Chapter 11

Xander POV

“Xander, why does Xavier hate me so much?” Isabelle pouts, her big blue eyes studiously looking into mine as I glance away, unnerved by the question.

Even she’s noticed that my brother is behaving strangely, I try to laugh it off, but she looks serious as she continues to observe me. We’re both outside, watching several of the warrior doing their training, Isabelle keeping her distance, her short skirt hugging her curves and revealing her lacy underwear when she bends over too far, causing my mouth to go dry. as I swallow hard at the enticing image.

“He doesn’t hate you, he’s just irritable lately. It’s not just with you” I mutter, hoping she’ll leave it alone.

The truth is I don’t know what’s wrong with Xavier lately. It stings that he doesn’t confide in me as much as he used to, being that we are twins and all.

She raises a brow “Is it something to do with his wolf?” she asks, her lips curving downwards “Is he recognizing that I might not be his mate?” she sounds slightly panicked about the very idea of it.

I rush to reassure her. “No Isabelle. I haven’t heard my wolf yet, so I doubt he has. He’s probably just nervous about the whole shifting thing and maybe tired of discussing the birthday party” I sighed “Just give him some space and you’ll see that he’ll come around.”

At least I was hoping that’s what it was.

She touches my arm lightly. Normally I’m pleased by the contact but today, today I feel numb. Empty. Desolate. I force a smile on my face. “You still find me attractive, don’t you Xander?” she bites her pale pink lower lip, causing my eyes to dart towards them.

Did I? Isabelle was the prettiest girl in our pack. There was no denying it. Usually, I wouldn’t hesitate to express how exactly! felt about her, but today, I was reacting differently, and judging by the expression on Isabelle’s face, she could tell as well. I hesitated and then forced myself to speak the words I knew she wanted to hear more than anything.

“Of course, I still find you attractive” I give a fake smile,

“I just find it so hard lately, with how badly Regan treats me” She picks up a flower from the grass and lets it slip through ber fingers, watching it fall softly to the ground, “I guess I’m just feeling insecure” she whispers, glancing at me sideways and adopting a forlorn expression.

She sounds so vulnerable. Maybe the upcoming ceremony was messing with her as well and causing her to feel insecure. 1 tried to remind myself that Isabelle might seem tough on the exterior but that inside, she was still as soft–hearted and kind as she had always been.

“Forget about Regan” my voice is sharp, causing Isabelle to blinkat me in surprise. “When you’re Luna nobody is going to be able to make you feel anything less than what you are. Just because she’s the Beta’s biological daughter doesn’t mean she’s going to be granted leeway. You will still be in charge Isabelle” I reminded her as she gave me a twisted smile, “Regan won’t be able to do anything more to you. You’ll be safe from her.@

She opened her mouth to retort when there came a furious shout from behind us. “Isabelle‘

It was Xavier. The person we had just been discussing. He looked wild, his hair disheveled, a look of rage on his face. 1 wondered what was eating him. He looked as though he was on the verge of ripping somebody to shreds with his bare hands. Even Isabelle looked frightened as she looked at him. It was unusual for him to act this way towards her.

He stormed over.

Xavier, what’s wrong?” Isabelle whispered, glancing fearfully at me.

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Chapter 11

He narrows his eyes, I glance at him, watching as he slowly clenges his jaw, “Did you hurt Regat?” he says with gritted teeth

My mouth falls open in shock. I can’t believe he’s confronting us about that bitch Regan Isabelle’s eyes begin to shine as she shakes her head in denial, tears threatening to fall. I immediately rush to her defense. “Brother, what are you doing? Isabelle has been outside with me” I snapped “You can’t go around accusing people with no proof and especially not your chosen mate” I snarled,

He gives Isabelle a condemning look. A tear trails down her cheek. I feel awful as I put a protective hand on her shoulder. What did Xavier think he was doing? I had never felt so angry as did right then at my brother.

Regan” she protests, looking to me for help Never. How could you accuse me of

raw and burnt” Xavier shoots back, folding his arms and tilting his head “And she refuses to tell me who did it

because she most likely did it to herself to gain your sympathy” she cried, throwing her

eyes are watery as she glances at me. My arms wrap around her as she begins to sob in earnest. I shoot my brother a vicious glare.

head pressed down against my chest as she stares down at the grass “I believe you,” I tell

and shoot your mouth off like that?” I hiss as he

coldly before. This is a first. I feel a moment of apprehension, What if Isabelle was right? What if Xavier has gotten his wolf or

fight you and sort this

“Please don’t fight because of me. I couldn’t

about us. I stroked the top of her head, shooting Xavier a look of daggers. If Isabelle hadn’t requested it, I would have thrown down the gauntlet and started fighting with my brother. He was lucky she was so kind–hearted. I glared at him as he continued to observe the both of us, a tic in

Xavier” I snapped “You’re lucky Isabelle is here. I don’t know what’s going on with you or what is wrong with you, but you better sort yourself out before the ceremony. I’m not letting you treat

boring holes into my back Come what may, Isabelle was destined to be Luna. Our Luna. If He didn’t see that, then I was going to have to remind him of what was at stake. I

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Chapter 12

Regan POV

throbbing by the time I make it home. It’s painful arcradle it to my chest as I step inside the door. I make dinner and leave it on the table, escaping quickly to my room, unable to find an appetite to eat. Thankfully, my father and stepmother say nothing, perhaps sensing that it’s best to leave alone or trying to keep the house peaceful so that I

to discover that somebody had hurt me. It didn’t make sense. None of it did. He had never cared about me being hurt before. Not ever. In fact, he’ll helped contribute to it. So why was he acting so strangely now? Was it the stress of becoming an Alpha that was causing him to act so irrationally? ander wasn’t acting the same way so whatever it was, it wasn’t affecting the both of them. I sighed and then heard the sound of my bedroom door creaking slowly open, turning my head just in

to have a conversation. No way. She was furious about something, and I couldn’t comprehend what I had possibly done this time to provoke her anger. She had already but my hand. What more did she want? She narrowed her eyes at me as I sat up slowly, dread rising inside of me. She was between me and the door, so the likelihood of escaping whatever she had in mine was practically nil. Unless

she hissed, advancing on me as I folded my arms across

don’t know what you are talking about” I

voice was accusatory “he came and threatened me over your stupid hand” she gestured,

Isabelle but it looked as though he had put two and two together anyway. I fought to keep my amusement hidden from her, however. Xavier might have shown a surprising hint of concern for me today, but tomorrow

him” I snapped as she narrowed her eyes at me and flattened her lips in displeasure “If he came gut looking for you then

her hand reaching out to grip my long brunette hair, tightening it in her fist as 1 gave a cry of alarm, her eyes

that– I fell to the ground, uselessly batting at her hand as she pulled at my hair again, causing tears to come

go” I rasped, feeling as though she was about to tear my hair out of my head.

think that you’re mean and spiteful while I” she paused, yanking my head back to look up at her, tears shining in my eyes “while I’m the poor kind Isabelle constantly being teased and harassed by the stepsister who has never

my feet and face her in the eyes. “Maybe they’re getting more suspicious with the upcoming ceremony” I taunted her as she eyed me for maybe you haven’t been as discreet lately

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Chapter 12

my half and I breathed in a sigh of relief, only to double over as she

again. I will be Luna, she told me, poking me in the chest as I awkwardly straightened up “and you” she shook her head, a small smile playing on her

hand, painfully throbbing, along with the sick churning in my gut from Isabelle’s blow. As usual, my stepmother Heather and my father remained oblivious to what Isabelle was doing to the or didn’t care. I thought about striking back but the thought of being whipped again, my back still sore, caused me to hesitate. Another lashing could kill me. It would certainly prevent me from going back to the packhouse and cause the Alpha and Lana to ask questions. One would think that was a good thing but, in my case, it would only cause further problem Isabelle flipped her hair over her shoulder and then said something that chilled me to the core and caused me to stiffen in disbelief. I had never thought she would go this

at me scornfully. Not that anyone would want to be mates with a murderer anyway but how do you

can’t force somebody to

banished from the pack, what do you think your mate is going to choose? I doubt they would keep you anyway” she added

Xavier POV

legs lengthening their stride as I push forward, my chest tightening as I struggle to draw in breath. 1 feel the cold air on my body and hear the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet as I tread on them. Eburst through the trees and onto the grounds, putting my

to her. Some instinct that won’t et ine refuse and before I can even realize what I’ve done. I’ve moved and stopped in front of her, forcing her to halt her steps and peer up at me. Instead of looking pleased to see me, her smile instantly turns

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