The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Nina remained in his arms for another second.

The warmth of his hand rested firmly against her waist, keeping her steady as a gentle breeze drifted around them. She blinked once, then twice, as though only just realizing how close they were.

Her eyes widened.

Without another word, she quickly pulled herself away from him, taking an unsteady step backward, but his grip remained firm around her waist.

"Let me go at once," she huffed.

She planted both palms against his chest and gave him a firm shove.

Nothing.

Rodrigo’s body remained exactly where it was.

Nina frowned.

She pushed him again, this time with both hands and considerably more determination.

He didn’t budge.

Her lips pursed. Slowly, her hands fell back to her sides as she tipped her head up to look at him. The night breeze stirred the loose strands of her hair across her flushed cheeks as she drew in a slow breath, her expression shifting from annoyance to something softer.

"Why," she began softly. Her brows knitted together.

"Why don’t you want me anymore?"

Rodrigo was quiet. He held her gaze for a second before blinking softly.

"Who said that?" he asked.

Nina exhaled through her nose, shaking her head.

"Do you still want me?" she asked, staring into his eyes as though she could look into his soul.

Rodrigo’s lashes fluttered, his grip loosening around her waist, completely taken aback by the question.

"I—"

"Shhhh..."

Her voice came out in a slow, lazy drawl. She quickly shook her head as though afraid of whatever he would say next.

"I don’t want to hear it."

There was a moment of quiet before Rodrigo breathed,

"Nina, I..."

Before he could speak, she quickly lifted a finger and pressed it lightly against his lips.

The world seemed to stop.

Rodrigo looked down at her in shock. Her fingertip rested against his mouth, her lips parted slightly as she stared at them with complete innocence, completely unaware of what she was doing to him.

Her hand moved over his lips, and she leaned in slowly, her gaze never leaving them.

His jaw tightened as he stared at her, his heart suddenly slamming into an irregular rhythm. The last strand of rational instinct inside him urged him to step away.

He didn’t.

For one suspended moment, neither of them moved.

A soft sound escaped her lips as her hand slipped away from his mouth and rested on his shoulders. She leaned closer into him, using him to steady herself.

"Nina..." Rodrigo called as he tried to control the rush of blood pooling low in his body.

She ignored him.

Slowly, she rested her forehead against his chest and drew in a long, contented breath.

"Mmm..." A soft smile found her lips. "I love the smell of you."

The words were little more than a sleepy murmur.

Rodrigo stiffened instantly. Every muscle in his body locked.

"Nina."

His voice came out lower this time, rougher than he intended. She only hummed in response.

Tilting her head slightly, she nudged aside the edge of his half-unbuttoned shirt with the tip of her nose until the cool night air met the warm skin beneath.

Then she leaned in again. Another slow breath.

Another quiet, satisfied hum.

Rodrigo shut his eyes. His jaw clenched so hard that a muscle feathered beneath his cheek.

The scent of her filled his senses, her body pressed softly against him. Every warm breath she exhaled against his skin tested what little restraint he still possessed.

Rodrigo’s hands hovered uncertainly at her waist. He wanted to pull her closer. He wanted to put distance between them.

For one dangerous heartbeat, neither instinct won.

His fingers flexed, and then, before his resolve could falter any further, he slid one hand beneath her chin and gently lifted her face until she was looking at him.

"Nina."

She let out a tiny huff, her lips forming the faintest pout at having been interrupted. Rodrigo held her gaze for a long moment, his own breathing slower than it should have been. Without trusting himself to say another word, he took her hand firmly in his.

Then he turned toward the pack house and began leading her inside.

"Where are we going?" Nina slurred as Rodrigo led her across the courtyard.

He didn’t answer.

His grip on her hand remained firm as he guided her toward the pack house, his strides long and steady. They climbed the stone steps in silence before he pushed open the door to their chambers. Once they were both inside, he shut the door behind them with a quiet click.

Only then did he let go of her hand.

"You’re drunk." His voice came out tight.

"Go to bed."

Without looking at her, he turned and walked toward the closet adjoining their chambers.

Rodrigo’s jaw remained locked as he put as much distance between them as he could.

The moment he stepped inside the closet, he stopped in his tracks.

A slow breath left his lungs.

Rodrigo dragged a hand through his hair, closing his eyes for the briefest moment as he fought to steady the heat still lingering beneath his skin. The scent of her clung stubbornly to his senses, refusing to leave.

Another slow breath.

Control yourself.

His fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt.

One by one, he undid them before shrugging the fabric from his shoulders.

He pulled the shirt off and drew a slow breath through his nose,

Then...

He felt it.

A presence behind him.

Rodrigo stiffened.

He turned.

His steps came to an abrupt halt as his eyes widened.

She was standing quietly in the doorway of the dressing room.

She hadn’t made a sound.

Her wide blue eyes were fixed on him, unblinking, as though she’d wandered after him without his noticing. The warm light spilling into the room softened her flushed cheeks, and for a long moment, she simply stood there, studying him in complete silence.

Rodrigo blinked once.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Nina’s eyes never left him.

For a long moment, they remained fixed on the broad lines of his shoulders before slowly climbing higher, tracing the strong column of his neck until they finally met his eyes.

"I don’t want to sleep alone."

Her voice came out soft, the usual confidence that colored it worn away by the wine.

She took a step toward him.

"Stop."

He spoke immediately.

"Don’t come any closer."

His voice was calm, but it carried enough authority to root her to the spot.

Nina blinked at him, her foot settling onto the floor.

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Rodrigo drew in a slow breath, forcing himself to hold her gaze instead of letting it wander.

"Go back inside."

His words were measured.

"I’m coming to join you."

Nina continued staring at him.

She blinked once.

Then again.

But she didn’t move.

"Nina." This time, there was a quiet warning in his voice.

"Go back."

She tilted her head ever so slightly, as though trying to understand why he kept sending her away. Then, without a word, she took another step.

The space between them shortened.

Rodrigo’s jaw tightened.

"Nina."

She stopped just long enough to look up into his eyes.

There was no defiance in her expression now.

Only quiet determination.

"I said..."

His voice caught for the briefest moment before he found it again.

"...go back."

"I want to stay with you."