His Forbidden Luna 5 Forbidden Attraction

Raphaela's eyes opened in a blur. It took sometime before they adjusted to the sunlight filled room. She was in her bedroom. Memories of the previous night flooded her kind and she grimaced.

She searched through her bag which Julien had been thoughtful to keep by her bedside for the hidden herbs.

"Three leaves a day. Chew carefully and meditatively."

She breathed out before folding one of the bitter herbs into her mouth. An hour later, she was out of her bedroom after brushing and taking a bath.

Her house was gleaming clean and smelt nice. A walk into the kitchen gave her Julien in an apron squeezing fresh oranges.

"You shouldn't be on your feet." He rushed to her and guided her to a stool. She watched him calmly. Julien had always been a cold and aloof man, he had been that way for the first three years they had been working together but then later on, he relaxed a little around her and began showing her signs of care. He had cooked for her only once in the entire six years. This part of him, cleaning her house and keeping her company was entirely foreign to her.

"You were really sick last night." He told her as if answering her question, "don't worry, I didn't spend the night here."

She got up to help set the table but he pushed her back down.

"Don't do a thing." He ordered.

Her wolf snarled but made no other response. They had gotten used to him and his orders already.

He laid out a small breakfast feast on the island. Omelettes and scrambled eggs, pancakes and syrup, fresh bread and mugs of tea, freshly squeezed juice and diced watermelon.

"Thank you."

"Thank me by making sure you own the interview."

*********

"Raphaela! It's Raphaela!"

"Raphaela, look here!"

"It's the actress, she's finally here!"

The reporters took photos like crazy as Julien led Raphaela into the building for the interview.

"Raphaela, what do you have to say about actor Sheng's death!?"

"Raphaela, your last movie was a hit! Can you tell us your feelings on it!?"

"Raphaela...Raphaela..."

Raphaela paid no heed as she elegantly walked, shielded by bodyguards and her manager.

"Raphaela will speak to you after her interview." Julien announced shortly before they disappeared into the building.

The reporters had no choice but to wait outside for the next two hours. Reason being that Raphaela wasn't the everyday celebrity that vied for fame and occupied the news everyday with scandals and interesting topics.

She was rare. She rarely accepted interviews or went on shows or attended events, she was rarely seen in the entertainment industry space but when she appeared, her appearance always caused a commotion. She had several awards to her name and she was first on the list for best actress on every one's lips. 

"Raphaela, so pleased to meet you." The director of Your Interest interview, shook hands politely with her.

She took off her sunglasses and smiled politely, "Same, director White."

"Ok, make up is ready and set to go."

Forty minutes later with makeup done and everything set, the interview began.

The host wasted no time in jumping into the main questions of the interview.

"Raphaela, actor Sheng was murdered recently. Do you have anything to say on that?"

"I wish him the best in heaven."

"Amen, amen. Everyone is curious as to why you keep such a low profile. Is it simply to avoid the media's probing or you have secrets to hide?"

She was tempted to roll her eyes, "My life is my business."

The female host nodded, obviously not pleased with her short clipped responses.

"You and Gabriella were recently nominated for the MMMAs award. Everyone thinks she's a worthy rival, even better than you, what do you have to say to that?"

"It's best not to compare, it leaves no space for growth."

The host laughed, "Please be more generous with your responses, miss Raphaela. Your fans are listening and would like to know more about you. What do you have to say about your empty love life?"

*********

"You're too thick skinned." Julien complained after he took her back to her home.

"Weren't you the one who told me to be mysterious?" She breathed out a sigh, pulling off her heels and throwing it carelessly.

Julien shook his head and picked them up, leading her by the arm to her room.

"Take a bath. I'll prepare dinner and then we'll talk about your future movies."

"Go home, Julien. If you keep taking care of me this way, how are you supposed to get married?"

Julien didn't respond.

"I'll be waiting." He said instead, before pushing her into her room.

She did as he said.

She dressed up in a sweatshirt and baggy jeans, her hair up in a messy bun before going out to meet him.

"Julien, go home." She said again.

"I'm your manager, it's my responsibility to take care of you."

She wasn't a fool. She knew there was more to it.

"Let me" He insisted, softly this time when she stood still, "Let me take care of you."

"I can take care of myself." She persisted, "You've been with me for six years. I can handle anything. At first, I thought you were too cold and strict to get any girl but then years later, I noticed your reason changed. You can't like me, Julien, you can't. I can assure you that it won't lead anywhere."

Julien stared at her, his attractive face calm and expressionless.

"It's my decision." He stated firmly, "Whether I like you or not, it's my decision to make."

She shrugged, "I'm only warning you. We can never be together."

He pulled out a chair for her and she sat.

"You should go shower too." She offered, seeing he was still in his usual suit.

"I'll go home later."

"You can shower here. Your clothes from the last time we travelled are still here."

He paused.

"It doesn't mean anything." She reassured him, "You've been the best and most patient, I'm simply showing my gratitude."

"Then don't eat until I'm back." He quickly walked off.

She waited for him and in less than twenty minutes, he was back and they began eating.

He had noticed that she ate a lot of meaty foods so their meal contained a good variety of poultry.

"What do you mean by we can never be together?" He questioned some minutes later.

"Exactly what I mean."

"Do you have anyone in mind?"

Her mind flickered to Lorenzo. She shook her head. Not her brother.

"No."

"Then give me a chance." He put down his fork and placed his focus on her, "I've been with you for years and I know you, I've watched you for long enough to know you're the one I want...need, the one I need. I've never fallen in love before so all this is new to me but I'm willing to give it a try... If you'll let me."

Her heart ached for him. He was so cold and aloof from the world that he barely even had any friends and yet he opened up to her and even loved her but how could she tell him that she was a werewolf and she had a destined mate she had killed with her bare hands? How could she tell him that she couldn't bring herself to be with anyone else? How could she tell him that her heart and her wolf yearned after her heartless brother? What kind of person was she? 

She had killed many and she wasn't ashamed of it...but this man was good, too good and he had no idea who he was dealing with.