around her ankles, and exhaled deeply before raising her head again and deciding to ask, ¡°What do you really want?¡± Somehow, her lips released that question among the many swirling in her mind.


    ¡°What do you mean, Luna? I¡¯m your friend. I¡¯vee to save you. You¡¯ve been brainwashed by that damn Emperor!¡± Ghea moved closer and squeezed Luna¡¯s shoulders tightly.


    ¡°Look. You need to see what I see right now. You¡¯re looking at me with suspicion. That Emperor must have nted something in your mind.¡± Ghea bowed her head, letting tears fall. ¡°He¡¯s using you, Luna. He¡¯s¡­ just using you for his own gain.¡±


    ¡°Ghea, you¡¯re talking nonsense. The decision I made, the one I told you about, was purely my choice. That man had nothing to do with it.¡±


    Well, maybe he had a little influence, Luna thought, mentally correcting her words, but Ghea didn¡¯t need to know that.


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to defend him. You know that¡­ Ghea? What¡¯s wrong? Why are you acting like this? Is something bothering you¡­?¡±


    Ghea chuckled softly. ¡°You¡¯re so naive.¡± Ghea suddenly lifted her head and stared sharply at Luna.


    ¡°He¡¯s a tyrant, Luna! He¡¯s a monster! Have you forgotten that he killed my brother?¡±


    ¡°Ghea, I¡­¡±


    ¡°He brutally murdered my brother! And if it weren¡¯t for you, I would have been dead at his hands too! And you think he¡¯s sincere with you? Even if you¡¯re his soulmate, I¡¯m certain there¡¯s nothing pure that he wants from you! Do you really think he¡¯ll make you his Empress? Is that what you think?¡±


    ¡°Ghea¡­ calm down and release me¡­ let¡¯s talk this through¡­¡±


    Ghea shook her head quickly and stepped back, ¡°You know what I¡¯ve done, and what my brother did for you, so you owe us.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Leave this ce. Leave this world. If it weren¡¯t for you¡­¡± Ghea thinned her lips and turned her face away. Both of her hands clenched tightly at her sides.


    A tense silence settled between them, but Ghea murmured, ¡°You have no idea what I¡¯ve risked toe here and save you. To help you escape from this luxurious cage. All of this¡­ it¡¯s just an illusion, Luna,¡± Ghea said as she waved her hand around the room, emphasizing that the luxury Luna felt and experienced was an illusion. When the time came, it would all turn into chains that suffocate. ¡°You can¡¯t trust him at all.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ghea, but this time I¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t agree with me, do you?¡± Ghea scoffed and thenughed bitterly.


    ¡°Of course, the mate bond that ties you to him has blinded you,¡± Ghea whispered foreign words that Luna didn¡¯t understand, and slowly, a small box appeared in a green light that emerged in Ghea¡¯s palm.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you understand.¡± Instantly, a strong sense of foreboding hit Luna. For some reason, she saw something different in Ghea, which made her ufortable. For the first time, she doubted her own decision to trust Ghea. If Ghea were her friend, she would support her decision like Maya or Nicole. Luna¡¯s eyes widened as a sudden thought crossed her mind. Ghea¡¯s words echoed in her head like a broken record. Then, a memory of her conversation with Judith, which took ce during her early days at the pce, shed through her mind, recing Ghea¡¯s words.


    ¡­


    ¡°Judith, I want to ask you something.¡±


    Judith, pouring herbal tea into Luna¡¯s cup at the time, immediately paused and turned to look at Luna with a questioning gaze. ¡°What is it, Luna?¡±


    Luna sighed profoundly and gazed at the evening sky, which was so beautiful and awe-inspiring. Unlike in New York, the sky she saw now was so clear, without any pollution to mar it, making the view she saw resemble a painting in an art gallery. ¡°How important is a soulmate in the eyes of a werewolf? I¡¯ve read the theories in books, but I want to hear the direct perspective of a werewolf.¡±


    Judith nodded understanding and ced the teapot on the table before answering, ¡°To us, a soulmate is like life itself. Our souls are born iplete, and with the presence of a soulmate, we feel whole.¡±


    Judith smiled and gently took Luna¡¯s hand, patting it like a motherforting her daughter. ¡°A soulmate is incredibly important to a werewolf¡¯s life. The one thing we desire in this world is a soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s how valuable a soulmate is to us. So, if we lose our one reason for living, what¡¯s the point of living in this world? Following our soulmate to the Goddess¡¯s side isn¡¯t a difficult decision.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°So you¡¯re willing to die if your soulmate dies?¡± Luna asked in disbelief. Judith nodded. ¡°That means if I¡¯m the Emperor¡¯s soulmate¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, Luna,¡± Judith whispered.


    ¡°All this time, His Majesty had no weaknesses. He feared nothing, and built his reputation as a tyrant because he wasn¡¯t afraid of his enemies. But now, everything has changed since your arrival. He fears nothing, but he fears you-more specifically, losing you.¡± Luna lowered her head, unable to respond to Judith¡¯s words.


    ¡°You. His soulmate. The one thing he has been waiting for, for so long. You are his weakness. Now, His Majesty¡¯s enemies no longer target him, but you. His greatest weakness. If you die, I dare say that His Majesty wouldn¡¯t hesitate to follow you.¡±


    Luna gasped.


    ¡°But, Luna. You need not worry. Besides being his weakness, you will also be his greatest strength, because of his instinct to protect you.¡±


    ¡­

 Sacred Forest (3)

    Luna blinked and stared intently at Ghea. Suddenly, her mind raced. Her perception of Ghea immediately shifted. Luna drew a shaky breath before whispering, ¡°You¡­ you did all of this¡­ just to take advantage of my existence.¡± Disappointment instantly filled Luna¡¯s face. She struggled, trying to break free from the bonds that held her body. ¡°Let me go, Ghea!¡±


    Ghea shook her head. ¡°No. You¡¯ve got it wrong!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re using my sacred bond with the Emperor for your own personal gain!¡±


    ¡°No, I¡­¡± Ghea lowered her head for a moment before smiling widely andughing loudly. ¡°I guess you¡¯re not entirely foolish.¡±


    ¡°You want revenge for your brother¡¯s death, using me,¡± Luna bit her lip, trying to hold back sobs. Her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked at Ghea. She should have never dismissed her suspicions or this possibility from the beginning. She had trusted Ghea, who had helped her in this strange world. She should have used her mind, not her heart.


    Luna cursed herself and felt the urge to m her head against the wall. She shouldn¡¯t have trusted anyone from the start-Ghea, Alkrevas, or even Judith. All this time, she had only trusted herself, but that thinking vanished when she arrived. Was it her overwhelming desire to return to her world that had made her this foolish? Failing to notice something so huge that could be detrimental to her?


    ¡°Ghea, let me go!¡± Luna struggled again, trying to free herself from the roots binding her hands and feet, which made Ghea click her tongue in annoyance. Ghea stepped closer, pulling a small bottle from the box. Luna saw a thick, ck liquid inside the bottle, and her face paled as Ghea opened the cap. ¡°Ghea!¡±


    ¡°Luna, I truly want to help you. I¡¯ve already told you that you¡¯ve been brainwashed by the people in the pce, especially that Emperor. You¡¯re my friend, and I will help you escape from here and return to your world.¡±


    ¡°What are you-Nggh!¡± Luna writhed and groaned as her mouth was forced open.


    ¡°The first thing we need to do is block the matebond, right? That way, you¡¯ll be more aware and think clearly without the influence of the soulmate bond. I¡¯m sure once your mind is clear, you¡¯ll understand that everything I¡¯ve said is true. That Emperor isn¡¯t sincere with you. He¡¯s only using you. He¡¯s only using your existence. He¡¯s never seen you as more than just a foreign woman bonded to him. Trust me. His sweet words, the illusion of being Empress, his affection, are all just a camouge for his hidden goals. From the beginning, he needed you to control his wolf spirit, nothing more.¡±


    No! That¡¯s not true! Luna screamed in her heart. Everything Ghea said needed to be corrected. If that were the case, there¡¯s no way Alkrevas would have announced her as his future Empress.


    Besides, Luna didn¡¯t need the throne. Not at all. Luna didn¡¯t believe Ghea¡¯s words, but her heart began to waver. After all, what had Alkrevas done to her? Nothing. The man had only kept her locked up in the pce, put a tracking bracelet on her, and once even invaded her mind to keep watch. All this luxury¡­ no! Ghea was trying to nt doubts! She didn¡¯t trust Alkrevas, but she believed that he wouldn¡¯t break the promises and words he had spoken.


    Luna snapped out of her thoughts when she felt something cold touch her lips, and her eyes widened as the liquid in the bottle was forced into her mouth and flowed down her throat. Afterward, Ghea stepped back, letting go of Luna, who was coughing from the foreign substance that had entered her throat. ¡°What did you give me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a potion.¡±


    ¡°A potion?¡±


    ¡°A potion to temporarily sever the matebond. The potion is sold on the ck market at a very high price, so you should thank me for spending so much money on just one potion. Abigail could have made the potion herself since it¡¯s primarily made from dark magic, but she needs a lot of strength to send you back, so you should also thank her.¡±


    ¡°Temporarily sever the bond?¡± Luna squeaked in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes. Its effect is stronger than a rejection ritual, where two werewolves reject their bond and separate. While that ritual weakens the bond, this potionpletely severs it for one week. The effect makes it as if the mates had never met each other, even if they had already mated and marked one another.¡± What? Is this one of the reasons dark magic is forbidden? Because it can create something as terrifying as this?


    ¡°Impressive. I should have asked Abigail to give you this potion from the start, then killed you somewhere, but I think sending you back to your world is more effective. That man won¡¯t be able to do anything to bring you back, and he¡¯ll go mad.¡± Luna inhaled in disbelief, her heart skipping a beat. She couldn¡¯t think much longer as she suddenly felt a burning sensation throughout her body, and shortly after, she felt something snap, which spontaneously made Luna scream.


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful I asked Beth to cast a sound-dampening spell around this room.¡± Luna immediately slumped down, breathing heavily. ¡°Why¡­ why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. This won¡¯t kill you or that tyrant Emperor. I¡¯m doing this so that he can¡¯t track you. With your bond severed,¡± Ghea knelt by one of Luna¡¯s legs and murmured, ¡°We also need to get rid of this.¡±


    Ghea touched the tracking bracelet wrapped around Luna¡¯s ankle. ¡°Unfortunately, neither Beth nor Abigail can remove it, so before that Emperor arrives, we need to be in the Sacred Forest.¡± Ghea then stood up and pulled a ne with a ruby pendant from the box.


    ¡°Andstly¡­¡± Ghea smiled and ced the ne around Luna¡¯s neck.


    ¡°What are you¡­¡± Luna¡¯s vision instantly blurred, and her gaze became empty. Ghea smiled with satisfaction and snapped her fingers, causing the roots binding Luna to release her body and disappear. She watched Luna slumping to the floor, and Ghea helped her stand.


    Her hand touched the pendant around Luna¡¯s neck. The ne was imbued with high-level dark magic-a control spell-that allowed Luna to be easily manipted, following Ghea¡¯s voice andmands. It took a few seconds for Luna¡¯s empty gaze to return to normal, and then her lips moved. ¡°Ghea¡­¡±


    Ghea smiled faintly, feigning sorrow. Should she test the ne¡¯s control spell? Of course. With that thought, she said to Luna, ¡°Luna! Thank goodness you¡¯re okay. We should leave here before that monster arrives! You want to go back to your world, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Yes, I want to go back to my world. Leave that mad Emperor and forget everything that happened, Gheamanded silently in her mind, directing Luna to repeat her words.


    Luna nodded and replied, ¡°Yes. I want to go back to my world. Leave that mad Emperor and forget everything that happened.¡±


    ¡°Good. Take my hand. We¡¯ll leave now.¡± Luna obediently reached for Ghea¡¯s outstretched hand, and then Ghea touched the ring she wore, making it disappear. Not long after, the sound-dampening and door-sealing spell controlled by Beth outside the pce vanished.


    Ghea was confident that Beth had already left the imperial pce grounds and was heading to the portal Abigail had created to take them to the Sacred Forest. Unlike before, when she and Beth entered the pce disguised as servants-since the servant gate wasn¡¯t as tightly guarded as the main gate, Ghea now needed to find a new way out.


    Disguising themselves again wasn¡¯t a good option with Luna, as all the pce staff knew her. Beth and Abigail needed to conserve their mana to open the portal so that Ghea couldn¡¯t ask for a disguise spell. Besides, it wouldn¡¯t take long before the entire pce noticed Luna had disappeared. ¡°Luna, where are the belongings you brought with you?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re with me.¡±


    ¡°Take them and bring them along,¡± Ghea ordered. She smiled as Luna nodded, then walked to one of the desk drawers, opened it, and retrieved the three items she had brought to this world, although the maroon dress she wore was now in tatters.


    ¡°So, Luna, do you choose me or that Emperor?¡± I choose you, Ghea. You are my friend. I was only using the Emperor to retrieve my belongings.


    Soon after, Luna repeated the words she had spoken in her mind, just as Ghea had intended. Ghea smiled and stepped out of the bedroom, walking through the sitting room and out of the Emperor¡¯s private chambers with Luna following her.


    They walked down one of the corridors and then stopped. ¡°How can we get out? This invisibility spell can¡¯t prate the protective walls. If I disguise myself again and try to bring you, we¡¯ll be discovered. Sooner orter, I¡¯ll have to learn some other magic tricks.¡±


    Then she turned to Luna and said, ¡°We should go to the Emperor¡¯s private study. Maybe we¡¯ll find something useful there. Lead the way, Luna.¡± Luna nodded and followed Ghea¡¯s orders. When they arrived at the Emperor¡¯s private study, Ghea saw something that shouldn¡¯t have been there-a glow of powerful magic, as her Fae eyes could see the light of magic, whether ordinary or dark. It wasn¡¯t a unique ability but something inherent in the Fae and elves, as mana originally came from nature.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Ghea approached the glow, which emanated from beneath the carpet. ¡°Well, I made the right decision. There¡¯s teleportation magic here, and it seems to be a personal teleportation spell not registered with the Magic Tower.¡± Then she nced at Luna, who stood motionless nearby.


    Ghea had a feeling that the Emperor had told Luna about this. ¡°Luna, tell me how this teleportation works.¡± Luna immediately exined what Alkrevas had told her, and when she finished, Ghea sighed softly. ¡°Shall we try it out?¡± She extended her hand to Luna.


    ¡°Give me your hair. No. Injure your palm and drop your blood here.¡± Ghea pulled out a dagger and tossed it to Luna.


    ¡°Use the dagger.¡± Luna obeyed instantly, and as her blood dripped heavily onto the floor, she walked over to the magical portal circle, letting her blood fall onto the circle. Momentster, the teleportation glow became even brighter. Gheaughed and said, ¡°It seems he added your blood to activate the teleportation spell. Did he do this on purpose? Or was it just a coincidence?¡±


    How far has that Emperor fallen for Luna? To the point where he¡¯s sharing such a well-kept secret with her and even using her blood to activate a high-level portal? How precious is Luna to that monster? Ghea wondered, gazing at Luna with envy. ¡°Come on, Luna. Let¡¯s go now.¡±


    Ghea pulled Luna into the teleportation magic circle. ¡°Say ¡®Sacred Forest.''¡±


    ¡°Sacred Forest.¡± Luna obeyed, and momentster, the two of them vanished through the portal, heading to the Sacred Forest.


    ¡­.

 Resistance (1)

    Alkrevas was currently in the meeting room at the residence of Marquis Esthel, surrounded by key figures from his supporting faction, including Marquis Esthel himself, who was hosting the gathering. In truth, the party being held was merely a cover for them to have a closed-door meeting without being noticed by other factions. That¡¯s why Alkrevas, reluctant to leave Luna¡¯s side, had to attend this meeting due to its importance. His fingers tapped lightly on the table¡¯s surface while his back rested against his chair.


    The meeting room at Marquis Esthel¡¯s residence was quite luxurious. It consisted of arge round table of high-quality wood surrounded by ten opulent chairs. A chandelier embedded with high-quality magic stones hung from the ceiling. The room was adorned with paintings of the finest artistic value and vases filled with fresh, fragrant flowers. The walls were painted maroon with gold ornaments, the best artists painted the ceiling, the marble floor was of a qualityparable to that of the imperial pce, and finally, a thick carpet was spread across the middle of the room.


    For a Marquis, Esthel had a reputation for business and wealth that almost rivaled that of the Veniam Duchy, in addition to the reputation of the Esthel family as an old noble family that had existed since the founding of the Vasilos Empire. Initially, Esthel was merely a small pack in the eastern region. Still, its power grew until Vasilos was established. Ethel became one of the most significant contributors, along with Veniam, Remo, Erendiel, and another family, Demetri.


    However, the Demetri Duchy was wiped out when histe father was still the Emperor. The family was exterminated after being proven to have nned a rebellion. However, Alkrevas firmly believed it was his father¡¯s fear of losing power to his brother, Duke Nyxe Demetri. After the Demetri family fell and vanished without a trace, the nobles began to split into two factions.


    Alkrevas briefly nced at the portrait of the previous head of the Esthel family hanging on one of the walls before returning his gaze to his supporters, who were currently engaged in a heated debate. He sighed and took out a pocket watch from his jacket pocket. Two hours had passed, and this meeting was far from concluding. He had wasted time that he could have spent with his soulmate instead of with nobles, who often made him sick.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Alkrevas adjusted his sitting position to be more upright. His dominant Alpha aura was palpable. His posture exuded authority, and his sharp gaze, like piercing needles, moved across the faces before him. The chair he sat in was the mostvish, indicating that he was at the head of the table, a sign that he was in charge. However, this fact was forgotten as each of his supporters focused on their territorial interests. If Markus had been with them now, Alkrevas was certain his cousin would have growled in anger and threatened to rip out the tongues of those who wouldn¡¯t stop talking. He could do that now, but his current focus was on Luna¡¯s whereabouts. He didn¡¯t care about the ongoing debate in front of him.


    For the past ten minutes, he had been using his power to monitor Luna¡¯s movements through the bracelet he had ced on her ankle, and he smiled when he discovered she was in the bedroom. Alkrevas was tempted to install surveince magic in the bedroom to monitor Luna¡¯s every move when he wasn¡¯t around. Still, he refrained, wanting to respect Luna¡¯s desire for privacy, especially since he could no longer enter Luna¡¯s mind without her permission, which only intensified his desire to do so.


    Regardless, he needed to know what Luna was doing at all times-what she ate and drank, with whom she spoke,ughed, and touched. The fear of losing her kept swirling every time he parted from Luna. He could use his hearing in the pce to ensure Luna was still with him. Still, at a distance like this, he could only rely on his magic, which had its limits.


    Alkrevas couldn¡¯t fully trust their agreement because now he didn¡¯t know what Luna was thinking, so he couldn¡¯t read her movements as he used to. He could tolerate it if she did something that disappointed him, but if it was a betrayal of their promise¡­ Alkrevas couldn¡¯t forgive that. Unfortunately, Luna had a high potential to do the thing he hated the most. And that truly angered him. He was always two to ten steps ahead when dealing with anyone, but he couldn¡¯t do the same with his soulmate this time.


    Of course, no matter what happens, he will never let go of Luna. She was destined for him. She belonged to him and must always remain within his grasp. However, that didn¡¯t mean he wouldn¡¯t punish her. Alkrevas smirked as he imagined what he might do to Luna. Should he perform a public mating as punishment? Imprison her? Or let Norris be the one to administer the punishment to his soulmate?


    Alkrevas couldn¡¯t consider the third option. He didn¡¯t care if Luna hated him because, no matter what, the entire woman was his and bound to him, but he didn¡¯t want Luna to look at him with the same fear she had shown. It didn¡¯t matter if it was someone else but not his soulmate.


    He would instead Luna look at him with hatred, defiance, or even rebellion rather than fear. Thinking about this made him long for Luna, wanting to hold her tightly. He missed the warmth and softness of her body, the way she sighed, and the sweet sound of her voice calling his name with pleasure. Alkrevas groaned inwardly as he felt his body stirring in response.


    Should I wake her up when I return to the pce? He asked himself.


    -No, Mortal! You can¡¯t do that to our mate! You¡¯ve already exhausted her over the past few days, which makes me envious that you get to touch her.- Norris suddenly interjected with a grumbling tone.


    ¡°You¡¯re part of me, which means you¡¯re touching her too,¡± Alkrevas replied tly.


    Norris snorted and retorted, -I know you¡¯re ying word games with me. Don¡¯t act clever. Because if you¡¯re clever, then I¡¯m smart too. We are the same, aren¡¯t we, Mortal?-


    Alkrevas rolled his eyes as Norris managed to throw his own words back at him. He immediately cut offmunication with his wolf spirit before refocusing on the meeting. He signaled Sigmund-loyally standing by his side-to approach before asking, ¡°How much longer do I have to be here?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration because even his chief aide couldn¡¯t answer him. As a result, he felt the urge to end the meeting immediately and return to the pce. At least when Alkrevas attended the banquet, he greeted the guests before heading to the meeting room with Marquis Esthel. So, it would only matter if he left after returning to the banquet hall.


    Moreover, Marquis Esthel was in the room with him, so there was no reason to go back and entertain the nobles who wanted to curry favor with him. Alkrevas sighed softly and massaged his temples, which were beginning to throb.


    ¡°Enough,¡± hemanded sharply. Instantly, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned to him.


    ¡°If you wish to speak to me, stop your bickering. What is it that prompted you to call for such a closed meeting? If it concerns the noble faction, you need not worry.¡±


    One of the men seated at the far end, Count Hansel, cleared his throat and said, ¡°We wanted to ask about a rumor that¡¯s been circting.¡±


    ¡°Rumor?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a rumor that you intend to proceed with a marriage to General Thea.¡± Then, the gaze shifted to the head of the Deborah family-Count Maximus Deborah-before returning to Alkrevas, who disyed arrogance and authority. His back was still leaning against the chair, but his left hand propped up his head while the other rested on the armrest, gripping it lightly. His right leg was crossed over his left. Alkrevas briefly nced at the red ring he wore and chuckled softly. ¡°Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Where did you hear that rumor? Is it one of those spread by Erendiel, or perhaps by you¡­ Count?¡± Alkrevas asked with a bored expression.


    He saw Count Abony shake his head and deny that he would do such a thing when Alkrevas had already found his soulmate. Alkrevas nodded in satisfaction. ¡°If you have nothing important to discuss with me, you can express your concerns at next week¡¯s congress.¡±


    ¡°But, Your Majesty¡­¡± Marquis Esthel murmured this time.


    ¡°I will not marry anyone except my soulmate. How many times must I say that for it to be etched into your tiny brains, huh? I don¡¯t like repeating myself, and you¡¯re making me do it over and over again. Not Amelia Erendiel, Thea Abony, or Diana Grace. I will not marry any woman other than Luna.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, we-¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Alkrevas cut in sharply. His brown eyes turned red, warning those seated at the table not to overstep their bounds.


    ¡°I thought you wanted to discuss more pressing matters, such as the smuggling of Rogues, border issues, or the movements of the noble factions, but it seems you¡¯re aligned with that faction this time.¡± After saying this, Alkrevas rose and walked toward the exit. His hands were clenched tightly, and a thought crossed his mind.


    Kill them all. It would be better to kill them all so they would shut up and stop annoying me.


    Alkrevas took a deep breath and paused to calm himself before, without turning around, he addressed the men in the room, ¡°Luna will be my Empress, and if any of you oppose that decision, I will personally rip your hearts out with my own hands.¡± He stepped out and entered one of the private rooms to calm himself.


    ¡­¡­¡­.

 Resistance (2)

    Alkrevas sat down on one of the long sofas, removing his coat and loosening the cravat around his neck. He leaned back against the sofa, spreading his arms along the backrest. His head tilted backward, and his eyes gazed at the ceiling. ¡°They¡¯re driving me mad.¡±


    ¡°Would you like a cup of tea, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°No. Bring me some wine. I need alcohol to calm down.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°Sigmund.¡± Alkrevas suddenly called out.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a carriage or a horse to return. I¡¯ll run back to the pce in my wolf form.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± With that, Sigmund left to prepare Alkrevas¡¯s drink, returning five minutester. He promptly opened the bottle of wine and poured the alcoholic drink into a tall ss, then handed it to Alkrevas, who epted it immediately.


    Alkrevas took a sip and sighed in relief. ¡°Your Majesty, if you¡¯re worried, you can contact Beta Savon through the mindlink, or ask Gamma Mathias to check on Miss Luna.¡±


    ¡°Am I that transparent?¡± Alkrevas asked Sigmund. His aide nodded, causing Alkrevas to smile bitterly. ¡°No, no. Mathias is preparing the expedition to the southern region, and Savon is still carrying out my orders.¡±


    ¡°Regarding the Rogue smuggling?¡± Alkrevas nodded briefly. His brow furrowed deeply. He could have contacted Damon, but he didn¡¯t want to divert Damon¡¯s focus just to speak with him through the mind link. ¡°Sigmund, leave me. I want to be alone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    After Sigmund left, Alkrevas took a deep breath. His hand rubbed the area over his chest, where his heart was pounding hard, and he took another sip of his drink. His eyes turned to the window that disyed the night sky. There was no moon or stars, only thick clouds indicating imminent rain. Alkrevas ced the ss down and stood up. He was about to walk to the balcony avable in the lounge when an excruciating pain suddenly struck his body. Instantly, he copsed to the floor, clutching his chest where his heart was. His chest felt so tight. His breath came in ragged gasps, and the sensation of a million needles stabbing his body spread throughout him. Alkrevas was bewildered by his body¡¯s reaction, and cold sweat began to pour from his neck and forehead. What is happening?


    Hearing themotion, Sigmund burst back into the room. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± the man shouted in panic as he rushed over. Alkrevas didn¡¯t care, as he was confused by the pain he was experiencing. He groaned and clutched the area that hurt so badly. A low growl escaped his lips.


    Now beside him, Sigmund immediately knelt at his side and began calling for a doctor and healer through the mind-link. Alkrevas squeezed his eyes shut, trying to find a reason for the pain he was feeling, but he couldn¡¯t find anything that could exin it. Was it Luna? Did something happen to Luna? he thought with growing fear. Suddenly, he felt a terrible suspicion, a deep, overwhelming sense of dread.


    In an instant, the once quiet room became crowded as the heads of the Emperor¡¯s faction entered the lounge, including Marquis Esthel, who looked worried. They had all rushed over upon hearing that the Emperor was suddenly in pain. Seeing the Emperor writhing in agony, the nobles immediately became anxious about his condition.


    Alkrevas groaned louder as the pain in his chest intensified, feeling as if his heart was about to explode. The door to the lounge was shut tightly to prevent any disturbance or attract attention. Some men approached to help the Emperor up from the floor, but they couldn¡¯t manage as Alkrevas¡¯s body thrashed.


    His fingernails transformed into terrifying ws, and with those ws, Alkrevas shed at anything and anyone nearby, even wing at his own body in agony, hoping that the wounds from his ws would alleviate the internal pain, but it only made things worse. His breathing becamebored, and his throat burned from the constant howls of pain. The tightness in his chest grew more robust, and Alkrevas wished he could die right then and there.


    Alkrevas had no idea what triggered his body¡¯s reaction, as no poison affected him except silver, and even wolfbane did not affect him. Marquis Esthel had guaranteed the food and drink he had consumed at the party. They had been tasted by a servant beforehand. Even the wine Sigmund served had been tasted by his aide. So why? Even Norris felt what he was feeling, with his wolf spirit whining in agony.


    Luna! That was all he could think of. The only reason he could feel such pain was Luna. There was no other exnation. With this thought, Alkrevas tried to stand, wanting to leave immediately and check on Luna. Still, suddenly, his movements halted, and his eyes widened as he felt something snap inside his soul. His body froze as something vital in his life was forcibly taken from him. His face paled, and his hand instinctively reached for his heart, now beating even faster. Something within him, something that connected his soul¡­ had just been severed.


    Matebond.


    No! What happened? How could this be? Alkrevas¡¯s pain was immediately overshadowed by panic as the matebond suddenly snapped. Norris howled loudly in his mind, repeatedly expressing grief and turmoil over the loss of their soulmate, trying to call her back, which only made Alkrevas¡¯s head throb.


    His body felt increasingly out of control, making it difficult to focus. He tried to locate Luna or the matebond, the only thing keeping him sane, but there was nothing. No sign at all. Just moments ago, the mate bond had been strong between him and Luna, but why had it suddenly and so quickly broken? Without any rejection ritual, which is the only way a mate bond can weaken and sever. What is this? Did something happen to his soulmate? Dead? Is his soulmate dead? No! No! No! With that thought, Alkrevas roared furiously, causing everyone in the room to kneel and bow their heads, exposing the left side of their necks as a sign of submission.


    Alkrevas was so distraught that he didn¡¯t think to track the bracelet on Luna¡¯s ankle, only checking it when the pain in his body subsided somewhat.


    Immediately, Alkrevas used the remaining strength he had to check on Luna¡¯s whereabouts, and his eyes widened again, his lips moving to whisper.


    ¡°Luna¡­¡± he then tried to stand, but the force of the matebond¡¯s severance left him weak, and he copsed to the floor again. Alkrevas didn¡¯t care about the many eyes watching him in concern because he focused only on one thing: Luna.


    ¡°Luna¡­ little mate¡­¡± he could feel Luna moving, a sign that she was still alive, but now she was no longer in her chamber.


    ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Sigmund called out.


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡± the nobles murmured in panic in unison.


    ¡°Your Majesty, are you alright?¡± Marquis Esthel asked with worry.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t the doctor and healer arrived yet?¡± Sigmund shouted.


    The people around him continued to express their concern. Ignoring them, he tried to keep tracking Luna through the bracelet, but the pain from the broken mate bond had left his body too weak. Because of that, Alkrevas roared angrily when he could no longer track Luna due to his depleted strength.


    Damon! Alkrevas called out to Damon-Commander of ¡®The Shadow¡¯ and the man he had assigned to watch over Luna-through the mind link. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his body trembled with fury this time. He waited, but there was no response, and that was no trivial matter. Damon never ignored his calls; this time, he didn¡¯t answer, which meant something was seriously wrong.


    With that conclusion, Alkrevas gathered his strength and called on Norris. His body instantly transformed into the fearsome Lycan that everyone dreaded. Alkrevas howled loudly before sprinting to the balcony and leaping off, eliciting worried screams from the nobles behind him.


    ¡°Mate¡­ mate¡­ no mate¡­¡± the words kept escaping from his wolf¡¯s mouth. His muscr legs ran so fast that they shook the ground beneath him, causing small animals to seek shelter from his terrifying presence.


    ¡°Mate¡­ mate¡­ mate!¡± The word was repeated like a mantra. As if what he was experiencing now was just a nightmare and not a horrifying reality. He said that he would find Luna peacefully sleeping in their bed.


    ¡°Mate! Mate cannot leave! Mate will not¡­ mate!¡± Gradually, Alkrevas began to step back and let Norris take over, his red eyes growing darker, like blood. It didn¡¯t take long; what would take three hours by carriage and one and a half hours by horse was covered in twenty minutes by running in wolf form. Alkrevas leaped over the pce wall guards who were bowing their heads in submission to him before sprinting into the main pce.


    He had set protective magic around the pce. Nothing could harm Luna. He had protected his soulmate from outsiders who would try to exploit her existence, but that hadn¡¯t stopped someone from trying to bring him down. He ran upstairs, followed by Zyne and Savon behind him. Both were on high alert at the pce entrance, and Norris guessed that Sigmund had informed them of the situation.


    Upon reaching the Emperor¡¯s residence and entering the chamber, Norris stopped running and sniffed the air around him. ¡®Dark magic!¡¯ That was the first thing detected by Norris¡¯s nose. He immediately guessed that this incident was rted to the two dark mages coborating with the Fae-Ghea. Norris¡¯s hands clenched tightly. How had they entered the pce so quickly, which he had guarded rigorously? Even Damon couldn¡¯t be reached until now.


    Norris circled the room, following Luna¡¯s scent, but her scent was faint to his senses. It was as if something was blocking it. Finally, Norris reverted to his human form and let Alkrevas take over.


    Alkrevas¡¯s hands clenched tightly. He tried to gather mana in his body and focused on the tracking bracelet again. He directed himself to the study-No! Alkrevas realized the mistake he had made.


    He added Luna¡¯s blood to his teleportation magic circle some time ago, giving her the authority to use it. This decision was made due to the increasing goblin disturbances at the borders and the rogues trying to terrorize the packs near the neutral zone. Although the chances were slim, Alkrevas couldn¡¯t always predict the situation, not to mention his enemies who would target Luna for assassination. The teleportation magic circle was intended as an alternative escape route for Luna in case he wasn¡¯t there to protect her, andpared to the secret passages in the pce, teleportation was undoubtedly faster. He hadn¡¯t informed Luna about it for various reasons, one of which was his confidence in her, but now he regretted that decision. He didn¡¯t know how she had discovered her blood¡¯s connection to the circle. Still, whatever the case, Luna had used his teleportation magic to escape.


    With this realization, Alkrevas admitted that this was a mistake on his part. If he hadn¡¯t shown her the teleportation circle in the first ce, Luna wouldn¡¯t have been able to escape so easily. He quickly walked to one of the drawers where Luna kept her belongings, only to find it empty. He turned and red at Savon with fury. ¡°Prepare the knight forces. We¡¯re heading to the Foryeust region.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Savon.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°Immediately. I want everyone assembled within ten minutes.¡±


    Savon nodded obediently, bowed, and then stepped out of the room. Alkrevas nced at the still-disheveled bed before turning and rushing to his study. He took a deep breath and approached the bloodstains scattered on the floor, not far from his teleportation magic circle. The traces indicating that the magic had been used were still visible. ¡°Your Majesty.¡±


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t react. He merely knelt by the magic circle with a cold, vacant stare. A murderous aura radiated ominously from him. Footsteps approached, and he heard the rustle of fabric before a thick cloak was draped over his shoulders. Alkrevas ignored the gesture and instead contacted one of the members of The Shadow to track down their leader. After finishing, Alkrevas smirked grimly. His instincts were sharp, and he had never doubted them; this time, they told him something was off.


    How had that Fae managed to enter the pce? From the scent lingering in his study, besides Luna¡¯s, there was a familiar scent-a scent of earth, indicating the presence of an earth Fae. Alkrevas¡¯s hands clenched tightly, and a coldugh escaped his lips. ¡°It seems we have a little rat scurrying about.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    ¡°Why are you here, General Thea?¡±


    ¡°I heard what happened. I¡¯m willing to apany you to Foryeust.¡±


    ¡°How much did Savon tell you, General?¡±


    ¡°Alpha¡­¡± General Thea murmured, her voice filled with hurt at Alkrevas¡¯s usatory tone.


    ¡°I was just at the sacred forest, specifically at the temple, so I know a coordinate point close to it.¡± Slowly, Alkrevas stood and turned. His red eyes red with deadly intensity at General Thea. ¡°I only want to help.¡±


    ¡°Fine. But if you do anything I don¡¯t like, don¡¯t expect to live.¡± General Thea nodded obediently and began preparing for the departure. Not long after she left, Zyne entered the study.


    Alkrevas nced at the old man from the corner of his eye before asking, ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, I found this near the flower vase.¡± Zyne responded, extending his hand to reveal a small crystal stone in his palm. Alkrevas turned fully toward Zyne, stepping closer and taking the crystal.


    ¡°A recording magic stone?¡± Zyne nodded briefly. Alkrevas frowned, puzzled, as he had never ced a recording magic stone in his bedroom. These stones were freely sold and could be used by anyone. However, they could still be ced carelessly, especially in the Emperor¡¯s private quarters. It was clear someone had deliberately put it there to reveal something. Alkrevas¡¯s lips thinned as he muttered, ¡°Ostende.¡±


    Instantly, a white light expanded like a projection screen, and a scene appeared before his eyes.


    ¡­


    Luna was sitting on the floor with her head bowed, clearly deep in thought, before she finally looked up and saw a woman with bright blonde hair and slightly pointed ears-a Fae. ¡°Ghea¡­¡±


    Ghea¡¯s face was etched with a sorrowful smile as she bent down to help Luna stand. Then she said, ¡°Luna! Thank goodness you¡¯re alright. We should leave here before that monster arrives! You want to return to your world, don¡¯t you?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Luna nodded. ¡°Yes, I want to go back to my world. To leave that crazy Emperor behind and forget everything that happened,¡± she answered softly.


    ¡°Good. Take my hand. We¡¯ll go,¡± Ghea said with a smile, extending her hand to Luna. Shortly after, they disappeared from view. However, since the recording magic stone could record even the invisible, Ghea and Luna were still visible in the room.


    ¡°They used transparency magic,¡± Alkrevas murmured, concluding the reason no one had seen anything suspicious before it was toote.


    ¡°Luna, where are the things you brought with you?¡± Ghea asked Luna.


    ¡°They¡¯re with me.¡±


    ¡°Take them with you,¡± Ghea ordered. The woman smiled as Luna nodded and then walked to one of the desk drawers, opened it, and took out three items she had brought to this world. ¡°Now, Luna, who do you choose: me or that Emperor?¡±


    ¡°I choose you, Ghea. You¡¯re my friend. I only used that Emperor to get my things.¡±


    ¡­


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t watch the rest as he hurled the recording magic stone against the wall, shattering it to pieces. His body trembled with rage as he asked Zyne, ¡°How are the preparations for departure?¡±


    ¡°Beta Savon just informed me through the mindlink that everything is ready. We¡¯re only waiting for permission from the Foryeust authorities-¡±


    ¡°No. There¡¯s no more time. I don¡¯t need the elders¡¯ permission. Inform General Thea that we¡¯re leaving now.¡± Alkrevas cut Zyne off with a low growl.


    ¡°But, Your Majesty-¡± Zyne didn¡¯t finish his sentence as he received a warning re from the Emperor. He immediately bowed and respectfully agreed to the Emperor¡¯smand before exiting the room.


    Alkrevas knelt and touched the blood Luna had left behind before standing alone in his private study, his face a mask of suppressed emotion. His tongue darted out to lick the fingers that had touched Luna¡¯s blood, purring in satisfaction.


    ¡°What will I do when I get you back in my grasp, little mate?¡± he whispered obsessively. ¡°You seem to enjoy toying with my trust.¡± Alkrevas took a deep breath, burying all his emotions, leaving only one thing behind.


    Rage.


    ¡­.

 Resistance (3)

    Ghea observed Luna walking obediently by her side. The woman¡¯s mouth was tightly shut, and her innocent face adorned her pretty features. A fleeting sense of guilt washed over her as she realized she had taken advantage of Luna¡¯s kindness, but she quickly dismissed the feeling. She needed to remember that Luna livedfortably andvishly in the pce with that cursed Emperor. At the same time, she had to endure sorrow from losing the only family she had.


    Moreover, if the usations about George¡¯s death were true, it meant Luna was also involved in her brother¡¯s demise. Her green eyes drifted downwards, fixing the pendant hanging around Luna¡¯s neck. She noticed it gleaming darkly, surrounded by a powerful ck mist, before she looked forward again. She had already sent a message to Abigail and Beth to go to the temple first, as she and Luna were traveling using an unexpected means-teleportation, courtesy of the Emperor. Now, she and Luna were going through the sacred forest toward the temple¡¯s location.


    Fortunately, she was very familiar with the sacred forest, having often sneaked in with George to search for medicinal nts or hunt, so she had no trouble finding her way to the temple. She also trusted that Abigail and Beth could reach the temple easily.


    Silence enveloped them as they asionally crossed paths with the forest¡¯s animal inhabitants. If they were unlucky, they would encounter fairies who would harass them before leaving. Ghea touched the ne left to her by herte brother and took a deep breath. It took them two hours to reach the temple. Upon arrival, Ghea immediately saw Abigail and Beth busy preparing their n. Two magic circles had been drawn with what Ghea guessed was animal blood. One circle was significant, while the other was smaller. Two lines connected the circles like a bridge, and around the magic circles, candles were lit. The mirror, an artifact of the temple, had been moved and ced in the center of therger magic circle.


    Ghea stepped into the temple and announced their arrival to the two ck witches, seriously preparing the final n. ¡°So, you¡¯ve arrived,¡± Beth greeted with a warm smile.


    ¡°Luna, wait over there,¡± Ghea ordered, and Luna obediently walked to one side of the temple. Beth smiled at herpliance andmented, ¡°If she¡¯s this obedient, it¡¯ll be easier to deceive her and kill that cursed Emperor in his sleep.¡±


    ¡°And you think that¡¯s going to be easy?¡± Ghea asked sharply, ring at Beth. ¡°What about your task? Any issues?¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± Beth paused momentarily and added, ¡°Actually, there was a bit of a problem. I almost got killed by a hybrid who suddenly appeared and attacked me. Fortunately, you had alreadypleted your part, so I could avoid his attack and then immobilize him using paralysis magic.¡±


    Paralysis magic, also known as immobilization magic, is a highly forbidden form of advanced dark magic. It can paralyze the target and induce aa for a significant period, with a substantial risk to the target. If used with high intensity, it can cause permanent paralysis or, worse, damage organs instead of muscles, leading to death.


    Ghea had heard from Abigail that Beth had mastered this magic from a young age and used it in self-defense against knights or the Magic Tower agents who hunted dark witches. This was why Abigail had taken Beth as a student, viewing Beth¡¯s power as an asset and a secret weapon for the future.


    ¡°A hybrid?¡± Abigail, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke seriously. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you managed to escape. The hybrid who attacked you wasn¡¯t an ordinary hybrid. He must be part of ¡®The Shadow,¡¯ a special and secret unit directlymanded by the Emperor. Since the first Emperor ascended the throne, hybrids have been used as the Emperor¡¯s secret weapon and have formed a special unit. All this time, people thought ¡®The Shadow¡¯ was just a legend and a myth in Vasilos society, but in reality, they¡¯re not.¡±


    Ghea furrowed her brow in confusion. ¡°How do you know? And why hybrids? They¡¯re known as free and ¡®different¡¯ beings, preferring to live alone and unbound.¡±


    ¡°I was once their target, and among the many witnesses who saw them, I¡¯m the only one still alive.¡± Abigail stopped her activity and nced at Luna, who stood obediently on the side of the room with her mouth tightly closed.


    ¡°The Emperor is a Lycan, and a Lycan isn¡¯t just an ordinary werewolf but the child of the Moon Goddess, with the Goddess¡¯s blood flowing through their veins. Don¡¯t forget that several generations of the Imperial family were born with mixed blood.¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Which means the Emperor is also a hybrid,¡± Ghea concluded with a nod of understanding. She gazed intently at Abigail. How long had this woman lived to know all this information that even the people of Vasilos didn¡¯t know? Of course, Lycans indeed have more dominant blood and aura. But to the people of Vasilos, this was because the Imperial family was unique and blessed by the Moon Goddess. Ghea probably wouldn¡¯t have known such ssified information if she were still an innkeeper today. Not to mention that the cursed Emperor is a Wizard whose power has reached a high level, with a strength equivalent to a Grand Sorcerer, as Abigail mentioned.


    ¡°Beth has dealt with at least that hybrid. So we don¡¯t need to worry about it anymore.¡±


    Ghea walked closer to the magic circle, inside which intricate carvings and ancient writings surrounded it. Her eyes focused on therge mirror standing in the center of the magic circle. She frowned deeply. The old, moss-covered mirror, which could no longer function, was a dimensional portal.


    Ghea could feel the power emanating from the mirror, a force that made the sacred forest once again fill with magical mana. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s stop this conversation and focus on our work. Are you done, Abigail?¡±


    ¡°Of course, thanks to you telling me toe earlier, I was able to finish all this more quickly.¡± Abigail stretched out her palm, and much mana flowed from it. The mana, ck and surrounded by a purplish glow, indicated that Abigail was indeed a dark witch. ¡°You can tell that mortal woman to move and stand in the center of the smaller magic circle.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Ghea walked over to Luna, stopping directly before her and saying, ¡°Luna, stand in the center of the small circle.¡± Luna immediately obeyed, walking to the small circle and standing in the middle.


    ¡°Take a bit of her hair and belongings,¡± Abigail said thoughtfully, ¡°and ce them in therger magic circle right in front of the mirror.¡± Ghea nodded and did as Abigail instructed. She roughly cut Luna¡¯s long hair with a dagger, took her belongings, and ced the items in the magic circle. When she finished, she asked what else needed to be done. ¡°Remove the controlling magic ne. No dark magic should be attached to her body.¡±


    ¡°What about the potion to temporarily break the mate bond?¡± Ghea asked.


    ¡°The magic potion works inside her body, so that won¡¯t be an issue.¡±


    Ghea nced at the bracelet the Emperor of Vasilos had ced on Luna¡¯s ankle and asked, ¡°What should we do with this bracelet?¡± She nodded toward the bracelet as she spoke. Abigail paused momentarily, stepped closer, and with a single whisper, the bracelet¡¯s chain broke and fell to the floor. Abigail picked it up and tossed it far away before stepping back. ¡°Now, do it, Ghea.¡±


    Ghea nodded in understanding and immediately did what Abigail had instructed. After finishing, she stepped back and let Abigail create a transparent barrier to trap Luna within the magic circle. Shortly after, Abigail began chanting a spell and used her power to activate the portal.


    ¡­


    Luna screamed within her subconscious, pounding against the prison that had trapped her inside her own body. She could see and hear everything happening, but she couldn¡¯t do anything to fight back. Darkness surrounded her, and all she could do was cry out for help, pleading for anyone to save her from this imprisonment. She didn¡¯t want to be controlled, and what would happen if there was a misunderstanding with Alkrevas? She didn¡¯t want any of this, not after knowing that Ghea had stabbed her, betrayed her, and used her bond with Alkrevas for revenge.


    Luna continued to scream for release until. Finally, she curled up, defeated, waiting helplessly for the controlling magic that trapped her soul in her subconscious to be lifted so she could be free again.


    It didn¡¯t take long for her to curl up in the darkness because the moment she surrendered, the prison that confined her disappeared, and the darkness surrounding her vanished. Luna felt freedom, and light immediately enveloped her. Soon after, she regained control of the body under the magic¡¯s influence. Her eyes blinked to clear away the lingering magical fog. When her vision focused, she quickly looked around before looking straight ahead at Ghea, who stood not far from her with her arms crossed over her chest.


    ¡°Ghea!¡± Luna ran toward the woman, but a transparent barrier encased her, preventing Luna from reaching her. ¡°What is this-Hey! Let me go! What are you¡­¡±


    ¡°Luna, isn¡¯t this what you wanted? Look at what¡¯s in front of you.¡± Ghea pointed behind Luna with her index finger. Luna immediately turned and followed Ghea¡¯s direction, her eyes widening. The portal mirror! Also, Luna could see her apartment bedroom clearly through the mirror, a sign that the portal was still active. A tear rolled down her cheek as she saw Maya sitting on the floor, crying and drinking from a bottle of alcohol.


    ¡°Go, Luna¡­ this is what you wanted, isn¡¯t it? Go back to your world¡­ you begged me to help you, and I did what you asked. Now go and forget all of us.¡±


    Luna felt her entire body tremble, and slowly, one of her hands lifted. She momentarily forgot her surroundings, her eyes focused solely on her friend, who was crying and talking to herself before calling her name longingly.


    ¡°Maya¡­ Oh God¡­ Maya¡­¡± Luna whispered painfully as she slowly stepped closer to the mirror. Her trembling hand touched the surface when she stood directly in front of it. The solid mirror surface immediately rippled like water at her touch. But then Alkrevas¡¯s face shed in her mind, and her hand dropped to her side.


    Slowly, she turned and looked at Ghea. ¡°I know you hate the Emperor for killing your brother, but why¡­ why did you betray my trust? You were the only friend I had.¡±


    Ghea snorted softly, disappointed that the moment she had been waiting for hadn¡¯t arrived and that Luna asked her something so trivial instead. ¡°Be grateful I¡¯m helping you and not killing you.¡±


    Luna¡¯s hands clenched tightly, and her jaw hardened at Ghea¡¯s response. ¡°Just do it! Go! Return to your world! That way, I can destroy that Emperor!¡±


    Luna swallowed and regretted not bringing a gun when she entered this world; if she had, she could have shot that Fae in the head. The respect she had for Ghea vanished instantly. It turned out that both her world and this one were equally disappointing. Would Alkrevas also disappoint her? The thought suddenly crossed her mind.


    But she quickly dismissed the thought. Why are you asking such a question, Luna? You were the one who disappointed that man first and betrayed your agreement!


    Luna gritted her teeth and screamed in frustration. There was nothing she could do but give in. She was just an ordinary human with no power. At the same time, the three women in front of her were supernatural beings with power. That alone showed how outmatched she was; all she could do was wield a firearm and do business.


    ¡°You know, Ghea, you are a fugitive who has allied with dark witches,¡± Luna said, then looked at Abigail and Beth. ¡°I¡¯m suddenly curious, why are you conspiring with Ghea?¡±


    ¡°Because Beth and I, we want revenge. Not just against Vasilos, but against every kingdom andnd on this continent. They¡­ they turned my people into criminals, killed my family and all my friends. They made dark witches into something terrifying. You have no idea what Beth and I have been through. Watching dark witches being ughtered by knights from every kingdom? They even coborated with the Magic Tower, which once promised to protect and defend us,¡± Abigail responded, filled with bitterness and vengeance.


    ¡°You are dangerous,¡± Luna said, having already experienced the power of dark magic. Even a sacred bond like the mate bond could be manipted and broken with dark magic.


    Beth clenched her fists tightly before walking toward the magic circle. She smiled sarcastically and replied, ¡°You don¡¯t need to meddle in this matter, foreigner.¡±


    Luna ignored Beth¡¯s taunt and asked, ¡°What will you do after I leave?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know, Luna,¡± Ghea replied tly. ¡°All you need to do is step into that portal and go somewhere that crazy Emperor can¡¯t touch you.¡±


    Luna suspected that whatever these three women did after she returned to her world would hurt Alkrevas, and for the first time, she didn¡¯t want to see him hurt. Luna wanted to protect Alkrevas, even if it meant giving up her life in her world, until these three women were captured and brought to justice.


    Shaking her head, Luna said sharply, ¡°I¡¯m not going. You can¡¯t force me to leave because I¡¯m holding onto my promise with the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Emperor¡­ Emperor¡­ Emperor¡­ I¡¯m sick of hearing that!¡± Ghea shouted so loudly that her voice echoed around the temple. ¡°What did that man do to you, huh? Did he promise you wealth? Power? So much that you¡¯ve sided with him and chosen him over me, who has struggled to help you since you arrived in this world?¡±


    Luna pressed her lips together, saying nothing. ¡°That ridiculous mate bond doesn¡¯t even affect you!¡±


    ¡°At least he¡¯s honest and hasn¡¯t used me.¡±


    Ghea scoffed in frustration. ¡°Honest? Not using you? Open your eyes, Luna! Use that foolish mortal brain of yours! He¡¯s a tyrant Emperor! Nothing is easier for him than using someone and manipting things to his will! To him, this world is just a stage he can control as he pleases! And don¡¯t be mistaken, Luna. He¡¯s using you too!¡±


    ¡°Oh. I remember what you said before you forced me under the control spell.¡± Luna smiled cynically. ¡°He¡¯s using me to calm his wolf¡¯s soul so it doesn¡¯t be feral? To make me his ything? To use my presence to bear his heir? And then he won¡¯t make me his Empress, but choose another woman, making me a concubine? Or a mistress? Hmm¡­ you want to know something, Ghea? I don¡¯t care. Like you said, the mate bond doesn¡¯t have a strong influence on me. I¡¯m more inclined to listen to my feelings and logic than to some fated bond.¡± Luna saw Ghea trembling with suppressed anger.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m giving him a chance, a month, to make me fall in love with him. And if that month ends, and I don¡¯t feel that way, I¡¯ll leave. I¡¯ve already decided this. At least I¡¯m giving him a chance, rather than regretting itter.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re blinded by that man! How many maniptive words has he nted in your head? Your brain has been washed, Luna! So that you won¡¯t slip from his grasp!¡±


    ¡°I could kill him.¡± Ghea instantly fell silent, unsure how to respond to Luna¡¯s words. ¡°But I¡¯m not a criminal like you. Your brothermitted a grave crime, and even if he were alive, he would surely beg for death.¡± Ghea slowly lowered her head, biting her lip until it bled.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Abigail suddenly shouted. ¡°Now is not the time for fighting. The Emperor of Vasilos could arrive at any moment. Ghea, you¡¯d better step back.¡± Ghea immediately turned and moved as far away from the magic circle as possible.


    ¡°Luna, take your belongings and listen to what I¡¯m about to say,¡± Luna muttered as she bent down to pick up the items used to activate the magic. Her body froze when she saw arge amount of her hair scattered on the stone floor of the temple. She quickly checked her hair and growled at how unevenly it had been cut.


    ¡°You cut my hair!¡± Luna shouted in fury.


    ¡°It¡¯s just hair. Don¡¯t whine like a child,¡± Beth retorted sarcastically.


    Luna wanted nothing more than to m Beth¡¯s head into the wall. That woman had no idea how much money she had spent taking care of her hair! Did they think hours at the salon were free? Of course, because they didn¡¯t even know what a salon was. Luna felt her eye twitch and her body tremble, this time with anger.


    ¡°Luna. Listen to me,¡± Abigail said sharply and seriously. ¡°I¡¯m going to give you two choices.¡±


    ¡°Two choices?¡±


    Abigail nodded. ¡°Your promise or Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The first choice, I¡¯ll let you stay here. I¡¯ll even set things right, and you can continue your agreement with the Emperor by staying here for one month, but when the magic circle under your feet dies, all of Vasilos will be on the brink of destruction.¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..

 Resistance (4)

    ¡°You¡¯re¡­¡±


    ¡°The second option: you step into the portal and leave this world forever, and Vasilos will be spared from destruction.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by destruction?¡±


    Beth smiled broadly. ¡°We have a powerful benefactor. They told us something incredibly useful.¡± She approached the magic circle and ced her palm on the transparent wall.


    ¡°You know that Vasilos is protected by the Emperor¡¯s powerful magic, right?¡± Luna said nothing.


    ¡°The magic that acts as a shield protects Vasilos from the monsters and Goblins waiting beyond the borders to enter and destroy Vasilos. You can imagine the chaos if that shield were to disappear.¡±


    Beth sighed softly and looked at the temple ruins. ¡°That protective shield is so strong and solid. It cannot be prated or destroyed from the outside or the inside, except for one critical point.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me ¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, our benefactor revealed that critical point. Abigail has already prepared her magic to attack that critical point at the same time the magic circle beneath your feet stops working.¡± Luna bowed her head.


    ¡°You can imagine. War. Famine, death-who suffers the most? The people of the Empire.¡±


    ¡°No. The Emperor is so strong, and so is Vasilos! The Empire is not alone; many allies will help! I trust His Majesty can protect Vasilos! I trust that man!¡±


    Bethughed loudly at Luna¡¯s response. ¡°You might think that, but not everyone else does. Besides, do you think that crazy Emperor won¡¯t do anything? I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll lead the war himself.¡±


    Luna¡¯s face paled. ¡°And just so you know, the Goblin leader is eager to kill the Emperor for destroying their homnd.¡±


    Suddenly, Luna was at a loss for words. ¡°And what will happen next? The people will lose faith in that Emperor and choose to rebel, destroying the Empire from within. There will be war and cries everywhere. Many will lose their families, curse the Emperor, and try to behead the Emperor who failed to protect their home from destruction ¡­ and it all starts with the selfishness of a mortal woman who only recently arrived from her world.¡±


    Luna¡¯s body copsed to the floor. A quiet sob escaped her lips. The images Beth described swirled in her mind. Could she do it? Could she risk all that? What about the fate of the innocent people? Luna hadn¡¯t been here long, but she had already fallen in love with Vasilos, even with Mylonas Capital. The beauty she saw made her feel peaceful and fortunate.


    Luna was sure Alkrevas could handle it all, but what about the chaos within the countryter? The trust that Alkrevas had built over the years would surely crumble because of that disaster. If it only involved her and Alkrevas, maybe Luna could resist and fight back, but this involved many people¡¯s lives. ¡°So what will you do to the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°I will kill him with my own hands,¡± Ghea answered from afar. ¡°And you too.¡± Ghea clicked her tongue and added, ¡°If you leave, the only one affected will be that crazy Emperor.¡±


    Luna clenched her fists. She bowed her head and looked at her belongings scattered on the floor before looking up at the mirror, which showed Maya unconscious and lying on the floor from intoxication, her beautiful friend¡¯s face covered in tears, and her condition in total disarray. Then she lifted her hand and touched the im mark that Alkrevas had given her. ¡°If I leave, he will also destroy this world¡­¡±


    ¡°No. I already told you I will kill him. Depression and sadness make the soul and self-defense weak,¡± Ghea mutteredzily. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure it happens before he destroys the world. The death of an Emperor won¡¯t have a strong impact, because Vasilos has been preparing for that man¡¯s death from the beginning.¡±


    Because Feral still hasn¡¯t found a soulmate¡­ Luna recalled that reason. She swallowed hard, and it didn¡¯t take long before she got up. She grabbed her belongings and walked toward the portal mirror.


    ¡°Alright, I will choose the second option.¡± Luna didn¡¯t know whether this was the right choice, but the thought of Vasilos¡¯ destruction made her heartache. Surely, Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t want to see the country he had protected so painstakingly shattered into pieces.


    Her presence here would have a minor impact and only hinder Alkrevas in maintaining Vasilos¡¯ security. ¡°How can I trust what you¡¯re saying?¡± Beth scoffed and revealed a location through magic, and the ce was filled with dark magic. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, if you choose the first option, the dark magic in that location will immediately attack and destroy the critical point of the protective shield.¡±


    Damn it! So they weren¡¯t bluffing after all. Had they been nning this while she sat idly like a puppet in the pce? Luna felt frustrated with herself for being so useless. She nodded in understanding and turned her gaze back to the portal mirror, touching the surface as her hand slowly entered the portal.


    At that moment, a roar of fury echoed. Luna pulled her hand back and turned her eyes toward the source of the sound. Instantly, her dark brown eyes met sharp, dangerously red ones.


    ¡°Alkrevas¡­¡± Luna whispered, expecting the man to arrive slowly. A growl escaped from his mouth, or rather, from his muzzle. Luna gasped as she found herself face to face with the wolf side of the man.


    Norris.


    Her focus was so fixed on Norris that she didn¡¯t notice the knights had entered and surrounded the entire temple. She saw Tyaron standing at the temple entrance, tall, powerful, and exuding a strong Alpha aura.


    Her body trembled as Norris stepped closer, his red eyes now dark like blood, piercing her with their intensity. Luna swallowed hard, and the memory of that night in the prison shed back. The sensation of fear mixed with arousal overwhelmed her, leaving her feeling confused and uneasy.


    Suddenly, there was a cracking sound, and momentster, the man returned to his human form. Luna¡¯s cheeks flushed bright red at the sight of Alkrevas¡¯ bare body, but she could see that he was neither embarrassed nor ashamed; he seemed proud and arrogant.


    ¡°Nobody move an inch.¡± Alkrevas growled furiously. His voice sounded deeper, indicating that Norris still held control. Then, he grinned widely, a terrifying and sadistic smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t miss your party, did I?¡±


    ¡°You¡­!¡± Abigail hissed sharply. Beth and Ghea step in front of Abigail to protect her because as long as Abigail lives, the magic she uses will not dissipate.


    ¡°Luna, get into the portal quickly!¡±


    Luna hesitated. She nced at Alkrevas, who was still watching her with a sharp, angry gaze, then at Abigail. Beth huffed and used a bit of dark magic on Luna, causing her to cough and copse on the floor, blood dripping from her mouth as her body trembled. Luna stared at Beth¡¯s back and realized the attack was a warning.


    ¡°Alkrevas! They¡­ Ugh¡­ ugh!¡± Luna coughed up more blood, feeling her entire body twist and her heart being squeezed tightly. It felt as though something had struck her. ¡°They¡­ are trying to destroy¡­ Nggh¡­¡±


    ¡°Luna, get into the portal now!¡±


    Now, blood was not onlying from her mouth but also from her nose. ¡°Alkrevas, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± she whispered faintly, hoping the man would hear her words before she forced herself to stand, wiped the blood with her sleeve, and dragged her feet toward the portal. But she stumbled as she heard a mighty roar that shook the ground beneath her. Luna fell back down and cried as she realized those red eyes no longer looked at her the same way.


    There was only a cold, murderous gaze directed at her. ¡°Don¡¯t. If you take one more step, I swear I¡¯ll break both your legs, Luna.¡± Luna shuddered with fear.


    ¡°General Thea, drag my soulmate away.¡± After giving thatmand, Alkrevas attacked the transparent wall, trying to break it.


    ¡°Not so fast!¡± Abigail erected another wall, this time pitch ck and more robust than before, making Alkrevas¡¯ relentless attacks unable to shatter it. And because it was ck, Luna couldn¡¯t see anything happening outside the wall.


    She stepped closer to the wall and knocked on it from inside. This ck wall was even more potent if the transparent wall was already so strong. Twoyers of barriers meant the only way out was through the portal.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Luna swallowed hard and stepped toward the portal mirror again. Still, a scream escaped her lips as the twoyers of walls that imprisoned her shattered into pieces, and the magic circle beneath her feet slowly died out. Luna looked around in panic and lifted her head, seeing Alkrevas smirking at the destroyed wall, then turning his gaze to the three women who were ready to attack. ¡°Drag my soulmate away, Thea.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Luna¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she saw Commander Abony behind the Emperor, approaching her in a military uniform.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let that happen!¡± Ghea used nt roots to pull Luna to her side. ¡°I will grant Luna¡¯s wish to leave this world.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Alkrevas smiled sinisterly, and no one expected what the man did next. Because then, Alkrevas ran, not toward them, but toward the portal mirror, and with a single punch, he shattered the mirror into countless pieces. Luna screamed and copsed onto the stone floor, her eyes staring nkly at the broken mirror and the vanished portal.


    ¡°It was just an ordinary mirror. Nothing special. Little mate,¡± Alkrevas muttered coldly. Luna could only sit in a daze. The image of Maya that only she could see was now gone.


    Luna could no longer return to her world.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­

 Back to Vasilos (1)

    Luna sat down weakly. Her body trembled, and her head hung low, with both hands stretched out on the floor to support her upper body. Her eyes stared nkly at the stone floor of the temple as tears and blood dripped down together. Her lips moved, whispering words of disbelief about everything that had happened, thinking it was all just a nightmare. Slowly, both hands clenched tightly, gripping the wild grass near her hands.


    ¡°No ¡­ the portal ¡­ it¡¯s destroyed ¡­ I can¡¯t go home ¡­ what should I do ¡­ this can¡¯t be ¡­¡± The murmur finally escaped, and slowly, she lifted her head, looking at Alkrevas with a gaze full of pain. For a moment, their eyes met.


    While Luna¡¯s dark brown eyes were filled with sadness and hurt, Alkrevas¡¯s red eyes were filled with anger and disappointment. Then, their gaze was broken as Ghea formed a wall of tree roots, separating them from Alkrevas and the knights in the temple. Realizing the more pressing issue, Luna immediately looked at the dead magic circle. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Abigail with a panicked gaze.


    Abigail, who noticed Luna¡¯s gaze, only smirked cynically and unleashed her dark magic to escape. ¡°Abigail, please stop. Don¡¯t destroy Vasilos. This wasn¡¯t intentional, not my wish-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s toote, Luna,¡± Abigail said calmly, then looked at Ghea¡¯s back, who was trying to fend off attacks from outside the root wall. The dark witch released power from her palm and destroyed the wall behind them, simultaneously attacking the knights waiting outside. Abigail clicked her tongue as she saw several mages from the Magic Tower already prepared to attack her and Beth.


    She looked at Ghea and said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget our agreement, Ghea.¡± Luna watched as Ghea struggled to fend off Alkrevas. The woman¡¯s face was full of fear and sweat, indicating she was trying hard to stay upright. Luna could see that Ghea was beginning to struggle, and the woman¡¯s face hardened before nodding resignedly at Abigail¡¯s warning-filled words. ¡°That is your payment to us.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Abigail. I will hold back the monster and give you a way to escape.¡± Ghea took a deep breath and nced at Luna, who was still in shock, before moving one hand, causing the roots to start creeping around Luna¡¯s body and tightening around her neck.


    ¡°Go.¡± Abigail nodded and dragged Beth away. The two women easily defeated those outside. Ghea closed the hole in the wall that Abigail had destroyed with roots before pulling her hand back, causing Alkrevas¡¯s attack to hit her directly. Ghea¡¯s body was flung far against the wall, causing the wall to crack.


    Luna gasped when she saw Ghea¡¯s body slumped to the floor with blood flowing from her head. Still, the womanughed before clenching her fist, and Luna¡¯s eyes widened as the roots around her neck tightened, choking her and blocking the air. Luna struggled and tried to remove the roots circling her neck, but her strength slowly faded, and her body could only hang limply as the roots lifted her.


    Her dark brown eyes looked at Alkrevas with a blurred gaze. Gheaughed even harder and muttered, ¡°You ¡­ if you take one more step towards me, you will see Luna lifeless ¡­¡±


    Alkrevas growled and took a step closer, but that step halted when Commander Abony signaled and said something to the man that neither he nor Ghea could hear. Ghea squinted her eyes and slowly stood up, then looked at Alkrevas with a gaze full of hatred. ¡°You should know, Your Majesty ¡­ an eye for an eye. You killed my beloved, which means I must do the same.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mess with me, Fae.¡± Ghea grinned and tightened the roots around Luna¡¯s neck even more, but the grin faded when she saw the terrifying smile on Alkrevas¡¯s face.


    ¡°It seems you¡¯ve forgotten one thing, Fae.¡± Alkrevas opened one hand, releasing his power as a beautiful yet dangerous blue light. Luna gasped as she suddenly felt the roots around her body being shed, and she fell to the temple floor. Luna coughed and lifted her head, looking at Commander Abony, who stared at her nkly. Still, the woman extended a hand and helped her up before gripping Luna¡¯s wrists tightly.


    ¡°When you touch what¡¯s mine and provoke me ¡­¡± Alkrevas nced at Luna, who was now in Commander Abony¡¯s grasp, and added,


    ¡°It means, you¡¯ve ced your life ¡­ in my hands ¡­¡± The tone was so deadly and dark that everyone who heard it shuddered in fear, including Luna.


    Ghea took a breath as she felt her body unable to move. ¡°Where are those two damn ck witches?¡± Alkrevas asked coldly, not seeing the two women he had targeted for long. Alkrevas smirked; for a ck witch, those two women were cowardly, fleeing and sacrificing someone else to save themselves. But Alkrevas wasn¡¯t surprised or shocked by this.


    Ghea said nothing, refusing to open her mouth to answer Alkrevas¡¯s question. She saw the mad emperor smirk, which made her feel nervous and scared. Her head turned right and left, checking why her body couldn¡¯t move, but she found nothing causing it.


    It feels ¡­ it feels like invisible chains tie my whole body. Is this one of the powers of the Vasilos Emperor? Ghea thought to herself.


    Her green eyes focused on Alkrevas¡¯s and trembled as she saw the man¡¯s eyes glow red like burning fire. Alkrevas walked closer and stopped right in front of Ghea. His hand slowly reached out and grabbed a strand of Ghea¡¯s pale blonde hair. ¡°You, what are you doing?¡± Ghea asked with wide eyes as she felt her body burning hot.


    ¡°Just giving you a little lesson. You tried to separate me from my soulmate, to sever my bond with her ¡­¡± Alkrevas turned to look at Luna, who was in the grasp of two female knights whom he knew were Commander Abony¡¯s subordinates.


    ¡°I would love to repay all of that, but unfortunately, I don¡¯t have much time to entertain you.¡± He turned around and examined the sharp w-like nails as sharp as knives.


    ¡°The leader of Foryeust handed you over to me. He said to do whatever I wanted with you.¡± Slowly, Alkrevas turned his body and leaned closer, observing Ghea¡¯s eyes, which reflected fear. However, there was also a hint of revenge in them. ¡°I heard that eyes are the most precious thing to a Fae. Isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ don¡¯t¡­¡±


    Alkrevas grinned and brought his w close to Ghea¡¯s eyelid. ¡°You severed my precious sacred bond, and as you said, an eye for an eye.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t my fault! I didn¡¯t do anything! It was Luna¡¯s wish! I just followed her will! And that potion came from Abigail! I did nothing wrong!¡± Alkrevas clicked his tongue softly and turned to Luna, who shook her head quickly with a pleading look.


    Those brown eyes looked so beautiful when filled with tears, making him and Norris purr with delight. Then he turned his gaze back to Ghea. ¡°No! Not my eyes!¡±


    ¡°Too bad it¡¯s already toote¡­¡± Alkrevas thrust his w into Ghea¡¯s eye, then gouged out both of her eyes before throwing them to the floor.


    Ghea screamed and struggled but couldn¡¯t move at all due to the invisible chains binding her entire body. Blood flowed profusely, mixed with tears. Her cries of agony echoed throughout the temple until finally, Ghea¡¯s head drooped, creating a pool of blood on the temple floor from the blood dripping from her eyes. Alkrevas stepped back, approaching Luna, grabbing a fistful of the woman¡¯s hair, and yanking her head back, examining the right side of Luna¡¯s neck where his im mark faintly appeared.


    His hand lifted, gently touching the area as he murmured, ¡°You test my patience, little mate.¡± Then he released his grip on Luna¡¯s hair, turned around, and swiftly walked over to Ghea, plunging his wed hand into Ghea¡¯s chest and grasping the rapidly beating heart of the Fae.


    ¡°You seem to already know your fate when in my hands. That means I can kill you right now.¡± Ghea coughed violently, her mouth spewing arge amount of blood, and her now-empty eye sockets bled even more.


    ¡°Look, Luna. What I do to a criminal like her.¡± This time, Alkrevas¡¯s words were directed at Luna, who stood frozen with a pale face.


    Alkrevas growled softly as he pulled his hand out, his face glowing with delight at the sight of the heart beating in his hand before it finally stopped. He snapped his fingers, releasing the transparent chains surrounding Ghea¡¯s body, and the now-dead woman copsed onto the temple floor. Alkrevas kicked Ghea¡¯s body with his foot before turning and walking towards Luna with Ghea¡¯s heart in his hand.


    ¡°Release my soulmate¡¯s hands,¡± Alkrevasmanded the two female knights holding Luna. They immediately obeyed and let go of Luna, causing the woman to copse weakly to the floor.


    Alkrevas slowly lowered himself, kneeling on one knee in front of Luna, and wiped Luna¡¯s face with his blood-stained hand. ¡°Should I give you a gift, Luna?¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas¡­¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t call me that. You no longer have the right to call my name,¡± Alkrevas said as he gripped Luna¡¯s jaw tightly, his ws digging into her skin.


    He pulled Luna¡¯s face closer and whispered, ¡°I will punish you. I will make sure you never dare to betray me again.¡±


    ¡°No. Please¡­ listen to me first.¡± Luna whispered faintly. ¡°I didn¡¯t betray you. Please believe me. All of this¡­ it¡¯s their doing¡­¡±


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t react. He chose to stand up and grabbed one of Luna¡¯s wrists, cing Ghea¡¯s heart in her hand, which made Luna scream and struggle as the wet, soft texture and the red color made her breathless. She never imagined holding a heart in her hand, especially a heart that had been so easily torn from someone¡¯s body. ¡°I give you the heart of your ¡®precious friend.''¡±


    ¡°No! No! Let go!¡± Alkrevas released his grip on Luna¡¯s wrist, and the woman threw the still-fresh heart far away. Her brown eyes stared in horror at Ghea¡¯s lifeless body lying on the ground before screaming and curling up in fear, crying and begging for mercy. Alkrevas watched all this in silence, folding his arms across his chest. He nced briefly at the shattered portal mirror. He smiled in satisfaction, knowing the only way home for his woman no longer existed.


    Luna would forever be by his side. His heart fluttered at the thought of their time together as soulmates. ¡°Forgive me¡­ please¡­ believe me¡­¡±N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Alpha.¡±


    Alkrevas shifted his gaze away from the shards of the mirror. He had already imagined the wrath of the leader of Foryeust regarding his actions in destroying this region¡¯s sacred artifact, but Alkrevas didn¡¯t care. If Foryeust wanted war with Vasilos, that wouldn¡¯t beplicated.


    He nodded and looked at one of the knights who had just called him. The knight approached and said something startling. ¡°The protective shield suddenly shattered. Goblin forces are attempting to bring down the fortress.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°It is reported to be the work of a ck witch.¡±


    Alkrevas clenched his fists tightly and stared at Luna, who had fallen silent with her head bowed. ¡°Where are the mages from the Magic Tower who came with us?¡±


    ¡°They were hit with paralyzing magic.¡± Alkrevas nodded. One of the members of The Shadow found Damon unconscious near the pce area close to the emperor¡¯s residence, and it was reported that themander of The Shadow had been hit with paralyzing magic. Just as the knight reported, it meant that this was the work of one of the ck witches who had escaped. Alkrevas chuckled softly, the adrenaline still coursing through his body. He couldn¡¯t wait to capture those two women and kill them most horrifyingly.


    ¡°Useless.¡± Alkrevas looked around the temple, which was nearly destroyed by his power. He hadn¡¯t even unleashed his strength, and the ce was already almost leveled. ¡°Prepare the teleportation gate. We will return to Vasilos immediately.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The knights apanying him answered in unison. They ran out, leaving Alkrevas, Luna, and Commander Abony alone. Even this mission had beenpleted by Alkrevas alone, without help from others, except for Thea Abony, who freed Luna from the roots binding her body. That¡¯s why Alkrevas only participated in important missions and preferred to stay and guard Vasilos. Now, because he was outside Vasilos, something had happened that threatened the security of the superpower empire. Thea Abony nced at the woman sitting on the floor before turning and stepping toward the exit. Still, her steps halted when Alkrevas called her name.


    ¡­

 Back to Vasilos (2)

    ¡°We will hold a military meeting. Gather all the generals and military leaders, and make sure the Minister of Defense and Military Affairs, as well as the Minister of Internal Affairs, meet with me before the meeting begins.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°One more thing.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Tell my chief aide to prepare the ceremony.¡± Commander Abony nodded and turned to leave, leaving Alkrevas alone with Luna.


    He bent down and embraced Luna before saying, ¡°Now, you can do nothing but stand by my side.¡± Luna closed her eyes and raised her hands, noticing that they were covered in blood, before lifting her head and looking intently at Alkrevas. ¡°We need to do something about our mate bond, don¡¯t we?¡±


    Luna swallowed hard and whispered, ¡°Your Majesty, give me a chance to exin.¡± Then she carefully wrapped her arms around Alkrevas¡¯s neck, returning his embrace and remaining silent momentarily, waiting to see if Alkrevas would reject her. She sighed in relief when she realized that Alkrevas had epted her. ¡°I will exin¡­¡±


    Alkrevas tightened his arms around Luna and slowly stood up, lifting her as he stepped outside. He paused momentarily and nced back, specifically at the temple building. One of his hands stretched out and destroyed the temple with a single strike, burying Ghea¡¯s body in the ruins.


    ¡°No,¡± he whispered sorrowfully. Luna¡¯s heart raced, and tears streamed down her cheeks as she realized her way home was gone. The portal that would take her back to her world had been shattered into thousands of pieces. Luna took a deep breath and shed more tears.


    I can¡¯t go home, and no one is happier about that than Alkrevas, Luna thought in sadness. She felt a hand gently stroking her back, and Alkrevas coldly whispered, ¡°It was just a mirror, Luna. A mirror that is no longer useful. Now, what should fill your mind is me.¡± Alkrevas kissed Luna¡¯s exposed shoulder and added, ¡°So don¡¯t cry over that mirror, because you should be thinking about the consequences of your actions.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡± Commander Abony returned to their side and reported that the teleportation magic was ready. Alkrevas walked while carrying Luna and finally arrived at therge-scale teleportation circle. ¡°What about the knights and mages who were hit by the paralyzing magic?¡±


    ¡°Send healers and take them to Selene¡¯s temple. After they recover, they will be sanctioned.¡±


    ¡°I will carry it out.¡± Commander Abony nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Alkrevas had decided to impose punishment ording to military regtions and not kill them on the spot. Commander Abony was also relieved that she had anticipated the Emperor¡¯s wrath. Still, the man seemed so calm from beginning to end.


    ¡°Beta Savon is already waiting for you on the other side of the portal,¡± she said formally. Alkrevas nodded in acknowledgment and pressed Luna¡¯s head to keep it down against his neck. He inhaled Luna¡¯s scent for a moment and looked back at the copsed temple. At the same time, Commander Abony observed Alkrevas¡¯s possessive behavior toward Luna before turning and stepping away.


    Alkrevas muttered a few words, and shortly after, the teleportation activated. In seconds, Luna was back in the imperial pce. They had returned to Mylonas, the capital of Vasilos. ¡°Wee back home, little mate.¡±


    Luna remained silent and said nothing.


    A soft chuckle escaped Alkrevas¡¯s lips as he walked into the pce. All the pce staff, including Savon, were already waiting for him at the front door of the main pce, but Alkrevas ignored them. He chose to walk into the pce, heading toward the Emperor¡¯s residence. Upon reaching the Emperor¡¯s quarters, he asked Zyne, who had followed faithfully behind him. Norris had calmed down because Luna was now in their arms, and Alkrevas could fully control the body. ¡°Have you prepared the room?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded in satisfaction and walked to the innermost area of the pce, stopping at a wooden door. Zyne opened the door, and Alkrevas stepped inside. A long staircase immediately greeted them. Alkrevas ascended the stairs, and five minutester, he reached the top, where a door was located. Alkrevas opened the door, stepped inside, and ced Luna on the bed in the center of the room.


    Luna looked around, her vision blurred by tears and her eyes swollen from crying. In a hoarse voice, she asked Alkrevas, ¡°Where is this?¡±


    ¡°My private tower, in the east of the inner pce.¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    Alkrevas knelt by the side of the bed. They watched Luna before grabbing her ankle, which no longer had a tracking bracelet. ¡°I need to give you a new bracelet, and it seems I need to add another essory to you.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, give me a chance to exin.¡±


    Alkrevas ignored Luna and muttered, ¡°For now, this is what I¡¯ll do to ensure you can be tracked and can¡¯t escape.¡± Alkrevas extended his w and, without any remorse, shed several wounds into both of Luna¡¯s feet, causing her to scream in pain. When he was done, Luna¡¯s blood dripped onto the floor, staining the velvet carpet that covered it. Luna sobbed loudly and red at Alkrevas angrily, but the man ignored her gaze and stood up.


    ¡°Now, I will give you time to exin.¡± Alkrevas nced at the window, which was protected by magic. ¡°I have twenty minutes before the ceremony preparations.¡±


    ¡°Ceremony preparations?¡±


    ¡°Yes, your punishment. I have decided on your punishment.¡± Alkrevas leaned down and caressed Luna¡¯s neck where his im mark was visible.


    ¡°I will hold a public mating ritual.¡± Luna¡¯s face turned pale. She wasn¡¯t foolish; hearing those two words was enough for her to understand what Alkrevas meant. ¡°To ensure your loyalty to me in front of everyone and to restore our mate bond.¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡± Luna tried to reach for Alkrevas, but he stepped back, causing Luna to fall from the bed to the floor. She tried to stand up but couldn¡¯t due to the wounds on her feet inflicted by Alkrevas. A cry of pain escaped her lips, followed by frustrated sobs.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I didn¡¯t break your legs.¡±


    Luna looked up and shook her head. ¡°Please¡­ please¡­ this wasn¡¯t my choice.¡±


    Alkrevas slowly approached and lifted Luna, cing her back on the bed. Then he covered the wounds on Luna¡¯s feet with a cloth and checked her neck and internal organs after seeing her cough up blood at the temple. ¡°I already told you. I will give you a chance to speak, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Will you believe me?¡± Alkrevas didn¡¯t answer. ¡°Can you truly believe everything I say? I beg you, Your Majesty¡­¡± Luna whispered sorrowfully.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Alkrevas replied coldly, which widened Luna¡¯s eyes. Did he mean he wouldn¡¯t care about her exnation? Or did he not care about the situation? Luna didn¡¯t know which was true. ¡°Just say what you want to say to me. Whether I believe your exnation or not isn¡¯t your concern. So tell me, and don¡¯t waste time because our time is very limited.¡±


    Luna bit her lower lip. If Alkrevas had already made such a conclusion, what was the point of exining? Even when everything was happening, she didn¡¯t fight back and just remained silent so she could do the same now. But she thought it would be better to exin everything so Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t see her as a traitor.


    Because at that moment, Luna realized something. The pain she felt when she saw Alkrevas shatter the portal mirror didn¡¯tpare to the pain of seeing him look at her with disappointment, coldness, betrayal, and emptiness. It was as if the warm gaze he had always given her was an illusion. She also realized that there was a sense of calm filling her heart when she learned that she wouldn¡¯t be returning to her world. Luna took a deep breath and, with resolve, exined everything that had happened to Alkrevas.


    After her exnation ended, Alkrevas just silently watched her. There was no response, not even an expression, as the man¡¯s face remained t and dark. Yet, for the second time, she couldn¡¯t predict what Alkrevas was thinking. The man walked to the door, locked it, and then returned to the bed,ying Luna in the middle, removing the dirty clothes from her body, and covering her with a thick nket.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡± Alkrevas looked into Luna¡¯s tear-filled brown eyes. They kissed her forehead gently before standing up and walking to a chair on the side of the room, facing the bed. Alkrevas sat in the chair and sped his hands on hisp.


    ¡°Close your eyes and rest; you need to prepare yourself for the ritual.¡±


    Luna finally gave in and pulled the nket closer, crying silently in the stillness of the room with one conclusion in her mind: He believes me¡­


    ¡­


    Markus stepped out of the portal mirror and was shocked to see Jaxon, with a worried expression, waiting for him. He nced at the portal for a moment before its power dimmed again and asked Jaxon, ¡°Why are you here waiting for me? You should be in Mylonas Capital.¡±


    ¡°I decided to stay here and send a magic message about our findings to the pce. I couldn¡¯t leave this ce. I was worried about you because it¡¯s been several days, and you haven¡¯t returned.¡± Jaxon appeared visibly anxious, and that sessfully gave Markus a lousy feeling. There was no way Jaxon, his aide, and Beta would show such visible anxiety unless something terrible had happened.


    Markus quickly set aside the memory of what happened on the other side of the portal for the time being, especially regarding the soulmate he had identally found. He then decided to focus on the matters at hand. He grabbed the cloak Jaxon had prepared-following his orders before crossing the portal-and hastily put it on while waiting for the man to exin the reason for his evident anxiety. ¡°But Markus, I just received an urgent message from a messenger.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°His Majesty is going to conduct a public mating with Luna.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Markus immediately hurried off and returned to his study. He tried to contact the imperial pce through magic, but there was no response. Jaxon swallowed hard and recounted the events he had heard from the pce regarding Luna before bowing his head when he saw the anger on Markus¡¯s face. Markus mmed the table so hard that it split in two, and the items scattered on the floor.


    ¡°If you sent the message, Alkrevas should have seen it by now! And he wouldn¡¯t do this! Damn it! Why is this happening?¡± Markus angrily ran his hands through his hair and asked Jaxon, ¡°When does the ceremony start?¡±


    ¡°Today. At sunset.¡±


    Markus immediately turned to the window and saw that the sun was already beginning to set. ¡°Prepare the teleportation! I don¡¯t care if this vites security! I don¡¯t care if the Magic Tower imposes sanctions on Veniam. I have to save my sister!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Grace Duke.¡±


    Jaxon quickly ran out of the study, leaving Markus standing anxiously. No. He had to stop that ceremony. He wouldn¡¯t allow his sister to be hurt by Alkrevas again.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Public mating would surely traumatize Luna. That punishment was too severe for Luna, who didn¡¯t even understand this world-colluding with a ck witch? Destroying the protective shield? That¡¯s impossible! And does Luna have to prove her loyalty by undergoing public mating?


    It¡¯s outrageous! That¡¯s why he had to act. He didn¡¯t care if it meant shing or going to war with his cousin. He didn¡¯t care that the woman-his sister-was Alkrevas¡¯s soulmate. Markus had to save Luna.


    If necessary¡­ he would take Luna away from this world with the portal mirror owned by the Veniam Duchy.


    ¡­¡­¡­.

 Absolute Bond (1)

    The moment Luna had dreaded was about to arrive. It was only a matter of time before the public mating ceremony. Sitting on a vanity chair directly in front of the mirror, Luna could only stare at her reflection with a nk gaze. Her body wouldn¡¯t stop trembling, so much so that the maidservants helping her prepare asked if she was feeling unwell or cold.


    Luna smiled slightly at the thought. Of course, they thought she was cold. Her clothing could hardly be called an outfit meant to cover the body. The dress was white and made of thin material-so much so that her body and skin were quite visible. Its long sleeves extended to the wrists but featured a plunging neckline. The outfit was designed to cling to her body, outlining every curve and entuating her breasts. The skirt of the dress was long, trailing on the floor, but like a modern dress, it had a side slit that reached up to her hips. Luna was forbidden from wearing undergarments, so it could be said that she was exposing her body under the pretense of clothing. No essories adorned her except for a thin chain of gold and pearls that encircled her waist and connected to a twoyered choker ne with a pale yellow Citrine gemstone in the center. Her long brown hair was left down,bed neatly and softly.


    Luna gazed at her reflection in the mirror and raised her hand to touch her still-pale face. She hadn¡¯t even been given a chance to process everything that had happened with Ghea because she had to prepare immediately after resting. Now she was sitting here, waiting for what felt to her like a trial for a crime she hadn¡¯tmitted. Luna took a deep breath and nced at the maidservants standing by the bedroom door. She had asked the head maidservant who was attending to her where Judith and the others were. The only response she received was ambiguous, but Luna already guessed that Judith and the others were being punished for their negligence due to the recent events. Luna bowed her head, feeling her eyes grow warm. The guilt became even more apparent, making her chest feel tight.


    Everything had fallen apart. Her life and Luna didn¡¯t know how to fix it all. She regretted trusting Ghea, and she regretted that she could do nothing but beg and cry. She hated feeling weak because she had experienced all that during her time in the orphanage. Still, she knew she couldn¡¯t do anything. Even holding a sword felt difficult.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Luna slowly yed with the sheer sleeve of her white dress before looking up and trying to stand, but she sat back down due to the injuries on her feet caused by Alkrevas. Luna groaned in frustration, unable to do anything but sit like a doll. A momentter, she noticed the trantion bracelet still on her wrist and couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly.


    Luna¡¯s thoughts were suddenly interrupted when she heard a knock on the door. One of the waiting maidservants quickly approached the door and opened it. A conversation ensued, and shortly afterward, the door opened wider, revealing Gamma Mathias and two imperial pce guards entering the room. Luna observed the attire worn by Gamma Mathias, which fit him perfectly. The military uniform only enhanced the gant and authoritative presence of the Gamma.


    Luna bowed her head and tried to appear asfortable as possible in her clothing, but she couldn¡¯t. Other than Alkrevas, no other man had ever seen her body like this. Luna cleared her throat softly and smiled gratefully when one of the maidservants approached and draped a thick cloak over her shoulders. She looked at Gamma Mathias and asked, ¡°Lord Mathias, what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°I have been ordered by His Majesty the Emperor to escort you to his presence.¡± Then Gamma Mathias approached and knelt on one knee before Luna, his head bowed, one hand extended forward, and the other hand ced behind his back.


    Luna felt her back tense as she observed the Gamma¡¯s gesture, clearly a knight¡¯s salute to someone who was their master, showing loyalty. ¡°I know this iste, but I believe in you.¡±


    ¡°Gamma¡­¡±


    Gamma Mathias lifted his head and smiled warmly. ¡°I know you would never intend to destroy Vasilos.¡± Luna looked at Gamma Mathias with confusion, and the Gamma smiled and exined, ¡°The rumor about your involvement with the dark sorcerer who destroyed the Emperor¡¯s protective shield has spread throughout the pce.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ so that¡¯s it.¡±


    Gamma Mathias stood up and extended his hand, which Luna immediately epted. ¡°Sometimes a knight¡¯s tongue is too loose, like that of a woman. I apologize for this and have punished those who spread the rumor.¡± Luna felt her heart warm at Gamma Mathias¡¯s kindness.


    While everyone else would likely look at her with usatory and hateful eyes, the man before her now gazed at her with warmth and gentleness. ¡°Allow me to assist you. His Majesty has granted me permission to touch and carry you.¡±


    Luna nodded in agreement, and with agility, Gamma Mathias lifted her and carried her, then walked toward the only exit from the tower chamber. Luna swallowed hard, feeling the Gamma¡¯s muscles beneath his military uniform. Like most knights she had encountered, the Gamma also had a perfect body, like a Greek god. Luna guessed they would have been famous models if the people here were on Earth. ¡°Are you not having any difficulty carrying me, Lord?¡±


    ¡°No. Your body feels as light as a feather, Miss Luna.¡± After briefly pausing, the Gamma continued, ¡°His Majesty is truly fortunate to have been matched with a soulmate like you.¡± Luna bit her lip and held back a smile. If the Gamma had seemed so casual during their first meeting, now he was so formal that Luna had to behave simrly. Luna looked ahead and grimaced inwardly at the sight of the staircase. Imagining herself falling just because of something trivial would probably already send her to the afterlife, but at least seeing the stairs slightly distracted her mind, and the presence of Gamma Mathias helped her feel more at ease. ¡°I ask you to give His Majesty a chance.¡±


    ¡°Sorry?¡± Luna blinked and looked at Gamma¡¯s face, which seemed gloomy. ¡°Why did you say that?¡±


    ¡°I have served and been loyal to the Emperor for so long, and I understand howplex His Majesty is. But putting all that aside, His Majesty the Emperor is eagerly awaiting your presence in his life.¡± Luna remained silent. ¡°You are his most treasured possession, Miss Loena.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then why is he doing this to me-¡± Luna asked, pointing to her legs, ¡°-and even holding a public mating ritual, which makes me ufortable?¡±


    Gamma Mathias thinned his lips before answering, ¡°For that, you must ask His Majesty yourself.¡± Right after Gamma, Mathias said his steps reached thest stair before touching the floor and exiting through the door leading to the tower. Apanied by two imperial guards and followed by the maid attending to Luna, Gamma Mathias walked down the corridor of the Emperor¡¯s residence before stopping at the Emperor¡¯s Chamber, where the Emperor rested, and Luna¡¯s bedroom before the disaster happened.


    The door guard announced their arrival before opening it, and Gamma Mathias stepped inside. All the Emperor¡¯s attendants and aides waiting in the sitting room bowed their heads respectfully. Luna remained silent while Gamma Mathias gave a brief nod. The Gamma¡¯s steps continued to the bedroom door where the Emperor was. Zyne, waiting near the bedroom door, immediately opened it and invited them in.


    With tension palpable, Gamma Mathias stepped inside, and Luna, still in Gamma¡¯s arms, suddenly felt very nervous. Slowly, Gamma Mathias stopped in front of a single sofa set adorned with a one-bedroom area. The Emperor was sitting on one of those sofas, reading a document in his hand. The head of the Emperor¡¯s aides-Sigmund, stood obediently on the left side, and Beta Savon on the right. In front of the Emperor, a woman Luna recognized as General Tana stood with her hands sped behind her back. With Luna in Gamma Mathias¡¯s arms, three pairs of eyes immediately fixed on her sharply, except for the Emperor himself, who was still busy reading the information on the document. Gamma Mathias immediately saluted the Emperor before carefully cing Luna down.


    Luna tried to suppress the pain caused by the wounds on her soles before saluting the Emperor. After standing upright again, she noticed that General Tana was not wearing her military uniform as she had thest time but an elegant and luxurious burgundy gown. This made Luna wonder why, for a general, the woman was wearing a dress. Luna guessed that if there was a formal event, General Tana should wear her military uniform like Beta Savon and Gamma Mathias.


    If it wasn¡¯t a formal event, was it a party? But why was she concerned about that? There were more important things she needed to think about. With trembling legs, Luna tried to stand straight. She could feel the blood starting to seep again, soaking the bandages wrapped around her feet, and suddenly, she wanted to curse Alkrevas for inflicting these wounds on her soles.


    Without lifting his head and continuing to read the document, asionally turning a page, Alkrevas spoke to General Thea, ¡°General Thea, you may leave now.¡±


    The General immediately bowed and gave a respectful curtsy before turning to leave. Shortly after, Alkrevas shifted his gaze from the document to Gamma Mathias for the first time, then focused his sharp eyes on Luna, who was trembling. Not once did his brown eyes leave Luna. Then he looked her up and down before returning to her dark brown eyes, which were quivering.


    Alkrevas sighed softly and handed the document to Sigmund before saying, ¡°The three of you may leave.¡± Without any objection, Sigmund, Beta Savon, and Gamma Mathias bowed before turning and walking away, leaving Alkrevas alone with Luna. For a moment, there was only silence. Luna was lost in thought while Alkrevas was busy observing Luna. The silence was broken when Luna hissed and unconsciously clenched her dress tightly to endure the pain. ¡°Do you like that dress?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The dress you are wearing now. The same dress you wore in your world.¡± Luna opened her mouth in disbelief before frowning in disagreement.


    She opened her mouth to respond to Alkrevas¡¯s question with a protest. Still, before she could express it, Alkrevas spoke, ¡°You are fortunate to wear such a dress because, during the public mating ritual, you are not allowed to wear any clothing. I designed that dress and asked the pce tailor to make it so that you wouldn¡¯t have to stand in the middle of the hall naked, and no one could freely see your body.¡±


    Luna lowered her head and looked again at the dress she was wearing, thinking that if what Alkrevas said was true, she was still lucky to be able to cover her body with a dress that didn¡¯t serve its purpose, but that wasn¡¯t what bothered her.


    If Alkrevas disliked the concept of public mating so much that he did this, shouldn¡¯t he have canceled the ritual to punish her? ¡°Luna, look into my eyes.¡± Suddenly, Luna lifted her head, and their gazes met, but only briefly before Luna¡¯s eyes shifted to Alkrevas¡¯s body, which was only d in white trousers with a white robe ented with gold.


    No shirt, jacket, or any other clothing, exposing his six-pack abs and broad chest, which were clearly on disy. Luna swallowed hard before returning her gaze to Alkrevas¡¯s eyes. A hint of a smile appeared on Alkrevas¡¯s face before it disappeared and was reced with a cold expression.


    ¡°If you dislike public mating so much, why are you doing this? I know this is a tradition that has existed since ancient times, and I won¡¯t question that, but why did you decide to carry out this tradition with me? If this is a punishment you¡¯re giving me, please reconsider. Don¡¯t you trust me?¡±


    Luna knew that was only her conclusion. Still, Alkrevas¡¯s gestures and attitude towards her at that moment made her think that he trusted her, and now, this was all she could do. She couldn¡¯t act out or rebel as usual because if she made even the slightest mistake, her efforts to change Alkrevas¡¯s decision would be instantly shattered.


    ¡°I¡¯m truly not lying about everything I went through, how Ghea controlled me, forced me to drink that potion to break the mate bond, made me say things I didn¡¯t even want to say, how she deceived me and gave me two choices. I didn¡¯t even know about the protective shield you created to protect Vasilos until Abigail herself showed it to me, forcing me to make an extremely difficult decision.¡± Luna swallowed hard and whispered, ¡°If you trust me, even just a little, have mercy on me¡­ I beg you, stop this. Withdraw your decision to carry out this ritual.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± Alkrevas murmured calmly. ¡°But I¡¯ll tell you again, I don¡¯t care whether I believe or don¡¯t believe your exnation, because there is one fact that cannot be changed, Luna¡­ and that¡¯s you.¡± Alkrevas straightened up, cing both hands on the arms of the chair.


    Even though Luna was standing and Alkrevas was sitting, he still appeared slightly taller than Luna, making her realize just how tall Alkrevas was. ¡°You slipped from my grasp and nearly left me, and the most important thing, Luna, is that if I had been just a littlete at that time, I would have lost you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already destroyed the portal mirror, and I won¡¯t go anywhere besides being by your side.¡± Luna tried to make Alkrevas realize that this decision was wrong. She wasn¡¯t from this world, and doing a ritual that was so foreign to her felt terrifying. She didn¡¯t know what would happen during public mating other than being watched while engaging in sexual intercourse.


    ¡°I will always be by your side, isn¡¯t that what you wanted?¡± Luna realized Alkrevas¡¯s fear of her leaving had grown even greater after this incident, but public mating? On what grounds was he doing all this? While she was still traumatized by Norris¡­ wait, would she be mating with Alkrevas¡¯s wolf form likest time? Luna¡¯s face grew even paler.


    Her head shook quickly. No. She had to think positively. Alkrevas knew she was still afraid of Norris; he even changed back into his human form at the temple, though Luna herself didn¡¯t know if that change was due to her fear or not. Whatever it was, Luna had to think positively.


    ¡°Why do you so strongly oppose us doing public mating? We are soulmates, and mating is not a crime.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand, I¡­ this is really ufortable¡­¡± Luna slowly approached before lowering her body, kneeling in front of Alkrevas and ignoring the pain and wounds on her feet, then holding onto his pants tightly. ¡°I beg you, change your decision. I¡¯m willing to do anything for you, but not this. I don¡¯t want my dignity to be destroyed, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Luna lowered her head.


    Alkrevas took a deep breath and reached out, gripping Luna¡¯s jaw and lifting her head. He leaned in closer and observed her dark brown eyes, which were ssy with unshed tears.


    ¡°Your tears are so beautiful, little mate,¡± Alkrevas whispered, entranced. He briefly kissed and bit Luna¡¯s cheek before releasing his grip and said, ¡°Go. We will meet in the throne room.¡± Luna shook her head and clung even tighter to Alkrevas¡¯s pants.


    Alkrevas clicked his tongue softly and grabbed Luna¡¯s hair, pulling her slowly until she was close enough to him, then murmured, ¡°Be a good girl. If you obey, I¡¯ll give you a reward.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°Stubborn.¡± Alkrevas sighed softly and chanted a spell, and then a bluish light slowly appeared in his hand. Luna didn¡¯t understand what he was doing until she felt a choking sensation around her neck. Luna grabbed at the choker ne she was wearing and groaned in pain. Her hands tried to remove the ne, but she couldn¡¯t because the gem on the ne had been enchanted with magic that would cause pain if Luna resisted. That same magic also made the ne unbreakable.


    When the choking sensation finally subsided, Luna could only slump weakly. ¡°I should have done this from the beginning; using magic to make you submit is far more effective.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­¡± Luna whispered hoarsely.


    Alkrevas ignored her plea and said, ¡°I will not change my decision.¡± Alkrevas paused momentarily before continuing, ¡°After the ritual, I will heal your wounds and put the bracelet back on your foot.¡± Alkrevas released his grip on Luna¡¯s hair before leaving the room, leaving Luna to shed tears of profound sadness.


    ¡­¡­¡­.

 Absolute Bond (2)

    ¡°Miss, I have to take you to the Emperor now.¡± Luna quickly wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks with the sleeve of her gown when she heard one of the maidservants assigned to apany her speak from behind the closed door. She had been crying silently, but anyone who saw her tear-streaked face would easily guess she had been crying. She tried to stand up with a soft cough, but she couldn¡¯t-not because of pain, but because she was utterly exhausted.


    The sound of the door opening was followed by two maidservants immediately appearing at her side. One of them murmured, ¡°Let us help you, Miss.¡± Then, Luna was carefully assisted to her feet.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered to the two maidservants who supported her as she walked out. With unsteady steps, Luna and the maidservants walked down the pce corridor. None of them spoke, and Luna herself was too drained to make conversation,pounded by the fatigue and dizziness that were beginning to overwhelm her, making her condition increasingly unsteady. They continued walking towards the throne room in silence. Luna¡¯s feet left faint traces of blood despite the thick bandages wrapped around them, and the excruciating pain made her steps unsteady.


    When they reached the throne room, the guards at the door immediately allowed Luna to enter. Still, she had to do so alone, without the assistance of the maidservants, as they were no longer permitted to help her. Luna swallowed hard and stepped into the hall, ncing around. Therge hall looked the same as thest time she had entered it during her tour of the pce, as did the throne chair far ahead, except for one difference: Alkrevas and the people filling the hall.


    The atmosphere was tense and silent, and when Luna stopped in the middle of the path leading to the throne, small whispers could be heard from the crowd. Luna took a deep breath and tried to steady her trembling legs. ¡°Come to me, little mate.¡± The cold voice made Luna¡¯s focus immediately snap to the man sitting on the throne.


    ¡°Alkrevas,¡± Luna murmured tly as she reached the steps leading to the throne. She observed Alkrevas sitting on the throne with a rxed posture, leaning back in the chair with both hands resting on the armrests, one leg crossed over the other. Just as Luna had seen before, Alkrevas wore only white pants and nothing else, not even the imperial robe the man had worn in the room, which was now removed. His bare chest gleamed in the light, and if Luna had previously gazed at the man¡¯s muscr body with admiration, this time, she only stared with a vacant expression.


    At this moment, Alkrevas reminded Luna of a pirate captain-dangerous, unpredictable. The court members and council stood restlessly, avoiding eye contact with anyone due to the tense atmosphere. Luna walked towards Alkrevas with shaky legs, wondering what the man would do next.


    Alkrevas extended his hand towards Luna when she was close enough to the throne. A small smirk appeared on his lips as he noticed Luna¡¯s sharp gaze directed at his hand as if it were a venomous snake. Hesitantly, Luna raised her hand toward his to ept the offered hand. However, growing impatient with her hesitation, Alkrevas immediately grabbed the woman¡¯s wrist.


    Like a rope, his grip felt so strong as he pulled Luna into his embrace. ¡°Luna,¡± Alkrevas whispered with a satisfied tone. ¡°My beautiful little mate.¡± He straightened up in the throne chair, inhaled Luna¡¯s scent deeply, and buried his face in the crook of her neck.


    Luna¡¯s body trembled instantly, and she couldn¡¯t speak out of fear of angering the man. When Luna felt the tips of the man¡¯s fangs on her neck, she instinctively pulled away, trying to free her hand from Alkrevas¡¯s grip, but the man only tightened his hold.


    ¡°Are you trying to avoid me, little mate?¡± Alkrevas asked in a voice so calm it was as unpredictable as the calm before the storm. Luna shook her head, then felt her legs could no longer support her weight, but before she could fall, Alkrevas swiftly wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her to sit on hisp.


    Luna pushed and tried to stand up, but her body froze when she felt Alkrevas remove the robe that was her only protection. The robe fell to the floor, leaving Luna¡¯s body exposed to many eyes, d only in a thin white gown.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Luna hissed, her eyes burning with tears of anger. ¡°Stop it. I don¡¯t want to be treated like this.¡± She closed her mouth when she heard a low growl from Alkrevas¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Do you know how many women would kill to be in your position right now, Luna?¡± Alkrevas whispered in her ear, his voice heavy. Luna clenched her fists and lightly pounded on Alkrevas¡¯s chest, and finally, a tear trickled down her cheek. Seeing this, Alkrevas immediately took the initiative to wipe away the tear and briefly kissed her lips. Then, Alkrevas pinched Luna¡¯s chin with his thumb and forefinger, pulling her face closer to his.


    ¡°Luna.¡± His voice softened, bing more intimate. ¡°I think you know better than anyone how cruel I can be.¡± This time, Alkrevas¡¯s voice was full of threat. He observed Luna¡¯s reaction momentarily before adding, ¡°Do you want me to release Norris? His memory has resurfaced in my mind. I frighten you, my little mate.¡±


    Luna¡¯s body trembled instantly because Alkrevas¡¯s words were a clear, veiled threat. Luna¡¯s memory of the events in the underground room quickly reyed, causing her to look at Alkrevas with fear. Her head shook from side to side before she locked eyes with Alkrevas¡¯s dark, terrifying brown eyes.


    Alkrevas shifted his gaze from Luna¡¯s eyes to his hand, which caressed Luna¡¯s face before sliding into her loose hair, gently massaging her scalp. ¡°Norris has already begged me to reunite you two, and just so you know, it should be Norris sitting here, not me.¡±


    Luna¡¯s face turned pale at those words. Alkrevas, meanwhile, was still focused on the movement of his hand, now intertwined in Luna¡¯s hair. Then, he withdrew his hand and brushed Luna¡¯s cheek with his knuckles. ¡°Why, Luna?¡±


    Luna¡¯s jaw tightened. Is he going to use Norris against me? she thought angrily. Rough? Frightened? All those sensations came rushing back, filling every inch of her body-the cruel and brutal touch of Norris.


    Luna didn¡¯t want to experience any of that again, not now when the fear was still so real. ¡°I will never forgive you if you use my fears for your own purposes, Your Majesty,¡± Luna whispered.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I be the one saying that?¡± Luna¡¯s teeth clenched together.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Their conversation abruptly ended. Just as Luna wanted to continue arguing to buy time, Alkrevas had already shifted his gaze to the entire hall. The man stood up, causing Luna, seated on hisp, to stand. A soft hiss escaped Luna¡¯s lips as the wounds on her feet were aggravated again.


    Alkrevas merely nced at her briefly before smiling proudly. Without any speech or further ado, he dered, ¡°Everyone, your future Empress, my soulmate.¡±


    Luna bowed her head deeply. How could that psychopathic Emperor introduce me to his subordinates and the public gathered in the hall again? Wasn¡¯t the announcement at the party enough? Luna cursed inwardly. Everyone politely apuded as Alkrevas positioned Luna beside him, making her face the audience.


    Of course, Luna scanned the entire room with calm expressions, especially those in the hall. But inside, Luna was in turmoil. Alkrevas¡¯s body touched hers as a sign of ownership, making Luna¡¯s heart pound fiercely.


    ¡­¡­..

 Absolute Bond (3)

    She desperately needed a distraction from Alkrevas and the warmth that radiated from him, so she tried to check every face in the crowd before her. But Luna couldn¡¯t keep her gaze steady for long, so she chose to look into the distance. All because Luna wasn¡¯t as brave as she thought. A small snort escaped her nose. His queen? Did I ever think of sitting in that position?


    Luna¡¯s body froze when she felt the shoulder of her white dress slip off, and spontaneously, she stepped away from Alkrevas. This caused Alkrevas¡¯s fingers to grip Luna¡¯s now bare shoulder tightly.


    ¡°Never avoid my touch again. This is yourst warning, Luna. If you try to avoid me, I will use the magic in your ne,¡± Alkrevas growled lowly as he pulled down Luna¡¯s dress.


    Luna immediately crossed her arms to keep the dress from slipping further. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she hissed quietly, trying to maintain a neutral expression in front of all the wolves filling the hall. They were likely the Royal Pack or a pack from the capital. Luna was certain that public mating was not just an ordinary ritual other species could attend.


    ¡°Checking the im mark on your neck.¡± Alkrevas stopped tugging at Luna¡¯s dress.


    ¡°My im mark is no longer on your neck, only a fading scar remains,¡± Alkrevas murmured as he stroked the area where the previous im mark had been. Luna¡¯s body trembled as if it were a sensitive area, and goosebumps rose as Alkrevas¡¯s angry growl escaped his lips.


    Luna thought for a moment. Wasn¡¯t the potion supposed to be temporary, and would the mate bond return? Or had Ghea deceived her? If true, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising.


    ¡°That ck magic is truly annoying. It seems I need to fix our bond, and then everything will go back to normal.¡± Alkrevas didn¡¯t release his grip on her shoulder, and as his nails slowly turned into sharp ws, they dug into her skin, making Luna hiss in pain and struggle to break free.


    Alkrevas allowed Luna to struggle to free herself because he found it amusing. He said nothing as he continued to pull Luna¡¯s dress down, exposing the top of her breasts despite Luna¡¯s attempts to hold the dress up. One of his hands pushed her hair away from the right side of her neck as he extended his tongue, giving the area a brief lick. Luna let out a soft gasp, surprised by Alkrevas¡¯s sudden action.


    No. I can¡¯t let this happen, she thought, turning around and wrapping her arms around Alkrevas¡¯s neck. Alkrevas paused for a moment, surprised by Luna¡¯s sudden change, but his eyes widened when Luna bit his ear hard, drawing blood.


    Alkrevas roared and released Luna to cup his injured ear. Luna seized the opportunity to flee but forgot about her injured leg and Alkrevas¡¯s ability to use magic. She was alone in all the werewolves who were Alkrevas¡¯s followers. She ran, tears streaming down her face, but she fell in the middle of the path due to her wounded leg. Angry growls echoed around her, and Luna saw the pce guards standing at the doors. Still, they all immediately knelt on one knee with their heads bowed low, exposing the left side of their necks in a sign of submission when Alkrevas¡¯s growl resonated.


    Luna¡¯s entire body trembled with fear. Her actions had been impulsive and foolish, but it was the only thing she could do to defend herself. Alkrevas wouldn¡¯t change his mind, and no one could save her.


    She was alone.


    Just as Luna finished thinking that, she felt a choking sensation around her neck again. She struggled and screamed for mercy, begging for help. Her tears flowed more freely. Why? She hadn¡¯t done anything wrong! Why did she have to endure all of this? Why? Why? Why? Luna screamed before finally copsing weakly to the floor.


    The choking sensation around her neck gradually subsided, and her eyes stared nkly at the red carpet below her. Footsteps approached, and soon, bare feet appeared before her eyes, followed by the familiar scent of Alkrevas enveloping her. The man lowered himself, kneeling on one knee, and stroked Luna¡¯s head as she sobbed softly.


    ¡°You¡¯re very foolish, Luna,¡± Alkrevas whispered.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°By doing this, they trust you even less.¡± Alkrevas clicked his tongue and gripped Luna¡¯s hair tightly, forcing her to stand and look into his eyes.


    ¡°Did you think you could run from me? Although chasing you is entertaining, we don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ I should hate you¡­¡± Luna whispered so softly. Tears dripped onto the carpet. Luna didn¡¯t realize it, but her blood was already pooling everywhere, and if untreated, she would bleed out.


    ¡°I should¡­ I should have never given you a chance. Why don¡¯t you trust me? Where is your conscience? If I were your soulmate, you wouldn¡¯t treat me like this.¡± Alkrevas just stared intensely into Luna¡¯s dark brown eyes.


    Red, brown, back to red-it kept happening repeatedly, and for a moment, it mesmerized Luna. But then Luna realized that Alkrevas and Norris were fighting for control of his body. Luna tried calming the man before her by whispering and apologizing to keep Alkrevas from losing control.


    She even bravely moved closer and kissed the corner of Alkrevas¡¯s lips, but unlike before, her efforts were unsessful. Pleading, resisting, even seducing-Luna tried everything, but she couldn¡¯t calm Alkrevas. This made Luna even more wary.


    Living with Alkrevas made her start to understand him more. He was unpredictable, unstable, and even more temperamental than he appeared. Luna also suspected that the anger, jealousy, and obsessive behavior Alkrevas directed towards her would only intensify from now on. This time, Luna truly felt more afraid than she ever was of Norris because she could already imagine the misery she would face.


    Is this the negative side of a soulmate bond? Luna couldn¡¯t think any further when Alkrevas pulled her body closer until they were pressed against each other. Both their hearts were beating fast. ¡°Please¡­ for thest time, stop, Alkrevas¡­ don¡¯t destroy my dignity¡­ don¡¯t destroy my view of you¡­¡±


    Alkrevas closed his eyes and kissed Luna¡¯s lips possessively and harshly. There was no emotion conveyed in that kiss other than possession and obsession. Luna struggled and tried to resist, but with Alkrevas¡¯s hand gripping her head tightly, she couldn¡¯t move, so she bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.


    Immediately, Alkrevas pulled back his face and growled softly, then tilted Luna¡¯s head to the left, exposing her right neck. His free hand lifted and checked the pulse in that area before he smiled and lowered his head, nting a feather-light kiss on the spot where his fading im mark was.


    ¡°With this, the ck magic will no longer be able to sever the mate bond between you and me. Everything will return to how it was.¡± Jerking Luna¡¯s hair, Alkrevas bared his terrifying fangs before attacking.


    His teeth sank into the flesh just above Luna¡¯s corbone-right at her sensitive spot. The pain from the bite spread throughout every part of her body. Alkrevas withdrew his fangs, observing the fresh, bleeding im mark. Then he bit the same area again, deeper than before. The second mark was taken forcefully, a stronger, firmer, and more real bond.


    Immediately, a piercing scream filled the quiet hall. Luna continued to scream and cry. The searing pain made her feel like she was drifting away from the scene. She was bleeding, she was injured, but none of thatpared to the wound in her soul.


    The pain she felt now was almost as bad as when the ck magic potion severed the mate bond, but it was still terrible for her. The burning pain in her neck, more specifically from the area of Alkrevas¡¯s im mark, was so excruciating that it brought Luna back to reality in an instant.


    The greatest and most terrifying predator in the empire was sinking his deadly fangs so deep into Luna¡¯s neck. His bite was dangerously close to the jugr vein, causing her heart to race faster and her blood to flow more quickly. Luna groaned in pain and felt Alkrevas pull his fangs out again. Blood dripped from her neck. Meanwhile, the severed mate bond reconnected, three times stronger than before.


    This time, Luna could feel the anger and possessiveness, the jealousy, and the obsession seeping into every pore of her body, and none of it originated from herself. Then Luna sobbed as she suddenly felt Alkrevas¡¯s thoughts enveloping her, squeezing her heart as if it were a clenched fist. And Luna thought of giving up.


    There was no way out, not now.


    ¡°Nowes the main event. You must know one thing, Luna, I intend to create an absolute bond with you.¡±


    ¡°Absolute bond?¡± Luna squeaked softly and hoarsely.


    ¡°Yes, an absolute bond. With this, nothing will be able to separate us, not even death.¡± Then Alkrevas threw Luna¡¯s body back onto the carpet. A scream escaped Luna¡¯s lips as her body hit the hard floor covered by the carpet. Then Alkrevas pushed aside the skirt of Luna¡¯s dress, gathering all the fabric at her waist, exposing the lower part of her body to him and the spectators.


    Luna¡¯s arms were spread wide on the floor, her palms touching the carpet before clenching and gripping it tightly until her knuckles turned white. When she tried to lift her hands, a pressure like a rope held them down. Luna could sense the shock of the spectators at Alkrevas¡¯s behavior towards her. Still, she was unsurprised because this wasn¡¯t the first time she had made love to ¡®The Emperor.¡¯


    Suddenly, a memory of Judith¡¯s words about ¡®public mating¡¯ surfaced in Luna¡¯s mind. Those words were triggered by a newspaper article reporting an Alpha-Luna couple in the eastern region of Vasilos who engaged in public mating to preserve tradition. ¡°Not long ago, every Luna and often female wolves wished for public mating because they thought it was the best and most romantic moment of their lives. But in reality, the ceremony was more about degrading women and was more focused on showcasing the prowess of the Alpha or male wolf. And you know, miss, in the past, the ceremony was conducted to reassure the pack that the Luna would soon conceive and bear an heir.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­ Do you disagree with that tradition, Judith?¡±


    ¡°Of course, because I find it too excessive and an invasion of privacy, but some nobles use that tradition to ensure their children¡¯s loyalty to their partners, and it has spread to the wider society.¡±


    ¡°Judith.¡±


    ¡°And in any case, the fact that the social system ces women below men makes public mating even more widespread. To the ancestors, women were held in the highest regard because the Moon Goddess was a woman, but at some point, that changed, and the concept of female superiority was erased.¡±


    Why had Luna forgotten Judith¡¯s words at that time? She stared into Alkrevas¡¯s eyes, which had turned red, and her lips moved, ¡°stop.¡± But as before, Alkrevas ignored her and spread Luna¡¯s legs wide, slipping his body between them and enveloping Luna with his muscr frame. Luna closed her eyes and thought how ironic it was that Alkrevas wanted to continue this tradition.


    Alkrevas discreetly snapped his fingers behind his back as she was thinking that.


    Then, the public mating process took ce and endedter. Now bound in an absolute bond, Lunay limp in Alkrevas¡¯sp as he sat leisurely on the throne. Those present offered congrattions to the Emperor forpleting the mating process.


    Shortly after, Alkrevas left the hall, carrying Luna back to the Emperor¡¯s residence and cing her in a room in the eastern tower. He healed Luna¡¯s wounds, reced the tracking bracelet on her ankle, cuffed both wrists, and kissed her forehead affectionately.


    Afterward, Alkrevas stood tall by the bedside, observing Luna¡¯s appearance, bound to the bed, and said, ¡°Wait for me. After I¡¯ve finished all my business, I will return here, and¡­¡± Alkrevas used his power to clean Luna¡¯s dirty white dress. ¡°¡­what I did to you isn¡¯t over yet. Your punishment isn¡¯t finished.¡±


    Luna remained silent, unable to express her anger. Alkrevas stroked Luna¡¯s head, kissed her forehead gently, and whispered, ¡°Now close your eyes and sleep, little mate.¡±


    And in an instant, Luna closed her eyes tightly and fell asleep.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..

 Disappointment (1)

    Markus had just arrived at the imperial pce, gazing at the sky and cursing quietly. He kept ming the Magic Tower for constantly obstructing his use of long-distance teleportation magic, especially directly to the imperial pce without prior notice, by repeatedly canceling the magic he intended to use. Fortunately, Jaxon was apetent and clever aide in negotiations, so when he was racing against time and panicking about Luna¡¯s situation, the man persuaded the Magic Tower to grant permission for long-distance teleportation.


    At times like these, Markus regretted not being born as a magician or at least gifted in magic. If only he were either of those, he could have created a secret teleportation magic circle without being detected by the Magic Tower. He ran swiftly into the imperial pce. Although the sun had already set, he hoped that he wasn¡¯t toote to save Luna.


    Markus cursed the Magic Tower again and promised to settle the score once the matter was resolved. For now, his priority was to save his sister from such a low and brutal tradition. His sister was merely a mortal who had not long been in this world, yet she was already faced with a situation that would further traumatize her. How could she want to endure if she kept facing circumstances that made her dislike this world?


    It only took a few minutes for him to arrive at the corridor leading to the main throne room. His eyes narrowed sharply, and he growled softly when he saw knights standing guard, lined up neatly along the corridor, with two knights guarding the entrance to the throne room.


    The knights wore military uniforms in red and ck with gold ents, symbolizing the Royal Pack knight order, with cloaks of the same color embroidered with the unit¡¯s emblem, an eagle, draped over their shoulders. Swords hung at their waists, their postures straight, with both hands crossed behind their backs. Markus had already guessed that Alkrevas would ce the Royal Pack knight order there because, unlike other orders, the Royal Pack was specificallyposed of werewolves, with some of its best knights in the Royal Pack unit, including the leader of the Royal Pack order-General Almbra.


    He pressed his lips together and observed the tense atmosphere of the corridor before striding confidently down it. The knights, aware of his presence, immediately saluted him, but Markus chose to ignore them. His eyes remained fixed on the throne room door, made of gold and engraved with the emblem of the Vasilos Empire and a wolf.


    No one stopped his steps. Without an identity or pass card for the imperial pce, everyone in the pce already knew who he was, especially with his position as Chancellor and Prime Minister of the empire. This position granted him the privilege of entering and leaving the pce, which is known for its strict security and regtions. Markus was truly grateful for this, as he didn¡¯t need additional problems like those from the Magic Tower.


    He wanted so badly to run quickly, storm in, break down the door, and take Luna away as quickly as possible. Still, if he caused amotion in front of the throne room door, his chances of getting inside would vanish. So, with that thought, he restrained himself as much as he could, then, upon reaching the throne room door, he stopped walking to take a deep breath, calming himself and his turbulent emotions. He hoped the Moon Goddess would side with him and give him a chance to prevent Alkrevas from making the fatal mistake he was about tomit.


    Hopefully, the ceremony hasn¡¯t started yet¡­ Markus thought nervously. He raised his hand, intending to push the door open, but suddenly, he heard the sound of swords shing. A momentter, two des crossed before his eyes, causing Markus to step back in surprise and instinctively withdraw his hand. His eyes sharpened, and a warning growl escaped his lips.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    He turned to the two Royal Pack knights guarding the door with a murderous look before asking, ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this? Do you know that your actions could get you stripped of your rank and thrown in jail?¡±


    ¡°Our apologies, Your Grace, Duke. Before you are allowed entry, do you have a pass card from His Majesty the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°A pass card? I am the Prime Minister! Why would I need a pass to enter the throne room? Besides, I just returned from a task ordered by His Majesty. Do you think I would know about that?¡± Markus asked again, his tone rising in disbelief that Alkrevas had imposed a restriction that only those with a pass card could enter the ritual ceremony. Of course, he had that card.


    But it was stored in his desk drawer in Veniam Duchy. He could ask Jaxon, but his aide was surelying to the capital to follow him. Besides, all of that would be useless if the ritual ceremony ended.


    ¡°Once again, forgive us, Your Grace, Duke. We are simply following the Emperor¡¯s orders. We had no intention of offending you.¡± One of the knights replied in a tone full of regret. Markus¡¯s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His body trembled with suppressed anger.


    Damn it! Markus cursed inwardly; even his wolf spirit-Alcander-was starting to get restless in his mind because the only family they had was going through something terrible inside. He stepped back, turning his back to the door. The sound of swords being sheathed echoed in his ears.


    Markus closed his eyes slowly, trying to calm Alcander, who became increasingly agitated. The throne room was designed so that sounds from inside couldn¡¯t be heard outside and vice versa, making it soundproof. However, Markus¡¯s keen hearing was sharper than that of other werewolves, allowing him to faintly hear the sound of screams from behind the door.


    Suddenly, Markus¡¯s eyes snapped open wide, revealing his green eyes, now transformed into a red-golden hue. A low growl escaped from his lips once more. His clenched fists subtly transformed, and Markus shifted into a Lycan within seconds.


    He turned and ran towards the door, intending to break it down and fight the two knights blocking his way. However, in his anger, Markus forgot that the Royal Pack had been prepared for everything, including dealing with a Lycan like him. The two knights guarding the door skillfully and forcefully restrained his body. Then, the knights along the corridor joined in, attempting to subdue Markus.


    Unfortunately, their efforts failed because Markus chose to resort to violence, attacking the knights. One by one, the knights fell, wounded by his ws. The knights could have shifted forms and fought back, but their opponent was a Duke and one of Vasilos¡¯s greatest knights, which made them lose their nerve.


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke, stop! You are not permitted to harm the knights!¡± A deep voice suddenly boomed not far from Markus¡¯s position. Markus turned, directing his red-golden eyes toward the source of the voice, and growled, baring his dangerous fangs at a tall, broad-shouldered man who had stopped running and was now standing several meters in front of him-General Almbra.


    Immediately, the fallen and wounded knights were assisted by other knights who had arrived with the General and were evacuated to the knights¡¯ healing chamber. ¡°You cannot harm my subordinates, Your Grace.¡±


    ¡°They refused me entry and blocked my way.¡± Markus, who had transformed into a Lycan, replied in a deeper, more menacing voice. Fortunately, Lycans, unlike werewolves, could still speak in their wolf form-the reason why werewolves rely heavily on mind-link. If not, Markus would have had difficultymunicating with General Almbra because the General was not part of Veniam, which meant he could not mind-link.


    ¡°I understand, but Your Grace, Duke, please calm yourself first. You know these are the Emperor¡¯s orders, and¡­¡± General Almbra paused, bowing his head in submission when he received a dominant growl from Markus.


    ¡°¡­ you are currently unstable. I don¡¯t know what has triggered your anger to this extent, but I implore you to calm yourself first. If you force your way in, I cannot guarantee your safety.¡± Markus understood what General Almbra meant. Alkrevas must have ced the Royal Pack and other knight orders. He would also be the target of the Emperor¡¯s wrath, but Markus didn¡¯t care about any of that.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t make me use force against you and drag you to the prison.¡±


    ¡°I am the Duke of Veniam! Let me in.¡±


    ¡°I cannot do that, Your Grace. The Emperor¡¯s orders leave no room for exceptions. Moreover, you are in your Lycan form. There is a sacred ceremony taking ce inside, and your presence in that form would cause a disturbance that would disrupt the ceremony. I cannot allow that to happen.¡±


    ¡­¡­..

 Disappointment (2)

    Markus watched intently as the Royal Pack knights, who had arrived with the General, began to move around him, preparing to take him down. His pupils darted quickly, searching for an opening to attack and break through, and it didn¡¯t take long before he found one-a female knight. Markus grinned, spreading his wed fingers before roaring andunching himself at his target. Attacking a woman was unworthy for a knight like him, but Markus was desperate. He could only strike at the female knight looking at him with hesitation. Why the hesitation?


    Because the female knight was part of Veniam, she hesitated to choose between her superior and her Alpha. This choice naturally fell easily to the Alpha. After that, he attacked the other knights and took advantage of the opportunity to enter the throne room. However, before he could touch the door, a needle flew and lodged in his back.


    Markus instantly copsed on the pce floor, roaring as he felt a burning heat spread throughout his body. His golden-red eyes fixed on General Almbra, who was holding a rifle in his hand. Markus roared and writhed in pain, then slowly, his form began to revert to that of a human, making the searing heat twice as painful. His heart felt like it was being stabbed, and his head felt like it was going to explode. He struggled to breathe, and his throat felt choked. General Almbra stepped closer and knelt beside Markus¡¯s writhing body. ¡°Forgive me, Your Grace. I had no choice. I cannot allow you to harm my subordinates any further.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ gave me¡­ silver poison¡­ Almbra!¡± Markus hissed through his pained groans. ¡°I¡­ will make you pay!¡±


    ¡°Once again, I apologize, Your Grace. I am merely following the procedures set by His Majesty the Emperor to ensure the sess of the ritual ceremony. I will face my punishment once this is all over.¡± With that, General Almbra stood up, and with a hardened, resolute expression, he ordered his men to secure Markus¡¯s hands with silver handcuffs. Once the effect of the silver poison subsided, Markus¡¯s body was carried away on a stretcher by the Royal Pack knights.


    ¡°Please¡­ just let me in for a moment¡­ I want to see¡­¡± Markus finally murmured weakly just before the knights took him away.


    General Almbra, feeling uneasy and awkward hearing the Duke plead with him like that, stood there ufortably, shifting his weight from one foot to the other before sighing softly and deciding to relent. He thought the Duke wouldn¡¯t cause any trouble due to the lingering effects of the silver poison and the handcuffs on his wrists, so allowing him to enter for a few minutes wouldn¡¯t be an issue even though it meant disobeying the Emperor¡¯s orders, which prohibited anyone from entering without a pass. General Almbra sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration before signaling his men to lower the stretcher.


    ¡°Why are you so desperate to enter that you would do something so reckless? What is the reason? This isn¡¯t like you, Your Grace. You¡¯ve never cared about matters concerning the Emperor, except for Vasilos.¡± Then General Almbra helped Markus to his feet, supporting him as they approached the throne room door, carefully and discreetly opening it. The two of them entered and moved to one side.


    Markus groaned before lifting his head. That was when his world shattered into pieces. He saw his sister lying weakly on Alkrevas¡¯sp. Her eyes closed. Blood dripped from her wounds onto her arm and then to the floor-Alkrevas¡¯s satisfied smile and the members of the court and the noble werewolves congratting the Emperor.


    I¡¯m toote, Markus thought sadly. Oalo whimpered sorrowfully in his mind, realizing that their only family had suffered greatly.


    He could only stare nkly as Alkrevas stood up, carrying Luna¡¯s unconscious body in his arms, then stepped down from the throne and walked out of the hall.


    ¡°Take me away¡­¡± Markus whispered to General Almbra when the throne room door had closed after Alkrevas¡¯s departure.


    Markus didn¡¯t want to listen to the conversations of the people still gathered in the hall. As he stepped outside, only one goal was spinning in his mind. I have to do something for Luna¡­ no, for Evelina.


    ¡­


    Alkrevas, seated at the head of the table, held a closed-door meeting with all the top military leaders, including the generals and ministers, in the main war room west of the throne room. In the center of the room was arge rectangr oak table with a map of Vasilos and the entire Rhodes continent spread across it.


    The Minister of Defense and Military Affairs and the Minister of Internal Affairs sat in the two chairs on Alkrevas¡¯s left side, their faces serious and tense. They were busy contemting the answer to the question the Emperor had just posed to those seated at the meeting table. Alkrevas tapped his fingers on the table¡¯s surface, observing the Vasilos gs ced at various points on the map.


    He paused for a moment to observe the expressions of everyone present in the meeting before asking again, ¡°You cannot always rely on me and the protective shield I create, because it¡¯s possible that this incident could happen when I¡¯m not here to create a new shield or to do something to minimize the damage and destruction that could ur to Vasilos. So I ask once more, how will you handle this problem? You are the people I have chosen and trusted.¡±


    There was a brief pause before he continued, ¡°This kind of thing could happen again in the future, and without any preparation on our part, sooner orter the Goblins will overrun the Vasilos territories. Is that what you want? Just so you know, the protective shield will disappear if I die, and if my sessor is not a wizard, what will happen next? Do you think the Grand Sorcerer and the Magic Tower will help us if that happens?¡± Everyone shook their heads.


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. ¡°General Thea, report thetest situation on the Vasilos border.¡±


    ¡°The Goblins have entered the western and eastern regions of Vasilos. They have begun to terrorize small packs and remote viges near the Vasilos fortress. It has been reported that five small packs and two viges have already suffered from their terror.¡±


    ¡°For now, all we can do is exterminate the Goblins that have already entered our territory, Alpha,¡± Beta Savon, seated to the right of the Emperor, replied tly.


    Gamma Mathias, sitting next to the Beta, immediately murmured his agreement. ¡°I will prepare the military forces to go to the western and eastern regions to deal with the Goblins that have entered our territory.¡±


    Gamma Mathias lowered his head and reviewed the documents in his hand before continuing, ¡°For now, we can deploy the first unit, White Night, and the second unit, Blue Moon, to deal with this situation, while we can assign the Royal Pack¡¯s special unit to rece White Night¡¯s duties in the southern region and secure the imperial pce. Since the fourth unit is focused on securing the capital¡¯s borders, we can request the Duke Veniam¡¯s knights to track the whereabouts of the dark sorcerer alongside the Magic Tower.¡±


    ¡°Regarding Duke Veniam¡­¡± General Almbra suddenly spoke up but held back when Alkrevas gave him a sharp look for interrupting the discussion without permission. However, before Alkrevas could reprimand him, there was amotion outside, and shortly after, the war room doors burst open, and Duke Veniam, along with several Royal Pack knights, entered the room. Everyone immediately stood up upon seeing the Duke¡¯s arrival and bowed respectfully, except for Alkrevas, who remained calmly seated at the head of the table. The Duke¡¯s dark and anger-filled expression did not escape the notice of everyone, including Alkrevas. However, Alkrevas remained rxed despite his gaze being as cold and piercing as a sharp knife.


    ¡°Ah¡­ Duke Veniam¡­ I didn¡¯t know you had arrived in the capital. How are you? Have youpleted the task I assigned to you?¡± Alkrevas asked with a small smile, though his tone sounded very serious.


    ¡°I wish to speak with you in private, Your Majesty.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.

 Disappointment (3)

    Alkrevas furrowed his brow, confused by Markus¡¯s unusual behaviour, and then he noticed the Duke¡¯s somewhat dishevelled appearance. Alkrevas knew Markus to be always elegant in every situation. He nced at Sigmund, who stood to his right and nodded. Understanding the signal, Sigmund immediately returned to prepare the seating area next to the war room. ¡°Alright. If you want to talk to me, I need to confirm something first. You will attend the meeting. If you haven¡¯t heard, Goblins have invaded the Vasilos border.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± whispered Duke Veniam in shock.


    General Thea said, ¡°Two ck mages identified a critical weakness in the protective shield created by His Majesty, and they destroyed it. This allowed the Goblins, who were stationed outside the border fortress, to easily destroy the fortress and enter the territory. All border guards at the scene have been reported dead.¡±


    ¡°From witness ounts, this incident was meticulously nned. The Goblins waited outside the border fortress without making any suspicious movements, then with the anomaly at the shield¡¯s critical point, followed by Miss Luna¡¯s disappearance-¡± Beta Savon added with a dark expression. ¡°-she is now suspected of conspiring with the two ck mages.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Duke Veniam whispered again, his eyes wide with shock.


    ¡°You know that¡¯s not true, right, Beta?¡± Alkrevas asked in a warning tone, his gaze murderous. ¡°The source of the information that the two ck mages knew about the critical point is still under investigation; it is a highly confidential matter known only to a select few. Besides, Luna had no knowledge of the shield¡¯s critical point. The usation is baseless. She told me that the two ck mages were informed by their ¡®benefactor,¡¯ which means there is a traitor within my castle.¡±


    ¡°But Your Majesty, Miss Luna was proven to be associated with-¡± Beta Savon didn¡¯t finish his sentence as a loud thud shook the room, the sturdy wooden table cracking and splintering from the force. Beta Savon¡¯s head bowed, and he immediately knelt, exposing his left neck as a sign of submission to the Alpha.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die by my hand, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Beta.¡± Alkrevas took a deep breath and stood up.


    ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve alreadyplied with the Court Council¡¯s demands by performing a public mating as proof that Luna is loyal only to me, her soulmate.¡± Everyone exchanged nces in response to Alkrevas¡¯s words. Alkrevas narrowed his eyes sharply, then walked out of the room as he saw Sigmund standing in the doorway, waiting for him.


    ¡°We¡¯ll adjourn the meeting for twenty minutes. I need to speak with Duke Veniam. When I return, I expect you to have answers to my question.¡±


    Alkrevas stepped into the seating room and sat on the long sofa. His hand lifted to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. He closed his eyes briefly before opening them and observing Markus, who stood before him, barely containing his anger.


    For a moment, there was silence, broken only by Alkrevas asking, ¡°How was your journey? How did it go?¡± Markus pressed his lips together. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you inform me of your arrival? And why do you look so disheveled?¡±


    ¡°Did you perform a public mating?¡± Markus asked instead, showing no intention of answering the barrage of questions Alkrevas had thrown at him. Alkrevas¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he noticed the change in Markus¡¯s demeanour. ¡°Answer my question, Alkrevas,¡± Markus spoke informally, not as a Duke or a servant of the Emperor but as a rtive.


    However, Alkrevas was not offended by this. ¡°You heard it yourself, Markus. Yes. I did it with Luna.¡±


    The door opened, and Sigmund entered along with Zyne, who pushed a food trolley to serve the two state leaders engaged in discussion. After cing tea cups, a teapot, and light snacks on the table, Zyne left the room. At the same time, Sigmund remained standing behind the sofa at Alkrevas¡¯smand. ¡°Why?¡± Markus asked in a strained voice. His body trembled, and his fists clenched tightly. ¡°Why did you do it?¡±


    ¡°I already gave you the answer a few minutes ago in the war room.¡±


    ¡°Do you know who she is?¡±


    The furrow in Alkrevas¡¯s brow deepened, and he looked at Markus in confusion. What was wrong with the man? Why did he seem so angry? ¡°It¡¯s your task to find out who she is.¡± Then, in a moment of realization, Alkrevas stiffened. He wasn¡¯t entirely free from the shadow of Luna¡¯s departure, as there was still one way for Luna to return. His body tensed, and he stared intently at Markus. ¡°You already know who she is.¡±


    Markusughed bitterly, then approached Alkrevas, grabbing the cor of his coat and pulling Alkrevas close. His eyes turned a fiery red-gold, and a low growl escaped his lips. ¡°I will never forgive you, Alkrevas.¡±


    ¡°Markus¡­¡± Alkrevas whispered in shock.


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke, please release your hand-¡± Sigmund began, but stopped when Markus growled a warning.


    ¡°You¡­ ignored the message I sent through my aide, and now you want to pretend you¡¯re innocent?¡± Markus asked sarcastically.


    ¡°A message?¡±


    Markus pulled one hand back and struck Alkrevas in the face, sending his head snapping to the left from the force of the blow. A small smile appeared on Alkrevas¡¯s face before he turned to look at Markus, his dark red eyes beginning to show.


    ¡°She¡¯s my sister! Damn it! She¡¯s my sister! You hurt my sister!¡± Markus shouted, then struck Alkrevas again, leaving his face bruised and battered. However, the injuries quickly disappeared, leaving only traces of blood. ¡°I¡¯ll settle this with you, Alkrevas. You! Doing all of that to my sister! Your own soulmate!¡±


    ¡°I did it to prove her innocence. You know the reputation that¡¯s attached to Luna right now, don¡¯t you? You heard it yourself. Do you know what happened while you were away? I did all of this for Luna,¡± Alkrevas sighed wearily.


    ¡°Markus, it¡¯s better for Luna to endure a public mating than to face punishment for such severe usations. You also know, public mating is not something that-¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s been living in another world all this time, you bastard!¡± Markus interrupted angrily.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°You should also know that Luna would never do something like that! Agreeing to such a terrible thing¡­ Do you think she would ept it so easily? You should have trusted her and defended her!¡± He pulled his hand back and stepped away. His body trembled, ready to transform; Markus might have attacked Alkrevas for hurting Luna if they weren¡¯t in the pce.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know anything about this world, and you¡­ forced her into a public mating.¡± Markus turned and ran his hand through his hair in frustration before ring at Alkrevas.


    ¡°Are you insane? Are you out of your mind? This is too much. You¡¯ve crossed the line, Alkrevas. Do you think the tradition of public mating is easy to ept? Even many women among us refuse to do it! And now you¡¯ve forced it on my sister, who doesn¡¯t know anything about this world! I¡¯m truly disappointed in you!¡± Markus bowed his head before looking back at Alkrevas, this time with eyes full of disappointment.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve always respected your decisions, your policies, but now¡­ you¡¯re not the Emperor I once admired. You¡¯re just like the others¡­ I expected more from you all this time, and you¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only doing what I have to do,¡± Alkrevas replied, dismissing Markus¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°No, this is too much¡­ my sister¡­ how much she must have suffered¡­¡±


    Alkrevas remained silent, allowing Markus to vent his anger. After all, he deserved it. He lifted his hand and wiped away the blood with his thumb, sighing softly.


    ¡°So she is your sister¡­¡± he whispered more to himself, then his eyes widened as he realized what Markus¡¯s words meant. If Luna was Markus¡¯s sister, it meant she was from Veniam, and if she was taken to Veniam, then¡­ No!


    He couldn¡¯t let that happen! Alkrevas suddenly stood up and said to Markus, ¡°Whether she¡¯s your sister or not, the fact that she¡¯s my soulmate cannot be disputed, which means she belongs to me, and it¡¯s my right to determine her fate.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you take Luna to Veniam.¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas, you¡¯re insane! It¡¯s her right!¡± Markus gritted his teeth and hissed. ¡°Then let me see her! We¡¯ll ask what she wants.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t grant you permission to see her.¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas!¡±


    ¡°Guards!¡± Alkrevas called out loudly. Instantly, two guards entered the room.


    ¡°Drag Duke Veniam out! And do not allow him to set foot in the imperial pce until further notice!¡± Alkrevas ordered firmly. Markus was then dragged out, only able to resist roughly.


    Markus growled, ready to transform and attack in his Lycan form again, as the silver poison had been cleansed from his body by the secret antidote given by the healer. But he saw Alkrevas snap his fingers, and suddenly, his body was immobilized, as if solid ropes were binding him, even more potent than his Lycan strength could break free from.


    ¡°Markus, I¡¯m still granting you forgiveness for your disrespect today, but if you try to approach Luna and take her away, I will never forgive you.¡±


    ¡°Alkrevas! You bastard! She¡¯s my sister! You have no right to forbid me!¡± The door closed after that, and Alkrevas slumped back onto the sofa, massaging his aching head.


    ¡°Your Majesty, are you sure you don¡¯t want to tell the Duke the truth?¡± Sigmund asked hesitantly.


    ¡°This misunderstanding could have severe consequences for the rtionship between the imperial family and the Veniam Duchy.¡± Alkrevas said nothing and remained silent. ¡°You should tell him that the public mating never fully took ce. You only made a public im, nothing more.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I don¡¯t care about the misunderstanding.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the Duke will try to take Miss Loena away. If she really is the Duke¡¯s sister, then¡­¡± Alkrevas closed his eyes. He knew what Sigmund meant, but Alkrevas wasn¡¯t doing this without reason. He recalled what he had done behind Luna¡¯s back at that time.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.

 Disappointment (4)

    Alkrevas secretly snapped his fingers out of Luna¡¯s sight. He erected a transparent barrier so no one could see what was happening behind it. From the outside, all anyone would see was a ck wall, but from the inside, both Luna and Alkrevas could see what was happening outside. This illusion was designed to make Luna believe that the public mating was ongoing. The ck wall also manipted the minds of those looking at it, hypnotizing them into thinking they had witnessed the public mating, even though they couldn¡¯t recall any specific details of it.


    Alkrevas was forced to do this after the Court Council refused his request to only make a public im without conducting the public mating. He didn¡¯t want to showcase Luna in front of everyone. Her body, her voice, her moans, her tears, even the look in her eyes-these were things only he was allowed to witness-no one else.


    This was why the people present were confused when the ceremony ended; they were sure it had taken ce but couldn¡¯t remember any details. So when he snapped his fingers again to remove the transparent barrier, Alkrevas had already predicted their reactions. He smiled in satisfaction. He should never have tried negotiating with the Court Council in the first ce and should have chosen this path from the start. The Council got what they wanted, and he didn¡¯t have to expose Luna¡¯s body, which belonged only to him, to the eyes of other men, who he knew would look at her with lust. Besides, the fact that they had witnessed the marking of his im on Luna was more than enough.


    He believed Luna wasn¡¯t guilty of what they used her of, and when Alkrevas connected with Luna¡¯s mind as their bond was restored, his faith was not in vain.


    ¡­


    Alkrevas slowly opened his eyes and looked at Sigmund. This n was known only to Sigmund, as his chief aide had yed a significant role in the n by suggesting various aspects of the ritual that wouldn¡¯t raise suspicion when the n was executed-such as preparing the throne room as if the event were to ur, cing mana stones at specific points, and more.


    Alkrevas dismissed Sigmund¡¯s words. The secrecy of the n, especially keeping it from Luna, was crucial since its sess depended on Luna¡¯s reaction. It would have raised suspicions if she appeared too calm or seemed to be pretending. ¡°Will you eventually tell Miss Luna and Duke Veniam about all this, Your Majesty? They have the right to know, and they also deserve to understand why you agreed to the Court Council¡¯s demand for public mating.¡±


    Sigmund was right. Both had the right to know what happened and understand why Alkrevas agreed to those bastards¡¯ demands for public mating.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± He rested his head against the sofa and stared at the ceiling adorned with a crystal chandelier. The rumours about Luna would be dispelled by going through with the public mating, proving she was loyal to him and providing evidence to the Court Council that Luna was indeed his soulmate. Additionally, it would silence those who belittled Luna and tried to remove her from her position as his consort.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Like Marquis Cirillo, who spreads rumours about an engagement between him and Amelia Cirillo or gossip about his rtionship with General Thea. Or the pressure to make Luna merely a concubine and not the empress. By agreeing, the Court Council¡¯s support for Luna would be strong, and power-hungry individuals could no longer shake her position.


    In hindsight, his previous belief that his soulmate would upy the empress position and that there would be no opposition because it was the decision of the Moon Goddess was naive. In reality, it wasn¡¯t as simple as he had imagined. If he acted arbitrarily or used Alpha Command at every turn, it would lose the people¡¯s trust and respect. Although the people knew him as a tyrant, they trusted his decisions.


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    ¡°Sigmund, I¡¯m used to being hated.¡±


    ¡°But Miss Luna is your soulmate, your other half, and the woman who will be your empress. If she hates you, what about you and your wolf¡¯s soul?¡±


    ¡°Do you remember what Luna said to me? The traitor is inside my pce. What could be better than approaching Luna when our rtionship is strained? Exploiting Luna¡¯s hatred for me would make it easy for the traitor to hurt me; nothing is more effective than using my weakness against me, right? Besides, only when that woman is by my side can I lower my guard. Brainwashing a mortal filled with hatred is notplicated.¡±


    ¡°What about Duke Veniam?¡±


    ¡°Markus¡­ he¡¯s my concern; you don¡¯t need to worry about him. You know Markus has a sharp mind; right now, he¡¯s just overwhelmed by anger. When his mind clears, he¡¯ll understand the true situation.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­ if that¡¯s the case, then use me. Let me be the bait for the traitor. Don¡¯t use Miss Luna. You¡¯ve lived alone for so long; what will happen if¡­¡± Sigmund mped his mouth shut when he received a signal from Alkrevas to be quiet.


    ¡°Sigmund, your loyalty and concern for me are invaluable, but this time we must think beyond expectations. I am an Emperor, and the lives of my people are my responsibility. If I have to sacrifice my life and future, that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do. If I have to use my own soulmate, that¡¯s what I¡¯ll do. Anything could happen, even the possibility that you are the traitor aiding those two witches cannot be ruled out.¡± Sigmund immediately knelt and swore his loyalty to Alkrevas.


    ¡°And if you haven¡¯t noticed, the traitor has already begun to show their fangs after the public mating.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    ¡°I am a tyrant, a cruel emperor. So now, shut your mouth, and let¡¯s get back to the meeting room. We need to deal with the Goblin issue before I see my Luna again, because there¡¯s a punishment I need to give her.¡±


    Sigmund sighed heavily. He didn¡¯t know what the Emperor meant by ¡®punishment¡¯ because he didn¡¯t know what Miss Luna had done to deserve it. Still, whatever it was, he felt sorry for Miss Luna, who had be the object of the tyrant Emperor¡¯s obsession.


    ¡­¡­¡­.

 Goblin Terror (1)

    Alkrevas stared intensely at Luna, who was sound asleep. His lips formed a thin line as his thoughts drifted back to the events of the past few days, making him realize Luna¡¯s influence on his life. However, from all of that, he could see the dominant side of Luna that he had never noticed before. Even without seeing it, Alkrevas was sure of how beautiful, sexy, and tempting his soulmate was with the dominant attitude she showed. It strengthened his belief that the woman beside him was worthy of being Luna and his Empress, apanying him in ruling the Empire and the werewolf n.


    The Moon Goddess had not made a mistake in pairing Luna with him because the woman couldplement his shorings. His ruggedness, strong-willed nature, courage, and constant challenge were exactly what Alkrevas needed as an Emperor. Everyone feared and dared not stand up to him, so Luna¡¯s presence was fresh air for him.


    Alkrevas extended his hand and gently stroked Luna¡¯s cheek, brushing aside the strands of hair that clung to her forehead. Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed Luna¡¯s forehead affectionately. There was no ce he desired more than being by his soulmate¡¯s side; the peace and tranquillity he felt at that moment were precious, and he never wanted to forget them. His tranquillity was then disturbed by the sound of knocking on the door from outside, and without needing to ask, he immediately knew who dared to interrupt his time with Luna.


    Alkrevas sighed softly and adjusted his shirt, draped over Luna¡¯s body, before granting permission for those waiting outside to enter. Alkrevas folded his arms across his chest and red sharply as Zyne and the servants swiftly set breakfast on the table. In unison, they saluted him before Zyne said, ¡°If you need anything, I will prepare it for you immediately, Your Majesty.¡±


    A servant approached him and handed him a cup of warm tea. Alkrevas epted it without saying a word and took a sip to refresh himself. After finishing, he returned the cup to the servant and asked, ¡°What about Duke Veniam?¡±


    ¡°The Duke is still standing at the pce gates, pleading for your mercy.¡± Alkrevas sighed heavily and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.


    After he had expelled Markus and forbidden him from setting foot in the pce, the man stood at the gate, even when Alkrevas ordered Thymos to send him away. Markus remained unmoved, insisting on meeting Luna. Alkrevas rubbed his head, which suddenly ached. He didn¡¯t care about the imperial rtions with the Veniam duchy; what mattered to him now was the possibility that Luna could leave him at any moment, returning to her world. There would be nothing he could do since Markus would help her escape.


    Alkrevas nced at Luna, still sound asleep beside him, unable to believe Luna was a part of Veniam. ¡°Should I take other measures to drive him away, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°No. His behavior has already caused a stir among the nobility. If we do anything more, the nobles will know that the Empire¡¯s rtionship with Veniam is strained.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Alkrevas yed with Luna¡¯s hair and said, ¡°Tell him to return to the Veniam mansion, persuade him, do whatever it takes. If he agrees, I¡¯ll meet him there after I finish repairing the protective shield.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Your Majesty.¡±


    Zyne then excused himself and left, followed by the servants who had apanied him, leaving Alkrevas alone with Luna once more. However, thissted only a short time as the door was knocked again, this time by Sigmund. Alkrevas furrowed his brow, ring sharply at his aide.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the representative of the Magic Tower, Mage Alyssa, along with several selected mages, have arrived and are waiting for your presence in the meeting room.¡±


    ¡°Tell them to wait.¡±


    Sigmund bowed. ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty. I cannot carry out your orders because if we dy any longer, the Goblins may expand further. The terror has begun to approach the major cities, and the Goblins have no hesitation in destroying other species¡¯ settlements.¡±


    Sigmund pulled a file from his suit pocket and added, ¡°The tracking team you sent to track the two ck mages has also sent a report; thetest report states that the two mages werest seen in the city of Algiama.¡±


    Alkrevas¡¯ brow furrowed. ¡°The port?¡± Sigmund nodded.


    ¡°The traces of ck magic, as well as illegal teleportation, were detected in a small house on the west side of the city, near the port. The tracking team predicts that the two mages intend to flee to the other side of the continent or to the Tenebris region to hide.¡±


    Alkrevas assumed the two mages were waiting for the right time to runch their actions. Alkrevas smiled; if his guess about the Goblins¡¯ movements being caused by these two mages was correct after the investigation waspleted, the first thing he would do to the two mages was to inflict painful torture. Upon reflection, the Goblins¡¯ movements and the incidents involving Luna were closely connected, as if they were interlinked. ¡°Have you contacted all the regional leaders of Rhodes?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Nightale and Oceania have confirmed their arrival.¡±


    Alkrevas leaned back against the headboard and stared into the distance nkly. His mind was flooded with countless thoughts. About Luna, the Court Council, Goblin terror, the protective shield, and the two ck mages disturbing Vasilos¡¯ peace. Not to mention the internal issues of the Empire that required his attention; don¡¯t forget about the benefactor that the ck mages mentioned to Luna, which means a traitor roams freely inside his pce. If only he could mutate, Alkrevas might have done so to reduce the problems. ¡°For now, we focus on the more urgent matters. Immediately sterilize the city square for the shield¡¯s renewal. I¡¯ll prepare to meet the Mages.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± Sigmund replied obediently, but he didn¡¯t leave immediately. Alkrevas knew that his trusted aide still needed to finish his business. ¡°What else?¡±


    Before refocusing on the Emperor, Sigmund nced at Luna, sleeping beside Alkrevas. ¡°Regarding Miss Luna¡­¡±


    Luna, sleeping soundly, suddenly felt disturbed by the nearby conversation, pulling her out of her dreams. Slowly, her eyes opened and squinted as the blinding light pierced her vision. She took a slow breath, blinking to adjust her sight, before realizing the source of the conversation that had disturbed her sleep.


    ¡°Alkrevas?¡± Luna murmured. The man immediately turned to her and raised his hand as if to cup her face, but Luna quickly diverted her gaze toward Sigmund, who stood near the door with his head bowed. She did this not without reason; besides feeling embarrassed because the memory ofst night reyed in her mind, she also had not fully forgiven Alkrevas. Still, she needed to process the information the man had told her. Luna thought I must find the right time to interrogate Alkrevas about his confession.


    A growl sounded beside her, and Luna gasped as Alkrevas grabbed her jaw firmly, forcing her to look back at him. Luna¡¯s heart stopped as she saw the intense darkness clouded Alkrevas¡¯s face. ¡°Are you avoiding me? Are you trying to avoid me, little mate?¡± Luna wanted to respond snappily but kept her mouth shut because whatever discussion between Alkrevas and Sigmund had soured the man¡¯s mood, meaning Luna had to retreat and avoid provoking a fight.


    ¡°Little mate, you are truly testing my patience.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡±


    There was a knock on the door. Alkrevas initially ignored the knock and focused his sharp gaze on Luna. Still, after he nodded at Sigmund without ever taking his eyes off Luna, Sigmund understood and went to open the door. ¡°Alpha.¡± Alkrevas shifted his gaze from Luna and looked at his Beta with an irritated expression for arriving at an inconvenient time. Fortunately, he had dressed Luna in his shirt while his soulmate was asleep. Otherwise, he might have gone mad for exposing Luna¡¯s body to another man, especially after all his efforts to deceive and manipte many people¡¯s minds.


    ¡°What is it, Beta?¡±


    Beta Savon nced briefly at Luna, who was ring daggers at Alkrevas, before returning his focus to Alkrevas. ¡°General Almbra and General Thea are trying to contact you via magicalmunication broadcast.¡± He bowed his head when he received a growl from Alkrevas.


    Meanwhile, Luna, observing Alkrevas, struggled to suppress a smile as she noticed the man¡¯s furrowed, irritated brow. He was annoyed with everyone, as they indirectly kept pulling him away from her for work. Should Luna add a little more spice? She bit her lower lip and murmured, ¡°Our conversation isn¡¯t over, Your Majesty. Regarding your exnation and words fromst night, you need to exin them to me.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. It seemed the man was at the end of his patience. ¡°Little mate, I-¡±


    ¡°If you won¡¯t give me what I want, you might as well leave. Besides, you seem so busy.¡± Then Luna pushed the nket aside and got out of bed.


    For a moment, she hesitated to do all that because of the fear of her body not being covered. Still, when she looked down and saw Alkrevas¡¯s shirt clinging to her body, the doubts in her heart vanished. She stood up, thankful that Alkrevas was arge and tall man, making his shirt more like a knee-length dress on her. Luna briefly nodded to Sigmund and Beta Savon before sitting in the chair where the breakfast was neatly served. For a moment, she winced because of the soreness and ache in her back and lower body, especially her intimate area, but Luna tried to act normally. She could hurl curses and insults at Alkrevas after the man had left.


    There was a brief silence before Luna heard the rustling of fabric from the direction of the bed, followed by footsteps approaching. She felt Alkrevas¡¯s hand stroke her head, and spontaneously, Luna pped the hand away rather harshly. Her eyes widened briefly before she looked at Alkrevas. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to-¡±


    Alkrevas, with a face darkened by anger, stood still. His fists clenched at his sides before he turned away and walked towards the door. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go. After all, I deserve it.¡± After that, Alkrevas stepped past Sigmund and Beta Savon before altogether leaving. Luna just sat there nervously, staring at the two men who still stood in disbelief. Momentster, they came to their senses. Beta Savon was the first to bow to her before leaving Luna alone with Sigmund.


    There was a moment of silence before Sigmund spoke, ¡°I want to say something to you, Miss Luna.¡± Luna blinked in surprise before giving a stiff nod. ¡°Please don¡¯t hate His Majesty too much; behind his actions and decisions, he is only thinking of you. Whatever His Majesty decides, it¡¯s all for you.¡± Instantly, Luna was reminded of Alkrevas¡¯s ambiguous confession. ¡°He just doesn¡¯t want you to hate Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°Is this rted to the Public Mating?¡±


    Sigmund pressed his lips thin and replied, ¡°I cannot answer, but I beg your mercy in forgiving him. His Majesty may be difficult and temperamental, but he is a good person.¡±


    ¡°You seem very loyal to him. How long have you been working as His Majesty¡¯s chief aide, sir?¡±


    ¡°Since he was still the Crown Prince.¡±


    Luna gasped. ¡°That means¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, I have been His Majesty¡¯s childhood friend.¡±


    ¡­¡­

 Goblin Terror (2)

    ¡°Miss, it¡¯s freezing today; you should close the window to avoid getting sick,¡± said one of the attendants stationed in her room. Luna gazed at the sky for a moment before turning around to look at the attendant with an expression that was hard to describe.


    She seemed remarkably calm for a woman who had recently gone through something terrible. Even in retrospect, Luna hadn¡¯t roared or raged in front of Alkrevas nor tried to kill him in retaliation.


    Her hand lifted to touch the two im marks on the right side of her neck before moving to the mark on the left, the sign of an absolute bond. Luna needed to learn precisely how the absolute bond urred or formed. Still, Alkrevas had mentioned it right before he sank his fangs into her neck, leaving a imed mark that appearedrger and deeper on the left side when Luna looked in the mirror.


    She stared at the attendant who had spoken to her momentarily and asked, ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t know where my attendants are?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss, I was only assigned to serve you.¡±


    Luna sighed heavily and turned her gaze back to the evening sky. She wondered what had happened to Judith and the others. No one would tell her, and she hadn¡¯t had a chance to ask Alkrevas. She should have taken the opportunity to ask Sigmund. Still, the man¡¯s words had shocked her so much that by the time she recovered from her surprise, Sigmund had already left the room.


    Luna had tried to wait for Alkrevas, but when she was informed that Alkrevas had left the pce for essential duties, her hopes of getting his information were dashed. ¡°Do you know why His Majesty left the pce?¡±


    ¡°His Majesty, along with the Mages from the Magic Tower, is inspecting the critical points of the protective magic shield and repairing the damaged shields.¡± Luna frowned. Her heart ached and felt stabbed upon hearing that answer because, indirectly, the shield¡¯s destruction was her doing. Luna lowered her head and looked at her hands sped together. The wind blew stronger against her, and because the tower was rtively high, the wind felt twice as powerful.


    ¡°Is the impact really that big?¡± Luna asked the attendant.


    ¡°Yes, Miss, some areas on the Vasilos border have already experienced Goblin terror. I heard that right after the shield copsed, the Goblins destroyed fortresses and attacked nearby regions,¡± as if they had been waiting for the right moment and had nned it meticulously. Luna concluded silently, and she wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the mastermind behind the Goblin terror were Abigail.


    ¡°Why do the Goblins want to destroy Vasilos?¡±


    ¡°They are greedy creatures who desire Vasilos¡¯s vast territory.¡± But it couldn¡¯t be without a reason, could it? Luna asked herself internally. ¡°In the past, the Goblin territory was adjacent to Vasilos, but the former Emperor took over the Goblinnds, not without reason, as the Goblins were destroying the ecosystem and the Rhodes nts that were highly protected. Foryeust was the first to request Vasilos to get rid of those monsters.¡±


    So, does that mean Vasilos was doing someone else¡¯s job? Well, Luna couldn¡¯t me Vasilos if, in the end, the territories seized from the Goblins would be part of Vasilos¡¯snds. It was something beneficial yet simultaneously disadvantageous. ¡°It seems the pce attendants and servants know much about internal affairs.¡±


    The attendant bowed shyly and murmured, ¡°Some of the attendants are soulmates of the pce¡¯s official staff.¡± That means the first thing Luna needed to do was ensure the staff kept their mouths shut and didn¡¯t speak carelessly in the future.


    Luna said nothing more and returned to staring at the sky. The wind blew strongly again. It seemed the cold air was the aftermath ofst night¡¯s storm. The simple dress she was wearing fluttered in the wind. Her mind returned to the attendant¡¯s words, making her wonder what would have happened if she hadn¡¯t sought Ghea¡¯s help.


    Could all that had happened have been avoided? Luna sighed heavily and looked up, observing the peaceful evening sky. Yesterday, at the same time, she was preparing to face her nightmare, and now, it felt like yesterday¡¯s events were unreal and just a distant memory. Don¡¯t hate His Majesty too much¡­ Sigmund¡¯s words from earlier that morning echoed in her mind, causing her heart and thoughts to sh. If her heart said no, her mind said yes.


    ¡°I better hear his exnation first¡­¡± Luna muttered to herself. She ced her elbow on the window frame and rested her chin on her hand, her eyes watching the birds flying freely.


    The peace surrounding her was suddenly disturbed by a pair of hands draping a coat over her shoulders. Luna immediately straightened up and turned around, her eyesnding directly on Alkrevas, looking impable. Luna lowered her gaze and examined the Emperor¡¯s coat. The fabric and stitching were of the highest quality, adorned with elegant decorations and details, and the colours reflected a dignified nature. Luna touched the medal hanging on the right chest of the coat before looking back at Alkrevas.


    She nced briefly into the room and noticed the attendant who had been with her had left. ¡°What I don¡¯t need right now is to see you bedridden and sick, Luna,¡± Alkrevasmented with a tone full of displeasure.


    Luna looked back at the Emperor¡¯s face. Her hand itched to brush aside the strands of hair that had fallen on his forehead. Luna walked past Alkrevas and stood by the side of the bed, and her back turned to where he was standing. She said nothing, just kept silent.


    ¡°So now you don¡¯t want to talk to me?¡± A sigh was heard, and Alkrevas added, ¡°It would be better if you vent your anger at me, do what you did to mest night, or give me hostile words like before, rather than being silent like this and avoiding me.¡± Luna still didn¡¯t need to respond. ¡°Say something.¡±


    A sigh escaped Luna¡¯s lips. She should have done thisst night, too, but her body always acted independently regarding Alkrevas. However, the way she had handled itst night was more effective than what she was doing now to get Alkrevas to open up because Luna was one hundred per cent sure that he wouldn¡¯t talk about the public mating with her and would prefer to be the ¡®bad guy¡¯ acting selfishly.


    She turned around and saw sadness and pain filling the man¡¯s brown eyes. ¡°You just need to tell me honestly, Alkrevas. Exin to me what you meant by all your words to me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t pay attention to what I said. It was all just nonsense.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense? Hah!¡± Luna ran her hands through her hair in frustration. ¡°You¡¯re saying it was all nonsense you made up?¡± Luna asked incredulously. She then took a deep breath to calm her emotions and said, ¡°You know that conversations in bed are more honest than anything.¡± Luna folded her arms across her chest and added, ¡°Or do you want me to do that to you again? And this time, I won¡¯t let you touch me.¡±


    ¡°Luna, I could go insane if you do that again.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your choice.¡±


    Alkrevas walked up to her, grabbed her arm, and guided her to a chair in the room. He sat Luna down in one of the chairs and opened his mouth to speak but stopped when a mind link suddenly entered his head. His gaze became cloudy as Alkrevas listened to Thymos¡¯s report on the situation at the imperial border, which Goblins had attacked. Then, a second mind link came this time from Markus.


    ¡°Alkrevas, I surrender. Come to the mansion now, and we¡¯ll talk. I¡¯m waiting.¡± After that, Alkrevas¡¯s clouded eyes returned to normal. He breathed a sigh of relief because Markus had finally stopped being stubborn, then looked straight at Luna, watching him with a questioning look.


    ¡°I¡­ tomorrow and the day after, I won¡¯te to see you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good¡­¡± Luna muttered coldly.


    Alkrevas clicked his tongue and slowly stood up. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything strange or leave the pce. Tomorrow is the night of the full moon.¡±


    ¡°Full moon night¡­¡± Luna shivered as memories of that night resurfaced in her mind. She then studied Alkrevas more closely before nodding obediently. This time, she preferred toply and do nothing rather than face the horrors likest time; besides, her body still needed recovery. ¡°I understand¡­¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go now.¡±


    ¡°What? What about our conversation?¡±


    Alkrevas paused momentarily and replied, ¡°I¡¯ll exin everything when I find the right time.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t need the right time; I just need an exnation-Hey! Where are you going?¡± Luna stood up and looked in disbelief at Alkrevas, who had already taken long strides toward the exit. Before she could follow him, the door had already shut tightly, leaving Luna alone in the room with evident frustration on her face.


    ¡­


    In the early hours, Alkrevas returned to the room in the East Tower where Luna was staying. He stepped cautiously and quietly to avoid making any noise that might disturb her sleep. His steps halted beside the bed, and he leaned down, gently brushing Luna¡¯s face as he exhaled softly. Slowly, he sat on the edge of the bed, causing a rtively loud creaking sound. Alkrevas held his breath and froze when he saw Luna stir and mumble but breathed a sigh of relief when she remained sound asleep.


    His hand moved to y with Luna¡¯s hair, which was spread across the pillow, and a small smile appeared on his lips as he watched her move closer to him, seeking the warmth emanating from his body. Alkrevas removed his shoes and coat andy beside Luna. There was no harm in lying beside his soulmate for a few hours before leaving.


    He closed his eyes and inhaled Luna¡¯s scent, which had returned to what it was before, a mix of her natural scent with his own. Then, his hand stroked the im mark on the right side of her neck. Norris growled contentedly in his mind and said, ¡°Imagine if our child is born one day, mortal. They would surely be as beautiful as their mother.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. ¡°Don¡¯t think about that just yet, Norris; we can¡¯t expect anything right now. Not when the situation is dire. Besides, it¡¯s all up to mate¡¯s decision and desire.¡±


    Norris nodded in agreement. ¡°What are you going to do about Markus? I can give Alpha Command to Oalo if you want,¡± said Norris with a broad, cruel grin. ¡°Or have a duel? A little reminder of who¡¯s in charge isn¡¯t bad; besides, it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve fought.¡±


    ¡°Norris, Markus is Luna¡¯s family¡­ we can¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°As long as mate doesn¡¯t know, it¡¯s no problem,¡± Norris growled joyfully and was full of adrenaline. ¡°He dared to threaten us. We must ensure he understands that Luna belongs to us, not Veniam.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed deeply and cut offmunication with Norris because he knew his wolf would only think about subduing Markus with violence and showing dominance, nothing more. However, Alkrevas had to remember that Markus¡¯s dedication and contribution to Vasilos were significant; he couldn¡¯t lose his chancellor and best prime minister. Besides, why was he even listening to Norris¡¯s aggressive words? The influence of the full moon was starting to cloud Norris¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Ah. Don¡¯t even think about trying to meet mate during the full moon, Norris.¡±


    ¡°Tch! She¡¯s my soulmate too. I have the right to see her.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember what happenedst time? Do you want to make mate even more afraid of you?¡±


    Norris growled in frustration and chose to turn his back, flicking his tail arrogantly at him. Alkrevas shook his head, seeing his wolf spirit¡¯s sometimes exasperating behaviour. His eyes lingered on Luna¡¯s soft lips, and unconsciously, his fingers touched them, stroking and feeling their softness, making Alkrevas unable to resist stealing a kiss from Luna¡¯s lips. Alkrevas murmured, ¡°Do you know you have a family, Luna? Not just here, but in your world¡­ you¡¯re not alone¡­¡±


    Alkrevas smiled sadly. ¡°How lucky you are to still have family, while I only have you¡­ so please, don¡¯t leave me. Don¡¯t abandon me, because you¡¯re my only family; if you go, how will I survive?¡±


    Alkrevas closed his eyes, recalling Markus¡¯s words. ¡°Alkrevas, let me tell you something. I can take Luna from you and bring her to the ce she longs for, where you cannot reach her. Only I have ess to it. So please don¡¯t mess with me. If you keep hurting Luna, I won¡¯t stand by. I will do what I should have done from the start: take Luna away¡­ Remember, Alkrevas, the portal mirror belongs to Veniam. Unlike the portal mirror in Foryeust, I won¡¯t let you get near that mirror and destroy it.¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­.

 Norris (1)

    The next evening, Luna had finished dinner and was preparing for bed. Her eyes lingered on the window protected by magical wards for a moment. Yet, she could still see the clear night sky with the full moon beautifully adorning the dark expanse. Its bright light captivated Luna. A smile formed on her lips as she remembered Judith¡¯sst words about the full moon. ¡°You know, miss, legend has it that the reason why the full moon is the werewolves¡¯ weakness?¡±


    ¡°Why? I¡¯m really curious.¡±


    Judith, who had just expertly finished tidying the bed, straightened up and turned to look at Luna. A gentle smile graced the woman¡¯s face. ¡°Because during the full moon, it is said that the Moon Goddess sets foot on earth to meet her children, but during that time, the werewolves ended up hurting her.¡±


    ¡°Hurting Selene? How could they? Didn¡¯t they realize she was the Moon Goddess?¡± Luna asked, puzzled.


    ¡°The Moon Goddess came in the form of a beautiful woman, which mesmerized the werewolves, and they conspired to im her. By the time they realized their mistake, it was toote. The Moon Goddess cursed the werewolves during the full moon.¡±


    ¡°Oh wow¡­ I never would have guessed. When I think about it, there are so many things I don¡¯t know about werewolves themselves.¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Judith smiled softly. ¡°Don¡¯t rush, miss. You have plenty of time to get to know werewolves.¡± Luna nodded but then frowned in confusion. She looked at Judith, who showed no suspicion or curiosity about her limited knowledge of this world. Judith didn¡¯t even ask anything about her life, as if the woman trusted her enough anymore.


    ¡°Thank you, Judith,¡± Luna murmured. Because of this woman, she didn¡¯t feel alone or like an outsider.


    Luna sighed profoundly and pulled back the nket before climbing into bed. No one has shown any concern for her or asked about her feelings. If Judith were here, that might be the first thing she would do for her.


    Lunay down on the bed and closed her eyes, missing the woman she hade to regard as so necessary. She had never felt even a fraction of the affection Judith had given her. Whether it was just a job or genuinely given, Luna felt deeply grateful to Judith. A single tear slid down her cheek, followed by more, before she cried silently. At least, with the full moon tonight, Luna had time to sort out her feelings. She released the emotions she had been holding back since the public mating.


    Luna cried for quite some time, and when exhaustion finally overwhelmed her, and her eyes started to swell from shedding tears, Luna decided to try to sleep. Unfortunately, she couldn¡¯t, as her eyes refused to close despite her drowsiness. The dream world she longed for did note, which irritated Luna. She opened her eyes, feeling frustrated, sad, then angry-she felt all sorts of negative emotions. Her feelings changed so quickly, like a sign she usually experienced when she was about to have her period.


    She tossed and turned, trying to find afortable position, but couldn¡¯t. Suddenly, she sat up, this time crying out of frustration. Why did she feel so uneasy? Why did she feel ufortable? Wait a minute! Come to think of it, since her arrival in this world, Luna hadn¡¯t experienced menstruation even once. Her brow furrowed in worry.


    From the start, her period schedule had been irregr, but she¡¯d been in this world for quite some time now. Then her face paled. Could there be something wrong with her body? Luna looked down and touched her stomach. No¡­ it can¡¯t be¡­ Amid her panic, Luna hurriedly got out of bed, causing her feet to tangle in the nket, and she fell off the bed with a loud thud.


    Luna quickly got up, ran to the dressing room, closed the door, and started pacing anxiously. A doctor? Should Luna call a doctor? No! She shouldn¡¯t think the worst; maybe she had missed her period due to prolonged stress.


    Do you remember? You had sex with Alkrevas, and that man always released his seed inside your body. Her mind reminded her tly. Luna groaned and tugged at her hair in frustration. Then, she remembered the knotting that Alkrevas had done during one of their encounters. Luna groaned and kicked the nearest object, then slumped to the floor, exhausted.


    Luna couldn¡¯t think that way; she had to believe that her dy was due to stress. If only Judith were by her side, she could ask the woman or seek help, but she was all alone right now. Luna took a deep breath. Perhaps her erratic emotions were the result of everything that had happened in the past few days,pounded by her impending menstruation. Yes! That was the only exnation she could think of.


    Luna took a deep breath to calm herself. She was grateful Alkrevas hadn¡¯te here, or Luna might have lost control and taken out her emotions on him.


    She stood in the middle of the dressing room. Her body, which had just begun to rx, instantly tensed up again when she heard ss shattering inside her room. Alertness took over, and Luna moved cautiously toward the door. The sound of breaking ss was followed by amotion as if someone was ransacking or destroying the room. If this were a movie she watched, Luna would probably have been screaming at herself to hide or run. Still, now she understood how the female characters felt in such tense situations-curiosity.


    Curiosity kills the cat. She certainly felt afraid, but simultaneously, a deep curiosity overwhelmed her. It was as if something was urging her to open the door and peek to see what was happening in her room, and unfortunately, that¡¯s precisely what she did. Carefully, Luna turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door.


    If it was an assassin like Alkrevas had mentioned, Luna could only fight with whatever she had until the pce guards arrived, but if it was something else¡­ Luna couldn¡¯t guess what that might be.


    She peeked around her bedroom from the crack in the door and held her breath when she saw a significant, dark, furry figure standing near her bed, sniffing her pillow. Luna immediately stepped back, trembling violently, shocked by her body¡¯s traumatic reaction. She looked down at her hands before ncing back at the door she had left open in fear.


    Luna looked to her left and right, searching for a ce to hide, then realized that the wardrobe in her dressing room wasrge enough to amodate her. Should she be afraid? What if that wardrobe was also a portal to another world? Luna shook her head to dismiss the random thought. She stood up and began to move cautiously. Still, misfortune seemed to be ying tricks on her because her hand identally knocked over an essory she had worn earlier that day, causing it to fall to the floor with a loud tter.


    Luna immediately held her breath as she heard heavy, terrifying footsteps. Not long after, the door just a short distance in front of her burst open with enough force toe off its hinges. Luna held her breath as her brown eyes met dark red ones.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..

 Norris (2)

    ¡°Mate,¡± the creature growled softly, none other than Norris, the Lycan, and the wolf side of Alkrevas.


    ¡°N-Norris¡­¡±


    ¡°My mate¡­ I missed you¡­¡± Norris said in a voice deeper than Alkrevas¡¯s, with an Alpha aura and aggressive energy emanating strongly from the Lycan¡¯s body. Luna eyed the deadly ws before ncing at the Lycan¡¯s snout. She stepped back nervously and carefully, not wanting to reveal her intentions to Norris.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°No, mate. Don¡¯t be afraid of me¡­ don¡¯t¡­ forgive me¡­ I hurt my mate¡­¡±


    Luna felt her back press against something hard, and when she turned, she realized she was cornered against the wall of the Tower.


    Damn it! Luna cursed inwardly and looked back at Norris. She saw the Lycan step closer, making her body tremble even more with fear, and her heart pounded rapidly.


    ¡°You¡­ how did you get in? Alkrevas set up protective magic¡­¡± Luna dared to ask, trying to push aside her fear and trauma. She felt so pathetic at that moment, cornered and trembling with fear. She felt like prey, while Norris was the predator, which, in reality, he was.


    ¡°I wanted to see my mate, mortals can¡¯t do anything.¡±


    ¡°Are you going to do that to me again?¡±


    Norris shook his head.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you do that to me again?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt my mate, and I¡¯m holding back so my mate won¡¯t hate me even more.¡± Luna believed it was difficult for him to do so, especially on a moon night like this. She remembered the knights saying that Norris would kill all the criminals on a moon night as an outlet for the full moon¡¯s effects.


    Luna held her breath and closed her eyes when she saw the Lycan suddenly raise his hand, reaching out to her, making her mind sh back to that night in the underground prison. But the dark memory faded when she heard a sad whimper. Slowly, Luna hesitantly opened her eyes and widened them in shock when she saw Norris crouching with a tragic expression. The Lycan¡¯s eyes looked round like a puppy¡¯s, and his tail moved slowly before tucking between his hind legs. Luna blinked in surprise, seeing Norris behaving like a puppy seeking attention and affection. Then she watched as Norris crawled closer and stopped right at her feet.


    The whimpering continued, and Luna wasn¡¯t sure what surprised her more, seeing Norris enter her room or witnessing the world¡¯s most dangerous predator cowering, kneeling, and acting like a puppy in front of her.


    Luna didn¡¯t know how to react. Her body was stiff, and her heart couldn¡¯t stop pounding rapidly. Cold sweat began to dampen the nape of her neck and her temples. Norris whimpered again, widening his eyes at her, behaving so submissively. Luna swallowed hard and extended her hand, and suddenly, Norris stuck out his tongue and licked her palm in a gesture full of apology.


    Luna couldn¡¯t help but let the corners of her lips lift. Could this dangerous predator be adorable? Her trauma still loomed over her, but unlike before, a tiny spark of courage allowed Luna to consider giving Norris a second chance.


    After that lick, Norris stood still like a statue. He remained frozen, his red eyes watching her silently. If Luna hadn¡¯t seen the Lycan breathing, she might have thought the creature in front of her was just a statue. She clenched her hand before touching Norris¡¯s head with a hand that was trembling violently.


    At that moment, she hadn¡¯t had the chance to admire or feel the presence of the Lycan before her because she had been consumed by fear, but now she could observe and feel Norris more closely. Like the night sky, his thick, ck fur felt so soft against her palm. A contented purring sound emerged as Norris slowly closed his eyes, hiding the intense red gaze that had been fixed on her.


    Luna scratched the back of Norris¡¯s ear, which twitched, and the purring grew louder. Unconsciously, the corners of Luna¡¯s lips lifted further into a broad smile.


    ¡°Aww¡­ are you trying to win my sympathy?¡± Luna asked, looking into Norris¡¯s red eyes. A soft growl escaped the Lycan¡¯s snout, and he licked Luna¡¯s palm again.


    Luna chuckled softly and scratched behind Norris¡¯s ear, making the Lycan¡¯s tail wag even faster. ¡°No matter how hard you try to be as cute as a puppy, you can¡¯t pull it off.¡±


    Luna looked at Norris¡¯s giant body. ¡°And in case you want to know, I¡¯m a cat lover.¡± Wait, are there cats and dogs in this world?


    ¡°I¡¯m not a cat¡­¡±


    Luna mused inwardly, and with Norris¡¯s response, she already knew the answer to her question. However, she had never seen any cats or dogs here. Could a werewolf keep pets? She shook her head, withdrew her hand, and crossed her arms over her chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to try to be fair. I gave Alkrevas a chance to talk and exin honestly.¡± Luna took a deep breath and continued, ¡°I¡¯ll give you the same chance, Norris.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Norris asked, his eyes brightening.


    Luna observed Norris. ¡°You¡¯re not acting aggressive like before. This is a full moon night. Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±


    ¡°I would do anything for my mate. I also seek mercy and forgiveness from my mate.¡±


    Luna needed to be sure because that would mean Norris was ignoring his instincts as a predator.


    Still, somehow, those words made her tense, stiff body rx again. ¡°Alkrevas should learn from you.¡±


    Norris grinned broadly and smugly muttered to Alkrevas through their mental connection, ¡°Did you hear what mate said, mortal? Mate said I¡¯m better than you. You should learn from me.¡±


    ¡°Hah! She doesn¡¯t know how sneaky and terrifying you are. You¡¯re just like me, Norris.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m willing to kneel at her feet. You¡¯re not. That means I win. Mate likes me better.¡± After that, Norris cut off themunication and slowly stood up.


    Luna stepped back as she watched the Lycan rise to his full height. She was about to move further away but gasped in surprise when Norris scooped her up and carried her bridal style out of the room.


    ¡°I disagree with that mortal who locked you in this Tower,¡± Norris said as he stepped into the now-destroyed bedroom. Luna blinked and looked around before taking a shaky breath. ¡°I¡¯d rather have my mate sleep in the Royal Chamber surrounded by luxury. This ce feels like a birdcage. Norris doesn¡¯t like it. It¡¯s cramped and suffocating.¡±


    For the first time, Luna agreed with Norris. ¡°So you destroyed this room?¡±


    ¡°Yes, so that mortal wouldn¡¯t force you to sleep here again.¡±


    Luna giggled, and without realizing it, she lifted her hand and patted Norris¡¯s head with a proud look, making Norris purr with pleasure. When Luna realized what she had done, she froze in shock. There was no fear or difort, only a sense of calm. It was as if what she had done was the most natural thing in the world.


    She identally touched Norris¡¯s wet nose, causing the Lycan¡¯s red eyes to gaze at her with amusement. ¡°Why do I feel sofortable with you so easily?¡±


    ¡°Norris is trying to heal the wounds and trauma in my mate¡¯s heart.¡±


    Luna rolled her eyes and shifted slightly. ¡°Put me down. I can walk on my own.¡±


    ¡°No. There¡¯s a lot of ss and wood. I don¡¯t want my mate to get hurt.¡± Then Norris walked out the door and down the stairs, ignoring the maids and pce guards who stood frozen in shock.


    Once they reached the Royal Chamber, Norris set Luna down in the middle of the room and led her to the bed. He made sure Luna satfortably before curling up protectively at her feet. Norris¡¯s head was raised, and his tail asionally brushed against Luna¡¯s legs. His red eyes looked up at Luna¡¯s face before he said, ¡°Norris made a big mistake with my mate. Forgive me.¡±


    ¡°I will decide whether to forgive you or not after hearing your exnation.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I couldn¡¯t control myself when I met my mate. I should have realized that my mate was afraid of me.¡± Thinking back on it, all of that happened because of his own mistakes, and Norris had never once thought of it that way, choosing to me everything on himself instead.


    Luna was amazed, especially considering Norris was an Alpha. It made her heart race, but this time not out of fear but because of something else. ¡°If only I could turn back time when I first saw my mate, I should have just turned around and left.¡±


    ¡°Norris¡­ it wasn¡¯t entirely your fault¡­ I yed a part in that mistake, too,¡± Luna said sadly. Then she looked down and observed Norris¡¯ red eyes, filled with various emotions.


    Luna realized that while she had previously been so afraid of Norris and felt morefortable with Alkrevas, now it was the opposite. Norrisid his head on his folded front paws and closed his eyes. ¡°Do you want to sleep here?¡±


    ¡°I will guard my mate from danger until morning. I also haven¡¯t finished exining things to my mate. This time, I want to talk to my mate.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Luna lowered herself to the floor, and with a sudden surge of courage, she gently stroked Norris¡¯s back. ¡°What else do you want to exin to me about that night?¡±


    ¡°As the mortal said, I lost control because he kept me from meeting my mate.¡± Luna nodded, recalling Alkrevas¡¯s exnation of what Norris had done to her. ¡°I won¡¯t make the same mistake again. I promise. Do you hate the mortal? He hurt you by lying.¡±


    ¡°Lying?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The mortal didn¡¯t perform the public mating. We could never do that. Our mate belongs only to us, and only the mortal and I can see your body.¡±


    ¡°What? What do you mean?¡± Then Luna remembered Alkrevas¡¯s ambiguous muttering the night before. ¡°So¡­ it was all just a trick?¡±


    ¡°I never agreed to public mating, and neither did the mortal. But those bastards wanted that outdated tradition as proof that you are loyal to us.¡±


    Bastards? Who? Were they the nobles? Luna huffed in frustration. She hadn¡¯t expected that was what Alkrevas meant. So he deceived her? How outrageous! Then she looked at Norris. A sly smile curled on her lips as a realization dawned on her.


    Instead of teasing, it was better to take advantage of the resources in front of her. ¡°Alright, Norris. Will you tell me everything? Everything that Alkrevas didn¡¯t tell me. I will forgive you if you do.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Norris asked with bright, eager eyes. His tail thumped rapidly against the floor, showing his excitement and enthusiasm. ¡°I will do anything for my mate!¡±


    No, Norris. Could you not do it? Alkrevas protested in his thoughts.


    Norris ignored Alkrevas because he was determined to do whatever it took to win over the mate he so desperately desired. He saw Luna nodding, and Norris began to tell his story.


    Meanwhile, Alkrevas could only remain silent, listening in his mind. He could only groan in frustration and sigh in resignation. Unsurprisingly, Norris would be so cunning and do whatever it took to earn Luna¡¯s praise. Alkrevas regretted being unable to tell her, even though Norris was technically a part of him. It still felt different because it didn¡¯te from his mouth.


    Damn, wolf! Alkrevas cursed Norris, who was grinning smugly at him.


    That night, for the first time, Luna spoke with a Lycan who curled around her protectively.


    ¡­.

 The Arrival of Grand Duke Veniam (1)

    The following day, Luna woke up feeling lighter. She yawned widely as she sat up. Her arms stretched wide, and her eyes blinked quickly to adjust to the light streaming into the room from the window. She took a moment to breathe in and savour the morning peace that filled the room. Her conversation with Norrisst night had eased her wounded heart a little, and her anger had subsided, though not wholly.


    Recalling all of that made Luna subconsciously search for Norris. Still, she didn¡¯t find the Lycan, which meant Norris had returned to his human form, and Alkrevas had taken over. However, the thought vanished when she heard a soft snore at the foot of her bed. Luna slowly crawled across the bed towards the source of the sound and smiled in amusement when she saw Norris curled up like a cat, fast asleep.


    His eyes were tightly shut, and his breathing was steady. However, if observed closely, the Lycan was still alert, as evidenced by his ears twitching asionally. Luna giggled and wished she could find her phone; if she did, she could take a picture of Norris and show it to Marinka and Lucyter, proving that what she saw was real.


    But then she paused, the thought bringing back the image of Lucy crying in the mirror. Luna raised her hand, clutching her nightgown at her chest where the stabbing pain felt strongest. Taking a deep breath, Luna tried to steady her emotions.


    Once again, she had to suppress the turmoil within her, bury it, and act as usual-something she had done often, even when she was young. The sound of movement reached her ears. Luna blinked, then smiled as she watched Norris stretch and yawn, reminding her that the monster before her was also half-animal. She reached out and briefly patted the Lycan¡¯s head, causing his red eyes to focus on her. ¡°Mate. Good morning.¡±


    ¡°Good morning.¡± Luna¡¯s smile widened at the greeting that warmed her heart. She shook her head to dismiss the fluttering feeling, realizing that she was starting to get used to Norris speaking.


    Luna slowly stepped off the bed and did some light stretches, which made Norris look at her with a puzzled expression. ¡°This is called morning stretching. I usually do it before my morning run around the city park.¡±


    ¡°Mate not tired?¡±


    Luna chuckled softly. ¡°Once you¡¯re used to it, you won¡¯t get tired. Besides, the city park isn¡¯t as vast as the entire imperial pce grounds¡­¡± Luna nced briefly at Norris and continued, ¡°I also do this when I practice yoga.¡±


    ¡°Yo¡­ ga¡­?¡±


    Luna didn¡¯t respond further because if she had to exin what yoga was, it would take quite a while. Besides, she didn¡¯t want Norris or Alkrevas to overreact to her favourite exercise.


    ¡°Should I go for a morning run?¡± She felt like she hadn¡¯t exercised in a long time; maybe that was one of the reasons her period waste. Besides, how could she exercise when her clothes were just gowns and skirts? Luna wondered about the women who lived in the past when wearing pants was not allowed for them.


    Luna nced at Norris and saw the lycan sitting with his back legs folded and his front legs supporting him while his tail slowly swayed from side to side. His red eyes stared intensely at her, and asionally, the lycan yawned.


    ¡°Not nning to return to your human form?¡± Luna asked curiously. Fortunately, she was no longer at the tower and was back in Alkrevas¡¯s bedroom, so she didn¡¯t have to feel the chill from the strong morning breeze. She walked to the window and opened it, then stood in the sunlight, savouring the warmth that seeped into her pores.


    Norris chose to observe in silence. asionally, he wagged his tail to show that he was happy.


    ¡°You¡¯re truly embarrassing me, Norris.¡± Alkrevas grumbled irritably in his mind. Norris said nothing. He didn¡¯t care about Alkrevas¡¯s words or his behaviour like a puppy, as long as it meant Luna would soften towards him and be warm. No longer afraid, avoiding, ring, or trembling in his presence.


    He heard Alkrevas sigh and mutter softly, ¡°Fine, just not in front of many people.


    ¡°I know, I¡¯m not that foolish, mortal. I¡¯m also an Alpha.¡± Norris cut offmunication with Alkrevas and asked Luna, ¡°Mate, breakfast?¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. I need to get ready.¡± Luna said with a small smile. She looked around and noticed some changes in the room. Were there repairs after Ghea had entered and caused some havoc here? ¡°Umm¡­ I wanted to ask, where are Judith and my personal maids?¡±


    Norris paused as if unsure how to answer, and Luna could bet that the Lycan was debating with his human counterpart over whether to answer her question or not. Luna nervously clenched the hem of her nightgown. She breathed a sigh of relief when Norris finally looked directly at her. ¡°All A paralyzing spell has hit all your maidsme of them didn¡¯t survive because the magic attacking their bodies was too strong.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Luna gasped in disbelief.


    Norris let out a soft breath before stepping closer to her, but his steps halted as the sound of cracking bones signalled the lycan shifting into his human form. Luna blinked as Norris¡¯s red eyes slowly turned into Alkrevas¡¯s cold, deep, and mysterious brown eyes. With his body bare, without a single piece of clothing, Alkrevas reached for Luna and pulled her into an embrace.


    ¡°This is why I didn¡¯t want to tell you about Judith and the others.¡± Luna¡¯s body trembled, and tears flowed down her cheeks without her consent. ¡°Do you remember themander of The Shadow?¡±


    ¡°Damon.¡±


    ¡°He was also hit by the paralyzing spell, but unlike your maids, he survived and is recovering because he is half-demon, but not them. Most of the maids, handmaidens, and servants of the Emperor are omegas, whose power is not much different from mortals.¡±


    Luna sobbed softly and returned Alkrevas¡¯s embrace. Sadness, guilt, and loss all mixed within her, overwhelming her. Luna, who had just begun to feel a bit of peace and relief, now felt heavy and suffocated once more. Her body trembled. Tears streamed down her cheeks and soaked Alkrevas¡¯s broad chest. ¡°This¡­ is my fault¡­¡±


    ¡°Luna¡­¡± Alkrevas gently stroked Luna¡¯s head, trying to soothe his soulmate¡¯s wounded heart, then murmured, ¡°If you wish, I can take you to Moon Lake. Those who served well, their ashes are scattered there as a final honor for their service to the empire.¡±


    Moon Lake is a beautiful and mysticalke located to the west of the Selene temple. It is said that theke was formed from the tears of the Moon Goddess when she wept after killing her creations because of their betrayal. All werewolves believe that Moon Lake has a bridge connecting the world to where the Moon Goddess resides and waits, which means paradise. However, not just anyone¡¯s ashes can be scattered or buried near Moon Lake. There are specific criteria, one of which is the service the werewolf provided to the Vasilos Empire, thend created by the Moon Goddess.


    With a lifespan so long that it¡¯s almost immortal, werewolf deaths are rare, so when a death urs and that death involves significant service, a sacred funeral ceremony is held. Alkrevas himself did not attend the ceremony because the funeral coincided with the public mating event, so he sent Beta Savon as his representative. Alkrevas had to wait for Damon to recover to ask about the incident¡¯s chronology because the only living witness at the moment was themander of The Shadow.


    ¡°Moon Lake¡­?¡± Luna asked softly. Alkrevas nodded and nuzzled his face into the crook of Luna¡¯s neck, briefly kissing the two im marks adorning the right side of her neck, making Luna¡¯s body respond with a shiver. A strong jolt surged through both their bodies, signifying that the mate bond was strengthening like steel chains. ¡°May I?¡±


    ¡°You are my soulmate.¡±


    Luna slowly pushed Alkrevas away and turned around, then hugged herself. Alkrevas¡¯s words made her realize something. ¡°If I am your soulmate, why did you treat me that way?¡±


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. ¡°You already know the reason.¡±


    ¡°You could have told me.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to be disappointed in Vasilos. Not after you tried to protect Vasilos.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± Luna paused for a moment. The council demanded that the public mating take ce, and Alkrevas couldn¡¯t refuse because he was concerned about her life and had toply to prove his loyalty by doing so. Luna bowed her head. She could show her loyalty by standing by Alkrevas and being a good and wise Luna and empress.


    Still, it would take a long time to prove that, and the usations of betrayal, punishment, trials, and even death were imminent. With the only living witness still unconscious, Alkrevas had to save himself from the threat of death. Luna didn¡¯t know that the man¡¯s harsh decision had a reason centred on her, but why didn¡¯t he say anything? Even after the ritual was over, the fact that the man used magic during the public mating process left Luna feeling disappointed and hurt. ¡°¡­ could handle it on my own, at least exin it to me.¡±


    ¡°Is that really true?¡± Alkrevas asked with a look of disbelief, while Luna bowed her head deeply, as she wasn¡¯t sure herself. After all, this world was still rtively unfamiliar to her. All this time, she had relied on Alkrevas and the imperial pce. The fact that Alkrevas didn¡¯t trust her-she knew that-but it still hurt. Luna was suffering from all the emotions that gnawed at her heart. They could be somewhat healed with an exnation from him, but instead, Alkrevas chose to remain silent, and Luna had to go to great lengths to get answers.


    Luna opened her mouth to respond but then closed it again. Just then, the Emperor¡¯s handmaidens and servants, led by Zyne and Annabeth, entered the room. Alkrevas stepped back from Luna and epted the night robe that Zyne handed him. After that, he inspected the breakfastid out on the table and said to Luna, ¡°Come here and eat your breakfast.¡±


    Luna¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, and she chose to remain standing. Alkrevas, seeing Luna¡¯s rebellious stance, just sighed in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose. He stepped towards Luna and grabbed her hand, intending to pull her to the chair for breakfast, when a mind link entered his head,ing from Thymos. ¡°Your Majesty, sorry to disturb you, but this is an urgent matter.¡±


    Alkrevas released his grip on Luna and asked, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Goblins. There¡¯s something different about them. We can¡¯t kill them. Every time we do, they rise again, and the wounds on their bodies start healing on their own.¡±


    ¡°Like werewolves?¡± Alkrevas cursed inwardly and said, ¡°Alright, I will send some of the best Royal Pack knights and a few mages from the Magic Tower right away. Can you hold out until they arrive?¡±


    There was a brief silence. ¡°Yes, Alpha. We can hold out.¡±


    Alkrevas immediately cut themunication and ordered Zyne to summon Beta Savon. After that, he got ready, and within just ten minutes, Alkrevas was fully dressed. Luna, noticing the change in the atmosphere bing tense, looked at him with worry, especially as Alkrevas prepared to leave and told her to take care of herself.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Alkrevas? Is everything alright?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a minor emergency. You don¡¯t need to worry. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    ¡°But-¡± Luna couldn¡¯t finish her sentence as Alkrevas gave her a brief kiss on the lips before stepping out of the room, leaving her standing in ce, stunned.


    ¡­..

 The Arrival of Grand Duke Veniam (2)

    Luna sat brooding on the balcony of her room, gazing at the bright blue sky. The day felt so beautifulpared to other days, but unlike the clear sky, her heart was clouded. The news about Judith left Luna overwhelmed with guilt. She couldn¡¯t imagine the feelings of Judith¡¯s family and even the other servants that she had left behind. She had asked Zyne if she could go to the temple and visit Moon Lake to say her farewell. Still, Zyne did not answer and only said to consult His Majesty the Emperor about it.


    Alkrevas, since the morning, had been in the war room discussing some emergency that even Luna didn¡¯t know about. This made her anxious. From the expression Alkrevas had shown earlier that morning, her gut feeling told her that something terrible had happened in Vasilos. She rarely, if ever, saw Alkrevas with such a tense expression, and for the first time, Luna felt so afraid. All of this happened because of her, and while others were cleaning up the mess she had caused, she could only sit still, doing nothing but staring at the sky.


    If only Luna had something she could use to help Alkrevas-not out of sympathy for him, because she was sure Alkrevas was more experienced-but for herself, to ease the guilt she felt. Luna blinked as she heard the door open rather forcefully. When she turned around, she saw Sigmund standing in the middle of the room with an urgent expression. Luna immediately stood up and walked toward the Emperor¡¯s chief aide. ¡°Master Sigmund? What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Lady Luna, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to go to the border region.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Luna¡¯s face turned pale. She hurried out of the room and asked Sigmund, ¡°When is His Majesty departing?¡±


    ¡°Very soon.¡±


    ¡°What? And no one told me?¡±


    Zyne thinned his lips and replied, ¡°His Majesty ordered the pce residents not to inform you of his departure.¡± Luna turned around and looked at Sigmund with a questioning gaze.


    ¡°I chose to disobey his order because I believe His Majesty will be gone for quite some time.¡± Luna nodded her head and gave the man a grateful smile.


    The two of them ran through the pce halls, and from time to time, Luna groaned because of the heels she wore and the long gown that made it difficult for her to run. She stopped, took off her shoes, and threw them carelessly somewhere before gripping the hem of her dress and running faster.


    This time, she ran more quickly as the things hindering her were removed. When she arrived at the entrance of the inner pce, Luna stopped and took a deep breath. She lifted her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead and neck. Her hair was a mess, and she was thankful for not wearing makeup today, only some lip colour.


    Luna nced at Sigmund, who had arrived ahead of her, and then she smoothed out the wrinkled areas of her dress before stepping outside. Luckily, the gown was long enough to cover her feet, so none of the people gathered in the pce courtyard noticed that she was barefoot.


    Luna scanned the area, searching for the Emperor, and found him in a spot far from where the knights were gathered, talking earnestly with Beta Savon. She noticed some servants and attendants handing items to the knights about to depart. Curious, Luna approached one of the servants and asked, ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Lady, it¡¯s a tradition in Vasilos to give an item as a good luck charm to the knights going off to war, especially if the knight is their soulmate. We believe that by giving them a lucky charm, the knights will return alive.¡±


    ¡°Is there a specific item required?¡±


    ¡°No. Even if it¡¯s just a handkerchief or a strand of hair, it¡¯s perfectly fine.¡± Luna nodded and looked back at Alkrevas, who had finished his conversation with Beta Savon. Unlike earlier in the morning, Alkrevas was now dressed in full military uniform. A sword hung from his belt. Unlike the other knights, Alkrevas did not wear armour, signalling that he trusted his strength to protect himself.


    Luna watched him, her heart racing when her eyes met Alkrevas¡¯ brown ones. Luna hurriedly approached him and stopped right in front of him. The man frowned, displeased, and looked up to Sigmund, who only shrugged indifferently.


    ¡°How long do you n to keep everything from me, Alkrevas?¡± Luna asked angrily. ¡°Once, I could forgive you, but twice? Do you not know how I feel?¡±


    Alkrevas sighed softly and lifted his hand, gently brushing Luna¡¯s cheek, which was flushed red from exhaustion and sweat. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to worry you. Besides, I won¡¯t be gone for long.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯ll just let this go? Do you not understand the sadness I would feel if I didn¡¯t get to say goodbye to you? After all, we are bonded.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Soulmates,¡± Alkrevas corrected her with an amused tone. For some reason, his heart fluttered hearing Luna¡¯s words. Even though it wasn¡¯t entirely, she had indirectly acknowledged the mate bond between them.


    ¡°Forgive me, little mate.¡± Luna grasped Alkrevas¡¯rge hand tightly. This was the second time they were parting, and for some reason, it hurt so much. Was it because she had grown used to him? Luna felt so empty and sad without Alkrevas by her side, and now, she was even afraid of being alone.


    Where was her promise during their public mating to hate Alkrevas and never give him her heart? Luna didn¡¯t understand why her heart could not align with her logic, and she finally admitted that this wasn¡¯t just the mate bond¡¯s influence. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything.¡±


    ¡°You know that apologies won¡¯t change everything.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Luna looked down, taking note of the essories and dress she was wearing. Then, she reached for the ribbon on her gown and tied it around Alkrevas¡¯ arm. ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you if you return to me whole. Then we¡¯ll talk and start everything over again.¡±


    Alkrevas smirked. He reached out and took a strand of Luna¡¯s soft, rose-scented hair, kissing it with promise and devotion. Luna shivered under Alkrevas¡¯ intense gaze, gasping as he gently pulled her closer and pressed their lips together in a slow kiss filled with emotion-love, obsession, adoration, longing, affection, and, most importantly, tenderness. There was no lust in the kiss, and as quickly as it happened, it ended just as fast.


    Alkrevas pulled away, gazing at every detail of Luna¡¯s face, gently stroking her hair as he said, ¡°I like that. When I return, we will truly start over.¡± Luna nodded briefly, still hypnotized by his deep brown eyes. The kiss¡¯s effect hadn¡¯t faded from her body, with the strong surge of electricity running wildly through her, rendering her speechless. Alkrevas distanced himself, and to Luna¡¯s surprise, he removed the ruby-studded ring he always wore. He then took her hand and slid therge ring onto her index finger. ¡°This¡­ are you giving me this? Isn¡¯t this the ring-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m entrusting this ring to you¡­ even though I won¡¯t be by your side, this ring will allow me to protect you with my magic.¡± Alkrevas kissed the back of Luna¡¯s hand and whispered, ¡°I wille back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡±


    After that, Alkrevas turned away from Luna, mounted his ck horse, and signalled the knights before heading toward the pce¡¯s main gate. They were heading for the teleportation circle near the western entrance of Mylonas Capital, which would shorten their journey to the location where Thymos originated.


    Luna watched as the group faded into the distance. She then looked down, observing the ruby-studded ring whose colour matched Norris¡¯ eyes, and smiled slightly, her fingers brushing the surface of the gem before she turned and walked back into the pce, her heart still uneasy.


    ¡­


    ¡°Lady Luna.¡± Luna stopped in her tracks when she heard one of the Emperor¡¯s guards call her, approaching with a nervous expression. She had just finished dinner with Beta Savon, who had wanted to offer her a few rules and suggestions during the Emperor¡¯s absence. To be honest, Luna had no issues with these rules, especially the one about staying inside the pce for her safety, as she wasn¡¯t keen on going on any ¡®adventures¡¯ that would worry the whole pce and get reported to Alkrevas, who was far from the capital.


    Luna turned to look at Sigmund, who was walking beside her, furrowing her brows in confusion. The chief aide simply shook his head, indicating that he didn¡¯t understand either. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a guest who wishes to meet with you.¡±


    ¡°A guest? Who?¡± Luna asked in confusion since, as far as she remembered, the nobles didn¡¯t like her presence. Alkrevas had forbidden anyone from making appointments with her for her safety, mainly while traitors still roamed freely within the pce. So, it was strange for someone to request a meeting, especially just after Alkrevas had left for the border.


    ¡°His Grace, Duke Veniam.¡±


    Luna nced at Sigmund, noticing the change in his posture and expression. Her brow furrowed even more profoundly as she replied, ¡°Well, I can¡¯t keep him waiting, can I?¡±


    ¡°Wait, mydy.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I will apany you.¡±


    Luna was slightly startled by Sigmund¡¯s words but quickly understood and nodded in agreement. ¡°Alright. Where is he waiting?¡±


    ¡°In the main reception room, mydy.¡±


    Luna nodded and walked towards the indicated room, with Sigmund following behind her. It didn¡¯t take long before she arrived at the door. She signalled the guard to announce her presence, and shortly after, the door opened, allowing Luna to step inside. She immediately greeted the Duke, who was sitting gracefully on a sofa, sipping a cup of tea. Luna straightened up and walked towards the sitting area, still a bit surprised by the Duke¡¯s sudden visit.


    ¡°What brings you here to meet with me, Your Grace?¡± Luna asked after receiving a gesture from the Duke to sit down. She noticed Duke Veniam casting a brief, disdainful nce at Sigmund before looking back at her with a gentle, almost longing gaze as if she were someone he had missed for a long time. Luna was even more taken aback by how openly he disyed this sentiment.


    ¡°I just wanted to check on you, and please, don¡¯t be so formal with me. Speak casually. You can even call me ¡®Markus.¡¯ I think it sounds better.¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ Am I allowed to do that?¡± Luna smiled awkwardly.


    ¡°Your Grace, you are viting His Majesty the Emperor¡¯s orders,¡± Sigmund interrupted sharply, not caring that his tone was both rude and hical. Duke Veniam merely smiled while calmly sipping his tea, which only deepened Luna¡¯s surprise. Did the Duke not care about Sigmund¡¯s insolence?


    Luna nervously fidgeted with her fingers, feeling the atmosphere grow tense and intense. The two men exchanged nces before Sigmund finally looked away, lowering his head. Duke Veniam smiled in triumph as he turned back to Luna. ¡°There¡¯s something I want to ask you, but before that, are you okay? Are you hurt? Did that bastard hurt you more than he already has?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Luna chuckled awkwardly. Bastard? Who was Duke Veniam referring to? Alkrevas? Luna blinked andughed nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t quite understand.¡±


    ¡°Did His Majesty the Emperor hurt you?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­ no, I don¡¯t think so¡­¡±


    ¡°You were forced into a public mating by that bastard.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ That¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not nning to forgive that scoundrel, are you?¡±


    Luna mentally screamed in frustration, wanting to pull her hair out. What kind of conversation was this? She had hardly spoken with Duke Veniam except at the banquet and once in front of Alkrevas¡¯ office, yet now he was acting as if he cared deeply for her. Luna couldn¡¯t help but feel suspicious. After all, many men had shown concern for her in the past, all with the same goal: to sleep with her.


    Fortunately, none of them had seeded in breaking down the walls she had built-except for Alkrevas. Wasn¡¯t that an aplishment for Alkrevas, the psychopathic Emperor? ¡°Uh¡­ I really don¡¯t know how to answer that¡­¡±


    ¡°I know this conversation is ufortable for you, but there¡¯s one thing you need to realize. As the Prime Minister of this empire, I don¡¯t approve of His Majesty¡¯s decisions. Public mating is a tradition I¡¯ve been trying to abolish. That bastard initially agreed, but for some reason, he ended up disappointing me by performing the tradition himself on his soulmate.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°And I apologize for not being able to prevent it. As Chancellor, I feel guilty. If I had finished my duties sooner and arrived in time, maybe the tradition wouldn¡¯t have taken ce. While I can¡¯t silence or change the Council of Justice¡¯s minds, I could¡¯ve dyed things long enough for you to escape.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± Luna murmured in surprise while Sigmund growled softly in warning. ¡°Your Grace, that would be an act of rebellion against the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Hah! I don¡¯t care.¡± Luna could only sit there, stunned. She had thought Duke Veniam was cold, quiet, logical, calm, and not reckless, but what she was seeing now was far from that. ¡°So, Luna. While that bastard is away, I want to make you an offer.¡±


    ¡°An offer?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not from this world.¡± Luna wasn¡¯t shocked to hear this, as she had already guessed that Alkrevas had told the Duke about her background. ¡°Would youe with me to the Veniam Duchy? There¡¯s something I need to show you.¡±


    ¡°Something?¡± Luna nced at Sigmund. ¡°But I can¡¯t leave. I¡¯ve already promised His Majesty.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to call him ¡®His Majesty.¡¯ Just call him a scoundrel and a bastard. He deserves it. He hurt¡­ my sister, a member of the Veniam family.¡± Luna tilted her head in confusion. She had heard the beginning of Duke Veniam¡¯s sentence, but thest part had been whispered so softly she couldn¡¯t catch it. However, because Sigmund was a supernatural being-a werewolf-he could hear the Duke¡¯s whisper, and he growled quietly in response.


    Okay¡­ so how was she supposed to handle this situation? ¡°Why are you suddenly making such a surprising offer to me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard what happened to you.¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­ yes¡­¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    Okay¡­? Luna wasn¡¯t sure how to respond.


    ¡°I heard from that bastard that you were blinded by your desire to return to your original world.¡±


    Huh? How much had Alkrevas told Duke Veniam about her?


    Duke Veniam smiled conspiratorially, leaning forward slightly. His hands sped together, and Luna had no idea how she found herself in this situation. ¡°If you agree toe with me to the Veniam Duchy, I¡¯ll tell you a way you can return.¡±


    Luna didn¡¯t know whether to consider this a stroke of luck or a potential disaster.


    ¡­.

 Royal Beta (1)

    Luna stared at Duke Veniam sceptically, then nced at Sigmund, who stood beside her with a clenched jaw and fists tightly balled. She quickly came to a realization. News of her association with the ck sorcerer had overshadowed the fact that she came from another world, but that didn¡¯t mean her origin was a secret.


    Indeed, the empire¡¯s top officials, especially those close to Alkrevas, knew about it, including Sigmund and Duke Veniam. Was Sigmund looking at her as though she were some kind of alien? Yet, based on Sigmund¡¯s calm reaction and theck of negative emotions in his gaze, Luna concluded that he didn¡¯t care where she came from. What mattered to him was the fact that she was the Emperor¡¯s soulmate, as evidenced by his previous words.


    A sigh of relief escaped Luna¡¯s lips, and she turned her attention back to Duke Veniam. Her eyes dropped to the refreshments and teacup prepared for the Duke, unsure of how to respond.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, I understand because I also know what happened,¡± the Duke said quietly. He nced at Sigmund for a moment before focusing on Luna again, adding, ¡°About your Faem friend who betrayed you, taking advantage of your desire to return to your world.¡± Luna¡¯s head shot up, her hands clenching tightly.


    ¡°Your Grace,¡± Sigmund murmured, his tone full of warning.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Count Ballion? Do you not like my presence? If so, you¡¯re free to leave the room. After all, this conversation has nothing to do with you.¡±


    Sigmund gritted his teeth but bowed and replied, ¡°It is my duty to apany Lady Luna and the future Empress while His Majesty the Emperor is absent, Your Grace.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have work to do?¡± Duke Veniam asked sarcastically.


    ¡°My work can be postponed for a while.¡±


    Luna noticed Duke Veniam sigh in defeat, and she couldn¡¯t help but smile at the sight. After all, Sigmund, despite his lower status, managed to outmatch someone like Duke Veniam. No wonder Sigmund had remained by Alkrevas¡¯ side for so long-just a few words were enough to make a Duke sigh in resignation. Luna bit her lip and gathered the courage to look directly at the Duke, then asked, ¡°Why are you so confident, Your Grace?¡±


    For a moment, the man sitting across from her fell silent. She watched as he seemed to weigh something in his mind before reaching into the pocket of his coat. Luna¡¯s brow furrowed in suspicion, not without reason. The imperial pce was in a tense state due to rumours about traitors in their midst.


    Wasn¡¯t Duke Veniam¡¯s behaviour suspicious? With Alkrevas away, the Duke appeared, offering something that could weaken him. But when the Duke pulled out an object and ced it on the table, Luna¡¯s face paled, her heart stopped, and her body trembled.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Sigmund asked, his tone full of suspicion, thinking the item ced by Duke Veniam was some sort of new or illegal magical device. His brow furrowed as he leaned forward to examine it closely. Meanwhile, Luna remained silent, her vision blurring. She swallowed with difficulty, her breath catching. Her eyes slowly moved from the object on the table to the Duke¡¯s face. She blinked rapidly when she saw Duke Veniam smile at her with a small, sorrowful expression. ¡°I asked you, Your Grace, what is that? Or should I take other measures and call the knights guarding outside?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I believe Lady Luna knows exactly what I¡¯ve ced here.¡± Ignoring Sigmund¡¯s growl, Duke Veniam focused entirely on Luna. ¡°You know what this is, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Luna looked back at the object on the table. Her hand slowly reached out but stopped when she felt a gentle squeeze on her shoulder. She shifted her gaze from the object to Sigmund, who was watching her with a cautious expression. She saw him shake his head, but after receiving a reassuring smile from her, Sigmund¡¯s grip loosened before finally releasing her. Luna returned her attention to the object before her, stretching out her hand and taking it. ¡°You¡­ how did you¡­¡±


    ¡°She said she missed you and wondered why you suddenly disappeared.¡± Duke Veniam spoke with sadness. Luna felt her lips tremble, and a tear rolled down her cheek.


    ¡°Nicole¡­¡± Luna whispered as she examined the special pen she had given to her manager and friend, which had be her most treasured item. Luna took a deep breath, caressing the pen. She looked up at Duke Veniam with a sorrowful gaze. ¡°Do you know another way¡­?¡±


    Duke Veniam nodded. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, I¡¯ll show you something.¡± The Duke reached into his coat again, and when Luna saw what he pulled out, her heart wavered. ¡°This is what you call a passport, isn¡¯t it? A travel identification document required when leaving the country.¡±


    Markus was grateful that his uncle had arranged passports for their trip to New York so the small booklet could serve as proof for Luna. He also felt lucky that he had brought the document with him when he returned to this world.


    He watched as his sister reached out to take the passport, flipping through the pages. Everything seemedplete-the name, upation, all the necessary details. The name ¡°Markus Bardi¡± was listed. Where did this man obtain such an identity? Luna scanned the travel history before gasping.


    ¡°London?¡± She looked up at him, full of questions, then returned her gaze to the passport¡¯s stamps, frowning.


    ¡°You went to New York? That means¡­¡± Luna nced at the pen in her hand before staring at him intensely, clearly expecting an exnation.


    ¡°If I could choose, I¡¯d rather live in your world.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    Sigmund, who had been silently observing, finally decided to ask, ¡°What document is that?¡± He noticed the strange emblem on the cover and the unfamiliar stamps. ¡°Lady Luna?¡±


    Luna ignored Sigmund, still in shock. She felt torn. On the one hand, she didn¡¯t want to leave Alkrevas, but on the other¡­ she missed home profoundly, especially the people she loved. Shaking her head quickly, she reminded herself she couldn¡¯t betray Alkrevas. She couldn¡¯t let him down. Besides, there was a conversation they needed to have. She could wait for him to return, then talk and discuss the next steps.


    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t¡­ Forgive me, Your Grace. I can¡¯t leave His Majesty without permission. I promised to wait for his return.¡± For the first time, Luna spoke firmly. She had decided to stay, even with the opportunity in front of her. She ced the two items she was holding back onto the table and clenched her hands to resist temptation.


    Alkrevas¡¯s ring suddenly felt so heavy on her finger. ¡°Can we discuss this after His Majesty returns?¡±


    Sigmund, hearing Luna¡¯s decision, exhaled in relief. Markus, on the other hand, smiled knowingly. He respected his sister¡¯s choice and didn¡¯t want to push her. It was better to build their rtionship first, especially since they had been separated for so long, and Luna still didn¡¯t know his true identity. Markus decided to change his strategy.


    He could tell her everything once they had grown closer and offered this proposal again. He admitted that he had acted too hastily, but seeing Luna hurt by Alkrevas had clouded his judgment. However, unlike Alkrevas, he would respect whatever decision Luna made. After all, Luna was the daughter of the Veniam Duchy. ¡°Alright, I understand. And Luna, once again, please don¡¯t be so formal with me.¡±


    ¡°But, Your Grace¡­ you-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about my status,¡± Markus replied casually, taking back the passport and Nicole¡¯s pen. If Luna knew that he had secretly taken the pen, she probably would¡¯ve scolded him.


    Markus was sure that the rtionship between his sister and her soulmate was more than just colleagues. ¡°Besides, I heard you were quite sessful in your world, so I think our statuses aren¡¯t that different.¡± Luna blinked in confusion. ¡°Just think of me not as a prime minister or chancellor, but as an ordinary knight who seeded in building his career and dreams.¡±


    ¡°Eh?¡± Luna nced at Sigmund, unsure. ¡°Oh¡­ um¡­ alright¡­¡±


    ¡°And about your friend¡­ she¡¯s quite¡­ unique.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Nicole.¡±


    ¡­

 Royal Beta (2)

    Luna was increasingly shocked by those words, still unable to believe that Duke Veniam had met Nicole. And what had the man said? Nicole? Unique? Luna grew even more curious about how Duke Veniam knew about Nicole and how he could be in her world, but she held herself back. After all, Nicole was not a unique woman.


    Quite the opposite of Duke Veniam, Nicole was chatty, easily angered, and impatient. Please wait a minute¡­ thinking it over, their personalities actuallyplemented each other, and suddenly, Luna imagined Duke Veniam standing side by side with Nicole. However, as quickly as the thought came, Luna brushed it away.


    She was so busy with her thoughts that she didn¡¯t hear themotion outside. She only realized something was happening when the door opened. Royal Beta Savon, along with several knights of the Royal Pack, entered the room, surrounding the seating area where she, Sigmund, and Duke Veniam were.


    Luna immediately stood up just as Sigmund asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on, Beta Savon?¡±


    ¡°I heard that Duke Veniam forced his way in, viting the Alpha¡¯s order forbidding him from setting foot in the pce.¡±


    Luna sighed heavily. What kind of irrational order had Alkrevas given his subordinate this time? She nced at Duke Veniam, who lookedpletely calm and not at all offended by the Beta¡¯s words, even appearing indifferent.


    ¡°Beta Savon, everything is fine¡­ His Grace the Duke was only speaking with me, and Mr. Sigmund was apanying me,¡± Luna murmured. Her body flinched as she received a sharp, deadly re from the Beta as if the man had despised her presence here.


    Luna took a step back, feeling her heart tighten because, once again, someone looked at her with hatred. She took a deep breath and mustered the courage to ask, ¡°By the way, what reason does His Majesty the Emperor have for forbidding Duke Veniam froming to the pce?¡±


    ¡°Because Duke Veniam expressed his anger over His Majesty¡¯s decision to conduct a public mating with you, miss, and he threatened the Emperor to take you away,¡± Sigmund answered wearily, indicating that he was growing tired of the constant bickering among his superiors.


    ¡°What?¡± Luna eximed in disbelief.


    There was a sigh from behind her, and when she turned, Duke Veniam was ring at Beta Savon with a murderous look as if the Beta was his enemy. Slowly, Duke Veniam stood up and walked toward Beta Savon. ¡°I heard there¡¯s a rat in this pce. A traitor who leaked the critical points of the protective shield to the dark sorcerer.¡±


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke, I ask you to leave the pce immediately.¡±


    Duke Veniam ignored the Beta¡¯s words and continued, ¡°No wonder it was you.¡± Luna gasped at the Duke¡¯s tant usation.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ I can see the hatred so clearly in your eyes, Savon. I¡¯ve stayed silent all this time because you¡¯ve been so obedient and loyal to Alkrevas and this empire, but after this incident, I¡¯m starting to question your loyalty.¡±


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who received the important message my aide sent to Alkrevas, right? Why didn¡¯t you pass it along?¡±


    Beta Savon thinned his lips and hissed, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, Your Grace.¡± He then straightened his posture, making himself appear unafraid of the Lycan staring him down.


    ¡°I am loyal to the Alpha.¡± Then he began removing the uniform he was wearing, stripping down to his bare torso. Beta Savon drew a dagger from his waist belt and, without warning, shed his palm with it. Luna covered her mouth in shock at the Beta¡¯s unexpected action. After that, Beta Savon smeared the blood from his wounded palm over his heart.


    Slowly, a golden light appeared and spread from his chest to his left arm, up his neck, and across his face, forming an intricate glowing pattern before turning into a tattoo. ¡°This is proof of my loyalty. The eternal blood pact, showing that my body and soul belong to His Majesty the Emperor.¡±


    ¡°Since when?¡±


    Beta Savon nced at Luna briefly, causing her to flinch in surprise. ¡°Since Miss Luna returned. Her opposition and defiance have made His Majesty question my loyalty. But I have done everything for His Majesty and Vasilos. Moreover, the fact that Miss Luna is from another world has made me cautious. I dislike her and disagree with her bing both Luna and Empress because, at any time, she could abandon not only His Majesty but also the Vasilos Empire.¡±


    The room fell silent immediately because Beta Savon¡¯s words were undeniably true. It was understandable that he disliked and distrusted Luna because at any moment, whether in hours, days, or years, Luna might change her mind. She might choose to leave, turn her back, and cruelly abandon Vasilos and the Emperor to return home because that was what she had done before. ¡°Not to mention the fact that she once had contact with the dark sorcerer, which has led to the current situation in Vasilos.¡±


    Duke Veniam pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Then, he roughly grabbed Beta Savon¡¯s hand, pulling him along while saying, ¡°I need to talk to you.¡± After that, the two of them left the room, leaving Luna and Sigmund standing silently, still in shock.


    Luna was the first to snap out of her surprise, clearing her throat softly, which also brought Sigmund back to his senses. She looked at him and asked, ¡°What do you think the important message His Grace the Duke mentioned was, that he would use Beta Savon of being¡­ you know¡­ a traitor?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Sigmund muttered mysteriously.


    Luna didn¡¯t ask further and instead murmured, ¡°I guess you think the same about me, Mr. Sigmund.¡±


    ¡°Think what?¡±


    ¡°About me.¡±


    Sigmund sighed heavily and stepped closer. ¡°Don¡¯t take Beta Savon¡¯s words to heart. His opinion has strong reasoning, but I believe you don¡¯t think that way. I¡¯ve seen it myself when you refused Duke Veniam¡¯s offer, even when the man showed evidence that could help you return home.¡±


    Luna smiled in relief. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Sigmund.¡±


    ¡°I wonder what they¡¯re talking about,¡± Luna said, looking at the tightly closed door while Sigmund watched her. In truth, he knew what Duke Veniam was going to say to Beta Savon. Still, he had no intention of telling Luna, as it was the Duke¡¯s right to share that information.


    They waited for quite some time for the two men to return, waiting for the oue of their discussion. asionally, they chatted, mostly with Luna answering Sigmund¡¯s questions about the world she came from and the documents Duke Veniam had shown earlier. However, their light conversation came to a halt when Duke Veniam and Beta Savon finally returned. Their expressions were utterly opposite:


    Duke Veniam appeared calm with a slight smile, while Beta Savon looked grim and pale. Luna noticed how drastically Beta Savon had changed, especially when he met her eyes. He quickly averted his gaze and turned away as if unwilling or embarrassed to look at her. Luna wondered what Duke Veniam had said to make Beta Savon change so much. She watched as the man grabbed his uniform from the floor and haphazardly put it on.


    Suppose Luna hadn¡¯t already seen Alkrevas¡¯s body. In that case, she might have been tempted by Beta Savon¡¯s muscr physique, with his strong build and six-pack abs. However, his body didn¡¯t interest her, as only Alkrevas¡¯s form seemed beautiful and alluring to her.


    The atmosphere became awkward, and Luna didn¡¯t know how to break the tension. No one spoke until the door to the room opened again, and a knight from the Royal Pack entered, his face full of worry and urgency. ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but Beta Savon, there¡¯s an urgent matter requiring your attention.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Beta Savon asked. The knight hesitated, ncing at Luna with uncertainty. ¡°Just say it,¡± she urged.


    The knight nodded before responding, ¡°ck magic has been detected in Mylonas Capital.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Sigmund muttered softly. ¡°But¡­ how is that possible? So far, only two ck sorcerers, Abigail and Beth, have been identified, and the team sent by His Majesty reported them at the harbor.¡±


    Luna remained silent. She was deeply concerned about Mylonas and wanted to offer some input. Still, she feared her words would be misinterpreted due to the bad reputation she held at the moment. It was better for her to stay quiet while considering the best way to correct her mistakes. Duke Veniam let out a bitterugh, drawing everyone¡¯s attention, including Luna¡¯s.


    ¡°Ah¡­ I understand now¡­¡±


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke?¡±


    ¡°Savon, send a message to His Majesty about the current situation,¡± Duke Veniam instructed. Savon nodded and followed the Duke¡¯s orders. The Duke¡¯s gaze became vacant and clouded, a sign that he was using a mind link. Duke Veniam clicked his tongue, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°I don¡¯t understand the ipetence of the Magic Tower. Truly disappointing,¡± the Dukemented sarcastically. ¡°Sigmund, prepare the magicmunication tools. I need to speak with the other nations-¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need, Your Grace. The leaders of the other nations are alreadying for a high-level meeting with His Majesty,¡± Sigmund interrupted.


    ¡°When will that take ce?¡±


    ¡°If everything goes ording to schedule, the meeting will happen the day after tomorrow, which means the delegates will arrive soon. However, since His Majesty the Emperor is at the border handling the Goblins¡­¡±


    ¡°The meeting will likely be postponed,¡± Duke Veniampleted Sigmund¡¯s unfinished sentence. He nodded and said, ¡°Proceed as nned. I will stand in for His Majesty. After all, it is my duty as Prime Minister.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Your Grace.¡±


    Sigmund quickly stepped out to prepare everything for the meeting. Luna bit her lower lip and gathered the courage to ask, ¡°Have Abigail and Beth returned?¡±


    Duke Veniam shook his head. ¡°If the report from the intelligence His Majesty sent is urate, then the appearance of ck magic in Mylonas Capital isn¡¯t their doing.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so sure?¡±


    ¡°Abigail and Beth¡¯s existence is already known, and their magic has been recognized by His Majesty. If they entered the capital, which is currently on high alert, especially with their wanted posters widely distributed, it would be like walking into a lion¡¯s den. They must have anticipated that His Majesty would set a trap to capture them if they entered the capital. That means there is another ck sorcerer hiding in the capital, and it¡¯s likely this person who told the two ck sorcerers about the critical points of the protective shield.¡±


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke.¡± Beta Savon¡¯s voice interrupted their conversation. Both Luna and Duke Veniam turned to face the Beta, who wore a worried expression. ¡°His Majesty has entrusted everything to you.¡±


    ¡°Did he mention when he will return?¡±


    Beta Savon shook his head. ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything about that. He only mentioned that the situation at the border is getting moreplicated. The Goblins can¡¯t be defeated, even with magic. Their wounded bodies heal themselves, which has made things difficult for His Majesty.¡±


    Duke Veniam nodded. ¡°He also said he will hold an emergency meeting with all the Alphas from the packs spread across Vasilos via mindlink.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, it means the situation is worsening.¡± Duke Veniam let out a heavy sigh and murmured, ¡°Miss Luna, you should go to the Duchy of Veniam. It¡¯s the only safe ce right now.¡±


    ¡°What? You want me to hide?¡±


    ¡°Yes, for now. It¡¯s already clear that everything happening is just a diversion. The ck sorcerer in Mylonas Capital is no different. If my initial suspicion is correct, they are targeting you, and if I¡¯m wrong, then this sorcerer is just bait, with the real mastermind waiting for the right moment to catch us off guard-and, of course, their target is still you.¡±


    Duke Veniam then stepped closer to Luna and whispered something so softly in her ear that it shocked her to the core. Even after he left, followed by Beta Savon, Luna remained frozen in ce, her body trembling. She couldn¡¯t believe whether what she had heard was real or not.


    ¡°What¡­?¡± she whispered into the silence of the room.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡­¡­.

 Veniam Grand Duchy (1)

    Two dayster, the situation in both Mylonas and the border remained unchanged and had only grown more tense. Luna sat lost in thought, staring at the te in front of her. Her departure to Veniam Duchy was initially nned for the day after Duke Veniam dered the state of alert. Still, the n was suddenly postponed for security reasons. After further consideration and better preparations, her departure was now set for the next day.


    ¡°Miss, are you not hungry?¡± Luna snapped out of her thoughts and looked at the servant, who was watching her with concern.


    The servant nced at her face, then down at the dinner, and back up at her again. Luna sighed softly and pushed the te of dinner aside, feeling no appetite. It wasn¡¯t that she was ungrateful, but her stomach was in knots, and if she forced herself to eat, she felt she would just throw it all back. It was all because of the anxiety and guilt gnawing at her heart.


    ¡°Do you not like the meal? If so, I can ask the pce chef to prepare whatever you¡¯d prefer for dinner.¡±


    Luna shook her head and smiled at the servant, though it was obviously forced. She stared nkly at the night sky. Her mind was filled with countless thoughts, but most of all, Duke Veniam¡¯s whispered words to her lingered. Sighing again, she lifted her hand to massage her throbbing head before reaching for the fork on the table and beginning to eat her meal slowly. asionally, she nced at the servant, who waited patiently and dutifully.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Judging from the woman¡¯s demeanour, Luna could already guess that this servant was one of Alkrevas¡¯s spies sent to keep an eye on her. If she didn¡¯t eat now, the moment the servant left, a report about her behaviour would surely reach Alkrevas, and that was thest thing Luna needed. She didn¡¯t want his attention diverted due to his overprotective nature. She took her time finishing her dinner, and once done, she pushed the empty te aside, grabbed a ss of water, drank it all, and then stood and walked toward the window.


    ¡°Miss, would you like some dessert?¡± the servant offered as she cleared the table of dirty dishes.


    ¡°No, thank you. And please tell the chef that I enjoyed the meal,¡± Luna replied, turning to give the servant a small smile. She saw the servant nod before excusing herself and leaving. Once alone in the room, Luna opened the window, letting the fantastic night breeze fill the room. Fortunately, she had asked the servant to light magicalmps instead of candles. Her eyes gazed at the night sky, illuminated by stars and a moon that appeared more significant than the one in her world.


    Luna took a deep breath, her fingers ying with the ruby ring that Alkrevas had given her, murmuring, ¡°Why does it feel so empty? Alkrevas¡­¡± She blinked as she realized she had spoken his name aloud in the stillness of the night. Slowly, her hand lifted to rub her chest, which felt tight. What was this feeling? She felt restless as if something was missing from her life. She felt lonely, tormented by this sensation¡­ Could she be missing Alkrevas? Luna pped her cheeks with her hands, trying to snap herself out of it andughed at her foolishness. Of course, she missed him. His presence by her side had affected her so profoundly, and now, with them separated, there was only emptiness. But since when?


    Luna stepped away from the window and looked at the ring Alkrevas had given her again. Duke Veniam¡¯s whispered words reyed in her mind like a broken record. ¡°You¡¯re in love with him. You love Alkrevas¡­ I can see it in your eyes¡­¡± Luna bit her lower lip and hit her head gently with her hand. ¡°There¡¯s no way I¡­¡± She ruffled her hair in frustration, trying to dismiss the ridiculous thoughts that kepting. It was impossible that she was in love with Alkrevas! Ugh! She wanted to stop her mind and heart from arguing.


    She was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock at the door. Moments after she answered, the door opened, and Duke Veniam entered, dressed simply in a shirt with its sleeves rolled up to the elbows, ck trousers, and fine leather shoes. His usually well-groomed hair was now tousled, falling over his forehead. Even though he looked casual, Luna had to admit that it didn¡¯t detract from his handsomeness and perfection in any way.


    Luna looked at him, puzzled. Seeing him so casually enter the Emperor¡¯s bedroom and sitfortably on the sofa made her wonder if Duke Veniam wasn¡¯t afraid of the Emperor¡¯s wrath. Luna bowed her head and lowered herself in a respectful greeting, to which Duke Veniam immediately responded, ¡°I¡¯ve told you, there¡¯s no need for that, Miss.¡±


    Luna lifted her head, her eyes meeting the handsome face of the Duke, adorned with a gentle smile. At first, she wondered why Duke Veniam had suddenly shown such concern for her, even going so far as to call Alkrevas, his superior, a ¡°bastard.¡± The exnation Duke Veniam had given wasn¡¯t convincing enough for her. Sure, he was angry about Alkrevas¡¯s decision to perform a public mating, but to the point of openly defying him? Besides, from what the Duke had said, Luna guessed that Alkrevas had revealed the truth to him.


    Luna frowned. If there were any feelings of affection from the Duke, it didn¡¯t seem likely, as his behaviour didn¡¯t show any signs of attraction toward her. In fact, those signs appeared more when he mentioned her manager-Nicole. So, why? Luna didn¡¯t want to specte about Duke Veniam, but the more she tried not to care, the more curious she became. And she couldn¡¯t forget the Duke¡¯s whispered words. How could Duke Veniam be so confident in saying she was in love with Alkrevas when she wasn¡¯t sure of her feelings? After all, the Duke had only witnessed her interactions with Alkrevas at the moonflower festival banquet. Luna nced at the Duke and asked, ¡°What brings you here at this hour, Your Grace?¡±


    Duke Veniam sighed heavily, sounding tired. ¡°I¡¯ve told you, just call me by my name.¡± Luna pursed her lips, not intending to say anything further. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Not bad.¡±


    The Duke gave a brief nod. ¡°I just wanted to inform you that you¡¯ll be leaving before dawn. I¡¯ve ordered my aide to apany you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be traveling by carriage?¡± Luna asked, confused.


    ¡°No. You know about that teleportation magic, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Luna blinked and replied, ¡°Err¡­ yes¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve sent a one-way secret message exining my n to that ¡®bastard,¡¯ so you don¡¯t need to worry about him,¡± Duke Veniam said, pausing for a moment before continuing, ¡°My aide will apany you. Beta Savon will follow with several knights, traveling north by horseback.¡±


    ¡°Beta Savon?¡±


    ¡°Yes, though I don¡¯t fully trust him, I¡¯ll rely on him this time. The eternal blood pact isn¡¯t just any ordinary agreement, and because of that pact, the ¡®bastard¡¯ can read Beta Savon¡¯s every thought, feeling, and memory if necessary.¡±


    Luna wanted to ask more about the eternal blood pact, but she felt she had already grasped the basic concept. It was a contract that essentially turned one party into a puppet for the other. That¡¯s how she saw it-since Beta Savon¡¯s life and body now belonged to Alkrevas, even the most minor lie could be uncovered, showing absolute loyalty and obedience. She remained silent for a moment before deciding to ask the question that had been bothering her all evening. ¡°Why do you think I¡¯ve fallen in love with His Majesty the Emperor?¡±


    Duke Veniam smiled. ¡°I could already tell from the way you talk about him, how you chose him over your desire to return home. I believe the reason you gave for staying was just a hollow excuse. The real reason is that you don¡¯t want to be away from him.¡± He paused for a moment before adding, ¡°You also worry about him a great deal. I could see it in your expression when we talked about the situation at the border.¡± Duke Veniam shrugged. ¡°Well, that¡¯s just my guess, but I became certain when you didn¡¯t deny anything I said and simply remained quiet.¡±


    ¡°I was just shocked!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? But your body¡¯s reaction was clear, Miss.¡± Luna pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m not surprised because you two are soulmates. Sooner orter, it was bound to happen. I just don¡¯t want you to get hurt because of it. And¡­¡± Duke Veniam nced at the im marks clearly visible on both sides of Luna¡¯s neck. ¡°¡­ the absolute bond has a much stronger ability to bind souls than an ordinary mate bond.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I refused your offer. So why do you suddenly care about me?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re important, Luna. Not just to this empire, but to Veniam Duchy as well.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll exin it another time.¡± Duke Veniam stood and walked over to Luna, gently patting her head, causing her fragile heart to warm. The feeling of his touch on her head was different from Alkrevas¡¯s usual caress. However, there was still warmth as if she were family to him, and it was the same feeling she had when Maya embraced her.


    Family.


    ¡­.

 Veniam Grand Duchy (2)

    Luna did not know whether she should think that way or hope for something that would never be a reality for her. She saw Duke Veniam¡¯s gentle gaze, and it sessfully made her throat tighten. Her eyes grew warm, and tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. For some reason, she wanted to cry right then and there and run into the Duke¡¯s arms. Still, Luna held back all those surging emotions by stepping back, putting as much distance between them as possible. Duke Veniam sighed deeply and said, ¡°Luna.¡± Luna clenched her jaw as the man spoke her name. ¡°Remember one thing: if that bastard hurts you again, don¡¯t hesitate to leave him. Veniam Duchy and I will protect you.¡±


    ¡°How could I do that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve told you, you are so important to Veniam Duchy, and our first concern is your happiness. Nothing else. Don¡¯t think about consequences or anything. Veniam Duchy will always wee you with open arms.¡± Luna didn¡¯t know what to say, as Duke Veniam¡¯s words sounded so sincere. ¡°Oh yes. That ring you¡¯re wearing¡­¡± Luna looked down and examined Alkrevas¡¯s ring. ¡°Do you know another reason why that bastard gave you that ring?¡±


    Luna shook her head. ¡°Where is that man¡¯s magic? He said it was to protect me.¡±


    ¡°No, Miss.¡± Duke Veniam nced at the ring on Luna¡¯s finger. ¡°He gave you the Emperor¡¯s authority. With that ring, you don¡¯t need a royal emblem or imperial family identity tomand the military and subdue the nobles.¡±


    Seriously? Luna asked in her heart.


    ¡°I heard he gave it to you in front of many people? That means he¡¯s entrusting this empire to you. Well, at least he¡¯s not as much of a jerk as I remember.¡± Duke Veniam chuckled softly at hisment. ¡°So for now, just rx. Let me represent you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, you¡¯re part of Veniam, so I will help you with all my strength,¡± said Duke Veniam with a wide grin, making him look even more handsome. Luna watched as Duke Veniam waved his hand, wished her goodnight, and stepped out of the room, leaving her with her mouth agape in surprise.


    It took a few moments for Luna to snap out of her shock. She shook her head and looked down at the ring on her hand before turning around to get ready for bed. It didn¡¯t take long for her to change clothes and climb into the bed. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of Alkrevas that dominated the pillow and sheets. She wondered what he was doing at that moment and whether, like her, he also felt¡­ longing. Luna opened her eyes, reached for the pillow with the most potent scent of Alkrevas, and hugged it tightly.


    ¡°Longing¡­ it seems I really do miss you¡­¡± Luna whispered to the silent night before her eyes closed tightly, and darkness began to envelop her.


    ¡°We need to finish this as soon as possible.¡± Alkrevas? Luna blinked and turned her head left and right, her heart beating fast upon hearing Alkrevas¡¯s voice. Standing in the middle of darkness, Luna began to feel uneasy, wanting to see the owner of that voice. ¡°I must return to the capital immediately.¡± Luna turned to the right, guessing the voice came from that direction. She began to move her feet, running in the darkness toward the voice. ¡°Do you think the empire doesn¡¯t need me?¡± Luna ran faster. For some reason, the man sounded so angry, and Luna wanted to calm that anger. ¡°Those damn goblins! How many knights have been injured because of their attacks?¡± Luna felt a glimmer of hope when she saw a light a few meters ahead. She quickened her pace, running toward the light.


    When her hand touched the light, the darkness surrounding her instantly disappeared, reced by a room. Luna stopped running and looked around. ¡°DAMN!¡± Luna flinched at the shout, followed by the sound of breaking ss. She immediately turned toward the sound and held her breath as she saw Alkrevas standing in front of a table that looked like a conference table, his hands resting on the edge. Luna looked at the wall where a liquid was flowing, with broken ss scattered on the floor near the wall. Not far from Alkrevas, there was a bottle of alcohol, and at that moment, Luna realized what had happened. Alkrevas had just thrown a ss at the wall.


    However, she frowned in confusion. Is this part of her dream? Does she miss Alkrevas so much that she¡¯s dreaming of him? Or because she thought of Alkrevas before sleeping, which made her dream about him? Luna looked at her hands and gasped when she realized that her hands were transparent, as was her body. When she tried to touch the nearest object, she couldn¡¯t feel it. ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Mathias, have you heard any news from the capital?¡± Alkrevas asked the Gamma, standing on the other side of the room.


    ¡°Nothing yet, Alpha. Both the carrier pigeons and mind links, even magicalmunication devices, have all been cut off. The capital is also on high alert and has closed allmunication after reports of ck magic being detected again, this time near the imperial pce.¡±


    ¡°Damn you, Markus! You did this on purpose to separate me from my Luna!¡± Alkrevas growled in frustration, venting his anger at a man who wasn¡¯t even there.


    ¡°Alpha, this time I agree with the Prime Minister¡¯s actions.¡± Luna listened silently to the conversation between Alpha and Gamma. ¡°Allmunication channels must be cut off temporarily so that any traitor within the capital cannot send messages or ask for help. We don¡¯t know if the traitor is truly just a ck wizard or a werewolf.¡±


    ¡°What about the other borders?¡±


    ¡°The situation is not much different from here. Those goblins heal instantly from their wounds and regenerate quickly if their body parts are severed. For now, we need to focus on finding out why these goblins are like that. You mentioned that no ck magic was detected from them, which means there must be something else at y.¡±


    Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, and Luna¡¯s heart ached. For some reason, she wanted to erase the frustration and exhaustion on Alkrevas¡¯s face. She nced around again, and upon closer inspection, Luna realized that the room Alkrevas was in was a conference room. There was a knock on the door, and shortly after, it opened. The face of a man who appeared to be in his fifties emerged, and somehow, the man looked simr to Commander Deborah. Could he be the Commander¡¯s father? ¡°Your Majesty, an important message has just arrived.¡± The man then entered and ced a crystal ball on the table. Momentster, a transparent screen, like a hologram, appeared, showing Duke Veniam¡¯s face. It all looked like a video recording. Then Luna thought, Huh? If this is a dream, why does everything feel so real?


    ¡°Markus.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty, if you are seeing this message, I will send my sister to the Veniam territory, as the only safe ce right now is the northern region where the Veniam Duchy is located.¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°And if things get worse, I will be forced to send my sister to another world, so¡­ I think you understand what I mean. Then-¡±


    Luna felt her heart stop. What did Duke Veniam mean? Her body trembled, and she stepped closer, moving away from where she stood. ¡°Damn you, Markus!¡± Alkrevas roared and flipped the table, causing the crystal ball on it to fall and shatter, abruptly cutting off the unfinished message. ¡°How dare he make such a decision without my permission!¡± Alkrevas raked his hair in frustration. ¡°I must return now. No matter¡­¡±


    ¡°No, Alpha! You can¡¯t leave now, please.¡± Mathias intercepted Alkrevas from using teleportation magic. ¡°What about the residents at the borders and the knights?¡± Alkrevas immediately fell silent and took a deep breath. The white light in his hand slowly turned reddish. ¡°Alpha, we must trust Duke Veniam.¡±


    ¡°I must return.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, until we find out why those goblins are so hard to kill and find another way to kill them, everyone here needs your presence.¡±


    Alkrevas clenched his fists tightly. On the one hand, he wanted to return immediately, to beat Markus senselessly before checking on Luna. Still, on the other hand, he couldn¡¯t abandon his duties as Emperor and Alpha King. Many small Packs at the borders were affected by the goblin attacks. When he first arrived, the situation was so dire, and many civilians were falling. Mathias¡¯s words were valid; the capital was indeed in danger and needed its Emperor, but as long as Markus was there, things could be managed, but not at the borders. Mathias, along with the generals andmanders of the knight forces, were starting to be overwhelmed. They were exhausted, and no matter how many knights were sent to assist, the problem only worsened.


    He also couldn¡¯t ask for help from various noble houses, especially the Royal Pack order, because the security of the capital also had to be prioritized, and leaving it unguarded would be extremely dangerous. The knights from Veniam Duchy were not much help either. His magic was also not very practical; no matter how strong he used it, the goblins kept getting back up as if they were immune and protected by something. Several members of The Shadow were also deployed to the borders to help, leaving their primary duty of safeguarding Luna. Still, even that effort only managed to push back the goblins.


    Moreover, they had to fight off monsters that appeared amidst the goblin attacks several times. There was no time for rest. The border had turned into a battlefield, and ording to reports, other countries were also starting to experience the same situation, which was the reason for the emergency meeting. Alkrevas thought about all of this and felt his shoulders slump. The empire needed him just as much as he required Luna. ¡°If he can send a message, that means we can too. Send a message immediately¡­¡±


    ¡°This is a one-way message. Duke Veniam likely sent it before closing allmunication channels.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Alkrevas tried to contact Markus again through the mind link, but the man didn¡¯t respond, as if something was blocking it. It wasn¡¯t a cut inmunication, but rather that bastard himself who didn¡¯t want to talk to him. He exhaled deeply. Alkrevas tried to contact Savon, but this time there was a magical barrier, meaning Mathias¡¯s words were valid.


    ¡°Leave me.¡±


    ¡°Alpha¡­¡±


    ¡°If you are worried I might leave, I won¡¯t. Now, leave.¡± After that, Gamma Mathias and the man Luna guessed was Commander Deborah¡¯s father obeyed the Emperor¡¯s order and stepped out. Once Alkrevas was alone, the magical light in his hand slowly faded. Luna didn¡¯t know if this was a dream or not, but one thing she wanted was to touch Alkrevas and soothe his troubled heart. She slowly approached Alkrevas, who was standing with his head bowed, and stopped right beside him. Luna raised her hand, and like a miracle, she was able to touch his hair. ¡°Alkrevas¡­¡±


    Alkrevas immediately looked up and nced around, whispering, ¡°Luna¡­?¡±


    ***


    The next day, Luna stood nervously, looking at the man beside her with a gentle smile. The sses perched on his nose did not diminish his handsomeness in the slightest, and they couldn¡¯t hide his beautiful and rare grey eyes: Jaxon Raylon, Duke Veniam¡¯s aide. At the moment, the two of them were standing in the central courtyard of Veniam Duchy Castle. Luna leaned closer and asked the man, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a bit too much?¡± she asked as she looked at the scene in front of her, where the staff and servants were lined up, bowing to wee her.


    ¡°Not at all, Miss.¡±


    Luna sighed deeply. She still felt the effects after meeting Alkrevas in what was supposedly a dream. Stiit all, she was actually her soul reaching out to him through the mate bond between them caused by their prolonged separation. Although tired, it was all worth it for Alkrevas¡¯s touch. Unfortunately, Luna couldn¡¯t stay long because her body became unstable when her soul left it, forcing her to return quickly. She shook her head, trying not to dwell on what happened to herst night. Instead, she focused on Duke Veniam¡¯s words.


    Earlier that morning, before using Alkrevas¡¯s personal teleportation magic, Luna had asked about what Duke Veniam said. The man was surprised and asked where she had heard all that, and Luna only gave a vague answer. When Luna thought Duke Veniam would exin, he gave her a mysterious smile instead. He spoke ambiguously, just like before, which sessfully annoyed Luna.


    A sister? Another world? And let¡¯s not forget Alkrevas¡¯s reaction. The man¡¯s possessive attitude towards the Duke¡¯s ¡°sister¡± was simr to the way he behaved towards her. Of course, it was not surprising that Duke Veniam would want to send his sister to another world since he had once travelled to another world. That ce was the safest in the current situation.


    But Alkrevas¡¯s behaviour like that¡­ Is there something Luna didn¡¯t know? Putting all that aside, for some reason, Luna felt a burning sensation in her heart. She didn¡¯t expect herself to feel¡­ a me of jealousy. Yes, she admitted she was jealous of that sister. There was intense jealousy because Alkrevas¡¯s attention was not solely on her but also on the Duke¡¯s sister. ¡°Miss, we should go inside. It¡¯s quite cold outside. I wouldn¡¯t want you to get sick,¡± Jaxon said suddenly, breaking Luna from her reverie.


    She nodded her head and looked at the staff again, then at the grand and sturdy castle building in front of her for the umpteenth time, still not believing she had arrived at Veniam Duchy. Would she get answers to her questions here? ¡°Mr. Raylon.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Does His Grace the Duke have a sister?¡±


    ¡°Uhh¡­ umm¡­ yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Why have I never heard of her?¡± Luna murmured curiously. Judith had never mentioned anything about the Duke¡¯s sister. ¡°And where is she now?¡±


    ¡°She¡­ umm¡­ here¡­?¡±


    Luna¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Why haven¡¯t I seen her?¡±


    ¡°She¡­ umm¡­¡±


    Their conversation was interrupted by a man in his forties dressed as a butler approaching and stopping right in front of Luna. ¡°Miss Luna, wee. I am Norch. I am the butler and the head of staff in this castle.¡±


    ¡°Oh, nice to meet you, Norch. This castle is so beautiful.¡±


    Norch smiled slightly and said, ¡°How about we go inside and have some warm tea? The main sitting room of the castle is the best ce to rx, as it hasrge windows that overlook the castle¡¯s main garden.¡±


    Jaxon nodded and added, ¡°The view is quite beautiful, especially during the fall and winter. Of course, in summer and spring, the view is equally beautiful.¡±


    Luna gave a small smile. She realized that the two people beside her were trying to divert attention from her question. ¡°Is that so?¡± Luna looked up at the sky and then at the castle fountain located in the courtyard. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go inside. Besides, I want to meet the youngdy of Veniam.¡±


    Jaxon and Norch exchanged nces before leading Luna into the castle.


    ¡°Alpha¡­¡±


    ¡°If you are worried I might leave, I won¡¯t. Now, leave.¡± After that, Gamma Mathias and the man Luna guessed was Commander Deborah¡¯s father obeyed the Emperor¡¯s order and stepped out. Once Alkrevas was alone, the magical light in his hand slowly faded. Luna didn¡¯t know if this was a dream or not, but one thing she wanted was to touch Alkrevas and soothe his troubled heart. She slowly approached Alkrevas, who was standing with his head bowed, and stopped right beside him. Luna raised her hand, and like a miracle, she was able to touch his hair. ¡°Alkrevas¡­¡±


    Alkrevas immediately looked up and nced around, whispering, ¡°Luna¡­?¡±


    ***


    The next day, Luna stood nervously, looking at the man beside her with a gentle smile. The sses perched on his nose did not diminish his handsomeness in the slightest, and they couldn¡¯t hide his beautiful and rare grey eyes: Jaxon Raylon, Duke Veniam¡¯s aide. At the moment, the two of them were standing in the central courtyard of Veniam Duchy Castle. Luna leaned closer and asked the man, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a bit too much?¡± she asked as she looked at the scene in front of her, where the staff and servants were lined up, bowing to wee her.


    ¡°Not at all, Miss.¡±


    Luna sighed deeply. She still felt the effects after meeting Alkrevas in what was supposedly a dream. Still all, she was actually her soul reaching out to him through the mate bond between them caused by their prolonged separation. Although tired, it was all worth it for Alkrevas¡¯s touch. Unfortunately, Luna couldn¡¯t stay long because her body became unstable when her soul left it, forcing her to return quickly. She shook her head, trying not to dwell on what happened to herst night. Instead, she focused on Duke Veniam¡¯s words.


    Earlier that morning, before using Alkrevas¡¯s personal teleportation magic, Luna had asked about what Duke Veniam said. The man was surprised and asked where she had heard all that, and Luna only gave a vague answer. When Luna thought Duke Veniam would exin, he gave her a mysterious smile instead. He spoke ambiguously, just like before, which sessfully annoyed Luna.


    A sister? Another world? And let¡¯s not forget Alkrevas¡¯s reaction. The man¡¯s possessive attitude towards the Duke¡¯s ¡°sister¡± was simr to the way he behaved towards her. Of course, it was not surprising that Duke Veniam wanted to send his sister to another world since he had once travelled to another world. That ce was the safest in the current situation.


    But Alkrevas¡¯s behaviour like that¡­ Is there something Luna didn¡¯t know? Putting all that aside, for some reason, Luna felt a burning sensation in her heart. She didn¡¯t expect herself to feel¡­ a me of jealousy. Yes, she admitted she was jealous of that sister. There was intense jealousy because Alkrevas¡¯s attention was not solely on her but also on the Duke¡¯s sister. ¡°Miss, we should go inside. It¡¯s quite cold outside. I wouldn¡¯t want you to get sick,¡± Jaxon said suddenly, breaking Luna from her reverie.


    She nodded her head and looked at the staff again, then at the grand and sturdy castle building in front of her for the umpteenth time, still not believing she had arrived at Veniam Duchy. Would she get answers to her questions here? ¡°Mr. Raylon.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Does His Grace the Duke have a sister?¡±


    ¡°Uhh¡­ umm¡­ yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Why have I never heard of her?¡± Luna murmured curiously. Judith had never mentioned anything about the Duke¡¯s sister. ¡°And where is she now?¡±


    ¡°She¡­ umm¡­ here¡­?¡±


    Luna¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°Why haven¡¯t I seen her?¡±


    ¡°She¡­ umm¡­¡±


    Their conversation was interrupted by a man in his forties dressed as a butler approaching and stopping right in front of Luna. ¡°Miss Luna, wee. I am Norch. I am the butler and the head of staff in this castle.¡±


    ¡°Oh, nice to meet you, Norch. This castle is so beautiful.¡±


    Norch smiled slightly and said, ¡°How about we go inside and have some warm tea? The main sitting room of the castle is the best ce to rx, as it hasrge windows that overlook the castle¡¯s main garden.¡±


    Jaxon nodded and added, ¡°The view is quite beautiful, especially during the fall and winter. Of course, in summer and spring, the view is equally beautiful.¡±


    Luna gave a small smile. She realized that the two people beside her were trying to divert attention from her question. ¡°Is that so?¡± Luna looked up at the sky and then at the castle fountain located in the courtyard. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go inside. Besides, I want to meet the youngdy of Veniam.¡±


    Jaxon and Norch exchanged nces before leading Luna into the castle.


    ¡­.

 The letter (1)

    Alkrevas mmed the documents in his hand and red at General Almbra and Mathias with a sharp, deadly stare. He strode forward quickly, grabbing Gamma Mathias by the cor of his uniform while growling. His brown eyes gradually turned a deep red, and the aura around him shifted.


    ¡°Is this it? Is this all you can do? Do you have any idea how long I¡¯ve been away from the capital and my throne for this investigation, for this war, and you still say¡­ you haven¡¯t found the answer?¡± he hissed in a terrifying tone.


    He then roughly released his grip on Gamma Mathias¡¯ cor, causing the man to stagger slightly before straightening himself up. Alkrevas turned and stepped on the report he had just read regarding the particr team¡¯s investigation report. It was formed to discover why the Goblins¡¯ sudden power changes, as their transformation was unnatural. The evacuation had just beenpleted, and the border inhabitants and small packs had been saved, ensuring they would no longer suffer from Goblin attacks.


    If they were forced to choose defensive illusion magic, it would happen when the sun was at its peak while the Goblins hid. Alkrevas would create that illusion to prevent the Goblins from quickly attacking Vasilos. The defensive illusion magic was thest resort he could use to hold off the Goblins temporarily until he could devise a new strategy.


    Alkrevas could have used this method from the start, sparing them the need for war and the loss of many knights. However, his proposal had been fiercely opposed by the military leaders, who were concerned about the Emperor¡¯s well-being. Defensive illusion magic isrge-scale magic, not as simple as transforming appearances, which relies on low-level magic to manipte reality momentarily.


    The illusion magic Alkrevas nned to use was high-level, soplex that even Mages and grand wizards struggled to perform it simultaneously. This illusion would require vast amounts of mana from Alkrevas¡¯ body. It would need to be sustained over a long period. The illusion would manifest as abyrinth filled with thick fog, causing the Goblins to hallucinate, seeing either Vasilos or an endless forest.


    Why abyrinth? With that, the Goblins would be trapped, wandering in circles. This would buy Vasilos time, but not for Alkrevas himself, as using this magic was equivalent to gambling with his life. The enormous mana required could drain him so severely that it might destroy his heart. Unlike a protective shield that, once activated, could stand independently, thebyrinth illusion would rely entirely on its creator-Alkrevas.


    The special investigation team was working so hard to find answers about the Goblins because if they didn¡¯t, they might have to resort to more disastrous options, including the most extreme one. Time was running short, and the knights were growing exhausted. Although the war hadn¡¯tsted long, theck of breaks was taking its toll, even on immortal beings.


    The situation in the capitalpounded all this. Alkrevas couldn¡¯t stay away from the imperial pce much longer; soon, he would have to return to fulfil his duties as Emperor. He couldn¡¯t rely forever on Markus, who had his territory to manage. ¡°The only border region that hasn¡¯t been directly affected is the north, correct?¡± Alkrevas suddenly asked.


    Gamma Mathias nodded, though a faint frown creased his forehead. ¡°Yes, but from thest report I heard, themander of the Veniam Duchy knights mentioned suspicious movements right outside the border fortress. However, because Veniam borders the mountains, the Goblins seem to be having some difficulty.¡±


    Alkrevas sat down, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair, racking his brain for alternatives to the illusion magic. Build a fortress out of the earth? He would need elementals, most of whom resided in Foryeust. Should he go beyond the border and investigate on his own? That would be suicide, and he wasn¡¯t eager to die so soon. Still, the only way might be to investigate for himself. If he didn¡¯t, he would have to resort to the final option to return to the capital quickly.


    ¡°Have themunication lines been reactivated?¡± he asked.


    Gamma Mathias nced at his assistant, who shook his head slightly. ¡°Not yet, Alpha. The status remains the same as yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Alkrevas clenched his fist and mmed the desk before him, causing everything on it to fall to the floor as the desk split in half and shattered. He raked his hand through his hair in frustration. At dawn, he had sensed his teleportation magic being used, meaning Luna had already gone to Veniam Duchy using her private teleportation magic.


    Should he use direct teleportation as well? ¡°By any means necessary, contact the imperial pce. I need to speak with Duke Veniam.¡± Alkrevas paused momentarily before continuing, ¡°Keep working on fortifying the new defense walls with the Mages. This needs to be finished immediately. If the walls are sturdy again, the impact of the Goblin attacks won¡¯t hit us directly. We can fend off more Goblins.¡±


    Alkrevas nced at General Almbra. ¡°What about the two ck wizards?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re still in the same location. The port has ceased operations because of this issue, preventing them from crossing. The tracker team is still monitoring and awaiting your orders.¡± Right. Until now, he hadn¡¯t given the order to capture them due to several factors, including ensuring the wizards didn¡¯t escape again. If he acted rashly, the two wizards could slip away, just likest time, as they were slippery like snakes.


    ¡°Are they nning something else?¡± Alkrevas muttered. His heart grew increasingly uneasy, as if he hadn¡¯t yet found the missing piece of the puzzle. ¡°Any response from the Magic Tower?¡±


    ¡°They are still investigating whether there are any other ck wizards alive, and also looking into the troublemaker in Mylonas Capital.¡± Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose.


    ¡°Connect me with the other knightmanders. We need to discuss a new strategy.¡± General Almbra nodded in acknowledgement before bowing and leaving the room.


    Alkrevas and Gamma Mathias were silent for a moment, both deep in thought about the events unfolding, until Gamma Mathias finally asked, ¡°Is this rted to Marquis Erendiel, Your Majesty?¡± Alkrevas remained quiet.


    ¡°The Noble Faction must have nned all of this from the start.¡± Gamma Mathias growled and continued, ¡°Just like the rogue smuggling incident some time ago. Although there was no proof of involvement, it was clear that Marquis Erendiel was behind it. It¡¯s possible this situation is the same as before.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s true, it would give me a good reason to kill them all without exception,¡± Alkrevas said coldly, his red eyes darkening even further, making Gamma shiver in fear. ¡°Unfortunately, the mastermind behind all this isn¡¯t one of the noble faction members. In fact, they¡¯re currently trying to protect their wealth and power.¡±


    ¡°While we are all working to protect Vasilos¡­¡± Gamma Mathias growled in anger again. ¡°So you¡¯re saying the traitor has begun to reveal their face. Do you already have a guess?¡±


    ¡°Think about it, Mathias. Besides the knights, who else can move around easily?¡± Alkrevas asked calmly. He raised his hand and released some power, monitoring the tracking bracelet around Luna¡¯s ankle.


    ¡°Staff, servants, and pce attendants. But they can¡¯t move freely. There are certain restrictions that prevent them from wandering too much.¡±All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°You know, thest time I entered my office, a magical surveince device was hidden in one of the bookshelves and tucked into a flower vase. A recording device was then found in my bedroom. Andst time, before the public mating ceremony, a servant brought a drinkced with poison. Luckily, I discovered it first, and Luna had no idea.¡±


    ¡°Rumors about Miss Luna also spread quickly, as if someone was leaking information while you tried to cover it up,¡± Gamma Mathias murmured.


    ¡°Those are just a few of the strange things I¡¯ve noticed.¡± Mathias nodded in understanding. ¡°Won¡¯t it be a problem if you leave the imperial pce?¡±


    ¡°Catching them off guard is the best way to catch a rat, Mathias. Besides, I¡¯m still watching, even from afar.¡± Alkrevas closed his hand and realized that an emergency meeting between nations had likely already urred. He was annoyed by Markus¡¯ decision to shut down themunication channels. Still, it was a good move, preventing the traitor from acting freely.


    ¡°For now, let the rat move. What we need to focus on is stopping the Goblins. I trust my Chancellor to handle the situation in the capital until I return, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can stay here too long. If my throne remains empty for too long, we¡¯ll have more than just the traitor to worry about-we¡¯ll also have to deal with the Noble Faction.¡±


    Mathias nodded in understanding. He didn¡¯t fully grasp imperial politics, not because he hadn¡¯t studied it, but because he chose not to get involved. Mathias had been part of a pack from one of the western regions of the empire before bing a Knight and the Royal Gamma, so when he rose to the third-highest position, he dedicated himself more to the empire¡¯s safety and protection than to its politics. After all, political affairs were the responsibility of the Royal Beta, Savon.


    The Emperor also hadpetent aides, so Mathias focused more on strengthening the First Order knights and ensuring the security of the Vasilos Empire. ¡°About The Shadow¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t reveal their existence, Mathias. Other than you, me, and Lunaku, no one else knows, and they believe them to be a myth.¡±


    Mathias nodded obediently. He certainly wouldn¡¯t divulge the secret. However, Mathias was deeply shocked when he saw The Shadow. And that, too, by ident.


    On the third night after they arrived at the border, Mathias intended to report about the Goblin¡¯s movements to the Alpha. But when he reached the Alpha¡¯s room, he found it empty. Mathias searched for him and finally decided to deliver the report in the morning. However, as he passed through the backyard of Count Deborah¡¯s residence-where they were temporarily staying-he saw the Alpha standing there with several men in ck cloaks, their faces hidden behind ck masks.


    One of the cloaked men had one ck eye and one white. A hybrid? There was another with different-colored irises. Each had distinct features, and Mathias was so startled that the Alpha reprimanded him suddenly. ¡°Eavesdropping isn¡¯t good, Gamma.¡±


    ¡°Alpha.¡± Mathias immediately knelt on one knee, bowing his head. He heard heavy, terrifying footsteps before seeing a pair of shoes right before him. Mathias¡¯s body trembled, and he held his breath as he felt a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have seen this, but perhaps that¡¯s my mistake.¡± Then, Mathias heard the sound of a sword being drawn, and his eyes quivered as he felt the coldness of the de. The silver sword would have grazed his neck if Mathias moved even slightly. ¡°Anyone who witnesses their existence, I kill on the spot, severing their head so they don¡¯t reveal my secret. I should do the same to you.¡±


    ¡°Alpha¡­¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ll make an exception for you.¡± Mathias didn¡¯t know whether to feel relieved or even more terrified, knowing that if he said anything, not only would he die, but his family or even his birth pack would, too. ¡°So you know what you must do, don¡¯t you, Mathias?¡± The Alpha¡¯s voice was filled with a terrifying, deadly warning.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha! I will keep my mouth shut for the rest of my life. I¡¯ll carry this secret to my grave.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Mathias finally breathed when the sword was withdrawn. ¡°Raise your head.¡± Mathias lifted his head. ¡°They are The Shadow, a special unit directly under mymand. They¡¯re not just my personal intelligence, but also my shield. Remember that well, Mathias.¡±


    Mathias shook his head as the scene reyed in his mind. He couldn¡¯t believe that the Alpha, also his Emperor, could control a group of hybrids known for their strength and individuality, free from others¡¯ control. The fact that he was still alive was something to be grateful for, wasn¡¯t it? ¡°Did they tell you about the identity of that rat?¡± Alkrevas only gave a small, mysterious smile. ¡°Can they find the source of the Goblin¡¯s changes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already sent some of them, but for the first time, they failed.¡± That meant he¡¯d have to search on his own. Alkrevas was convinced the Goblin¡¯s changes were the work of a dark sorcerer, but how it happened was something he still needed to figure out. Suddenly, a ck-cloaked figure appeared, interrupting their conversation. Mathias still couldn¡¯t hide his shock whenever The Shadow appeared before him, and this time was no different. Fortunately, he managed to conceal his expression by lowering his head.


    Alkrevas turned toward one of The Shadow members-Noelle. A hybrid, a siren-vampire. It was a surprisingbination, as the two were opposites. Vampires ruled thend, while Sirens ruled the sea. Vampires were known for their exclusivity, while Sirens were rare, even in Oceania, due to their low poption.


    Sirens had a rtively shorter lifespan than ordinary mermaids, while Vampires lived so long that they were considered immortal. Not to mention, it was difficult for either species to bear offspring. So, it was pretty surprising when Alkrevas found Noelle and her rare bloodline made her abilities unquestionable. ¡°What is it, Noelle?¡±


    ¡°Lord Damon has just regained consciousness.¡±


    That news was like a breath of fresh air for Alkrevas. ¡°His condition?¡±


    ¡°Now that he¡¯s fully conscious, his recovery is progressing quickly.¡±


    Mathias tried to lift his head to glimpse Noelle, and his breath caught as their eyes met briefly. He clenched his fists tightly, restraining himself until his body shook. ¡°Tell Damon to report to me once he¡¯s fully recovered. How about the task I assigned?¡±


    ¡°Lady Luna is still at Castle Veniam, in good condition.¡±


    ¡°Can you contact those guarding the capital?¡±


    ¡°Not yet, my Lord. We¡¯re still trying.¡±


    Alkrevas pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Markus¡¯s decisions are irritating me more and more. Mathias, I¡¯m going beyond the border.¡±


    ¡°Alpha? Why so suddenly¡­?¡±


    ¡°I will be apanied by The Shadow. If not, I will use illusion magic.¡± Since Damon had regained consciousness, Alkrevas didn¡¯t need to worry about himself while outside the border. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t trust the other members of The Shadow to apany him this time. Still, they already had essential tasks assigned by him, such as keeping an eye on Luna. And Damon, having demon blood, could wield the power of darkness-something the other members of The Shadow did not possess.


    ¡°Alpha, I cannot-¡±


    ¡°Enough with your objections, Mathias. I¡¯m starting to lose my patience. Waiting any longer will only make me more irritated. I need to return to the pce as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°I will handle it.¡± Mathias nced at The Shadow standing beside the Alpha like a guardian. ¡°I will take care of it for you. I can¡¯t allow your life to be endangered. Let me go beyond the border and find out, so you can return to the capital.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. He signalled Noelle to leave, and shortly after, The Shadow disappeared. He had already anticipated this oue. Alkrevas didn¡¯t suggest going beyond the border because many would offer to take his ce, just like Mathias. But they were just ordinary knights.


    Fighting Goblins in this situation didn¡¯t just require swordsmanship but also other abilities. However¡­ Mathias already knew about The Shadow, which meant Alkrevas could send him with Damon. Alkrevas tapped his fingers, considering all the best and worst oues of sending his Gamma beyond the border in his ce. ¡°Alright. On one condition.¡±


    ¡°What is it, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°While outside the border, The Shadowmander will protect you, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can be at ease. You must protect yourself as well because the Goblins could attack you as a group at any moment. Therefore, if the situation bes dire, immediately return to the border with The Shadow. Don¡¯t worry about your mission. Stay alive and return without any injuries.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°One more thing¡­¡± Alkrevas observed Mathias for a moment. ¡°Like the other investigation teams, you must carry a magical recording device, and don¡¯t block your mind. I may contact you or use you to see the situation beyond the border directly. Understood?¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    Alkrevas sighed again. At least things had improved somewhat, thanks to Damon. Otherwise, he would¡¯ve had to render Mathias and the mansion¡¯s inhabitants unconscious and leave with The Shadow if they tried to stop him.


    ¡­.

 The letter (2)

    Two weekster


    Luna smiled at the servant before entering the room with a weary sigh. Another quiet day she had passed for her in the Veniam Duchy. She closed the door and walked to the centre of the luxurious and beautiful bedroom, carefully observing the interior. It had been two weeks since she arrived at the Veniam castle. On the first day of her arrival, she was taken on a tour of the castle to familiarize herself with the ce that would be her temporary home so she would stay aware of it.


    Of course, Luna was thrilled, as touring the castle was an excellent opportunity. During the tour, she hoped to get closer to the servants to find answers to her questions about the Duke of Veniam¡¯s younger sister or perhaps even meet the mysterious sister while exploring, but in reality, neither of those things happened.


    Even at dinner, Luna did not meet the youngdy of Veniam. The servants only smiled subtly and remained silent when asked about her. In the days that followed, Luna tried to investigate on her own, attempting to be in parts of the castle she believed were most frequently used, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious youngdy. But just like at the beginning of her stay, there was no sign of the woman, only deepening Luna¡¯s curiosity.


    Sheter tried to speak with Mr. Jaxon, but it led to nothing. So, after two weeks in the castle, Luna chose to step back and suppress her curiosity, but that didn¡¯t mean she would give up. She nned to wait for the right time to ask about the youngdy of Veniam again.


    In the morning, her thoughts were consumed with the youngdy, while at night, she couldn¡¯t sleep soundly, hoping she could meet Alkrevas again in her dreams. Whether her soul would reach him or he woulde to her, as he had mentionedst time, her hopes were once again dashed, as her dreams were only a blur, forgotten upon waking.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Luna sighed deeply. Her meeting with Alkrevas had not lessened her longing; it grew more substantial and profound. She bit her lower lip and entered the brightly lit room illuminated by magicalmps. She took in every detail before moving toward the bed, intending to rest for a while before the servant arrived to help her prepare for sleep. However, she suddenly recalled the Duke of Veniam¡¯s words before teleporting.


    ¡°Luna, if I haven¡¯te for you before the next full moon night, I want you to go to the third floor and enter the only room there. You¡¯ll find the answers to your questions there.¡± Luna sat up, frowning in confusion. If she remembered correctly, the servant had never shown her the third floor, only the first, second, and ground levels during the castle tour. Should she ask Mr. Jaxon what the Duke of Veniam meant?


    Luna got off the bed and walked toward the door. She decided it would be best to ask, for when she thought about it again, the Duke¡¯s words seemed very strange to her, but they only made her more anxious and curious. The third floor? A room? What was there? What answers? Luna reached for the door handle and opened the door. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Mr. Jaxon standing in front of the door, his hand raised as if about to knock.


    ¡°Mr. Jaxon? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Beta Savon has just sent a message.¡±


    ¡°A message? Has the Duke of Veniam reopenedmunication?¡±


    Mr. Jaxon nodded. ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s only one-waymunication, though under strict supervision and only allowed from the Imperial Pce.¡±


    ¡°Is that safe? What if that traitor contacts someone else?¡±


    ¡°All of this is by the Emperor¡¯s decision.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ Wait a minute! The Emperor? Has he returned to Mylonas?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s correct. However, His Grace the Duke mentioned that the Emperor is still busy attending to duties that were neglected during his absence, in addition to investigating the ck mages in Mylonas¡­¡± Luna¡¯s heart raced. She didn¡¯t catch the rest of Mr. Jaxon¡¯s sentence because her mind was entirely focused on the information about Alkrevas. Her face brightened, and her eyes sparkled with genuine happiness.


    The fact that Alkrevas had returned to Mylonas was enough for her. Luna was satisfied when she realized the message wasn¡¯t from Alkrevas himself. She didn¡¯t mind. She could wait longer here until the man was no longer busy and coulde to fetch her. Luna cleared her throat softly, realizing they were still speaking at the door. She quickly allowed Mr.


    Jaxon to enter before asking, ¡°What message did Beta Savon send me?¡± Luna held herself back from asking more about Alkrevas and instead focused on the reason for Mr. Jaxon¡¯s visit.


    Mr Jaxon pulled out an envelope bearing the Royal Beta seal and handed it to Luna.


    ¡°I do not know the contents, as I didn¡¯t dare open it.¡±


    Luna nodded in understanding and swiftly opened the envelope, her brow furrowing in confusion when she saw only a paragraph written there.


    -Return to your world, Empress. Your life is in danger. The Emperor orders you to leave immediately.-


    ¡°What¡­?¡± Luna gasped as the letter she had just finished reading suddenly caught fire and vanished as though it had never existed. ¡°This¡­¡±


    ¡°One-way letters are enchanted to disappear after being read,¡± Mr. Jaxon exined briefly. ¡°So, what did Beta Savon write?¡±


    Luna remained frozen, not because Beta Savon had addressed her as ¡®Empress,¡¯ but because of the information that her life was in danger. When had Beta Savon written the letter? And who was after her? Could it be that Abigail and Beth were moving again? ¡°Mr. Jaxon, I¡¯d like to know. What¡¯s the situation in Mylonas Capital? Has anything rming urred?¡±


    Mr. Jaxon frowned in confusion and pulled a small crystal from his coat pocket, cing it on a small table in the corner of the room. Immediately, the hologram she had seen before appeared, but this time, it wasn¡¯t a message. It was more like a recorded video.


    ¡°His Grace the Duke included this crystal with the letter, and I hadn¡¯t yet seen it¡­ this¡­¡± Luna approached the table and gasped at the sight of Mylonas Capital, which was eerily silent, especially the Imperial Pce, which looked grim.


    ¡°What happened¡­?¡±


    ¡°Did His Grace say anything in the letter?¡±


    ¡°No. He only mentioned ordinary things before the letter burned away. And he said the situation was under control.¡±


    Luna narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the scene of Mylonas Capital, which seemed far from under control. ¡°Is this the reason the Emperor returned to the capital?¡± Luna asked Mr. Jaxon. The recording shifted to the Imperial Pce¡¯s garden, and now she noticed something strange-no, something terrifying.


    ¡°That¡­ isn¡¯t that the Emperor?¡± Luna asked in a trembling voice. She couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing: Alkrevas standing amid a sea of lifeless bodies, his sword drenched in blood. Even in the magical recording, Luna could see the intense aura radiating from Alkrevas and a brilliant white-golden light of pure mana surrounding him, revealing another side of Alkrevas she had never seen. ¡°Alk¡­ what¡¯s happening¡­?¡± Mr. Jaxon suddenly gasped and quickly grabbed Luna¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Mr. Jaxon?¡±


    ¡°Miss Luna, you should leave here. Save yourself.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The traitor¡­ it seems he has revealed himself and is no longer hiding.¡± Mr. Jaxon nced at the magical crystal recording, specifically toward a figure of a man in the distance, smiling. Luna followed his gaze. Instantly, her body froze as she realized what Beta Savon¡¯s warning meant because the man knew exactly who she was-Alkrevas¡¯ soulmate.


    ¡°That man¡­ The traitor.¡± Thick ck fog surrounded the man, enveloped in a red glow. Inside the fog, the man appeared to be speaking to a woman standing beside him with a nk expression.


    ¡°How could this be?¡±


    Luna couldn¡¯t believe what she was seeing.


    ¡­..

 The painting (1)

    Luna was so shocked that she could not speak, as she never expected that the traitor who had been the focus of Alkrevas¡¯ concerns all this time was someone close to him and could roam freely. Luna swallowed hard and asked,


    ¡°Why did that man betray him? What was his reason? What did His Majesty do to him to make him betray?¡± She then shifted her gaze from the magical video recording and looked at Mr. Jaxon anxiously. ¡°Does His Grace the Duke know about this too?¡±


    Mr. Jaxon shook his head and replied, ¡°He didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Luna returned her gaze to the recording and clenched her fists tightly. Anger surged fiercely in her heart. She didn¡¯t know the man that well, but Alkrevas certainly did. How did he feel, knowing that someone he trusted had betrayed him so cruelly?


    Luna was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned toward Mr. Jaxon. The magical recording had ended abruptly, as if someone had intentionally cut it off or hurriedly stopped it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, if you¡¯re concerned that His Majesty the Emperor will be hurt, I can assure you that won¡¯t happen. His Majesty is not someone who easily gives his trust, not even to those who have served him for decades,¡± Mr Jaxon paused for a moment. His brow furrowed deeply, and Luna saw that Duke Veniam¡¯s aide was displeased about something.


    ¡°It¡¯s just disappointing. How did Zyne manage to hide his dark magic without being detected by His Majesty? Especially since the man is always by His Majesty¡¯s side. It¡¯s obvious he¡¯s a dark magic user, does the Magic Tower know about this?¡± Mr. Jaxon pondered briefly.


    ¡°This case definitely needs deeper investigation.¡±


    Yes, the traitor she saw in the magical recording was Zyne, the imperial pce¡¯s chief of staff and head butler. It was shocking for Luna, as this man was the mastermind behind all the cmities. Luna didn¡¯t know Zyne well; in hindsight, she had never spoken with him. Besides being rigid, quiet, and reserved, the man was always at Alkrevas¡¯ side, which made Luna rarely encounter him. She had never noticed anything strange about him either, no odd feelings or suspicions, as if the man was an expert at hiding his true self. Whenever they crossed paths, Zyne would bow respectfully, smile politely, and greet her briefly.


    When beside Alkrevas, Zyne remained silent like a statue, sometimes making Luna unaware of his presence. And when serving Alkrevas, Zyne never demanded anything. Luna wondered what had gone wrong and what the reason behind Zyne¡¯s betrayal was. ¡°Why now, after all this time?¡± Luna unconsciously asked.


    ¡°Because of your presence, Lady Luna.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Mr. Jaxon sighed softly and looked directly at Luna. ¡°Do you know the rumor that His Majesty the Emperor would go feral if he didn¡¯t meet his soulmate soon? I assume you¡¯ve heard of it.¡±


    Luna recalled Ghea¡¯s words before nodding. ¡°I suspect Zyne had been waiting for that moment to carry out his evil n, but all of that fell apart when you appeared.¡±


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened as she grasped the meaning of Mr. Jaxon¡¯s exnation. She felt her heart tighten; even though what was happening wasn¡¯t entirely her fault, she still felt like she had yed a part in this chaos. Then she remembered the woman by Zyne¡¯s side, Abigail. Wasn¡¯t thest news about her fleeing and no longer being in the capital? How could that dark sorceress now be in the capital? What had happened? Luna was utterly in the dark and didn¡¯t understand. She could have gotten some answers if she had been closer to Alkrevas.


    Luna bowed and closed her eyes, squeezing her brain to find a glimmer of rity in the situation. If Zyne was the dark sorcerer causing trouble in Morgena, and Abigail was by his side, it was highly likely that this chaos was the revenge on Vasilos and Alkrevas that Abigail had previously mentioned to her. Then she opened her eyes, remembering something. Her hands quickly reopened the letter Beta Savon sent her, and she noticed a strange inconsistency. ¡°Mr. Jaxon.¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Do you remember what His Grace the Duke said? Beta Savon would follow me to the Veniam Duchy with troops on horseback. How long would it take for this message to be sent from Morgena to Veniam?¡±


    ¡°Since it uses magic, it would only take a few days to arrive¡­ don¡¯t tell me¡­¡±


    Luna gave a brief nod. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s very likely that the one who sent the letter wasn¡¯t Beta Savon. Whoever wrote it stole Beta¡¯s seal to deceive me. If His Grace the Duke¡¯s words are true, then after we left, Beta Savon¡¯s group would have also departed, because I remember His Grace the Duke saying that the journey from Morgena to Veniam takes four weeks without teleportation magic, and two weeks with it. I¡¯m sure His Grace wouldn¡¯t want to waste time.¡±


    Luna focused on the words¡¯ Empress Consort.¡¯ She had ignored those words before but realized it was a sign that Beta Savon didn¡¯t write the letter. Beta Savon had never once acknowledged her as the future empress or the Emperor¡¯s soulmate due to the temple incident, so it was impossible that he had suddenly changed his mind. Whoever wrote it likely needed her to leave this world and return to her original one, weakening Alkrevas, and they thought that using those two words would soften her resolve and make her believe. Just like Abigail had said before, could this be what Abigail was doing?


    ¡°Your theory could be correct. Handwriting can be duplicated with magic, so forgery is entirely possible. And since Zyne is the traitor, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if he had the seal in his possession because aside from Sigmund, he¡¯s the only one who can freely enter and leave the pce as the chief of staff.¡± Mr. Jaxon momentarily pondered and continued, ¡°It¡¯s a bold and well-thought-out n. What do you think about Count Sorgiere¡¯s family?¡±


    ¡°Count Sorgiere?¡±


    ¡°Zyne Sorgiere. The Sorgiere family is one of the neutral noble families, not supporting either the Emperor¡¯s faction or the noble faction.¡± Jaxon continued to exin the politicalndscape surrounding the Sorgiere family, which made Luna¡¯s head spin and her ears buzz. She was not born to be a politician, as matters involving politics made Luna feel nauseated, raising the question of what would happen if she became empress. She couldn¡¯t afford to ck off, could she? Another thing that made her hesitant about taking on the role of empress was


    Luna nced at the letter in her hand. She interrupted Mr. Jaxon¡¯s exnation by asking, ¡°Then why hasn¡¯t Beta Savon arrived yet?¡± Instantly, she saw Mr. Jaxon freeze, not knowing how to answer her question, which was genuinely concerning. It gave her a bad feeling about Beta Savon. Her eyes shifted to the small crystal and the letter sent by the Duke of Veniam. ¡°Do you think the letter from His Grace the Duke is also fake?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confident that this letter is genuine.¡± Mr. Jaxon paused before adding, ¡°If it were a fake, why would the culprit provide the recording crystal? To scare us?¡± Luna nodded in agreement. Mr. Jaxon sighed softly and thought for a moment, then realized something.


    ¡°The seal used wasn¡¯t the prime minister¡¯s seal, but the seal of the Veniam Duchy, and Zyne didn¡¯t know that His Grace the Duke always uses the Veniam Duchy seal whenever sending messages to this region. That means he wanted to convey something with the letter he sent.¡±


    ¡°Simultaneously with the fake letter from Beta?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the puzzle.¡± Mr. Jaxon furrowed his brow even deeper before continuing, ¡°Whatever it is, His Grace the Duke surely wanted to tell us something. There¡¯s a double meaning to the message he sent. From the scene shown by the recording crystal, the reopening of themunication lines, the return of His Majesty the Emperor when the border situation hasn¡¯t calmed down, and the fact that His Grace the Duke hasn¡¯t established a mind link even though themunication line has been reopened, it means that the situation in Morgena is worse than what we saw in the recording.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡­

 The painting (2)

    Luna began to feel uneasy. She desperately wanted to go to Morgena and see the situation firsthand. Still, she knew that if she forced her to return, it would only worsen the situation. Even so, she worried about Alkrevas. He appeared in the magical video recording where I first met him. Still, Luna was sure that behind what Alkrevas showed, his heart must be in tremendous pain, especially since he had to kill the imperial knights with his own hands. Now the question was, why did Alkrevas do that? Luna decided to ask about it.


    ¡°Why do you think His Majesty the Emperor killed the imperial knights?¡± Mr. Jaxon remained silent, staring out the window, but from his bodynguage, it seemed he had an answer to her question. ¡°Was it dark magic?¡± Mr. Jaxon nced briefly at her, enough for Luna to know her guess was correct.


    Luna still couldn¡¯t believe that Zyne was a dark magic user. So, he was the one causing trouble in the capital earlier. But if Zyne was a dark sorcerer, why hadn¡¯t the Sorgiere family said anything? Or were they deliberately covering up the truth? Or was there something else? Luna felt a sharp throb in her head. Her thoughts were branching out and bing chaotic, making her want to close her eyes and lie down. She sat down in the nearest chair and took a deep breath.


    Slowly, she opened her eyes and turned to Mr. Jaxon, asking, ¡°So what should we do, Mr. Jaxon? We can¡¯t-¡± Luna didn¡¯t finish her sentence when she noticed Mr Jaxon¡¯s body had tensed, and his distant, vacant gaze suggested he was in a mind link with someone. Luna waited in silence, and when he blinked back into focus, she was shocked to see the worry on his face. ¡°Mr. Jaxon? What is it?¡±


    ¡°You need to take shelter immediately.¡± Mr. Jaxon moved closer, grabbed her hand, and hurriedly pulled her toward the door. They walked through the vast castle corridor, and Luna had to suppress a wince as Mr Jaxon¡¯s grip on her wrist was tight.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Where are we going?¡± Luna asked, confused. Her short legs and skirt made it difficult for her to keep up with Mr. Jaxon¡¯s long strides.


    ¡°The informant from Veniam Duchy just gave me some news. Regarding your question about Beta Savon¡­ a few days ago, Beta Savon¡¯s group was suddenly attacked on their way here.¡± Luna couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. So, was her suspicion about the letter correct, and was Beta Savon attacked on his way to Veniam? Luna needed to learn how to process this new information.


    Mr Jaxon pressed his lips tightly before continuing, ¡°And goblins are currently trying to destroy the border fortress of the Veniam Duchy. I don¡¯t know how they¡¯ve be more aggressive than before. Until now, the goblins have only caused trouble outside the border due to their small numbers, but now their numbers have suddenly increased dramatically.¡±


    Luna gasped, then nced behind her at the castle staff rushing around in panic. ¡°So I need to take you to a safe ce until the situation is under control.¡±


    ¡°What? I-¡±


    ¡°Lady Luna, I know what you want to say, but please understand, your safety is the top priority. If I let you do something to help, His Grace the Duke and His Majesty the Emperor would kill us all.¡± Luna didn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°So please, don¡¯t be stubborn.¡±


    ¡°Alright, but where are you taking me?¡±


    ¡°To the third floor of the castle.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be going to-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the safest ce for you. didn¡¯t His Grace the Duke say so as well?¡± Luna did recall the Duke saying something simr to her but in a different context. Was this what the Duke meant? Why did the Duke of Veniam have to speak in such roundabout, cryptic ways? How did Jaxon Raylon manage to work with someone like Duke Veniam for so long? Luna and Mr Jaxon began climbing the castle¡¯s third-floor stairs but stopped abruptly. Luna¡¯s brow furrowed slightly when she saw a transparent wall ahead, blocking the area between the second and third floors.


    ¡°The third floor is shielded by a special magical barrier created by the empire¡¯s top mage under the orders of the previous Duke. To ordinary people, they wouldn¡¯t even realize that the third floor exists, except for Veniam¡¯s descendants and chosen individuals.¡± Was that why, when she first arrived at the castle, the servants hadn¡¯t taken her to the third floor-because the castle¡¯s inhabitants couldn¡¯t see it and believed it only had two floors?


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t see the third floor before either, and I always thought this castle only had two floors, but with the Duke¡¯s permission, now I can see it.¡±


    ¡°Why is the third floor so heavily guarded like this?¡± Luna walked closer to the transparent wall and touched it, gasping as her hand passed right through. What did this mean? She turned to Mr. Jaxon, her eyes filled with questions.


    Mr. Jaxon stepped closer, and they continued walking up the stairs, passing through the transparent wall. Luna nced back briefly at the wall before looking ahead again. ¡°Is there something the previous Duke wanted to protect?¡±


    ¡°More precisely, he wanted to keep a secret.¡± They arrived on the third floor, and Luna admired the elegant and beautiful interior. Unlike the cold atmosphere of the other floors, this one felt warm and homely, not at all like the stiff, ssical style of the rest of the castle.


    ¡°This way.¡± Mr. Jaxon led her to the onlyrge door at the end of the corridor. As Luna got closer, she could see the intricate carvings of the Veniam Duchy and imperial emblems on the door. Mr. Jaxon cleared his throat softly as Luna paused to touch and admire the beautiful carvings. Luna turned and saw him smiling at her as he opened the door. ¡°Please enter, mydy. This is the safest ce for you right now.¡± Luna nodded and stepped inside, her eyes widening at the room¡¯s interior, which far surpassed any other in the castle.


    ¡°This is the main chamber of the previous Duke and Duchess, the only room on this floor. Aside from the protective magic, the former Duke also ensured the room was enchanted with a preservation spell, keeping it clean and free from dust despite the passage of time. So the room is exactly as it was when the Dukest left it and sealed the magical barrier. This is the safest ce for you; if anything bad happens, such as an enemy entering the castle, they won¡¯t be able to find you.¡±


    ¡°Even dark sorcerers won¡¯t be able to see it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that, but if they realize part of the castle is protected by magic, they won¡¯t be able to enter easily.¡± Luna walked around the room, which she guessed was a sitting area.


    ¡°His Grace the Duke has also set up a food storage room over there.¡± Mr. Jaxon pointed to a door. ¡°So you don¡¯t need to worry if you get hungry.¡± Was this like a bunker? But instead of being underground, it was on the top floor. Luna muttered in amazement.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave to monitor the situation.¡± Luna turned to Mr. Jaxon and asked when he would return.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check on you after sunset.¡± Mr. Jaxon bowed and left, closing the door behind him. Once she heard the door shut, Luna walked over to the sofa and sat down, still in disbelief that there was such a room in Veniam Castle. When Duke Veniam had mentioned the third floor, she hadn¡¯t thought much of it, but now her mind had changed.


    Luna groaned and stretched her aching muscles. She noticed that her wrist had turned red but ignored it. Slowly, she stood up, intending to check out the bedroom, but as she walked, she passed by a wall with a firece. Her steps halted when she caught sight of arge painting out of the corner of her eye. Her head turned slowly, and her face went pale as she took in the painting more clearly. In the painting, there was a woman of striking beauty. She wore a red coat with ck ents, perfectly fitting her figure, with medals and the Veniam Duchy insignia pinned to her left chest.


    In her hand, she held a beautiful sword. Her posture was elegant and graceful, with a soft smile and warm eyes adorning her stunning face. Her brown hair was styled perfectly. Unlike most portraits of duchesses Luna had seen on the inte or those of past empresses in the imperial family halls, this woman¡¯s appearance was straightforward. Yet, that simplicity made her beauty stand out even more.


    Luna stepped closer to the painting. Her entire body trembled, and her heart raced. Her body¡¯s response was, of course, due to the realization that the woman in the painting-who she guessed was the former Duchess and Duke Veniam¡¯s mother-bore a striking resemnce to her, except for the colour of their eyes. If people didn¡¯t know better, they would surely assume there was a connection between Luna and the Duchess.


    ¡°This¡­ why is this¡­ could this be the reason for Duke Veniam¡¯s reaction when he first saw me?¡± Luna extended her hand and lightly touched the surface of the painting. Despite their simr appearances, Luna couldn¡¯t deny that the former Duchess was more beautiful than her and carried an air of authority that only a high-ranking woman could possess.


    ¡°Is there an exnation for all of this?¡± she asked again. Then, one by one, the Duke¡¯s cryptic words reyed in her mind, and Luna stepped back. She turned, intending to leave the room, but stopped and reconsidered. She could ask Duke Veniam for an exnationter, once the situation had settled and they met again. She needed to hold back and avoid acting impulsively or forcing Mr. Jaxon to contact the Duke.


    Luna walked away from the painting and entered the bedroom. She decided to lie down, rest, and process everything that had happened, hoping that her pounding heart would calm down as she rxed. Luna nced at the painting onest time before continuing on her way.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡­

 Attack (1)

    A Few Days Earlier


    Alkrevas was sitting at his temporary desk, eyes closed. A stack of reports on the impact of the Goblin attacksy on the table. It waste, and he should have returned to his room to rest, but he couldn¡¯t close his eyes, as there was too much work to be done. At the same time, the anxiety and tightness in his chest from being separated from his soulmate for so long weighed heavily on him. He let out a frustrated sigh and opened his eyes, raising his handzily to summon his magic, a glowing white and golden light, and began ying with it.


    Alkrevas sighed again, clenched his fist, and made his magic vanish instantly before straightening up. He grabbed one of the reports on his right side and carefully read the words on the paper. He tried his best to concentrate, but the image of Luna-her touch, her body, and her scent-kept spinning in his mind.


    Should I use teleportation magic to visit Luna in Veniam Duchy? he wondered. He could enter Luna¡¯s dreams, but that wasn¡¯t enough. He needed to see her in person and ensure her safety.


    ¡°Meet our mate! We must meet our mate! I can¡¯t stay separated from her any longer, mortal! Use your magic now! What¡¯s the point of having magic if you don¡¯t use it?¡±


    Alkrevas rolled his eyes in annoyance as he heard Norris, his wolf spirit, whining and shouting inside his head. He stood up, ced the report back on the desk, and walked to the centre of the room. Sometimes, Alkrevas wanted to muzzle his wolf¡¯s snout with duct tape to stop him from talking so much. He had no idea Norris couldn¡¯t keep a secret because his wolf had always been quiet and only spoke when necessary. But look at what happenedst time! Norris had easily spilt secrets to Luna, sneaking around and revealing everything Alkrevas had hidden. Now, Alkrevas was sure Luna would use Norris to extract any information he was reluctant to share.


    ¡°I¡¯m just loyal to our mate!¡±


    Shut up, you pesky wolf!


    Norris just snorted and turned his back, wagging his tail arrogantly. Their connection cut off, and Alkrevas felt utterly drained dealing with his wolf, who had changed since Luna entered their lives. Alkrevas closed his eyes briefly to focus on his departure coordinates, summoned his magic, and opened a dimensional door for teleportation-a circr portal-nning to visit Luna to check on her before returning.


    He could see the sitting room of the Veniam Duchy castle through the portal. His heart raced with excitement at the thought of seeing Luna again. He could already imagine her surprise when he saw him standing before her. But just as he stepped one foot into the teleportation circle, Mathias called him through the mind-link.


    Immediately, Alkrevas pulled his foot back and withdrew his hand, halting the mana flow and causing the teleportation magic to vanish instantly. Alkrevas let out a long, frustrated sigh and focused on Mathias. Since Mathias had left with Damon to investigate the goblins beyond the border, this was the first time he¡¯d reached out with such urgency. Damon asionally reported on their whereabouts and situation, but Mathias typically only mind-linked for routine reports about the goblins. This, however, was different.


    ¡°Alpha!¡±


    ¡°What is it, Mathias? Has something happened?¡± Alkrevas gazed into the distance momentarily before returning to his desk. He sat down at the edge of the desk, folded his arms over his chest, and closed his eyes slowly, his posture appearing rxed. However, he was actually on high alert. ¡°Did you see anything unusual?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Lord Damon and I are at the edge of the forest beyond the border. Alkrevas was relieved that Damon was with Mathias because, ording to Damon¡¯s reports, the goblins were so fierce to defeat that even with Damon¡¯s dark powers, he could only render them unconscious.¡± At least that way, Mathias and Damon could escape unharmed, and they suffered no severe injuries that would force them to return.


    ¡°It would help if you saw this, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Why? What have you seen?¡± Alkrevas began focusing on the pack bond between himself and Mathias, entering Mathias¡¯s mind and gaining control of his body. Mathias¡¯s eyes immediately turned dark red, moving swiftly around the surroundings, signalling that Alkrevas was now using his eyes. Alkrevas frowned as he observed the scene near where Mathias and Damon were hiding.


    ¡°Ahead, a group of goblins, more significant than those that attacked the border, stood guard in aplete formation. They were guarding an area that appeared to be aprehensive clearing, and from the sounds of trickling water, it seemed there was a water source nearby. From what we¡¯ve gathered, Alpha, that area is the goblins¡¯ stronghold. But what¡¯s strange is how fiercely they¡¯re guarding it, as if there¡¯s something important they need to protect.¡±


    Alkrevas thought the same. Coupled with the goblins¡¯ distinct form and behaviourrger bodies, towering heights, long fangs, wide eyes, and elongated ears-this only increased his suspicion. To the naked eye, nothing seemed unusual about the area they were guarding. Still, Alkrevas was a wizard who could see magic and mana. Right now, he saw a dark mist rising into the air, enveloping the area, indicating that there was a source of dark magic filling the location.


    ¡°Damon. What do you think?¡± Alkrevas asked, speaking through Mathias¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°As you can see, the ck magic appears to fill the area, indicating that whatever they are protecting and hiding is the source of their transformation, the thing we¡¯ve been searching for all this time.¡± Alkrevas was grateful that Damon had returned to health and was back to normal.


    Without that man, the team he had deployed found leads. ¡°I can see what they¡¯re guarding by slipping into the shadows. We¡¯ll discover the source of the Goblins¡¯ transformation.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, Lord Damon is right. We are in a tight spot, and if we dy any longer, things will be even more dangerous,¡± Mathias said through the mind link.


    Alkrevas looked at a few Goblins standing guard and exhaled slowly. What both of them said was true, but if they took rash action, the risk would be too significant. By carefully nning their moves and devising a new strategy, they could reduce the risks they faced.


    ¡°I said no. We need toe up with a more well-thought-out strategy. There are only the two of you. At least we know the location of the Goblin base and have some rity on the reason behind their transformation-ck magic.¡± Then, Alkrevas pulled himself back, allowing Mathias to regain control of his body. Mathias nced at the Goblins and growled softly before stepping back.


    ¡°Return. We¡¯ll discuss this again when you¡¯re back at the mansion. If you encounter any Goblins on the way, try not to fight them and avoid them. Mathias, I can sense your exhaustion.¡± Alkrevas breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Mathias¡¯ positive response, and the mind link was cut off.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    Alkrevas opened his eyes, feeling a mix of emotions. He walked around the table and sat back in his chair. He had just taken a breath and was about to return to reading the documents when a new mind link came through-this time, not from Mathias, but from his Beta, Savon. Alkrevas was confused about why his Beta contacted him through the mind link whenmunications were supposed to be cut off in Mylonas Capital.


    ¡°Al-pha¡­! I¡¯m in an emergency!¡±


    ¡°Savon? How are you able to reach me?¡± For a moment, Alkrevas was met with silence, which made him think he was imagining things. Still, mindlinks couldn¡¯t be taken lightly, meaning Savon was in trouble, which distracted him. ¡°Savon, answer me! How can you contact me?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Still, no response was enough to put Alkrevas on high alert.


    ¡°Alpha¡­ we¡­ were attacked¡­ in the Nerbour region¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Nerbour? Weren¡¯t you-never mind¡­ what¡¯s your condition, and the others? Have you contacted the nearest location?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not seriously injured, but the other knights have sustained concerning wounds, and we need help urgently. I¡¯ve tried contacting the nearest city, but I am still waiting for someone to respond.¡±


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll send help immediately. Hold on.¡± Alkrevas immediately called for General Almbra and asked when the man arrived, ¡°Is there a team near the Nerbour region?¡±


    General Almbra furrowed his brow before nodding. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Currently, the first order¡¯s team is the closest, about four kilometers from Nerbour.¡±


    ¡°Send the team immediately to assist in evacuating Beta Savon¡¯s group.¡±


    ¡°Pardon? But isn¡¯t Beta Savon in Mylonas Capital?¡±


    ¡°Do it now.¡±


    General Almbra promptly followed the Emperor¡¯s orders, turning around and giving his subordinates a few directions. Alkrevas wondered where Commander Thea was, but he decided to figure that outter because there were more important matters to attend to, and thinking about that woman wasn¡¯t his priority-except for Luna.


    ¡°Savon?¡± The Beta¡¯s response was weak but audible.


    ¡°I¡¯ve ordered Almbra to send the nearest knight team. Knights from the first order, located four kilometres from Nerbour, are heading your way. Now, exin how you ended up in Nerbour.¡±


    ¡°Lady Luna and Aide Jaxon went to Veniam Duchy by order of His Grace the Duke, using your private teleportation.¡±


    ¡°Why not you? I ordered you to stay by my soulmate¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°I had to handle the situation in Mylonas with His Grace, the Duke because the ck mage was causing chaos in the capital. So, Lady Luna was apanied by Aide Jaxon, and I nned to follow with a few elite knights from the Royal Pack after things settled down. By His Grace¡¯s orders, we travelled secretly, using inter-regional teleportation, and arrived at the Summre border to continue to Veniam Duchy. Once we entered the Nerbour Forest, we were suddenly attacked by a group of men in ck robes.¡±


    ¡°Do you recognize them?¡±


    ¡°From their movements, I suspect they are rogues. Still, I¡¯m determined because once we entered the forest, my senses and those of the knights seemed to dull, making us less alert.¡±


    That means the attack was deliberate, but by whom? Because if what Beta Savon said was true, no one knew about Savon¡¯s journey to Veniam Duchy except Markus-or had he misjudged?


    Could this be the traitor¡¯s doing? If so, Alkrevas wasn¡¯t surprised because that rat had been able to deceive everyone with ease. Based on Savon¡¯s description, the attackers must have been waiting, setting traps, which meant they had anticipated Savon¡¯s and the knights¡¯ arrival.


    Alkrevas drummed his fingers, carefully considering everything that had happened. Then, he stood up and walked out of the room. It was time for him to return to the imperial pce. He couldn¡¯t dy any longer; a lead on the Goblin issue was now. Alkrevas couldn¡¯t risk further dy in his return. He could leave everything here to General Almbra and Mathias.


    ¡­

 Attack (2)

    Markus sighed softly and checked the crystal recorder control he had installed in his office to monitor the empire. From thest time he saw it, the state of Morgena was worse than before. Markus felt frustrated and didn¡¯t know what else to do; the dark wizard terrorizing the capital was getting bolder inmitting crimes, and every time he found a trace to catch the mastermind behind Morgena¡¯s situation, he was always one or two steps toote. Markus desperately wanted to contact Alkrevas and ask about the traitor roaming the imperial pce.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Still, if he did that, Alkrevas¡¯ focus on dealing with the border issues would be diverted.


    Markus closed his eyes for a moment and rubbed his temples, which were starting to throb from thinking about various matters,pounded by the nobles bombarding him with numerous questions. He didn¡¯t want Alkrevas to go mad and the throne to fall into his hands because he hated all the imperial political affairs, which were only suitable for someone like Alkrevas, who enjoyed intimidating and dominating others.


    He reached for the bottle of alcohol provided by a servant, poured the drink into a crystal ss, and then sipped it slowly. Markus wondered about Luna¡¯s condition in her territory. By his estimation, even after the next full moon, he couldn¡¯t return to the Veniam Duchy to tell Luna everything. He hoped he could see his sister gazing at the portrait of theirte mother. He would tell his sister, who would be crying with emotion, that all this time, the woman still had a family.


    Thinking of this, Markus sent a magical letter to the Veniam Duchy to avoid excessive worry. He immediately pulled out a piece of paper, writing reassuring words so neither Luna nor Jaxon would have to worry about Morgena¡¯s condition. It took him quite a while to find the right words for his aide to not pressure him into rushing back to the capital. Ten minutester, he finally put down his pen. After finishing the message for his aide, he nned to write a message for Luna.


    But his intention was thwarted when he heard amotion outside, specifically from the direction of the pce gardens. Markus hurriedly stood up and looked out the window. His eyes widened when he saw Alkrevas from a distance, fighting off knights who were recklessly surrounding him.


    ¡°What is this? What¡¯s happening? How¡­?¡± Markus blinked, his brow furrowed as his vision blurred momentarily but then returned to normal. He straightened up and shook his head, confused by the sudden change. Then his vision blurred again, and this time, itsted longer. When his sight refocused, he furrowed his brow, seeing Alkrevas standing in a sea of blood from the dead knights.


    ¡°Alkrevas, why¡­?¡± he immediately rushed out, running toward the balcony, and that was when he felt a disturbing aura.


    ¡°A dark aura¡­ ck magic?¡± he whispered to himself. Markus quickly returned to his office, inserting the letter he had written for Jaxon because there was no time to write a new one, and paused briefly.


    ¡°Hopefully, Jaxon understands my intentions,¡± he said, pulling out one of the recording crystal controllers, summoning the nearest recording crystal, and cing it into the envelope. After finishing, he summoned the magical bird messenger, which would make his message one-way. After the bird disappeared, Markus hurriedly left the room, but his steps halted when he opened the door and saw an unexpected figure.


    Zyne stood in the doorway with a friendly smile and a tall posture, one hand behind his back and the other holding a cane made of ck wood with a snake-head handle. Since when did Zyne use a walking cane?


    ¡°Zyne? Why are you in my room?¡± Markus barely finished asking the question when his vision blurred again, apanied by a pounding headache. Markus groaned and staggered back. There was no poison except wolfbane and silver that could affect him. ¡°Why-¡±


    ¡°There is something I wish to discuss with you, Your Grace the Duke,¡± Zyne replied calmly. Shortly afterwards, Zyne tapped his cane on the floor, causing a ck mist to envelop the room. ck light in tentacles instantly attacked him, binding him tightly. Markus growled and struggled, but whatever had entered his body made him weak and powerless.


    ¡°You-¡±


    ¡°Yes. As you suspect. I am the one responsible.¡± Markus widened his eyes as the ck tentacles tightened around his neck, cutting off his air supply. His wolf soul howled, calling for help. ¡°So I ask, withdraw your order to close themunication channels.¡±


    ¡°What¡­?¡±


    ¡°Reopen themunication channels, Your Grace the Duke. I can¡¯t deliver messages to my followers outside the border.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ won¡¯t¡­ Ugh¡­¡± The grip around his neck tightened further.


    ¡°Or do you want me to disturb the Veniam Duchy?¡± There was a knock on the door, and the door slowly opened. Markus hissed when he saw Sigmund enter the room with an arrogant expression.


    ¡°Lord Sigmund,¡± Zyne murmured respectfully.


    ¡°I just saw you send a one-way magical message.¡± Sigmund smirked and stepped closer to Markus.


    ¡°Surprised by my appearance, Your Grace the Duke?¡± Markus cursed Sigmund in his heart. So it wasn¡¯t just Zyne, but Sigmund, too? How enraged would Alkrevas be if he found out, especially since Sigmund had apanied him since childhood?


    ¡°Fortunately, Abigail is in the capital, and I¡­¡± Sigmund pulled out the Royal Beta seal from his jacket pocket. ¡°Included a letter along with yours. No problem, right?¡±


    ¡°You¡­!¡± Markus groaned, feeling himself on the brink of death.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I only sent a letter to your sister, asking her to return to her original world.¡± Markus widened his eyes. If Luna returned, Alkrevas could change in two ways: be weak and hopeless or go mad and destroy the entire continent. Markus wriggled and struggled to break free. He couldn¡¯t just die, but his body wasn¡¯t responding, and he started to feel numb.


    In his heart, Markus cursed himself for failing at his job, not realizing what was happening inside the pce.


    ¡°Damn! I am a great knight! How could I be this careless?¡± But as that question arose, the answer quickly followed. He was not a wizard like Alkrevas but an ordinary knight, which meant he couldn¡¯t detect magic on a small and gradual scale.


    Zyne initiated the attack using magic that his five senses couldn¡¯t detect, so he didn¡¯t know until it was toote. And if that was the case, it was inevitable that that treacherous scoundrel had already dealt with the pce mages or perhaps even the Magic Tower.


    ¡°Damn!¡±


    ¡­


    Alkrevas had just finished giving final instructions to General Almbra and ensured that Mathias and Damon returned safely. He took a deep breath and released his magic power from his hand, creating a sizeable golden-white light surrounding his hand with magic mana. He closed his eyes briefly to determine the arrival point. Then, he shot his power forward, and a teleportation portal appeared before him. What he saw was the location of the pce garden, and Alkrevas immediately stepped into the teleportation magic.


    Thest time he checked the imperial pce¡¯s protective shield before heading to the border, it was still functioning and not easily destroyed. However, when he arrived, Alkrevas no longer felt his magic working to protect the pce, even though the central Vasilos shield remained solid and sturdy. Alkrevas frowned in confusion and nced around the front garden area of the pce, narrowing his eyes sharply as a thick ck mist filled the air and a heavy dark aura was palpable.


    Alkrevas gritted his teeth, not understanding the situation before his eyes, and stepped deeper into the pce. But his steps halted when he felt a jolt, indicating he had passed through something. Shortly afterwards, the knights who were supposed to guard and protect the imperial pce surrounded him, raising their weapons against him.


    ¡°What is this?¡± he whispered in confusion. He observed the knights¡¯ behaviour and hissed in frustration when he saw their eyes, all of which had turnedpletely white and ck mist emanating from their pale bodies.


    ¡°ck magic; they were dead before being controlled by dark magic,¡± Alkrevas concluded in his heart. He grinned widely. He briefly nced into the distance and snorted, seeing Zyne standing with Abigail before they vanished.


    ¡°Well, I should have dealt with that man before he acted up, but due to my mistake in letting that rat roam free, things have turned out like this. That means I have to deal with it now before it gets worse.¡± Alkrevas didn¡¯t bother himself with thinking about how Abigail could be here when thest report said that the two dark witches were still at the port, as it was already clear the two women had deceived him.


    ¡°I won¡¯t repeat this mistake again, this carelessness,¡± Alkrevas thought as he drew his sword and gripped it in one hand while ws emerged from the other.


    -Sometimes you are indeed very foolish, mortal. I¡¯ve told you to eradicate him even without proof. You¡¯ve gone soft.- Norris retorted sarcastically. Alkrevas grinned, acknowledging that he had be softer as his wolf soul had said. Still, it didn¡¯t matter because, at this moment, he would show those rats that he was not an opponent to be underestimated.


    ¡°I know, and I¡¯ll make sure they bow at my feet, begging for mercy before I rip their hearts out with my hands.¡±


    -Good. I thought you wouldn¡¯t do that. Shall we kill them all? It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve done this; I miss the smell of blood and its texture soaking our bodies.-


    ¡°You¡¯re crazy.¡±


    -You¡¯re the same, mortal. Let¡¯s ughter them! So that mate can live peacefully!-


    ¡°Do you know they are imperial knights?¡±


    -I don¡¯t care; I only care about mate. It would be better if we killed everyone in this world so that mate could live in peace. Besides, you said they were all dead.-


    ¡°Destroying the world and building a new one for mate? Hmm, I guess that¡¯s not a bad idea.¡± Alkrevas grinned widely like a killer, revealing his sharp fangs, proving he was the food chain¡¯s strongest and highest predator.


    His brown eyes mixed with red, so one was brown and the other red, indicating that Alkrevas and Norris were jointly controlling the body. Then he charged forward and shed through the undead that stood before him.


    It didn¡¯t take long before he finished cutting down the obstacles in his way, dragging his blood-soaked sword into the pce. Alkrevas used transparency magic to make his body invisible. He needed to hunt down the traitor and the dark wizard before searching for Markus or Sigmund.


    Adrenaline rushed quickly through his veins, and he felt thrilled to be on the hunt, as it was one of the best games for a predator. His nose followed the scent of his target. He couldn¡¯t wait to tear and rip apart that damned dark wizard¡¯s body. At least with this carelessness, he didn¡¯t have to bother luring Abigail; consider it a rat caught in a trap.


    His steps halted before the Prime Minister¡¯s office, and a growl escaped his lips when he saw what was before him.


    ¡°Oh¡­ so all this time, there were two rats roaming in my pce.¡±


    ¡­.

 The Truth (1)

    If anyone were to ask what he was feeling right now, he would answer nothing. There was only emptiness. Feelings so vast and intense, like anger, betrayal, or anything else, made him feel empty. Of course, he didn¡¯t care what Sigmund and Zyne did to him; betrayal was nothing new. He had often killed many people for such a cliche reason, but he couldn¡¯t lie to himself. Sigmund had served him for a long time, even when he was still the Crown Prince, so disappointment was inevitable.


    Alkrevas clenched his fists tightly, and small, restrained growls asionally escaped his lips. His red-brown eyes, symbolizing that he and Norris were one entity, grew darker with anger. Alkrevas opened his palm wide, releasing a bit of his mana to remove the invisibility spell that enveloped his body. However, he stopped when he heard Markus¡¯s faint voice, bound by the dark shadows of Zyne¡¯s power.


    ¡°Why¡­ why did you betray, Sigmund¡­? I don¡¯t care about that old man¡­¡± Markus shot a sharp nce at Zyne, causing the man to tap his wooden cane, which Alkrevas guessed was the key to the dark magic being used.


    Suddenly, the ck tentacles wrapped around Markus¡¯s body tightened, and Alkrevas prepared to cut through that bothersome power and save Markus from an unwanted death. ¡°¡­ but you¡­ you¡¯ve been by His Majesty¡¯s side for so long¡­ you were his childhood friend¡­ I want to know your reason, for betraying him¡­!¡±


    Alkrevas extended his ws, ready to strike his first target. He couldn¡¯t wait to feel the blood soak his body again. A sadistic grin slowly formed on his lips, revealing terrifying fangs that could tear through anything. He carefully entered the room, and neither Zyne nor Abigail noticed his aura or mana.


    ¡°Fools,¡± Alkrevas thought cynically. He considered the three prey lined up in front of him.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Who should he kill first? As he was contemting this, Sigmund answered, ¡°Because the Emperor ughtered my family, and I am the only one left; I have to avenge their deaths.¡±


    Markus frowned in confusion while Alkrevas racked his brain, trying to recall a family that had been exterminated either by histe father or himself but couldn¡¯t find one that matched Sigmund¡¯s background because many families had perished.


    ¡°Damn, how careless of us to leave useless trash alive. I always made sure no family members of traitors were left alive.¡± He noticed Markus¡¯s faint frown; it seemed the man was thinking the same thing.


    ¡°Demetri,¡± Markus stated, not giving Markus a chance to ask.


    ¡°Demetri, huh?¡± Alkrevas remembered the Demetri family, whose existence had been erased aftermitting a grave crime. Back then, when he was twelve years old and just an ordinary prince, the Demetri family was one of the most powerful families. If Veniam controlled the military area, then Demetri controlled business and administration.


    However, at one point, histe mother-Empress Athena-was involved in an attack incident while travelling to the Imperial Pce. At that time, his mother was pregnant with his younger sister. She could not transform into her wolf form because after giving birth to him, his mother¡¯s body had weakened, prompting imperial healers and doctors to forbid her from shifting into her wolf form to preventplications in herte-stage pregnancy. Young Alkrevas lost his mother and a sibling who also died in the womb.


    This event caused his father to fall into depression and gradually lose the ability to rule the empire due to the pain of losing his beloved soulmate. When a leader starts to falter, that is the opportunity to seize the throne. Many other Imperial family members tried to take over, exploiting the young Alkrevas for gain. Chaos was everywhere-corruption, abuse of power.


    These were just a few of the many problems. Not to mention the attempts by many families to kill him, the only heir to the throne, or try to brainwash him. This is why, when Alkrevas officially became the Crown Prince at hising of age, he immediately ughtered the entire Imperial family-except for Veniam, because he did not want troublesome problems in the future.


    He also conducted a secret investigation into his mother¡¯s death-something his father could not do-and the investigation yielded results. The Demetri family was proven to be the mastermind behind the attack, trying to dethrone the Empress and rece the vacant position with their descendants. However, Alkrevas did not have the power to retaliate or even ughter the Demetri family, who were nobles like the other empire members, due to ack of evidence and his still-weak position, as only the Emperor could make the final decision. He did not need his father¡¯s weakness to see the truth.


    So, when he was twenty years old, two years after the ¡®cleansing¡¯ was conducted, he duelled his father, as a duel could only be carried out when he was twenty and dered capable of bing a leader. Through the duel, the status of Alpha King fell into his hands. The day he killed his father, he felt free and was crowned Emperor and Alpha King.


    After bing Emperor, he formed a new ¡®The Shadow¡¯ and delved deeper into the crimes of the Demetri family. When substantial evidence was found, without hesitation, Alkrevas immediately sentenced the entire family to death. With his own hands, he killed the head of the Demetri family at the time, Duke Uldric Demetri. He had ensured that not a single family member was left alive. All assets, documents, and traces of Demetri were meticulously tracked to ensure no trash was left behind. Still, it seemed he had made a mistake.


    ¡°Nyxe Demetri. My real name is Nyxe Demetri. The previous Count Ballion found me when I was five years old. He sought me out on the orders of thete Duke. Then he took me in and raised me. When the massacre of the Demetri family happened, the Count decided to make me his heir as a way to conceal the blood that flowed in my veins so I could survive.¡± Alkrevas was not surprised because Count Ballion was considered a follower of the Demetri family before bing neutral, much like Marquis Cirillo, though less prominent and rtively passive.


    And what about Sigmund himself? Alkrevas pondered all possibilities, and there were only two reasons why he and ¡®The Shadow¡¯ were unaware of his existence. The first possibility was that Sigmund was a child hidden by Uldric so well that even his birth was kept secret, especially since Uldric had many concubines in the past, so it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if one of them had given birth to Sigmund.


    The second possibility was that Sigmund resulted from a one-night stand, which meant the man was an illegitimate child because he had none of the distinct features of the Demetri family-one of which was violet-coloured eyes. Alkrevas felt the second possibility was the most usible, and Sigmund¡¯s recent exnation reinforced his decision.


    ¡°No wonder Ballion did not take much action; he was hiding a big secret from Demetri,¡± Alkrevas thought angrily. After all this was over, he would eliminate the Ballion family for daring to hide this from him.


    Alkrevas nced at Markus, and from the look on his face, it seemed Markus was thinking the same thing. He wanted to contact him through mind link, but Sigmund and Zyne would surely notice any changes in Markus, and he didn¡¯t need that. He had an advantage-no one in the room knew of his presence.


    Alkrevas didn¡¯t want to hear any further exnations from Sigmund; the fact that the man was a Demetri was reason enough for him to kill him. As he once said, blood ties are often the reason people rebel. He moved behind Sigmund, ready to rip out his heart with his hand, just as someone stepped in.


    Alkrevas turned around, as did everyone else except Markus, who was already facing the door. The figure of a man whose face looked very much like Zyne¡¯s entered-the man he had seen while ughtering his knights in the pce courtyard. The figure slowly transformed into a young woman, the second dark witch-Beth. Alkrevas snorted, realizing the woman had disguised herself.


    ¡°That damn Emperor is in the imperial pce!¡± Beth said irritably.


    Abigail immediately became alert while Zyne tapped his cane once with a disgruntled expression. Sigmund remained silent, but his ¡®aide¡¯s¡¯ face turned pale. ¡°What? Where is he now?


    Beth, why are you reporting this just now? And why didn¡¯t you kill him?¡± Abigail asked angrily.


    ¡°That woman distracted me a little. She asked me not to attack him.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Once again, we have a foolish helper!¡± Zyne grumbled irritably.


    Alkrevas grinned widely, seeing the distress on the faces of his three prey. He took advantage of this by killing two obstacles at once. Alkrevas swiftly removed the invisibility magic that had cloaked him. Simultaneously, one of his hands pierced through Sigmund¡¯s heart. At the same time, the other threw a dagger he had conjured with magic, nting an explosive spell inside the dagger aimed at Beth. Just as the dagger stabbed Beth¡¯s body and Sigmund¡¯s heart was in his hand, he said, ¡°Because all of you are fools. Daring to y with me.¡±


    ¡­

 The Truth (2)

    Alkrevas withdrew his hand and crushed Sigmund¡¯s heart until it shattered in his grip, coinciding with Beth¡¯s body exploding, filling the room with the stench of blood and his body drenched in it. Alkrevasughed with satisfaction, a sound that sent chills down everyone¡¯s spine.


    Meanwhile, Abigail and Zyne quickly took cover on the other side, creating a protective shield. Alkrevas stretched his neck to the right and left, and bones cracking echoed. ¡°You made me kill the knight I was proud of.¡±


    ¡°You deserved that! You¡¯re just a monster who has taken countless lives!¡± Abigail hissed, readying herself to attack Alkrevas with her powers.


    Alkrevas sighed heavily and nced at Zyne. Then, he created a sword with his mana and shed the tentacle binding Markus, causing the man to crash hard onto the floor with a groan escaping his lips. ¡°Could you give me a warning first, you crazy cousin?¡± Markus grumbled sarcastically as he slowly got up, his strength gradually returning. Alkrevas drew a blood-stained sword from the sheath at his waist and tossed it to Markus.


    Markus caught the sword immediately. He nced at Sigmund¡¯s mangled body lying on the floor before turning his gaze to the two remaining threats, still alive and breathing. ¡°At least you¡¯ve taken out two troublesome creatures; our job is a bit easier now.¡±


    Abigail began attacking Alkrevas with her dark magic. Still, Alkrevas easily deflected the attack with one hand while extending the other toward Markus. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Markus asked as a teleportation portal opened near him.


    ¡°Get out of here. You¡¯re bothering me; you¡¯d better go take care of my soulmate.¡± Then he kicked Markus into the portal. Just before it closedpletely, he told Markus, ¡°I can¡¯t concentrate on the location point, so don¡¯t me me if you end up somewhere else. I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°YOU BASTARD!¡± Markus shouted before the teleportation finally shut entirely. Alkrevas then focused on Abigail and Zyne.


    ¡°Handle him,¡± Zyne said, tapping his walking stick, conjuring a ck cloud around him before slowly disappearing. Alkrevas growled, preparing to shift into his wolf form to chase the man. Still, Abigail¡¯s relentless attacks forced Alkrevas to defend himself.


    ¡®Damn it!¡¯ he cursed inwardly as Zyne indeed vanished, leaving Abigail as bait and a sacrifice.


    Alkrevas sighed slowly and retaliated against Abigail¡¯s attacks, sending her flying out the window, plummeting from the pce height to the ground. Alkrevas exited the room through the window, shattered by Abigail¡¯s impact. Hended gracefully on the ground just as Abigail stood up with a different body.


    Abigail no longer appeared as the beautiful adult woman she was; instead, she was now a monster. Her body, wrapped in tattered cloth, looked so wrinkled and worn, with patches of peeled skin revealing raw ck flesh. Her lips were ck and drooled ck saliva; her eyes were entirely white, her hair grey, and her nose sharp but crooked to one side. Her posture was hunched, slightly leaning to the right, her hands and fingers resembling twigs, her tongue like a snake, and the symbol of the ck witch n marked her forehead. Alkrevas smirked, seeing the proper form of the ck witch. It had been long since he had seen such an ugly ck witch, even more so than a monster like himself. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be the monster, Abigail?¡±


    Abigail hissed and roared, causing ck clouds to swirl above them. Then Abigail raised her hands, and the ck clouds formed into shapes like the living dead.


    ¡®Should you be the one to kill her, Norris?¡¯ Alkrevas asked nonchntly.


    -You know, I don¡¯t like the smell of ck witches; they make me nauseous. Eww¡­ you handle it. I don¡¯t want to deal with that disgusting creature,- Norris replied with a tone full of disgust.


    Alkrevas rolled his eyes with his inner wolf¡¯s yful spirit, then summoned his mana sword from his hand. He stood rxed in his ce and said, ¡°Let¡¯s bet who will fall first. You or me?


    Hmmm, five minutes? I bet that in just five minutes, you¡¯ll already be turned to ashes.¡±


    Annoyed by Alkrevas¡¯s condescending tone, Abigail immediately moved her puppets. Of course, Alkrevas effortlessly shed through them all. He walked casually, asionally throwing his magic power at Abigail. But suddenly, he couldn¡¯t move, and when he looked down, he saw shadows starting to emerge, coiling around his body. Abigail giggled, and then she felt his blood stop flowing.


    ¡®Blood maniptor? Abigail is a blood-controlling ck witch.¡¯ Alkrevas growled, feeling like his body was about to explode, and then unexpectedly when the sword in his hand disappeared, his ws emerged, and he stabbed his chest as if his body were being controlled.


    Alkrevas took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. If he let Abigail take control of his body, he would surely die by his hand. Alkrevas roared as his ws began to pierce his skin, digging into his body and causing blood to spill from his mouth.


    He had to regain control of his body. With that determination, he tried to pull his hand back, fighting with all his might. When he saw Abigail appearing to panic as she began to lose control, Alkrevas quickly freed himself from the blood maniption spell, retreating and hiding in the dark shadows, where Abigail couldn¡¯t see him. Although Abigail could use shadows, she could only use the shadows of living creatures, not inanimate objects.


    Alkrevas stood still, panting, allowing his body to regenerate. Once fully healed, Alkrevas needed a new strategy because blood maniption magic was one of the forbidden dark magic categories.


    -You¡¯re too weak, mortal. Let me kill her! Just stay put.- Norris growled, takingplete control of Alkrevas¡¯s body. After transforming into a Lycan, Norris straightened his posture, stretched his muscles, and observed Abigail, who was scanning the surroundings. ¡®Don¡¯t be reckless, Norris! A blood maniptor can¡¯t be underestimated!¡¯


    -I know, idiot. Use your transparency magic!- Norrismanded irritably.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡®You know that¡¯s dangerous for us. If I use mana while you¡¯re in control of the body, our heart could suddenly stop beating.¡¯


    -I won¡¯t die! I don¡¯t want to leave our mate! So could you hurry up and do it?-


    ¡®What are you going to do?¡¯


    -The same thing you did to Sigmund. I¡¯ll do it to that stinking witch, but I want to separate her head from her body. I¡¯ll sprint toward her, making her focus on one point so she¡¯s unaware of her surroundings. That¡¯s when you use your magic, and I¡¯ll attack her from behind. I¡¯m more intelligent than you, mortal.-


    Alkrevas sighed heavily. He didn¡¯t want to admit it, but Norris¡¯s strategy was good despite the high risk. ¡®We can only do this for ten seconds. No more. I don¡¯t want to take any risks. You remember what thete father said, don¡¯t you?¡¯


    -I know, I remember his warning. Now, please do it!-


    ¡®Alright, I¡¯ll count. By the time I say ten, you should have killed her.¡¯


    -Fine.-


    Norris readied himself and, with a fierce roar, dashed out of the dark shadows and ran towards Abigail, who was looking left and right. Noticing his presence, Abigail immediately attacked with her shadows, preparing to use her blood control magic. This time, he dodged easily, having read Abigail¡¯s movements. Once he got close enough, Norris was ready.


    -Now!- He shouted to Alkrevas, and immediately, his body turned transparent, invisible to Abigail.


    ¡®One¡­¡¯


    Norris kept running.


    ¡®Two¡­¡¯


    He paused to dodge Abigail¡¯s blind and random attacks since he was invisible again.


    ¡®Three¡­¡¯


    ¡®Four¡­¡¯


    ¡®Five¡­¡¯


    Norris moved a few meters behind Abigail.


    ¡®Six¡­¡¯


    ¡®Seven¡­¡¯


    Norris resumed running at full speed to attack Abigail. Then, in the remaining seconds of the count, Norris reached Abigail from behind, choking her neck as she struggled and kept casting dark magic in retaliation. The undead she had created also began to target Abigail-more precisely, Norris, who was still invisible but whose location was now known.


    ¡®Eight¡­¡¯


    ¡®Nine¡­¡¯


    ¡®Ten¡­¡¯


    Suddenly, Norris became visible, and at the same time, he pulled Abigail¡¯s body effortlessly, separating her head from her torso.


    Norris then tossed Abigail¡¯s body and head to the ground like trash. He looked up, narrowing his eyes at the man floating above before disappearing.


    Zyne.


    Norris growled. -Do you know why that old geezer betrayed us?-


    ¡®He¡¯s definitely part of the ck witch n or a descendant of one.¡¯


    -I told you, I never liked that guy. Too old-fashioned and suspicious.-


    Alkrevas sighed loudly. ¡®We¡¯ll find out when we imprison all his family members in the dungeon.¡¯


    -So, are we going to see our mate now?-


    ¡®No. We¡¯re heading to the border. I think I know where Zyne is going¡­¡¯


    But suddenly, Norris¡¯s vision blurred, and without warning, his body copsed, losing consciousness in an instant.


    The Lycan¡¯s body slowly reverted to its human form, and the Emperory helpless and unconscious in the middle of the pce courtyard.


    ¡­


    A few dayster


    Markus groaned, grumbling inwardly. He cursed Alkrevas for sending him away without permission. He kept shing at the Goblins that came at him one after another. Alkrevas did send him to Veniam, but more precisely to the area outside Veniam¡¯s borders, and he had been battling Goblins for several days.


    He desperately wanted to rest but couldn¡¯t afford to, as he needed to reach Veniam Duchy as soon as possible. He had to protect his territory and his sister, whom he had just found.


    Markus kept swinging his sword. He was exhausted and could no longer transform into his Lycan form, leaving him to fight with whatever strength he had left. When overwhelmed, he would hide in the trees. His eyes fixed on the border wall of Veniam, and he breathed a sigh of relief. At least he would be there soon.


    With that thought, he mustered his remaining strength. He attacked relentlessly until he finally encountered the knights of Veniam Duchy, who were also fighting Goblins. ¡°Your Grace, the Duke?¡± the knight asked, surprised.


    Markus just smiled and mumbled, ¡°Hi.¡±


    ¡­

 Empty room with a mirror (1)

    After security was established around him by the Veniam knights, Markus was immediately directed by hismander, As, toward the border fortress. There, healers promptly treated him to ensure his condition was stable. Afterward, he briefly exined what had happened in the capital and how he ended up outside the border.


    ¡°Is that why the Goblins have be more aggressive? Because of your presence?¡± asked As, his brow furrowing slightly.


    Markus shook his head and exined that ever since he arrived via Alkrevas¡¯ teleportation, the changes in the Goblins had already be apparent. When Markus fought them directly, he realized how heavy Alkrevas¡¯ burden had been while stationed at the border. They continued discussing until amotion was heard outside themand room within the border fortress.


    Not long after, the door burst open. His aide, Jaxon, appeared with a look of both relief and confusion. Markus drank water from a bottle handed to him by one of the knights. He watched with amusement as his aide struggled to catch his breath.


    ¡°Your Grace, Duke? How could this be¡­? The capital¡­¡± As gave Jaxon a sympathetic look and patted him gently on the back, instructing Jaxon to calm down before speaking. Jaxon swallowed, took a deep breath, straightened his posture, ced both hands behind his back, and then looked at Markus curiously.


    ¡°You have no idea how worried I was after receiving a one-way message from you.¡± Markus then remembered the events of a few days ago and immediately ced the bottle he held on the table.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t send my sister, did you?¡±


    ¡°No, Miss Luna was clever enough to realize that it wasn¡¯t a letter sent by Beta Savon. How is the Royal Beta?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by the state of the Royal Beta?¡± Markus asked, now alert, as he had received no information from the informant who had apanied Beta Savon¡¯s entourage.


    ¡°The Royal Beta was attacked on its way here.¡±


    ¡°Damn it.¡± Markus clenched his fists and mmed the table beside him to vent his frustration. Then he stood up, recalling that Sigmund was one of the traitors, which meant that Zyne knew that the Veniam duchy had a portal mirror. He couldn¡¯t stay here long; he had to check on his sister and ensure she was alright. Markus had no idea what had happened at the imperial pce after his wretched cousin kicked him into the teleportation portal and sent him away, so the worst-case scenario was entirely possible.


    ¡°Have you heard anything from the capital?¡± Markus asked his aide.


    Jaxon shook his head and replied that Veniam Duchy had not received any further news beyond the message he had sent because the border gate was closed, and Veniam was preupied with the Goblins¡¯ sudden change in aggression. Markus was deeply worried, especially since several days had passed, and he didn¡¯t know whether Alkrevas had defeated the dark sorcerer.


    He tried again to contact his cousin via mind-link, but just like his previous attempts, arge barrier blocked him, preventing him from reaching Alkrevas. He immediately ordered Jaxon to prepare a one-way magic message, remembering that Sigmund had advised him to open amunication channel, even if limited. At the very least, he had to try; perhaps the situation in Morgena Capital had stabilized.


    ¡°Where is my sister?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the safest ce in the castle.¡± Markus nodded in relief. At least Luna was in a ce only he and Jaxon could ess. But his relief didn¡¯tst long when one of the knights entered with a worried expression.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± As asked his subordinate. Markus stood tense and on high alert, preparing to head to the castle.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just received a report that the castle is under attack.¡±


    ¡°Who dares to attack the Veniam castle?¡± As growled.


    ¡°ording to the report, an old man¡­ with dark powers¡­ ck magic¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Markus yelled as he ran out of the room, followed by Jaxon and As. The three and several of the best knights ordered to apany them transformed into wolf forms-except for Markus, who became a Lycan-and ran swiftly through the forest that connected the border fortress to the castle. Markus felt caught off guard. How could that old bastard get into his territory? Did Alkrevas fail to kill him? The Goblin attack at the border was just a diversion, intended to focus the knights¡¯ attention on the border rather than the castle because Zyne must have known that Alkrevas¡¯ weaknessy here and the portal mirror. Markus could only hope that Luna was alright.


    ¡­N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Alkrevas suddenly opened his eyes and took a deep breath. His eyes darted around the room, and he found himself in his private chamber in the imperial pce¡¯s Grian Pce. He immediately threw off the nket covering him just as Annabeth, followed by maidservants and imperial attendants, entered the room with worried expressions. Shortly after, the imperial family¡¯s medical team and healers also arrived.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Alkrevas asked, confused about how he had ended up here, as thest thing he remembered was losing consciousness in the middle of the pce courtyard. Annabeth, the highest-ranking person remaining after Zyne¡¯s betrayal, immediately knelt, followed by everyone else in the room.


    ¡°We will always be loyal to you, Your Majesty,¡± said Annabeth, followed by the others. Alkrevas sighed heavily. He nodded and gestured for them to rise. Then, he asked Annabeth to exin.


    ¡°We took shelter when we saw most of the knights and pce residents being killed and turned into the undead by the traitors. We hid in the special bunker in the servant quarters. When we emerged, we found you unconscious in the pce courtyard,¡± Annabeth paused and nced toward the remaining imperial attendants. ¡°With the help of the men, we brought you to Grian Pce.¡±


    Then, the head of the imperial medical team stood and approached. ¡°Your body was in a critical condition for several days, and we were worried we might lose you. The mana in your body waspletely drained, and it will take time to recover. But after much effort from the healers, you have stabilized.¡± Alkrevas carefully processed the exnation, realizing he had been unconscious for quite some time. He tried to stand, but his weakened body staggered.


    Fortunately, a bedpost was nearby, allowing him to steady himself before embarrassing himself by falling in front of his subordinates.


    ¡°Annabeth, have you contacted General Almbra and Gamma Mathias?¡±


    Annabeth nodded. ¡°General Almbra is on his way back, and Gamma Mathias will follow once the border situation has improved.¡± Alkrevas sat down carefully on the edge of the bed. His hand gripped the bedpost tightly. How many of his knights and people had he lost due to the selfishness of a few individuals? If they sought revenge on him, they didn¡¯t need to involve people who had nothing to do with the past. He remembered Abigail¡¯s words, ¡®That woman¡­¡¯ Alkrevas frowned deeply. That meant there was still another traitor, whose identity he didn¡¯t yet know, only that it was a woman. Should he use his magic to rey the past few days¡¯ events to find out who Abigail was referring to?


    ¡°What about the bodies of the knights and pce residents affected by Zyne¡¯s dark magic?¡±


    ¡°They all turned to ash, Your Majesty,¡± answered one of the senior healers. Alkrevas nodded and instructed Annabeth to document the victims so they could bepensated. After that, he underwent further examination by the doctors and treatment from the healers to expedite his recovery. Once he felt better and no longer weak, Alkrevas walked to his main office and entered Sigmund¡¯s adjacent room, where he began to search for any small clues or evidence.


    Dressed in a simple white tunic, ck pants, and a cloak draped over his shoulders, with a pale face, he still looked very much like a patient. Yet Alkrevas didn¡¯t care. He needed to act quickly against the Ballion family. Fortunately, only part of the imperial pce had been damaged-the main pce where governmental affairs were conducted. As he searched, he hadn¡¯t realized that therge mental barrier preventing him from mind-linking was still in ce. He couldn¡¯tmunicate with Norris for the time being and couldn¡¯t shift into his Lycan form due to the effects of using magic in Lycan form. The healers had told him that his bond with Norris would be closed for the next few days as part of his mana and body recovery, and Norris was in the same condition.


    Realizing that the barrier was still in ce, Alkrevas immediately lowered it tomunicate with Mathias and Almbra. However, his ns were interrupted when he suddenly received an urgent mind-link from Markus.


    ¡®Alkrevas? Thank goodness I can finally reach you¡­¡¯


    ¡®What¡¯s wrong, Markus?¡¯


    There was no response, but then Markus said, ¡®Zyne, that old man¡­ he¡¯s at Veniam Castle, and Luna is there. He¡¯s after her.¡¯


    Alkrevas froze, his body stiffening. A growl escaped his lips momentster. He immediately dashed out of Sigmund¡¯s office and back to the Emperor¡¯s private residence. The attendants following him, who had been monitoring his condition, did the same, calling after him with concern. But Alkrevas paid no attention to his body¡¯s state-his concern was solely for Luna, his soulmate.


    ¡°Zyne¡­ how dare you¡­!¡± Alkrevas growled as he walked toward his private study in the imperial residence.


    When he arrived at his private study, Alkrevas swiftly pulled aside the carpet covering his teleportation magic circle.


    ¡°Your Majesty, you can¡¯t leave, your condition¡­¡±


    ¡°SILENCE!¡± Alkrevas roared in fury, causing all the attendants to immediately close their mouths and bow their heads obediently under his Alpha Command. Alkrevas took a deep breath. He hoped Luna was still wearing the ring containing his mana on her finger so he could pinpoint her location without using his magic.


    Then, he stood in the center of the magic circle and activated the teleportation with a singlemand word. Without thinking about anything else, Alkrevas went to where his soulmate was.


    ¡­


    Alkrevas groaned and immediately copsed to the floor when he arrived in Veniam Duchy, though not exactly at Luna¡¯s location, but rather in a bedroom. He shook his head to dispel the dizziness and nausea caused by overexerting himself before rising to his feet. His eyes scanned the room, and he took a deep breath. Luna¡¯s scent filled the room, indicating that this was her temporary chamber. Then, he saw an object lying on the vanity table.


    ¡°Damn it! No wonder! She left her ring here,¡± Alkrevas cursed, grabbing the ring. He felt slightly better as the mana stored in the ring flowed into his body. After that, hemanded Almbra regarding the castle¡¯s state before dashing out of the room in search of Luna or Zyne, but neither could be found.


    Instead, Alkrevas ran into Markus and themander of the Veniam knights, As, in the castle¡¯s main hall.


    ¡°Alkrevas? You¡¯re here¡­?¡± Markus was stunned by the Emperor¡¯s presence but even more shocked by how pale Alkrevas appeared, almost like a dead man.


    ¡°Your condition¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, and the important thing is that old bastard. Where is he now?¡± Alkrevas demanded from the lord of thend. Markus only shook his head, though his brow furrowed as if deep in thought. Alkrevas cursed quietly, regretting that he hadn¡¯t killed the man before his body gave out. He shouldn¡¯t have copsed like some helpless woman and chased after that bastard instead. Because of his failure, Luna was in danger and powerless, his body as weak as a mortal¡¯s.


    ¡°Luna is in the safest room in the castle, but I don¡¯t know where Zyne is¡­¡± They ran up the stairs and gasped at seeing the castle staff lying on the floor. One of the knights checked on them, and everyone sighed in relief when the knight confirmed that the staff members were merely unconscious.


    ¡°Then where is that bastard¡­ could it be¡­¡± Markus suddenly panicked and sprinted away. Alkrevas, of course, followed, but unlike Markus, neither Alkrevas nor the others could see any more stairs indicating another floor. They stopped when Markus disappeared.


    Alkrevas narrowed his eyes. For a brief moment, he felt powerful magic mixed with dark magic in the air and could smell Zyne¡¯s scent. He inhaled deeply and tried to focus. When his eyes opened again, he saw a transparent wall infused with protective magic energy that was incredibly strong. Alkrevas muttered in admiration, as the magic was almost on par with his own. Could it be magic left behind by histe father? Alkrevas wondered. Or was there an archmage-level mage in Veniam Duchy? But the real question was, how did Zyne know? Dark magic couldn¡¯t prate such a powerful protective barrier unless Zyne were a high-level warlock.


    He then saw the protective magic slowly lower and disappear, as if Markus, who had gone ahead, had issued amand for the barrier to deactivate. Jaxon then said, ¡°The previous Duke set up the magical barrier to hide the secrets above and protect the memory of thete Duchess.¡±


    Alkrevas nodded in understanding and sprinted upward, followed by the others.


    As he stepped onto the top floor, Luna¡¯s scent grew stronger, but it paled inparison to the atmosphere of the beautiful hall, marred by a dark and oppressive aura that filled the corridor, emanating from a door at the far end. Alkrevas saw Markus desperately trying to break through the closed door and quickly rushed to his side.


    ¡­

 Empty room with a mirror (2) [E N D]

    Luna stepped away from the painting and entered a room that turned out to be a bedroom. Like the other rooms, the atmosphere of the bedroom she had entered was warm, cozy, and beautiful. She sighed loudly and walked around the room, trying to find clues about the former duchess and make sure what she saw wasn¡¯t just a figment of her imagination.


    Luna had heard that there were seven people in the world with faces simr enough to be considered twins, but she never believed it. How could they be called twins when she came from apletely different world than the former duchess? Luna threw herself onto the bed that dominated the room. Her hand lifted to rub her face in frustration, still unable to understand how she and the former duchess could share such simr features. The only person who could answer all the questions swirling in her mind was Duke Veniam.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Wait! Duke Veniam had mentioned that this region also had a portal mirror, just like the one in the sacred forest of Foryeust. Could it be¡­ Luna stood up. How could Veniam Duchy possess a portal mirror and Vasilos do not have an issue with it? Especially with so many human descendants living in Morgena Capital. She remembered Ghea¡¯s story about thest woman to cross the portal. Was it all a lie? Or was there another reason? Luna needed answers now. She couldn¡¯t wait any longer. Her heart was restless, and her mind couldn¡¯t stop forming various imusible scenarios.


    She walked out of the room but stopped in her tracks when she saw a man standing where she had stood before, staring at the portrait of the former duchess with an expression that was difficult to interpret. Luna¡¯s entire body tensed, and her neck hair stood up. She held her breath as the man turned to face her.


    ¡°Well, I still can¡¯t believe that Veniam has two sessors¡­¡±


    ¡°Lord Zyne¡­¡±


    Zyne smiled politely and slowly turned fully to face Luna. ¡°Good afternoon, Miss Luna¡­ or should I call you just Luna? How are you?¡±


    ¡°What¡­ what are you doing here?¡±


    Zyne gazed at the portrait of the former duchess for a moment before focusing on her again. ¡°I¡¯m just here to do one thing.¡± Zyne walked toward Luna, the tapping of his cane and his footsteps making her feel even more wary. No one was around to help her, and unlike Alkrevas, who had magic mana, she had nothing but her own body.


    At that moment, Luna realized how much she needed Alkrevas. She was so weak and could be killed at any moment. She carefully touched her fingers and cursed herself when she realized the spot where Alkrevas¡¯s ring should have been was empty. Damn it! I forgot to wear the ring Alk gave me! Luna bit her lower lip and asked, ¡°What do you want from me? What do you want?¡± Luna looked around, searching for something to use as a weapon, a distraction, or anything.


    Zyne tilted his head, observing Luna¡¯s panicked expression. ¡°You really do resemble the former duchess, miss. Everyone should recognize that you are a descendant of Veniam.¡± Luna immediately stared straight at Zyne, her eyes wide, and her body froze. What? What does he mean? ¡°I met and spoke with her a few times. Your mannerisms, even your personalities, are so simr.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­ you¡¯re making no sense! I¡¯m not the child of the former Duke of Veniam! I¡¯m not even from this world!¡±


    Zyne shrugged indifferently. ¡°Believe whatever you want, but I¡¯ll tell you one secret, miss. The former duchess wasn¡¯t from this world either.¡±


    Luna felt her heart stop. What? What does he mean? Lunaughed at Zyne¡¯s nonsensical words and hissed sharply, ¡°I¡¯m not going to believe a treacherous bastard like you!¡±


    Zyne stopped walking. ¡°You know, I respected the former duchess, and I feel guilty for dealing with you. But you are the soulmate of that monster. You don¡¯t deserve to be here or alive! That monster doesn¡¯t deserve to get what he wants!¡±


    ¡°You¡­ why did you betray the Emperor?¡±


    ¡°He wiped out my race. What else? I¡¯m simply avenging the deaths of myrades and family. For years I waited for the moment when that monster would go mad, but instead, you showed up in front of him. I¡¯ve been waiting for the right time to kill him, but your presence ruined everything. I even pretended to be a nobleman, hiding my true identity, all for my final goal.


    ¡°Now¡­¡± Zyne tapped his cane on the floor once, summoning a ck mist from beneath it. ¡°Do you remember the choice Abigail gave you?¡±


    Of course, Luna remembered that she had chosen to leave to avoid Vasilos being destroyed because of her. But all of that had been undone when Alkrevas arrived like a hero for her-or, more urately, a ¡°romantic psychopath viin who came to stop her from leaving?¡± Zyne clicked his tongue, and the ck mist formed into a demonic creature with white eyes, its body draped in a cloak with its head covered by a hood. It held a scythe resembling the Grim Reaper¡¯s, like the ones she had seen in cartoons or Halloween costumes. Drool dripped from its mouth, and when it opened, its tongue resembled a snake¡¯s.


    Luna panicked even more. What should she do? She quickly scanned the room for anything she could use as a weapon and saw a small flower vase far from her. Luna could use it as a distraction. All she needed was the right moment to grab it. As if fate had heard her prayers, a loud banging sound suddenly came from the door, followed by shouting and growling from Duke Veniam. Momentster, the noise increased, and Luna recognized the man¡¯s voice apanying the Duke.


    Alkrevas.


    Instantly, Zyne shifted his gaze while clicking his tongue andmenting on the noise made by the men trying to break down the door. Luna faintly heard Duke Veniam say, ¡°Luna! If you can hear me, go into the bookshelf. Get in there and hide!¡± Of course, Luna remembered that there was a bookshelf in the room. So, when Zyne looked back at her, Luna immediately threw the vase in her hand at his face-surprisingly hitting the target perfectly-causing the vase to shatter, and some of the shards identally hit his eye. Zyne roared in both pain and fury.


    Taking advantage of the situation, Luna rushed into the room. She mmed the door shut and pushedrge objects to barricade it. At the same moment, she heard the door outside open, followed by the sound of a fight. She heard Alkrevas say to Markus, ¡°Protect your sister! I¡¯ll hold him off!¡±


    Luna only briefly dwelled on Alkrevas¡¯s words because she was too busy pushing objects to block the door. Then, she ran to the bookshelf, searching for anything that would make the bookshelf move, as Duke Veniam¡¯s words convinced her there was a room behind the bookshelf. When Luna pulled one of the books, the shelf shifted to the side, revealing a dark passageway.


    Without thinking, she rushed in, running through the darkness until she reached the only door at the end of the hallway. Luna opened it and stepped inside. She quickly closed the door and leaned her back against it.


    Luna couldn¡¯t hear what was happening outside. She was curious to know if someone had managed to enter the room. Her tightly shut eyes slowly opened. Her racing heart began to calm, and her violently trembling body started to steady. But it was only momentarily because when she looked ahead, she saw arge object covered in a white cloth standing not far from her.


    Luna pushed herself away from the door and walked toward the object. When she got closer, she pulled off the white cloth, gasping as she saw a mirror exactly like the one in the sacred forest temple, but in better condition. She could see her reflection in the mirror: a pale face, disheveled hair, a messy dress, sweat on her skin, andbored breathing. Luna realized the reflection was her.


    ¡°A portal mirror?¡± she whispered. Her heart started racing again. She could go home. In front of her was the only way Luna could return to her world, leaving all of this behind and returning to her normal life. But suddenly, doubt crept into her heart. Should she go home? She didn¡¯t have time to think further because she heard the door behind her burst open, and Zyne appeared, his face covered in blood and eyes filled with murderous intent.


    ¡°You! I will kill you right now! I will never forgive you!¡±


    Luna¡¯s eyes widened, and she screamed as Zyne was attacked from behind by Duke Veniam. For a brief moment, her eyes met the Duke¡¯s, and she saw an expression full of apology in his gaze.


    ¡°Go, Luna! Go! Save yourself!¡±


    ¡°What? I can¡¯t just leave Alkrevas behind!¡±


    ¡°Go! Return to your world, sister!¡± Duke Veniam shouted as he fought Zyne with a sword in hand. ¡°Go to a ce where you¡¯ll be safe! Alkrevas and I wille for you! Now, go!¡±


    Luna froze upon hearing Duke Veniam call her his sister. Immediately, she felt her whole body tremble. Markus then transformed into a Lycan and relentlessly attacked Zyne, buying Luna time to escape.


    ¡°Alk¡­¡± Luna whispered as she saw Alkrevas in his Lycan form standing in the doorway. She saw the Lycan nodding, agreeing with the Duke¡¯smand, and Luna sobbed quietly. Slowly, she stood up.


    ¡°Use your blood¡­¡± Duke Veniam¡¯s voice sounded deeper.


    Luna lowered her head and looked at her wrist. She nced back into Alkrevas¡¯s red eyes, gazing at her as he fought Zyne, who, it turned out, was incredibly strong, wielding endless ck magic. Longing, love, sadness, obsession, and rage-all emotions seemed to merge into one in those red eyes. Luna saw Alkrevas¡¯s head gesture toward the mirror,manding her to leave immediately. Luna took a deep breath. She turned, biting her finger until it bled before letting her blood drip onto the surface of the mirror.


    Not long after, the mirror emitted a bright light and an overwhelming mana mist, making Alkrevas even stronger. She nced at Alkrevas onest time, whispering a silent goodbye in her heart before stepping into the mirror, back to her world.


    ¡­


    Luna took a deep breath and looked around. She had arrived in a luxurious, modern living room. ¡°I¡¯m back?¡± she whispered. She turned around and saw that the mirror had returned to its normal state, no longer glowing. Luna immediately stood up and approached the mirror, her unblooded hand gently touching its surface with a sense of longing.


    Then, she realized she was in a stranger¡¯s house and could easily be used of trespassing. Luna was grateful that her dress wasn¡¯t too conspicuous and could use the alibi of being part of a theater group. She needed to contact Nicole immediately and, wherever she was, let her friend and manager know her whereabouts and inform her best friend, Maya.


    With this thought in mind, she left the house-fortunately unlocked-and avoided crossing paths with the owner. She exited through the gate and walked along the main street, guessing it led toward the city center, which didn¡¯t seem too far away.


    Luna expected to draw attention, but she didn¡¯t care. She entered the nearest cafe and borrowed the phone, iming her bag had been stolen. She called the embassy, whose number the cafe staff gave, and then contacted Nicole.


    After the calls were made, she was directed to a private room to rest and change into clothes kindly provided by the sympathetic cafe staff. That¡¯s when Luna fully grasped the reality-she had truly returned.


    Yet, for some reason, all she felt was emptiness. Then, without warning, tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrobly.


    ¡­.

 EPILOG 1

    A few monthster


    ¡°Luna, are you ready?¡± Nicole asked as she poked her head through the crack of Luna¡¯s apartment bedroom door. The woman¡¯s face was already done with simple makeup, and her long hair was now let down, usually tied in a ponytail. The sses she typically wore had been reced by blue contact lenses, making her eyes look even more beautiful.


    ¡°Maya and her boyfriend George are already waiting in the lobby.¡± Nicole then stepped inside, stopping in the middle of the room and staring at Luna, who stood in front of arge mirror. Nicole opened her mouth wide, murmuring, ¡°Wow¡­ you¡¯re so beautiful¡­¡± Then Luna turned around to face Nicole with a broad smile.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s just dinner, but you look even more captivating. Your aura¡­ you seem so different¡­ you¡¯re glowing more¡­¡±


    Luna chuckled softly as she walked toward her manager. She nced briefly at the antique mirror covered with a white cloth with a sad look before grabbing the clutch from the bed. ¡°Has the museum courier arrived?¡± Nicole nodded and said they were ready to pick up the item Luna was donating at any time.


    ¡°Alright.¡± Luna stepped over to the mirror and removed the white cloth covering the antique mirror. The sadness was evident in the reflection staring back at her. It had been a few months since she had returned to her world.


    Luna could still clearly remember when Nicole came to pick her up from the cafe where she had been waiting. Luckily, Nicole and Maya had been on a business trip to Paris since Luna¡¯s cosmeticpany had to keep running even in her absence. It didn¡¯t take long for her manager to arrive in London.


    Yes, London.


    Luna was shocked to discover she was in London and that three months had passed since she had left for another world. She was so stunned she couldn¡¯t speak because London was so far away. If she wanted to return to Vasilos, could she? She had no idea who owned the house with the mirror and London¡­ there was no way she could stay in London and abandon the life and business she had just started.


    When Nicole arrived, Luna could see the relief clearly on her friend¡¯s face. She first hugged Nicole, pouring out her tears and the deep sorrow that had torn her apart. It took a long time for her to calm down, and they had to stay at a nearby hotel.


    Once Luna had calmed down, Nicole began asking her many questions, but Luna couldn¡¯t answer them. She just sat silently, looking at Nicole with sadness. Maya arrived at the hotel the next day, and Luna again cried in her friend¡¯s arms. Maya didn¡¯t ask many questions except about Luna¡¯s well-being. Luna couldn¡¯t remember much after that, only boarding Maya¡¯s agency jet and flying back to her apartment in the heart of Manhattan.


    Once she was back in her apartment, Luna tried repeatedly to return through the mirror she owned. She repeatedly cut her hand, hoping to activate the mirror, but unlike before, it didn¡¯t respond. It was just a mirror¡­ as if everything that had happened to her in thest three months had been a mere dream. Was she going crazy? But that couldn¡¯t be, as the dress she had been wearing when she arrived in London from Veniam Duchy¡¯s castle was still neatly stored in her wardrobe, the only proof that it had all been real.


    And then, one more thing happened. She started slipping back into depression. She stopped eating and locked herself in her room, worrying Nicole and Maya. Both of her friends feared she was returning to the dark phase of her past, especially after they found various cuts on her arms. Her health deteriorated, and Luna was eventually hospitalized. But because of this, she discovered something that proved everything she had experienced was real. The one remaining connection she had to Alkrevas. Her baby.


    Once Luna found out she was pregnant, she began to rise again. She realized that she was no longer alone. She carried a part of Alkrevas with her, and that was enough. Of course, Nicole and Maya were incredibly curious, as Luna had suddenly disappeared and reappeared monthster, pregnant. So, after she was discharged from the hospital, Luna told her two friends her wild story. Luna was lucky to have such loyal and supportive friends. They never looked at her as a crazy woman making things up. They believed her story, and after that, the subject was closed and locked away. Luna, Nicole, and Maya chose to focus on the baby she was carrying.


    And a few monthster, here she was. At four months pregnant, her pregnancy progressed normally, even though she remembered Judith saying that werewolf pregnancies typicallysted only around five months, especially when carrying a Lycan-Luna was starting to return to her usual routine. Of course, carrying a baby who was not entirely human-made her easily tired and constantly hungry, but that didn¡¯t bother her because the baby she was carrying was a miracle.


    Now, she had decided to donate her antique mirror to a museum because it was time to move on. Of course, she wouldn¡¯t give up on returning, but she no longer ced her hopes on the mirror she owned since she remembered the temperamental soulmate had destroyed the other side of her mirror. She was now trying to track down the identity of the house owner who had the portal mirror, but so far, she had no leads. Nicole had mentioned that the house owner was a powerful figure in London, keeping their identity well hidden.


    Luna had visited the house several times, but the house was locked tight every time she went. Nicole once told her that two men hade asking for her a few weeks after Luna¡¯s disappearance, iming to be her rtives. But when the phone numbers they left were called, no one ever answered, as if they had vanished. Luna remembered that one of the men who imed to be her uncle was named Jackson Bardi, and the other, who imed to be her brother, was Markus. Based on Nicole¡¯s description, i. Luna was certain that Markus Bardi was the Duke of Venion, which perfectly matched the Duke¡¯s.


    ¡°Luna?¡± Luna snapped out of her thoughts when Nicole called her name sadly.


    ¡°You miss him, don¡¯t you?¡± the woman whispered. For the first time, she brought up the topic they had deliberately buried deep so Luna wouldn¡¯t get emotional.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m just reminiscing,¡± Luna replied, then looked at her reflection in the mirror. Luna switched her wardrobe to maternity clothes, and her belly started to show.


    Like tonight. She was wearing a long navy maternity dress made of silk, with a sweetheart neckline showing a bit of her chest, shortce sleeves, and ace back. The long skirt of the dress covered her legs, which were starting to swell. Luna¡¯s long hair was styled in a formal bun, with a few strands left to frame her face, which was already enhanced with makeup. The only essories she wore were simple white gold earrings and a matching bracelet, and since she was pregnant, she opted not to wear heels and chose dark brown ts that matched her dark brown clutch.


    Luna smiled at her reflection, a sight Nicole didn¡¯t miss. ¡°See? I was right, wasn¡¯t I? Your aura shines even brighter. Pregnancy really suits you.¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right,¡± Luna responded with a yful smile. She stepped out of the bedroom and greeted the couriers and museum staff. After a brief chat, she permitted them to take the mirror. Luna said goodbye to the mirror full of memories as it was taken away, reassuring herself that she could always see it at the museum. ¡°Shall we go down now? I¡¯m sure Maya¡¯s already tapping her foot impatiently.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Nicole agreed, checking the items she was carrying. In addition to her personal belongings, Nicole also had some extra things for Luna, as she was the woman¡¯s manager, after all.


    When they arrived in the lobby, Luna was greeted by a pouting Maya and a rxed, smiling George. ¡°Hey. Sorry, I¡¯m a littlete. I had to make sure the mirror was taken away properly,¡± Luna said, hugging Maya tightly.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Maya sighed and nodded in surrender, then gently rubbed Luna¡¯s belly affectionately. ¡°How¡¯s my little niece or nephew? Healthy?¡± Luna nodded. ¡°How¡¯s the nausea?¡± Maya asked, concerned.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting better, thanks for asking.¡± Maya hugged Luna tightly again. ¡°Thank goodness,¡± Maya whispered in relief. After some small talk, they headed out of the building to the SUV parked in front of the lobby.


    ¡­

 EPILOG 2

    ¡°Luna, what do you think of tonight¡¯s event? Did you enjoy it? Was there anything you didn¡¯t like?¡± Luna shifted her gaze from the medieval painting disyed to the face of the event host, Professor Jane Austin, the director and curator of the newly opened antique artifacts and painting exhibition at a museum in New York.


    Luna smiled softly and responded, ¡°Of course. I enjoyed the event, you¡¯re quite the expert at nning parties, Professor, but I was more captivated by the items on disy. There¡¯s nothing I didn¡¯t like. How did you manage to collect all these items, Professor?¡±


    ¡°Besides donations from people like you, I got some from auctions. Fortunately, generous donors and foundations provided significant financial support.¡± Professor Jane elegantly sipped a ss of red wine served by a waiter. ¡°Oh, by the way, about the mirror you donated, where did you find such a beautiful piece?¡±


    ¡°From an auction some time ago. I happened to acquire it by chance. I hope the mirror adds to the museum¡¯s charm.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Professor Jane nodded enthusiastically, then rose from her chair, prompting Luna to do the same. ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t need to get up, Miss Ang. You¡¯re pregnant. I¡¯ve experienced it three times myself, so I know you must be exhausted.¡± Luna smiled gratefully and sat back down.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll excuse myself for a bit, I need to speak with a few other guests.¡±


    After Professor Jane left, Luna sat alone at the table marked with her nametag, indicating the table was reserved for her and her guest. Nicole returned to the table after chatting with someone she knew, quickly peeling off her gloves. ¡°It¡¯s so exhausting talking to those people.¡±


    ¡°You offered to do it yourself,¡± Luna muttered as she sipped the clear water the waiter had brought her upon request. Luna nced from the corner of her eye, groaning inwardly when she noticed a man she¡¯d been avoiding arrive at the museum¡¯s opening dinner. Nicole noticed his presence, too, as the man walked toward their table. ¡°How long is he going to keep pursuing you?¡±


    ¡°I guess until another woman can divert his interest away from me,¡± Luna responded, politely smiling as Logan Steve reached their table and greeted her and Nicole warmly.


    ¡°Hi Luna, hi Nicole. Good evening.¡± While Nicole stood to greet Logan with a kiss on each cheek, Luna nodded.


    ¡°What do you want, Logan?¡± Luna asked politely but with a hint of annoyance.


    ¡°I just wanted to check on you. I heard you¡¯re pregnant.¡±


    Luna sighed loudly. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s any of your business.¡±


    ¡°Luna¡­¡±


    ¡°Logan, you just arrived. The opening remarks are already over. Shouldn¡¯t you greet Professor Jane first?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡± Luna exhaled in relief as Logan walked away from the table. Logan Steve, CEO of Steve Inc. and the son of a conglomerate named Jonas Steve was one of her college friends and had been chasing after her since their final semester. Logan was recently named one of Forbes¡¯ youngest sessful men and became a celebrity among women.


    Of course, when he first confessed his feelings to her, Luna rejected him because she felt that Logan¡¯s world and status were far too different from hers. But Logan had never given up on her, and thest time they met at a g two months before her departure to the ¡°other world,¡± Logan once again dered his feelings and expressed his desire to make her his wife.


    While other women might have considered themselves lucky, Luna knew better. Social status differences were incredibly important, especially given her background as a poor orphan. Logan¡¯s mother was a high-society socialite, and his father was strict, so marrying Logan would be a nightmare for her. She didn¡¯t want that kind of life, where people would gossip about her and her inws would constantly criticize and find fault with her. She would much rather build her own life, especially now that she had Alkrevas. Logan was no match for Alkrevas because she was bound to him, and her soul and heart belonged solely to that man.


    ¡°How long is that man going to try? Does he not understand the word ¡®no¡¯?¡± Nicole grumbled as she watched Logan¡¯s back retreating. ¡°How many times have you rejected him since college, Luna? Ten? Twenty?¡±


    ¡°Fifteen.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there any other woman? He¡¯s popr, handsome. Rich. It¡¯s like no woman would say no to him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡±


    Nicole nodded and watched Luna eat a piece of fruit from her snack te. ¡°So¡­ about your baby¡¯s father¡­ how handsome is he, and how great is he in bed?¡± Luna shot a re at Nicole.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve been holding back this question since you first told me about him. I didn¡¯t dare ask because it seemed like you still weren¡¯t over him, but I feel like now is the right time.¡±


    ¡°If you think Greek gods are real, then he¡¯s the one.¡±


    Nicole whistled softly. ¡°So, he¡¯s extremely, extremely, extremely, extremely handsome. Okay. He passed the first test. And then?¡± Luna gestured to her growing belly. Nicole grinned widely, like a weirdo.


    ¡°He¡¯s also great in bed. Passed the second test. Does he treat you well?¡± Luna thought for a moment, then nodded. Nicole already knew the beginning of her rtionship with Alkrevas, but thinking it over, despite his demeanor, Alkrevas did treat her well. ¡°Does he love you?¡±


    ¡°Can a soul bond be considered as love?¡±


    ¡°That means it¡¯s deeper than love. Alright, he passes all the initial tests.¡± Luna shook her head, not understanding her friend and manager. ¡°Maya and I have been guessing all along.¡±


    ¡°If I still had my old phone, you wouldn¡¯t need to guess.¡±


    ¡°Luna! You¡¯re still here, I see.¡± Professor Jane said as she sat back down and waved to a waiter for a new ss.


    ¡°Luna isn¡¯t going anywhere, Professor. You know she tires easily.¡±


    ¡°My apologies, dear Nicole. I thought Luna had left with Logan.¡±


    ¡°Professor¡­¡± Luna muttered wearily.


    Professor Jane waved her hand dismissively at Luna and said, ¡°You should give that poor man a chance. Since he greeted me, his eyes have been glued to you.¡± Just as she said, Professor Jane¡¯s assistant approached and whispered in her ear. ¡°Really?¡± Professor Jane murmured in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes, Professor.¡±


    ¡°Then, where is he?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m right here, Jane.¡± Instantly, all four pairs of eyes at the table turned toward the source of the voice-toward a man in a sharp blue suit, holding a walking cane. His dark brown hair was perfectly styled, and his friendly smile was visible. Hismanding presence drew the attention of several nearby guests.


    Professor Jane immediately stood up and warmly greeted the man. Luna frowned as she looked at his face. Something about him felt oddly familiar, but her attention was drawn away when she felt a hand on her shoulder. When Luna turned to see who had touched her, she was greeted by Logan¡¯s face. She bit her lower lip, suppressing the urge to growl in frustration.


    She couldn¡¯t cause a scene at Professor Jane¡¯s event. At the very least, she needed to talk to Logan and draw a clear boundary with him after the event.


    ¡°Do you have any ns after this, Luna? Would you like to take a walk with me?¡±


    ¡°Do you not see that I¡¯m a pregnant woman? Do you think I can just go for a walk after this event?¡± she hissed sharply.


    ¡°Luna, Logan,e here.¡± Luna immediately looked at Professor Jane and stood up, then she and Logan approached the Professor. After all, Professor Jane had been their academic advisor during their college years, and she and Logan were the Professor¡¯s favorite students.


    Luna gave a polite smile to the man standing beside Professor Jane, discreetly brushing Logan¡¯s hand away as it touched her back. ¡°I¡¯d like to introduce you to the museum¡¯s biggest donor. He was my colleague in the past, and now he¡¯s a businessman in Ennd. Meet Jackson Bardi.¡± Luna felt her breath catch and her heart race. ¡°I heard you brought your nephew as well. Does he look like your brother, Jackson?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Jane.¡± Jackson Bardi looked at her closely. ¡°I think he¡¯s talking with his friend. He should be here any moment¡­ ah, there he is! Markus,e over here!¡± Luna followed Jackson¡¯s gaze and suddenly felt weak, like she might faint, when she saw the face she knew all too well-Duke Veniam¡¯s face.


    But it wasn¡¯t Duke Veniam who caused her body to react so strongly. It was the man standing beside him.


    Alkrevas.


    He looked different from thest time they spoke in the imperial pce. His dark hair was perfectly groomed, and his tall, muscr frame was dressed in a crisp white shirt, ck suit, and ck tie. Leather shoes adorned his feet, and a watch circled his wrist. He looked like he belonged in this world, not some other realm.


    ¡°Oh my God¡­¡± Luna whispered.


    As Markus and Alkrevas approached Jackson, Professor Jane gasped excitedly while the other guests whispered in awe, mesmerized by the sight of two strikingly handsome men who seemed almost angelic. Luna¡¯s stomach churned, and she began to feel nauseous. ¡°Jane, let me introduce you to Markus Bardi, my nephew.¡±


    The two shook hands.


    ¡°He looks so much like yourte brother, Jackson. And who is this beside him?¡±


    ¡°Oh, this is Alkrevas Rome. A close friend of Markus. They both happened to visit me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, how sweet.¡± Then Professor Jane turned toward her. ¡°Oh yes, let me introduce them. These two are my best students, Luna Ang, and Logan Steve.¡± Logan greeted both men with a handshake while Luna remained silent. Her hands turned cold, and she suddenly felt nervous, especially as those sharp brown eyes stared directly at her.


    ¡°Luna?¡± Professor Jane murmured in confusion.


    Logan reached for her face and said, ¡°You look pale, Luna. Do you want to rest?¡±


    Nicole, who had been quietly standing behind her, quickly stepped in. ¡°Oh, it seems Luna ate something bad. Logan, could you please let go of my friend? Let her rest.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ um¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Nicole immediately guided Luna away to a more private lounge area. Luna broke down in tears as soon as they sat on the sofa.


    ¡°Luna? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Luna couldn¡¯t say anything. She heard the door open and felt herself being embraced. The familiar scent of Maya¡¯s perfume greeted her.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Nicole? Why is Luna crying?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. She just suddenly became like this.¡±


    ¡°Luna? Hey, what¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡± Luna only covered her mouth and hugged Maya tightly.


    ¡°Do you want to go home now?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I want¡­ to hold him¡­¡± Luna whispered so softly that only Maya and Nicole could hear.


    ¡°Who, Luna?¡±


    ¡°Wait. Is the Alkrevas over there the same Alkrevas you¡¯ve been talking about¡­ the father of your jelly bean?¡± Nicole referred to the baby Luna was carrying as a ¡°jelly bean.¡± Luna still needs to respond to Nicole¡¯s question.


    At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Luna heard Nicole get up and walk toward the door. As soon as it opened, her body responded instantly. She lifted her head and stood up, then, without hesitation, ran toward the man standing in the doorway.


    She threw herself into the warm, protective embrace she had missed. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck while his arms encircled her protectively. ¡°I missed you, mi alma.¡±


    Luna cried even harder, burying her face in the chest that felt like home.


    She vaguely heard the door close, and shortly after, she felt herself being lifted and carried back to the sofa. After Alkrevas sat down, cing her on hisp, Luna felt a brief kiss on her forehead and the hollow of her neck.


    And finally, Luna felt whole again.


    ¡­


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