The Perfect Luna novel Chapter 74

He did not lie to her when he told her she could roam freely around his house. But Castiel forgot to mention that two guards would be following her wherever she

went.

It was annoying but she chose to tolerate them and pretend like everything was A-okay.

“I can kill them now if you want,” Onyx offered with a chuckle. “One is a bear, and one is a fox. We snap the fox’s neck first and then deal with Paddington.”

“Just leave them be,” she said to her wolf. “They are doing their job and also there are cameras everywhere here. It’s not the time. Not yet.”

She cringed at the thought that Castiel could be watching her with the help of his hidden cameras. She had to take a shower and change, knowing that, but she had to act as if she wasn’t aware. Riannon needed to underestimate her at least a bit, so she acted naturally at all times. But she still learned where the cameras were and where the blind spots could be. She did not plan to stay here for long, so she chose one of the many dresses in the wardrobe that he provided. No pants were there and her own clothes disappeared. So, she chose a black dress with sequins, long sleeves and a plunging V cut at the front. It wasn’t what she would prefer to wear while on the enemy’s territory, but other dresses seemed to be even more revealing.

The mansion she was at was exquisite, filled with pieces of art and expensive decorations. Castiel definitely did not spare any money and had an expensive taste. But at the same time everything here felt a bit too much. As if he was proving something. As if he was proving that he was a real king… Even the clothes he provided for her seemed like a doll’s wardrobe. He probably saw her as a new pretty possession.

She remembered her mate. Gideon did not have to prove anything to anyone. He never felt that need.

But thinking of him now was hurting her. She wished she could just tell him how she felt and why…  The Red Eden. building was empty and barely anyone lived here. But soon her ears picked up a strange buzzing noise. She decided to follow that and in a few minutes she found herself in front of huge wooden doors.

“What is that?” she asked one of her guards, the taller one, and he seemed uncomfortable hearing this question.

“We’d better go somewhere else,” the shorter one said, mirroring his colleague’s expression.

Now she just had to enter that forbidden place.

“I thought I was allowed to walk anywhere I want in this house,” she quirked her brow up and the men looked at each other, both of them tense.

“You are,” the tall one agreed uncomfortably, “It’s just… This place…”

“Open the doors!” she commanded, and they obeyed. At least, she had some kind of power here.

To her surprise, they walked into a balcony and she saw that it was just a part of the building. This part was closed, with many doors on both sides. And at least four floors. The huge square was enclosing the ceilingless courtyard in the centre, where there was a small fountain. She saw girls in red dresses playing and laughing there. More women were standing here and there at other balconies nearby and soon Riannon realised that she was standing at the central balcony. A huge chair stood next to her. Almost like a throne…

“What the…” she mumbled.

Two staircases at both sides of her were connecting all the floors and going all the way down to the courtyard.

Slowly, other women were noticing her. And she was not sure that she liked that attention they were giving her as none of them looked friendly.

“I will repeat my question,” she said to the guards, “What is this place?”

“It’s a…recreational…” The short one was looking for excuses and she knew now that he was the fox onyx mentioned.

“It’s the Harem,” the taller one sighed. The Bear.

That made so much more sense now. The red dresses were hardly covering anything. Each was different but they were all branding the women as… what? What were they here in this place? Slaves? Concubines?

She wanted to observe them for a while to make some conclusions but was quickly disturbed. Three girls appeared next to them. Two of them tackled the guards with ease, while the third one, a very tall blonde whose hair was as white as snow grabbed her throat and yanked her to the wall.

“So it’s true!” she hissed, scanning Ria’s face and body. “He has a new pet!”

The air was leaving her body fast and she struggled to take a new breath as she met the woman’s gaze full of hate.

There was only one way to get out of this and Riannon pierced the rival’s foot with her sharp metallic heel, making her shout from the pain and release her grip on her. Next, she dislocated her knee with one sharp blow and twisted the free hand, freeing her own neck and making the woman scream.

Both her friends were struggling with the guards and glancing their way with worry.

“I am not his pet!” Ria spat the words. “And I am not his! Choose your words carefully when you speak to me and keep your hands to yourself! If you want Castiel – he is all yours!”

The blonde was staring at her now, trying to understand whether she was serious or not. But then she clicked her fingers and her two friends let the guards go,

stepping away.

“You are one of those,” the blonde rolled her eyes and folded her hands on her chest. “He does enjoy this act but not for long.”

“Please, ladies,” the two guards were at her sides now, “Don’t cause trouble.

We don’t want to let the king know about this.”

“Whatever,” the blonde scoffed. “He has been planning to kill the lycan king for years! You are just lucky that he wanted you here. But as I have already told you, don’t get used to this treatment. He will get bored of you fast.”

“What the hell is she doing here?!” he growled angrily at the two guards and walked straight to her, grabbing her to check if she was alright. He checked her the way a seller checks his goods and she tried to distance herself from him. However, the fox king only pulled her closer, possessively.

“You said I can walk wherever I want in your house!” Riannon interrupted and everyone looked at her, slightly shocked at how daring she was.