Alexa’s Point Of View
“So tell me. You must know where you’re from, right?” I asked Cyan.
He shook his head. “I don’t know everything about where I’m from.”
“Even your mother?”
He smiled. “I remember my mother. I’ve never seen her face but I remember how she smelt. While I was still in my shell, she would warm me up at night and keep me cool in the morning. She would sing me lullabies to put me to sleep too.”
“She sounds like the best mother. Wasn’t she with you when you hatched?”
“No. I was on my own. I had to live the first two weeks alone. I searched for her but I couldn’t find her. I didn’t want to rest until I found her. I never knew one of my searches would lead me to you.”
“Ah, you really scared me that day. I thought you were a tiger.”
He laughed. “I felt this sense of comfort when I saw you. You reminded me of my mum. Just one look at you, I knew you were a runaway who didn’t know where she was going.”
“Good. Rub it in.”
“No, to be honest. Why would you run away from home and don’t know where you’re going?”
“I knew where I was headed! Um… maybe? Whatever.”
“You’re lucky Akira came to save you. If not, you would have been vampire’s dinner.”
I shook my head in disbelief and pinched his cheek. “You were cuter when I couldn’t hear your voice in my head.”
“Well, deal with it now.”
I stood up with him and turned in the direction of my residence. On my way, I ran into Xena. I glanced at her neck and saw that she had a turtle neck on. Now that I think about it, all Xena ever wears is a turtle neck. I’ve always wondered why. Now I know.
“Your highness,” she greeted, bowing in respect.
“Wow, I never knew this day would come,” I said and she glanced up with a confused look on her face.
“When I first got here, I always wanted to wipe that smug off your face and make you bow to me like this,” I said and she smirked.
“But now, I don’t know why I feel awkward,” I said and the corner of her lips twitched in an attempted smile. She stood straight and her gaze zeroed on Cyan.
“I thought this animal was gone?”
“Animal?” Cyan scoffed. “You’re the one glaring like a hungry wolf so who’s the animal here?”
I snorted jestingly and Xena raised a questioning brow. “what’s funny?” She asked.
“Only if you could hear what Cyan just said about you.”
She frowned. “He can talk?”
I shrugged. “What do you think?”
She glared at Cyan and he growled in return. Wow, his growl has gotten deeper. He’s a big boy now.
“What could your highness be doing alone here?” Xena asked and I sighed.
“I was waiting for someone but as expected, he’s late,” I said angrily. I looked at her and she had a knowing look on her face.
“What?” I demanded and she shrugged innocently.
“Nothing.” She folded her hands at her back and started walking away. Her strides were long so I had to jog to keep up with her.
“Gosh! Should the Luna’s subordinate be walking ahead of her?”
“I can’t help it if the Luna has such short legs.” I hissed and she chuckled. I pulled my gown up to increase my steps. She slowed down and I was able to catch up.
“You’ve not changed at all. Here I was thinking your attitude would be different now that I’m your alpha’s Luna.”
“Sorry, but I don’t know how to pretend.”
“Whatever.”
“She’s so disrespectful. Shouldn’t you say off with her head or something?” Cyan said and I laughed.
“What’s so funny again?” Xena asked and glanced at Cyan. “Did he say something again?”
“Oh no. I was just thinking about something funny.”
She didn’t buy my lie but she let it slide.
“Where’s Akira?” She asked and I rolled my eyes.
“Probably tending to some person like that,” I muttered and she turned to me.
“Alice?”
“Alice? Oh, that’s her name? I never knew, ha ha ha.”
“You sound like a child.”
I huffed. “Well um… this Alice…”
“What about her?”
“Nevermind.”
“Admit you wanna know more about her.”
“Will you tell me if I asked?” I asked excitedly and she shook her head.
“No.” I sighed in disappointment and adjusted Cyan in my arm.
“I thought as much.”
“Come here.”
She pulled me along with her.
“Where are we going?”
“Just shh!”
“A mere warrior pulling her Luna? Put her in the dungeon or something! She should know her place!”
“Come on, Cyan. She’s my friend.”
She led me through the buildings in the palace. We got to a garden and I asked her, “what are we doing here?” I asked her.
She put her finger across her lips, signifying me to shut it. She looked around cautiously and bent down. She brushed off a couple of flowers and vines from the wall and pushed in a brick.
I gasped in astonishment as the wall opened.
“What the…”
“Just let’s go.” She pulled me along with her and we stepped into the opening. The wall closed the moment we left.
“Where are we?” I asked and she motioned forward. I looked forward and my breath got stuck in my throat.
“Wow.” I gawked.
We were in the middle of a field of a flower field. Ahead, I could see waterfalls and rocks. Beautiful mountains surrounded us and a huge tree with purple flowers stood out. It looked straight out of a fantasy book.
“Where is this place?” I asked.
“My very own comfort place.”
I turned to her. “I’m surprised.”
“What do you mean?”
“I expected your comfort place to be a dark coven with skull wallpapers on the wall. Cobwebs at each corner and stuff.”
“Why the hell will I find comfort there?”
“I don’t know. Just your overall vibe?”
She rolled her eyes and I snorted. I sighted a flower swing and I walked to it. I sat down and Xena came to sit on the opposite swing.
“So you come here every day?”
She nodded. “If you can’t find me in the palace, just know I’m here.”
“Wow.”
“I don’t share my things but I’m willing to share this with you. If you ever feel suffocated, this place is wide enough for you to breathe.”
I smirked teasingly. “You act cold but you’re surprisingly warm.”
“Say that one more time and I’ll change my mind.” She said and I thinned my lips.
“So..” she drawled, resting her back. “How is being Luna so far?”
“Luna.” I breathed out. “I didn’t even get to become that.”
“What do you-”
“I’m not married to Akira yet. I couldn’t get to marry him.”
“But everyone sees you as Luna.”
“You mean some people? It’s like you’ve heard the rumors going around the palace? Oh, he must have left her on her wedding night. Maybe they’re not compatible. Blah blah blah. All because some party crasher showed up.”
“You’re that mad at Alice?”
“I’m more than mad! I sound like a bad person but she should have fainted somewhere else! Not at my wedding.”
She hummed.
“And now, Akira is with her again! Just like last night, he’s not showing up. Should I just tie that man up or something?”
“You sound wary of her.”
I scoffed. “Me? Wary of Alice? Tch!”
“I see. Well, I can see why you are. Those two have a really long history together.”
My ears perked up. “Long history?”
She nodded. “You see, Akira knew Alice before he knew me. They were inseparable. They trained together. Got in trouble together. At some point, some started to suspect that maybe Luna mother gave birth to Alice. Or maybe Alice was Akira’s mate.”
“They were that close?”
She nodded. “If I’m not wrong, Alice was the first girl Akira kissed. Or even had genuine feelings for.”
“Oh…”
“They were powerful together. Alice was an exceptional fighter. She was kind to all and took everyone as family. That was why everyone wished she turned out to be Akira’s mate but unfortunately for them, that didn’t happen. Akira would have been dead if not for her.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was during the battle with the rogues. She took the hit that was targeted at Akira. The scar is still there on her chest. That was two years ago. When we returned from the battle, she suddenly said she was leaving the pack. Nobody knew why but she left. We thought she wouldn’t show up again but here she is now I guess.”
I looked down at my fingers. I hate to admit it but she sounds like a real Luna. Strong, brave, selfless, and kind. The kind that would protect the pack. But what do I have? I don’t even have a wolf. I’m weaker than most wolves.
I felt Xena’s hand on mine and I raised my head to meet her gaze.
“A Luna doesn’t waver, Alexa. People call you weak and you accept that you’re weak. That is not how a Luna carries herself. Even if you’re truly weak, you prove to them that you can take on anything. The moment you accept that you’re weak is the moment you start to crumble. You were not like this the first time I saw you. I saw you as a fierce and strong woman who stands tall in the face of tribulations. That was why I felt intimidated at first.”
“You felt intimidated?” I asked in surprise and she nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Ah…” I laughed. “So that was why you were mean to me?”
She leaned back and nodded briskly. She looked embarrassed. Gosh, she’s so cute.
“So you should know how annoying it is to see you cower. Alice can be really intimidating, trust me, I know. But she cowers whenever she meets her match. You’re her Luna, Akira’s mate and only love. She is a mere warrior. Will you let her make you feel small?”
I shook my head. “no!” I said firmly and she smirked proudly.
“That’s it, girl. Now, pull your shoulder up, and let’s go see Akira.”
I nodded in determination and stood up. “Let’s go,” I said and she nodded.
“I take back my word. I like her.” Cyan said and I smiled. We left the garden and left for the main palace. When we got there, I met Raya.
“Your highness.” She bowed.
“What are you doing here, Raya?”
“I was just on my way back from seeing Alpha.”
“Where is he?”
“In his office. He just left Lady Alice’s place.”
I nodded and turned to Xena. She gave me a go-ahead nod and I smiled. I tried to place Cyan in her arms but she scooted back.
“No, take the animal with you.”
“Just hold him for a second. Please?” She groaned and took him from me. I blew her a kiss and turned in the direction of Akira’s office.
I knocked on the door when I got there.
“Come in.” I heard him say. I let out a breath and went in. He was busy with some papers.
“You’re busy?”
He shook his head as he raised his head. “Can never be too busy for you.” He said and I smiled. I walked to the desk and proceeded to sit opposite him but he stopped me.
“What?” I asked and he patted his lap. “Come sit here.”
I eyed him and he patted his lap again. “come on.”
I shook my head and went to him. I sat on his lap and he wrapped his arms around my waist and placed his head on my chest.
“What?” I asked and he shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“How is Alice?”
He raised his head and raised his head. “How is Alice?” He repeated and I nodded.
He grinned and kissed my lips. “She’s good. She’s recovering well.”
I hummed and he chuckled.
“What’s funny?”
“I’m glad.”
I raised my brow. “Glad?”
“Yeah. I thought her presence was making you uncomfortable.”
It was.
He smiled and brushed my hair behind my hair. “I’m sorry.” He said and I shook my head.
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry for.”
“I’m still sorry. She was in a really critical state and I had no choice but to… gosh, what am I saying? If I annoyed you, I’m sorry. Please. Hm?”
I sighed and held his face. “it’s okay.” I said and pecked his forehead. “You’re sexy when you beg,” I said and he laughed.
His laugh was like music to my ears. I craved to hear him laugh all day. He placed his head back on my chest.
“Alexa?”
“Hm?”
“Don’t leave me.”
Where is this coming from?
“Are you okay?” I asked and he hummed.
“Just don’t leave me. I don’t… I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
I kissed his head and brushed his hair with my fingers. “It’s okay. I won’t leave. I’ll be here, with you. Forever.”