The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

Chapter 75: I’ll Be Back Soon

The knock sounded loud in Nina’s ears, pulling her from sleep. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, still heavy with exhaustion, and she stiffened the second she realized where she was.

Her head was resting on Rodrigo’s chest.

Her hair was spread across him, one of her legs draped over his as if she’d claimed him in her sleep. One arm was wrapped around his waist.

Nina froze.

Heat rushed into her face.

A curse slipped under her breath as she slowly lifted her head, hoping—praying—that he was still asleep. Instead, she met a pair of dark eyes already watching her.

Her eyes widened instantly. She pushed herself up, trying to move away, but his hand caught hers before she could escape.

With one pull, he brought her right back against him.

"Alpha—"

"You said you were going to come to me," he said lazily, pinning her in place. "Don’t tell me you’re backing out so soon?"

Nina squeezed her eyes shut, heat rushing to her cheeks as she remembered the events of the previous night, her fingers digging into his chest.

Before she could think of a response, his arm tightened around her waist, drawing her even closer until there was barely any space between them. Nina could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear as she became painfully aware of every point where her body was pressed against him.

She wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.

"Did you sleep well?" he muttered.

"Mm." Nina whispered after a moment of quiet. Last night was the best sleep she had had in her entire life, but she wouldn’t tell him that.

His chin brushed the top of her head, and then she felt him breathe her in, his hold tightening as though there was no more space to fill.

"You can’t leave any longer," he murmured against her hair. "You are mine now."

Everything inside her seemed to stop.

Her eyes opened slowly, her heart slamming wildly in her chest.

You’re mine.

The words echoed in her head. Her fingers tightened against his shirt as something twisted painfully inside her chest.

Before she could think about it, the knock sounded again, louder this time.

Nina grabbed the opportunity immediately.

"I think someone’s at the door," she said quickly, pulling herself away, breathless.

With the space between them, she drew a slow inhale, avoiding his gaze.

Rodrigo stayed where he was for a moment, his gaze lingering on her features. Then, slowly, his eyes shifted toward the window where the first signs of morning were beginning to appear, and then, without another word, he stood.

Nina released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding as he crossed toward the door. She pushed her hair behind her ears and tried to calm her racing heart.

She heard the door creak open, and she turned.

Rodrigo stood in the doorway, his broad frame blocking her view so she couldn’t see who was outside.

"Alpha, good morning," a voice greeted. "It is time. The lycans are waiting."

Seven.

Nina’s eyes lifted.

The lycans? Waiting for what?

"Good," Rodrigo replied. He paused for a few seconds, and then he added, "I’ll be there in a few minutes."

She heard Seven’s footsteps retreat, and then the doors closed shut.

Nina’s eyes lifted to him. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked.

His steps paused for a fraction of a second before continuing.

"Hmm."

He replied, avoiding her gaze.

Nina’s brows creased slightly. He was avoiding the question.

She watched him walk toward the bathroom and close the door.

Her eyes darted. Her fingers dug into the sheets. Then she slid from the bed and followed after him.

She pushed the door open slowly, the creaking sound loud in the quiet as she poked her head into the bathroom.

He was standing in front of the sink, brushing his teeth.

His eyes lifted to the mirror.

They found hers immediately.

"What?" he asked, his eyes softening as he gazed at her.

Nina blinked.

"Nothing," she replied, her fingers twisting the sides of the shirt.

Rodrigo held her gaze for a second, then he frowned.

"You don’t want me to leave?"

Nina’s mouth fell open.

"What? No..."

The amusement in his eyes only grew.

"That’s not... that’s not what I meant," she stuttered, her face hot. She looked away from him, clearing her throat.

"I was just wondering if it’s something serious. You’re leaving so early," she said, her gaze finding him again.

"And you have men ready."

That part wasn’t a lie.

She was worried.

But there was another reason too.

A much more important reason.

The Vothraki.

The thought immediately sharpened her focus.

Did he remember where it was?

Was that where they were going?

If there was even the smallest chance, she needed to know.

She couldn’t afford to miss anything.

Rodrigo’s expression shifted slightly.

He spat into the sink, then rinsed the toothbrush and his mouth, then set the brush aside.

Nina watched him splash water over his face, and then he took a towel from the hanger and dried his face. Nina waited patiently.

After he was done, he turned to her. His eyes lingered on her face before he crossed the room to where she stood.

Nina’s back pressed against the wall as he approached.

"What..." she started, but stopped.

His eyes lingered on her face for a moment before he pushed away from the sink.

Nina’s breath caught.

He was walking toward her.

Slowly.

The bathroom suddenly felt much smaller.

Her back pressed against the wall as he continued forward until there was nowhere left for her to go.

"What?" she asked, trying to sound unaffected as he reached where she stood.

Rodrigo didn’t answer. His gaze moved over her face as though he was searching for something.

Nina swallowed.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice sounding softer than she wanted.

A faint smile touched his lips, his eyes softening as he looked at her. freewёbnoνel.com

"Because you’re worried."

Her heart skipped.

Before she could deny it, he lifted a hand and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

The simple gesture made her lose her train of thought.

"About me?" he asked quietly.

"No."

The answer left her mouth before she could stop it.

One corner of Rodrigo’s mouth lifted. He said nothing else; he just looked at her.

Her fingers tightened against the hem of her shirt. The bathroom suddenly felt very small.

She became aware of ridiculous things: the damp strands of hair falling over his forehead, the sleeves pushed up showing his forearms, the fact that he was standing so close she could feel his breath on her skin.

Nina trembled slightly.

He hadn’t touched her, and yet she was squirming out of control.

Her back pressed against the wall as she tried to avoid his gaze, but it was impossible with him so close.

His eyes flickered briefly to her mouth.

The movement was small.

Barely noticeable.

But she saw it.

And suddenly she couldn’t remember what she had come for.

A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Liar."

Nina opened her mouth.

Rodrigo didn’t give her the chance to argue. He leaned down and took her mouth.

The world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.

A startled sound escaped her as her fingers instinctively caught the front of his shirt. The kiss was immediate, leaving no room for another thought.

No room for anything except him.

His hand slid into her hair, holding her there as though he had no intention of letting her escape. The certainty of it made her heart stumble.

Nina forgot to breathe.

Forgot why she had followed him into the bathroom.

Forgot every question she had been determined to ask.

His thumb brushed lightly against the side of her neck as he drew back just enough for her to look at him.

Her chest rose and fell.

Rodrigo’s gaze settled on her face.

Then, before she could gather herself, he kissed her again.

This time there was nothing teasing about it.

Like he was tired of pretending he didn’t want her.

Her grip tightened on his shirt as she whimpered against him.

The bathroom wall pressed against her back, grounding her as everything else felt unsteady.

When he finally pulled away, neither of them spoke.

For a moment all she could hear was the sound of her own breathing, loud and shaky as she held his shirt tightly for support.

He licked his lips, his eyes softening, as he rested his forehead against hers, his hand still tangled in her hair. His eyes moved over her face slowly, taking in every reaction she couldn’t hide.

A faint smile appeared on his lips, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Her eyes dropped to his chest.

His hands left her hair and went around her waist. "I’ll be back soon," he said, then tilted her chin up so she would look at him.

His expression softened as a smile curved his mouth.

"You don’t have to worry about me."