The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

The entire throne room was thrown into panic the moment the guard announced the arrival of Alpha Hades. Rodrigo’s brows creased as his eyes shifted toward the great doors, while the councilmen exchanged startled looks and began murmuring among themselves.

“Why is he early?” Hogan asked, glancing around the room. “The Hunt is still a week away.”

“I hear he is engaged to marry Ruri Vermont, the Alpha’s cousin. It must be the reason why.”

Radeon’s voice carried clearly across the council hall, drawing Rodrigo’s attention. The murmuring immediately quietened as several of the councilmen turned toward him in surprise. Radeon stepped forward and lowered his head respectfully.

“Congratulations, Alpha, on gaining an ally. We hope this marriage will make both packs successful.”

Rodrigo’s fingers tightened around the armrests of his throne, the wood creaking faintly beneath the pressure. He held Radeon’s gaze without responding, his expression giving away nothing.

“I would leave the Alpha to handle his affairs,” Trojan said, lowering his head before looking back at Rodrigo. “You can always find me if you need my help, Alpha. A person doesn’t run an entire pack alone.”

Rodrigo studied him for a moment before giving a slow nod. “I will remember that, Lord Trojan.”

The older man smiled before turning away, and his private guards immediately fell into step behind him as he walked out of the hall.

“Court is dismissed,” Rodrigo announced as soon as the doors closed behind Trojan.

The councilmen bowed and began filing out of the room, their voices rising into whispers as soon as they reached the corridor. Hogan, however, remained where he was. He waited until the last of the councilmen had disappeared before slowly approaching the throne.

“Alpha, what is going on?” he asked, his forehead creasing with concern. “Is what Lord Radeon said true?”

His eyes moved toward Seven, who was standing near the window, but Seven avoided his gaze. Hogan looked back at Rodrigo, clearly waiting for an explanation.

“Nothing of that sort is going to happen, Lord Hogan,” Rodrigo said.

“And the murder attempt? Why would Charlotte try to hurt you?”

Nina watched Hogan closely. He appeared to be in his early fifties and bore a striking resemblance to Seven. Rodrigo did not seem to trust the man completely, but from where she sat, his concern appeared genuine.

“Don’t worry about it. I will handle it.”

Hogan stared at him for several seconds before releasing a quiet sigh. “You have been strong for so long. With the Blood Moon approaching, this will be too much for only you to handle.” He paused, studying Rodrigo’s face as though searching for some indication that his words had reached him. “I am always here to help if you need me.”

Rodrigo remained silent for a moment before finally nodding. “Thank you, Lord Hogan.”

Hogan returned the nod, then glanced once more toward his son. Seven remained quietly by the window, his expression guarded, and the sight seemed to weigh on Hogan. He sighed again before turning and walking away.

Once the doors closed behind him, Seven moved toward the throne.

“Alpha, the—”

“Quiet,” Rodrigo said, cutting him off. “I need to think.”

He leaned back, his gaze fixed on the opposite side of the hall as his mind worked through everything that had happened. The arrival of Hades at such an unexpected time could not be a coincidence, and neither could the rumors surrounding his marriage. Rodrigo remained lost in thought for several moments before his eyes shifted toward Caleb, who was still standing beside the heavy doors.

He raised a hand and beckoned him forward.

Caleb crossed the room within seconds and bowed, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “Alpha.”

“Take Hades in and have the matron prepare a guest chamber,” Rodrigo instructed quietly. “I will meet with him soon.”

“At once, Alpha.”

Caleb turned and left, and Rodrigo’s gaze followed him for a moment before returning to Seven. He gave him a small nod, and Seven immediately understood.

“Have a dozen guards stationed around the Vault,” Rodrigo ordered. “Kill anyone who approaches it within a hundred-meter radius.”

Seven nodded without hesitation. “At once, Alpha.”

He turned and left the room, leaving Rodrigo and Nina alone.

Nina remained silent until the doors had closed behind him. The vast throne room suddenly felt far too quiet, the silence stretching between them until she finally rose from her seat. She crossed the marble floor slowly, her footsteps soft beneath the high ceiling.

“Why is Alpha Hades here?”

Rodrigo had been staring at an empty spot across the hall, but at the sound of her voice, his eyes lifted to hers. He remained quiet for a moment before the corner of his mouth curved into a faint smirk.

“Whatever his reason, it does not matter because he is not getting anywhere near the Vothraki.”

Nina’s heart dropped.

“Do you know where it is now?” she asked, trying to keep the tremor from her voice.

“In the Vault.”

Rodrigo’s expression hardened. “The only problem is that I don’t know exactly where my father kept it, and I cannot have someone else searching the Vault for it.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes briefly, and Nina watched him carefully.

“What do you mean? Is the Vothraki not inside the Vault?” she asked.

“It is, but I have been in the Vault several times and I have never seen anything that remotely resembles it, and I wouldn’t even know because I don’t know what the Vothraki looks like and there are a lot of ancient books of magic and rare artifacts, and knowing my father and how much he wanted it hidden, it could be hidden with a spell or something similar.” He lowered his hand and looked at her. “But I have to be careful. One mistake, and it could end up in the wrong hands.”

Nina pressed her lips together as she considered his words. She had been waiting for an opportunity like this, and before she could stop herself, the words slipped from her mouth.

“I can help you look for it.”

Rodrigo’s eyes lifted to hers.

Something passed through his gaze so quickly that she could not identify it before his expression became unreadable again.

Nina immediately shook her head. “Sorry. I forgot. No one else is allowed in there.” She took a small step backward, lowering her gaze. “I only wanted to help you in any way I could. You seem so burdened, and there is nothing I can do.”

Before the silence between them could settle, Rodrigo reached for her hand and pulled her toward him.

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise.

He lifted his other hand and gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear with a tenderness that made her breath catch.

“You can help.”

Her fingers almost trembled, but she forced herself to remain still. “You will let me into the Vault?”

Rodrigo smiled.

“Of course. I trust you.”

A knot formed in Nina’s throat as she stared at him, and before she could think better of it, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

“Thank you,” she whispered, closing her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek. “Thank you for trusting me, Snow.”

It was going to be over soon.

She would end the curse, and then she would tell him the truth.

Nina drew in a shaky breath, trying to steady herself as she held onto him. Everything would be over soon.

Rodrigo eventually pulled back and took her hand, lifting it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss against the back of her palm.

“I’ll show you the Vault tomorrow. For now,” he murmured, “let’s go meet our guest.”

The Hades guards stationed outside the guest hallway bowed immediately when Rodrigo and Nina approached. They pushed open the doors, revealing Hades standing near the center of the chamber as he spoke with a male servant.

At the sound of the opening doors, he turned around.

The frown on his forehead disappeared as soon as he saw Rodrigo and Nina, replaced by a bright smile.

Hades was dressed entirely in black, the dark fabric emphasizing his broad shoulders and imposing frame. Several servants were moving around the chamber, carrying the boxes and belongings he had brought with him and arranging them throughout the room.

Rodrigo’s eyes moved slowly across the large space, taking in the number of trunks and personal belongings that had already been unpacked. There was enough luggage to suggest Hades intended to stay considerably longer than a week.

His gaze eventually returned to Hades.

“Alpha Rodrigo, we meet again,” Hades said, extending his hand toward him. “Pardon my early arrival. I wanted to meet my new bride’s family, and I hear she is your cousin.”

Rodrigo’s gaze remained on him for a moment before dropping to his outstretched hand. Without answering the question, he reached forward and took it.

“The journey must have been long,” Rodrigo said. “I hope these quarters are to your liking.”

Hades noticed the deliberate change of subject, and a knowing smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh, it’s perfect. I must say, you were right. The Vermont Pack certainly hosts its guests better than I do.”

“I’m glad.”

Rodrigo released his hand and turned toward the door.

“Lunch, shall we?”

Hades chuckled softly before following him.

“Of course.”