The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

For a long moment, no one said a single word. Then, Seven’s gaze slowly drifted back to Ruri.

Her shoulders were trembling. She had lowered her head, but he could still see the deep crimson staining her cheeks as she struggled to keep herself from crying again. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. The leather creaked beneath the pressure. His knuckles turned white. He drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

"Alpha Hades..." Seven’s voice was steady. "Of the Hades Pack?" His brows knitted together. "Why would she be betrothed to him?"

Rodrigo didn’t answer immediately. His gaze lingered somewhere beyond the courtyard, his thoughts piecing together everything Eloise had told him that night. Then he looked at Ruri. "Did your parents ever mention him before tonight?"

Ruri shook her head. "No." Her voice was barely audible. "This is the first time I’ve ever heard them talk about him." She swallowed hard. "I didn’t even know my parents knew him."

Silence settled over them. Rodrigo lowered his eyes. Nothing felt impossible anymore. If Hades was one of the conspirators, then he would have promised them something—something not everyone could refuse. His jaw hardened. But why would he want to marry Ruri? His hands slowly curled into fists.

"Seven."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Send word to my uncle tomorrow," Rodrigo said flatly. "Tell him I expect him at the Pack House in two days." A small pause. "He is not to refuse."

"Understood." Seven bowed his head. His eyes, however, found Ruri once more.

Rodrigo followed his gaze, then he cleared his throat. "Where is the Luna?" he asked, looking around the courtyard. "I can’t see her anywhere."

Seven looked away from Ruri. "The Luna went to the infirmary searching for you." A slight frown settled on his face. "Did you not see her?"

"I did." Rodrigo’s brows furrowed. "I assumed she’d already returned."

Seven slowly shook his head. "No. I did not see her returning."

Before either of them could speak again, a guard hurried across the courtyard. "Alpha." He bowed deeply. "We’ve searched every room in the estate. There are no signs of the attackers."

Rodrigo’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t surprised. Charlotte hadn’t survived all these years by making careless mistakes. She would never leave evidence behind. A faint smile touched the corner of his lips. It didn’t matter. He did not need any proof. He would make her fall into a trap.

"Recall the soldiers." His voice echoed through the quiet courtyard. "Everyone is to retire for the night."

The guard bowed. "Yes, Alpha."

"We’ve not found any evidence yet, are you sure?" Seven asked.

"Charlotte would not be stupid enough to make mistakes. She used human assassins for a reason. I will find another way," Rodrigo said. His gaze turned to Ruri and he took in her red face as she wiped her tears with the back of her hands. A soft sigh left his lips. "Is there anything your tears can do tonight?" he asked.

Ruri raised her eyes to him. "What?"

"You have been crying all day, and you are still engaged to Hades. So I am asking, if you cry some more, will the arrangement be reversed by your tears?"

Ruri pouted her lips, then shook her head. "No," she replied.

"Good, then it is enough. I’ll speak to your parents once they come," he said. A second pause. "Is that understood?"

Ruri nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

Rodrigo turned toward Seven, looking the man up and down. Taking in how drained his face looked, he frowned. "You too. Go home and sleep. We will continue tomorrow."

Without another word, he turned and strode back toward the infirmary.

The courtyard remained silent long after he’d disappeared. Seven and Ruri stood side by side, watching the space where he had vanished. Neither of them spoke.

Finally, Seven reached into his pocket. He withdrew a neatly folded handkerchief. Holding it out awkwardly, he cleared his throat. "Here. Wipe your face."

Ruri blinked. She looked from the handkerchief to him, then quietly accepted it. "Thank you." She dabbed at the corners of her eyes, her shoulders still trembling. After a while, she let out a small sigh. "Is it just me... or is the Alpha changing?"

Seven followed her gaze. A thoughtful hum escaped him. "He is."

Ruri smiled faintly. "He feels... more like he used to."

"You remember?"

She looked at Seven. "Before he was kidnapped."

Seven nodded slowly. He remembered. Back then, Rodrigo laughed loudly. He talked far more than he listened. He would throw an arm around Seven’s shoulders without warning, steal food from his plate, and tease Ruri until she chased him through the house. The manor had always felt brighter whenever Rodrigo was around.

Then he was kidnapped, and everything changed. The laughter disappeared. The smiles became rare. He avoided being touched. He spoke only when necessary. It was as though some invisible darkness had followed him home and never left.

"I think so too," Seven murmured.

Another silence settled between them.

’’I think it has something to do with the Luna.’’ Ruri said.

’’He started changing ever since she arrived.’’

Seven knew without doubt that it was true.

The only times he’d seen the Alpha’s eyes brighten up was when he spoke about her. When he looked at her.

Which made the doubts around her more difficult.

He really wished it was all a lie, and she was just the Luna. And nothing else.

Rodrigo had gone through so much to have another pain added to him.

He wasn’t sure he would be able to come out of it.

Ruri folded the handkerchief carefully. She was about to hand it back when her fingers stopped. Her brows knitted together. "...Hmm?" She looked down again. Near one corner, delicately stitched into the fabric, were tiny flowers. Recognition lit her eyes. "I remember this." She smiled despite herself. "I embroidered this."

She looked up at Seven, genuine surprise replacing the sadness in her expression. "For you and Rodrigo. It was five years ago." Her fingers brushed over the faded stitching. "You still have it?"

Seven looked at the handkerchief in her hands, then at her. For a moment, he couldn’t find the words.