Claiming His Luna

Lucian’s POV

“What do you mean she’s disappeared?” The words escaped my lips in a strained tone, carrying a hint of dwindling patience.

“She managed to escape with Miss Vienna, Sire,” one of my men reported, his gaze averted, avoiding to meet my eyes. In response, a surge of anger overwhelmed me, and I delivered a harsh punch, connecting with his face. He crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth.

“You only had one fucking task!” My voice echoed with fury, directed not only at the one before me but at all those who stood in silence. They remained standing, backs stiff, arms firmly held behind their back.

“One simple fucking task!” I hurled objects from my desk, the impact of a vase hitting the floor resounding through the office. The room was shrouded in an unsettling silence, filled only by the sound of my heavy breaths and the seething anger that consumed me.

Once again, she slipped away.

Without a moment of hesitation, she disappeared into thin air. To make matters worse, she had also taken her sister with her. Armed with just one piece of truth, she instantly slipped from my grasp. How did she make it so easily?

Didn’t she consider her own safety? Even if she doesn’t realise she’s pregnant, didn’t it ever occur to her? We were intimate without protection, after all.

And where has she gone this time? The most reasonable assumption is that she’s making her way to her father, Remus. It’s the only explanation that makes sense, given she’s taking Vienna with her. Is she using her sister as bait, exploiting her vulnerability for some undisclosed motive? Has her stance towards Remus softened? Is she starting to acknowledge him as family? Did she go to ask some questions?

I’ve always flattered myself on my ability to read people. I excel at it; I can read my enemies quite effectively. My skill in reading people has contributed to my success. But why is it so challenging to read her? Why can’t I anticipate her thoughts or predict her next actions?

“Dismissed!” I ordered, the word dripping with seething frustration.

“You’re all fucking fired! Leave before I decide to execute all of you!” The force of my voice echoed through the room, a surge of dismissal crashing over them. They left without hesitation, vanishing from my sight. I’ve just fired a quarter of my men during a war. But honestly, if they can’t even accomplish a basic task, they won’t be of any value in the war as well.

“Has the security footage been reviewed?” I shifted my gaze to Frank, who stood firmly in front of my swivel chair as I remained seated.

“The cameras were disabled for an entire hour,” he replied in his usual composed manner. I closed my eyes briefly, my irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

“And the guards? No one has seen them?” I fixed my gaze on him, the intensity of my question mirroring my mounting frustration.

“No one had witnessed, Sire. According to them, they left the mansion on my order,” he stated matter-of-factly. My brows furrowed hearing what he mentioned.

“And did you?” I motioned my hand, demanding an explanation.

“No, Sire,” his expression remained impassive.

“Cercei had an accomplice inside this mansion, and I have a hunch about who it might be,” he revealed, his tone devoid of emotion.

I was certain that Frank wasn’t behind the security breach. He had been by my side the entire night. We spent several hours in the barracks gathering banners for the upcoming war.

When it came to the traitor who facilitated Cercei’s escape, the pieces of the puzzle pointed to one person seamlessly. It was Maria, her closest friend.

“Leave her to me, Sire,” Frank requested, his words carrying a weighty sense of purpose. I clenched my jaw after hearing his request.

“Cercei’s escape can be directly attributed to Maria’s involvement. Without her help, this scheme wouldn’t have succeeded,” I stated firmly, setting aside any consideration for their friendship.

Maria lives under my roof, and I have a single rule here: to ensure Cercei’s safety.

“She’s unaware of Miss Cercei’s pregnancy,” Frank interjected, attempting to lessen her responsibility.

“That doesn’t change the situation. She has fled to the territory of my enemy, bearing my unborn child!” My voice escalated, carrying a crescendo of anger.

Frank quickly knelt before me, his plea evident in his posture.

“Allow me to speak with Maria. I promise you, Sire, we will get back Miss Cercei and bring this to an end,” he begged, his gaze lowered.

My fist clenched, and the intensity of my emotions coiled inside my heart.

“Bring her back here as soon as possible,” I demanded, my tone dripping with ice-cold authority.

He straightened, meeting my gaze unflinchingly.

“Thank you,” he offered a slight bow before exiting the room.

I rubbed my temples wearily, then massaged the bridge of my nose.

Stubborn as always. It’s not about locking her up; it’s about keeping her safe. I haven’t kept her imprisoned inside these walls, but I’ve clearly reminded her that she must stay in the North’s premises.

It’s dangerous to act alone. I’ve consistently tried to make her understand. I know how much she craves her freedom; it’s something she’s never truly experienced. I made a promise to grant her that after I defeated Remus.

And now Remus has her, handed to him on a silver platter by none other than herself. Was that his calculated plan from the beginning? The reason why he sent Vienna to penetrate my kingdom? I should have seen it, the pieces neatly falling into place. That’s Vienna’s main purpose for disclosing the truth!

With both his daughters in his grasp now, he will likely flaunt his victory before my eyes.

Dialling the number, I raised the phone to my ear, the bitterness of vodka surging down my throat as I downed it in a single gulp.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Lucian,” a soft voice greeted me.

“Emelia.”

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Sarcasm dripped from her voice, even through the connection.

“The banners are prepared. It’s time to march into battle,” I stated in a heavy tone.

“But the Southern North Lords are yet unprepared….”

“We don’t need them to defeat Remus,” I interjected, hastily cutting her words.

“Why the rush?” She sounded confused.

“This war is long overdue. I should’ve ended Remus’s life when he took my mother’s life,” I admitted, my teeth clenched.

“Lucian, we can’t execute this plan abruptly. Remus is a strong enemy, and we mustn’t underestimate him…”

“He has Cercei captive,” I stated bluntly. A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line.

“What?” Her voice carried a hint of disbelief.

“What do you mean he has her?!” Panic now wrapped her voice.

“What I mean is, she managed to escape, and Vienna is with her.” I exhaled heavily, the bitter taste of vodka lingering on my tongue as I gulped another glass.

Yes, your daughter has left me once again.