Claiming His Luna

Lucian’s POV

She radiated with joy, her laughter filling the air as she engaged in conversation with that man. Seated across from him, it seemed strange that she would disregard the rule of not joining customers. What the hell is she doing?

Fury ignited inside my heart, tightening my fist as anger coursed through my veins. Yet, beneath the anger, a pang of pain echoed in my heart. It felt like a lump constricted my breath, or perhaps it was simply the intensity of my anger.

Observing them through the café’s glass wall, I stood just opposite on the street. The impulse to burst in and beat that man flooded through my head. However, I hesitated, fearful of causing a scene that might frighten Cercei.

My hands bore the red marks of the punches exchanged with Remus’ men. Blood stained my forehead and arms, yet the agony I felt this time was like a sharp sword cutting my heart into pieces.

Instead of going inside, I turned on my heels and made my way back to that shabby hotel room. Calming myself, I stepped into the shower to cleanse my body.

As the water dripped over my body, I leaned against the wall, allowing the drizzle to drown out the world. Closing my eyes, I envisioned a myriad of ways to exact revenge on that despicable man. A single bullet to the head? No, that would be too merciful; he didn’t deserve such a swift demise. Perhaps a gradual dismemberment of his fingers, one by one? Or should I whip him relentlessly until his lifeblood spills out, extinguishing his wretched existence?

A hollow chuckle escaped my lips, devoid of any mirth. What have I become? I never thought I could fall into such madness over a woman, plotting the demise of any man who dares grab her attention.

She is mine, every part of her being belongs to me. She has already bound her soul to mine, for she is my mate, and I, was her only alpha. I know she belongs to me, and I will ensure she knows it too.

****

“Hello,” Frank responded to my call, his voice tinged with boredom.

“I want you to investigate someone for me,” I asserted with utmost seriousness. Having just emerged from the shower, a towel loosely draped around my waist, water droplets still trickling from my body.

“Who?” Frank inquired, catching me off guard. The question baffled me, as I did not know the man’s identity.

“The man with whom Cercei was talking earlier,” I replied.

Frank, evidently confused, added with a hint of frustration, “Do keep in mind that I am not there to see their interaction, and your request comes across as rather intrusive.”

“Just get it done,” I growled, my frustration seeping through my voice.

“Provide me with any pertinent information or a name, at the very least,” he retorted. It was a fair point, after all. How could he investigate without any leads? Wasn’t that the whole purpose of initiating this investigation was to dig for information on the identity of the man I intended to confront?

“All I know is that he has taken an unwarranted interest in what rightfully belongs to me,” I responded, my anger simmering.

A faint sigh emanated from the phone. Frank possessed excellent technological skills and could breach any system easily. I knew this task would be a walk in the park for him.

“I’ll hack into the café’s CCTV,” he assured me.

“I want you to uncover every possible detail about him,” I stated intently. The statement may have sounded possessive, but an unsettling intuition tugged at me. This man was no ordinary coffee enthusiast; there was a hidden agenda, and I was determined to expose it.

Furthermore, I instructed Frank to deploy men to the area. Sooner or later, Remus would dispatch his henchmen to forcibly bring Cercei and her mother back to his wretched mansion. I would sooner freeze hell over than allow that to happen.

During the ongoing war, I wanted her safety above all else, particularly when I engaged in the battle against Remus.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

I stationed men strategically throughout the city, ensuring her protection even during her wanderings. Unbeknownst to her mother and aunt, they had their own guards too. The café itself was heavily strengthened, with some of my men posing as discreet customers.

Knowing her fondness for this place, I would ensure it remained a sanctuary for her.

Over two months had passed since I left the North and sought temporary shelter in the Crescents’ mansion during that ill-fated engagement. Now, here I was in Dinan, leaving both the company and my pack being overseen by my mother, who currently harboured some displeasure towards me.

She called me, nagging about the failed engagement and the ongoing quarrel against the MoonStone pack. I explained to her what had happened, and she seemed to calm down slightly. I continued assisting the company and the pack remotely through my laptop, but I couldn’t remain here any longer. I needed to return, but I couldn’t leave Cercei alone-especially not after what had happened earlier and certainly not in the presence of that man.

Despite my men diligently circling the city, she could only truly be safe under my vigilant watch. I tugged at my hair in frustration. This situation was utterly messed up.

I found myself torn between my responsibilities as a leader and my role as Cercei’s mate. I had always flattered myself on my ability to multitask. Damn it all!

I didn’t want to force Cercei; she had only begun to trust me. I didn’t want to rush things. If I were to ask her to accompany me and seek shelter under my protection, it would undoubtedly scare her away. That was the last thing I desired-to instill fear in her.

Paranoia seeped into my thoughts. Throughout my life, I had never known fear. I couldn’t recall a single instance where it had gripped me. I was raised by my powerful and fearless father. There was nothing in this world that could make me tremble. I could claim and conquer whatever I desired. I was the one who instilled fear in others. But now, everything was different.

I now had someone whom I feared losing. I had witnessed the extent of the harm that Vienna could inflict on her. I had seen how Cercei would silently endure every pain inflicted on her. She was too pure, too delicate. She needed me to protect her.

What if Remus’ men were to lay their hands on her? The mere thought sent shivers down my spine. If he were to capture both her and her mother, he would undoubtedly exploit them to manipulate me.

I was no fool. I knew of Remus’ interest in both my company and my pack. He had been desperately trying to marry off his daughter to me. I had played along, believing it was Vienna who was my destined mate. It sickened me to witness the depths of his desperation, clouding his judgement as a father and making him a bad father.

I would not allow him to use her as a weapon against me. She may have severed her ties with his pack, but she was undeniably my mate. By right and by law, she belonged to me.