LUNA: Alpha’s Soulmate from Another World

“Luna, what do you think of tonight’s event? Did you enjoy it? Was there anything you didn’t like?” Luna shifted her gaze from the medieval painting displayed to the face of the event host, Professor Jane Austin, the director and curator of the newly opened antique artifacts and painting exhibition at a museum in New York.

Luna smiled softly and responded, “Of course. I enjoyed the event, you’re quite the expert at planning parties, Professor, but I was more captivated by the items on display. There’s nothing I didn’t like. How did you manage to collect all these items, Professor?”

“Besides donations from people like you, I got some from auctions. Fortunately, generous donors and foundations provided significant financial support.” Professor Jane elegantly sipped a glass of red wine served by a waiter. “Oh, by the way, about the mirror you donated, where did you find such a beautiful piece?”

“From an auction some time ago. I happened to acquire it by chance. I hope the mirror adds to the museum’s charm.”

Professor Jane nodded enthusiastically, then rose from her chair, prompting Luna to do the same. “Oh no, you don’t need to get up, Miss Angela. You’re pregnant. I’ve experienced it three times myself, so I know you must be exhausted.” Luna smiled gratefully and sat back down.

“Alright, I’ll excuse myself for a bit, I need to speak with a few other guests.”

After Professor Jane left, Luna sat alone at the table marked with her nametag, indicating the table was reserved for her and her guest. Nicole returned to the table after chatting with someone she knew, quickly peeling off her gloves. “It’s so exhausting talking to those people.”

“You offered to do it yourself,” Luna muttered as she sipped the clear water the waiter had brought her upon request. Luna glanced from the corner of her eye, groaning inwardly when she noticed a man she’d been avoiding arrive at the museum’s opening dinner. Nicole noticed his presence, too, as the man walked toward their table. “How long is he going to keep pursuing you?”

“I guess until another woman can divert his interest away from me,” Luna responded, politely smiling as Logan Steve reached their table and greeted her and Nicole warmly.

“Hi Luna, hi Nicole. Good evening.” While Nicole stood to greet Logan with a kiss on each cheek, Luna nodded.

“What do you want, Logan?” Luna asked politely but with a hint of annoyance.

“I just wanted to check on you. I heard you’re pregnant.”

Luna sighed loudly. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Luna…”

“Logan, you just arrived. The opening remarks are already over. Shouldn’t you greet Professor Jane first?”

“Oh, you’re right. I’ll be back soon.” Luna exhaled in relief as Logan walked away from the table. Logan Steve, CEO of Steve Inc. and the son of a conglomerate named Jonas Steve was one of her college friends and had been chasing after her since their final semester. Logan was recently named one of Forbes’ youngest successful men and became a celebrity among women.

Of course, when he first confessed his feelings to her, Luna rejected him because she felt that Logan’s world and status were far too different from hers. But Logan had never given up on her, and the last time they met at a gala two months before her departure to the “other world,” Logan once again declared his feelings and expressed his desire to make her his wife.

While other women might have considered themselves lucky, Luna knew better. Social status differences were incredibly important, especially given her background as a poor orphan. Logan’s mother was a high-society socialite, and his father was strict, so marrying Logan would be a nightmare for her. She didn’t want that kind of life, where people would gossip about her and her in-laws would constantly criticize and find fault with her. She would much rather build her own life, especially now that she had Alkrevas. Logan was no match for Alkrevas because she was bound to him, and her soul and heart belonged solely to that man.

“How long is that man going to try? Does he not understand the word ‘no’?” Nicole grumbled as she watched Logan’s back retreating. “How many times have you rejected him since college, Luna? Ten? Twenty?”

“Fifteen.”

“Isn’t there any other woman? He’s popular, handsome. Rich. It’s like no woman would say no to him.”

“I don’t care.”

Nicole nodded and watched Luna eat a piece of fruit from her snack plate. “So… about your baby’s father… how handsome is he, and how great is he in bed?” Luna shot a glare at Nicole.

“Hey, I’ve been holding back this question since you first told me about him. I didn’t dare ask because it seemed like you still weren’t over him, but I feel like now is the right time.”

“If you think Greek gods are real, then he’s the one.”

Nicole whistled softly. “So, he’s extremely, extremely, extremely, extremely handsome. Okay. He passed the first test. And then?” Luna gestured to her growing belly. Nicole grinned widely, like a weirdo.

“He’s also great in bed. Passed the second test. Does he treat you well?” Luna thought for a moment, then nodded. Nicole already knew the beginning of her relationship with Alkrevas, but thinking it over, despite his demeanor, Alkrevas did treat her well. “Does he love you?”

“Can a soul bond be considered as love?”

“That means it’s deeper than love. Alright, he passes all the initial tests.” Luna shook her head, not understanding her friend and manager. “Maya and I have been guessing all along.”

“If I still had my old phone, you wouldn’t need to guess.”

“Luna! You’re still here, I see.” Professor Jane said as she sat back down and waved to a waiter for a new glass.

“Luna isn’t going anywhere, Professor. You know she tires easily.”

“My apologies, dear Nicole. I thought Luna had left with Logan.”

“Professor…” Luna muttered wearily.

Professor Jane waved her hand dismissively at Luna and said, “You should give that poor man a chance. Since he greeted me, his eyes have been glued to you.” Just as she said, Professor Jane’s assistant approached and whispered in her ear. “Really?” Professor Jane murmured in disbelief.

“Yes, Professor.”

“Then, where is he?”

“I’m right here, Jane.” Instantly, all four pairs of eyes at the table turned toward the source of the voice-toward a man in a sharp blue suit, holding a walking cane. His dark brown hair was perfectly styled, and his friendly smile was visible. His commanding presence drew the attention of several nearby guests.

Professor Jane immediately stood up and warmly greeted the man. Luna frowned as she looked at his face. Something about him felt oddly familiar, but her attention was drawn away when she felt a hand on her shoulder. When Luna turned to see who had touched her, she was greeted by Logan’s face. She bit her lower lip, suppressing the urge to growl in frustration.

She couldn’t cause a scene at Professor Jane’s event. At the very least, she needed to talk to Logan and draw a clear boundary with him after the event.

“Do you have any plans after this, Luna? Would you like to take a walk with me?”

“Do you not see that I’m a pregnant woman? Do you think I can just go for a walk after this event?” she hissed sharply.

“Luna, Logan, come here.” Luna immediately looked at Professor Jane and stood up, then she and Logan approached the Professor. After all, Professor Jane had been their academic advisor during their college years, and she and Logan were the Professor’s favorite students.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Luna gave a polite smile to the man standing beside Professor Jane, discreetly brushing Logan’s hand away as it touched her back. “I’d like to introduce you to the museum’s biggest donor. He was my colleague in the past, and now he’s a businessman in England. Meet Jackson Bardi.” Luna felt her breath catch and her heart race. “I heard you brought your nephew as well. Does he look like your brother, Jackson?”

“Yes, Jane.” Jackson Bardi looked at her closely. “I think he’s talking with his friend. He should be here any moment… ah, there he is! Markus, come over here!” Luna followed Jackson’s gaze and suddenly felt weak, like she might faint, when she saw the face she knew all too well-Duke Veniam’s face.

But it wasn’t Duke Veniam who caused her body to react so strongly. It was the man standing beside him.

Alkrevas.

He looked different from the last time they spoke in the imperial palace. His dark hair was perfectly groomed, and his tall, muscular frame was dressed in a crisp white shirt, black suit, and black tie. Leather shoes adorned his feet, and a watch circled his wrist. He looked like he belonged in this world, not some other realm.

“Oh my God…” Luna whispered.

As Markus and Alkrevas approached Jackson, Professor Jane gasped excitedly while the other guests whispered in awe, mesmerized by the sight of two strikingly handsome men who seemed almost angelic. Luna’s stomach churned, and she began to feel nauseous. “Jane, let me introduce you to Markus Bardi, my nephew.”

The two shook hands.

“He looks so much like your late brother, Jackson. And who is this beside him?”

“Oh, this is Alkrevas Rome. A close friend of Markus. They both happened to visit me.”

“Oh, how sweet.” Then Professor Jane turned toward her. “Oh yes, let me introduce them. These two are my best students, Luna Angela, and Logan Steve.” Logan greeted both men with a handshake while Luna remained silent. Her hands turned cold, and she suddenly felt nervous, especially as those sharp brown eyes stared directly at her.

“Luna?” Professor Jane murmured in confusion.

Logan reached for her face and said, “You look pale, Luna. Do you want to rest?”

Nicole, who had been quietly standing behind her, quickly stepped in. “Oh, it seems Luna ate something bad. Logan, could you please let go of my friend? Let her rest.”

“Oh… um… I’m sorry.”

Nicole immediately guided Luna away to a more private lounge area. Luna broke down in tears as soon as they sat on the sofa.

“Luna? What’s wrong?” Luna couldn’t say anything. She heard the door open and felt herself being embraced. The familiar scent of Maya’s perfume greeted her.

“What’s going on, Nicole? Why is Luna crying?”

“I don’t know. She just suddenly became like this.”

“Luna? Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Luna only covered her mouth and hugged Maya tightly.

“Do you want to go home now?”

“I… I want… to hold him…” Luna whispered so softly that only Maya and Nicole could hear.

“Who, Luna?”

“Wait. Is the Alkrevas over there the same Alkrevas you’ve been talking about… the father of your jelly bean?” Nicole referred to the baby Luna was carrying as a “jelly bean.” Luna still needs to respond to Nicole’s question.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Luna heard Nicole get up and walk toward the door. As soon as it opened, her body responded instantly. She lifted her head and stood up, then, without hesitation, ran toward the man standing in the doorway.

She threw herself into the warm, protective embrace she had missed. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck while his arms encircled her protectively. “I missed you, mi alma.”

Luna cried even harder, burying her face in the chest that felt like home.

She vaguely heard the door close, and shortly after, she felt herself being lifted and carried back to the sofa. After Alkrevas sat down, placing her on his lap, Luna felt a brief kiss on her forehead and the hollow of her neck.

And finally, Luna felt whole again.

…