LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

Ghea observed Luna walking obediently by her side. The woman’s mouth was tightly shut, and her innocent face adorned her pretty features. A fleeting sense of guilt washed over her as she realized she had taken advantage of Luna’s kindness, but she quickly dismissed the feeling. She needed to remember that Luna lived comfortably and lavishly in the palace with that cursed Emperor. At the same time, she had to endure sorrow from losing the only family she had.

Moreover, if the accusations about George’s death were true, it meant Luna was also involved in her brother’s demise. Her green eyes drifted downwards, fixing the pendant hanging around Luna’s neck. She noticed it gleaming darkly, surrounded by a powerful black mist, before she looked forward again. She had already sent a message to Abigail and Beth to go to the temple first, as she and Luna were traveling using an unexpected means-teleportation, courtesy of the Emperor. Now, she and Luna were going through the sacred forest toward the temple’s location.

Fortunately, she was very familiar with the sacred forest, having often sneaked in with George to search for medicinal plants or hunt, so she had no trouble finding her way to the temple. She also trusted that Abigail and Beth could reach the temple easily.

Silence enveloped them as they occasionally crossed paths with the forest’s animal inhabitants. If they were unlucky, they would encounter fairies who would harass them before leaving. Ghea touched the necklace left to her by her late brother and took a deep breath. It took them two hours to reach the temple. Upon arrival, Ghea immediately saw Abigail and Beth busy preparing their plan. Two magic circles had been drawn with what Ghea guessed was animal blood. One circle was significant, while the other was smaller. Two lines connected the circles like a bridge, and around the magic circles, candles were lit. The mirror, an artifact of the temple, had been moved and placed in the center of the larger magic circle.

Ghea stepped into the temple and announced their arrival to the two black witches, seriously preparing the final plan. “So, you’ve arrived,” Beth greeted with a warm smile.

“Luna, wait over there,” Ghea ordered, and Luna obediently walked to one side of the temple. Beth smiled at her compliance and commented, “If she’s this obedient, it’ll be easier to deceive her and kill that cursed Emperor in his sleep.”

“And you think that’s going to be easy?” Ghea asked sharply, glaring at Beth. “What about your task? Any issues?”

“Of course,” Beth paused momentarily and added, “Actually, there was a bit of a problem. I almost got killed by a hybrid who suddenly appeared and attacked me. Fortunately, you had already completed your part, so I could avoid his attack and then immobilize him using paralysis magic.”

Paralysis magic, also known as immobilization magic, is a highly forbidden form of advanced dark magic. It can paralyze the target and induce a coma for a significant period, with a substantial risk to the target. If used with high intensity, it can cause permanent paralysis or, worse, damage organs instead of muscles, leading to death.

Ghea had heard from Abigail that Beth had mastered this magic from a young age and used it in self-defense against knights or the Magic Tower agents who hunted dark witches. This was why Abigail had taken Beth as a student, viewing Beth’s power as an asset and a secret weapon for the future.

“A hybrid?” Abigail, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke seriously. “You’re lucky you managed to escape. The hybrid who attacked you wasn’t an ordinary hybrid. He must be part of ‘The Shadow,’ a special and secret unit directly commanded by the Emperor. Since the first Emperor ascended the throne, hybrids have been used as the Emperor’s secret weapon and have formed a special unit. All this time, people thought ‘The Shadow’ was just a legend and a myth in Vasilos society, but in reality, they’re not.”

Ghea furrowed her brow in confusion. “How do you know? And why hybrids? They’re known as free and ‘different’ beings, preferring to live alone and unbound.”

“I was once their target, and among the many witnesses who saw them, I’m the only one still alive.” Abigail stopped her activity and glanced at Luna, who stood obediently on the side of the room with her mouth tightly closed.

“The Emperor is a Lycan, and a Lycan isn’t just an ordinary werewolf but the child of the Moon Goddess, with the Goddess’s blood flowing through their veins. Don’t forget that several generations of the Imperial family were born with mixed blood.”

“Which means the Emperor is also a hybrid,” Ghea concluded with a nod of understanding. She gazed intently at Abigail. How long had this woman lived to know all this information that even the people of Vasilos didn’t know? Of course, Lycans indeed have more dominant blood and aura. But to the people of Vasilos, this was because the Imperial family was unique and blessed by the Moon Goddess. Ghea probably wouldn’t have known such classified information if she were still an innkeeper today. Not to mention that the cursed Emperor is a Wizard whose power has reached a high level, with a strength equivalent to a Grand Sorcerer, as Abigail mentioned.

“Beth has dealt with at least that hybrid. So we don’t need to worry about it anymore.”

Ghea walked closer to the magic circle, inside which intricate carvings and ancient writings surrounded it. Her eyes focused on the large mirror standing in the center of the magic circle. She frowned deeply. The old, moss-covered mirror, which could no longer function, was a dimensional portal.

Ghea could feel the power emanating from the mirror, a force that made the sacred forest once again fill with magical mana. “Alright. Let’s stop this conversation and focus on our work. Are you done, Abigail?”

“Of course, thanks to you telling me to come earlier, I was able to finish all this more quickly.” Abigail stretched out her palm, and much mana flowed from it. The mana, black and surrounded by a purplish glow, indicated that Abigail was indeed a dark witch. “You can tell that mortal woman to move and stand in the center of the smaller magic circle.”

“Alright.” Ghea walked over to Luna, stopping directly before her and saying, “Luna, stand in the center of the small circle.” Luna immediately obeyed, walking to the small circle and standing in the middle.

“Take a bit of her hair and belongings,” Abigail said thoughtfully, “and place them in the larger magic circle right in front of the mirror.” Ghea nodded and did as Abigail instructed. She roughly cut Luna’s long hair with a dagger, took her belongings, and placed the items in the magic circle. When she finished, she asked what else needed to be done. “Remove the controlling magic necklace. No dark magic should be attached to her body.”

“What about the potion to temporarily break the mate bond?” Ghea asked.

“The magic potion works inside her body, so that won’t be an issue.”

Ghea glanced at the bracelet the Emperor of Vasilos had placed on Luna’s ankle and asked, “What should we do with this bracelet?” She nodded toward the bracelet as she spoke. Abigail paused momentarily, stepped closer, and with a single whisper, the bracelet’s chain broke and fell to the floor. Abigail picked it up and tossed it far away before stepping back. “Now, do it, Ghea.”

Ghea nodded in understanding and immediately did what Abigail had instructed. After finishing, she stepped back and let Abigail create a transparent barrier to trap Luna within the magic circle. Shortly after, Abigail began chanting a spell and used her power to activate the portal.

…

Luna screamed within her subconscious, pounding against the prison that had trapped her inside her own body. She could see and hear everything happening, but she couldn’t do anything to fight back. Darkness surrounded her, and all she could do was cry out for help, pleading for anyone to save her from this imprisonment. She didn’t want to be controlled, and what would happen if there was a misunderstanding with Alkrevas? She didn’t want any of this, not after knowing that Ghea had stabbed her, betrayed her, and used her bond with Alkrevas for revenge.

Luna continued to scream for release until. Finally, she curled up, defeated, waiting helplessly for the controlling magic that trapped her soul in her subconscious to be lifted so she could be free again.

It didn’t take long for her to curl up in the darkness because the moment she surrendered, the prison that confined her disappeared, and the darkness surrounding her vanished. Luna felt freedom, and light immediately enveloped her. Soon after, she regained control of the body under the magic’s influence. Her eyes blinked to clear away the lingering magical fog. When her vision focused, she quickly looked around before looking straight ahead at Ghea, who stood not far from her with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Ghea!” Luna ran toward the woman, but a transparent barrier encased her, preventing Luna from reaching her. “What is this-Hey! Let me go! What are you…”

“Luna, isn’t this what you wanted? Look at what’s in front of you.” Ghea pointed behind Luna with her index finger. Luna immediately turned and followed Ghea’s direction, her eyes widening. The portal mirror! Also, Luna could see her apartment bedroom clearly through the mirror, a sign that the portal was still active. A tear rolled down her cheek as she saw Maya sitting on the floor, crying and drinking from a bottle of alcohol.

“Go, Luna… this is what you wanted, isn’t it? Go back to your world… you begged me to help you, and I did what you asked. Now go and forget all of us.”

Luna felt her entire body tremble, and slowly, one of her hands lifted. She momentarily forgot her surroundings, her eyes focused solely on her friend, who was crying and talking to herself before calling her name longingly.

“Maya… Oh God… Maya…” Luna whispered painfully as she slowly stepped closer to the mirror. Her trembling hand touched the surface when she stood directly in front of it. The solid mirror surface immediately rippled like water at her touch. But then Alkrevas’s face flashed in her mind, and her hand dropped to her side.

Slowly, she turned and looked at Ghea. “I know you hate the Emperor for killing your brother, but why… why did you betray my trust? You were the only friend I had.”

Ghea snorted softly, disappointed that the moment she had been waiting for hadn’t arrived and that Luna asked her something so trivial instead. “Be grateful I’m helping you and not killing you.”

Luna’s hands clenched tightly, and her jaw hardened at Ghea’s response. “Just do it! Go! Return to your world! That way, I can destroy that Emperor!”

Luna swallowed and regretted not bringing a gun when she entered this world; if she had, she could have shot that Fae in the head. The respect she had for Ghea vanished instantly. It turned out that both her world and this one were equally disappointing. Would Alkrevas also disappoint her? The thought suddenly crossed her mind.

But she quickly dismissed the thought. Why are you asking such a question, Luna? You were the one who disappointed that man first and betrayed your agreement!

Luna gritted her teeth and screamed in frustration. There was nothing she could do but give in. She was just an ordinary human with no power. At the same time, the three women in front of her were supernatural beings with power. That alone showed how outmatched she was; all she could do was wield a firearm and do business.

“You know, Ghea, you are a fugitive who has allied with dark witches,” Luna said, then looked at Abigail and Beth. “I’m suddenly curious, why are you conspiring with Ghea?”

“Because Beth and I, we want revenge. Not just against Vasilos, but against every kingdom and land on this continent. They… they turned my people into criminals, killed my family and all my friends. They made dark witches into something terrifying. You have no idea what Beth and I have been through. Watching dark witches being slaughtered by knights from every kingdom? They even collaborated with the Magic Tower, which once promised to protect and defend us,” Abigail responded, filled with bitterness and vengeance.

“You are dangerous,” Luna said, having already experienced the power of dark magic. Even a sacred bond like the mate bond could be manipulated and broken with dark magic.

Beth clenched her fists tightly before walking toward the magic circle. She smiled sarcastically and replied, “You don’t need to meddle in this matter, foreigner.”

Luna ignored Beth’s taunt and asked, “What will you do after I leave?”

“You don’t need to know, Luna,” Ghea replied flatly. “All you need to do is step into that portal and go somewhere that crazy Emperor can’t touch you.”

Luna suspected that whatever these three women did after she returned to her world would hurt Alkrevas, and for the first time, she didn’t want to see him hurt. Luna wanted to protect Alkrevas, even if it meant giving up her life in her world, until these three women were captured and brought to justice.

Shaking her head, Luna said sharply, “I’m not going. You can’t force me to leave because I’m holding onto my promise with the Emperor.”

“Emperor… Emperor… Emperor… I’m sick of hearing that!” Ghea shouted so loudly that her voice echoed around the temple. “What did that man do to you, huh? Did he promise you wealth? Power? So much that you’ve sided with him and chosen him over me, who has struggled to help you since you arrived in this world?”

Luna pressed her lips together, saying nothing. “That ridiculous mate bond doesn’t even affect you!”

“At least he’s honest and hasn’t used me.”

Ghea scoffed in frustration. “Honest? Not using you? Open your eyes, Luna! Use that foolish mortal brain of yours! He’s a tyrant Emperor! Nothing is easier for him than using someone and manipulating things to his will! To him, this world is just a stage he can control as he pleases! And don’t be mistaken, Luna. He’s using you too!”

“Oh. I remember what you said before you forced me under the control spell.” Luna smiled cynically. “He’s using me to calm his wolf’s soul so it doesn’t become feral? To make me his plaything? To use my presence to bear his heir? And then he won’t make me his Empress, but choose another woman, making me a concubine? Or a mistress? Hmm… you want to know something, Ghea? I don’t care. Like you said, the mate bond doesn’t have a strong influence on me. I’m more inclined to listen to my feelings and logic than to some fated bond.” Luna saw Ghea trembling with suppressed anger.

“That’s why I’m giving him a chance, a month, to make me fall in love with him. And if that month ends, and I don’t feel that way, I’ll leave. I’ve already decided this. At least I’m giving him a chance, rather than regretting it later.”

“You’re blinded by that man! How many manipulative words has he planted in your head? Your brain has been washed, Luna! So that you won’t slip from his grasp!”

“I could kill him.” Ghea instantly fell silent, unsure how to respond to Luna’s words. “But I’m not a criminal like you. Your brother committed a grave crime, and even if he were alive, he would surely beg for death.” Ghea slowly lowered her head, biting her lip until it bled.

“Enough!” Abigail suddenly shouted. “Now is not the time for fighting. The Emperor of Vasilos could arrive at any moment. Ghea, you’d better step back.” Ghea immediately turned and moved as far away from the magic circle as possible.

“Luna, take your belongings and listen to what I’m about to say,” Luna muttered as she bent down to pick up the items used to activate the magic. Her body froze when she saw a large amount of her hair scattered on the stone floor of the temple. She quickly checked her hair and growled at how unevenly it had been cut.

“You cut my hair!” Luna shouted in fury.

“It’s just hair. Don’t whine like a child,” Beth retorted sarcastically.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Luna wanted nothing more than to slam Beth’s head into the wall. That woman had no idea how much money she had spent taking care of her hair! Did they think hours at the salon were free? Of course, because they didn’t even know what a salon was. Luna felt her eye twitch and her body tremble, this time with anger.

“Luna. Listen to me,” Abigail said sharply and seriously. “I’m going to give you two choices.”

“Two choices?”

Abigail nodded. “Your promise or Vasilos.”

“What do you mean?”

“The first choice, I’ll let you stay here. I’ll even set things right, and you can continue your agreement with the Emperor by staying here for one month, but when the magic circle under your feet dies, all of Vasilos will be on the brink of destruction.”

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