5. Under the Protection of the Dark Alpha

“W-what are you doing?” Rayna’s voice trembled softly as her waist was pulled against the chest of a strange man.

Reagan lowered his head slightly. “Calm down. You’ll fall if you keep shaking like that.”

“But … I don’t know you,” Rayna held her breath, her eyes darting around the room.

She made sure Darius did not see her. If her husband saw her with another man, she would surely be in serious trouble.

“Let me go.”

Reagan did not release her. Instead, his arm tightened around her.

“If I let you go, they will humiliate you again.”

Rayna fell silent. His words were true, and she did not want to experience that again—especially in a place like this, where Alphas and Lunas were gathered.

“Stay beside me, and be my Luna for tonight,” Reagan whispered, his gaze deep and intense. “You want that, don’t you?” he demanded.

“B-but … l-later there might be misunderstandings,” Rayna pulled back slightly, reminded of her status as another man’s wife.

The wife of the strongest Alpha in this city. Rayna did not want to take such a risk.

“You’re afraid?!”

“Tch! You’re afraid of making him angry while he’s enjoying himself with another woman!” Reagan mocked.

His words seemed to open Rayna’s eyes. *He’s right. Why should I be afraid if Darius sees me with another man?* she thought.

'Didn’t he reject me as his Luna in front of everyone earlier?' Rayna clenched her jaw. 'He even openly acknowledged Laura as his true Luna. Enough. Giving Darius a lesson for once wouldn’t hurt,' she decided.

Rayna glanced toward her husband and her twin sister, who were now chatting comfortably with other Alphas and Lunas.

A few steps away from Rayna and Reagan, Laura moved closer to Darius and whispered something to him.

“Darius …” Laura’s fingers clutched his arm. “Why is everyone moving aside when the man beside Rayna passes by?”

Darius did not answer, but his sharp gaze never left Rayna.

“Then why is that man with Rayna?” Laura asked with displeasure.

“I don’t know,” Darius replied coldly.

“How could you not know? Haven’t you been close to Rayna all this time?” Laura snapped, dissatisfied with his answer.

Darius turned to her, his gaze sharpening. “How would I know? I came in with you earlier—did you forget?” he snapped, irritated by her persistence.

Laura gasped, immediately putting on a hurt expression. “You’re angry, when I was only asking. Fine. Next time, I won’t ask you anything anymore,” she threatened.

Darius panicked when the woman in front of him began to sulk.

“Ssh … I’m sorry. I was just tired,” he explained. “You asked who that man is, right? He’s Reagan Valerius Blackthorn. My brother—my older brother,” Darius finally admitted to calm her down.

Laura flinched. “Reagan?”

“S-so … he’s your brother?”

Laura froze for a moment, then let out a small, forced laugh.

“Why do you look so surprised? Do you know my brother?” Darius asked.

Laura panicked. Of course, she did not want to admit that she admired Reagan. “N-no… we don’t know each other. Really.”

“Oh, I thought you knew Reagan.”

“No. No wonder everyone looks afraid—well, respectful—toward him.”

But Laura’s eyes could not lie. At that moment, she was clearly jealous of Rayna.

'Why is Rayna so close to him?' her thoughts burned.

'Why not me?'

Laura continued staring at Rayna and Reagan.

---

“W-what are you doing?” Rayna’s voice trembled again as her waist was pulled against the man’s chest.

Reagan ignored Darius’s stare entirely. His gaze was fixed on Rayna’s pale face instead.

“Stand properly,” he said softly. “You could fall again.”

“M-mm, I—I can manage on my own,” Rayna whispered, embarrassed and panicked.

“No,” Reagan replied curtly, tightening his hold. “Not tonight.”

A few steps ahead, Darius called out.

“Reagan,” he called loudly.

Reagan did not turn around at all, as if the voice was nothing but passing wind.

“You’re standing too close,” Rayna whispered.

“That’s what partners are for. This is how it’s supposed to be, right?” Reagan replied lightly.

Rayna pressed a hand to her head, torn between embarrassment and dizziness. Sensing it immediately, Reagan asked,

“Are you dizzy?”

Rayna nodded hesitantly. “A little.”

“Let’s sit for a moment,” Reagan guided her forward. “Hold my arm.”

Rayna nodded in agreement.

Seeing the closeness between his wife and his brother, Darius clenched his fists.

The party grew livelier as Alpha–Luna pairs took turns dancing.

Reagan turned to Rayna, his gaze deep.

“Would you like to dance with me?” he asked, as if they were alone in the room.

Rayna startled. “W-what?”

“Dance,” Reagan repeated.

“B-but me?” Rayna hesitated.

“You need movement. Moving slowly will help your body feel better,” Reagan said.

Rayna weighed her options—her condition was not fully recovered, yet she felt compelled to indulge the man beside her.

'Should I follow him, at least as a way to thank him for helping me and sparing me from total humiliation in front of the Alphas and Lunas, when my own husband didn’t want me?' Rayna thought.

She looked at Reagan. “I’m not good at dancing.”

“I’ll lead,” Reagan lowered his voice. “Come on.” He stood and held out his hand.

Reagan led Rayna onto the dance floor. The music flowed beautifully. His hand on her waist was firm but not excessive—just enough to make Rayna feel safe.

“Look at me,” Reagan said softly.

Rayna slowly lifted her face. Their gazes met.

“I’m in the wrong place,” Rayna whispered. “I shouldn’t be here,” she murmured to herself.

“You are exactly where you belong, Rayna,” Reagan replied knowingly, startling her.

'Oh no, he caught my words,' Rayna panicked inwardly.

Whispers filled the ballroom, especially when Rayna accepted Reagan’s invitation to dance.

“Alpha Reagan is dancing with her now?”

“That’s Reagan Valerius Blackthorn.”

“Yes … Alpha Reagan hasn’t looked at Alpha Darius even once.”

Hearing the other Lunas, Laura clenched her dress.

“Darius … why is Rayna with him—”

“Enough, Laura,” Darius cut in sharply, his eyes burning with restrained fury.

His face flushed as he continued staring at Rayna and Reagan, his jaw tight.

“He’s doing this in front of me …,” he muttered. “Are they doing it on purpose?”

Laura smiled faintly, bitterly. “Rayna has always been good at pretending to be weak,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Now she’s with him so she can be protected.”

On the dance floor, Reagan slowly twirled Rayna. Though stiff at first, she began to enjoy the dance.

“Your breathing is shallow. Are you tired, or haven’t you eaten?” he asked attentively.

Rayna flinched. The small concern touched her deeply. It had been a long time since anyone cared for her like this—especially her own husband.

“I think I—”

Grrk.

Rayna’s stomach growled softly. Her face flushed instantly.

“I’m sorry … I—”

Reagan stopped dancing.

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “Let’s sit back there.”

He raised his hand. A servant approached nervously.

“Light food and warm tea,” Reagan ordered curtly.

“Yes, Alpha.”

The servant hurried off.

Rayna looked at him in confusion. “You … don’t have to—”

“I want to,” Reagan cut in. “Sit. Your food will be here shortly.”

He pulled out a chair for Rayna himself—completely opposite of his daily life where servants attended him.

Darius froze.

“He’s even serving her .…”

Laura ground her teeth. “Why isn’t it me? Why not me?!” she seethed, jealousy slipping through.

Reagan handed the cup to Rayna. “Drink slowly.”

“Thank you,” Rayna said softly. “I’m troubling you.”

Reagan looked at her for a long moment. “You’re not a burden.”

Rayna fell silent. Warmth bloomed in her chest—something she had never felt even with Darius. The small kindness felt sincere and comforting. Without realizing it, she began to like him.

'He’s actually very kind,' she thought. 'But why is my head getting dizzier?'

She set the cup on the chair beside her and stood up.

“I want to go home,” she said at last. “I don’t feel well.”

Reagan touched the back of her hand and immediately felt the heat.

“You’re warm.”

“A little,” Rayna smiled weakly. “Maybe I’m just too tired.”

As she stood, her knees suddenly buckled.

In one swift motion—Reagan lifted her into his arms.

The ballroom erupted. All eyes turned toward them, making Rayna uncomfortable.

“What are you doing—”

Rayna panicked. “P-put me down! Everyone’s looking!”

“Let them,” Reagan said calmly. “I don’t mind.”

Darius rushed forward. “Put her down. She’s my wife!”

Reagan turned sharply. For the first time, his dark aura was fully released.

“Did you forget that your Luna is standing beside you?” Reagan replied coldly, his gaze fixed on Laura.

Darius ignored him and grabbed Rayna’s hand. “Rayna, get down. Now.”

Before he could pull her—

Thud!

Reagan kicked him without hesitation.

Darius was thrown back, crashing onto the marble floor.

Silence.

Reagan stepped forward, still carrying Rayna.

“Touch her again,” he said low and lethal, “and I guarantee you won’t walk out of this building.”

Laura rushed forward. She refused to stay silent, especially after seeing her twin sister receive such attention from the strongest Alpha that night.

“You’ve gone too far!” Her sharp gaze cut toward Rayna, then shifted to Reagan.

“Alpha, put her down. Don’t be fooled by her weak face. She’s a failed Luna! A weak wife! She couldn’t even protect her own child until her child—”

Before Laura could finish—

Reagan let out a cold, mocking laugh.

“Are you any better than her?” Reagan looked Laura up and down.

Laura froze. “W-what?”

“You call her weak,” Reagan continued flatly, sharply, “yet you stand behind the man you stole, hoping to be acknowledged.”

He stepped forward slightly.

“A woman like you,” he said softly, loud enough for everyone to hear, “does not deserve to utter the word ‘Luna’ in front of me.”

Laura trembled, her face pale.

Rayna looked at Reagan, her breath caught. “Why are you defending me?”

Reagan lowered his head slightly, his voice meant only for her.

“Because you are my Luna tonight. No one has the right to insult or belittle you,” Reagan replied meaningfully.

He turned and walked out, Rayna still in his arms.

Behind them—

Darius sat on the floor, his world shattered.

Laura stood frozen, humiliated.

And for the first time, Rayna did not feel alone.