Semua Bab Rejected Luna : Alpha's Promise, King's Claim: Bab 171 - Bab 180

VENUSIt’s Christmas, and my room looks like it’s been taken over by festive chaos. Sid is standing on a chair, arms stretched as she tries to secure a string of warm fairy lights along the curtain rod, muttering under her breath every time one slips. I’m on the bed, wrapping silver tinsel around the headboard and taping it down before it can slide off again. Red and gold baubles hang from the lampshade, clinking softly whenever Sid bumps into it, which is often.A small artificial pine tree sits on my desk, decorated with ribbon bows and a star that refuses to stay straight no matter how many times I fix it. Sid lights a cinnamon-scented candle for what she calls “holiday energy,” and the warm smell settles into the room.When we finally plug in the lights, everything changes.The room glows in soft gold, the fairy lights tracing the walls and reflecting off the ornaments. Shadows dance gently across the floor, and the tiny tree twinkles like it’s proud of itself. Paper snowflakes li

VENUSWhen I open my eyes, the first thing I see is the full moon shining in the inky night sky. Cold air makes my body shiver. I bolt upright, my head pounding as I take in my surroundings. I'm lying on the forest floor, my vision blurred and hazy. I try to stand, but my legs feel weak and shaky beneath me.As I look around, trying to get my bearings, I see a man standing over me. He's tall and muscular, with a fierce, predatory gaze that sends a shiver down my spine. I can smell the pack on his body. He’s from this pack. He stares at me with an intensity that makes me uncomfortable, his eyes roving over my body like he's trying to devour me whole. I try to stand up again, my mind screaming at me to do something, to get away from this strange man. But my body feels heavy and unresponsive, like it belongs to someone else.I feel a strange prickling sensation in my arm, and when I look down, I see a small red mark on my skin. What is it? Did he do something to me?But then I feel a d

VENUSWe go for two more rounds, Rowan bending my body into different positions until my body goes limp. I fall asleep almost the moment my head hits the pillow.When I open my eyes, pale morning light spills across the room, and my body feels heavy and drained, like I’ve run for miles in my sleep. My throat tightens as I shift under the sheets and feel the soft fabric touch my bare skin. Bare.I gasp softly and freeze as I look at my breasts under the sheet. Why am I naked?My mind scrambles as I shuffle under the sheets, grasping for memories, but last night comes back in broken pieces. I was with Sydney and Alex, right? What happened after that? I stop breathing when I feel warmth beside me.Slowly, carefully, I turn my head.Rowan is lying next to me. He is shirtless, his eyes closed in sleep. His chest rises and falls in an easy rhythm, his lower body covered by the duvet. My heart slams so hard it feels like it might break my ribs. My gaze drifts downward, and my face burns wh

ROWANVenus stares at me with a mix of anticipation and fear. She wonders what I’m about to say. I’m sure she has asked herself this question often : Why do I care so much about her? I don’t blame her. My actions would leave anyone perplexed. At times I wonder what I’m doing or why. Asgard shakes his head in disappointment. “The agony you put me through when you just say something and do the exact opposite.” I want to scold him but it’s the truth. My actions don’t match my intentions anymore. “Rowan?” Venus calls my name, as if reminding me that she has asked me something. More like she won’t let me walk out until I give her an answer. One that she can believe. I can see the confusion twisting in her expressions. Last night has left her spiraling, and I hate that I’m the reason for it.I should have controlled myself better. I know that.But control was a fragile thing last night. While I did try, the way she pulled me so close, her scent and warmth had driven me to the edge. It

VENUSI rush out of my room, my heart still racing, and lock the door behind me. The hallway feels uncomfortably quiet as I make my way to Sid’s room, my steps quick and restless. When I reach her door, I knock three times. Minutes stretch thin.Just when I am about to knock again, the door opens.Sdyney stands there looking like she has been dragged out of a dream and dropped into daylight. Her hair is a complete mess, blonde strands sticking out in every direction. She is wearing nothing but a bra and a pair of jeans, clearly thrown on in a hurry. Her eyes are unfocused, drowsy, like she is still half-asleep, until they finally land on me.They widen.Sid straightens abruptly and clears her throat. “Hey! What’s…up?”I lift my phone, holding it up between us. “I called you. A lot,” I say. “It kept going to voicemail. I got worried, so I thought I’d check on you.”She squints, one hand coming up to her temple as if she is fighting off a headache. When she speaks again, her voice is r