Moon Lovers: Bound by Blood and Revenge

Kira looked down, keeping his eyes fixed on Marceline. She raised her head and met his eyes steadily for a moment. Both of them had subtle smiles on their lips.

Kira held her waist tightly as they began to dance in the slow rhythm of the music. The two move gracefully and elegantly as if they were made for each other as dance partners.

They looked good together. The other guests couldn't help but be captivated by the two who seemed to be a romantic couple dancing beautifully on the dance floor. They stood out from the crowd.

Meanwhile, Kira and Marceline didn't mind the people around them. They were lost in their own magical world, just the two of them.

Kira couldn't stop himself from sniffing Marceline's intoxicating sweet scent. He stood coolly, pulling her closer while holding her in place. 

When he noticed the envious gaze of the other men, Kira smirked inwardly, feeling proud of himself. He overheard some of the conversations around the banquet hall.

He felt honored knowing that Marceline never treated other men the way she treated Kira. They were talking about Marceline and Kira as a perfect couple that matched each other very well.

"Kira, you are being reckless by using your power here. Don't do it here. They might notice your identity." Marceline's voice snapped Kira out of his daydream.

He just smiled at her meaningfully before leaning over to whisper in her ear. "I'm your bodyguard. It's my duty to protect you against those perverts who are lusting over you."

He paused for a moment, bringing his face closer to hers, his lips almost touching her jaw. "Do you know that you look mesmerizing tonight, so stunning and strikingly beautiful that you can make any guy crazy for you."

Marceline's lips curled up into a mischievous smile. She tiptoed, her fingers lightly touching his chest while tugging his tie. "Are you one of those men?"

Marceline tilted her head, making their lips just an inch apart. They heard other people gasping and murmuring about them but they just ignored them. They were so focused on each other.

"My Lady, am I allowed to kiss you here? I want to answer your question through my actions," he said with a cheeky grin on his lips.

Marceline's eyes lit up, anticipating Kira to do as he pleased. Who cares about the numerous pairs of eyes around them? They were already invisible to them as Kira's and Marceline's attention only focused on each other.

"Then why don't you try it…" Marceline whispered seductively, challenging Kira. Her fingers continued drawing circles on his chest.

Kira smirked at her, not backing down on her challenge. He slowly lowered his head to claim her lips. However, from out of nowhere, someone bumped into Kira's back, disrupting their moments.

Cedric intentionally hit Kira's back while he was dancing with Natasha. Since Marceline refused his dance invitation, Cedric and Natasha continued being dance partners for the next round of songs.

He hated to see Kira and Marceline acting intimately towards each other so Cedric immediately intervened when he saw Kira lowering his head to kiss Marceline.

He couldn't understand why Marceline chose to be with a mere bodyguard, instead of choosing him. It was a great insult for him. Cedric was so furious that he wanted to punish both of them but in different ways.

He planned on claiming Marceline tonight so he would never allow a mere bodyguard to kiss her. Marceline should belong to him, not to anyone else.

Cedric's desire to have her intensified further. He could no longer wait to punish the woman who hurt his ego over and over again.

'The game is not yet over. The night is just starting,' Cedric thought to himself as he feigned ignorance, pretending he didn't intentionally hit Kira's back.

Meanwhile, aside from Kira, Marceline was also looking daggers at Cedric. If just one glance could kill Cedric would have been dead by now. 

Marceline was truly pissed off for the interruption he did. She was already waiting for Kira to kiss her only to be disappointed in the end. It was Cedric's fault! He ruined the moment.

Feeling annoyed, Marceline just pulled Kira away from the dance floor. They had already gathered lots of attention. She just wanted to conceal their presence by dragging Kira to the corner of the banquet hall.

Cedric just watched their backs as they walked away. He immediately looked for his Beta. When their eyes met, he gave him his go signal. They would take an action soon, implementing Cedric's evil plan.

'Just you wait Marceline Celeste Zhou. After tonight, you can no longer act arrogant towards me. I will make you submit to me. You will be mine.'

When the second song ended, Cedric said goodbye to Natasha, thanking her for being his dance partner for tonight's Masquerade Ball. He told her some alibi before he disappeared from her sight.

If Cedric didn't do that, Natasha would stick to him until the party ends. He would not be able to do his plan if someone like Natasha would watch him and stay by his side all night. 

He just realized how deep the other young mistress from the Zhou Family had fallen head over heels in love with him. If only Natasha was Marceline, then he would not hesitate to take advantage of her feelings. Too bad, the person who liked him was another woman, not the lady he wanted to claim.

Cedric looked for his adviser, Vladimir on the crowd. He called his attention right away after finding him. He needed his adviser's help to make his plan a success.

Vladimir approached their Alpha. He received several instructions from Cedric. Cleo, the Beta also joined them, telling his Alpha that everything was already prepared.

After mobilizing his adviser and Beta, Cedric talked to Ronan privately, asking him about the updates on the task he gave him.

"Cedric, the person I paid is now on the move," he said, pointing his finger to the waiter who was approaching Marceline's and Kira's spot in the corner of the banquet hall.

Cedric turned to follow Ronan's gaze and his pointing finger. He saw a waiter holding a tray of lady's drinks. A sly smile formed in the corner of his lips when Marceline took one glass.

'It's showtime,' he mumbled to himself, drinking his wine. His eyes never left Marceline and Kira.

When he saw his Beta making his move, Cedric finally left his spot, getting ready to execute the next step of his plan.

*****

On the other hand, Kira and Marceline were still oblivious about the evil scheme Cedric was plotting right now. They continued enjoying each other's company.

"Stop. Don't drink too much," Kira said, trying to snatch the glass away from Marceline's hand. But she quickly moved her hand, drinking her favorite tipple in one go.

"I don't have to worry if I get drunk because you are here beside me. You will take care of me, right?" Marceline put on a charming look which could easily melt Kira's heart.

Kira could only sigh deeply while scratching his face. He was a little bit worried about Marceline getting drunk. She might lose control of herself once again and forget about what she'd done after sobering up.

"Okay… your wish is my command. Do everything you want, I won't stop you."

Marceline smiled playfully, raising an eyebrow. "Really? I can do everything I want and you will not stop me."

Kira bobbed his head as a response.

Marceline let out a soft giggle. She moved closer to Kira, and said teasingly, "What if I want to make love to you, will you not stop me?" 

She pressed her body against him, checking if his body would react to her. Surprisingly, Kira grabbed her by the waist, pulling her further until she felt something hard against her lower abdomen.

'Damn! He is hard already.'

"My Lady, there is a limit to your jokes and teasings. Don't test my patience and self-control…" Kira mumbled in his deep but sensual voice. He was giving her a warning.

Marceline's cheeks reddened and she felt her body becoming hot quickly. 'Why did I suddenly feel so hot? Is this Kira's effect on me?'

Marceline gazed up, looking at him with yearning and desire. 'I want him…'

She immediately shook her head, gently smacking her face. 'Get a grip of yourself, Marceline! You are at a party filled with so many people. Why are you thinking of inappropriate things?!" She slightly scolded herself.

Then her eyes suddenly widened in realization. 'Wait? Don't tell me my illness is acting out again as I feel an intense lust towards Kira? Am I going to lose control of myself again?'

Marceline was still lost in her thoughts when suddenly someone accidentally poured wine on Kira's suit. It was Cleo, Cedric's Beta.

"I'm sorry, Bro. The glass slipped in my fingers!" Cleo said as an excuse.

Kira frowned at the man. He was about to say a word when Marceline chimed in, scolding Cleo.

"Are you blind or just clumsy?" Marceline didn't hide her displeasure when she saw Kira's wet tuxedo.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. If you will allow me, I can accompany him to get another suit. There is a store in this hotel. I will pay for it."

"It's fine. I will just wash it in the CR," Kira refused Cleo's offer but Marceline didn't allow him.

"No! Let him buy you a new suit. You can't wear a wet tux for the whole night unless we will go home now. But I can't leave just yet," she said, looking at Kira's wet clothes worriedly.

In the end, Kira obeyed Marceline's words, leaving the banquet hall together with Cleo to change his wet clothes.. And just like that, Cedric's plan of separating Kira and Marceline worked out accordingly.