The Moonlight Heir

Chapter 9

Elinya's pov

The dorm room felt like a sanctuary the moment I stepped inside.

The air was warmer, softer, filled with the familiar scent of clean sheets and quiet. I dropped my bag by the door and sank onto my bed with a long sigh, my body aching in a way that felt deeper than tiredness. The day had been relentless.

It had started like any other shift—patients, notes, pressure, the constant urgency of a hospital that never slept.

But then everything changed.

When Rurik Volkovich had walked into the hospital, I had known something was different. His presence alone had made the air feel heavier, like a storm was coming. He had spoken to me calmly, offered me a life-changing opportunity, and asked for something that sounded impossible.

To treat his son.

To be with him 24/7.

To stay until he healed.

And I had agreed.

Because I didn’t know what else to do.

Because the offer was too big to refuse.

Because I didn’t want my father to struggle anymore.

I closed my eyes, letting the memories settle into the corners of my mind. My heart felt like it was still racing.

What have I gotten myself into? I wondered silently.

“Hey,” Isabella said softly, knocking gently before entering. “You okay?”

I opened my eyes and forced a smile. “Yeah… I’m fine.”

She walked in, closing the door behind her, and sat on her bed with a concerned look.

“You look exhausted,” she said. “What happened today?”

I hesitated, then sighed. “I need to tell you something.”

Isabella’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t interrupt. She waited patiently, like she always did.

“I was approached by a man today,” I began, my voice quiet. “Rurik Volkovich.”

Isabella’s expression changed instantly—she looked tense, like she had heard the name before.

“He offered me… an opportunity,” I continued. “Money. Training. The best medical course. He said he would support my father.”

Isabella nodded slowly, waiting for the rest.

“And in return,” I said, swallowing, “I have to treat his son. Every day. Wherever he goes. He said it’s not optional.”

Isabella stared at me for a moment, processing the information.

“His son?” she repeated softly.

I nodded. “Izar.”

Isabella’s eyes widened again, and she let out a low whistle. “You have no idea what you’ve agreed to.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Isabella took a deep breath, her face serious now. “Izar Alexandra Volkovich is not just any man.”

I leaned forward, suddenly alert. “Tell me.”

Isabella’s voice lowered, as if the walls might be listening.

“He’s the Alpha heir of the Volkovich family,” she began. “One of the most powerful families in all of Russia.”

I already knew that much.

“But it’s more than that,” she continued. “He’s… feared. Not just respected. Feared.”

My throat tightened.

Isabella continued, her eyes serious and steady.

“He’s known for being cold. Ruthless. Merciless. He doesn’t trust anyone. He hates being touched. He hates being weak. He hates being vulnerable.”

I swallowed.

“That’s what I heard,” I admitted.

Isabella nodded. “It’s true.”

She leaned closer, her voice softer now.

“And the rumors,” she said, “they say he doesn’t allow anyone near him. He doesn’t allow people to treat him. He doesn’t allow anyone to get close.”

My heart beat faster.

“Then why would his father choose me?” I asked.

Isabella’s expression softened slightly. “Because you’re different.”

I blinked. “Different how?”

“Because you don’t panic,” she said simply. “Because you have a calm strength. Because you treat people like they matter.”

She paused for a moment, then added, “And because you don’t have anything to lose.”

The words hit me harder than I expected.

Isabella stood up and paced a little, then stopped and looked at me.

“I’m not going to lie,” she said. “This is dangerous.”

I nodded slowly.

“I know.”

Isabella sat down again, her face softening. “But you’re not alone.”

I looked at her, grateful for her support. “Thank you.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes completely.

“I’ll help you,” she said. “And I’ll be there for you.”

I breathed out slowly.

“I just hope I’m strong enough,” I whispered.

Isabella’s expression turned firm.

“You are,” she said. “And if he ever tries to hurt you—physically or emotionally—you will not be alone.”

I nodded.

I didn’t know what the future held.

But I knew one thing for sure—

The Volkovich world was not a place for the weak.

And I had just stepped into it.

“Listen,” she said. “There’s something you need to know about the Volkovich family.”

I leaned in, my heart pounding.

Isabella continued, her eyes fixed on mine.

“They are not just powerful,” she whispered. “They are… ruthless in a way that doesn’t belong to the world.”

I felt chills run down my spine.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Isabella swallowed, as if she was swallowing fear itself.

“They don’t just defeat enemies,” she said. “They erase them.”

I stared at her, stunned.

“Erase them?” I repeated.

Isabella nodded.

“They disappear,” she said. “No traces. No evidence. No witnesses. Even the police fear them.”

My breathing became shallow.