Chapter 17

Regan POV

My father’s grip was tight. I fought the urge to blanch and tried my best to look innocent as he glared down at me. “Where do you think you are going?” he growled, as I tried hard not to look back at the forest where I had come from.

“Back to the house” I stammered, as he continued to observe me with a sceptical look on his face. “Luna Jennifer sent me home for the day” I added, trying to look convincing.

He scowled. “You’re meant to be doing your duties and helping the other omegas. You want me to believe that the Luna simply let you go for the day?” he scoffed, unconvinced as my spirits sank.

Great. Now what was I supposed to do? “You could mind–link he I suggested brightly “She’ll tell you that I’m telling the truth.”

It was all I had to offer. There was nothing more I could think of to get me out of this situation. I could see him wavering, trying to debate if what I said might be the truth. A startled voice rang out from the trees. A farmiliar one. It was enough to make my father halt his actions.

“Johnathon, what are you doing?” she demanded.

Luna Jennifer sounded shocked. I wondered if this was the first time she had expressly seen my father lift a hand to me or if she was simply embarrassed that he was doing it out in public for other pack members to see. My father released me relictantly, a scowl on his face.

“Did you give Regan permission to come home?” he growled at the Luna who looked taken aback.

I was stunned at how casually he spoke to Luna Jennifer. That was not the proper way for pack members, even the Beta, to show respect. If he had done that to Alpha Jackson, he would have been punished immediately. Instead of being angry though, the Luna simply looked at him with a frown. Strange. She should have put him in his place, I thought surprised and a little miffed that she hadn’t.

“Yes,” she said defiantly, lifting her chin and regarding my father with flashing eyes “Regan fell off a ladder today, and given the shock she had, I surmised she would be useless the rest of the day and instructed her to go home.”

Her tone was ice cold. She didn’t even so much as deign to glance at me. My father looked at me and then deliberately looked back at her.

“You mean you let her go for something as stupid as that?” he said in disgust, wrinkling his brow and regarding her incredulously.

Ouch. He was tearing strips off the luna but what was worse was that she was letting him. This is not how a pack worked or how one treated their leader. Was he being deliberately obtuse of did he act this way towards her all the time! It was a mystery how she didn’t immediately correct his behavior. I found myself puzzled by this strange interaction between the two of them. It was much more casual, instead of a discussion between a Luna and an inferior being. Being a Beta did not rate this much respect from somebody higher up in the hierarchy.

“Beta Johnathon Luna Jennifer drew herself up, her eyes blazing her shoulders straight and her body stiff.

She looked incensed as she raked her gaze over my father, her nose crinkling.

Finally. She was finally giving my father what for. 1 secretly celebrated, even as I knew this would most likely result in some form of punishment for me later. It was worth it to see him being put in his place.

“May I remind you that I am the Luna and Lam in charge of what goes on around here, not you” she snarled, moving so that her face was mere inches from my father’s as he went silent, perhaps sensing that he had seriously overstepped. “The next time you treat me with such disrespect, or speak to me so casually, I will not hesitate to have your tongue ripped out and

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Chapter 17

have you rendered mute” she finished in a deadly voice.

Whoosh. I let out the breath I had been holding, impressed with how easily she had silenced my father who was now cowed. My father bowed his head remorsefully. “I apologize for the rudeness Luna Jennifer. 1 was not thinking” he managed to utter as she glared at him “It will not happen again” he added swiftly.

She did not look convinced. There was still a scowl on her face as she turned and eyed me warily. “Regan what are you still doing out here?” she snapped now focussing her attention on m“I adut you home quite some time ago and was under the impression you would go straight there to rest.”

Shit. Now I was in trouble. I wracked my brain for some form of believable excuse. “I urn, thought that it would be nice to take a longer walk to steady my nerves” I stammered.

She was never going to believe that. I could see her looking at me and then glancing back in the direction of my mother’s gravesite. My mouth went dry. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded slowly. Shit. She knew I was there. 1 braced myself, waiting to be outed to my father but she surprised me.

“Next time go home straight away” she advised angrily as I nodded vehemently, relieved she didn’t divulge my secret to Father and confused that she hadn’t. “You never know what you might run into on your own.”

Her eyes met my father’s, some silent form of communication. knew they weren’t mind–linking because their eyes remained clear instead of going cloudy. I sensed there was something else they were speaking to each other about. I hesitated, my eyes going between them both, as though I was looking for some sort of clue, which frustrated my father.

“What are you waiting for damnit?” my father roared, seeing me still standing there stupefied “Go home already. You can start on the laundry and dinner” he added folding his arms across his chest.

The Luna did not move. I paused but then quietly turned on my heel and began to walk in the direction of the house. She could have tattled on me to my father about the gravesite but she had chosen not to. I knew she knew I was there, but she had kept silent on the matter, and I was grateful. I still didn’t know why she had chosen to visit, but I wasn’t about to bring it. up in front of my father. I could sense their eyes on me, the Lun’s practically boring holes into me. My father’s voice began to speak, but it was so hushed that I could not hear what he was saying as he began to speak to Luna Jennifer, who leaned in close to hear him, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Heather was not in a good mood when I came home. Naturally. She scowled as I entered. “Why are you home?” she immediately demanded and then swiftly changed her mind. “You know what, I don’t want to know. Get dinner on and do the laundry. I have nothing to wear” she complained, flipping her hair over her shoulder and glaring at me “With you being at the pack house, some of the chores you do around here are starting to get neglected. You’re going to have to start staying up later if you’re going to get everything done in time” she added viciously.

“Why can’t you or Isabelle put the laundry on?” I asked, without thinking about it.

Smack. My head flung backward, and I tasted blood as her hand made direct contact with my face.

“Don’t be such a smart ass” she snarled “How dare you try and talk back to me. I’ve told you before that I won’t tolerate it You’re lucky your father wasn’t here to see it” she added glowering as I put a hand to my cheek which was now throbbing.

I swallowed hard. Part of me wanted to scream, to yell at her for being so lazy and for relying on me to do the majority of the work but I knew that wouldn’t be wise. I forced myself to stare down at the ground, sensing just how volatile Heather’s mood was.

“I’m sorry” I whispered, “I’ll go start the laundry” I added, turning around dejectedly and beginning to head to the room as she watched me, her hands on her hips.

The sound of Isabelle’s laughter coming from behind the closed door in her room only made me feel even more dejected.Sometimes I wished that I lived with another family.

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Chapter 18

Xavier Pov

arms folded across our chests. It doesn’t occur to either of us to help, not with being the Alpha and Luna’s children. We’re above all of that. My mother places

is shaky, her expression nostalgic

of her power and position. My mother, of course, makes no move to correct her behavior. I suppose she thinks that as future Luna, it well within Isabelle’s prerogative to boss the omega around, including her sister Regan, who I have not seen, I think with a frown as I try to discreetly scan the surroundings for her

Isabelle places a kiss on our cheeks and smiles sweetly at us both.

her kiss away with the back of my hand

see you. Look how beautiful the decorations look outside” Isabelle takes Xander’s hand but leaves mine alone, to my instant relief.

are fairly lights everywhere, lanterns, tables set up in a marquee, centerpieces, sashes on the chairs you name it, we had it. Nothing was too good or too expensive for us. I thought I was a bit much, but then, we were expecting other Alphas to attend from other packs as well, so perhaps it was to be expected. It was not to my taste, but Xander looked impressed

you’ve put into it. Thank you, and thank you Mother” he added, causing my

one of you appreciates my efforts” my mother grumbled good–naturedly, as Isabelle giggled at the expression on her face

it,” I said absentmindedly “I’m just not prone to sucking up like Xander is.”

of sorts with each other and continued to argue with one another. He continued to defend Isabelle while continued to have my misgivings about her. Something that was not lost on our mother as she eyed us

a wonderful time tomorrow she said warmly, glancing at me warningly “but do you mind if I have a quick word with my two boys

I will go back to helping with the decorations. Xander, Xavier, I will see you tomorrow at the party She

Isabelle” My mother complimented her and then smiled as Isabelle left before turning to the both of us, regarding us silently for a moment as Xander and I glanced uneasily at

a feeling that whatever she was about to bring up, it wasn’t

“What?” I sneered

will be several important Alphas at your event Turning eighteen is a big deal. Not only will you get your wolves, but you may find your mate and it’s

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Chapter 18

1 have decided must be one If you wish to be Alpha. I would like, tomorrow night. in front of the entire pack, and the visiting Alphas for you to dle are Isabelle as your chosen mate. You will still have the formal ceremony

she was up to. It was beyond deceitful but then again, our mother

hold you to it as the law insists. Since you have promised to do it anyway, it shouldn’t

of having Isabelle as my mate, forever, makes me feel sick to my stomach. I can feel it churning and feel bile rising in my throat.

I lie and pretend that I have no qualms about taking a

Xavier? She’s been groomed for this position, it’s true, but that’s because Beta Johnathon and I always thought that you would make good matches with each other. It happens in packs. Sometimes a chosen mate

to think that the deal we made with you, or the agreement you insist on, is

were blunt and cut straight to the chase. I stared her down, daring her to refute what I had

this just angers me. 1 can feel myself wanting to strike out as my hands form into fists and my nails dig into my

cannot see that Xavier, then I’m beginning to question if you are truly fit

snarl, while Xander stands between us, beginning to look slightly panicked. “I am simply saying that I am not entirely sure that Isabelle is as perfect as you seem to think she is,”

where Isabelle was concerned. She would never see Isabelle as anything but perfect. Isabelle could do no wrong in my

in fighting, her

forgets all about love, aChapter

Xander POV

to take away our positions as the future Alphis, I couldn’t think of anything more humiliating than that happening to us. I had been practicing for this moment my entire life, from the moment I had been born. I had been the dutiful son my entire life, awaiting the day that I and my twin brother would be declared e Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. Nothing could compare to that, not even turning eighteen and gaining our wolves. Xavic was about to mess it all up with his stupidity. I was beyond annoyed with him. Why couldn’t he just leave well enough

game” I repeated softly, watching my brother’s facul expressions flit across his face, trying my best to be persuasive and encouraging. “Please Xavier, don’t mess this

almost begging him by now. We were

scowled. “Why do you always have to do what our mother and father tell you to do Xander?” he demands heatedly as T put my hands in my pockets and stare at him silently. “Why can you just think

a harlot I shouted, losing my composure, even at a small part of me wondered if I was trying to defend her. or if I was simply refusing to acknowledge that his words were hitting close to

the grand scheme

never saw it clearly before, but now, I think,

to deny that what Xavier was trying to say wasn’t the way I felt about it all. But why did Regan constantly come to mind even when I tried to push it away? Why was it when I went to sleep at night, that it wasn’t Isabelle that haunted my dreams, but Regan! Even now, I can feel her soft strands of hair, see the raven blackness of it, and picture those big pretty doe eyes of hers as she looks up at me and

even know who our true mate is Xavier I force my voice to remain patient, as my brother exhales and looks at me in exasperation “What if she’s an omega? Are you going to still want her then?” my voice is deliberately cruel, in an attempt to get my brother to see

to keep my face expressionless. I know it can’t be Regan. That’s impossible. The tingles I felt when I touched her were simply aftershocks from the fall, I tried to reassure myself Besides, somebody of her status, which is nothing, even lower than a pathetic omega’s, due to her killing her mother, would. never be paired

wouldn’t you. the voice persisted as I frowned, finding

felt odd sparks when I touched her, didn’t mean anything. But just picturing her in my mind’s eye was enough to cause a reaction in the lower part of my body and I shifted

such value on status and hierarchy” my brother’s voice is thoughtful “When did it become undesirable to have a mate that was of lower status? It used to be that it didn’t matter because the mate bond was

I said frowning at him “but I guess as time has gone on, more emphasis has been put on having a

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Chapter 19

desirable qualities, and that happens to be due to

he

different to royalty who w only marry other royalty from different countries. Look at our pack” 1 gestured wildly at it “We’re one of the larger ones in the country, Is it any wonder that our Mother and Father want to ensure that it’s properly taken care of and that our leadership is up to their standards? They have helped grow

own desires in order to become Alpha didn’t understand where his reluctance was coming from. He couldn’t be falling in love with Regan, could he? Surely, he would not stoop that low? Falling for somebody that the pack would wholeheartedly despise? There was

how much I want to, because I think you’re being stupid” I said loudly and with heavy emphasis,

smile on you brother and the moon goddess will grant you her mercy and nobody will be our

sometime tomorrow, you’re not planning on rejecting her, are you?” I whispered stricken, coming to the right conclusion as he gazed steadily

you to accept somebody besides Isabelle as your mate” I snapped, “Don’t do

Regan POV

smirks at me as I begin to put breakfast

if I could forget. While everybody else would either be attending the party or serving, I had been forbidden to go to the twin’s eighteenth and would be spending it at home. I tried my best not to show any

her eyes “which means you’re stuck at home while everybody else gets to party. Oh I can’t wait,” she told her mother excitedly

eighteen now had either escaped Isabelle’s notice or she was confident that none of them would find

know they aren’t with their mate?” I said,

glared. “I would know,” she said hotly “All of my friends are keeping a close watch for me and will text me if there’s a situation” She pats her pocket while I try not to

is not going to do anything to prevent them from accepting their mate, but well done on being so confident “I

have it on good authority that the twins woke up this morning and nothing unusual

as the potential Luna. It was almost laughable at the lengths the two of them were going, to make sure that Isabelle was not thrust aside as the twin’s chosen mate.

table. Heather sat down next to Isabelle who glanced around perplexed.

He’ll see you

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