His Rogue Luna

Kieran

POV

It took me a while to finally realise what had happened. But by then, Artemis had already seen through my thoughts and had sat on the bench besides me, looking exhausted.

I wanted to tell her that I hadn't meant to fall into that bitch's trap, that I only saw her beautiful face and felt her warm body against mine, but I felt that my words wouldn't be enough.

"It's okay Kieran, I'm not upset at you," I felt her warm hand grasp mine and I took that as a cue to move closer to her and pull her into my arms.

It would be just my luck if I managed to mess everything we had worked so hard to get. It seemed the universe was not done punishing me.

"I'm so sorry Baby," I murmured, pressing kisses into her hair.

I could tell she was still a little tense, and while she said she wasn't angry at me directly, I couldn't even begin to imagine the horrible scene she just walked into.

No doubt, if I put myself in her shoes, I would not have reacted as gracefully as she had. I was suddenly hit with how lucky I was, having such a patient and understanding mate, one that would stay long enough to see my side of the story, and not take off immediately.

My heart constricted in my chest at the thought of her running away.

This time, I knew for a fact that if she ever left me I wouldn't live. I would die.

"We should head back inside, before our presence is missed," she murmured, pulling away. I wanted to protest and hold her for a while longer, to do my best and erase those horrible thoughts that kept playing on her mind, but I could tell she wanted a little peace for a while.

"Okay," I agreed quietly, getting up. We walked besides each other in silence, for the first time in a long time, a gap between us. I didn't dare touch her yet, letting her have some space.

It felt horrible, knowing that I was part of the problem troubling her.

I wanted to murder that vampire myself, not for laying her hands on me, but for having Artemis witness such a horrible scene. I couldn't care less about how that vampire bitch had violated me, but I hated how upset Artemis was.

I would bring her the severed head of that vampire if it meant my mate would be happy.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"Kieran," I stopped as my sweet mate called my name. "Don't do anything rash. I'll take care of it," she gave me a small smile, as if trying to comfort me.

It should be the other way around.

"I won't Baby, but please," I cupped her face itch my hands. "Know that I'm here, with you and I'd rather die a million deaths than ever be seperated from you," she closed her eyes, leaning into my touch and I pressed a kiss to her forehead and cheeks before finally placing my lips on hers.

I don't know how I ever believed that vampire was Artemis. My Artemis had this sweet taste, uniquely her, that no one could impersonate.

"There you guys are!" We broke apart as Viktor approached us. "Some of the King's Counsel want to speak with you," he looked at Artemis, and she glanced at me.

"Go, I won't be far," I watched her walk away towards the King where a group of older vampires were huddled. I didn't dare wander off on my own this time, aware of just how cunning vampires could be.

I stood by the refreshments table, so I wasn't surprised when a vampire approached me, reaching for a glass near me. He downed three glasses of champagne unceremoniously before sparing me a glance.

"Want one?" He asked, gesturing to the last flute. I shook my head and couldn't help commenting as he grimaced once he was done swallowing the bubbling liquid.

"Tough day?" I asked.

"The toughest," he groaned, rubbing his face and loosening his tie. I didn't respond, choosing to go back to watching Artemis across the room silently, but it seemed the vampire mistook my initial comment as an invitation for a conversation. "My fiancée thought now would be a good time to tell me she had been sleeping with my dad,"

Even I couldn't deny the shocking nature of his confession and turned back to him, brows raised. I wasn't sure what to say to that, no amount of words, much less from a stranger, could ever make his situation better. Thankfully, he spared me the painful choice and continued narrating his woes to me.

"The worse thing is, she said she was in love with him and wants to marry him instead. So my ex girlfriend is going to be my step mom," The longer he spoke, the more I realised that the four glasses he had chugged before me weren't his only drinks. There was a slight slur and stumble to his words and he was looking more and more disheveled by the minute.

"Sorry to hear that," Was all I managed.

"No worries man. I guess I should just wait for my mate and hope she doesn't treat me like trash," he grumbled bitterly. He turned to face me, looking at me properly for the first time.

"What about you? You look like a woman just gave you hell too," I blew out a breath, a little surprised by his oddly specific and accurate observation.

"That obvious?" I asked.

"Yeah, you have the face. Guys only get that face on one of two occasions: when a woman is giving him hell, or when he has his d**k stuck in his zipper," The last part surprised me and I couldn't help the chuckle that came out of me.

"And I checked your zipper and your d**k is most certainly not stuck," I wasn't sure how to feel about him admitting that he clearly checked out my crotch but I couldn't deny he was funny.

"So? What's your story? Cheating girlfriend? Did she dump you?" I shook my head, glancing back at Artemis. She was still talking to the vampires, eagerly explaining something, her hands moving around as she gestured.

The vampire besides me blew out a long and low whistle, making me turn back to him. Unfortunately, he had spotted my mate and had his eyes glued to her.

"Damn, that's a hot werewolf chick. Did you ask her out yet or is she fair game?" I let out a low warning growl.

"That's my mate," I warned. He held out his hands in mock surrender.

"Sorry, my bad. You're a lucky bastard," I dropped my scowl to a more neutral face and agreed with him silently.

"I messed up though," I admitted. I don't know what struck me, maybe it was the fact that the vampire himself had just been opening up to me, but I found myself explaining the events of the last hour to him. He listened attentively, no longer drunk. "She says she's not mad and I know she's not, but she's uncomfortable around me now," I finished.

"Of course. In these situations, it can be hard to direct anger at the right person. So I think space is needed," Admittedly, those weren't the words I had been hoping to hear.

"So I just wait then?" I asked. I didn't like this sudden rift in our relationship, but I would wait forever for Artemis.

"What? No, you do the complete opposite. Don't give her space," I turned back to the vampire, wondering if he was still drunk, or under some other kind of influence. Maybe I had been the one mistaken, considering the words of an intoxicated stranger. "You get up in all her business," he gave me a devilish smirk and I didn't quite understand what his words or the suggestive smile meant.

Did the vampire charm give me some mental damage too?

"You f**k her, hard. Until all she can think, feel, smell, and see is you,"

I felt a little dumb that he had to spell it out so obviously for me. This suggestion was no doubt more appealing than the last one though.

I could do that.

"But more importantly, you show her you're hers. You, Mr Big Bad Alpha, need to master the art of submission, and fast." He gave me a wink, straightened up and left. I watched after him, trying to spot him, to at least ask for a name, but he all but vanished into thin air, leaving just as abruptly as he came.

It happened all so fast, I was convinced I had hallucinated the whole thing, but his words rung in my head.

I turned back to Artemis, watching as she nodded to whatever the King was saying. Submission huh?