Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

I woke up with a stiff back, the couch creaking under me as I shifted. My body ached from an uncomfortable sleep, and it didn't help that my mind was replaying last night's argument over and over again.
I had thrown myself on the couch after that argument with Valen. My stubbornness had taken over, and I refused to sleep in the same bed with him after everything that had happened. How dare he think he could just command me like that?
It started with his usual calm, domineering tone.
"Hey, my sweet Luna," Valen had called out, his voice smooth as silk. "Come here. Let's lie down together."
I scoffed, arms folding tightly over my chest. "Sweet? Are you now throwing flirtatious words at me?"
"Flirtatious words?" His voice turned teasing, almost amused. "Why would I flirt with you when you're already mine?"
I glared at him, my anger boiling. "Yours? You marked me with force, Valen!" My fists clenched. "You didn't even ask if I wanted this! And now you want me to just... lie down with you?"
Valen, infuriatingly, moved closer, his towering figure making me feel tiny and powerless. He pressed in, his lips inches from my ear as he whispered, his voice low and dangerous, "You liked it, right?"
I didn't hesitate for a second. I shoved him away, my fury pouring into the push. "Liked it, my foot. You pervert," I spat. "I'd rather sleep on the damn sofa than in the same bed as you."
A deep laugh rumbled from his chest, the sound vibrating through the air around us. "Alright, sweet. If you're done pretending, you know where to find me," he said, completely unbothered by my resistance.
And I was left standing there, my heart racing, my body trembling with frustration. How could he act so damn nonchalant about all of this?
The silence of the house was broken when the doorbell rang, jarring me out of my angry thoughts. "I'll get it Luna, said a maid as she rushed to the door."
My aunt stood there, looking worn and desperate, her eyes red-rimmed. My stomach tightened at the sight of her. I hadn't seen her in a week.
"Julia," she whispered, her voice strained. "I need to talk to you."
I frowned, crossing my arms. "What are you doing here? After everything that happened? Why would you show your face now?"
Her face crumpled with regret, and I almost felt sorry for her-almost. "I came to apologize. For everything. For how I treated you, for everything I did wrong... I know I wasn't there for you when you needed me."
I raised an eyebrow, skepticism overtaking any compassion I might've felt. "You expect me to just forgive you? Just like that?"
She looked down at the floor, a broken woman. "I don't deserve your forgiveness," she said quietly. "But please... I need your help."
I studied her, my guard up. "Help? After everything, you think I'll help you?"
She nodded, desperation creeping into her voice. "It's Lily. She's gone. She's been missing for days now, and I don't know where she is. I need your help to find her."
My heart skipped a beat. Lily? Gone? Disappearing for days was nothing new for her-she'd always had a tendency to disappear at the drop of a hat. But this? Days?
I couldn't hide the bitterness that flared up in me. "You want me to help you? After everything you've done? I'm supposed to forget that you treated me like dirt?"
She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "Please. I just need help. You're the only one who can understand. I've messed up so badly, but I can't lose her too."
I stared at her for a long moment, the anger in my chest simmering. I can't do this, I thought. I can't go back to that place.
"I forgive you," I said, my voice cutting through the air, sharp and final. "But I want nothing to do with you-or Lily."
Her face faltered, her shoulders slumping in defeat. She didn't say anything more; she just turned and left, her footsteps echoing as she walked out the door. I couldn't bring myself to call her back. I was done.
Before I could fully process what had just happened, Valen stepped into the room. His tall figure was impossibly imposing, dressed in his black tailored suit. He looked as if he belonged in a world far away from this house, and I found myself almost breathless at the sight of him, despite myself.
His gaze immediately found the door my aunt had just exited from, his expression turning cold.
"Stay away from her, Julia," he ordered, his voice low and commanding. "She's not your concern."
I narrowed my eyes, my anger still fresh. "I don't need your permission, Valen. I'm not a child. But I have a feeling my cousin is upto something. She, going missing?"
His dark eyes, calm and unwavering, now turning golden,locked onto mine. "Lily? ," his brows furrowed." What makes you think so my love. What is she capable of doing. Whatever it is. I'll protect you." He reaches out and brushes a hair from my face. "And enough of yelling at me. Like last night. You are my mate. You belong here. Don't make me loose my patience."
Before I could respond, the door swung open again, and Jessy stepped into the living room. Her eyes briefly lingered on me before she glanced toward the door, where my aunt had just walked out. She stared at the empty space for a moment, clearly confused, before she turned to me.
"Julia," she began with a high tone but flinched when she saw Alpha Valen, "good morning alpha, good morning Luna."
I frowned as I wonders why she's scared of Valen so much. Perhaps it's a werewolf thing . I looked at him noticing his perfect curved face, he looked super handsome from the sidelines.
"Oh I'm glad Julia is okay. That attack back at school..." Alpha Valen cleared his throat ,interrupting her.
" My beta is already working on that. Jessy, what brings you here?" He asked his voice cold as steel. I pulled Jessy into another room leaving the alpha alone with his attitude.