LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

Luna’s face turned pale. Her heart raced in panic. She didn’t understand what the madman meant by those words, but she knew it couldn’t be good. The crazed look in his eyes and his expression signalled genuine madness. Luna’s grip tightened on Ghea’s nightgown, her panic rising as she tried to avert her gaze from the man’s terrifying red eyes, which emitted a warning growl that shattered the silence.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Luna didn’t know why the man growled, but her eyes automatically returned to his ominous red gaze. “My mate.”

The man hissed again, slowly approaching the staircase where they stood with Ghea. A blood-stained sword in his hand scraped against the floor with a chilling sound. Luna shuddered involuntarily as the man drew nearer. “Ghea!”

“He killed George,” Ghea whispered, tears streaming down her face. Luna forced herself to look away. Her stomach churned at the gruesome sight resembling a massacre.

Trying to ignore the scene, Luna searched desperately for George, hoping Ghea was mistaken. But her breath caught seeing George’s body sprawled on the wooden floor, wounds from the sword evident. Unlike the others, George seemed intact, albeit barely. Luna swallowed hard, feeling fear grip her as the man approached closer. “Ghea!”

“We have to go now! Or we’ll die, too!” Luna whispered urgently, her mind solely focused on escaping. The rules against such mass killings seemed nonexistent to her.

Focusing on survival, Luna urged Ghea to wake up from her grief. “Ghea! Snap out of it!”

“We need to run,” she continued anxiously. Knowing that large, imposing men like those who had already met gruesome fates could fall victim to the robed man, Luna’s every thought was now consumed by flight.

Run.

As if hearing Luna’s plea, the robed man growled, baring his fangs as a warning not to flee but to stay put. Luna saw it as a threat and tried harder to awaken Ghea. After much effort, Ghea finally understood the gravity of the situation and activated her magic.

“Luna, go upstairs! Find the nearest room and see if there’s an escape route! I’ll try to hold him off and follow you!” Luna hesitated for a moment before obeying Ghea’s command. As Ghea used her magic to bind the robed man with solid roots, Luna ran upstairs, searching for a room with a sizable window. Returning to her room would waste precious time.

She found a room with a sufficiently large window. Opening it and peering down, she saw the inn’s roof and shrubbery below-a viable route for her and Ghea to escape without risk of injury.

“Luna!” Ghea’s distant shout reached her ears.

“Save yourself!” Luna felt her blood drain at Ghea’s cry, torn between staying to help Ghea, who had guided her in this world, or selfishly fleeing for her safety.

“Damn it!” Luna cursed loudly, frantically searching the room for a self-defence weapon. Occasionally glancing at the door, she sharpened her hearing, hoping to hear Ghea’s voice. Still, it never came, heightening Luna’s fear.

After rummaging through the room, Luna finally found a dagger hidden under the bed. She didn’t know why it was there, but it offered some means of defence. With resolve, she returned to the staircase where she had left Ghea. At the top step, she witnessed Ghea being lifted, struggling, by a black-and-red light encircling her neck, choking her, emanating from the robed man who stared at her with murderous intent.

Luna gulped. The robed man possessed powers akin to Ghea’s, but he seemed more incredible and formidable.

Taking a deep breath, Luna acted without hesitation. She silently descended the stairs and swiftly plunged the dagger into the man’s abdomen, startling him. Luna heard him fall and turn, and she saw Ghea coughing and struggling to rise.

Suddenly, a firm, powerful grip seized Luna’s hand. The robed man’s crimson eyes met Luna’s brown ones, his grip tightening. Luna instantly regretted her impulsive decision. The man grinned widely, a pleased purr escaping his lips.

“You can’t kill me, mate,” he whispered sensually, drawing closer.

Luna saw him inhale deeply as if savouring her scent, adding, “Your expression of confidence is quite beautiful.”

“He’s insane,” Luna thought. Spontaneously, she bit the man’s arm, eliciting a growl from his lips. His grip loosened, allowing Luna to kick him down the stairs.

Luna should have used a moment. She immediately helped Ghea, injured and distressed, guiding her upstairs to hide in the nearest room.

“Run. Go, little mate. There’s nothing a hunter enjoys more than chasing its prey,” the man taunted gleefully.

Luna briefly glanced back and saw him standing, retrieving his sword. Trembling, she recognized the cruelty and madness in his red eyes, but the most apparent emotion was obsession.

A palpable obsession.

Luna averted her gaze and hastened her steps, dragging Ghea. They entered a room, unfortunately without an exit.

Luna quickly locked the door and barricaded it with whatever she could find. Turning to Ghea, who was still gasping, she asked, “Ghea, are you okay?”

Ghea took a deep breath, closed her eyes briefly, and then opened them, staring resolutely at Luna. “Why didn’t you run? I told you to run! Go! Save yourself!”

Luna shook her head. “No. I can’t. You helped me when I first came to this world. I can’t just leave you now.”

Luna glanced towards the door, her heart pounding as she heard no sound behind it. “Do you know who he is?”

Ghea pursed her lips and lowered her head. “Ghea?”

“Thank you, Luna. But next time, you don’t need to help me anymore. Your life is what matters. You’re not from here; you need to go back to your world,” Ghea said, gripping Luna’s hand tightly.

“But whatever happens, I’m grateful.” Ghea paused briefly before answering Luna’s question, “I’m not sure, but I caught a glimpse of his face in the reflection of the magic he used… and as far as I remember, only those of high rank have such colours.”

“So?” Luna’s hands were squeezed tighter by Ghea. “He’s the Emperor. Emperor Alkrevas. I’m not sure if I saw him wrong or not.”

“What? How can an Emperor massacre his people, within his territory, so brutally like that?” Luna asked, distraught. She paced back and forth in front of Ghea. Her bare feet made no noisy sound.

“Then do you know what he meant by ‘mate’? Like a friend?” Luna asked in confusion, recalling that the word was used to refer to friends in one part of her world.

Luna sighed softly, rubbing the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Why did he kill everyone so brutally?”

Ghea bit her lower lip and murmured, “I think what Emperor Alkrevas meant is… soulmate.”

Ghea then lifted her head and looked directly at Luna. “You are his soulmate.”

Luna stood still, staring at Ghea as if she had two heads, with an expression suggesting Ghea had lost her mind. Her disbelief was evident. “You are his soulmate.”

“Are you joking? I’m not even from here. How could I be a ‘soulmate’ to a werewolf, especially a crazy and sadistic one like him?” Luna ran her hands through her hair in frustration, holding her breath as she heard footsteps slowly approaching.

The sound of shoes on the wooden floor created a loud creak in the otherwise silent inn. Luna placed her index finger on her lips, signalling Ghea to stay quiet, but Ghea only shook her head, her face downcast.

“Little mate… where are you, darling?” Luna bit her lip, trembling with fear. Was she in a horror film instead of a fantasy one? The tension and terror felt too real.

“Little mate…”

“It’s pointless,” Ghea whispered very softly. “Werewolves have super sharp senses of smell and hearing. He can locate us just by the sound of our heartbeats, especially since you are his soulmate. He can track you by your scent.”

“Soulmate? All I feel right now is a real fear, not attraction or anything like ‘The one,'” Luna replied, her eyes widening at Ghea’s words, finding them hard to believe.

“Trust me. I can easily show interest in someone, and the man out there-” Luna pointed towards the door, indicating the psychopathic Emperor. “-is far from my list of interesting men.”

Luna’s breath caught as she heard the door handle being forcefully turned. “Ghea, can’t you use your power to save us?”

Ghea shook her head. “No. My mana is completely drained from trying to hold him off. His power is far above mine.”

Ghea tried to stand but fell again. Luna winced at the sight of bruises forming around Ghea’s neck. Luna scanned the room and entered a small bathroom. There was only a small window, just big enough for an adult’s head.

Their heads could fit, but not their bodies. Why did they choose a room without a proper window? And why didn’t this room have a window?

Returning to the room, Luna decided to save Ghea first. “You have to live, Ghea. I’m sure George wouldn’t want to see you die in vain.”

Luna whispered as she hugged Ghea for the first time. “You have to continue George’s dream. Just because he’s gone doesn’t mean he’s left your side. I’m sure his spirit is with you now.”

“What do you mean? What are you saying?” Luna’s current egoism was clear. She didn’t want Ghea to die because the woman had helped her.

At least Luna had to repay her debt to Ghea; if the woman died, she would always owe her. “You have to stay alive.”

“What… Luna, don’t tell me you’re… no! I can’t! He’s your soulmate, but I met you first. Right now, all I have is you…” Luna pressed her lips together and hugged Ghea again. She whispered soothing words to Ghea, hearing the door being battered.

Luna brought her lips close to Ghea’s ear and whispered, “You have to stay alive. Find out how I can return to my world, and we can leave this place together.”

Luna pulled back and gave Ghea a meaningful look, feeling that her chance to find a way back would be complicated if she fell into the psychopathic Emperor’s hands. Ghea was her only hope since she knew the truth. “Okay?”

Ghea considered Luna’s words. What Luna said was tempting, but could she do it? This world was full of memories with George. Their parents had left them since childhood, and George had been her guardian.

They had always been together, and seeing George die felt like a thousand knives piercing her heart. She no longer had the will to live. So why stay here? Ghea finally nodded and struggled to stand.

Luna then guided Ghea to the bathroom, placing her in a superficial bathtub with water. “Hide here, Ghea. You have to stay alive.”

After saying that, Luna left and closed the door tightly. She took a deep breath and stood in the middle of the room, readying herself. She knew the man might take her because she was his ‘soulmate,’ but she wouldn’t go without a fight.

Before long, the barricaded door was destroyed. Splinters of wood and debris flew before falling to the floor. Luna saw the robed man-Emperor Alkrevas-entering the room, his red eyes like gleaming gemstones.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile as he arrogantly strode into the room. “I think this game of hide and seek should end, little mate.”

“Who are you?” Luna asked sharply, full of hatred. “Why did you kill them all?”

“Ah! That… they angered me by talking about you and betting on your body.” Luna gritted her teeth. It was typical for her, especially in her younger days. “I don’t like my mate being objectified. You are my woman, mine. My mate.”

“Why are you so sure I’m your mate? I don’t feel anything for you. Not the slightest spark. You’re insane.”

“You’re just a mortal. Naturally, the effect is different, but I promise, when my claim mark is on your smooth neck, you’ll feel what I feel with just my touch.”

Luna pressed her lips together, glancing at the area where she had stabbed him. Her face paled upon seeing the knife was gone, and there was no wound, only bloodstains on his torn clothes proving it had happened.

Luna refocused on the man’s psychopathic red eyes and murmured, “I belong to myself, not anyone else.”

Alkrevas smiled briefly before his smile vanished, replaced by a cold, emotionless expression. Then he swiftly ran towards Luna, subduing her, pinning her down, locking her hands and feet.

He clicked his tongue softly as Luna struggled, writhing and screaming. Alkrevas bent down, burying his face in Luna’s neck.

Besides the electric sensation coursing through his body when they touched, her unique scent of spices mixed with lavender was addictive, calming his turmoil. “Let me go!”

“Where have you been hiding, little mate?” Luna clamped her mouth shut at his question. Alkrevas smiled widely. Norris no longer controlled him, but the passion and possessiveness he felt had not diminished, only intensified.

“I’ve searched the entire continent for you.” Alkrevas felt his fangs itch, wanting to sink them into her neck, specifically at the sensitive spot. He tried to claim her so no other man could take her away.

Now that he was whole, Alkrevas wouldn’t let anyone, even his soulmate, break that wholeness. He wouldn’t let go of the beautiful creature struggling in his embrace.

If possible, he would lock his soulmate in his private chamber, bound to the bed, where only he could see and touch her. “My mate.”

Luna took a deep breath, then fiercely headbutted his face and kicked him hard in the groin. She didn’t stop there; she punched his handsome face with all her strength, not caring if her hand got hurt. Finding the right moment, she kicked his stomach.

Luna then ran out of the room, trying to lead the psychopathic man away from Ghea. “Now I leave everything to you, Ghea.”

…