Chapter 308 – Luna of The Mighty Alpha

Filed To Story: The Perfect Luna by Marissa Gilbert

Astrea took one last glance in the mirror, happy with her choice for today. She had to throw Fenrir off his game and she was ready for the challenge.

 The mansion she was in was modern and minimalistic. It was a stunning display of contemporary design, with sleek lines and an abundance of glass elements throughout its structure. Greenery was everywhere, unlike what she was used to back at the Fortress, which was dull and lifeless. The windows were only on one side, making her believe the building was built on a cliff or a mountain.

 She found no one else here; every decor element gave strong masculine vibes. Mostly practical things were on display. She caught herself on the thought that she hoped Fenrir lived here alone.

 At least if Salome lived here, it would have some witchy stuff, Nova gloated, lifting up her mood.

 A whistle broke her train of thought as she descended a black and green marble staircase. Two men, Fenrir and Devoss, stood in the middle of a spacious living room, staring at her.

 “You take no prisoners, Astrea, I see!” Devoss let out a laugh.

 “Thanks,” she beamed at him, happy that her plan was working.

 “What do you think you’re wearing?” Fenrir growled, and her lips curled instinctively. This was just what the reaction she was hoping for.

 ***

 Niki’s footsteps faltered as she walked into the room shrouded with darkness, her eyes struggling to adjust for a few moments.

 “Hello,” she tried to sound confident, but her voice quivered, betraying her.

 No one responded, but her task was clear and it wasn’t exactly a choice. She still couldn’t believe that, after all her work and training with Astrea, this was what she ended up doing.

 Niki was finally able to see, so she walked inside, noticing that the room was minimalistic, with just a bed, a desk and a chair next to the window that was heavily curtained not to let any light in. She saw the outline of a man in that same chair, her pulse quickening with a mix of fear and curiosity.

 “I was sent to–” She was about to introduce herself when a roar interrupted her.

 “Go away!” the man in the chair said, and she could feel it was a warning.

 “I’msorry, but I can’t,” she tried to explain but only received another roar as a response. The man grabbed the curtains to help himself up, ripping them off and filling the space with the light that didn’t even make him flinch, his silver hair shining brightly.

 However, what astonished Niki the most were the sunglasses on his face, as she realised that the man she was so scared of was completely blind.

 “You are not wearing that,” Fenrir growled, and Astrea brushed her fingers over the golden chains that covered her chest. They gave minimal coverage to her breasts and were getting under the King’s skin by the looks of it.

“Excuse me?” she tilted her head questioningly. “Since when do I need your permission? Remind me.”

“Since–”He closed his eyes and exhaled sharply through his nostrils, knowing she had a point. “Since you are in my territory and have to respect the East and its traditions.”

“So much for ‘everyone is free’ here!” She rolled her eyes, not making another move but shifting her gaze to Devoss. “Is this offending you?”

“As a true Easterner, I have to say that I do not feel offended!” Devoss interjected and received an angry glare from Fenrir.

“That’s not a top!” The King insisted, his jaw clenched.

“It is!” Astrea placed her hands on her hips, provoking him more and not quite knowing why she was enjoying all this so much.

It wasn’t a top, of course. It was an embellishment on one of her dresses that she’d ripped off in her haste to cause a distraction. She had to throw Fenrir off his game and had to think on the go. It was clearly working, so she had no regrets.

“Seriously, I don’t see what all the fuss is about!” Devos went on, and Fenrir gave him a menacing glare.

“Isn’t it time for you to go?” Fenrir’s tone was also a warning.

“Nah,” Devoss replied and got elbowed immediately, which made him cough.

“Are you sure?” The King repeated his question.

“Now that you mention it,” Devos rubbed his neck, giving a sly grin to Astrea, “I have this thing– It’s very urgent!”

“Sure,” the woman waved goodbye to him. “I am sure that– thing has to be dealt with as soon as possible.”

“Not only does our guest have a great fashion sense, but she’s also so understanding. Don’t you think so, Fenrir? This one is a keeper.”

Astea’s smile faded as she wasn’t sure if the comment was a joke or a threat.

She exchanged glances with Fenrir, who snarled at Devoss in response.

“Bye, Dev.”

They watched him leave in silence, and their eyes met again, bolts of lightning flashing between them as the tension rose.

“Shall we?” Astrea’s lips curled as she maintained control of the situation.

“Not until you are properly dressed.” He stood his ground, and she grazed her eyes over him.

“Oh fine!” she sighed and descended, walking as close to him as possible. He watched her every move like a predator, ready for anything she might do to him. Astrea slid her hands up his torso to his shoulders, making them tense, but disappointing him when she simply pulled on a light black scarf he had on.

“What are you–”Fenrir’s voice caught in his throat.

“Can I borrow this?” She giggled as she was already draping the thin fabric around herself to form a loose top. “How is this? Better?”

The woman twirled for him, demonstrating her new look where everything was covered properly, yet the chains remained on her delicate flesh, giving him ideas that he did not wish to have in his head right now.

He clenched his jaw when he realised she was playing with him. Again.

“You heartless little minx,” he muttered under his breath.

“And I will smell like you now.” She pretended not to hear.

“Next time, if you want to smell like me, Menace, just ask. I assure you, there are other, more pleasurable ways, to do that which we will both enjoy.”

Now Astrea was the one who was lost for words, but the Rogue King took her hand and led her out of the building.

“So, what are our plans?” she wondered, throwing a quick glance up at the man next to her.

“I am giving you a tour of Solace,” he informed her dryly, their fingers lacing together. Astrea’s heart fluttered, but she tried to kill the feeling on the spot. Fenrir was playing his game, and she was playing hers. It was purely business; she couldn’t let it become anything more. Not when her own and Niki’s lives were on the line.

Fenrir’s mansion overlooked the entire city as it was mounted into a big rocky mountain like the ancient shrines of the East that she’d studied for her research. The design, however, was modern, rivalling the best mansions of the South, with lots of greenery growing over the glassy walls to give it a fresh look.

There was a pond in front of the house and an abundant garden on either side. Things that shouldn’t have existed in a desert, yet here they were.

A long staircase led from the house to the actual city, and Astrea wondered if it was annoying to go up and down it every day.

She tried to study the city’s structure while she saw it from this vantage point, noting that the glassy modern buildings were all equipped with solar panels, which probably helped to sustain the city’s need for electricity. Quite a few wind turbines were on the outskirts, which also made a lot of sense.

This was clearly a hidden city no one knew of. They had to be independent and self-sustainable to pull off a scheme of this magnitude.

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