The Moonbound Bride

Chapter 10

LYRA

I gasped and woke up, my eyes snapping open. I was still lying on the bed, and it was already morning. The servants had entered my room and pulled back the curtains, allowing the graceful, radiant sunlight to pour in. The rays blurred my vision as I raised a hand to shield my face.

It was only when the light shifted that I noticed Blade sitting next to me. My body tensed, and I quickly ran my fingers through my messy hair in an attempt to look presentable. Why is he here?

Am I finally on the verge of death today?

When I met his gaze, he was already staring at me, watching closely—like he had been sitting there for hours, waiting for me to wake up. Yet, he hadn't disturbed my sleep.

As I stared back at him, only one thought consumed my mind—the dream.

The way I hugged him in my dream... It was no longer a mystery to me that Blade was a tiger. I had known it even before I dreamed of him, but that dream was confirmation.

Still, so many questions remained unanswered. Why had I embraced him? What was the meaning of the ancient villa? And why had I whispered those words to him?

"How was your sleep?" he asked in a low voice, breaking the silence between us.

Some servants were still adjusting things in my room, but Blade dismissed them, telling them to leave us alone. I swallowed hard. What is he going to do to me?

"It was good," I said in a barely audible voice, as if choking on my own words.

"I see. Get ready—you'll be coming with me to the office today," he said, standing up.

I snapped my gaze toward him faster than ever and quickly stood up as well.

"Again? Why?" I dared to ask.

He shot me a glare, and I immediately lowered my head, nodding in silent obedience. I'll be coming with him.

As soon as he left the room, I sank onto my bed, wiping away the sweat that had started forming the moment I saw Blade. I let out a deep sigh.

★★★

After cleaning myself up and slipping into a sheath dress, I descended from my room. I skipped breakfast with the family today—I didn't want everyone staring at me like I was their prey. They won't let me live.

Slipping into the kitchen, I found Edith and asked if there was anything to eat. I was starving. No one had given me dinner last night, and I couldn't survive without food. I just hope they don't kill me for stealing a bite. Nothing here was ever free.

Edith hesitated but, hearing my stomach growl, finally handed me a piece of bread with butter and a glass of orange juice. I devoured it in under a minute. But just as I swallowed the last bite, a drop of juice dripped onto my dress, staining it.

Oh no. I have to go with Blade to his office, and now my dress isn't neat.

As I stared at the stain in worry, a hand slipped past my neck, offering me a dry cleaner.

"Here, use this," a voice said.

I turned around—it was Blade.

Quickly, I took the cleaner from his hand and started rubbing the stain, my fingers trembling. Tension coiled around me like a noose. First, everything that had happened last night. And now, standing before me in human form, was a tiger.

A tiger I had pissed off.

Of course, I was sweating profusely. And on top of that, I had no idea what he planned to do to me when we reached his office.

"Don't do it like that—you'll ruin it even more," he said, snatching the cleaner from my hand.

I looked up at him, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. The contact didn't last more than three seconds.

"The dress is damn expensive," he muttered while scrubbing the stain with force. I tensed under his firm movements, gripping the counter for support.

Once he was done, he tossed the used cleaner into the dustbin and turned to me. "Hurry up. I'm waiting outside, and the car will be here soon."

I simply nodded.

"And clean your face too," he added as he walked away.

Instinctively, I rubbed my hand over my face and felt the rough texture of bread crumbs clinging to the corners of my lips.

What's with Blade today?

He wasn't scolding me. He had cleaned my dress for me. And now this...

Why is he suddenly acting like this?

The way Blade treated me just now was the exact opposite of what I should have expected from him. He definitely has something going on in his head. I need to stay as cautious as ever.

Following Blade's footsteps toward the main door, I suddenly remember—I forgot my sunglasses. I don't want to be blinded by the harsh sunlight. The weather outside looks scorching. So, in a hurry, I dash upstairs to grab my shades.

On my way back down, I hear raised voices coming from the other side of my room. A quarrel.

Should I eavesdrop?

But Blade is waiting for me downstairs. If I take too long, this tiger might just have me for lunch. I decide to ignore it and continue descending the stairs—until I hear my name.

I freeze.

Who's talking about me?

Without a second thought, I turn back, making my final decision. I need to know what's being said.

The voices are coming from the room beside Blade's. The door is slightly ajar, open just a third of the way.

I stood slightly beside the door, straining to catch every word of the conversation inside.

"How can you all be so careless with that girl?"

It was Grandma Mildred's voice. I was sure of it.

"Like, how were we supposed to know she'd get that close to the truth?"

That was Noah.

"Seriously, brother. But I still managed to get there in time and caught that lowly piece of sh*t before she could get her hands on anything," Amelia said, her voice dripping with pride.

"I have to admit, Amelia did a good job," Mildred agreed.

So she's the one controlling everything! She's the mastermind—the real villain.

"And Margaret, what was your son doing there? Too busy staring at her beauty?" she sneered.

"That's not true, Grandma... I—" Lucas started, but she cut him off.

"Shut up! Don't you realize how important that book is? Just imagine if she had read it!" she snapped.

Curious, I peeked through the transparent window. Inside, Lucas looked guilty—his face betraying his regret.

Then I noticed Blade's parents were there too, but Ryder and Zoe were nowhere to be seen. And, of course, Katherine—she was never around. Grandma Mildred had gathered nearly the whole household, lecturing them because of me.

Why isn't Blade included in this?

Just then—

"Blade is also a big fool for allowing that girl into the library," Amelia scoffed.

"I know. Let's keep Blade out of this; otherwise, he'll ruin everything for us. I'm starting to think he's softened toward the girl," Mildred said.

Softened? Not yet, Grandma!

"Anyway, he's of no use. It's better if he knows as little as possible," Mildred ordered.

"Even when he's the main one?" Noah asked, surprised.

"Yes. Because I find him the least important in what we're trying to achieve," she said firmly.

What?! Blade's own family was conspiring against him? How cruel. Mildred is a wench!

"Lyra!" Blade's voice suddenly echoed from downstairs.

I turned and hurried toward the stairs, quickly descending. "I'm coming!" I called out.

When I reached him, I let out a small breath. "I forgot my shades," I said with a sly smile, slightly panting.

He just glanced at me, unimpressed. I followed him, tiptoeing behind.

★★★

Sitting in the car, I was lost in thought, replaying how Blade had been excluded by his own family. What did Mildred mean when she said they were trying to achieve something? And why was Blade considered insignificant in it?

Suddenly, I felt the urge to tell Blade about my dream. The thought consumed me—I didn't want to keep it to myself. But how was I supposed to bring it up? He seemed particularly hot-headed today. Yet, just moments ago, his gestures toward me had been different—almost considerate.

Maybe I should just go for it.

"Blade," I called softly.

He turned to look at me.

"I just wanted to let you know that I had a dream last night, and it was all about—"

Before I could finish, he raised a hand, cutting me off.

"I don't want to know."

Then, without warning—

"What were you thinking, huh? Stealing the book?" His tone was sharp, accusatory.

I flinched.

"My intentions were good—"

"Oh please. I know you're just looking for a way to escape," he scoffed.

"So what? I'm a hostage here! Of course, I'd want to run," I shot back.

The car ride was rough, filled with bumps, and with every jolt, we bounced against our seats—arguing the whole time.

"And what about you? Do you even realize your family is leaving you out of their important conversations? They don't think it's necessary to tell you anything anymore."

"Well, that's all thanks to you," he said coldly.

That wasn't true. They had said from the start that he was of no use to them. But how could I explain that to him? And why would he even believe me?

So I let it go.

"If it's all because of me, then kill me already—like you mentioned before. You're a tiger, aren't you? You could do it easily. Even now," I said bluntly.

"Shut up, Lyra!"

He leaned in closer, his presence suffocating.

"Keep your voice down! And how do you know I'm a tiger?" he hissed through gritted teeth, his fangs almost slipping out.

I froze. Fear gripped me.

Then, just as suddenly, he backed off, forcing himself to calm down.

"That's what I saw in my dream," I admitted. "First, I was running from you... and then I embraced you."

His eyes sharpened. "Running from me? Was I in my tiger form?" he asked eagerly.

I nodded.

"Why would you have that dream?" he asked.

"I don't know. I even saw an ancient villa."

I told him everything.

He simply listened, saying nothing.

By the time we reached his office, Ryder was already there, greeting us with a warm smile. I smiled back at him.

As we walked inside, I was a few steps ahead of Blade when he suddenly called out, "Hey, Lyra, don't dwell on the dream too much."

"Why? I think we're connected somehow—from the past. And you know it too." My words came out bluntly.

Ryder, who had been listening, glanced at Blade in surprise.

"Just stop it and follow me," Blade muttered before grabbing my hand and pulling me inside.

Ryder followed, still looking stunned by my remark.

"But why did you bring me to the office again? Two days in a row?" I asked, rubbing my arm where he had grabbed me as we stepped into the elevator.

"Looks like Lyra isn't afraid of you anymore, Blade," Ryder teased with a smirk.

"That's because she already knows I'm a tiger," Blade replied.

"And also because I know he won't harm me—at least not until he gets what he wants from me. So until then, I'm free," I added casually.

Ryder chuckled. "That's a good answer."

"Enough, both of you," Blade muttered, shutting down the conversation.

I fell silent, but in truth, I wasn't fearless—I was just pretending to be.

Because eventually, reality would catch up to me.

The family. The book. The reason they brought me here. My parents' safety.

No, I was afraid.

I was just trying not to show it.

"Well, sorry! But you still didn't answer my question," I pressed.

Blade gritted his teeth. "Because I don't want you sneaking off somewhere again and getting yourself into trouble."

"Trouble?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Or are you just afraid your secret will come out?"

His glare darkened, and for a moment, I noticed his eye color shifting.

Then, without thinking, I blurted out, "Sorry!"

He exhaled sharply and backed off.

I didn't want to push him too far—not when his other form could be dangerous.

Even if, in my dream, it had felt strangely... safe.

I should stop testing him.

★★★

Blade worked tirelessly throughout the day. It was fascinating—how he could be both a creature and a billionaire, effortlessly managing such a massive company.

As I absentmindedly played with a Rubik's cube and flipped through some magazines, a thought struck me. I had heard rumors—how he'd been in countless accidents yet never got hurt.

I had to ask.

"Are you... immortal?"

He sat across from me, his sharp gaze flicking up as night settled in around us. The sky was a deep, endless black, dotted with infinite stars, and as always, the moonlight spilled through the windows—the same big, glowing moon.

Blade sighed, his tone sharp. "Stop searching for answers, Lyra. Would you?"

I shrugged. "I was just curious. You always walk away unscathed."

He stood up, adjusting his tie, the sleeves of his crisp shirt folded neatly to his elbows. I couldn't help but watch as he moved toward me—strong, commanding.

"You... You better stop," he warned, his voice low. "Or I'll eat you up whole."

I didn't move. "You won't. Not until your motive is clear."

His eyes darkened. "You want to test that theory?" His voice was deadly serious—but God, it sounded sexy.

He lunged toward me, pouncing onto the couch, but instead of tearing into me, he lost balance—falling on me.

Suddenly, we were impossibly close.

Blade stilled, his body pressed against mine. Whatever he had intended to do, he seemed to have forgotten it entirely.

I didn't move either. Just stared—admiring the way his gaze roamed over my face, lingering on my lips, my nose, my eyes.

Something twisted in my stomach, a deep pull I couldn't ignore. And from the way he looked at me, it was there for him too.

I wanted to pull him closer.

His eyes said the same.

Then—

The moon trembled.

A violent, unnatural quake shook the sky, and before our very eyes, fragments of the moon broke off, falling downward.

We both froze, watching in disbelief.

What the hell is happening?

And why did it feel like the universe itself was reacting to us?