HEARTS OF DIVINE RUIN (The MoonGoddess and The AlphaKing)

The world seemed to hold its breath as silence fell in the aftermath of Quintus' departure. The air felt thick, charged with the remnants of power that had torn through her just moments before. Luna's body swayed, her vision blurred, and the ground tilted beneath her feet as she tried to catch her balance. But it was no use. Every muscle, every bone in her body screamed in agony, bruised and burnt from the torture Quintus had put her through.
The faintest traces of blue, the color of something unnatural, glimmered faintly on her skin—burn marks wrapping around her arms, her chest, and her neck where Quintus had gripped her too tightly. His fingerprints were seared into her flesh like a cruel brand, marking her as a reminder of the monster who had nearly broken her.
Her legs buckled, and she crumbled, stumbling into a corner of the dim, dusty room. Alone. The haunted house was as she had left it—cold, decrepit, filled with shadows. And the absence of Alex only deepened the emptiness gnawing at her insides. But then again, she wondered if Alex would still stay knowing what type of person she is ? Maybe he had already left . 
Her breaths came shallow and ragged, chest heaving as she fought to keep consciousness. Yet even through the haze of pain and exhaustion, her stubbornness flared. She couldn't give up. Not like this. She pressed her palms against the wall, trying to pull herself up, the sharp, stinging pain shooting through her body.
"Luna!"
The deep, raw sound of her name echoed through the hollow halls, sending a shiver down her spine. She turned her head weakly, blinking through the blur, and there he was. Alex. His figure loomed in the doorway, eyes blazing with a mix of panic and fury. For a split second, she saw his entire world shatter as his gaze landed on her.
"Luna," he breathed again, softer this time. Pain threaded through his voice, so raw and broken it made her heart clench. He was beside her in an instant, dropping to his knees and gathering her gently into his arms. 
"What did he do to you?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
She tried to push him away, tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Her vision spun, and a wave of nausea rolled through her as she slumped against his chest, shuddering. "I'm... I'm fine," she managed, the lie sounding hollow even to her own ears.

"Fine?" His voice was a sharp, desperate whisper. "You're—" He looked down at her, eyes darting over the burn marks, the bruises, the blood. Something dark and dangerous flickered in his gaze, but he forced himself to take a deep breath, to focus on her instead of the rage threatening to consume him.
"You're not fine," he murmured, and then, without another word, he swept her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing. Luna stiffened, struggling weakly against him, but the fight quickly drained out of her as her body screamed in protest. Her head fell against his shoulder, and she bit her lip to keep from whimpering as pain lanced through her.
"Put me down," she demanded, though the words were little more than a breath. "I can... walk."
"Like hell you can," Alex muttered darkly, annoyance lacing his tone. His grip tightened around her as he strode through the haunted house, ignoring the way she tried to twist out of his hold. "Stop being stubborn for once in your life."
Luna's eyes fluttered shut, exhaustion pulling at her, but she forced them open, glaring up at him. "I... don't need your help."
"You do," he countered, his voice softer now, strained with emotion. "Whether you like it or not, Luna, you do."
The amusement park outside was empty, abandoned, the silence almost eerie. The flickering lights of the Ferris wheel cast long, ghostly shadows across the ground, and the wind whispered through the deserted stalls. 
Yet as Alex stepped out of the haunted house, Luna barely noticed any of it. All she could feel was the warmth of his arms around her, the steady rhythm of his heart against her ear.
The carnival workers who had been lingering nearby froze, eyes widening in shock as they caught sight of the two of them. Whispers rippled through the air, confusion etched on every face, but Alex didn't spare them a second glance. His entire focus was on the fragile figure cradled in his arms as he carried her over to a nearby bench, lowering her down gently.
She tried to sit up, but her strength failed her, and she slumped sideways. A growl of frustration rumbled low in Alex's chest, and without a word, he sat beside her, shifting her head onto his lap. His fingers brushed lightly against her hair, tracing gentle circles, as if he were afraid she might break under his touch.
"Don't worry," he whispered, his voice tight with barely suppressed emotion. "You're safe now. I've got you."
But Luna didn't hear him. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and she drifted into the dark, too tired to fight anymore.
For a long while, Alex just sat there, staring down at her with a mix of sorrow and tenderness. He reached for his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed a number. Holding the device to his ear, he murmured something quietly, his gaze never leaving Luna's face.
"...She's hurt... I need..."
The words were too soft, too broken to make out. But his expression said it all. He looked as if he'd been hollowed out, as if seeing her like this was tearing him apart from the inside.
"She shouldn't have had to go through this," he whispered, his voice thick with pain. "Not again..."
Silence fell, the night around them quiet and still. Alex's hand never stopped moving, tracing soothing patterns along Luna's skin as if the simple act could ease her suffering. He looked at her—truly looked at her—and something shattered in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he murmured softly, so quietly it was almost lost to the wind. "I'm so sorry, Luna. You deserved better. You always have."
The words hung in the air, raw and aching, and he bowed his head, his jaw clenched tight. But just then, a loud whirring sound filled the night—the unmistakable thrum of helicopter blades cutting through the air. The carnival workers turned, their faces pale with shock as they watched a helicopter descend toward the helipad nearby, its lights blinding in the darkness.
Three figures jumped out as soon as the rotors slowed, sprinting across the field towards Alex and Luna. The noise stirred her, and she shifted, eyes fluttering open for the briefest moment.
"Alex?" she mumbled, voice slurred with exhaustion. "What's... happening?"
"Shh," he murmured, his hand resting gently against her cheek. "Don't worry, Luna. You're safe. I'm here."
And she believed him. Her eyes drifted shut once more, her body relaxing as sleep claimed her again.
"Don't worry," he repeated softly, his gaze never leaving her face even as the figures approached. "I won't let you go this time. Not ever again."