The Luna's Harem

Chapter 36: Here’s My First Confession

SLAM!

Gareth panted the moment he slammed the door behind him, his back pressed firmly against it. His face was as red as an apple, his heart skipping beats that forced him to struggle to catch up with his breathing. He could feel his entire nervous system shaking uncontrollably.

"Pretty?" He clamped a hand over his mouth, reminded of how Lynsandra had looked moments ago.

How could she say he was pretty when it was her who had been glowing like a goddess?

"Goodness." Gareth felt his knees wobble like soft tofu before giving in completely, crouching behind the shut door. He buried his face in his palm, trying desperately to calm himself down.

Pretty.

Again, Lynsandra’s alluring voice echoed in his head. His face reddened further, the heat intensifying.

Slowly, he peeked through the gaps of his fingers, pursing his lips.

"That’s... that’s the first," he whispered. "...someone called me pretty."

Or rather, this was the first time someone had looked at him and made him feel seen.

The only looks he was used to were those filled with disdain from his own pack—the same cold gazes they gave him whenever they needed something. Just like how they shifted their attention to him when they needed a sacrifice for their pack in Gary’s stead.

That was the first sincere compliment he had ever heard.

"No," he whispered, sinking deeper onto the floor.

Conflict flickered in his eyes as his fingers spread slightly, peeking through them again.

"I approached her because she looked like she needed company," he told himself under his breath. "But I ended up getting carried away."

He pressed his lips into a thin line, reminding himself of his reasons for being here. Not to mention, he was living under a false identity. He couldn’t afford to get carried away. Otherwise, even if Lynsandra seemed not all that bad, she might do worse than being a walking spoiler alert.

Gareth sighed heavily, still keeping his palms over his face, his fingers spreading wider as he stared ahead.

"Still..." he murmured, still flustered. "...she didn’t have to say that out loud."

*****

"I think the Luna went to the library."

Evander smiled at the helper he had stopped to ask about Lynsandra’s whereabouts. Initially, the helper had been reluctant, but since it was him—and he claimed it was important—she eventually gave in.

"Thank you," Evander said with a nod, heading toward the direction of the library.

On his way, he spotted Lynsandra coming from the very direction he had intended to go.

"Luna!" he called out, already marching toward her.

Lynsandra halted, lifting her gaze as Evander approached.

"This is a first," she said as he came closer. "I’m not attending your mass if you’re planning to conduct your first service in my home."

Evander stopped a few steps away and smiled.

"I was looking for you to give you this." He slipped a hand into his pocket and returned a button to her. "Weren’t you looking for that?"

Lynsandra opened her palm, staring at the button in confusion. "Hmm?"

"Isn’t that why you were in the chapel earlier?" he asked, tilting his head. "No? I thought you lost something there. When I saw this on the floor after you left, I assumed it was yours."

"..." She studied him briefly before lowering her gaze to the button. "You found this button in the chapel?"

He nodded. "Isn’t it yours?" he hummed thoughtfully, then smiled. "I suppose others must have visited the chapel secretly as well. That’s a relief. That means there’s still hope in this place."

You’re hoping too much, she thought flatly.

Lynsandra fell silent, her gaze fixed on the button resting in her palm. Slowly, she lifted it closer for a better look.

This didn’t look like a button from a suit or a simple shirt, she thought, examining it carefully.

Then, as she stared at it, a vague memory from that night resurfaced.

She hadn’t forgotten everything. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have fallen into such despair during this hunt.

And now, with the button in hand, she remembered clasping her mystery mate’s collar before losing consciousness.

"I probably pulled it when I lost consciousness," she whispered.

"Luna?" Evander echoed, catching her mumble. "Did you lose consciousness?"

"I said conscience," she corrected smoothly, closing her fingers around the button as she met his eyes. "I think I lost all conscience now that you’re in front of me."

His smile stiffened slightly.

She had one?

"Thank you, though," she added with a nod. "Reverend, should I visit the confession booth soon, as thanks for returning this to me?"

"Luna, the chapel is always open for you," Evander replied gently. "That said, I am also willing to listen to your worries and pray for you."

She opened her mouth, hesitated, then closed it again.

"Never mind," she hummed, stepping past him. "Tonight, I’ll keep my mouth shut, Reverend. That’s your reward."

Evander chuckled as he followed, walking beside her. "You don’t have to reward me with silence, Luna. I am sincere when I say I’ll listen to all your woes and pray for you."

"It’s not that I have a problem with confessing," she replied disinterestedly. "I just know an entire day wouldn’t be enough for the both of us."

"And I would still listen."

"I know you would," she said flatly. "But I’d be hungry."

He chuckled, continuing their casual conversation. However, as they reached the lobby, both of them halted.

Evander slowly averted his gaze, his eyes narrowing as he spotted Cassian standing near a board.

"What is that board?" Evander wondered aloud, studying the white substance on it. "Is that... salt? Is he going to ask the vampire for a duel?"

Lynsandra ran her tongue along the inside of her cheek. "Beats me."

At the same time, Cassian’s ears twitched—his Lynsandra radar ringing loudly in his head. Turning around, his face lit up the moment he saw her.

"Liz—" He stopped himself from rushing over, shaking his head before clearing his throat.

Both Evander and Lynsandra raised their brows as they watched Cassian slowly kneel on the board covered in salt. Then, very deliberately, he raised both hands and shouted,

"Lizzie!" Cassian yelled. "I’m really sorry! Please forgive me! I’ll do everything you’d ask me, even if you want to defile me!"

Silence fell over the lobby before Evander stifled a laugh. freewёbnoνel.com

"Pfft—" he covered his lips with the back of his hand. "How cute."

As for Lynsandra?

All she felt was the vein on her forehead protruding.

"Reverend, here’s my first confession — if he ends up missing, it’s me."