His Shadow Luna

Chapter 12

Elene brushed her fingers over the cold metal. It was a beautiful golden mask adorned with meticulously crafted filigree, forming an elegant pattern of swirls and tendrils that weaved together into a piece of art. Delicate but impressive, it had velvet on the interior to be comfortable for the wearer.

Elene knew the work of a master when she saw one. However, the feeling it gave her by simply holding it was what impressed her the most. A feeling of safety. Something she’d felt just once since she’d been in the South.

Her gaze snapped back at Forrest, who was helping Ximena into the car, but had his brow c****d at her as if asking — what are you waiting for?

The Princess carefully placed the mask on her face, dropping the hood of her jacket to adjust the ties.

This was the object Salome cursed to make her look like Aconite. She could finally breathe easy and relax a little.

“You will also need this,” Forrest surprised her by appearing right next to her. His hands stretched to her chest as he pinned something to her leather jacket.

“What is it?” Elene wanted to touch it, but instead, her fingers brushed over the General’s, sending bolts of electricity coursing through them both.

They froze, their breaths ragged. This was getting out of control fast.

Forrest came to his senses first, clearing his throat and stepping back. “It’s an elite personal guard badge of the Southern Republic officials. It will help you pass through security wherever you need it and helps us to avoid extra questions.”

“Got it.” Elene, too, snapped out of her trance, remembering what he said to her a few minutes ago. “Is my ugly face hidden enough for your taste, sir?” she asked him dryly, making Forrest flinch.

He leaned towards her. “I’m your mate. I will only see your face no matter the curse. And you are still the most beautiful woman with scars I have ever seen—”

Man— Hades growled helplessly inside.

Elene’s brow arched in a silent question, but he probably didn’t see it because of the mask.

“I mean, your scars are so— beautiful—” Forrest felt like the air was crushing his lungs. “They only make you look even better—”

Holy Fenrir and Moon Goddess the Merciful, Hades pleaded, make him shut up, please!

“Noted,” the Princess said, narrowing her eyes at him. She was about to leave when he caught her arm.

“You are never to hurt yourself like that again. Got it?” he waited for her response despite others watching them from every corner of the courtyard. “There is no need for any of that when I am around. Just come to me. I’ll help.”

“Fine.” She nodded nervously, noticing how many eyes were on them.

“Forrest, what is taking so long?” Ximena asked, poking her head out from the car. “If the ugly girl is not ready, take someone with more experience. Like Amir or Issa. They’re right there, anyway.”

“She’s ready,” Forrest cut the witch off and turned back to Elene. “You are next to the driver. Sorry, it’s—”

“Protocol. I know.” Elene nodded, not wishing to create a problem. This whole mess would be over soon anyway.

She went to her designated car door when her gaze caught Amir and Issa laughing at her and pointing at her mask. Elene sighed and rolled her eyes. The Firstborns had the mentality of middle school bullies.

Maybe because they never had parents to teach them better, Bia reminded her, and Elene decided not to waste her time on those two.

This would be the last time she saw them anyway, so before getting into the car, she polished the golden badge on her chest with her middle finger.

The laughs died down, but she was already inside, enjoying their sour faces through the windscreen.

The drive to the centre was relatively short, and Elene managed to get a better look at the golden badge on her chest. Shaped like a sun from the Southern flag, it had an eye carved in the centre. Her lips curled, thinking of how the South was watching everyone. The little trinket fit their essence.

The glass and steel monolith of the Alpha Convocation Building loomed before them in no time, a testament to the Southern Lycan Republic’s wealth and ambition. Elene hated to admit it, but she couldn’t help being impressed by the continent’s tallest skyscraper. As always, Forrest helped Ximena out of the car, the witch ensuring he had the perfect view of her full chest. It was only now that the Princess, who was already waiting for them as any guard should, noticed that the General’s usual blue coat was replaced by more formal attire today with golden chains and a few awards on his chest, the biggest one of those in the shape of a sun as well. Draped over one shoulder was a coat that appeared particularly expensive with fur that had no business being worn in temperatures as high as the South’s, likely indicating his desire to present himself in the best light possible.

Ximena brushed her well-manicured hand over the soft trim and smirked.

He should burn that coat, Elene told to Bia. Her wolf was now the only one she could speak to openly.

Why don’t you help him take it off? Preferably when you are alone in his office, her partner suggested with a chuckle, which made the Princess roll her eyes.

Inside the Alpha Convocation building, Forrest’s pace was brisk, his shoulders squared with a sense of purpose as people stepped aside to give way to him. He had the aura of an esteemed General, a true leader, and Elene couldn’t help but admire him just a little.

She matched his stride, keeping slightly behind with her chin held high despite the turmoil that brewed within her. They were an unlikely pair: the general and the presumed-dead Princess, moving in concert through the heart of their shared adversary.

Ximena walked right next to Forrest as if she were his rightful partner as they boarded an elevator, which made Elene feel worse about everything. She had no business in his life, personal or otherwise, but it would probably kill her to watch their wedding on TV one day. Just like when she watched Gideon marry Riannon… Life came in circles for her.

In just a few minutes, she would meet the representatives of her country, who would help her get home. Then, she could search for Morgan. She still hadn’t heard anyone mentioning the girl in the South, giving her hope that the pup did as she was told and was safe now.

The elevator dinged, announcing their arrival at their destination. The doors slid open to reveal a spacious hall with tall ceilings and people buzzing about everywhere.

“Forrest, you are just in time!” a man in an expensive business suit greeted them. “We are about to start. The Northerners are angry.”

“Are you surprised?” the General tilted his head, and the man’s smile faded.

“About that. I will need to speak to you afterwards—” the man said sheepishly.

“After I clean up your mess, you mean to say?” Forrest pressed his lips tight, drilling his colleague with his glare.

“Let’s go,” another politician urged them both. “But just you, Romero. No entourage. They requested a private meeting.”

Forrest glanced at Elene and Ximena.

“I have business to attend to anyway.” The witch turned on her heel, clearly displeased with being prohibited from joining the Convocation.

The Princess, however, wasn’t surprised. It was naive of them to think getting her to the Northern delegation would be easy.

“Here,” Forrest slipped her a key card. “My office is on the 159th floor. Wait for me there.”

Elene knew she was in no position to say anything else and just nodded in response.

She waited for the doors to the meeting room to open, and her gaze lingered on Forrest’s retreating figure, noting the set of his jaw and the subtle tension in his shoulders.

She tried to catch a glimpse of the Northern attendees, seeking out familiar faces amongst the crowd. Yet the Southerners obstructed her view. One thing for sure, her brother was not here. She would have sensed the icy presence of Amarok.

***

It took her some time to find Forrest’s office, and she breathed out in relief when the key card he gave her worked and allowed her in.

The door beeped and slid open to reveal a room awash with sunlight. It was a luxurious office with a massive black glass desk and designer furniture that seemed uncomfortable and untouched. Elene didn’t see even an ounce of Forrest’s presence here. From the look of it, he rarely used this place, preferring to hide back in his beloved Cathedral, where he could train warriors and sleep with his witches.

Elene shrugged and walked out to the spacious balcony right behind the desk. Drawn like a moth to a flame, Elene stepped out onto it, the chill breeze tugging at her hair. Below her sprawled the view she had only seen when flying on a plane. A veil of billowing clouds obscured the cityscape, with mere pinnacles of neighbouring skyscrapers in the metropolis peeking through.

So different from what she was used to. The cities in the North were busy, too, but boasted a different style of architecture. Buildings here reached for the sky, their glass facades reflecting the sun in dazzling arrays while clouds below created an illusion of safety cushions.

Elene leaned against the balustrade, her blue eyes absorbing every detail of the view before her. This…these memories of this place and of her mate… no one could take them from her.

Today, they would reject each other, and none of it would matter. She would cry for a week, and then she would move on. Maybe she would ask Kai to find her a suitable husband to strengthen their country alliances. It would be for the best.

Stop lying to yourself! Bia groaned. Just— give him a chance.

What chance? She laughed to herself and blinked away her tears. Luckily, the wind here was so strong it whisked them off without delay.

She wanted to argue with her wolf as always; after all, she and Forrest were simply not meant to be, but then she heard the familiar beeping of the office door.

She may have lost track of time, but there was no way that Forrest had finished the meeting with the Northern delegation this early.

Without thinking, Elene side-stepped from the glass door and flattened herself against the wall, not wishing to see anyone, and gently nudged the balcony door to a near-shut state, ensuring a slender opening remained—sufficient to eavesdrop on whatever would be happening inside the office. She accomplished this just moments before the entrance door slid open, and the unexpected visitors walked in.

“It’s clear,” one of the intruders, a man, spoke. “Just as we’d been told.”

Elene crouched low among the balcony’s verdant plants, her heart hammering in her chest. The leaves rustled gently, a soothing contrast to the rush of adrenaline that surged through her veins. Her breaths came in shallow whispers, her senses heightened to every sound and movement.

“Then let’s hurry up and finish the job and be done,” the other man proposed, his tone indicating he was older than his accomplice.

“Okay, then you search his desk for anything we can use, and I’ll plant the evidence on his computer.”

Elene heard the shutter sounds of a phone when someone was taking photos and fingers hitting the keyboard.

She covered her mouth so as not to make a sound. She thought she would be hiding from Ximena or someone else working for Forrest, but this was so much worse.

They would probably try to take care of her if they found out she was witnessing all this. The worst part was that she had no idea who they were or how strong they were. She couldn’t take any risks.

“Nothing worthwhile here,” the older man said to the younger. “How long will it take for you to finish?”

“I’m also uploading a virus in his system. So, a minute at least,” his subordinate replied.

“Such a shame,” the first one sighed. “A few years back, I almost voted for this guy, and I never vote.”

“Why not?”

“Because it never matters. You see how it always ends for those who want to improve the world.”

They went silent for a few moments.

“Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t waste your vote. Besides, this guy is toast. They’ll all be gone after Project Harpe is activated anyway.”

Elene pressed against the wall for balance because the ground under her seemed to be shaking.

She was not supposed to hear all that. No one was.

The wind, playful and indifferent to the gravity of Elene’s situation, picked up suddenly, scattering the leaves around her hiding place.

The intruders inside got quiet. One tilted his head, nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air. The scent of pear blossoms and elderflower, unique to Elene, hung faintly amidst the greenery.

“Did you catch that?” the leader whispered, his voice a knife’s edge of suspicion.

His accomplice paused, his own senses reaching out. “Yeah. Someone’s here.”

Elene’s heart pounded against her ribs like a drum of war. Her mind raced for an exit strategy as she silently cursed her stupidity. She had to close that door!

Too late, Bia informed her.

Elene was frantically looking for a solution, trying to think of what to do. She wasn’t going to take her chances here. She had to tell Forrest about this.

The world around her froze in time as she realised that there was only one way out from the balcony, and luckily for her, every floor had identical terraces stacked up in columns on the face of the building.

She made her move with the grace of a lycan princess—swift and silent. Darting to the balcony’s edge, she glanced below to find an identical terrace one floor down. Without hesitation, she swung herself over the railing, the cityscape blurring into streaks of colour as she descended.

The men rushed to the balcony just in time to see a flash of her; one of them, as big as a mountain, tried to grab her wrist and halt her escape.

Elene’s foot missed the railing below, and she slipped over the edge. For a second or two, she felt like she was flying, desperately trying to cling to the merciless glass…

Useless…

A scream left her chest, piercing her own ears mid-flight as she scrabbled at the glass for her life.

Finally, she managed to grab a railing several floors down, but her body hit the building so hard that her fingers released their grip and she was falling again.

“No!” Elene screamed, but the next moment, a strong hand grasped her, pulling her inside a balcony surrounded by thick clouds.

She found herself on top of a wet, naked male chest, listening to someone’s heart beating steadily inside as she tried to catch her breath.

“I have to admit; I thought that you Southerners might send an assassin to kill me. But I never thought I would have to help you get inside!” the familiar voice rang in her ears, and at first, she thought she was imagining things.

Elene’s lips parted as she pushed off the man and finally saw his face, shocked to see this person here…