Luna of the Cursed Alpha King (Helga and Siegren)

"ARE YOU MAD?" David asked cautiously, eyeing Siegren who was smoking and leaning against the pillar near the entrance of the training grounds. He could see that Helga and Siegren had already marked each other, and it seemed like she had successfully helped her ease the effects of the curse. Despite any potential punishment from the Alpha King, David was just relieved that his best friend would no longer have to suffer during every full moon. He didn't regret telling Helga the truth.

"I am," Siegren answered, blowing the smoke from his cigarette and tossing the butt on the ground before stomping on it viciously. "It's not like you to disobey my orders like that. I specifically instructed you not to tell Helga that she could help me, yet you revealed the information anyway."

"I am willing to accept any punishment for my actions; I only did it because I didn't think it was fair to keep Helga in the dark about your curse. She's a smart woman, and her curiosity would only intensify with each passing day, so eventually she would find out anyway." David explained, "Plus, I couldn't stand to see you suffer like that every month. Before you became a King, you were my best friend, we both know that fighting the urge to kill would ultimately lead to your demise from the curse."

An exasperated sigh escaped Siegren's lips as he took in the words of his beta, acknowledging that his trusted friend was right.

"Don't worry, I won't punish you since my relationship with Helga changed drastically because you decided to tell her the truth," he said, looking at the warriors on the training ground locked in a fierce sparring match.

"But it's odd. I understand that the mating bond is powerful, almost like a spell. But why do I treat my mate differently than my father and the previous Kings who treated their Lunas as mere possessions even after marking each other?"

"It's possible that Helga's willingness to let you mark each other played a role in your strong bond. After all, unlike the previous King and Queen whose bond was forced, you and Helga chose to bond with each other." David shrugged, "Besides, aren't you drawn to her from the start?"

The beta's question hung in the air, lingering like a heavy fog. Truth be told, Siegren had been immediately drawn to Helga from the moment he laid his eyes on her. It wasn't just because of her striking beauty, but also because of her boldness and recklessness that shone through as she volunteered to be his Luna that fateful night. Her spirit and bravery piqued his interest, causing him to take notice of her. But it was only curiosity and intrigue that sparked within him, nothing more.

"That might be right, but I feel like something was more to it." Siegren furrowed his brow and gazed off into the distance, suddenly lost in deep thought. His mind was heavy with the weight of recent events, and it showed in the lines etched on his face. He let out a deep sigh, releasing some of the tension that had been building within him.

He had woken up feeling great this morning, but now his mind was filled with problems once again. He couldn't help but miss Helga's presence.

"Anyway, what is the status of your investigation into Helga's origins? Have you discovered which pack she came from originally? And what about her parents?"

Siegren asked because, despite a full month passing, he was no closer to unraveling the mystery of Helga's parentage. He had even gone so far as to interrogate Alpha Aldous and Luna Viola during the reception, but they too were clueless about Helga's origins. Their lack of knowledge only fueled Siegren's curiosity, as he was determined to uncover the truth about Helga's birth family.

"I've already done a thorough investigation, but the packs that took her in had no information about her.”

David answered, "Why not just ask her directly? Or how about taking her out on a date so you could get to know her better?"

"Huh?" Siegren raised an eyebrow in confusion, the mere thought of him going on a date seemed absurd. He had always been focused on his duties as an Alpha King and had never entertained the idea of a romantic relationship. Even before he was crowned, he wouldn't have the time to pursue relationships with his duties constantly pulling him away. “Do you really think I have the luxury of time to go on a date? I still have to deal with the crime my sister had committed."

"Relaxing once wouldn't hurt you know?" David shook his head in admiration. He was well aware of Siegren's unwavering dedication to his duties, particularly as the ruler of a land plagued by constant problems. But he couldn't help but wish that Siegren would also take some time for himself, to rest and rejuvenate from the weight of his responsibilities. "Why not take a day off from work today, or perhaps consider going on a romantic honeymoon?"

years

"Honeymoon?" Portia's voice startled David as it came from behind him. He jumped and then turned around to see her standing there with her blinding beauty. It had been three since they found each other as fated mates, and yet her beauty still struck him with the force of a thundering heart. Every time he looked at Portia, it was as if he were seeing her for the first time-her rosy cheeks with freckles, sparkling eyes, and radiant smile all taking his breath away like a teenage boy in love.

"Good afternoon, Your Majesty." Portia gracefully curtsied before the Alpha King, her movements fluid and elegant. Beside her, Helga mimicked the gesture, her flowing plain dress dancing around her legs in the breeze. The open training grounds stretched out before them, alive with the distant sounds of warriors sparring and honing their skills.

"What brings you here? I specifically asked you to rest," Siegren remarked, his focus immediately shifting to his wife and making his beta and Portia fully invisible.

"I wanted to take a walk," Helga responded casually, causing Portia and David to exchange surprised glances. They were aware of the Queen and King's recent bonding, but they never expected their relationship to evolve to this level. Especially after Siegren had been distant and cold towards Helga before and during their wedding.

The sudden shift in circumstances caught them both off guard, leaving them speechless and unsure of what to do next. Feeling a sense of awkwardness, they politely excused themselves and retreated to give the newlyweds some space to enjoy their special moment together.

"I thought your body's sore?" Siegren asked as soon as Portia and David left, making Helga hold her neck awkwardly.

"It's not quite as bad as it was earlier. Thankfully, the warm bath that the head main prepared for me helped me feel much better."

Helga finished her sentence with a soft smile, her eyes reflecting the genuine relief she felt from the warmth of the water soothing her tired muscles. Siegren couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in her demeanor, the way her tense muscles relaxed, and her expression softened in the tranquility of the moment. He realized that he wasn't the only one who was changing after the mating process-she too, seemed to be growing more comfortable around him. And for some reason, that made him think back to David's earlier suggestion, causing a stir of emotions within him.

"That's good to hear." he nodded as they began walking out of the training grounds and went to a familiar trail leading to the royal garden. where the flowers blossomed in a riot of colors, their sweet fragrances dancing in the gentle breeze. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape and bathing everything in a soft amber light. Siegren and Helga strolled side by side, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path. There was an awkward silence between them, yet somehow their presence together brought a sense of peace they were the only two people in the entire world amidst this stunning display of nature.

Helga's eyes roamed over the picturesque scenery surrounding them, but her thoughts were fixated on the conversation she had overheard between David and Siegren.

"Uhm, may I ask what you and David were talking about earlier? I heard him mention about honeymoon." she tentatively asked, trying not to sound too nosy.

"He's suggesting that I take a break from my duties and indulge in a honeymoon with you," Siegren answered. His initial reaction to the suggestion was absurd to him, but as he spoke with Helga, the idea began to sound more appealing. The thought of spending some alone time with her was enticing, especially since he couldn't remember the last time he took a vacation or even allowed himself a moment to relax and enjoy life. It had been far too long since he had let go and truly enjoyed himself.

He pondered the idea, wondering if spending some time away with Helga would provide him with the answers he sought about her mysterious origins. He could feel the weight of his curiosity pressing down on him, urging him to uncover the truth. Perhaps a break in their routine would allow for deeper conversations and new insights into her past.

"As newlyweds, shall we plan a honeymoon together?"