The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Chapter 10: And He Kissed Her

Rodrigo stared at the woman in front of him.

Her shoulders were squared as she stared back at him. She looked certain. Absolutely certain that he was not going to touch her.

He did not kiss his brides. Everyone in the pack knew that.

That meant someone had tampered with the ancient text for the Rite of Mates. His eyes glanced toward the congregation, scanning the faces of the high-ranking pack members.

Who dared play such a game?

The Matriarch would not. She did not stoop to dirty tricks. Was it Charlotte? Or Dominic?

His eyes turned back to Nina, his gaze flickering down to her lips. They were slightly parted, her body rigid as she watched him wide-eyed.

Fine. If they wanted a show, he would give them one.

Rodrigo exhaled sharply and crossed the distance between them in two long strides.

Nina’s eyes widened in panic.

Before the thought could fully register in her mind, Rodrigo’s hand cupped her jaw, tilting her face up toward his.

And then his lips met hers.

The grand hall went completely silent.

Nina’s mind went entirely blank. The Alpha was kissing her.

His lips were warm, softer than she could have ever anticipated. The pressure was firm but not harsh—nothing like the violence she had expected from him. She could not move. She could not think. Her eyes remained wide open, staring at nothing, her entire body frozen in shock as his mouth pressed against hers while the entire hall watched.

Then Rodrigo pulled back.

His gray eyes met hers, unreadable and glacial. There was no warmth in them.

Nina stood pale-faced, breathing fast, her heart hammering against her ribs as though she had just looked death in the face.

Without a word, he turned and walked down the altar steps, leaving her standing there alone.

She watched his retreating back as he strode down the aisle, his pace unhurried and unbothered, as if he had not just done something completely unbelievable. Only when he turned the corner and vanished from sight did she realize the hall had erupted into utter chaos.

Voices overlapped as the guests buzzed with shock, murmuring about the broken tradition.

Charlotte sat in the front row, her jaw clenched tight as her palms folded into rigid fists against her thighs.

"Mother?"

She blinked, turning toward Dominic at the sound of his voice. She instantly adjusted her mask, smiling brightly.

"Yes, dear."

"Let us leave."

Charlotte took his outstretched hand, standing up. She cast one lingering, sharp look at Nina before turning toward the exit doors.

Nina’s legs felt entirely weak. She wanted to sit. She wanted to disappear into the stone floor. But before she could take a step, a shadow fell over her.

Dante.

"Sabrina."

Nina’s heart skipped a beat, a heavy wave of relief washing through her chest. He had called her Sabrina. He did not recognize her beneath the heavy cosmetics.

She cleared her throat, forcing a faint smile to her lips.

"Dante."

Dante smiled back slightly, but his eyes held a deep look of pity.

"I am sorry about all of this," he said quietly. "I only received the news yesterday. I did not realize it would be your family."

Nina drew a tight breath.

"It is fine. Someone had to fulfill the alliance anyway."

She tried to keep her tone light, casual. She turned to descend the altar steps, but Dante caught her hand, stopping her in her tracks.

"Sabrina." His grip was warm and gentle.

Nina’s chest tightened painfully. She kept her back to him, refusing to turn around.

"Have you heard from Nina?" he asked, his voice dropping lower. "She did not reply to my last letter. Is she well?"

The question hit her like a physical blow to the stomach. She bit her lower lip hard, blinking back the sudden tears gathering in her eyes before she slowly turned to face him.

She had never been given the chance to reply to the letter he had sent to her window. She had never been allowed to tell him that she felt the exact same way he did. She had never even received the chance to say goodbye.

Nina slowly pulled her hand free from his grasp.

"Why are you asking me?" Her voice came out much harsher than she intended. "You know where she lives."

Dante frowned, his brow furrowing.

"I have tried. She is no longer at the house. The servants claim she left home, but no one will reveal where she went. I thought since you were her sister, perhaps she told you—"

"She did not."

Nina cut him off, her jaw tight as her eyes burned. She drew a sharp breath, forcing the tears back down.

"She did not come. And I would strongly suggest you cease asking about her. If she did not send you a reply, it means she is no longer interested. Do you not understand that?"

The words tasted like pure bile in her mouth. God, she did not want to hurt him. She truly did not.

Dante stared at her, confusion and hurt flickering across his features. Nina could not bear to look at him for another second. She turned on her heel and walked away, her fingers gripping the lace of her gown so tightly she thought the delicate fabric would rip.

It is for the best, she told herself. This is for the best.

"Sabrina!"

A bright, cheerful voice called out from behind her as she reached the bottom of the altar steps.

Nina’s steps faltered. She exhaled slowly and turned around.

A girl roughly her own age stood there, short auburn hair framing a round face. Her large brown eyes sparkled with an energy that felt entirely out of place in this grim manor, a wide smile stretching across her lips.

"I am Ruri. The Alpha’s favorite cousin." She extended a hand cheerfully.

Nina looked at the outstretched hand but did not take it. She was in no frame of mind to forge alliances or friendships with anyone in this bloodline. Not today.

"It is a pleasure," Nina said flatly, lifting the heavy skirts of her gown with both hands to resume walking.

Ruri blinked, clearly taken aback by the cold reception. But instead of backing off, she hurried to match Nina’s pace, step for step.

"Wait, let me assist you with the train. It is remarkably long, and you might trip."

"Thank you, but I can manage."

"Are you certain? The fabric is heavy." Ruri ignored the dismissal, chattering away as they walked down the aisle. "So, how are you faring? Nervous? Terrified? I am certain you are not thrilled given the rumors, but do not fret. With everything the Matriarch has established, you will not die."

Nina remained silent, keeping her eyes fixed forward. She spotted Gina approaching from the far end of the hall and felt a surge of relief. Finally, someone who could extract her from this conversation.

She was about to quicken her pace when Ruri suddenly darted ahead, latching onto the head matron’s arm.

"Lady Gina!" Ruri grinned. "It has been an age. I have missed you terribly."

Gina rolled her eyes dryly.

"Why must you always be so dramatic? You were present in this very hall for the last bride’s burial."

Ruri’s smile vanished instantly. She shot a panicked, wide-eyed glance at Nina, swatting the matron’s arm lightly as her voice dropped to a fierce whisper.

"Lady Gina, do not speak of such things in front of her."

Gina glanced at Nina, heaving a heavy sigh.

"What? She is fully aware she is the fifth. And she certainly will not be the last."

Ruri’s lips parted in shock. She looked between the stoic matron and Nina, entirely unsure of how to salvage the moment.

"Well, let us speak of other things," Ruri laughed nervously, trying to pivot. "Where has the groom vanished to? Why must he always leave so abruptly?"

She turned back to Nina, offering what was likely meant to be a reassuring look. freēwēbnovel.com

"Do not mind the Alpha. He attempts to project a cruel demeanor, but that is not his true nature. Deep down, he is actually—"

"A man who strangles women?"

The words slipped out before Nina could catch them. Her hand went instinctively to her throat, covering the concealed bruises.

Ruri’s smile froze solid. Gina raised a solitary eyebrow.

Nina immediately regretted the outburst as she saw the sheer stillness that took over Ruri’s features. The auburn-haired girl stared at her for a long beat, her expression completely unreadable. Then, slowly, a very different kind of smile crept across her lips.

"I believe I am going to like you," Ruri said quietly.

Before Nina could question the statement, a calm, resonant male voice cut through the space between them.

"My Lady."

They all turned. A man was approaching—tall, with dark, curly hair falling past his broad shoulders. He wore a pristine pack guard uniform, carrying himself with a poise that felt far too regal for a common soldier. His intense eyes were fixed entirely on Ruri, completely ignoring the rest of them.

"The Matriarch requests your presence immediately."

Ruri groaned loudly.

"What now? I hope she does not intend to command me to remain confined to the estate again." She turned back to Nina with an apologetic shrug. "Duty calls. But I shall locate you later, all right? We must speak. I have a feeling we are going to be very good friends."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and followed the guard out of the hall, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Nina watched them go, her brow furrowed. Ruri was walking remarkably close to the man, her hand lingering on his arm in a way that did not look like a lady addressing her guard. Was there something between them?

Nina caught herself, shaking her head internally. What was she doing analyzing pack politics right now?

Gina cleared her throat, instantly shattering her thoughts.

"Come with me."

Nina drew a shallow breath, following the older woman toward the side exits.

"Where are we going?"

"To prepare your body for the wedding night."

All the remaining color drained from Nina’s face.

"What?"

"I am certain you heard me correctly." Gina did not slow her pace.

Nina’s feet stopped moving, rooting her to the cold stone floor. A wedding night. With the monster who had nearly squeezed the life out of her throat just hours prior. It was impossible.

"I..." Her voice came out as a fragile whisper. "I do not wish to have a wedding night. Since I am destined to die anyway, let us simply skip it."

Gina stopped. She turned around slowly, her sharp eyes assessing the trembling girl for a long, heavy second.

"Sabrina." Her voice was entirely devoid of pity. "You cannot refuse the Alpha."