CHASING HIS LUNA: THE BILLIONAIRE CEO IS MY ALPHA MATE

Leonidas POV A thief for a mate? I can't believe this. I shook my head in denial. Surely, the moon goddess must be kidding me. What was I supposed to do with her? Isn't it humbling enough that she's a mere human? And now she's a thief? I breathed in, clenching my fists as I tried to control the urge to pounce on her. "Did you just call me a thief?" she asked, glaring back at me. Oh wow, she's defiant, a sharp-mouthed one; definitely unfit to be my Luna. What sort of Luna did the moon goddess think she could make? Did I offend the moon goddess? Is that what this is about? Is this a curse from the demon goddess? "I'm talking to you!" she snapped, standing up from her seat. "Why would you call me a thief?" "Don't you dare speak to me like that!" I commanded, and she kept quiet, but only for a while. She moved backward, laughter rumbling out from within her suddenly. "What's funny?" I asked, exasperated with her behavior. "I shouldn't talk to you like that?" Her tone increased several pitches as she glared at me. "But you can call me a thief?" "That's what you are, Nia. I didn't make it so." "An accused person isn't a criminal until proven otherwise. Don't you know the law? Aren't you a citizen of this country?" she shouted. "Well, have fun proving your innocence in court 'cause I'm definitely suing you." "Suing me?" She asked, her brows puckering upwards. "Yes, suing you!" I folded my arms, leaning back in my chair as I watched her confused expression. My lips turned upwards as I watched her cute demeanor turn into something else within seconds. "And who are you to sue me?" I smiled, amused. "Well, let me introduce myself to you. I'm Leonidas, the major shareholder in your company. The owner of most of the stocks and funds you tried to embezzle." "I didn't do any of those things!" she roared, barely allowing me to finish my statement. She walked forward, holding my gaze. I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to see if there was any iota of truth in her defiant gaze. “You say you didn’t do it, but the evidence is right here, Nia. Every transaction points to you.” She took a deep breath, trying to control her temper. “I was framed, Mr. Leonidas. Someone is setting me up." My jaw clenched. “Convenient excuse, don’t you think?" I said, folding my arms across my chest as I leaned back in the chair. "A thief claiming innocence, trying to weasel her way out of the consequences.” She stepped even closer, her eyes never leaving mine. “Listen to me, Leonidas. I am a lot of things, but I'm definitely not a thief. Please give me time and I'll prove it." “Time? Do you think I’m stupid?” I asked, furrowing my brows at her audacity. She moved even closer, and as she did, my senses heightened again. Her scent enveloped me, a mix of vanilla and something uniquely hers. My wolf stirred strongly within me, reacting strongly to her presence. Mate, he growled from within. She's innocent, he said. No she's not, she's a bloody liar! I retorted. I want her, my wolf growled, heightening my senses. My eyes immediately latched onto her like I was under a magic spell. Damn! She looked so beautiful, breathtaking even. Her lips were luscious, so luscious that I wanted to taste them, right here, right now. My eyes continued to roam her delicious body, her curves calling out to me in a way that made my blood boil with desire. The gentle swell of her breasts called me in. Every inch of her screamed temptation, and my wolf howled with longing. The urge to touch her, to claim her, was almost unbearable. I breathed in, taking my eyes off her as I tried to control my wolf instincts. Calm down, I said to my wolf. She could be a thief. I want her, he insisted. It didn't help that she stepped even closer to me, her voice softer and more feminine than the last time. “I just need a chance to prove myself, Leonidas. You’ll see that I’m not lying,” she repeated. I clenched my fists, struggling against my wolf's urge to pull her into my arms and claim her right then and there. My body ached with the need to touch her, to feel her soft skin against mine, to lose myself in her warmth. With a shaky hand, I pressed the intercom button on my desk. “Security, come to my office immediately.” What are you doing? my wolf growled within me. She’s our mate. She’s innocent. I ignored him. Her eyes widened in surprise, and before she could react, two huge men burst into the room. They grabbed her by the arms, lifting her off the ground. She struggled, her protests filling the room as her legs kicked in the air. “You can’t do this!” she shouted, trying to break free. “I’m innocent! Let me go!” My wolf howled within me, protesting her rough treatment. Why are you throwing her out? We’ve been searching for our mate for over ten years now. “Get her out of here,” I ordered, my voice cold and unyielding. Listen to me, he howled again. No, I'm not, I replied, shutting him out. The security guards carried her out, her cries echoing in the hallway. My wolf’s anguish mirrored hers, but I forced myself to remain logical. As the door closed behind them, the room fell silent. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my raging emotions. She’s our mate, my wolf insisted. How can you be so blind? I’d rather not have a mate than have a thief for a mate, I shot back internally, my frustration boiling over. Really? Am I some test subject? Someone to pull a prank on? Does the moon goddess need some sort of entertainment? My wolf growled, a deep, resonant sound that echoed through my mind. You’re making a mistake, Leonidas. So be it!