Moonlit vow

5.Wolf King Alpha

Kahar noticed Iris's flushed face and dazed expression. His eyes turned wicked, and a cold smile curled his lips. A glint of crimson flashed in his gaze as he plotted his next move. "Finally, an opportunity," Kahar murmured to himself, his voice dripping with possessiveness and scheming intent.

Drawing closer to Iris, his eyes brazenly roamed over her body. Satisfaction danced on his face as his lips curved into a sinister grin. "Tonight, you have nowhere to run," he whispered, his voice heavy with dominance. One hand gripped her shoulder while the other tugged at the animal-skin clothing she wore, attempting to exploit her vulnerability.

Iris’s consciousness was already hazy. Her feeble attempts to resist were in vain, her strength sapped. Her half-lidded eyes and labored breathing rendered her defenseless. Fear clung to her heart, but she was too weak to scream or call for help.

Suddenly, a powerful presence swept over them like a fierce windstorm. Leiand appeared in a blur of motion, fury blazing in his eyes. He surged toward Kahar, his voice low but laced with menace. "Let her go!"

Kahar was caught off guard as Leiand’s kick sent him sprawling. He roared in anger, but Leiand gave him no chance to retaliate, swiftly pinning him to the ground.

Leiand turned his attention to Iris, his expression softening. He saw her flushed cheeks, dazed eyes, and frail figure. Gently, he covered her with a discarded piece of fabric before scooping her up and carrying her back to the safety of the cave.

“You’re safe now. I’m here,” Leiand reassured her in a low, calming tone. Cradling her trembling form, he brushed a cool hand over her fevered face. Iris seemed to find solace in his touch, leaning into the soothing sensation.

Leiand considered fetching water from a nearby stream to cool her down. As he shifted to leave, Iris clung to him, her body responding even more intensely to the effects of the aphrodisiac. She murmured incoherently, her gaze brimming with longing. Leiand’s heart raced, but his strong will kept his emotions in check.

However, Iris climbed onto him, her hands trembling as she cupped his face and kissed him deeply. Leiand froze momentarily, overwhelmed by the sudden heat of her lips. Her boldness stirred something primal within him, and he surrendered.

Turning her face gently toward him, Leiand deepened the kiss, clumsily exploring her lips and parting them with his tongue. The intensity of his kiss seemed to consume her, leaving her breathless. Noticing her struggle for air, he pulled back slightly, licking his lips with a teasing grin. "Do you want more?"

Iris, blushing furiously, stammered, "No... no more."

Her shy demeanor, paired with her flushed face, only made her more captivating. Leiand couldn’t resist; he pinned her down gently, succumbing to the desires he’d held back for so long. Soft, intimate sounds filled the cave, growing louder as their passion intensified.

Later, as Iris lay exhausted and teary-eyed, she turned her back to Leiand, her heart a whirlwind of emotions. Never had she imagined succumbing so easily to a man she had just met. Embarrassment and anger filled her chest, but fatigue quickly overtook her, and she drifted into a restless sleep.

Leiand watched her sleeping form, his fingers brushing over her back in a soothing rhythm. Once he was certain she was deeply asleep, he rose quietly and stepped outside the cave.

"I won’t let him get away with this. Damn him!" Leiand’s voice was cold, carrying a deadly edge. The memory of Iris’s vulnerable state and Kahar’s audacious actions filled him with a rage he could barely contain.

“Kahar,” Leiand muttered, his fists clenching tightly. “You dared to touch my woman. For that, you’ll pay dearly.”

When Iris woke up, she didn’t know how long she had slept. The sun was already shining brightly, and Leiand was nowhere to be seen. Just then, Annie ran in, crying and kneeling at her feet.

"Please, Iris, save Kahar! Leiand is beating him to death!" Annie pleaded with tearful eyes.

Iris was bewildered, having no memory of what had happened with Kahar. All she recalled was her encounter with him, followed by an intimate night with Leiand. Everything else was a blank.

"What’s going on? Tell me everything," Iris said, startled.

Through her sobs, Annie explained, "Yesterday, Kahar threatened me. He said that if I didn’t give you the cup with the Love Fruit juice, he would abandon me in the wilderness to be eaten by beasts. I was terrified of being discarded again, so I did as he said. Later, I feared he might do something terrible—especially since last night was a full moon. During the full moon, unmated male werewolves seek out the females brought into the tribe to mate. Kahar’s demeanor scared me, so I immediately informed Lord Leiand. Thankfully, everything was stopped in time! Lord Leiand injured Kahar and tied him up deep into the night. Right now, he’s being punished at the plaza. Please, Iris, beg Leiand to spare him. My child can’t lose his father! I’m sorry, I almost caused harm to you."

Iris listened in shock as everything came together. The effects of the Love Fruit explained her muddled memory and the events of the previous night. After a moment of reflection, she realized she could no longer return to her original world. If she was to choose a mate in this one, Leiand was undoubtedly the best choice. Having made peace with her situation, she felt less conflicted.

"While it’s true you acted to prevent worse consequences, you still hurt me," Iris said, her tone icy. "This matter should be decided by the Wolf King."

With that, Iris turned and headed toward the central plaza. The plaza was crowded with werewolves from the tribe, their expressions ranging from curiosity to jealousy. Some stared in disdain, wondering why she was so fortunate to be taken in by Leiand, the tribe’s future leader. Others gossiped about how an outsider had caused such a conflict between Kahar and Leiand.

In the middle of the plaza, Kahar knelt on the ground, beaten and bloodied. His face was twisted with pain and humiliation. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and his tattered beast-hide clothing clung to his dust-covered frame. His eyes burned with hatred and resentment, but he was too broken to retaliate.

"This is the female you brought back, Leiand?" The Wolf King, Alpha, asked in a deep, authoritative voice. His tone carried a hint of skepticism, and his piercing gaze swept over Iris, taking in every detail.

"Yes, Father. She is my chosen mate," Leiand replied firmly, standing tall despite the tension. His clenched fists betrayed his nervousness, but his eyes remained steady.

The Wolf King studied Iris intently, his penetrating gaze filled with doubt. His words, though measured, carried weight. "What makes her special? What justifies your choice?"

Leiand, though faced with his father’s daunting presence, did not waver. His unwavering gaze shifted to Iris. His eyes were filled with courage and deep affection. "Father, I understand your doubts, but Iris is not just any woman. She is a healer, skilled in medicine and blessed with mystical abilities. She can heal injuries, cure diseases, and sense the changes in nature."

The Wolf King’s expression shifted slightly, though his demeanor remained stern. He allowed his son to continue.

"Iris is more than a healer," Leiand said, his voice steady and determined. "She is my choice, my mate. Her skills bring hope to our tribe. With her, no elder or child will needlessly die in the winter. Wounded warriors will no longer be abandoned to their fate. I am certain Iris will make our tribe stronger."

Iris’s heart stirred as she listened to Leiand’s words. Tears welled in her eyes, touched by the depth of his conviction. She had never imagined a man could harbor such profound emotions for her. Leiand stood unwavering, unshaken by outside doubts or his father’s immense authority. Instead, he declared his choice with resolute confidence, telling Iris in his own way that he would stand by her no matter what.

The Wolf King’s sharp gaze swept over the scene. His eyes, filled with wisdom and authority, lingered on his son’s unyielding stance. Though doubts about Iris remained, Leiand’s unflinching resolve seemed to reach him.

Finally, the Wolf King spoke, his voice slow and deliberate. "Very well. I consent to your union."

Relief flickered across Leiand’s face as he exhaled a quiet breath of gratitude. In his heart, he silently thanked his father for understanding.