The True Luna's Forbidden Temptation - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Candlelight wavers, stretching eerie shadows across the dining room. The real storm isn’t outside—it’s sitting right here at this table.
I scan the faces around me. My father looks stern. My stepmother looks smug. Lorraine is clearly wishing she were anywhere else. But it’s Sebastian’s eyes—intense, unreadable—that affect me the most. He refuses to look at me, and for some reason, that stings.
A sharp clatter breaks the silence. My father drops his utensils, turning to Sebastian.
“I don’t understand why you keep declining my offer,” he says, irritation laced in every word. “You’re my son. It’s only right that you become the next CEO of McGregor Capitals.”
‘Here we go again.’
For years, my father has been pestering Sebastian to agree to be his successor. However, Sebastian’s late biological father was also a billionaire tycoon, he’s already expected to lead Blackwood Corp—an empire that rivals McGregor Capitals in power and influence.
Sebastian’s jaw tightens. “I appreciate the opportunity, sir, but my answer remains the same. I can’t abandon my people. Blackwood Corp is depending on me.”
His people? He makes it sound like he’s leading a pack, not a corporation.
‘Pack…’
My thoughts drift back to last night—those massive dogs. A shiver crawls down my spine.
I glance at Sebastian’s shoulder. I know that he’s acting cool, and composed, but beneath that soft fabric, there's a deep laceration that he’s trying to hide.
“You want to honor your father’s memory—I understand that,” my father presses. “But I’ve stood as your father, too. I need someone to run my company when I’m gone.”
"You don’t need me," Sebastian says, turning his gaze toward me. My heart pounds wildly as his blue eyes lock with mine. "You have Analise.”
‘Wait, what is he talking about?’
Sebastian turns back to my father, his voice firm. “McGregor Capitals was never meant for anyone else. It’s in her blood, her legacy.”
My father leans back, considering. “She’ll inherit her mother’s company—Luxe Emerald. That’s always been the plan.”
“She’s your daughter,” Sebastian argues. “McGregor Capitals should stay in your bloodline.”
The candlelight dances in Sebastian's eyes as he holds my gaze. For a moment, I glimpse a fierce protectiveness there. We may not always see each other eye to eye, but I’ve been right all along.
‘Sebastian has always been on my side.’
Steph's sharp intake of breath breaks the moment. Her eyes flash with barely contained anger as she turns to Sebastian. "That's enough, Sebastian,” she snaps. "Lorraine is just as much Peter's daughter as Analise. She has every right to inherit his company, too!”
Sebastian turns to his mother. “With all due respect, Mother, Lorraine was adopted into this family. McGregor Capitals was meant for Analise from the beginning.”
“You are so unfair, Sebastian!” Lorraine protests. “You always take her side.” Lorraine glares at me, and then she turns back to Sebastian. “Don’t tell me you have a thing for…”
“Don’t!” Sebastian roars at Lorraine, losing his calm. Lorraine shrinks back in her chair. “Don’t insinuate things. I’m just stating facts. We came into this family with nothing. We should feel grateful, not entitled.”
Both Steph and Lorraine fall quiet.
My father sighs. “All the more reason you should run McGregor Capitals. With you and Analise working together, we’d be unstoppable.”
“But Blackwood Corp needs me more, Sir.”
Father leans back, smiling slightly. “Maybe I should just acquire Blackwood Corp and solve everything, hmm?”
Sebastian’s lips press into a thin line. He doesn’t answer.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a phone conference to attend.” My father stands up from his seat.
“Well, Elise is waiting for me… somewhere." I need to escape. The weight of my father’s expectations, Lorraine’s glares, and Sebastian’s unreadable expression threaten to suffocate me.
I head to my room and change my clothes. I’m not really meeting Elise, but I would say anything just to get out of that table.
I walk past Sebastian’s room on my way out and notice light spilling under the door. Without thinking, I step inside.
“Sebastian—” I stop dead in my tracks.
He’s shirtless. Broad shoulders. Sculpted muscles. But that’s not what freezes me.
His shoulder—
Only three faint scars remain where there should have been a deep, raw gash.
“What the hell, Analise?” he snaps, yanking a shirt over his head. “You can’t just barge in here.”
I barely hear him. “Your wound… It was deep. And now it’s—”
“None of your business.” His voice is low, almost dangerous. He grabs my arm and steers me toward the door. “Stay out of my room.”
The door slams behind me.
I stand frozen, my mind reeling. Less than a day ago, I saw that wound. Deep and bloody. Now...
‘It doesn't make sense! None of this makes sense.’
"Pathetic," a voice sneers, snapping me out of my reverie.
I don’t have to look to know that it’s Lorraine. She smirks, tossing her perfect hair.
"You need to stop this little fantasy of yours," she purrs.
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
She smirks. “You have a crush on my brother, don’t you?”
I scoff. “That’s ridiculous.”
Her smirk widens. “Sebastian doesn’t care about you. He just pities you because you have no one.”
“Shut up, Lorraine.”
I push past Lorraine, tuning out her laughter. My mind is too tangled with everything—my father’s expectations and the whole mystery that is Sebastian Blackwood!
By the time I step into The Howling Moon, the tension in my chest hasn’t faded. The neon sign casts a soft glow on my face as I push open the bar doors. Elise waves me over.
"You look like you could use a drink," she says as I slide onto the cracked leather seat opposite her.
I nod, exhaling heavily. "Make it a double."
“So, what’s up?” she asks.
I tell her about the dinner. About Lorraine. About Sebastian. But not about what I saw in his room. That part—I’m not ready to say out loud.
Suddenly, Elise grabs my arm, practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh my god, there he is!" she hisses.
I follow her gaze to a tall guy weaving through the crowd. Sandy blonde hair. Confident stride. Even in the dim lighting, his amber eyes stand out.
“Who’s that?”
“Tyler Lewis. He just transferred to our university. He’s the new bartender here.”
As if on cue, he heads straight for us. “Hello, ladies. What can I get you?”
Elise smiles. “Tyler, this is my best friend, Analise… umm… Lander.”
"Tyler Lewis," he says, flashing a confident grin. "Nice to meet you, Analise. First time here?”
“No. I come here once in a while.”
He grins. “That’s good to know.”
Elise orders our drinks, but I catch the slight emphasis she put on my first name, and using a different surname.
"Okay, I'll return soon," Tyler says, giving me another smile.
“I think he likes you,” Elise teases as soon as Tyler is out of earshot.
"He does not. Now, tell me, why didn’t you tell him my real surname?”
She sighs. “Tyler sort of can't stand rich kids," she explains. "Especially ones like Sebastian Blackwood who goes around town like he owns a Ferrari and has billions in the bank at such a young age.”
“Well, that’s kind of judgmental,” I protest. “For starters, Sebastian DOES own a Ferrari and has billions in the bank at his young age.”
"I know, I know," Elise placates. "But Tyler believes that wealth should be earned, not inherited. He thinks that kids who inherited their parents' empires are not really good or smart. They're just lucky."
“Now, that’s just unfair.” I frown.
“I know. But I thought it’s better that he gets to know you first without ever judging you because of your real name.”
“Are you trying to set me up with a guy again?”
She gives me a pleading look. “I’m sorry. But I have a good feeling about this guy. But since you always complain that guys like you more because you’re Analise McGregor, now’s your chance. Make him fall for who you really are.”
Tyler returns with our drinks, sliding a pink cocktail toward me. “Something special for you.”
“What is this?” I ask.
“Well, your friend here asked me to make you something really special because you just had a very bad date. So, I thought I should make you Raspberry Rosé Spritz. It will calm your nerves, trust me. Like a happy pill.”
I take a sip, surprised by the mix of tart raspberry and floral rose. “It’s… actually really good.”
He grins. “Told you.” Tyler takes a step back from our table. “And my job here is done. Just press the buzzer if you want more of my concoctions.”
He gives me a wink before attending to the next table.
Elise nudges me. “See? You like him.”
“Shut up.” I knock back another shot, feeling the liquid traveling down my throat.
The lights turn into a blur of colors as I feel the first effects of alcohol hit me. Suddenly, Sebastian’s face swims before me—his piercing blue eyes, his tight jaw, his well-toned body.
‘Sebastian is really smoking hot!’
“Damn!” I curse under my breath. Why am I thinking about this now?
‘Stop it, Analise!’ I scold myself, taking another swig.
"You okay there, Analise?" Tyler's voice cuts through my haze. I realize that he’s back to take our next round of orders.
I blink, forcing a smile. "Never better."
But I’m not okay. It bothers me to realize that since last night, I’ve been thinking about Sebastian a lot.
‘Did I just imagine his wound last night?’
I have a few more of Tyler’s amazing Raspberry Rosés to drown out my confusion. By the time I stumble into a cab, I feel the world start to spin a little.
I don’t remember how I manage to get home, climb up the marble staircase and walk towards my room.
I kick off my shoes and carelessly take off my blouse. Just then, a chill runs down my spine. Like my instincts telling me that something's... off.
I freeze, realizing that my balcony door is open. I approach it cautiously. There, silhouetted against the curtains stands a familiar figure.
"Sebastian," I breathe. My pulse is a drum against my ribs, my throat tightening at the raw emotion in his eyes. He’s never looked like this before—unguarded, almost broken.
"Analise," he murmurs, his voice raw and jagged. "I need to talk to you—NOW."