Claiming His Luna

Cercei’s POV

After the ball, Lucian’s mood turned sour. He became silent and visibly angry, and I decided not to engage with him, giving him space.

What is his problem? After confessing to being hurt when I walked away, he left me in the garden. Then I witnessed him talking to another woman, only for him to suddenly act jealous and territorial once he saw me chatting with Vincent.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

The ride back to his mansion was marked by silence, and I could feel Frank’s eyes on us through the rearview mirror. Lucian and I sat on opposite sides of the backseat, both lost in our thoughts.

I don’t understand him. What’s his issue? I had assumed that the only purpose of bringing me to the ball was to claim dominance over Monsieur. Am I overthinking things? Maybe it doesn’t mean anything at all.

I scoffed at my own thoughts. Why would it mean anything? He probably just didn’t want a woman standing beside him wearing rag clothes and mingling with the other Alpha, afraid that I might embarrass him.

Upon arriving at the mansion, I didn’t wait for Frank to open the door for us. I hastily opened it myself and made my way inside. It turned out to be a wrong decision, as I realised I had no clue where my room was in this vast mansion. Ugh!

“Where’s my room?” I inquired from the guard, trying to maintain my composure. He kindly directed me to my quarters, for which I was grateful.

Once inside, I flung my purse on the bed and screamed in frustration, venting my anger.

“Fuck you, Lucian Red!” I cried out, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. He knew full well the effect he had on me; he had me wrapped around his finger.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” I shouted at whoever dared to knock on the door. Was it him sending a guard to bring me a meal?

“I said let…” My words trailed off as I froze. I stopped when I saw who had entered. It was her, and she was smiling at me, a smile I had missed dearly, mischievous and full of life.

“Maria!” I cried out as I recognized my best friend. I rushed into her arms, hugging her tightly, almost crushing her.

“I can’t breathe,” she managed to say with a laugh, feeling a bit squished.

“Oh, Maria,” I held her shoulders, still unable to believe she was really here. Was this reality, or was I dreaming?

“I missed you,” I sobbed, hugging her once more.

“I missed you too,” she replied, returning the embrace. It had only been a few months, but it felt like an eternity since we last saw each other. I had never gotten the chance to say goodbye; I had left her behind, bearing the brunt of Vienna’s anger.

“Forgive me, Maria,” I pleaded as we broke apart, looking into her eyes.

“Forgive me for leaving you; it must have been so difficult,” I continued, gripping her hand.

“Hush, stop crying now,” she said gently, guiding me to the bed, where we sat down.

“It’s okay, I know you would’ve stayed if you had a choice. Vienna is a really vicious woman,” she added with a wry smile. Despite the tears, her sharp tongue and humour still managed to make me laugh. She was as honest and full of life as ever. It was our first time being together outside the mansion, yet we were still prisoners.

“How did you end up here?” I asked, realising she must be a captive too. Why would they take her?

“I was taken with Madam Cece,” she stated matter-of-factly. My eyes widened in shock.

“Madam Cecè was taken?” I asked, unable to believe it.

“You didn’t know about it?” she furrowed her brows. I shook my head.

“Lucian’s mother was killed in an ambush,” I revealed the only truth I had learned from Lucian.

“He sought revenge, so he took Madam Cece, who knows everything about Monsieur’s secrets. I saw them the night they took her, so Frank took me as well,” she shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. Frank had taken her too, was he involved in kidnappings now?

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” I asked, worried she might have been harmed since witnessing their kidnapping.

“No, I’m fine. In fact, they offered me my freedom,” she expressed with a carefree smile.

“Freedom? Did Lucian do that?” I asked, puzzled.

“Yes, he did,” she confirmed.

“Then why are you still here?” I questioned, confused by her presence in the mansion. She took hold of my hand quickly, an earnest look in her eyes.

“I wanted to see you again, and I can’t bear to leave you alone, especially with that bitch Vienna and her daddy aftering your throat,” Maria stared into my eyes as she revealed her reason for staying.

“Maria, you don’t have to do this,” tears streamed down my cheeks as I held her hands tightly.

“I want to be with you. I can’t abandon my best friend,” she replied, pulling me into another warm embrace.

In the midst of this dark and treacherous world, there remained a glimmer of light, people who loved and cared for me. Maria’s persistent support meant the world to me, and I felt guilty for bringing her into possible danger, but I couldn’t deny that I needed her now more than ever. A true friend by my side was a rare and precious gift.

After that night, I came to a painful realisation. I still loved Lucian, and I doubted that feeling would ever fade away. Our paths had separated, and he endured torment and suffering during our time apart. His mother was murdered, his pack and company were in turmoil, and I had left him when he needed me the most.

“Where’s Mama?” I asked, my voice breaking with concern.

“She’s safe,” Maria assured me gently.

“Can we see her?” I asked, a glimmer of hope rising in my heart, but it was soon extinguished as Maria looked at me with sadness.

“I’m afraid not,” she replied quietly.

“Why?” I questioned, aware that as a prisoner, I had no right to make requests, but Lucian had sent Maria.

“She’s not here,” Maria stated matter-of-factly.

“What?” Confusion clouded my face.

“Lucian sent her somewhere three days ago, but I don’t know where exactly,” Maria said hesitantly.

Sent somewhere?

“My mother is not his warrior!” I exclaimed, my anger starting to surface.

“Your mother chose to do it,” she responded.

“How do you know?”

“I’ve spoken to her, and she told me it’s time to make Monsieur pay for his debts,” Maria explained further.

My mother had finally decided to cast her long-awaited revenge, and she had allied herself with Lucian. I trusted him despite his harsh words and actions. I knew he wouldn’t risk my mother, but that didn’t guarantee her safety.

“It’s too dangerous; she can’t risk her life like this,” I told Maria as if trying to convince myself too. She simply sighed.

“Cercei, her life has been at risk ever since she entered that mansion. She’s doing this for you and for herself,” Maria tried to reason, but it only heightened my anxiety.

I understood my mother’s purpose. She yearned to end the running and hiding, the constant fear of returning to that mansion. This was her chance to heal from all the pain Monsieur had inflicted, the abuse, enslavement, and the murder of my father, her husband.

But I couldn’t bear to lose her, too; I simply couldn’t.