The Clawless Luna 5

The morning sunlight poured in through the vents and tried to pierce the thickness of the curtains that still covered all the large windows in the room. Its brightness and warmth cast a beauty that should have been irresistible to anyone, including Vione.

Slowly Vione opened her eyes. With the return of consciousness, a beautifully curved smile adorned her face. She let out a small sigh, and fleeting memories flashed through her mind.

Usher and I....

Vione paused for a moment. Last night had been beautiful, but she wondered if it was real or just a dream.

Still fresh in Vione's mind, she and Usher had a fight. She cried and ran across the room. Her consciousness faded as exhaustion and sadness overcame her.

But it seemed real. For when Vione looked around, all the evidence left behind testified without a doubt.

Her clothes were strewn across the floor. In addition, there were visible red marks on her chest. And as if that weren't enough, a strand of necklace hanging from her neck was the answer to all doubts.

Vione grabbed the necklace. Now her heart and emotions were truly full. She felt as if she were floating and did not want to touch the ground again.

It was the second time since their wedding night. After so long, Vione could feel Usher's warmth and love again. His touch, his whisper and his dominance were the same as before, unchanged in the slightest.

"I love you, Vione."

Not just once. Usher repeated the same words over and over again. He said it often, all the time their bodies were joined and clinging to each other with sweat.

Vione would not forget. She would remember it forever.

A moment passed and Vione's happiness was interrupted by a tingling excitement. Her heart raced again as she vividly remembered Usher's tight embrace last night. His firm hands had captured her and would not let go. It was only natural for her to fall asleep in peace.

Wait.

Vione's smile and happy face vanished. She blinked and lowered her eyes, then realized something.

"Usher?"

No more hug. Vione turned immediately; disappointment etched on her face.

The pillow beside her was empty. Usher was gone.

But Vione's disappointment did not last long. She hurried. She got out of bed, ignoring the mess left by the passionate love of the night before, and quickly got ready.

There was still time. Vione had about thirty minutes before Usher was scheduled to leave for the office.

So, Vione dressed. She applied makeup and made sure she looked as neat and beautiful as possible.

As Vione descended the stairs, she saw Usher and Garth crossing the front hall of The Palace. She quickened her pace and decided to run.

"Usher."

Usher and Garth both stopped. They turned to see Vione approaching hastily.

"Usher."

Vione's beaming face made Usher furrow his brow and ask, "What's going on?"

"Going to the office?"

Usher's frown deepened and he replied curtly, "Of course I'm going to the office. Where else would I go?"

"Ah," Vione mumbled apologetically, blinking in embarrassment. She watched Usher, noting the annoyance on his handsome face. "O-of course, you're going to the office."

A strange feeling surfaced, causing Vione to furrow her brow. She had not expected Usher's abrupt attitude. Honestly, she thought she would get a nice answer from Usher after what they had been through last night.

"What are you really doing, Vione? Running out and calling me just for an insignificant question like this?"

Usher's accusation startled Vione and she shook her head quickly.

"N-no, Usher. I didn't mean it like that. I just..."

"You really are a pain, Vione," Usher interjected with a sigh. He seemed to be getting irritated. "Can't you go a day without making a fuss? Early in the morning you're screaming like a lunatic."

Vione's eyes widened. "A mad person?"

Not only Vione but also Garth jumped at Usher's choice of words. He sighed and blinked uncomfortably.

"Yes, a mad person. Well, I hope you can control yourself."

Vione gaped. She stared at Usher in disbelief.

"Don't make me lose my patience, Vione. I don't want a repeat of yesterday's mess."

"W-what, Usher?"

Usher was sure Vione heard him, so he did not repeat himself. Instead, he warned Vione of something else.

"One thing you must understand. I don't want you to bother Mireya. If you do, be prepared for the consequences."

Vione stumbled. Usher's warning contradicted the expressions of love she had received the night before. Did it make sense? After love had enveloped them together, this was what happened?

"W-what did you say, Usher? You don't want me to bother Mireya?"

Again, Usher saw no need to repeat what was already clear. He raised his left hand, glanced at his watch, and said, "I have to go now. I don't want to waste my valuable time dealing with your complaints," he said with a grin. His gaze collided with something Vione was wearing, and he commented mockingly, "Such an ugly necklace. It fits you perfectly."

After that, Usher really left. Garth, torn between emotions, could only offer a thin smile before following the Alpha. Now Vione was left alone, frozen in disbelief.

"W-what did he say?" Vione wondered, holding her necklace. "Such an ugly necklace?"

*

There is a precious place in Solaris City, a vast vineyard that spans thousands of acres. Nestled among lush green hills, it offers a breathtaking view, especially on a clear day.

Peace and quiet—those are the two things you're guaranteed to feel when you set foot there. Just like Usher did.

The helicopter had just landed about five minutes ago. Its arrival stirred up various objects in the air, be they leaves, twigs, or perhaps small pebbles that had been helplessly tossed aside. It was as if nature itself was clearing the way to honor the Alpha's presence.

Austin Hayes, the agricultural director in charge of the vineyard, had been waiting for Usher along with his staff. Despite his confusion at Usher's sudden return, he had prepared as best he could. There might be other important matters that would prompt Usher to visit again.

"Good morning, sir."

Usher walked on. "Good morning."

Austin started to follow Usher, but Garth stopped him. The Beta, who also served as Usher's personal assistant for work-related matters, intervened.

"Mr. Usher just wants to take a walk. You may continue with your work."

Austin nodded, confused. "Alright."

Afterwards, Garth quickly caught up with Usher. He followed wherever Usher's footsteps led without saying a word. After all, he had come to understand Usher's nature after years of service.

Something weighed on the Alpha's mind. Something made him restless. That's why he had ordered Garth to cancel all plans for the day and to prepare the helicopter.

Usher needed rest and he was lucky to have a place that promised just that. The atmosphere was harmonious and shielded from the noise of the world. The only sound that could disturb him was the chatter of the grape pickers.

Usher walked on, moving through the vines that covered the ground. He savored the fresh scent of grapes wafting through the air. For a moment, it truly soothed his soul.

"I've been feeling restless lately, Garth."

Garth continued to follow Usher at a steady pace. "What is troubling you, Alpha?"

"I don't know," Usher replied, breathing out. He glanced around the vineyard, not sure where, then sighed. "I don't know what's bothering me, but I feel restless."

"Perhaps you need more rest, Alpha. It's been too much work lately, and you've been dealing with the problems of the pack. How about I arrange a vacation for you? Perhaps a week in the mountains will help you find some peace."

An interesting idea, but Usher was not interested. "No. There's too much work that will be neglected if I take a vacation now."

Garth did not argue.

"Hopefully things will get better soon."

Usher ended the conversation. He walked on, this time signaling to Garth not to follow him. He needed some time alone.

Time passed. The harvesters had worked three shifts that day. The clear sky that had turned searing was slowly fading. The sun began to show signs of saying goodbye.

Usher did not know how long he'd been wandering around the vineyard. Strangely, he did not feel tired at all.

The helicopter took Usher and Garth back to the city. They landed when the sky had darkened and a car took Usher back to The Palace while Garth stayed behind at the office.

It was an exhausting but also unpleasant trip. If there was one word Usher would choose to describe it, it would undoubtedly be emptiness.

Everything felt hollow. Usher thought of himself as an empty cup.

What is happening to me? Why is my mind so restless?

The car came to a stop. Usher had arrived at The Palace. The door opened and he got out immediately.

Usher walked. He climbed the stairs without enthusiasm, then suddenly stopped.

Instinct kicked in. Usher turned to the left side of The Palace, squinting his eyes as if trying to pierce the darkness there. He waited, but the rustling he had heard stopped with time.

Nothing was happening. Everything seemed fine. But an Alpha's instincts were not easily fooled.

Usher took out his phone. He called Garth.

"Increase security at The Palace."

*

"Who's crazy? Me or Usher?"

Vione asked herself a similar question countless times that day. She was truly confused as she paced her room, still clutching her necklace.

"Even stranger, how could he say my necklace was ugly? That necklace was a gift from him."

The more Vione thought about it, the more perplexed she became. But she could not shake the strangeness from her mind. Trying to sleep was futile; her brain kept presenting oddities that kept her awake.

The sound of the door opening caught Vione's attention. In the brief moment she turned, a suspicion arose. No one entered her room without knocking, unless it was him.

"Usher."

Usher approached Vione and took off his leather jacket and hat. He also removed the mask that covered half of his face.

"Where have you been?"

The confusion that had accompanied Vione all day vanished when she saw Usher's unusual appearance. Casually, she wondered where Usher had been the night before.

"I was at the vineyard all day. I toured around and only arrived at The Palace around eight."

Vione furrowed her brow. Hadn't Usher dressed formally before leaving The Palace earlier?

"You didn't sleep?"

Not only Usher's question interrupted Vione's thoughts, but also the thumb caressing her cheek.

"Uh, no," Vione replied nervously. "I'm not sleepy yet."

"It's midnight and you're not sleepy. Are you waiting for me?"

"Waiting for you?"

Vione's eyes widened. A blush immediately made its presence known on both her cheeks. Usher smiled and Vione became even more embarrassed.

"I'm not waiting for you, Usher. I just..."

"It seems like I've been waiting all day for the right time to be with you," Usher interjected, silencing Vione's words. He looked at her, then sighed. "I miss you, Vione."

Vione blinked. "Miss me? Um. We just haven't seen each other for a day, Usher."

"A day that tried my patience."

As if to prove his words, Usher stepped forward. He closed the remaining distance and lowered his face. He planted a brief kiss on Vione's slightly parted lips.

Vione's body shook to her toes. She opened her eyes to find warmth glowing in Usher's eyes.

Vione held her breath. She tried to remain calm amidst the onslaught of relentless heartbeats. Every cell in her body was awakening, every nerve signaling an unstoppable joy.

"Usher," Vione whispered as their lips parted. "Are you staying here again?"

"What do you think?"

"In my opinion..."

Both of Vione's hands rose. Her slender fingers traced the edge of Usher's shirt. She squeezed the soft fabric for a moment, then slid them over Usher's head.

Vione touched Usher's broad chest. Her touch was gentle and made Usher growl.

"...yes."

As soon as the single word escaped her tongue, Vione found herself floating. She wrapped her legs around Usher's waist and they fell onto the bed.

*