She was Never Yours

Museum Heist

      T'challa was escorted to the Gardens after the challenge was complete while the rest of Wakanda went back to their respective homes. Luna made it back to the palace with Romanda and Shuri but parted way with them to go change out of her ceremonial outfit. She was escorted back to T'challa's room by Okoye, "You know you don't have to escort me everywhere Okoye I've been here plenty of times." Luna pointed out as they walked the palace halls. "I am aware but you mean a great deal to T'challa as well as the rest of the royal family and I would hate to see them upset about you getting hurt when I could have prevented it." Okoye responded. Luna frowned but kept quiet as she knew Okoye was right, Luna was an outsider and Wakanda isn't very welcoming so there is always the possibility someone would want to hurt her for being here.
       They arrived to T'challa's room and Luna went inside while Okoye stood guard at the door, she grabbed her suitcase and sat it on the bed before flipping it open and surveying its contents. She finally decided on a flowing, white summer dress, Luna then walked into the ajoined bath room to wipe away the face makeup before stripping out of the ceremonial outfit and into her clothes she picked out. As she gazed at her appearance in the mirror she thought about her and Okoye's conversation about her being an outsider, in all honesty she never really gave it much thought because as long as T'challa wanted her she didn't mind. However, now T'challa was King of Wakanda and that changed everything for Luna because as king there are certain duties he has to fulfill such as finding a wife, getting married, and creating an heir. Luna sat down on the edge of the tub and sighed "You knew this wouldn't last forever." Luna said to her own reflection. 

            Luna knew Wakanda's people never accept an outsider as their queen much less let one carry the royal bloodline, she knew that from the start but after being alone for so long after Erik's disappearance Luna clung to the first chance she had to love again and T'challa was so easy to fall in love with. He was a kind, caring and attentive partner in many ways he was like Erik, she guessed that's why she latched onto him so quickly. Luna rested her face in her hand and wondered what would have happened with her life if Erik hadn't gone missing. She never liked to dwell on what could have been, Luna's therapist said it wasn't healthy and it didn't help her anxiety but she couldn't help herself. Luna often imagined her and Erik in a big house with 2 kids, a boy who was the spitting image of him with her reserved personality and a little girl that looked just like her with Erik's protective and explosive personality. Both of them would be playing together outside while her and Erik watched from the porch holding each other. They'd still be very much in love and happy inside their own little bubble with their little family.               

          Unfortunately for Luna that life will always be just a fantasy nothing more, suddenly the sound of the door opening snapped Luna out of her daydream, "Luna, my darling." T'challa called as he entered the room now clean and his wound from the challenge healed. Luna quickly slapped on a smile as she exited the bathroom "I'm right here my king." She answered jokingly walking over to him. "Stop it. I'll have none of that my king stuff with you my love. We are equals." T'challa said wrapping her in his warm embrace. Luna's smile quickly disappeared at the mention of them being equals because she it just reminded her what she alrieady knew, she'll never be queen so they will never be true equals. "Is something wrong my dear?" T'challa asked as if sensing the shift in her mood, "No everything's fine." Luna answered before giving him a kiss.

Meanwhile at the British Museum

        Erik was standing in front of a glass case containing a bunch of African artifacts when the curator walked up and greeted him "Good morning, how can I help you?" she asked, "I'm just checking out these artifacts, they tell me you're the expert." He replied. "You could say that." the curator replied taking a sip of the coffee in her hand. "They're beautiful. Where's this one from?" he asked pointing to one of the artifacts. "The Bobo Ashanti tribe, present day Ghana 19th century." She answered, "For real? And what about this one?" Erik asked pointing to another artifact. "That ones from the Edo people of Benin 16th century." She answered. 

           Erik then walked away from the case to point at a pick ax in its own glass display, "Now tell me about this one." He said. "Also from Benin 7th century, Fula tribe I believe." the curator answered letting out a grunt. "Nah." Erik replied "I beg your pardon?" she asked confused, "It was taken by British soldiers in Benin but it's from Wakanda. And it's made out of vibranium" He continued "Don't trip I'mma take it off your hands for you." Erik said chuckling. "These items aren't for sale." the curator replied confused, "How you think your ancestors got these? You think they paid a fair price? Or did they take it, like they took everything else?" He asked getting closer. "Sir,I'm going to have to ask you to leave." She said as security stepped closer to them, "You got all this security in here watching me ever since I walked in but you ain't check what you're putting in your body." Erik whispered as the curator collapsed. 

       "Hey somebody get some help over here! Call a doctor, please." Erik called faking concern as people rushed over to them. Soon the sirens of an ambulance could be heard and two paramedics came rushing in with a gurney "Let's give the lady some space." One of the medics said before both of the paramedics pulled out hand guns with silencers and shooting all the guards dead but one. "Hey come here, it's okay." Klaue said to the remaining guard gesturing for him to come closer. "You can go, but just don't tell anyone, alright?" Klaue said letting him run before shooting him in the back, killing him like the others. "Bro, why you ain't just shoot him right here?" Erik asked confused "Because it's better to leave the crime scene more spread out. Makes us look like amateurs." Klaue explained as he walked over to the glass case with the pick ax in it. "Now. let's see if you know what you're talking about." he said before raising his hand and blasting the case off the artifact. "That's just a taste." Klaue said before grabbing the ax and blasting it again to shake off the dirt. He then held it up to his nose and took a big wiff before he smiled and said "You're gonna be a rich boy."

        "You better sell that thing quick." Erik replied smiling "It's already sold." Klaue said laughing before breaking off the handle to the vibranium ax. "Whatever you try the Wakandans will probably show up." Erik warned before moving over to another display with an African mask on it. "That'll make my day. I can kill 2 birds with one stone." He replied while packing away the vibranium. However, Erik barely heard him because all of his attention was on the small tv mounted on the wall that was playing the news. He grit his teeth seeing the headline [PRINCE OF WAKANDA REVEALS LONG TIME GIRLFRIEND AT RED CARPET] "Yes that's right folks the future king of Wakanda has just revealed his long time romantic relationship with radio star Luna Rivers at the Radio Show Awards last week in New York." The news anchor announced. "Many people believe that she will be the next Queen of Wakanda as Prince T'challa revealed in an exclusive interview that they have been dating for the past 2 years." the anchor continued as a video of the couple at the event played on the screen. The video was of them posing for pictures with T'challa's arm firmly wrapped around Luna's waist while Luna's hand rested on T'challa's chest before briefly sharing a chaste kiss. 

           Erik's body burned with jealousy and anger seeing another man's hands on his wife but also his heart ached with betrayal seeing his beautiful Luna kiss him. Logically he knew it was his fault because he abandoned her but he had every intention of coming back for her which is why he told her to wait for him when he last saw her six years ago. He never wanted to leave Luna but he knew if he stayed all of his carefully laid plans would go to waste. It wasn't an easy decision for him to leave her, while on a Black Ops mission he struggled with himself everyday to either leave and bring his plans to fruition or run back home to Luna and live out a normal life with her. Eventually, he choose to leave but his plans had changed; instead of taking Wakanda to avenge his father he would also take Wakanda for Luna so she can live the rest of her days pampered and in the lap of luxury just like she deserved. Erik's life had always been hard from his father's death to bouncing around foster homes but Luna was the one good thing life ever gave him and he'll be damned if he lets anybody take her away from him. "You're not telling me that's vibranium too?" Klaue asked snapping Erik out of his stupor, "Nah,I'm just feeling it." he replied recovering quickly before grabbing the mask and laying on the gurney letting Klaue and the other man push him out and into the ambulance before speeding off.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out but here it is. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far because its far from over. On another note did anybody else see the Black Panther 2 trailer and get emotional? I'm excited to see it but it's going to be bittersweet without Chadwick in it. Anyways I'll see you all in the next chapter. Happy reading my friends!