The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Rodrigo’s heavy footsteps echoed across the stone courtyard as he approached Seven, his hands folded into fists by his side.

"Alpha?"

Seven’s loud voice rang through the estate the moment he caught sight of him. The soldiers scattered across the grounds froze, all eyes turning to him in surprise.

"You... you’re awake?" Seven stared at Rodrigo as though he were looking at a ghost. About an hour ago, the Alpha was near death. His gaze instinctively dropped to Rodrigo’s abdomen, searching for the fatal injury.

The wound was completely gone. Not a single scar remained. Nothing. It was as if the toxic arrow had never pierced his flesh at all. Seven’s lips parted, but no words came out. He had seen the puncture refuse to close. He knew the sharp scent of wolfsbane. How was the man standing here, unhurt?

Rodrigo stopped right before him. Around them, the surrounding soldiers instantly lowered their heads in respect.

"Alpha," they murmured in unison.

Rodrigo acknowledged them with a slight nod before returning his full attention to Seven. He drew a slow breath as he forced his expression to remain composed, pushing the simmering rage at bay.

"I am as surprised as you are. I woke up completely healed," Rodrigo said, his voice remarkably calm. "What happened while I was unconscious?"

Seven’s eyes stayed on his exposed stomach, wondering if he had seen right. Then he stood straight. "I ordered the estate sealed the moment you collapsed. The soldiers have been searching every inch of the grounds for any clues the attackers might have left behind." He glanced toward the men spread throughout the perimeter. "Two of the attackers were still alive. They were humans and unable to heal. We brought them to the infirmary."

Rodrigo’s jaw tightened. Humans. Of course. Disposable. Whoever had orchestrated the ambush had never intended for the assassins to survive if the mission failed. Dead men told no stories, and living humans could be silenced far more easily than werewolves. He scoffed, his eyes darkening with malice. "Have they spoken?"

"No, not yet."

Rodrigo gave a small nod. Then, his expression shifted, his focus turning to their most valuable asset. "Did you bring the seal?"

Seven’s rigid face relaxed ever so slightly. "Yes, it is safe." He slipped a hand into the inner pocket of his uniform, carefully withdrawing the hexagonal Seal.

The moment Rodrigo saw the metal glinting in the light, a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding escaped his chest. He took the artifact from Seven and placed it into his pocket.

"What do we do now?" Seven asked.

For a long moment, Rodrigo simply looked at his second-in-command, the entire events of the night replaying in his mind. He had been thinking he was fighting a simple game. This was much more than he had imagined, and far more people were involved—people who would not hesitate to kill whoever got in their way.

"Seven," he said, his voice much quieter than before. "There’s a great deal you don’t know." His gaze drifted toward the pack’s house behind them before returning to his beta. "I’ll tell you everything soon. I just need to think about a few things some more."

Seven frowned. "Rodrigo, what happened?" he asked, his eyes glancing toward the infirmary, then back at the Alpha.

The weight of the night pressed painfully on Rodrigo’s shoulders. He lifted a hand to Seven’s shoulder and squeezed it lightly. The gesture caught Seven off guard for a second.

"It seems..." Rodrigo paused, a bitter smile tugging at one corner of his mouth, "...you’re the only person I have left that I can truly trust."

And her... But with all the secrets they shared, he was not sure he could trust her.

Seven snorted, rolling his eyes. "You’ve only just realized that I am your only friend?" He folded his arms over his chest, shaking his head. "For twenty years, I’ve been cleaning up your messes, risking my life for you... and only now you decide to trust me."

Rodrigo couldn’t help it. A quiet laugh escaped him—a sound he hadn’t made in what felt like an eternity.

"We’re friends?" Rodrigo teased softly.

Seven stared at him. "Who else put up with your cold behavior for more than twenty years?"

For the first time that evening, the crushing tension in Rodrigo’s chest eased. Not completely, but just enough to breathe. His eyes softened as they settled on Seven.

"I appreciate you," Rodrigo whispered. A small pause, and then he added, "I really do."

The courtyard fell into a profound silence. Seven scratched the back of his neck, suddenly looking uncomfortable with the emotional vulnerability. He cleared his throat roughly. "I know you do." He glanced at Rodrigo, wondering where those words had come from. Did something happen at the infirmary? "Did anything happen?" he asked again.

Rodrigo blinked. "No..." he said.

Seven was about to say something else, but before the words could form, a familiar voice cut through the courtyard. "Rodrigo!"

The two men turned just as Ruri came running toward them. Her floral dress fluttered wildly behind her as she approached. The worry etched across her features deepened the moment she reached where they stood.

The moment Seven saw her, he stilled. His expression softened as he stared at her, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword.

"What happened?" Ruri asked breathlessly. "I heard you were shot." Her eyes swept frantically over his body, searching for blood, for bandages, for anything that would explain the rumors, barely sparing Seven a glance. "Are you alright?" she asked again, her voice trembling.

Rodrigo let out a quiet breath. "I’m fine. I will handle everything." His expression softened as he looked down at her. "Are you still crying?"

Seven’s brows drew together in a sharp line. "You were crying?" he asked. "Why?"

Ruri glanced at Seven, then she looked back at Rodrigo, shaking her head. "You told me to wait for you," she mumbled softly to Rodrigo. "I did. I’m not crying anymore."

Seven stared between the two of them, the uneasiness settling in his chest. "What happened?" he asked again.

"Ruri has been betrothed," Rodrigo replied.

Seven froze. The words exploded in his head. For a heartbeat, the entire courtyard disappeared. The soldiers, the voices, the estate, the howling wind—everything faded into silence. Only a single sentence remained echoing in his mind: Ruri has been betrothed.

Slowly, very slowly, his eyes turned toward her. She was not looking at him. Her eyes lowered to the ground as her fingers dug into her dress.

"What?" he asked, a knot forming in his throat.

Ruri lowered her head even further. The tears she’d fought so hard to restrain threatened to return in full force. Seven swallowed hard, his chest feeling unbearably tight, as if the air had been sucked from the courtyard. "Why?" His eyes never left her for a second.

Rodrigo exhaled. "That isn’t the most important question, Seven."

Seven turned slowly to Rodrigo, his jaw rigid.

’’The question you should be asking is to whom?’’

The courtyard fell into a deathly silence. Rodrigo held his gaze, then he replied.

"Hades."