The Mafia King's Deadly Returned

Chapter 6

5 YEAR'S LATER

Five years have passed, yet not for a single moment has my Luna left my mind. Her memory haunts every breath I take, every step I make. Tonight, I arrive at the royal palace for an important gathering, but the moment I reach the entrance, my feet come to a halt.

My chest tightens painfully as I stare at the grand building before me. This is the very place where I brought my Luna for the last time. The last place where I saw her smile, where I held her close before fate cruelly tore her away from me forever.

A bitter ache settles deep inside me, but I force myself to push it aside. The past no longer matters. At least, that is what I keep telling myself. Taking a deep breath, I walk inside.

As expected, the moment I enter, countless eyes turn toward me. Women stare shamelessly, some whispering among themselves while others smile flirtatiously, hoping to catch my attention.

I ignore every single one of them. Their beauty means nothing to me. Their presence means nothing to me. The only woman I have ever wanted is gone. Without sparing them another glance, I make my way toward the VIP section and sit on my designated chair.

Business discussions begin around me, powerful Alphas and influential leaders exchanging words about alliances, investments, and future plans. I participate with little interest, my mind wandering despite my efforts to stay focused.

Suddenly, a sharp gasp breaks through the conversation. Before I can react, a glass of red wine spills all over my expensive black suit. The cold liquid soaks into the fabric.

My eyes darken instantly as I slowly rise from my seat. Standing before me is a young woman. Her face pales in fear. "I-I'm so sorry, Alpha," she stammers nervously, bowing her head.

She lowers herself even further, deliberately exposing more of her cleavage, clearly hoping to gain my attention through cheap seduction. Disgust flashes through me.

I immediately look away, refusing to acknowledge her pathetic attempt. However, instead of stepping back, she suddenly grabs my hand. Her fingers cling to me possessively as she bites her lower lip and smiles flirtatiously.

"Alpha," she purrs softly, "give me just one chance. Let me become your Luna." The moment those words leave her mouth, something inside me snaps. Rage explodes through my veins like wildfire. My eyes turn ice-cold. How dare she? How dare anyone utter that title so carelessly? Luna is not a position to be filled. Luna belongs to only one woman. My woman. My lost Luna. In a flash.

I grab the woman's wrist and yank her forward. Before she can react, my hand strikes her face with brutal force. The sharp sound of the slap echoes throughout the entire ballroom.

Her body stumbles backward from the impact as shock fills her eyes. Instantly, the music stops. Conversations die. Every Alpha, every guest, every servant freezes in place. The entire hall falls into complete silence.

Hundreds of eyes lock onto us, but I do not care. My jaw clenches dangerously as I glare at the trembling woman. "Do not ever compare yourself to my Luna again," I growl, "You are not worthy of speaking her title."

The woman crashes to the floor, clutching her burning cheek as terrified gasps spread throughout the ballroom. No one dares to move, no one dares to speak,

"Alpha, please calm down." one of the elders rises nervously from his seat, but I don't even spare him a glance. "Please stay. The meeting has not ended yet."

My jaw tightens. "I don't care." My cold voice slices through the silence like a blade. Another Alpha cautiously steps forward. "The alliance discussion is important. We have waited months for this gathering." I turn around and begin walking toward the exit.

"Alpha Xander!"

"Please reconsider!"

"We still need your approval!"

I ignore every single one of them. I step outside, the cold night air crashes against my face. I should feel relieved, but instead the emptiness inside my chest grows heavier.

Five years. Yet not a single day passes without her haunting my thoughts. Every place reminds me of her. Every memory drags me back to the day I lost my Luna.

I enter my car and order the driver to return immediately. No matter how much time passes, nothing changes. The palace gates slowly open, servants lower their heads as I walk through the grand entrance

I finally reach the one room forbidden to everyone except me. My hand tightens around the handle before I slowly push the door open.

The room remains untouched, frozen in time exactly the way it was five years ago. The scent of fresh lilies fills the air while hundreds of candles flicker softly around the massive marble statue standing in the center of the room. My Luna.

My eyes lock onto her beautiful face. same gentle smile, same beautiful eyes, same elegance. Perfect in every possible way. Yet painfully lifeless. A bitter laugh escapes my lips as I rip off my blazer and throw it across the room. Wo

"See?" My voice breaks the silence. "I told you." I begin pacing around the statue. "I told you I didn't want to go there." My fingers slide through my hair in frustration. "But no..." I point accusingly at her. "You always used to tell me to stop hiding inside this palace. You always said I should move forward. You always said I should start living again."

A painful smile appears on my lips. "Well, look what happened. Those women were staring at me again." I stop directly in front of her. "They keep trying to seduce me."

My voice grows colder with every word. "They keep trying to take your place." I gently reach forward and touch her marble cheek. "But they can't." My thumb slowly traces the cold stone.

"Do you hear me?" My voice cracks slightly. "They can't." I shake my head. "Because there is no place to take." My chest tightens painfully. "There is only one Luna." I stare into her lifeless eyes. "You."

I continue speaking as if she is standing right in front of me listening to every word. "As long as I breathe, I will never let anyone replace you." My eyes burn. "I don't want parties. I don't want alliances. I don't want celebrations. I don't want any of it." Slowly, I lower my forehead against the statue. "I just want you."

My voice drops to a whisper. "I miss you." The confession escapes before I can stop it.

Five years and I still expect her to answer me. Still expect her to smile. Still expect her to scold me. Still expect her to call my name. A broken laugh escapes my lips. "I love you, Luna."

My fingers tighten against the cold marble. "Tell me..." My voice trembles. "You still love me too, don't you?"

Nothing but silence. No answer comes. Only the cold statue standing before me. Anyone else would call me insane. Anyone else would say I am talking to a piece of stone. But they are wrong.

I slowly close my eyes and a faint smile appears on my face. "You hear everything." My voice is barely above a whisper. "I know you do." My hand slowly rests over the statue's heart. "One day, I will find a way to bring you back to me."

I whisper while gently brushing my fingers against her stone cheek. "I won't let anyone take your place. Never." Suddenly, the door bursts open.

The loud sound instantly shatters the peaceful atmosphere. My eyes snap open and fury explodes through my chest.

"My Lord!" Beta rushes inside, breathing heavily. "There is an emergency!" My face darkens immediately. Before he can say another word, I spin around and glare at him. "How many times have I told you?" How many times, Beta?"

His face pales. "A-Alpha..." I take a threatening step forward. "Whenever I am with my Luna, nobody enters this room!" I roar. "Nobody!"

"Do you have any idea how long she waits for me every day?" I point toward the statue. "The entire day she waits here for me, and every single time you idiots interrupt us, you make her sad!" Beta instantly drops to his knees, lowering his head to the floor.

"I-I'm really sorry, Alpha." His voice trembles. "I truly am. But this matter could not wait." My jaw clenches as I struggle to control my temper.

"Speak." Beta gulps nervously. "The New York deal has been finalized. Alpha Kale of the Kaitra Pack is arriving tomorrow. He wishes to discuss the partnership personally."

I stare at him for several seconds before finally nodding. "Fine. Prepare a proper welcome for him." Relief briefly flashes across Beta's face before disappearing just as quickly.

He suddenly looks nervous again. "M-My.. L-Lord..." My eyes narrow. "What?" He swallows hard. "Alpha Kale will not be arriving alone."

"What do you mean?" Beta lowers his gaze. "His Luna is coming with him." My eyes become ice cold. "What?" Beta visibly flinches. I slowly turn toward him. "Did you just say Luna?"

My voice grows, "Did nobody inform them?" Beta remains silent. My anger explodes again. "No women are allowed near me!" I thunder. "No women enter my palace! No women attend my personal meetings! Everybody knows that rule!"

I point toward my Luna's statue. "Do you think this is a joke?" My voice breaks slightly. "My Luna could be hurt." Beta quickly shakes his head. "No, My Lord! Of course not!"

"Then cancel the deal." His eyes widen in shock. "My Lord?"

"Cancel it." I take another step toward him. "I will not hurt my Luna for a business agreement." Beta looks horrified. "But Alpha..." He hesitates before speaking again. "Your signatures have already been sent. The agreement is nearly complete."

"The Kaitra Kingdom controls some of the most important trade routes in the world." Beta's voice becomes urgent. "This alliance could strengthen our entire kingdom. We would gain enormous benefits."

I stare at him with disbelief. "Benefits?" My voice turns dangerously low. "Are you telling me I should make my Luna uncomfortable for benefits?" Beta immediately lowers his head. "No, My Lord. That's not what I meant."

"Then explain yourself." Sweat forms on his forehead. He hesitates carefully. "Perhaps Alpha Kale and his Luna could stay in your second palace." I slowly glance toward the statue. My eyes soften slightly. "What do you think?" I murmur while looking at my Luna. "Should I allow it?" Naturally, no answer comes. After several moments, I finally sigh. "Fine." Beta instantly looks relieved. "Thank you, Alpha."

"They will stay in the second palace." My voice becomes cold again. "They are not to enter this palace under any circumstances."

"Understood, My Lord." Just as Beta is about to leave, a sudden violent gust of wind crashes against the palace windows.

BOOM!!!!!!

The enormous glass windows suddenly rattle, sending a strange chill through the room as a powerful gust of wind sweeps inside, causing the curtains to rise and the candle flames to flicker violently.

One by one, the candles begin to extinguish until only darkness remains. I slowly walk toward the window and stare outside, my breath catching in my throat. The moon hangs above the kingdom, brighter than I have ever seen before, its silver light flooding the entire sky and washing away the darkness of the night.

The mountains, forests, rivers, and every corner of my kingdom glow beneath its radiance, making it feel as though daylight itself has returned. A strange feeling settles deep inside my chest, and my wolf becomes restless.

Another gust of wind crashes through the room, extinguishing the final candle. Darkness engulfs the chamber, leaving only the moonlight. Its silver glow falls directly upon my Luna's statue, making her appear almost alive.

TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!