Rejecting the Alpha Twins

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

It’s the night before our eighteenth birthday. Xander and I are watching the décorations being placed up, the omegas moving frantically back and forth, our 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 a gentle hand on our shoulders as we turn to look at her. “Just think tomorrow morning, my babies are going to be eighteen” she whispers as I roll my eyes and Xander turns to hug her “I can’t believe how grown up the two of you have jen”

Her voice is shaky, her expression nostalgic

She waves towards Isabelle who comes prancing over. Isabelle ist helping with the decorations, I note, but rather watching and bossing the omegas around in a blatant overreach 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 with no success. Maybe she’s inside the pack house?

“Xavier, Xander” Isabelle places a kiss on our cheeks and smiles sweetly at us both.

I feel repulsed, wiping the trace of her kiss away with the back of my hand as my mother shoots me a scolding glance.

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

There 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 as he eyed it and studied the various bits and pieces.

“It’s beautiful,” he told a beaming Isabelle “I can see how much work you’ve put into it. Thank you, and thank you Mother” he added, causing my mother to also beam at him.

“Well, at least one of you appreciates my efforts” my mother grumbled good–naturedly, as Isabelle giggled at the expression on her face and playful manner.

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

reply. I glared at him. We were both still out 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

a quick word with my two boys here? I

course Luna Jennifer. I will go back to helping with the decorations. Xander, Xavier, I will see you tomorrow at the party She smiled sweetly at us all.

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

that whatever she was about

“What?” I sneered

your event Turning eighteen is a big deal. Not only will you get your wolves, but you may find your mate and it’s imperative that

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Chapter 18

the entire pack, and the visiting Alphas

other Alphas to bear witness to our declaration so that we can’t take it back,” I said, knowing full well what she was up to. It was beyond deceitful but then again, our

hold you to it as the law insists. Since you have promised to do it anyway, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem should it?” she asked

mate, forever, makes me feel sick to my stomach. I can feel it churning and feel bile rising in my throat. I swallow hard, watching

no qualms about taking a spoilt Beta’s

have any problems before but now you want to say that she’s spoiled? In what way 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 is more desirable and has better qualities than a fated mate. Such as in this case. I do not think that it is a bad compromise for the

just it Mother. I’m starting to think that the deal we made with you, or

chase. I stared her

never been this defiant before, this questioning. But something about this just angers me. 1 can feel myself wanting to strike out as my hands form into fists and my nails dig into my palms, drawing blood. The pain is a good distraction as my mother slowly inhales and then lets out a large

is for the benefit of the entire pack,” she says slowly “and if you cannot see that Xavier, then I’m beginning to question if you are truly fit to

has no bearing on my leadership” I snarl, while Xander stands between us, beginning to look slightly panicked. “I am simply

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

to her role as the Luna, just like I had to. Her prowess in fighting,

all about

Xander POV

our mother up? The last thing we needed was for her 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

flit across his face, trying my best to be persuasive and

him by now. We

demands heatedly as T put my hands in my pockets and stare at him silently. “Why can you just think for yourself for once? Are you telling

I was trying to defend her. or if I was simply refusing to acknowledge that his words were hitting close to the truth “and it’s a

the grand scheme of things.

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

they ran through my body, Was that how it would feel to touch my mate, or was that even a hint of what could be expected? I could feel myself becoming intrigued even as I desperately tried 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

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

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

wouldn’t you. the voice persisted as I frowned, finding it difficult to ignore.

enough to cause a reaction in the lower part of my body and I shifted on my feet, awkwardly

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

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

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Chapter 19

and that happens to

he muttered

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 this pack and turned it into what it is today. Can you blame them for wanting to make sure that their legacy and what

their work around us. Xavier still looks deant. I sighed. Even I don’t believe my own words, but I was prepared to sachlice my 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 no way we would be mates with that creature. He was being naive and childish. He needed to grow the hell up and accept that life didn’t always go the way we expected it to He needed

the mate bond, no matter how much I want to, because I think you’re being stupid” I said loudly and with heavy emphasis, “but

on what happens tomorrow then” he countered with a raised brow. “Perhaps fate will smile on you brother and the moon goddess will grant you her mercy and nobody will be our mate tomorrow and all will be

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

placed in the dungeon before she will allow you to accept somebody besides

Regan POV

hear Isabelle’s shriek as I pad into the kitchen, yawning widely Her face is wreathed in smiles and Heather is hugging her profusely. She smirks at me as I begin

would be spending it at home. I tried

I can’t wait,” she told her mother excitedly have my dress picked out, my

almost laughed. None of that was important. The fact that the wins had turned eighteen now had either escaped Isabelle’s notice or she was confident that none of them would

with their mate?” I said, deciding

said hotly “All of my friends are keeping a close watch for me and will text me if there’s a

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

as Isabelle began to pout like a child “I have it on good authority that the twins woke up

that Isabelle had not been pushed aside as the potential Luna. It was almost laughable at the lengths the two of them were going,

table. Heather sat down next to

went to work early this morning. He’ll see you at the party later” Heather

mother was quite” she paused, glancing deliberately at Heather who tightened her lips and said nothing “Large and curvy wasn’t she? You don’t want to go down that route. I mean, it’s bad enough nobody likes you, but to be fat as well..she trailed off, nibbling on the end of a

snub and an attempt to get me to lose control

think I was. I had curves, but I took after my mother who had been rather generous and bosom. I was thankful for that, rather than being of the same stick–thin figure that Isabelle and the other pack girls seemed to consist of. I liked being different. Heather

said, eyeing me carefully, “I think we should think about putting you on a specialized diet. If you’re going to be serving in the pack house, it wouldn’t do to have you looking larger than the people you are serving” she said thoughtfully “and because of your mother’s figure you are prone to put weight on in certain spots” she finished, her expression

me a wicked grin. She was enjoying this. I sucked in a breath, fighting to maintain my composure. There were times when I truly hated my stepsister, and this was one of them. I wasn’t fond

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Chapter 20

no doubt passed on to her daughter as well. I bit the inside of

said

1 snarled,

pack members and if they ked me. I didn’t care about this pack in general. I wouldn’t change myself in order to make the pack change their attitude towards me.

to take you hours to get ready. Your hair, your makeup, all of it must be immaculate” she chided “I have a feeling that something important is going to happen and you want to

know exactly how to behave in public, unlike some people”

going to need help preparing everything she fretted, nibbling on her lower lip “And if I help you,

what was about to happen as Heather’s eyes widened and then her head swivelled to look directly at me. I swallowed hard. Wasn’t it enough that I had been forbidden to attend the party without adding insult to injury? Isabelle wasn’t a child, she was perfectly capable of dressing herself without assistance. I opened my mouth, prepared to object, but Heather cut me short before I could so much as utter a single

you”

fell open. I did not want to spend the day, acting as Isabelle’s personal servant, fetching her things and doing her, hair. “Heather, no,” I said, as my stepmother began to glower at me “Why should I? She has two arms and legs. She can get

I have to have help” she wailed

was either naive or dumb to Isabelle’s blatant attemps to manipulate her

a request” she snarled, in public because

her hand on the table as Isabelle’s tears miraculously

I snapped “and she

as I bowed my head “I’m not going to ask again Regan–Accompany Isabelle upstairs and

her way towards the stairs as I watched her, feeling

shoulder.

trilled as Heather raised a brow. “What are you waiting for? I have so many ideas for what I

Xavier POV

had been waiting for finally arrived, Pain, indescribable, shot though ine, causing me to collapse to the floor, my limba failing as my bones began to slowly

at large black paws.

I am Hades and it’s a pleasure to finally meet

my body running so fast that it was a blur. We were fast and agile. I leaped over fallen tree branches with ease. I sniffed, taking in the various aromas of the forest, my mouth watering Everything was so much clearer and more focused. I ran for what seemed like hours, enjoying the feel of it, the dirt beneath my paws, the joy of being free of being in wolf form exhilarating, Being able to speak to Hades was also exciting. I felt like myself for the first time in a long time. Was this what had been missing? Was this what had been making me feel so out of sorts for the last

until we find our mate he told me I am certain that she is in this pack. I have been aware of her existence for the last few weeks, but

that I had not been able to put his

pack house, cautiously glancing backward at Xander who was slowing his approach as

didn’t smell our mates until we were eighteen. How could

you’re eighteen to catch her scent, but there are telltale signs that we can pick

have insisted that we reject our mate I told him as we headed

is not my fated one, given to me by the moon goddess. I have