The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

“After you,” Hades said, gesturing toward the doors.

Rodrigo gave him a brief look before turning toward the exit. They had barely taken a step when a knock sounded against the door.

The guard opened it, and Caleb hurried into the room, his chest rising and falling slightly from the pace at which he had crossed the corridor. He stopped a few steps inside and lowered his head respectfully.

“What is it?” Rodrigo asked, his attention settling on him.

“Lord Vance has arrived at the front gates, Alpha.”

Rodrigo’s expression remained unchanged, but his gaze shifted briefly toward Hades.

It was a small movement, almost nothing. Hades expression changed for the briefest moment before settling back into its usual calm.

“Well, it seems your in-laws are here, Alpha Hades,” Rodrigo remarked. “Have them brought to the royal dining hall.”

Hades inclined his head. “At once.”

Caleb bowed once more before turning and leaving.

…

About thirty minutes later, they were seated around the long dining table.

The dining hall had fallen into a quiet stillness as the servants moved discreetly around them, placing bowls of soups on the table.

Rodrigo sat at the head of the table, with Hades occupying the seat to his right and Nina seated on his left. The arrangement placed the two Alphas close enough to speak without raising their voices, while Nina found herself directly between them.

She kept her hands resting lightly against the table as she waited, her eyes occasionally drifting toward the doors.

The doors opened.

Her attention shifted immediately toward the entrance, and her eyes settled on a tall, light-red-haired man who appeared to be in his fifties. There was something composed about the way he carried himself, his hands clasped loosely behind his back as he approached the table with steady, unhurried steps.

Lord Vance.

Without asking, Nina could tell he was Ruri’s father. They had a striking resemblance, only he was quite tall, like Rodrigo.

His gaze moved across the room before settling briefly on Hades.

Nina noticed it immediately.

It was barely perceptible, little more than a flicker in his eyes, but there was recognition there.

Hades looked at him too.

Neither man acknowledged the other.

Vance’s gaze moved away, and he turned toward Rodrigo before lowering his head.

“Alpha.”

“I received your letter,” Rodrigo replied. “How have you been?”

Vance straightened, and his gaze shifted toward Nina. A small smile appeared on his lips, although there was something slightly forced about it.

“I am meeting your Luna for the first time. The rumors were true. She is indeed a beauty to behold.” He inclined his head toward Nina. “Greetings, Luna.”

Nina returned his smile and gave him a slight nod.

“Greetings, Lord Vance.”

Rodrigo watched his Uncle quietly.

Vance, his father’s younger brother, who had distanced himself from the affairs of the pack when Rodrigo was still a child. Even when his father had offered Vance a seat on the council, his uncle had rejected it and chosen to remain at his private estate instead.

Vance had never shown much interest in the responsibilities that came with power, nor had he appeared particularly hungry for the influence that came with a position on the council. He had always been content to remain away from the court and its politics.

So what had changed?

Rodrigo’s gaze remained on him. What had made him decide to trade his child for immortality?

The thought made his fingers tighten slightly around the armrest.

“I hope the journey has not been long, Lord Vance,” Rodrigo said.

“Not at all, Your Grace,” Vance replied easily.

“And your wife?”

Rodrigo glanced toward the doors when no one appeared behind him.

For the first time, Vance’s composure faltered.

It was only a slight hesitation, but Rodrigo caught it. Vance’s eyes shifted away, and he cleared his throat before answering.

“She isn’t here. She is occupied with matters at the estate.” He offered a small, apologetic smile. “I hope the Alpha does not mind me coming alone?”

Rodrigo studied him for several seconds.

“Why would I?”

He extended one hand toward the empty chair opposite Hades.

Come. Sit.”

Vance inclined his head.

“Thank you.”

He crossed the room and lowered himself into the chair without hurry.

Hades remained beside Rodrigo, pouring himself a cup of water without so much as looking in Vance’s direction.

Rodrigo’s eyes moved between the two men.

They did not behave like acquaintances. There was no warmth between them, no casual exchange that suggested familiarity, and neither had offered the other even the courtesy of a greeting.

Yet Rodrigo had seen that brief look between them.

Whatever it was, it had been enough to tell him that this was not their first meeting.

Rodrigo leaned back slightly in his chair.

“You must have met before.”

Vance looked up.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he gave a small nod.

“Yes.” A faint smile touched Vance’s mouth, though it did little to ease the tension in his face.

“We have met.”

Rodrigo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“How?”

Vance opened his mouth, but Rodrigo continued before he could answer.

“Hades’ pack is two days away. I don’t imagine the two of you simply crossed paths by chance, and as far as I know, Ruri has never left the Vermont Pack.”

His tone remained conversational, but the question beneath it was unmistakable.

Silence settled over the hall.

Vance’s fingers moved slightly against the edge of the table.

Hades remained perfectly still, his expression giving nothing away.

Rodrigo waited.

Neither man answered.

The silence stretched until Nina’s skin almost prickled. No one said a word, then tension tight.

Nina looked from Hades to Vance.

Neither would look at the other.

She did not understand what was happening, but whatever it was, neither seemed willing to explain.

”I would not…” Hades started, but the doors opened cutting him short.

The sudden movement drew everyone’s attention as the servants filed into the dining hall, trays of food balanced carefully on their arms. They bowed their heads in greeting before moving around the table and placing the dishes in front of each person.

The familiar sounds of plates being set down and cutlery touching the table slowly broke the tension.

Nina exhaled, only then did she realize that she had been holding her breath.

Her gaze moved toward Rodrigo.

He had not relaxed.

His eyes remained fixed on Hades, his expression so hard that Nina could almost imagine him reaching across the table and wrapping his hands around the other Alpha’s neck.

Across from them, Vance’s gaze remained lowered toward his plate.

He looked troubled.

Not angry.

Not impatient.

There was something almost weary in his expression, as though whatever had brought him here was something he had not wanted to do.

Nina frowned slightly.

If this was all about immortality, why did he look as though he wished he could be anywhere but here?

She cleared her throat softly, drawing both men’s attention.

“Let’s eat,” she said, forcing a lightness into her voice. She reached for a serving dish and placed some food onto Rodrigo’s plate. “We don’t want the food getting cold.”

Hades’ gaze shifted slowly toward her.

Their eyes met.

Nina held his gaze without wavering.

For a moment, he studied her for a moment and then he smiled.

“Of course. The Luna has spoken. We can have this discussion after food.”

Rodrigo still had not moved.

His gaze remained on Hades for another moment before slowly shifting toward Vance.

Nina slipped her hand beneath the table and placed it gently against his thigh.

Rodrigo’s gaze flickered toward her.

She shook her head almost imperceptibly and gave his thigh a gentle squeeze.

His jaw tightened.

For a moment, Nina wondered if he would ignore her.

Instead, after a long breath, Rodrigo finally reached for his cutlery.

The meal began.

For several minutes, the only sounds around the table were the quiet clinking of silverware against plates and the occasional movement of the servants. No one spoke, and Nina found herself increasingly aware of the tension that still lingered beneath the surface.

Then, halfway through the meal, Hades glanced toward her.

“Luna, how are you?”

His tone was casual, but his eyes remained fixed on her.

“I hope the incident at the abandoned house didn’t cause any lasting effects.”

Nina’s fingers slowed against her cutlery.

“I was surprised to see you alive,” Hades continued. “The Alpha’s other wives all died, and quite strangely, you were the only one who survived.”

Nina slowly lifted her eyes toward him.

A small smile touched her lips.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you wanted me dead, Alpha Hades.”

Hades’ expression shifted.

He had clearly not expected her to answer so directly.

Nina reached for her cup and began pouring herself some water.

“But that isn’t the case, is it?”

Hades’ smile returned, it did not reach his eyes.

“Of course not.”

“Good.”

Nina set the cup down carefully.

“You shouldn’t mention unpleasant things over dinner when you’re trying to make an acquaintance.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“Isn’t that right, Alpha Hades?”

Rodrigo turned to look at her.

Something crossed his gaze, but Nina couldn’t quite place it. It almost looked like surprise, followed by something softer that disappeared before she could identify it.

Across the table, Hades’ jaw tightened before he slowly unclenched it.

The last time at Hades Pack, this was not how she had been.

Something was different about her.

“You’re right, Luna,” he said. “However, your husband doesn’t seem to think the same way.”

His eyes shifted toward Rodrigo.

“It doesn’t seem like he wants to make an acquaintance of me.”

Rodrigo did not look up from his plate.

“Right.” Hades tilted his head slightly, a low scoff sounding in his throat.

“I wouldn’t want to make an acquaintance with the man I once denied aid either.”

A deadly smile touched his lips.

“Because who knows, he might be planning to stab me in the back? Don’t you think so, Rodrigo?”