© Claimed By Him ~ Elektra Orfanos

*|Luna|*

As the night progressed the party livened and all thanks to drinking. But there was one person not following the party spirit and he carried himself proudly around the outskirts just observing like a ghost. What is he even doing here? He is not from any high class bloodline how did he even get an invite to this event? Now I sound like the snobs I make fun of.

"Think you'll marry him?" My mother whispered making me choke and splatter my drink on my dress. Again.

"What brought that question?" I demanded to know. Her eyes widened shocked but at the same time amused.

"You won't stop looking at him, I'm assuming you're already naming my future grandchildren." She's teasing me and I don't like it. Not at all!

"Even if I'd wanted to I strongly doubt that he has any loving eye for me." I said truthfully while my mother grabbed a napkin and we both attacked the stain.

"Nonsense you're beautiful. He'd be a fool." She stated fiercely. I smiled and rested my chin on her shoulder as we looked over at the dancers.

"Love you." I whispered.

"Love you more."

"I love you most."

She heavily sighed. "Luna." I lifted my head up and stared at her warily. "Never mind me when I call you out as a fool. I want you to be as foolish as you can before," she paused. "Before society chains you down."

I nodded understanding. "I will not let it and one day when I change the world, become a millionaire with my writing I shall free you from your chains. You can stay at my palace and we'll go shopping in Monaco every weekend for simple fun."

"That'll be the day!" She scowled. I laughed too loudly but stopped when I noticed Sam staring at me from the far side of the garden. "You seem to have caught the attention of a few men at this ball Luna."

I creased my brow confused. "A few?"

"Golden boy with the bruises." I giggled flushing as she gestured to Sam. "Actually let's call him the brave warrior I mean look at those arms."

"Please stop." I begged bring a hand to cover my eyes embarrassed. The last thing I want to hear is my mother gawking at the annoyance in my life.

"The wide chest, that strong jaw." Through my fingers I caught the snicker on his face but I looked away once he gazed back up at me. Damn him and his wolf hearing. "The golden skull." She gestured her chin to Evan wearing a golden demon mask with gold fangs.

I had to whisper otherwise I would have regretted it later. "Suits him very well." Although why is he staring...? Oh he is just glaring me all good. For a second there I almost thought he was admiring me and turns out my disguise is very flawed.

"And next to him... what should we call him?" Curtis stared at me behind his black mask that was designed to make him look sinister but I know behind the mask he's soft and sweet.

"Name something cute and cuddly." I said.

"A bear?" She suggested.

"A big cuddly bear." I giggled watching him. He gazed back at me still trying to see through the disguise then he smiled.

"So this one you like?"

"I don't like anyone." I said putting the emphasis on like but I can't keep off the sheepish smile. "You know I don't look for that."

"Pick a good one Luna. You can not be beautiful for nothing."

"What if I didn't choose a man? What if I lived life with no ring?"

"You'd find it rather lonely."

"I don't believe that to be true."

"Why?"

"Well I have you don't I?"

"Are you saying I'm to be stuck with you? Wasn't giving birth enough?"

"Oh I see how it is now." I muttered sourly.

She chuckled but suddenly stiffened. "Better go it looks like your father is coming back."

I watched as the pudgy man blinding me in his fancy white coat and trousers began glaring in our direction."He's going to recognize me anyway."

"You give him too much credit. Now scat." She hit lightly on the shoulder with her fan and I ducked away in time to find the golden puffy dress I came in with. Marilyn was busy with her own gentleman with the lion tail and even from so far away I can see the happy glint sparkling in her eyes. The last thing I want is to ruin their romantic moment, who am I to stop them from whispering sweet nothings? My eyes scanned over the yard and I met the figure, the reason I wanted to be here in the first place. I swear I have had ten different mood swings tonight.

The preacher. I completely forgot he was going to be here and like Sam he didn't bother with a mask. Seeing the bearded creep sent shivers down my spine and I instinctively looked back at Mari wanting to warn her. I imagine the conversation would carry out like this:

"Mari do you remember that preacher?"

"I knew you were keeping something from me."

"I had to."

"Don't do anything." She threatened.

"Have fun with your lover."

So there's no point in me telling her.

~*~*~

*|Curtis|*

I noticed Luna glaring after one of our hunting leader with curious eyes and my heart skipped a beat when I caught Mr Night trailing her like... Like a wolf. The nightmare is still nestling in my mind only coming out to snap when I want to think of Luna's radiant face.

I don't want to think about it but if Luna is protecting the wolves then she is a threat to me, to everyone.

I pushed the thought aside and took in her appearance. It's a shame she's hiding under a wig, I heard she didn't come here with her family so everyone went on about it. Luckily only few of us recognize who she is if Evan hasn't gone of telling everybody.

Evan crept up beside me. "Why are you tapping your foot?"

"I didn't realize I was."

"You do that when you're nervous."

"I do not."

"Curtis whatever you're about to do..."

"Pardon me." I interrupted now eager to gain her attention.

"Curtis, Curtis!" Evan hissed inconspicuously. I ignored him and kept walking in her direction and she didn't notice I was walking towards her until I was in her way. She looked at me expectantly but I came over with no actual plan so the first that came to mind was:

"Red must be your favourite colour."

Although the mask hides it I know she's perking her brow in a curious way like she usually does. "I wear it to please Evan's idea of me being the devil."

I chuckled but said seriously offering her my hand. "You are no such thing." Mr Nightly is watching us intensely, if he's really her cousin he shouldn't be bothered. If he's really the werewolf then he should lash out and behave possessively. I've seen how wolves are with their women, if he hasn't claimed her yet he will and I will die before I let that happen to her.

She accepted my hand and somehow we both just knew where to go, we just instinctively went to the middle of the group of dancers still looking at each other. Her hand fit so perfectly in mine and I traced my thumb over the glove wondering what her actual skin must feel like. I expect skin softer than the softest silk. "Don't say that too loud I have a reputation to uphold."

"What is that? Satan's daughter?" My free hand found her hip and her hand rested on my shoulder. She kept a fair distance as we began to dance and I want to change that immediately.

"My pitchfork is under my bed." She whispered.

I sighed. "Luna, stop pleasing his stupid thoughts."

"You called him stupid." She beamed. I rolled my eyes but felt proud to gain that smile. "Now I am drawn."

"Are you saying that if I continue to say loathsome things about my cousin you would fall for me?"

"I'd consider you as an acceptable bachelor."

I huffed. "That's not good enough."

"I am a difficult woman."

~*~*~

*|Luna|*

There was a pause in the music which was normal however the distant look in Curtis's eyes made me worry.

"No." He said finally. "I believe you would easily love someone but he will have to climb over that wall."

"What wall?" The music started again.

"The one you keep up so you can keep people like me out." We joined hands with two other people and danced in a circle. Sam was the other gentleman in the group and I smiled at him unable to control myself. Then we switched partners and because life is so cruel I ended up dancing with Sam.

Dancing with werewolves, in what period in my life did I let that happen?

"What's your cuddly bear been saying?" He asked making me internally groan in annoyance. He has no right to be listening in on my conversations.

"Something about walls." That's all I wish to say to him.

"Sounds boring." I felt something beating against my own heart and I mentally scolded myself for being so close to him. He has a firm grip on me, an iron arm around my waist rather than just a hand like Curtis. He's also got an iron grip on my hand so he's got me completely locked against him.

"Not that I'm complaining." I said out loud without thinking.

"What?"

"Nothing." I quickly said feeling my cheeks heat up. Then the rest of my body decided to burn like fire and all because of Sam? I took a deep breath and tried remembering why I am here. "I saw the preacher."

"Where?" His golden eyes widened.

"Here at the party."

His brow crinkled and his eyes narrowed meaning his deep in thought. "I don't smell him."

"He's definitely here. I can feel it." The stiffness in my spine has to mean something.

"How?"

"It's my special ability." I said sardonically as I looked around for the bearded creeper. I spotted him walking up the stairs to get back inside the mansion and abruptly, the rhythm of the music slowed and it did no good for the queasiness in my stomach with Sam holding me so close. It's like music purposely tried to intensify this moment and form a new romantic mood.

We looked at each other blankly. This is awkward, really awkward.

I broke us apart and curtsied. "Goodnight." Being apart from him finally relaxed me however the fire under my skin is still there so I got my fan out again fanning my face as I turned around.

"Wait," Sam grabbed my arms and his hands burned till the skin tingled. He made it worse when he pressed his mouth against my ear and I gulped nervously. "Why does he get to call you Luna?"

My eyes spotted Curtis and he's watching us right now with a heart stabbing frown. "He doesn't cross the boundaries and make me feel violated." I shook Sam's hands off me and walked as far from everyone as possible.

~*~*~

*|Sam|*

My body suddenly felt cold as she walked away but I shook away the feeling getting aggravated.

My focus is on that monster.

I'm clearly using her to get to him I need to learn not to get too attached because once I have him, his blood on my hands I will come back home and I'll never see Luna again. This has always been my mission and I won't have some girl ruin this for me. Despite how much I enjoy hearing the melody of her voice and watch her eyes wonder curiously over the world. She is not like anyone I have met.

The women of the Myths and magic and all things supernatural lack the innocence that she has. Sure they are either just as beautiful or more beautiful than she, but they're deceitful and sneaky. There's an ulterior motive with them but Luna? Luna knows of these myths but she is too pure to shed any ill will on anyone. I can't see it happening. She's too kind, too naive and that may be the ruin of her. Does her kindness come with her being human? If she were a Myth herself would her innocence still be the same?