The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Nina ran before she even realized she had moved.

The moment she saw him stepping through the courtyard, every ounce of restraint she’d clung to throughout the day shattered. Her feet barely seemed to touch the ground as she rushed toward him.

She threw herself into his arms.

Rodrigo caught her effortlessly, his hands circling her waist as the force of her leap lifted her onto the tips of her toes. Instinctively, he pulled her against him.

For one precious heartbeat, everything else disappeared. The curse. The doubts he’d had. Everything. Gone. All that remained was the warmth of the woman in his arms.

His hold tightened unconsciously as he inhaled the familiar scent of her hair, drawing in a quiet breath that always managed to calm him.

"Nina, what are you doing outside in the cold?"

Her fingers clutched the back of his coat as though she’d been afraid he wouldn’t come.

"What took you so long?" she mumbled against his chest, a tiny wobble in her voice.

Rodrigo leaned back just enough to look at her. His smile faded almost instantly. Her lips had lost their color, her cheeks were pale, and even her eyes looked glassy.

"Nina." Concern settled heavily between his brows as he cupped her face. "You’re freezing."

The warmth of his palm brushed against her cheek, making her shiver. She leaned into the touch anyway.

"I’ve been waiting for you," she murmured, pouting as though she’d been terribly wronged. "Do you know how long I’ve been standing here?"

"You were waiting for me?" Rodrigo asked, his eyes softening as he stared at her.

Nina pursed her lips, a tiny frown appearing on her face before she gave his chest a light slap. "Why did you come back so late?"

He caught her wrist before she could pull away. "I’m sorry." His voice came out soft—genuinely apologetic. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a lingering kiss against her knuckles. "I should’ve sent word."

"You should have."

"I’m guilty."

"Very guilty," she replied. She tried to keep frowning, but the corner of her mouth betrayed her first. "I forgive you," she said, catching a hurried breath as she looked at him.

Rodrigo’s eyes curved into crescents as he watched her. "So easily?" he asked. "I was just thinking of what I was going to do to make it up to you."

Nina huffed. "I’ve missed you too much to stay angry."

The words slipped out before she could stop them. She immediately lowered her gaze, suddenly fascinated by the buttons on his coat.

Rodrigo let out a short, deep laugh.

"What?" Nina lifted her eyes.

Rodrigo’s eyes held hers in fascination, his heart swollen with an emotion he couldn’t quite explain. He shook his head. "Nothing. I just missed you just as much."

Heat slammed into Nina’s cheeks, and she cleared her throat. "If you’re going to be late next time, send someone to tell me. Otherwise, I’ll wait for you... Snow."

Rodrigo blinked, as though he wasn’t sure what he’d heard. "What did you call me?"

Nina bit her lip. "I called you Snow."

A slow grin spread across his face. "Snow?"

Nina nodded without looking at him.

He repeated it slowly, tasting the word. "Snow..." A soft laugh escaped him. "I like it." His thumb brushed gently across her cheek. "How did you think of it? It is quite interesting. It makes me wonder what you were thinking about."

Nina smiled softly, looking up at him. "Your eyes."

Rodrigo blinked. "My eyes?" He frowned. "What about them?"

"They remind me of the first snowfall," she paused, meeting his gaze. "That’s what I think about when I look at them. They are really pretty."

Rodrigo’s expression softened, a small, breathy sound leaving his lips. His fingers slipped into her hair, brushing a loose strand behind her ear. "I like that. Say it again."

Nina smiled shyly. "Snow."

He kissed her forehead—a slow, lingering kiss.

"Hmm." His forehead rested briefly against hers. "Again."

The blush on her cheeks deepened. "...Snow."

This time he kissed one cheek, then the other. The corners of her lips lifted helplessly.

"Again," he whispered.

She laughed under her breath, her arms winding tighter around his neck. "Snow."

He drew her impossibly closer until there wasn’t even a whisper of space between them.

"There it is," he murmured. "I think I could listen to you call me that forever."

Nina smiled, her eyes sparkling despite the exhaustion she’d been hiding all day. "Snow."

He looked at her as though she’d handed him something precious. Then, without another word, he lowered his head and captured her lips in a slow, gentle kiss.

Soft. Unhurried.

Nina’s breath caught as her eyes slipped closed. Her fingers tightened against the back of his coat, wrinkling the fabric beneath her palms as she leaned into him without thinking.

Rodrigo’s hand slid from her waist to the small of her back, holding her steady. His thumb traced a slow circle against her side before he drew back just far enough for the tips of their noses to brush. Neither of them spoke.

Nina looked up at him through lowered lashes, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "...Snow."

A smile spread slowly across Rodrigo’s face. He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his knuckles grazing her cheek. Without taking his eyes off hers, he slipped an arm more securely around her waist and gathered her against him, holding her so tightly that not even the evening chill could find its way between them.

His forehead rested against hers for only a heartbeat. Then he kissed her again. And again.

Nina laughed against his mouth, her cheeks warming. "You’ve become awfully greedy."

"I have." He didn’t even try to deny it. His gaze remained fixed on her, lingering over every feature of her face as though committing it to memory. "Nothing has ever consumed me the way you do." He paused, as though he couldn’t believe he was saying the words aloud. "I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you."

His hand cradled the back of her head, drawing her closer until her forehead rested beneath his chin.

"I love you."