Chapter 81 - The Unforgiving Luna

"You know him?" Lorelei was surprised when she saw Kieran holding me as we stepped out.

"Uhmm... This is Kieran. He is not going to hurt us"

"Ohhh, thank goddess" she breathed in relief "I really thought it was over"

"Kieran, this is Lorelei. A... uhmm... childhood friend?"

"Maybe?" We both laughed, since it was a bit awkward.

"it's nice to meet you, Lorelei and I'm glad you've kept her safe for me. You'll be rewarded abundantly, I promise. Come to look for me in the palace whenever you need help"

"T-the palace?" Lorelei was surprised as she pondered over it, mumbling his name "Kieran.... Are you perhaps, the second Prince?!!!"

Her mouth dropped open when Kieran nodded slowly.

She gasped and fell to her knees.

"My Prince!!"

"No, no, no. You don't have to" I quickly helped her to her feet "He's not as scary as you must have heard"

Kieran was not very popular outside the palace like the other princes but with Lorelei's reaction just now, I could tell some bad news must have spreaded recently and it won't be surprising. Because the brothers were now officially fighting for the throne.

"It's nice to meet you my Prince"

Kieran didn't smile but he gave her a nod, as if he wasn't used to this.

"Uhmm... What should I offer you? I have--"

"It's okay. We have to leave quickly" Kieran pulled me over to his side as if he just wanted to make sure I was within his reach.

"The danger isn't over yet. If those guys come back, you need to be able to convince them that you know nothing" I didn't like that I put her in this position especially since she has a kid. I could've asked her to move but if they come back and they didn't find her, they might suspect something and they might hurt her if they managed to find her later.

"Don't worry, Hazel. I know what to do. I've dealt with situations like this before"

We both gave each other one last look and i didn't forget to pat Mona's head before leaving.

Kieran's car was waiting at a distance.

"How did you manage to find me? Our connection was broken" I asked, remembering how Grayson had scraped my mark out with a potion the witch had given him.

"Our connection cannot be truly broken by others, Hazel. We are the only ones who can do that" he entwined our fingers and I couldn't help the sweet smile that broke out on my face.

"You look terrible" I said, wanting to touch his beards but I had to restrict myself since Ryan was already sulking and walking ahead of us.

"And you look beautiful as ever, Kitten" he kissed my forehead. An action he keeps doing ever since he found me.

We held hands tight as we reached the fancy car and he pulled the door for me. I noticed how Ryan was quietly watching us.

He waited for Kieran to close the door.

They discussed something for a minute before they both entered the car, leaving me curious.

Kieran was smiling happily and I couldn't help but notice that I had never seen him smile so widely.

"Are we going back to the palace?"

"No" Kieran replied "I don't want you getting entangled in the mess that's going on right now"

"What's going on?" I frowned but Kieran remained quiet as if he didn't know what to tell me.

"Tell me, please?"

Kieran sighed "The King announced Grayson as his successor and that he will be stepping down from the throne."

"That is impossible" I knew this because of the way the King had looked that day when he told me he wasn't giving the throne to any of his sons. He wanted it all for himself and that is why he wanted to live longer.

"But I think the King is dead"

It should have been another bomb but I knew this. Grayson told me himself. It was what made him harder to deal with. He could kill his father without showing any remorse.

Only sick people do that. Only monsters.

Kieran swallowed as his jaws clenched tightly "Grayson told you?"

"Yes"

"It was only my assumption all this while. I didn't think he'd really do it"

"Grayson is much more complicated than we think. With Ezra by his side, it will be hard to bring him down"

"But not impossible" Kieran held my gaze as I agreed with him.

"The coronation will be done in a week or in a few days time" Kieran announced and I narrowed my eyes as I thought about how we could stop it from happening.

The King's words were powerful and if he had truly, solely, chosen Grayson as his successor then no one can do anything about it but the thing is, the King never gave such a decree and now it would be our duty to prove it.

How could we tell the world Grayson lied?

"If we go back to the palace--..." I started but Kieran didn't let me finish.

"We are not going back there" he told me.

"Where are we going then?"

"Somewhere" was all he said as he stepped on the gas.

I had a feeling I would like this.

It took several hours before we finally arrived at a luxurious, tall mansion. It looked even grander than the palace.

As we approached, the gates, adorned with intricate wrought-iron design, opened slowly, revealing a breathtaking courtyard.

I was in awe all through the ride inside. The outside structure and surroundings radiated elegance and sophistication from every angle.

At the center of the courtyard was a mesmerizing fountain I couldn't keep my eyes off. Water gracefully dances and sparkles as it cascades from a meticulously sculpted art of a wolf head.

The sound of the water soothes my senses, adding a touch of tranquility to the air.

My eyes were glued almost everywhere at once. We got to a part where I could see children playing and one part, were warriors training.

They all paused when they saw our car making it's way inside, finally stopping in front of the majestic mansion. A group of burly men rushed out, all dressed in black suits.

They formed a horizontal line as they waited.

I knew right when we entered that this could perhaps, be Kieran's pack house.

This was where he was leader. Where he was Alpha.

I felt Kieran squeeze my hands which he had never let go of even for a moment as he asked me a question with his eyes if I was ready and I gave him a nod in return.

The men outside in black all bowed when Kieran stepped out, and went over to my side to get the door for me.

I took his hand as he helped me out to stand before his people. They were already beginning to gather.

I was too busy being in awe to even realize I wasn't properly dressed but... nevermind.

Someone stepped forward just then, bowing his head and extending his hand to me.

"Welcome to the Silver Moon pack, My Luna. I'm Williams, gamma to the Silver Moon pack and we are very happy to have you here" he said, trying to hide his excitement "Infact, we have been waiting a long time for you. We know everything about you already and I must say, you look better than I imagined"

"Thank you, Williams." I smiled, glancing at the others as they came one by one to introduce themselves, welcoming me in the process.

I felt my heart warm at how delighted they seemed to be. I wondered what they had heard about me as they seemed to have been waiting for this long enough.

A woman joined them just then. She looked like a part of the warriors as she was dressed in those kind of clothes.

"You can call me Charlotte" she smiled as she extended her hands which I took "I'll show you to your room"

I agreed, letting her take me inside but Kieran grabbed my hand to stop me from leaving.

We both turned to look at him and he said.

"I will take her myself. For now, how about showing Ryan around?"

Charlotte gave a small nod as she moved towards Ryan who I noticed was still looking around with his mouth hanging open.

I didn't blame him. Afterall, this place does looks like heaven.

Kieran took my hands in his once again and William followed behind us as we entered the majestic building.

The grand foyer welcomed us with it's soaring ceilings adorned with dazzling chandeliers that casted a warm and inviting glow. Underneath our feet, a gleaming marble floor reflects the light, adding to the sense of the grandeur.

A quiet gasp left me and Kieran noticed how entranced I was.

"Do you want me to show you around"

"Maybe after I take a bath" I felt shitty right now and I won't really be comfortable remaining in this cloth. It brought me unhealthy memories.

We climbed the stairs and I couldn't help asking Kieran. "What happened to Raiden? I-Is he in the palace"

"They took him too" Kieran shook his head and his hand tightened around mine.

"I'm sure he is having fun" Williams said from behind us and I wondered what kind of fun he was talking about.

"Ezra will make sure he doesn't. He knows the best way to tame him" Kieran said and Williams shrugged.

"I hope he doesn't die. I still want to laugh at him before that happens"

"You'll have all the time to do that when you find him" Kieran said and paused when we finished climbing the staircase. "Keep looking. Make sure you look everywhere. They'll be a reward for whoever finds him"

"What's the reward?" William asked then he chuckled when Kieran threw him a glare "I mean, if there's a reward, I could risk my life for it"

Kieran's lips curved as he stared at Williams "Fred told me how long and hard you kept searching that River where Raiden's cloth was found in. Were you expecting to find him there?"

"Oh no!" Williams chuckled "If I had found his clothes, I thought I'd find his corpse too"

"That's your excuse?"

"You miss him, don't you?" I chimed in, realizing the kind of relationship he had with Raiden. They were probably frenemies.

"No!!!" Williams quickly denied it like I expected and I struggled to hold in a smile.

"But you're blushing" I pointed "Maybe because you've been caught"

"No, Luna. Don't get this all wrong. I hate Raiden and I am not worried about him. That bastard could die for all I care"

"But it's true that you looked for him. I know you will continue to do that" I told him, patting his back a little.

"No... No, no, no...."

Kieran didn't let him say anything as he dragged me with him and we entered a room with intricately designed double doors.

The moment the door closed, Kieran caught my waist, pulling me back as he pressed me against the door then claimed my lips in a searing kiss.

His tongue moved against mine with hunger and I kissed him back, letting my hand go around his neck as I tried to match his pace.

He dominated me quickly and I found myself moaning into his mouth, our breaths becoming ragged instantly as he pulled me closer against his chest where I could feel and hear every beat of his heart.

"I've missed you" he whispered, kissing my jaws down to my chin and then my neck.

My fingers clutched his shirt tight when he stroked my marking spot with his tongue. His mark had faded completely by now but I could still feel thesame intense sensations especially when his tongue moved even lower. I shivered uncontrollably and a moan escaped me.

The heat was slowly pooling between my legs.

The second he pulled away from me, I stared into his eyes, trying to catch my breath.

His eyes were filled with flames of intense desire or perhaps lust and love as our foreheads collided and he was ready to claim my lips once again.

"Mine!" A growl rumbled in his chest.