Rey dragged the attacker of Aluna, whose body was limp like the carcass of an animal, her neck veins taut, her jaw clenched to the point of almost cracking. Aluna could only sob on the cold ground, her body shaking violently, not just from the chill of the night, but from the terror that had just shattered her peace. She watched as Rey gave short, sharp commands to the guards who suddenly appeared from the darkness like ghosts, his voice low yet full of undeniable authority. His expression that night was bare, without the cold mask he usually wore. What was visible was only a burning anger, a genuine concern as his eyes would occasionally glance at Aluna's trembling form, curled in fear.
After the attacker was dragged away, Rey crouched in front of Aluna, his knees touching the damp earth. His gaze was intense, wild, scanning every part of her body—from her pale face to her fingers gripping tightly onto her nightgown. The touch of his hand on her arm as he turned her body to check for any wounds on her back felt like a burn. No longer was there the stiffness or indifference that had always marked his touch. His fingers felt hot, trembling slightly, as though holding back emotions as fierce as those Aluna was feeling herself.
"Are you hurt? Where?" Rey asked, his voice choked, low, and hoarse like a restrained growl. There was a strong possessiveness in his tone, as though someone had dared to touch what was his.
Aluna weakly shook her head, her tears still flowing, soaking her cold cheeks. She couldn't make a sound, her throat choked by the fear and shock still gripping her. She felt Rey's touch on her face, his rough yet gentle thumb wiping away the tears from her cheek. That touch felt intimate, so different from their previous physical interactions that had always been awkward and devoid of passion. There was warmth in it, a warmth that spread through her cold skin, making her heart race, pumping her blood in a wild rhythm.
That night, sleep was a luxury Aluna couldn't afford. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of the rough hand that muffled her scream, the stench of her attacker's breath, and the disgusting whispers of threats haunted her, causing her to jolt awake gasping for air, her body drenched in cold sweat, her heart thumping like a war drum. On the other side of their large bed, which usually felt empty, Rey too seemed unsettled. He got up several times from the bed, pacing along the balcony lit by the silver moonlight, his tense, restless silhouette clearly visible. Aluna could feel the aura of anger and vigilance radiating from him, as though he were at war with his own demons.
The next morning, the atmosphere in the mansion felt more oppressive than usual. Rey had turned the house into a fortress. More guards in black uniforms were posted at every corner, their eyes sharp and expressionless. Tracking dogs with their muzzles covered were occasionally seen in the garden, sniffing the lingering danger still in the air. Natasha, the glamorous ex-lover, seemed to have vanished into this emergency situation. The woman appeared pale and frightened, occasionally trying to approach Rey, but he only responded with short, cold answers, his attention fully focused on Aluna's safety and the investigation into last night's events.
During breakfast, Rey sat at the end of the table, his aura dark and threatening. He gave only short, sharp commands to Maya, who moved nervously around him. There was no conversation, just the clinking of silverware and the sound of reluctant chewing. Aluna, still feeling traumatized and dazed, could only stare at her food without interest, her stomach churning every time she remembered the horrifying events of the night before.
After the silent, punitive breakfast, Aluna gathered the courage to approach Rey in his office. She found him standing by the large window, staring outside with an unreadable expression. Darkness still lingered in his eyes, but there was also a faint trace of worry on his brow.
"Rey," Aluna called softly, her voice still trembling a little. "Thank you. Thank you for saving me last night."
Rey turned to face her, his gaze sharp, but this time there was something different in it. Not just the usual coldness and indifference, but an intensity that made Aluna's heart beat faster. "You're my wife, Aluna. In this contract, I am responsible for your safety. I will not let my asset be ruined before I get what I want."
Rey's words felt like a cold slap to Aluna's skin. His words were so pragmatic and emotionless, extinguishing the warmth she had felt the night before. Yet, his gaze was not entirely cold. There was a strange gleam in his eyes, an intensity that made Aluna wonder if there was something deeper behind his words.
"Do… do you know who that person was?" Aluna asked, her voice still hoarse with fear.
Rey exhaled roughly, rubbing his temple with a weary motion that showed how disturbed he was. "It's still under investigation. What's clear is that he's not Natasha's man. I've made sure of that."
Hearing Natasha's name, Aluna felt a slight shock mixed with confusion. She had suspected the woman, driven by jealousy and the animosity that was clearly visible between them. "Then... who could want to... hurt me?"
Rey stared at her with a penetrating gaze, as though trying to read her thoughts. "I'll find out, Aluna. Trust me. Security in this house will be the top priority now." He placed an unusual emphasis on the word 'trust,' but Aluna wasn't sure what he meant by it.
Several days passed in a tense atmosphere of vigilance. Natasha still roamed the mansion, but her interactions with Rey had become cold and formal. Rey spent most of his time in his office or speaking with the guards. He rarely spoke directly to Aluna, but she often caught him secretly watching her from afar. His gaze was difficult to interpret, a mix of clear concern and something deeper, darker, that made Aluna feel strange. At times, his gaze felt so intense that it made her skin crawl, as though Rey were trying to strip her down to her soul.
One afternoon, Aluna tried to find some peace in the backyard garden. She sat on a bench beneath a shady tree, trying to soak in the sweet aroma of the flowers and the sound of the fountain's gentle trickle. She felt somewhat safer with the guards posted around the garden, but the haunting shadow of the previous night still loomed over her. By chance, she looked up and saw Rey's silhouette standing still in one of the windows on the upper floor, staring at her. The golden evening light framed his body, making him appear like a cold, distant statue of a god. His expression was hard to read from afar. His face was tense, but there was also a soft trace around his eyes, a contradiction that made Aluna's heart race unevenly. He stood there for a long time, unmoving, just watching her silently, as though he were trying to solve a complicated puzzle. Then, as if realizing that he had been caught watching, Rey suddenly turned and disappeared from sight.
Aluna stood frozen. His quiet gaze felt strange and confusing. If he only saw her as an asset to be protected, why would he watch her with such intensity? There was something deeper behind that gaze, an emotion hidden beneath the icy exterior that had always been his shield. Could it be that his sense of responsibility was more than just a contractual obligation? Or could it be that, beneath his cold words and actions, feelings that were more complicated and dangerous were beginning to grow? These questions swirled in her mind, leaving her with a curiosity that tingled and a faint hope that warmed her deepest heart.