LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

Markus stood before the Emperor’s chamber door with Zyne by his side. He adjusted the collar of his coat before signaling to Zyne that he was ready to meet the emperor. Seeing Markus’s nod, the butler immediately opened the door and walked towards the master bedroom, where Alkrevas’s strong scent mingled with a familiar feminine scent to Markus.

Zyne knocked on the door three times and announced his arrival to the Emperor. After receiving permission to enter, Zyne opened the bedroom door, allowing Markus to enter before closing it tightly again. Markus took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart due to the scent he inhaled. Alexander, who had been relaxing with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and became alert.

After all, he and Norris were the same, so Alcander was very interested in his brother. Markus tried to calm Alcander as he walked towards the Emperor, sitting on a chair on the right side of the bed. Part of the bed’s curtains was closed, and part was open to give the emperor a view beyond the curtains.

The man’s hands were outstretched, and as Markus approached, it turned out that the emperor was holding someone’s hand, more precisely, a woman’s hand, lying with her eyes tightly closed. Markus faintly heard groans from the woman and realized that the Emperor was healing her with healing magic.

For several moments, there was only silence. Markus stood at a considerable distance while Alkrevas continued to perform healing magic. “Do I need to call the palace doctor or healer, Your Majesty?” Markus finally decided to ask, seeing the exhausted look on Alkrevas’s face as if he might faint at any moment.

“I’ve treated her external wounds with my saliva, but why is she still unconscious and getting worse?” Alkrevas murmured, with a hint of panic that surprised Markus slightly. “I’ve also healed her internal wounds with my magic, but why…?”

“What happened?” Markus finally dared to ask. He stepped closer, and once again, his body froze, and his breath caught at the sight of the face. His entire body trembled, but he couldn’t rejoice just yet, not until the investigation was complete.

Alkrevas sighed softly and released Luna’s hand, which he held tightly. He leaned back against the chair, looked up at the ceiling, and answered, “Norris. He mated with her last night.”

“Luna?” Markus glanced at the woman, who appeared to be peacefully asleep. He might have thought she was sleeping if not for the trembling eyelids and cold sweat.

Markus nodded and stepped closer. He scanned Luna’s body briefly and said, “It looks like she has a fever. I’ll ask Zyne to call the doctor.” With that, Markus stepped out, instructed Zyne, and returned to the room.

This time, he saw Alkrevas burying his face in Luna’s stomach and repeatedly whispering apologies. “Your Majesty, the doctor will arrive shortly,” Alkrevas said nothing. “So how did this happen?” Markus asked again.

“I don’t understand either. She was suddenly in the dungeon after I forbade her from leaving the chamber and going anywhere. Then Norris made it so I couldn’t take control of my body. I couldn’t control my wolf spirit. I ensured the guards were outside the palace to prevent me from reaching her! I set up a barrier spell around the palace. Ensured that unaffected servants and staff by the full moon were on guard and watching over her. I didn’t want to hurt her like this! She wasn’t ready to mate with my wolf side, but… she defied me! Now look at this. If I had known it would be like this, I would have gone far away before the full moon.”

“What was the lady doing in the dungeon? That place is secret and so deep in the forest. Even if she managed to leave the palace, she wouldn’t have reached there without encountering other werewolves or guards.”

“A secret path. Somehow, she knew about it. All this happened because of those two damned wizards! They exploited my Luna’s innocence for their freedom! I’ll kill them if they’re caught again.” A knock followed by Zyne’s voice announcing the doctor’s arrival.

Alkrevas granted permission to enter and let the doctor examine Luna. After finishing, the doctor said, “The lady has a fever due to trauma and exhaustion. I’ll prescribe a potion to relax her body and calm her mind. I’ll also prescribe a fever-reducing potion.”

Then, the doctor excused himself, accompanied by Zyne, to discuss Luna’s care. Markus crossed his arms over his chest, watching his cousin, who never left Luna’s side. He sighed heavily and gently patted Alkrevas’s shoulder.

Feeling the pat, Alkrevas calmed his turbulent emotions. He took a deep breath, straightened up, and looked at Markus with a blank stare. “Your Majesty?” Markus murmured in confusion.

“I have something to discuss with you.” Markus nodded and said nothing, choosing to remain silent and give Alkrevas the chance to speak further. “You know about the other world beyond the portal, don’t you?”

Markus held his breath instantly. He lowered his head briefly before turning and walking to the bedpost, leaning against it with his arms folded across his chest. He couldn’t stand upright because, for the first time in a long while, his cousin had brought up a taboo topic for the Veniam family. Especially after the rogue group attacks in the past. “Alkrevas, I can’t talk about this.”

“I saw your expression when you first saw Luna’s face.” Alkrevas shifted his gaze from Luna’s face to Markus.

“If you’re confused, her real name is Luna.” Markus was stunned for a moment, then nodded in understanding.

“What did you realize?” Markus kept his mouth shut. “You entered the portal and went to that other world. Am I wrong?”

“You’re right.” Markus took a deep breath and decided to speak, “Luna looks very much like her. When I first saw her, it felt like nostalgia. If my father were alive, he might think the same.”

“Luna is an orphan.” Markus immediately looked at Alkrevas in surprise but quickly shook his head.

“I have to find a reason for her to choose this world and not return to her own, Markus.” Alkrevas reached out and stroked Luna’s cheek, then wiped away the tears that flowed from the corner of her eye.

“And you said her face is similar. Isn’t there a strong possibility?”

“But the last time I crossed the portal and searched for them, I heard they were gone. The reason my father was depressed and ultimately chose to die rather than live without his soulmate.”

“Don’t you miss your mother and sister?” Alkrevas asked directly.

Markus’s body trembled instantly, and his arms fell weakly to his sides before clenching tightly. He lowered his head, holding back the tears that wanted to flow. “Of course.”

Markus lifted his head and continued, “Especially seeing Luna’s face, which looks so much like my mother’s, makes this longing even stronger.”

Alkrevas nodded and then stood up. He walked to a painting and moved it aside, then pressed part of the wall inward. There was a grinding sound, and Markus realized there was a hidden storage compartment in the wall.

Alkrevas took out three items from inside and walked toward Markus. “Luna, she comes from another world.” He then showed Luna’s belongings.

“This…”

“Are these items you saw in that other world?”

“Not all of them because it’s been so long since I visited that world, and I don’t know what developments have occurred there, but I think so.”

Alkrevas nodded and asked, “You understand my point, don’t you? There’s always a possibility, Markus.”

Markus glanced at Luna’s face before reaching for one of the items in Alkrevas’s hand. “You just need to prove she’s your family,” Alkrevas added flatly.

“Why do you sound so sure?”

“I need a reason to bind her. If she’s not your family, I can make her your family. I need her by my side. I don’t know what will happen if she leaves me. I’ve waited so long for my soulmate, Markus. I can’t let her go when she’s in my grasp.”

“Alright, if that’s what you want, Alkrevas. I’ll try to investigate further.” Markus returned Luna’s belongings to Alkrevas.

“I’ll return to Veniam Duchy and try to enter the portal, but it’s not easy because the portal’s power doesn’t always accept my blood.”

“You could try using Luna’s blood.”

“What?”

“Wouldn’t that be more effective than going to the sacred temple to check the blood ties? Use Luna’s blood to open the portal. If she has that woman’s blood, she’s your family, and the portal will accept her. Just like your blood. Isn’t that right?”

“I understand.”

…

Darkness enveloped her. Luna felt trapped and unable to get out. She tried to reach for something with both hands but failed. She felt so alone and didn’t know what to do. Luna whimpered and cried for help, but no one could save her until she felt warmth in her cold hand. Then, slowly, a shimmering golden thread appeared before her, guiding Luna out of the dark.

Slowly, the darkness vanished, replaced by light. The next thing Luna knew, her eyes opened to a familiar sight. She frowned slightly as she felt warmth in her hand. When she glanced, she saw her hand tightly held by a pair of large, rough hands-hands she knew well, Alkrevas’s hands.

She shifted her gaze from their joined hands to Alkrevas’s face, which seemed deep in conversation with someone. “I understand.” The familiar voice responded to Alkrevas.

Shortly after, Duke Veniam appeared with a tense face. He strode out of the room quickly, disappearing behind the door. After Duke Veniam left, Alkrevas refocused his brown eyes on her. They widened them in surprise at seeing her eyes open. He immediately stood up and gently stroked Luna’s head. “You… why are you here…?” Luna croaked.

Alkrevas gave a sad smile and kissed Luna’s forehead softly. “Sleep again, Luna. You have a fever. We’ll talk when you’re better.”

“You… that time…”

The regret in Alkrevas’s eyes was apparent. “We will talk. I promise I will be by your side when you wake up again.” He then placed his palm over Luna’s eyes, gently closing them so she could sleep again.

“Now close your eyes and rest. I will call the doctor to check on you.” For some reason, Luna obeyed him, perhaps because of her tired and aching body, or maybe because, for the first time, she felt so calm and comfortable being near Alkrevas.

She didn’t know.

When Luna awoke for the second time, the sky was bright, indicating morning had arrived, or perhaps it was already afternoon. Honestly, she didn’t know what time it was or how long she had been unconscious, but unlike before, her body felt better this time. Luna slowly sat up and stretched, then tried to move, but something held her back. Luna sighed softly when she realized why her body was difficult to move. Alkrevas was asleep on her right side.

He was sitting in a chair, leaning toward the bed. One of his hands was used as a pillow, while the other was draped over Luna’s body. His head was turned to the side, and with his tall, large, and muscular body, Luna was sure his sleeping position was uncomfortable.

“You kept your promise…” Luna whispered, reaching out to wake him, but stopped when she remembered the previous night’s events and quickly withdrew her hand.

She looked at her wrist, which had been bruised and injured last night, but now she only found smooth skin. Instantly, Luna looked at Alkrevas. Did he heal her? Just as the question crossed her mind, she saw Alkrevas stir and open his eyes.

Luna watched closely as Alkrevas ruffled his hair and yawned, looking like an ordinary human and not a supernatural being.

A moment later, Alkrevas stood up when he realized Luna was watching him.

“Luna? Are you awake? Let me check your temperature-” Alkrevas stopped mid-sentence as Luna instinctively pulled away from his outstretched hand. He immediately lowered his hand and sighed softly. “I’ll call the servant to prepare a light breakfast for you.”

He then reached for the bell rope to summon a servant. Once the servant arrived, Alkrevas gave instructions about Luna’s needs, and after finishing, he sat back down in the chair. Luna opened her mouth to speak but closed it again when Alkrevas shook his head. “We will talk after you finish eating.”

“I understand,” Luna replied softly. “But I just want to ask you one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Do you regret what you did?”

“Yes. I admit what I did was beyond the limit. I can’t use the full moon as an excuse. Everything Norris did resulted from my decision to keep him from meeting you.”

Luna nodded, then lowered her head while Alkrevas restrained himself from pulling the fragile little mate into his arms. “Little mate…”

“I… I’m sorry…” Alkrevas was surprised to hear Luna’s sudden apology. He hadn’t expected her to apologize. He had braced himself for her curses and anger but wasn’t prepared for an apology.

“Norris’s reaction last night… I realize it wasn’t entirely your fault but also mine.”

“You’re not angry?”

“Of course, I’m angry… furious… but… there’s a reason you kept him inside you, and I disobeyed your command.”

Alkrevas took a deep breath. He had prepared himself for this moment. This time, he didn’t want to vent his anger like before; he tried to talk calmly. Luna was wrong, but he was also incorrect. This time, they both shared the blame for what happened last night. Silence fell between them.

Luna busied herself by looking at her hands on the blanket. At the same time, Alkrevas intently observed her face, reading all her emotions, feelings, and thoughts before murmuring, “I will remove the barrier spell.”

“Sorry?”

“I will teach you how to create a barrier so that I won’t read your thoughts.”

“Yesterday I tried to do it and…”

“Because of the barrier spell that was blocking it.”

Luna nodded in understanding. Alkrevas took a chance and reached out to brush away a strand of hair that had fallen over Luna’s face, but seeing her flinch and pull away, he retracted his hand. Like everyone else, his soulmate was afraid of him too, fearful of his wolf side, and somehow, it hurt more than seeing her hate him.

Alkrevas closed his eyes, listening to Norris’s sad whimpering in his mind.

…Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.