The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Seven didn’t loosen his grip until they rounded the corner, away from Ethan’s eyes. The moment they were out of sight, Ruri yanked her wrist free.

“What the hell was that for?” she demanded, her eyes wide as she rubbed the faint red mark his fingers had left behind.

Seven stood in silence, staring down at her flushed, tear-stained face. His heart was still hammering against his ribs from the sudden, terrifying wave of rage that had overtaken him the second he’d seen the man. He hadn’t been thinking when he took her hand. One minute he was standing still, the next, he was holding her firmly within his grip.

And now, he had no explanation for that.

Seven blinked, forcing a slow breath past his teeth, trying to anchor his heartbeat before he gave himself away.

“Did you not you say you needed me to act as your man?” he asked nonchalantly, keeping his voice carefully flat. “Have you changed your mind already?”

The words took a second to settle in her mind. Then, Ruri’s expression completely shifted. The panic in her wide eyes melted into instant realization, her hand flying over her mouth to muffle a gasp.

She jumped up once, a bright, triumphant grin spreading across her face.

“Oh, you’ve agreed. Thank you! You did so good back there!” she grinned, glancing at the pathway they’ve come from, she took a step toward him, ”Did you see his face? He looked really jealous right?”

Seven didn’t answer.

He couldn’t. His throat felt dry as he watched her bounce on her toes. Back then, when Ethan he’d seen the look in his gaze as he looked at her, an overwhelming jealousy had consumed him.

He couldn’t even think straight. And now, the only way out without her knowing how he truly felt was covering it up as part of the plan.

“We need to go over the details,” Ruri rambled on, completely oblivious to his spiral as she began pacing. “How are we going to sell this so he actually buys it? Should we—”

“Before that,” Seven cut in, not wanting to hear one more word of her talking about him.

Ruri paused, looking up at him with those big, expectant eyes.

Seven swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth as he dragged his eyes away from her and looked towards the path to the pack’s house.

“Your father is here.”

Ruri eyes widened as she spun around to face him squarely, the color drained straight from her face.

“When did he arrive?” her voice trembled at the edges.

Seven let out a slow exhale. “Just a little while ago. He should be meeting with Rodrigo now.”

She blinked, her hands balling into fists at her sides as she quickly turned toward the West Wing of the Pack house.

Seven caught her hand before she could take two steps. “Where are you going?” he asked in a concerned tone. ”What is the plan? Are you planning to barge in and make a scene?”

Ruri halted, forcing a long, steady breath past her lips as she centered herself. “No. Rodrigo is going to get the wedding canceled. I just… I want to know why my father would do this to me in the first place. Without even asking of my opinion.”

She paused. ”His only daughter.”

Seven released his grip as he stepped in front of her. “Alpha Hades is in there too, so you’ll have to wait until they finish.”

Ruri looked up at him confused. “Why is he here? The Hunt is still a week away.”

“Probably because of the engagement, he would need the Alpha’s approval before he can proceed.” Seven said flatly, pausing for a beat before adding, “They’re speaking with the Alpha right now. Let’s just wait for the meeting to end.”

Ruri swallowed a hard lump in her throat as her lashes fluttered. She brushed her fingers through her hair, taking a deep breath. ”Okay.”

Ten minutes later, they were standing outside the heavy gates of the West Wing.

Ruri paced back and forth across the flagstones, her eyes darting toward the main entrance every few seconds.

The wind was chilly, and she was barely covered. She sucked her lips as she brought her hands to her mouth, blowing hot air onto her numb fingers.

“What do you think they’re still talking about?” she asked, the anxiety in her voice growing sharper with every passing second. “Do you think something is wrong? It’s taking way too long.”

Seven quietly studied her flushed, cold face and pale hands.

”You worry too much Rurina.” Seven said, calling her by her full name and catching her off guard.

Ruri stopped walking and turned to look at him. It had been a while since he called her that. Before she could reply, he unbuttoned his heavy coat, slipped it off, and draped it gently over her shoulders. He patted the fabric down once to settle it.

Ruri felt her cheeks grow hot at the sudden closeness, she instantly looked away from him.

“Why don’t you wear something warmer when you step outside?” he murmured softly. ”Your lips are pale.”

Ruri stiffened, the warmth of his touch on her shoulders strangely evident.

She took a step back as she pulled the lapels closer around her chest.

“Thank you,” she muttered, a strange knot forming in her throat. She cleared it quickly. “I… I forgot to get a coat.”

She heard him breathe out, but he still did not move away from her.

Ruri looked up at him and strangely she regretted it. Seven was staring down at her with an intense, quiet concern—a look so heavy and unfamiliar that she suddenly felt anxious under his gaze.

She jerked her gaze away, her chest tightening.

Just then, the heavy front doors of the West Wing groaned open. Both of them turned immediately toward the steps.

The first person Ruri saw was Rodrigo.

His face was an unreadable, terrifying mask of stone as he descended the stairs, Nina following a step behind him with a pale, shaken expression.

Ruri’s stomach dropped.

Something was terribly wrong.

Without a second thought, Ruri left Seven’s side and ran toward them, her eyes moving from Rodrigo to Nina as she came down the steps. Then she stopped walking.

Her lips moved.

“Alpha Rodrigo…”

Ruri started to speak, but the words died in her throat when she saw the look on his face. His gaze was dark, devoid of warmth. He barely looked at her before walking directly past her.

Ruri’s feet froze to the spot.

Nina walked down slowly and stopped in front of her. Then, slowly, she shook her head.

“No…” Ruri’s voice broke. “No…”

Her vision clouded, and Nina pulled her into a tight hug.

“I’m so sorry.”

Ruri’s heart thudded against her chest, the world spinning around her.

“No!” She screamed, pulling herself away from Nina.

Seven stood a few feet away, watching in absolute shock as Rodrigo walked past without a word.

What the hell was going on?

“Where is my father?” Ruri screamed, her eyes glancing around, “Where is he?!”

Just then, Lord Vance stepped out of the doors and stopped abruptly when he saw her.

“Rurina…”

“Father, how could you do this to me?” Ruri cried, falling to her knees. “No, I’m not going to marry him. I would rather die, Father.”

Her voice broke as tears streamed down her face.

“What did I do so wrong to deserve this?” her shoulders shook, ”I will do whatever you ask of me, please. Don’t get me married to someone I do not love.”

“Get up now, Rurina,” Lord Vance spoke, his brows creasing with sadness as Nina watched.

“No. I will not get up until you cancel this engagement.” Ruri looked up at him, her voice rising. “Why do I have to marry him? What did he promise you father?” her gaze darkened, ”What is more important than your only daughter’s life!”

Nina stood to the side, her head lowered. She didn’t know why Rodrigo had consented to the wedding or what he was thinking. Was Ruri really going to marry Hades?

Lord Vance’s expression darkened as he stared at her, then he dragged his eyes away from her and began to walk forward. Ruri’s eyes widened and she quickly crawled into his path, shaking her head.

“No, no, please, Father,” Ruri cried. “I’m sorry…”

She reached for his feet, gripping them as tears streaked down her face.

Lord Vance glanced at her, his gaze staying there for a long moment before he pulled his feet away from her and walked away.

Ruri froze for a second, her entire world spinning before she collapsed to the ground in loud sobs.

Nina wrapped her arms around herself as she watched Ruri silently.

There was nothing she could do. Rodrigo had approved of the marriage.

Nothing.

Her gaze shifted toward Seven who had not said a single word.

He stood rigid, his hands clamped into tight fists, his knuckles drained completely white, his gaze dark as he stared at Ruri.

She had never seen him like this before—not even when Rodrigo had been gravely injured.

Did Seven like Ruri?