The Alpha Prince's Luna

Bernard holds Cordelia by her shoulders as he bends over her with a cold stare. He can see that panic in her eyes although she tries to put up an angry expression to mask her true emotions.

While she is struggling to be free from his touch, he feels the soft skin on her shoulders.

"What are you going to do? Are you planning to hurt me?" Cordelia repeats her question as Bernard remains quiet.

Bernard cannot utter a single word because he is having an inner struggle himself. He can sense that his wife is trying to keep a brave stance but he knows she is helpless against him. The Prince lost his mocking stance from the moment Cordelia told him that she is forced to be with him and she intends to get a divorce. He feels suddenly conflicted. He thought he should be relieved that this woman is letting him be free to be with someone else. Why is he upset hearing those words from her? Does he feel insulted that Cordelia might not be attracted to him but hates him instead? Why does he care what this woman thinks of him? He continues to stare coldly at his wife as he imprisons Cordelia on the bed as if she is glued to it. Something in him begins to awake again. He senses the same electricity he felt on his first encounter with her. He yearns to keep touching her, but he cannot decide on what to do next. He just feels the warm sensation spreading through his whole body. He can barely contain his urge to caress Cordelia's face, her soft hair, and her inviting curves.

Bernard's imagination is starting to run wild on the different sensual things he wants to do with this woman who keeps trying to bring out the animal inside of him without her even noticing. Why doesn't he feel this way with Freya? He barely knew this wife of his but he senses his need to be intimately close to her more than any other person he ever met. He desires to be connected to her in a very carnal manner.

Is he under a spell?

Cordelia still struggles in front of him but seems to be confused as well.

"What are you doing?" Cordelia shouts at him, not hiding her frightened expression from their proximity to each other and Bernard's continued silence. The fear is reflected in her eyes but there is a certain yearning too.

They both seem to have transformed into another place where everything heightens the temperature of their bodies like they are caught on fire that burns slowly but can only be extinguished by each other.

Suddenly, there is a knock at the door. This brought them back to reality.

Bernard abruptly regains his wits. He seems to snap out from his daze upon hearing the loud knock.

Cordelia finds her chance as well and pushes Bernard away from him.

Bernard loses his footing and falls to the floor with a loud thud. He stares in shock at Cordelia but does not say a word.

"Your highness, is everything alright?" The voice from outside sounds puzzled by the lack of response from within the room.

Both Bernard and Cordelia hear the female voice outside but cannot seem to say anything. It must be one of the maids.

Finally, Cordelia stands from the bed to open the door while Bernard recovers and quickly stands too from where he slumps.

The maid enters and bows to both Cordelia and Bernard, without noticing anything unusual that happened between the two.

"Pardon me Prince Bernard, Princess Cordelia...your father, King Rob has arrived and wishes your presence." The maid announces politely to both of them.

"Thank you for telling us. We shall welcome my father in a while. Go ahead and inform him of our response." Bernard commands the maid.

The maid bows once more and leaves afterward, shutting the door.

Cordelia moves away from the door and keeps a safe distance from Bernard. She is still wary of him.

"You go ahead and welcome your father. I shall stay here." Cordelia says bravely as she regains her composure from the scare just a few moments ago.

"What did you just say? My father asks for our presence and we shall go and see him together. You are my wife and you should follow what I tell you to do." Bernard says in anger as he reminds Cordelia of her status in the palace from now on.

"Why will I follow what you tell me to do?" Cordelia asks as if to challenge Bernard's authority.

Bernard approaches Cordelia once more, clearly with anger on his face. He dwells on this emotion so as to control his instincts from a while back. He allows his fury to grow so that he will not have any other emotions stronger than this anger.

"You will do as I say. You will be my obedient wife and Princess here or I will make your life in this palace a living hell! Do you understand me?" Bernard replies in a very stern voice. He is now standing in front of Cordelia staring at her with flaming fury in his eyes. He looks straight at her but unlike before, he never comes any closer. He does not even attempt to touch her again.

Cordelia stares back at the Prince with the same furious expression but does not say any word in response. She is debating on what she will do next. Her mind comes back to the reality of her position at present. She has nothing and nowhere else to go. She cannot change this fate of hers for now but she can make her life here easier if she just stays away from Prince Bernard's anger. For now, she will be the obedient Princess and wife that Bernard expects of her. In time, she will find a way to escape. That is the best plan for her. Cordelia breathes deeply in defeat.

Bernard seems to take her silence as acceptance.

"Well then, let us not keep the King waiting. Come along my Princess." Bernard opens the door and waits for Cordelia to step out of the room first before he shuts the door behind them.

Cordelia allows Bernard to walk beside her. The Prince does not make any move to touch her again as he keeps a safe distance from her while they walk towards the King's chamber.

Prince Bernard stays silent and does not even glance at her at all.

Cordelia remains quiet too. She prefers to be on unspeaking terms with him than continue arguing again with things they cannot change anymore. She is just too exhausted from all of that for now.

The Prince and Princess walk onto the palace absorbed in their own thoughts. Both might be better off this way if they have to be civil enough when they face King Rob. Finally, they reach the entrance to the King's chamber. They stare at each other as if calculating their readiness to face the King.

"Your Highness, Prince Bernard and his wife Princess Cordelia at your presence." The royal guard announces their arrival.

Bernard takes Cordelia's hand to his without saying a word. Cordelia allows him. It is time for their royal duties to begin.