Chapter 23

Xavier POV

Regan. It can’t be but the proof was right in front of me. Not only was it right in front of me but the unthinkable had happened. Instead of being grateful for the mate bond, or happy about the fart that we were mates, she had tried to reject the both of us instead. My wolf was furious, even as I glanced towards my brother who looked equally dumbfounded by what had occurred. We had never thought that our mate might ot want us or that she might try to reject us. We were too arrogant to consider the likelihood that somebody might not want to be mated to us.

“She just rejected us,” Xander said dumbly, still staring in the diction Regan had left “Our mate doesn’t want us

“She does” I growled back, refusing to believe it. “She’s just afraid of the pack and maybe… I hesitated but Xander glanced at me sharply. “We weren’t exactly nice to her, were we? We picked on her and we hurt her a few times” I admitted shamefully, “so it’s no wonder she’s not ecstatic about the mate bond. She doesn’t have her wolf yet either so she can’t feel the bond from her side.

Both of us were clad in party clothes, but our suits were a rumpled mess. I had gone out looking for my mate again, this time picking up the scent when I had been about to turn back. I didn’t have any knowledge that Xander had been following behind me. I shot him a sharp look filled with anger and he merely stared back, shrugging unapologetically.

“So, what do we do? We can’t just pretend it didn’t happen. My wolf flat out refuses to even entertain the idea of Isabelle now Xander added, frowning at the floor.

“Mine already refused” I reminded him rolling my eyes, “although I’m glad you didn’t attempt to bring up that harebrained scheme of yours to Regan. She would have laughed in your face I snarled.

“Whatever” he snapped. “I concede that I’m an idiot. We’re expected back at the party Xavier” he growled, reminding me, but his eyes were still staring in the direction that Regan had left

My wolf wanted to go after her too, but we had our other duties to consider. Like the chosen mate that none of us desired any longer. This was sure to cause

cause some anger not just with our parents, but with the pack as a whole.

We started to walk back, our heads bowed low. I tried to tidy my hair while Xander did the same. As we headed towards the marquee, we ran directly into Isabelle who had been outside looking for us. I raked my gaze over her, my lip curling in revulsion. She was dressed up to stand out in a vibrant red dress that drew the eye, a long slit along the leg. I was immediately turned off by her. As she went to grab my hand, my wolf surged to the surface, angry that somebody besides our fated mate would even attempt to touch us, letting out a low and furious growl. Xander’s head whipped towards me and I saw the panicked expression on his face, but it was too late as thad already given myself away.

“Xavier” Isabelle stammered, hastily pulling her hand away as my eyes darkened and I glowered at her. “What’s wrong darling? Have you forgotten who I am meant to be? You are meant to be announcing who is your Luna tonight remember she continued in a coaxing tone.

I could see my mother and Father beginning to approach from a small crowd of people, detaching themselves, attempting to get to me and Xander, with looks of concern on both their faces.

Unbidden the words came out. “I refuse to take you as my chosen mate or Luna” I declared out loud as she stared at me, the blood draining out of her face, a hand going to her open mouth in shock as the crowd all gasped “I declare that my mate, and only my fated mate will become Luna of this pack.”

Xander stepped beside me, a grim expression on his face. It was me to make his decision, and he knew it. He no loliger had a choice. “I stand with Xavier and I too, declare that only my fated mate” he glanced disapprovingly at Isabelle who was beginning to cry and sob as if her heart was broken, “will become the Luna of this pack and be marked by me.”

“Boys” my mother shouted, but I wasn’t finished.

Not by a long shot. I could see the Alphas from the other packs watching, bearing witness. If we were to do this, then we had

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Chapter 21

to do it now, before it was too late, and Mother stopped us. I took a deep breath and Xander did the same, both of us reading each other’s minds, “Our fated mate is none other than Regan Lourdes” we shouted, Xander’s voice mixing with mine as we yelled it out loud enough for the whole pack to hear.

Gasps. Stunned expressions. My mother put a hand to her chest tumbling slightly while my father rushed to put his arm around her. Isabelle was shaking her head in denial, her eyes narrowing as she stared at us pleadingly. She was visibly shaking, tears trailing down her cheeks. Although I felt sorry for her, I would not be swayed from the path I had chosen to take. Whatever I had to do, I would get Regan to accept me and ander for her mates.

“No” she whimpered “No, tell me it isn’t true. There’s no way that Regan could be mates with the both of you” she sobbed.

“She is” I stared Isabelle down and then looked at my mother and father, who looked like stiff wooden statues. “From now on Regan will be treated differently as befitting a potential Luna of the pack. I am willing to fight for my right to bear the title of Alpha and I won’t hesitate to duel if it comes down to it.

My mother’s eyes filled with tears. Xander cleared his throat “I am also willing to fight, for the right to take my fated mate as Luna,”

Silence.

One of the Alpha’s bearing witness began to clap, looking at us with approval. “I admire your bravery in going against your family’s wishes,” he said, looking between us and our parents “and I must say that I find your willingness to fight for what you believe is your right, admirable. I hear witness to this statement today,” he said as the other Alphas began to nod in agreement “and will have no problems writing a statement to that effect if it comes down to it.”

My mother looked as though she was about to collapse. All her carefully laid plans, her manipulation, her conniving, had all gone

down in smoke around her. Isabelle looked desperately around her, but nobody offered her any assistance. I could see Heather moving from the back of the crowd before Isabelle turned and took off running, sobbing loudly.

“What have you done?” my mother gasped, my father, helping her to remain upright. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just ruined?” her voice was rising as she shrieked at us.

“I did what I had to do,” I told her quietly, “what you forced us to do. We are our own men Mother, and will not abide by your wishes. The contract between us and Isabelle is null and void.” My voice brooked no arguments. “You may inform Beta Johnathon yourself or we will do it for you. Father, if you desire. I will willingly fight you for the right to become Alpha, although I wish it hadn’t come to this.”

My father looked at me sharply and then shook his head, glancing tiredly at my mother.

“No, my, sons,” he said quietly “I will not withhold your titles from you. Not for doing something you feel is only right. If this is what you want. What you desire,” he said tightly, “Then the Alpha titles will continue to be yours on the provision that you continue to do what is right for the pack.

He had always been a fair man, my father.

Xander and I nodded. My mother sobbed. My father sighed and turned her around, beginning to lead her to the pack house. I looked around at the crowd and forced a smile to my lips. “Let’s get this party started and celebrate the dawn of a new chapter. Please, celebrate our birthday and the upcoming ceremony of our Luna.”

Mutters from the crowd as the pack obediently begins to head into the marquee, grabbing drinks and food from the passing

omegas

“Well, that could have gone much worse” Xander exhaled, looking relieved that it was all over.

I rolled my eyes “Have you forgotten that our Luna rejected us? pointed out sharply.

He fell silent- Lhad a feeling getting Regan to become our Luna or our mate, was going to be more difficult than I could imagine.

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Chapter 24

Regan POV

I’m almost hysterical. This had to be some sort of sick joke of theirs. There is no other explanation that I can think of. I make it home and slam the door, out of breath and panting heavily. The Alpha twins, my mates? The moon goddess has to have made some sort of mistake. I wipe the sweat off my face with the back of my hand and bend over with my hands on my hips, struggling to breathe in oxygen. I had run as home as fast as possible, not wanting to face them any longer, but now I could feel a whole host of emotions running through me, wanting to make me cry with devastation.

What was I going to do? What were they going to do? I sank onto the bed, fighting the urge to burst into tears. All my life, I had heard of the mate bond, how special it was, and how blessed. It was said that the moon goddess blessed each mate pair herself. I nibbled on my lower lip, feeling anxious. Isabelle would be furious if she ever found out that the Alpha twins were mates with me. I could feel my body trembling as fear struck my heart. Surely, they wouldn’t tell her. Not after I had rejected them. Or would they use the rejection against me as another reason to hurt me?

“Shit” I cursed, glancing towards the window and hearing the distant sounds of music in the air.

The party had started. That was a good sign, right? That meant that Isabelle must still be going ahead as the chosen mate and Luna as planned. Why did I feel so hollow when I imagined her with the twins? Why did my stomach churn, thinking about them marking her instead of me? I swallowed hard, trying not to picture it in my mind but it was impossible.

You made the only logical choice you could Regan. You deserve better than some mates who have treated you so poorly in the past. Isabelle and those two deserve each other. At least they have some things in common. The pack will accept Isabelle, they would never have accepted you I reminded myself shaking my head at the foolish notion that I could have been Luna or even been able to lead this miserable pack

I gave a crooked grin, beginning to strip my clothes off, heading into the bathroom and taking a warm shower, before beginning to dress into some casual pyjamas. The sound of the front door opening abruptly and the loud sound of sobbing reached my ears, and I tensed as I realized who it was coming from.

being the twin’s chosen mate. Aren’t they meant to be

earth had happened after I left the twins back in that clearing? I could feel my mouth going dry. It

bellow practically shook the windows in the house.

was angry, Isabelle was sobbing loudly and as

There was blind rage in her eyes. I hesitated to come down the stairs, but my father’s eyes narrowed, and he stared pointedly at me. There was no point in

bitch?

hissed as I timidly met her eyes “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” she spat our “You

an inkling, my suspicions arising as

my

father.

ruin everything, didn’t you Regan?” he shook his head, his lip curled back in

her lips. You couldn’t just leave well enough alone? You had

way had tried to ruin this for them. It had just happened. Why was I being

out and gripped me by the neck as I struggled weakly against

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Chapter 24

trying to deny it, kicking out and flailing.

take Isabelle as their chosen

870%

realization dawned and I glanced at Isabelle horrified. No wonder they were so angry with me. I began to feel my father’s hand tighten

in front of everybody that their fated mate would become Luna instead. They won’t accept anybody else. Months of negoting, of ensuring their cooperation and it’s all down the drain”

of a clue to leave me alone, to leave me in peace. But as my father glared at me and Isabelle cried, I knew instinctively what they had done. I closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable, unable to believe the twin’s audacity. They had no idea what they had done, the danger they had put me in. All because they couldn’t accept a refusal from someone or believe that I didn’t want to

their fated mate. I wonder when they had time

with a heavy thud, crying out at the pain as my back began

narrowed.

at them with watering eyes “I didn’t know that I was going

as Isabelle’s hand connected with

I was meant to be Luna, not you” she sobbed, as I put my hands up, trying to defend myself against another hit “You’re just some loser, nobody even

good measure, and I groaned before Heather moved her daughter away from me. It didn’t matter though, because my father moved in. I had seen him angry before, but not this enraged. It was like he was letting out all his frustrations, all his anger over the years in one fell swoop. I lost count of how much he had hit me, my cries becoming hoarse, the blood splattering on the walls as I begged him to stop. So much pain.

stamping on my hand as I turned my head away, spitting out

whimpered. I couldn’t take

Xander POV

I shoot Xavier a look and we both stop in the doorway as we hear the outrage in his voice while he shouts “We had an agreement” at my mother

the study, with me

regarding the announcement you made in front of witnesses last night,” she said quietly, “but seeing as

understand your anger Beta Johnathon, but we will only make our fated

sneered at

abide by it. Regan is not suitable to be Luna. She does not possess the kind of qualities or etiquette that is required for the role of Luna. She will simply prove to be a

My wolf and I didn’t like the way that he was maligning our mate. “Regan is perfectly suitable” I growled “and whatever she doesn’t know, our mother can teach her. I am surprised to hear such disparaging words coming from her own father”

Regan’s sake? She too, is your daughter, don’t you have) some feelings for her? Isabelle will be disappointed yes, but it’s not as if the pack is forsaking

kicking over a chair and causing everybody to gape at him in shock at his actions. “She doesn’t deserve to be in this position. She deserves to be at the bottom of the pack. I insist the two of you do what’s right and reject the little bitch” he

are the Alphas or soon–to–be Alphas,” I said quietly, looking the man in the eyes, “and you, are Beta for now, but that position will soon change when we gain our titles as

“You dare to insult me” he thundered,

training officer” my father said reasonably “and the boys deserve to have somebody they can rely on as their Beta. As for the contract, it is null and void” he told the other man heavily “we cannot force the twins to take a

Beta Johnathon growled, causing my eyes to widen as he stared directly at Xavier, his lip curling back “I will fight them for the right to have Isabelle as chosen mate. If in he gestured towards the both of us “then Isabelle. becomes Luna and Regan gets

at each other. My mother and father look uneasy, surprised by Beta Johnathon’s request.

mother began

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Chapter 25

I

us. Pick your challenger and we will do it your way, seeing

my father said warningly, but Xavier shook

will stop the pack from gossiping as well. If he wants to fight, then we will give it to him. So, choose” he prompted the man, who was eyeing him carefully “Who will you fight? Me or Xander?” But he also added, causing the man to look at him sharply “if you lose, not daly will Isabelle no longer be

to win, but I

at her, indicating she should keep quiet on the matter. He just wanted to by this whole situation to rest, and this was the best way to do it. If he lost. Beta Johnathon couldn’t continue to argue against it. It would be entirely his

who looked remarkably calm “I

to believe that he would beat my brother. I knew he didn’t have a hope in hell. He had years of experience, but Xavier had something else on his side. He had determination and the desire to

said gravely, glancing between everyone “I will announce it to the pack, and everybody will attend to bear witness. Beta Johnathon” he addressed his long- time

he answered, glaring at me

you understand that should Xavier lose, you will be required to take Isabelle as your chosen mate and reject Regan Lourdes as your fated one?” he asked, sighing and looking resigned.

do Father” we answered in unison, clenching our jaws and staring directly at Beta Johnathon as though daring him to say another word.

be at the training grounds at 2 pm.” My father said, dismissing all of us “Johnathon,”

Regan POV

heard footsteps approaching the cell, Heather appeared in front of me, her expression mutinous, her eyes flashing as she unlocked the door and swung it open. She flattened her lips and made an angry motion

down” my father’s voice brooked

sat, grateful to rest my body, wincing as the pain continued

cup of coffee in front of my father and glaring

that she was speaking to my father like that or using that tone of voice on him. He merely laughed

Dominion is nothing in comparison to me. Are you forgetting who trained him to begin with?” he told her

and why

of worry “I simply cannot be banished from the pack house. What about my friends?” she wailed. “My popularity?” she

her head and huffing, steam practically coming out of her cars. “The boy is younger, faster, and more agile than you. Do you think that he’s going to let you off easy? He wants her” She shook her head fowards me as I listened, my heart in my throat “They both do for god knows whatever reason” she added bitterly.

what purpose? I glanced towards my father questioningly, unable to help my

while Isabelle continued to look panicked “they reject you as their mate and take Isabelle as their chosen one, as we all first agreed

to anyone in the pack, let alone their parents. I cast my eyes on the table, wondering why they had brought me out here, knowing there would be some sort of ulterior motive for it. They hadn’t just released me from the cell for the sake of

watching her wring her hands incessantly and just listen for heaven’s sake. I have

to chance, now, would he? That would

to do with me?” I

whatever this was, over

witness to the duel,” my father said with a crooked grin “That means you will have to be there too. Heather will help to clean you up and dress you in nice clothing

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Chapter 26

she saw the fierce expression on my father’s face. She quickly shut her mouth and

all this?” I

will cover the majority of it. Your clothes will cover the rest and you will as

coolly, leaning back in

attitude. What was he up to

front of everyone, forcing them to have to take Isabelle as their chosen mate in recompense. They won’t have a choice. In order to save face, they’ll take Isabelle and make her the luna, while the pack and they, shun you for doing the unthinkable and rejecting your fated mates.”

to believe my

bitter, and I was indignant. To be asked to do such a thing, raised my hackles and made me even angrier than I was already. My father had no scruples at

chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Because if you don’t” he growled, his fingers digging painfully into my flesh as fresh tears welled up in my eyes from the pain, “I can make your life a living hell, I will make it even worse than it already is” he snapped “not to mention Isabelle as well. You think you’ll

contend with. The Alpha twins can’t be with you every minute of the day, can they Regan?” he taunted as I blinked at him, taken aback by the venom in his voice and the glint in his eyes, “and there will come a

his fingers had no doubt left fresh marks, glaring hatefully at him. “You expect me to humiliate the Alpha twins in front of the entire

my backup plan and you better adhere

to get Regan to look even halfway decent” she said looking down her nose at me as I sat there motionless “and you’re going to have to make sure her

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