HEARTS OF DIVINE RUIN (The MoonGoddess and The AlphaKing)

"Where do we start?" she asked, looking up at him with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.
"Anywhere you want," he replied, smiling at her excitement. "You call the shots today."
Luna spun in a circle, taking it all in. There were towering roller coasters, spinning rides that defied gravity, and the laughter of people all around them. Her gaze landed on the biggest ride in the park—the Thunder Strike, a monster of a roller coaster with loops and drops that seemed to touch the sky.
Her grin widened.
"That one!" she declared, pointing.
Alex followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "You sure? That's the scariest one here."
Luna scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Scary? Please. I used to command entire wolf armies. I think I can handle a ride."
"Is that a challenge?"
Her eyes glinted. "You tell me, Alpha."
"Alright then, let's do it," Alex said with a grin, taking her hand and heading toward the line. "But don't blame me if you end up screaming."
"Oh, I will scream," she shot back, lifting her chin. "But it'll be out of excitement."
They climbed into the coaster, side by side, and as the ride lurched forward, slowly climbing to the top of its first drop, Luna turned to him, a wicked smile on her lips.
"Last chance to back out," she teased.
"Not a chance," Alex replied, smirking.
And then, with a sudden rush of speed, they were falling—plummeting down the first drop, the wind tearing at their hair. Luna's shriek rang out, followed quickly by Alex's deep, booming laugh. They twisted and turned, the world a blur of colors and lights as they looped through the air, and when they finally came to a screeching halt at the end, Luna was breathless, her eyes shining.
"See?" she panted, her grin wide. "Piece of cake."
"Uh-huh," Alex drawled, raising an eyebrow at her flushed cheeks. "So that wasn't you squeezing my hand for dear life back there?"
Her mouth fell open in mock indignation. "I was not!"
"Luna, my fingers are numb."
She huffed, crossing her arms, but there was a playful light in her eyes. "Fine. Maybe just a little."
They stepped off the ride, still teasing each other as they made their way toward the next attraction. They rode the Tilt-A-Whirl, spinning until they were dizzy and giggling. They tried the Drop Tower, Luna's laughter echoing through the air as they fell from dizzying heights, her fingers laced through Alex's in a tight grip.
And when they passed a row of carnival games, Luna's competitive streak came out in full force.
"I'm going to win that," she declared, pointing at a giant stuffed wolf perched on a high shelf.
Alex eyed the game—a deceptively simple-looking ring toss. "You know these are rigged, right?"
"Doesn't matter," she said confidently, picking up one of the rings. "Watch and learn."
She tossed the first ring. It bounced once, twice, and then—miraculously—landed perfectly on the neck of a bottle.
"Ha!" Luna's triumphant shout rang out as she spun around to face him, hands on her hips. "What did I tell you?"
Alex blinked, a slow smile spreading across his face. "You did it," he said, almost awed. "You actually did it."
"I did," she repeated smugly, and when the carnival worker handed her the oversized stuffed wolf, she turned and thrust it toward him. "Meet Mini-Alex."
"Mini-Alex?" he repeated, eyebrows shooting up. "Really?"
She shrugged, batting her eyelashes innocently. "Well, he's tall, intimidating, and adorable. Just like you."
Alex's cheeks flushed a little, but he tried to play it cool. "If that's what you want to call him," he muttered, shaking his head, but he couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips.
They continued exploring the park, stopping for funnel cakes and cotton candy, Luna's face lighting up every time she tried something new. They fought over the last piece of funnel cake, powdered sugar smearing across her nose as she tried to swipe it from him. Alex took advantage of her distraction, popping the last bite into his mouth with a smug grin.
"Hey!" she protested, but her laughter bubbled up even as she playfully smacked his arm. "Cheater."
"All's fair in love and funnel cake," he replied, winking.
"You're impossible," she muttered, rolling her eyes. But she was smiling as they continued down the path, shoulders brushing, hands occasionally bumping against each other in the most natural way.
And then they reached the Ferris wheel.
Luna froze, her gaze lifting to the towering structure as it turned slowly against the backdrop of the evening sky. Her hand tightened around his, just slightly.
"Want to skip this one?" Alex asked softly, watching her carefully.
She hesitated, then shook her head. "No," she murmured. "I... I want to try it."
They climbed into the small, swaying car, and as the Ferris wheel began its slow ascent, Luna's breath hitched. Her fingers curled around the safety bar, knuckles pale, but she didn't look away. She kept her gaze fixed on the horizon as they rose higher and higher, the amusement park unfurling below them in a kaleidoscope of twinkling lights.
And as the Ferris wheel reached its peak, the world spread out beneath them in a glittering array of colors, they held on to each other—two people defying fate, if only for a little while. Because in that moment, there was no fear, no past or future. Just laughter, warmth, and the sweet, simple joy of being alive.
"It's beautiful," she whispered softly, the cool wind playfully tugging at her hair, sending silver strands dancing around her face. "I never thought I'd get to see something like this. Not like this."
Alex looked at her instead of the view, his gaze tender and unyielding. "It is," he agreed quietly, his voice carrying a warmth that made her heart stutter. His eyes lingered on her face—on the way her eyes shimmered under the moonlight, on the wild, messy silver locks framing her cheeks. "It is beautiful," he repeated, his tone softer this time, the meaning behind his words clear.
Luna turned to face him, the gentle glow of the Ferris wheel's lights bathing her features in soft hues. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek before tucking a stray lock behind her ear, his thumb grazing her skin as he moved to fix the rest of her wind-tossed hair.
"You're a mess," he murmured, shaking his head with mock exasperation. "But I like the mess—if it's you."
A smile tugged at her lips, hesitant and shy, as she leaned into the warmth of his touch. "You know," she murmured, her voice just above a whisper, "in those human movies... don't they always kiss in a moment like this? When two people are up high on a Ferris wheel, watching the beautiful view?"
He blinked, then a low chuckle escaped his lips, rich and warm. "Movies in the god realm?" he teased, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "Who's been feeding you these ridiculous ideas?"
She huffed in annoyance, cheeks flushing as she tried to pull her face away from his hands. But before she could turn, his grip tightened, gently pulling her back toward him.
"Alex—"
He cut her off, leaning in as if it were the most natural thing in the world, a smile tugging at his lips as he closed the distance between them. And then, softly, almost tentatively, he brushed his lips against hers.
It was barely a touch—a featherlight caress, as though he were afraid she might vanish if he pressed too hard. But it was enough to send a shiver down her spine, her heart thudding wildly in her chest. She didn't move, caught between surprise and something else—something deep and overwhelming that made her head spin. He lingered there for a heartbeat, just long enough for her to feel the steady warmth of him, before pulling away.
Luna blinked up at him, breathless and dazed, her cheeks blazing as she saw the flush coloring his ears too. "That... that was..." she stammered, words failing her completely.
Alex just grinned, his own cheeks tinged red, his gaze never leaving hers. "Not quite like the movies, huh?"
For a moment, she could only stare at him, her mind spinning. The world around them seemed to blur, the Ferris wheel and its colors fading into the background as she tried to process what had just happened. 
This man—this infuriating, stubborn, wonderful man in front of her—was everything she never thought she could have. 
And the words tumbled unbidden into her mind, echoing softly, sweetly in her mind : I love you.
The realization hit her like a tidal wave. She wanted to say it. She wanted to tell him—right here, right now that she has fallen for him. But the words stuck in her throat, caught between the fear of what those three little words would mean and the aching need to just let it all out.
Because deep down, she knew that this—this happiness, this fleeting moment—could end as quickly as it began. 
The day would come to a close. And when it did... would they still have this? Would they still be able to hold on to each other like this?
"I..." she began mustering all the courage , but then his voice broke through her thoughts, soft and laced with a humor that made her heart ache.
"Don't look at me like that," he murmured, his voice thick, eyes locked on hers with a mix of longing and restraint. His expression was tense, as if he were battling every instinct inside him. "You make resisting feel like I'm walking a tightrope... one wrong move and I'll just fall—right into you."
"Alex..." she whispered, her voice trembling as the air between them grew heavy.
"Not right now, Luna," he cut in softly, voice low and rough as if even saying the words cost him something. "You have no idea how hard it is to hold back—" He broke off, his thumb brushing against her cheek, lingering there as if caught in his own turmoil. "But if I let go right now... I won't stop. I'll want all of you. Here. Now. And I can't do that... not in a place like this." He gave her a wry smile, the corners of his mouth lifting, but his eyes were serious, almost wild with the effort it took to control himself. "Maybe later."
Luna couldn't help it—she let out a soft, breathy laugh, feeling a rush of heat rise to her cheeks. She knew she should be flustered, but the way he looked at her—like he was holding on by a thread—made her heart flutter. 
"What do you mean?" she murmured, her voice unsteady, caught between shyness and a longing that mirrored his own.
He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her lips, his gaze dropping to her mouth for a brief, burning moment. "I mean, patience, Goddess," he murmured, the words laced with a dark promise. "Right now, all I can think about is doing some really... really bad things to you, but I can't. Not here. Not like this."
Her heart leaped at the raw desire in his tone, but as he pulled back slightly, she caught the flicker of restraint in his eyes. There was a battle raging inside him, and it made her chest tighten—because he was fighting it for her.
Her smile turned a little sad, but it was so full of warmth and love it nearly overwhelmed her. "You're impossible," she whispered, leaning in and resting her forehead against his, her breath mingling with his.
"Impossible for you," he corrected softly, his voice a low murmur that sent shivers down her spine. "And don't you forget it."
For a moment, they just stayed like that, the world fading around them as they clung to the closeness, to the feeling of being wrapped up in each other. But as the Ferris wheel began its slow descent, Luna's heart tightened, the words she wanted to say bubbling up in her chest.
"Let's stay like this forever," she murmured, the hope in her voice fragile and achingly sincere.
Alex's hand tightened around hers, his gaze never leaving her face. 
"Forever sounds perfect to me." And the way he said it—with so much certainty, so much conviction—made her want to believe it, even if a part of her whispered that forever was a promise they might not be able to keep.
Yet right now, under the soft glow of the Ferris wheel, with his hand warm and solid in hers, it felt like forever was just a breath away.
But Luna couldn't shake the gnawing sense of dread creeping up the edges of her happiness. Something—or Someone—was waiting for them. 
She could feel his presence, lurking just beyond the veil of the night. 
The man from her past. 
He was here. 
And the thought made her heart sink.
But she forced herself to push it away, to bury the fear as she leaned against Alex's shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut as the Ferris wheel began its slow descent. 
For just this moment, she could pretend. She could be happy.
When the ride finally stopped, Alex stood up, ready to get off, but Luna tightened her hold on his hand, making him pause.
"Another round?" she asked quietly, her voice almost pleading as she looked up at him. Her gaze was earnest, desperate.
He looked down at her, brow furrowing slightly. And then, as if understanding exactly what she wasn't saying, he smiled, leaning down to whisper in her ear. "But the haunted house is waiting for us," he murmured, his tone light. "What's wrong? Scared, kitten?"
Her eyes narrowed, and she mustered up a grin, her worry momentarily forgotten. "You'll regret this," she shot back, her voice playful.
He took it as a challenge, his grin widening. "So you're saying I'm the one who should be scared?"
She just smirked, leaning closer. "Oh, definitely. After all... I'm the scariest thing you'll find in that haunted house."
"More like the only funny thing " He said chuckling and with that, she tugged him forward, laughter bubbling up between them as they headed toward whatever awaited them next