Don't Mess With Her: His Luna

Chapter 4 - Meet The Alpha

The following day, the car soon glided along a twisting road as the view began to change, coming closer to Black Pearl ground. Leora looked out the window and when did, her eyes widening as they passed green forests and rolling hills. As the golden sunlight of early morning bathed the landscape, the beautiful view felt like the best scene to ease her anxiety. She watched as the sunlight spiralled around the leaves, glittering them like emeralds against the storm within her.

Keegan drove the car down a long, empty driveway that led to an impressive-looking mansion. He came to a stop outside the large entrance and said, "This is it."

When Leora got out of the car and finally saw the mansion, her knees turned to jelly. The mansion was so big she had to hold her head high to see everything. She balled her fists and dug her nails into her palms, as though that would somehow steady her.

Keegan stepped back to the car trunk, pulling her bag out. Leora stood there mesmerized, staring towards the solid wooden doors in front of her. For a moment it was as if her heart was pounding loud enough that he could hear it and then her mouth was pressed up against his mouth. Her throat was dry and she swallowed. It was the moment she feared the most—her first meeting with Alpha Allerick.

“Come on,” Keegan said softly, snapping her out of her thoughts. He passed her the bag, reassuring her with a nod. Leora gripped it so tightly that her knuckles turned white and took a hesitant step forward.

The doors opened smoothly and when she stepped through, the interior was just as beautiful, if not more so than the outside. The ceiling was high, with a crystal chandelier shaped like a giant dew drop in the light of morning. They then entered an entryway with polished marble floors that glinted and the walls were lined with portraits and paintings of centuries and characters past. Leora's eyes scanned the surroundings, the wealth in stark contrast to her life.

Leora walked through the foyer, her shoes clicking, sending vibrations into the air with every step. The silence of the house only fed her nervousness. This place’s history was heavy on her; the air was hard to breathe.

Keegan walked her further down a long corridor. With each step forward, Leora felt her heart pounding faster in her chest. She fought to steady her breath as she took in her surroundings, but even the faint smell of lavender did nothing to settle her nerves.

They came to a halt before a big, imposing door. Keegan looked up at her and gave a little encouraging nod before opening up the door. Leora walked in, scanned the room. The study was large, with dark wood bookshelves lined with dusty old leather books. In the middle sat a large mahogany desk, with high-backed chairs behind it. It had a lot of light from somewhat big windows on each of the walls allowing the light to beam down on the warm colored polished wood and a red carpet.

Keegan spoke in a hushed tone. "This is Alpha Allerick's study. He’ll be here in a minute.” Without waiting for Leora to respond, Keegan walked out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. The quiet closed in on her as she was standing alone.

Sliding her bag onto the floor, she took a look around, scanning the room for any hint of what kind of man she was about to meet. She didn’t see any family pictures, or anything that gave away the Alpha’s personality. The study seemed cold, well organized. She played with the hem of her sleeve with her fingers, a nervous habit she didn't seem able to get out of.

Her mind races with a lot of questions. What would Alpha Allerick be like? It had all come down to the rumors she had heard—he, the ruthless man, the one with the power, the one with the mystery. But she had also heard tales of his power and his loyalty to his people. She attempted to visualize his face, his attitude, but all she could picture were just shadows.

That was when she heard the door creak open behind her. She jumped and turned too quickly, her foot catching on the edge of the rug. Her arms were out to catch herself as she stumbled, but it was too late, she had now lost her balance, and was falling.

In an instant, those powerful arms wrapped around her waist, halting her before she could even hit the ground. Pressed against her back were solid chest, the scene of pine and cedar engulfed her. It was a gentle gri[ yet strong enough so she could feel the warmth from the body that held her.

She gazed up, panting, as she opened her mouth to express her gratitude to the person who had undoubtedly saved her. An intense blue eyes pierced into her as if he was looking into her very soul. Looking back at her with an intensity in his eyes that made her heart race, yet softened in the center where she felt safe as if he were the protector of her heart. He had dark hair that was neat, and with the chiseled jawline and rough handsomeness of his face.

His face was chiseled, as if it had been carved out of stone, and more than a little stern, as befitting someone who had the power of life and death over everyone in the room. Looking down on her, she could see a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, his hands still firmly yet gently holding her.

After a second of hesitation, she took a deep breath and asked, “Alpha Allerick?” The man didn't change expressions, his expression was unreadable.

“Yes,” he answered, cool and calm as can be. Her heart raced and she felt the weight of the moment. The man she was destined to mate with, the fearsome Alpha that had preceded his fame. She took a deep breath, eaten up a few nerve wracking seconds until she looked in his eyes.

And then they were frozen in the silence for a moment, reading each other with curiosity. Then, with a knowing nod, Alpha Allerick loosened his grip on her, backing away a little bit to give her some space.

His presence was something that demanded attention, a magnetic pull that tugged her closer and teased her out of her nerves. His piercing gaze could have cut something, and she felt as if he actually were looking right through her. There was something there, something that made it impossible for her to look away.

She couldn't get her eyes off the man…