Chapter 3: Declaration

Gwy's POV

"This is a mistake. You're just confused," I abruptly cut Alpha Devon off as soon as his words sink inside my head.

Me? Becoming his Luna? No fucking way!

I am a Solus Lupus, for goddess' sake! Why would I be his Luna? That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my entire life.

My trail of thoughts began to wash away as soon as a strong arm snugged me. I gasped. I felt y face hit by something hard.

This time, his now-familiar scent engulfed my whole being. I faintly moaned and slowly looked up.

His face was too close to mine. His breath freely fanned my face but my eyes can't get off of him. The way his blue eyes glued to mine, it felt like a home run. Peaceful. Serene. Triumphant.

I've never been like this before. Not even in front of Alpha Qirak. And now... this strange wolf suddenly disrupted my peace.

"I don't care if you're a fucking lone wolf. Whether you like it or not, you will become my Luna. And you can't stop me," Alpha Devon whispered to me.

"W-what?"

"And let me seal this deal, my priestess. Because I won't let you go after this..."

I opened my mouth and was about to say something when suddenly, he pulled me closer to his body. He closed the gap between our bodies. Finally, he claimed my lips.

My whole body froze. It was like my ears were clogged at that moment. My whole system crashed. I can't move.

That was when he slowly moved his lips, inviting me into his darkest desires.

Subtle. Bubbly. Inviting.

I've never been with anything like this before. Not a million words can possibly make me feel like this. Worldly ties grounds a shaman to their weaknesses. That's why I never thought of doing this even when I was only a shaman apprentice before.

With that thought, I suddenly pushed him off me.

Oh, goddess! What did I do?!

I quickly covered my lips after gasping for air. Wide-eyed, I slowly flinched at the unguarded posture of the poor Alpha.

"H-how dare you do that to me?!" I shrilled.

"What did I do? Don't tell me you've never been kissed before," Devon mischievously asked, smirking.

Call it too caught off-guard! I froze at that question. I stood there with my high and mighty pride crumbling in front of him.

He, then, chuckled.

He was making fun of me!

"So, that's your first kiss, huh? I say I'm surprised!" he amusingly remarked. "I never thought that priestesses don't have any experience of intimacy in their entire lives!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm a shaman, Mr. Alpha. An Eastern Witch! So, it's only practical that it's my freaking first time. And this is an abomination! You can't just barge in here, asking me about your mate's whereabouts, then get disappointed, and drag me into your mess!" I recoiled. "I am not allowed to become a Luna. As a shaman, I am meant to be just a shaman until my last breath. I cannot defy my ancestors, not even the Moon Goddess!" I reiterated.

"I told you, I don't care! You need to become my Luna or else you'll die!" he threatened. "I can take your life right here, right now, priestess! Don't test my patience. Just do as I say while I'm still being generous to you...

I scoffed and folded my arms on my chest. "Then, kill me now! I can't even wait!" I rolled my eyes.

Devon's jaw clenched. He let out his claws and readied his stance to attack me. "Then, don't stop me, priestess..."

I just stood there and watched him for a brief second, then closed my eyes. I gulped.

Damn it! I'm in no position to act so arrogantly in front of my deathbed. But I can't stand letting him do what he wants. I need to get away from here. But how?

I'm no match for him. I might die trying to avoid him for a minute.

No. I bet a thousand I won't survive a second!

Alright. Let's just brace ourselves, Grace. This is the end.

"Do something, you fool! Don't just stand there!" Grace shouted frantically.

I didn't budge. How am I supposed to fight him? It's no use. I just have to give up my temple. Maybe Cloud and Ephy will try to revive the temple. It's better than stopping. After all, that temple doesn't need a disgraceful priestess like me. I am already weak now.

I just tightly shut my eyes, waiting for my final demise. That was when I saw the same bead of light inside my subconscious mind.

"W-wait... What's this? Why am I here?" I asked myself. This time, my voice was echoing and wavy. "What is happening?"

Not long enough, the bead of light burst and filled the whole room.

I flinched and squinted as the light blinded me for a second. Slowly, it lowered and lowered until the light inside the room become friendly in my eyes.

I removed my hands from my face and adjusted my eyesight. "What is this place? Hello?"

I concentrated my eyes on the ground. Slowly, a pair of feet walked toward me. A gliding and soft fabric was with it. Soon, I looked up and found myself looking at a beautiful creature.

Her face is very angelic. Her presence surged a lot of energy through me like my soul was indebted to her existence. Then, I found myself kneeling in front of her as soon as I recognized her.

"A-are you... her?" I asked bowing my head to the ground. "Forgive me, my chief priestess! Forgive me! Spare my life! I beg of you..."

"Do not fear, my priestess..." she calmly said. "I am here to tell you something..."

"To tell me something?" I looked up at her and waited for her to finish her words.

"My priestess, it is now the time you let go of everything. Fear of the future will not make you stronger. You have protected the temple your whole life. It is now time to do what you must..."

I slowly got up and looked at her. "I don't understand, Chief Priestess. Why would you stop me from protecting our temple? This is my life! And you of all people know that!"

"Heed not my words, but your heart, priestess. Will you still choose a lonely path or choose a powerful one?" she asked in a serious tone.

"Shaman Temple will now resign you as the current priestess of our bloodline. I, the Chief Priestess of Shaman Temple, resign Gwyneth Hathaway as the Priestess of Shaman Temple," she declared. "You are no longer fit to lead my temple. For you let a man defy your sacred body!" she uttered, displeased.

Tears began to trickle down my cheeks.

So, this was it? I'm being cast out of my temple?

After that question, I was able to be transported back to the reality.

I knelt in front of my perpetrator and began bursting into tears.

I noticed how he resigned his claws back to his fingers. His face became arrogant but still amused. "So, will you choose to die or accept my offer?" Alpha Devon asked once more.

"Priestess!" I heard Cloud and Ephy's voices in the background. They must have run toward this place.

Then, without looking at my assistants, I finally nodded. "I..." Tears fell again, "Gwyneth Hathaway, former Priestess of Shaman Temple, accepts the proposal of Alpha Devon Guillermo. I am now yours. Your Luna..."