Luna Elara

Chapter 3

Elara's POV

He moved closer, and all I could think about was running. Every good thought I'd ever had about him vanished, replaced by the chilling reality of his predatory gaze and cruel smile. This was a game, and I was the prey.

"Hey there, beautiful," his voice, thick with authority, snapped me back to the present.

"G-good day, Alpha Kael," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.

"How have I missed such a beauty in my pack?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement as he reached out, his fingers tracing a line from my cheek to my jaw.

God, I wished the ground would swallow me whole. I trembled under his touch, unable to speak.

Then, a sharp pain ripped through my skin. I looked at him, terror in my eyes, as he smiled down at me, a glint of mischief in his gaze.

"Don't keep me waiting, sweetheart. I don't like that," he said softly, his bloodied claws tracing my lips. "You're a prize I don't want to spoil too soon, so don't test me. Speak!" His tone shifted, becoming hard and dangerous.

"Yes, Alpha," I managed, trying to remember his question. "I work in your manor, as a servant," I blurted out.

"Hmmm. Interesting. So… what are you doing alone on the side of the road?"

"I'm waiting for my friend, Alpha. We were getting decorations for the Harvest Feast, and the car broke down on the way back."

"You work at the manor, you say?" He seemed fixated on that detail.

"Yes, Alpha."

He snapped his fingers, and a woman with perfect skin appeared. I guessed she was related to him, maybe his sister.

"She's the one," he said simply, causing the woman to look me up and down before turning back to him, shocked.

"This servant?! Are you serious, Kael? Of all the potential Lunas in the pack, you choose this pathetic servant?!"

"Listen carefully, Seraphina," his voice cut through the air like a knife. "You will not raise your voice to me in front of my subject. I called you here to inform you. Go back and begin preparations. Now," he finished, his tone icy.

Despite her attempts to hide it, I saw the fear in her eyes. Who wouldn't be terrified of this man? And what did she mean by "potential Lunas?"

"I apologize for my outburst, brother," she said, kneeling before him. My eyes widened in disbelief.

They were siblings, yet she treated him like a god. Sunshine would hate this.

Two elderly men approached him as I struggled to contain my fear. They tried to whisper to him, but he raised his hand, silencing them.

"No one interferes in my personal affairs. You want a Luna? Then let me find one!" he hissed.

The old men stepped back, looking nervous and insulted. I prayed for Sunshine to be delayed, but she was already approaching, along with the driver.

"Good day, Alpha Kael," she curtsied before him, then greeted the others. She tried to pull me away, but I held back.

'What was she doing? Trying to walk away from the Alpha?'

"I assume this is the friend who kept you waiting," he said, his voice softening slightly as he ignored his sister, who stood up, her face red with shame.

"Yes, Alpha," I answered.

The driver greeted him, and Alpha Kael ordered him to return to the manor without us. He obeyed without question, leaving Sunshine and me to swallow our fear.

"A servant like you?" He cleared his throat, turning his attention back to us.

"Yes, Alpha."

"What's your name?" He asked Sunshine.

"My name is Sunshine, Alpha," she replied carefully, sending me a look that conveyed her unease.

"You must be wondering what's happening," he said, capturing Sunshine's attention. She nodded and curtsied.

"You and your friend will return to the manor with me," he stated.

He returned to his car, and the woman seized the opportunity to glare at me. Sunshine saw the blood on my face and began cursing the Alpha.

I was grateful he was on a call, so he couldn't hear Sunshine's words.

"Sunshine, he's Alpha Kael. Please, don't be stupid," I whispered urgently.

I didn't realize Alpha Kael was behind me until I turned and saw him raising an eyebrow.

"Let's go," he said, but Sunshine pulled me back.

I tried to warn her that we had no choice, but she insisted. He repeated, "Let's go," his voice more impatient. I dragged her, running to the car to avoid angering him.

We sat in silence until he cleared his throat.

"What's your name?" he whispered in my ear, his voice surprisingly gentle, making me question if he was the same man I feared.

"Elara," I answered nervously.

"Are you alright, Elara? You look terrible."

"I'm fine, thank you." I rested my head against the window as his sister, the old men, and Sunshine stared at me.

I remained silent, too scared to move, speak, or even look at Sunshine. He took my hand and placed it on my lap. I looked at him, confused, and tried to pull my hand away, but he pinned it with his claw, sinking it into my flesh. I winced in pain.

"I'm going to ask you a question at the manor," his voice was cold again. "For your own safety, don't make me repeat it. I only need a positive answer. Understood?"

"Yes, Alpha," I said quickly, trembling.

He removed his claw, and I held my hand to my chest, waiting for the wound to heal. I wondered what his question would be until the driver stopped at the manor.

We got out, and as Sunshine rushed to me, Alpha Kael knelt, shocking everyone.

Even as he did it, I saw the hesitation and pride in his eyes.

"Will you marry me, Elara?"

I hesitated. How could I marry a man who had shown me a glimpse of hell on our first meeting?

'For your own safety, don't make me repeat it. I only need a positive answer. Understood?' His words echoed in my mind, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Yes I will, Alpha Kael!"