The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Nina chuckled softly, then shook her head. “Not really,” she said. “Well… kind of. Only if someone is paying attention.”

Ruri let out a groan beneath her breath. “Oh no.” She dragged both hands through her short hair before letting them drop to her sides.

“He’s very handsome,” she admitted reluctantly.

“Fair-skinned, too,” Nina chimed in. She paused thoughtfully before adding, “He also seems far too confident to be an ordinary guard.”

Ruri cupped her jaw, a faint smile threatening to tug at her lips. “Right? I thought so too. He seems more like a noble. I asked if his parents were nobles. He said they weren’t and that he’s an orphan.” Ruri shrugged.

“Where did you even meet him?” Nina asked softly.

Ruri’s hands slid down to frame her jaw. The line of her mouth softened, pulling into a faint, distant curve. “Last year. He had come into the pack house to apply for a position as a guard, but ended up three halls deep into the north wing.” A quiet, breathy laugh escaped her chest. “His tunic was damp from the rain, and his hair was sticking to his forehead. He kept looking around like he expected the walls to close in on him.”

Ruri stared toward the windows, then turned back to Nina. “When he looked up and my eyes met his… it felt like the whole room went still.”

Nina leaned back in her chair, watching the subtle flush spreading across Ruri’s cheeks and the way her thumb traced the wood grain on the table.

“You really like him,” Nina said.

The soft curve on Ruri’s lips flattened. Her gaze dropped to her lap, her fingers lacing together so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Silence stretched between them.

Ruri bit her bottom lip until the color drained from it. A single, heavy tear pooled in the corner of her eye, trembled on her lower lash line, and spilled over, carving a wet track down her cheek. She swiped the back of her wrist across her face with a quick, jerky motion.

Nina reached across the narrow table, placing her palm over Ruri’s trembling hand. “Oh, what’s wrong?” she asked, her brows creasing in concern.

“He… he doesn’t like me back.” Ruri’s voice trembled at the edge. “He checks on me,” she rasped. “If I miss breakfast, he appears at my door with a tray of my favorite food, like he knows exactly what I want to eat. He remembers my favorite things, he is right there whenever I need him, and yet…”

Her voice cracked on the last word. She forced her chin up, her eyes rimmed in red, her lips trembling as she searched Nina’s face.

“He doesn’t want me,” Ruri whispered.

Nina squeezed her hands tighter.

“If he knew he was going to push me away, he shouldn’t have treated me so nicely,” Ruri continued. “Why would he make me fall in love with him, and then push me away like it’s nothing?”

More tears dripped down her face as she spoke. Nina shook her head softly, patting her hand. “You’re the Alpha’s cousin, and he’s just a bodyguard. Maybe he knows he can’t be with you, and that’s why.”

“Nina, he just needs to love me back, and I would choose him. I don’t care.”

“You are going to go against your parents?” Nina asked, her eyes widening.

Ruri drew in a slow breath. “I would.” She answered without hesitation. “I could run away with him, if he wants to run away with me. It’s either that or get married to Alpha Hades.”

There was a moment of quiet, and then Nina smiled. “So… should we find out if he likes you?”

Ruri looked up, her eyes widening. “What?”

Nina leaned in. “The best way to find out if a man likes you is to make him jealous with another man.”

Ruri stared at her.

“If he sees you with another man and doesn’t react,” Nina continued, “then maybe he isn’t a man worth having at all.” A knowing smile spread across her lips. “But if he comes for you, acts really jealous, and claims you…” She held Ruri’s gaze. “…then we’ll have our answer.”

Ruri’s eyes widened at the idea. “We should do that,” she said, the tears in her eyes drying almost instantly. But then, she frowned. “But which man would I use? I need a man just as handsome who can make him jealous. There isn’t…”

She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes suddenly lit up as a grin spread across her face. “I think I know the right man for the job.”

“The man for the job is Seven?” Nina asked, her eyes widening as she followed Ruri’s gaze.

Rodrigo and Seven were walking down the stone pathway toward the barracks, a flank of guards following a short distance behind them.

Ruri grinned. “Yes. We’re childhood friends, and we’re very close.” She raised her hands, sizing him up as they walked. “Wow, how did I not notice just how handsome Seven is?” Ruri asked, grinning as she stared at him.

Seven was almost the height of Rodrigo, with a soft brown gaze that seemed as though it searched right into your heart when he looked at you. His dark hair was tied in a messy bun, with a few stray strands falling over his face. He walked in a commanding manner fit for a leader.

“Hmm,” Ruri grinned, crossing her arms over her chest. “He’s the right man for the job.”

“Would he agree to it?” Nina asked.

“Of course he’ll agree to it. Seven has never said no to me.”

Nina folded her arms. “Really?” she asked, staring at the two men as they walked. “What if he starts to like you instead? As far as I know, he doesn’t have anyone yet, and you are really pretty. It would be hard not to fall for you.”

Ruri turned to her in complete bewilderment. “Seven could never like me.” She made a face. “Like… ew.”

Nina blinked. “Why? Is he not a man with blood in his veins?”

“No. Haha, not Seven. He’s like a brother to me. We’ve been close since we were children.” She shook her head firmly. “It’s impossible.”

“Huh?” Nina raised a brow.

“Yes.”

Just then, Rodrigo caught sight of them and came to an abrupt stop. He said something to the Lycans behind him before he and Seven broke away, heading toward the two women. Ruri immediately lifted both hands and waved enthusiastically, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Seven’s brows drew together. “Care to tell us what’s making you both so excited?”

Ruri only smiled. She crossed the remaining distance between them and slipped her arm through Seven’s. “Nothing.” She beamed at him. “I’m just happy to see Seven.”

Seven stiffened at the unexpected contact. He instinctively tried to free his arm, but Ruri held on firmly.

Rodrigo spared them a single glance before turning to Nina. His eyes lingered on her for a brief moment.

Nina smiled softly.

“It’s getting dark,” Rodrigo said. “Return to the chambers. I’ve assigned Lycans to guard the doors.”

Nina frowned. “What about you?” She searched his face. “Are you coming back?”

Rodrigo nodded once. “Yes. I have a few things to take care of first. Then I’ll come to you.”

Nina smiled. “Okay.”

A brief silence followed. Then Rodrigo shifted his gaze to Ruri, who was still clinging to Seven’s arm. “Your father sent a message.”

At the mention of her father, Ruri’s grip loosened, and the smile on her face dropped instantly.

“He’s arriving tomorrow,” Rodrigo added.

Ruri nodded quietly.

“Go back to your chambers now, both of you,” Rodrigo said. “I don’t want to worry about any of you tonight.”

Nina nodded. Then she stepped closer and leaned up, placing a soft kiss on his chin. “Come back soon,” she whispered, her words so gentle that they almost melted into the evening air.

For a moment, Ruri and Seven could only stare. It was still surprising to witness. The cold, aloof Alpha who rarely showed emotion around others seemed to soften whenever Nina was near.

Rodrigo’s gaze lingered on her briefly before he nodded. “Go now.”

Nina smiled. Then she waved knowingly at Ruri before turning and making her way toward the chambers. Rodrigo watched until she had gone a short distance before shifting his attention to Ruri. “And you?”

Ruri cleared her throat. “I want to tell Seven something important before I return. It isn’t dark yet.”

Rodrigo lifted his eyes to the sky. The sun had not fully set. After a moment, he looked at Seven. “Come to the barracks when you’re done.”

“At once, Alpha.”

Rodrigo nodded and continued down the path. Ruri waited until he had put some distance between them. Then, without warning, she threw her arms around Seven’s waist and hugged him tightly.

Seven froze. His entire body went rigid. His heart skipped a beat. Then another.

Before he could stop himself, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away. “What are you doing?” His voice came out sharper than intended. Annoyed. Or at least he hoped it sounded annoyed. Anything was better than letting her hear the unsteadiness beneath it.

Ruri chuckled. “That seemed natural.” She nodded to herself. “Not bad.”

Seven stared at her. “What are you doing?” he asked again.

Ruri pouted. “Seven, I want to ask you for a favor.”

His brows drew together. “What favor?” He folded his arms across his chest.

Ruri took a step closer. “Promise me you’ll say yes before I ask.”

“I can’t do that.” Seven immediately shook his head. “You have to tell me what it is first.”

“Please.” She clasped her hands together. “It’s nothing difficult.”

Seven studied her face, then let out a sigh. He already knew he was going to regret this. “Alright, I promise.”

Ruri’s eyes brightened, a grin instantly spreading across her face.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I want you…” Her smile widened. “…to pretend to be my man.”