Chapter 996: Chapter 53 : You'll Be My Luna
Chapter 996: Chapter 53 : You'll Be My Luna
*Sasha*
“Hey, is anyone out there?" I knocked on the door, hoping a guard was nearby to hear.
The door yanked open and a large, beefy guard glared at me.
“Why are you making all this noise?" he snapped.
I took a step back. What was I doing? I couldn't let this guy intimidate me. Crossing my arms, I glared right back.
“I've been locked in here for days. Is this how your Alpha treats his guests!?"
The guard smirked and shook his head.
“You are feisty, aren't you? No wonder the Alpha likes you."
I rolled my eyes. “That doesn't answer my question."
“Well, as it turns out, the Alpha has asked that you join him for dinner. He's holding it in your honor."
“My honor? After keeping me locked in a room for days?"
“Don't act so surprised. He just wanted to make sure you weren't hurt or sick or anything. It was as much for your own protection as for the pack's."
“Hmph." I didn't buy it. “Well, you can tell your Alpha that I'm not hungry."
“Then you'll join him for the company." The guard handed me a large dress box. “Be ready in an hour."
Before I could protest, he shut the door and locked it again.
I set the box on the bed and opened it up. Gasping, I touched the stunning dress inside. It was nicer than any dress I'd ever seen before.
As much as I didn't want to accept a gift like this, I knew I didn't have a choice. Michael was determined to have dinner with me and if I refused, he might stop treating me like a “guest" and start treating me even more like a prisoner.
I put the dress on and examined my reflection in the bathroom mirror. The dress was a form-fitting, long ballgown. It was silvery-white satin with a scooped neckline that was lined with a string of pearls, and the belt at the waist was made of pearls and diamonds. It was a spaghetti-strap dress with an open back.
Inside the box, there was a pair of matching elbow-length gloves that were encircled by a diamond and pearl string around the opening.
I couldn't deny how gorgeous the dress was.
Exactly an hour later, the bedroom door opened again and the guard from earlier held his hand out to me.
“Ready to go?"
I turned my nose up. “I don't really have a choice, do I?" I was cooperating, but I didn't want him to think I was happy about it.
I followed the guard into the hall where another guard waited for me. As the door to my room closed behind me, I thought I heard a sound, like metal snapping.
When I turned around, one of the guards grabbed my arm.
“Let's go. We can't keep the Alpha waiting."
He tugged me down the hall, and I forgot all about the weird sound.
The guards brought me downstairs to a large dining hall.
There was a long, rectangular table taking up the hall but there were only two place settings at the table, at the far end. One setting was at the head of the table and the other was on the adjacent side.
A massive chandelier hung down from the ceiling with hundreds of little candles flickering, casting reflections of light on the crystal gems all over the massive light fixture.
There was a pair of taller candles on the table between the place settings and a vase of large red roses.
The guards brought me to one of the chairs.
“Sit," one demanded.
I noticed that Michael wasn't there. “Where's the Alpha?"
“The Alpha will join you shortly."
The guards left me alone. I sat in the chair, alone at the table. The dining hall itself was a gorgeous room. There were large, curved windows spaced out against the walls. In between the windows were beautiful, old paintings.
Red, velvet curtains hung on the windows, pulled back by brass hooks.
I imagined many extravagant balls thrown in this room.
Several minutes passed and Alpha Michael still hadn't joined me.
Was this some kind of game or joke? He invites me to dinner and then stands me up?
I wasn't too bothered by that, but it wasn't like I could just stand up and get out of here. There were several doors leading into the dining hall and I had a feeling they were all guarded.
At least, this meal would let me get a better feel for Michael. I hardly spent any time with him but I needed to figure out how to convince him to let me go. First, I needed to get to know him a little more so I had a better idea of how to convince him.
The dining hall double doors opened and Michael strode in, a bright smile on his face.
“My apologies, dear. I had an unforeseen situation I needed to attend to."
He swept down the full length of the table and stood beside me. Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.
“I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
I glanced at the candles, long drips of wax hanging off of them. They'd been freshly lit when I arrived.
“Nothing's wrong, I hope," I said as Michael took his seat.
He grinned and shook his head. “Nothing you need to worry about."
Michael motioned behind him.
A small door in the wall opened and several servants came in.
I watched with wide eyes as one brought a bottle of wine, pouring us each a glass. A second servant poured us ice water, and a third servant brought our bowls of soup for us.
After serving us, the servants with the drinks stood against the walls, their pitchers at the ready to refill
our glasses.
“I think you'll really enjoy this–a fresh seafood chowder, made from scallops and mussels we harvested ourselves, right from the ocean. The broth has a bit of a zip to it, so I hope you like it spicy."
He winked and popped a spoonful into his mouth. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
The soup smelled delicious and I hadn't eaten all day. I ate silently, enjoying the white wine that was paired with the seafood, as well.
The next course came out. It was a pasta dish with fresh shredded parmesan and a delicious butter, herb sauce.
A new kind of wine was introduced for our pasta dish.
The meal was beyond extravagant. I couldn't' figure out why Michael had put all this together for me.
“You know, I can't thank you enough for your hospitality and the kindness you've shown me. Have you heard anything from your ships? Have they found my boat?"
Michael blinked at me and I caught the slight falter in his smile.
“They have not reported back yet. I fear the storm may have done more damage to your ship than previously thought."
I looked down and nodded. As much as I didn't want to believe it, it was possible. The storm had been bad enough to throw me overboard. The entire boat could have suffered.
“You'll let me know when you hear anything?" I lifted my head, giving him a hopeful look.
“Of course," Michael assured. “How are you enjoying your meal?"
I looked down at the perfectly cooked, sauce smothered filet mignon, asparagus, and roasted potatoes.
We were given red wine with the steak.
“Delicious." I nodded. “Umm… Michael, do you think it would be possible to send a message to my family? I'd like to let them know I'm okay and alive. They're probably worried sick."
Michael pursed his lips. “I can make that happen. If you write the letter and tell me where to deliver it, I will see that it gets there."
“Thank you."
I reached for my wine. It was too soon to ask him to let me go. I just wanted to see how he would react to my requests. Eventually, I'd learn how to negotiate with him.
For dessert, the servants brought us another red wine, a dessert wine. They paired it with a delectable looking chocolate mousse topped with fresh strawberries and raspberries.
“A toast." Michael lifted his glass.
Playing along, I lifted my glass, too.
“Welcome to the pack, Sasha." He clinked his glass to mine and took a sip.
“Oh… um–" I set my glass down without drinking.
I saw Michael's frown and the deep look of disappointment in his eyes.
“You must know that you belong here. Otherwise, the Moon Goddess wouldn't send you to us."
“I don't think it was the Moon Goddess who sent me," I muttered.
I thought back to the night on the boat deck. That old man had been there and caused the storm and made me go overboard, not the Moon Goddess.
“Perhaps that is a point of perspective. You see, we've heard about the powers of dream dancers, and it is something our pack has coveted for a long time."
“Why?" I creased my brow.
Michael shrugged off my question.
“Because of your powers, you will make an excellent Luna to stand beside me."
My jaw dropped open and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. What was this guy talking about? He thought I was going to be his Luna?
That wasn't possible. I already had a mate. My life existed far away from this secluded pack with Lucas and my family. I didn't even know him and he didn't know me.
“You don't know me or anything about me. How can you think I'll make a good Luna?" I bowed my head and worried my hands in my lap.
If this guy was that delusional, I was in a lot more trouble than I originally thought.
“Come now, don't be modest. Dream dancers are very special and rare. You would not be gifted such a power if you weren't born to lead. You were born to be a Luna, and the Moon Goddess delivered you right to me."
Michael laughed and held his arms out to the sides.
I clenched my fists, frustration coiling in my stomach.
This guy was never going to let me go. He decided I belonged to him and that was all he cared about. He wasn't going to give me a choice.
Suddenly, panic fluttered in my heart. No one knew where I was. No one was looking for me. I was stuck in this territory with a psycho Alpha who thought I belonged to him.
“You look pale, my dear. Is something the matter?"
I gritted my teeth to hold back my fear. “I'm just surprised. This wasn't what I expected."
Michael chuckled. “Don't worry, I'm not the only one that will get something out of this. When I say you'll be my Luna, I mean that fully. I will mate with you and complete that bond."
I felt the blood drain from my face and I kept my head down. It didn't sound like I'd have a choice on that, either.
“And together, we will breed many children. Strong, powerful children that are superior to all the rest!"