Lunar Temptations

Chapter 76

It took mere seconds for a blush to creep onto my cheeks. I stared at him, blinking and looking away.

"I-I," I stuttered.

Great Raya, now you're making it worse. He didn't look slightly amused, and that was the reason I took every one of his warnings seriously, except when I would deliberately ignore them. I was only forming words when his hands gripped my waist, pulling me to him until we were touching each other.

"You what?" He asked, looking into my eyes as his gaze slowly lowered to stop on my lips. I wanted this every bit as much as he did. My desire for him had only been increasing ever since I had moved in with him. I had thought that moving in would help my wolf recover, but little did I know that I was only making it unbearable for the both of us.

"My friend texted," I said hurriedly before he could kiss me. His gaze snapped back to my eyes. "The data on the drive can be retrieved, and we will have it back soon," I explained, and he pulled away, taking in my words.

"How long will it take?" He asked immediately, forgetting about any kiss, yet his hands remained where they were - on my waist as he held me to him.

"She said it would take some time, but it will work," I said and excitedly placed both my hands on his chest. "Macy will get her justice!"

A corner of his mouth tugged into a half-smile, but he seemed relieved by it just as much as I was. His expression relaxed, and he leaned into me. I froze as he placed a kiss on my cheek, holding my chin to keep my face steady.

"And you will be the one who made it possible," he said, against my skin. His warm breath tingled me and sent a shiver down my spine. My senses were filled with his scent, and all I wanted was to be consumed by it and to claim him as mine. If he kept me in his arms like this, consuming me slowly, then I doubted if I would be able to stop him. I wanted to be consumed by him, and as unnatural as it might sound, that was how the pull of a mate bond worked. No wonder CM Samara's words began to make sense. We were stronger together, and if my salvation was in getting consumed by him, then I was more than ready for it.

"Our packs are fortunate to have such a considerate Luna," he said, sighing and looking away. "Especially considering what the former Luna of the Night Walkers has been up to - another courtesy of yours," he said, placing another kiss on my other cheek. He was praising me. Butterflies fluttered inside me once again, burning alive with desire. As much as I didn't want to appear desperate, I couldn't help but want to feel satisfied with each of his praises. His words ignited a feeling in me that I didn't know existed. I have been degrading myself over the past years to the point that I was convinced that my sacrifice of deciding to marry Zayden would be a waste and I was doomed. Yet there I was, feeling contented over getting praised by someone who meant nothing to me a few months back.

My mouth parted to reply to him when a knock on the door resounded. Zayden threw his head back lightly, clearly not happy.

"That's our chaperone," he said, groaning. A smile appeared on my lips watching him like that. "Yeah, I know that sophisticated knock," I chuckled, patting his chest as he dropped his hands from my waist. I was already missing his touch.

"We'll be continuing this conversation later tonight. I still haven't told you everything about my day," I said, sarcastically, and Zayden Castillo was not a man to fool. His brows furrowed slightly. "Something tells me it wasn't that pleasing," he said.

"Don't keep me waiting." Zayden extended his arm to me.

Little did he know what my day had been about. I couldn't wait either to confront him about what he has been hiding from me, but that would put our appearances at the ball at stake. I didn't want to spoil anything by doing this at the wrong time only because I couldn't wait.

I took his arm, and we began to make our way out. His black suit from early morning looked as black as it did when he had left. It was truly shocking to see him like this, so gentlemanly when he was anything but that. He could be a chivalrous brute and would pull it off effortlessly. Zayden Castillo knew how to be a gentleman and an Alpha werewolf at the same time, and he never ceased to amaze me.

Our chaperone led us to the ground floor, where the decorations caught my attention first. Hand in hand, Zayden and I walked underneath a great chandelier that had the most number of candles I had ever seen together in one place. It was breathtakingly beautiful and looked flawless. My gaze followed the chandelier to find several others following it to the end of the ballroom. Unlike usual ballrooms, the theme was darker here and mirrored the dark and mysterious aura of the Direwood Hold. Maroon satin drapes were used to decorate the place with a touch of golden and black. The dance floor was made of black marble with golden veins, making it appear magical. The slow violin played in the background over the chatter of the crowd that had gathered in the room.

My emerald dress glided along the maroon carpet as the doors opened wider for us, followed by a chime. Its sound rang through the room loudly enough to catch everyone's attention. I breathed in deeply, preparing for the introduction that would follow while we remained the centre of attention. I held onto Zayden's arm tighter, and he pulled me a little closer in response. My heart would have swelled with admiration if we weren't standing amidst a whole crowd consisting of pack leaders and council members.

His warmth heated me as I held tightly onto it, taking whatever comfort his body offered.

"Together, my Luna," his voice came as he glanced at me. I breathed deeply. "Together."