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.

Is that Isabelle? Why is she crying? I thought that she would be happy about being the twin’s chosen mate. Aren’t they meant to be making some sort of announcement tonight? Oh no. My stomach dropped. This wasn’t good. Something had happened, to make Isabelle upset. Something bad.

Several footsteps. I tensed. My stepmother and father should have remained at the party, but it looked as though they were back early with Isabelle. This did not bode well. What on earth had happened after I left the twins back in that clearing? I could feel my mouth going dry. It was too late to escape the house, there was nowhere to run

“Regan” my father’s bellow practically shook the windows in the house.

I winced. He was angry, Isabelle was sobbing loudly and as I walked towards the stairs the vicious look on

Heather’s face. 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 creating more conflict. I began to tentatively walk down, not meeting anybody’s eyes. This wasn’t my fault, but I doubted they would believe anything I had to say.

bitch?

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

I was beginning to get an inkling, my suspicions arising as I looked quietly towards

my

father.

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

and puffy, her sobs continuing to fall from her lips. You couldn’t just leave well enough alone? You had to spoil his for us, for your sister” he snarled as

ruin this for them. It had just happened. Why was I being blamed for this?

me by the neck as I struggled weakly

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Chapter 24

mean wheezed, trying to deny it,

as their chosen

870%

heart swelled slightly, even as realization dawned and I glanced at Isabelle horrified. No wonder they were so angry with me. I began to feel my

Luna instead. They won’t accept anybody else. Months of negoting, of ensuring their cooperation and it’s all down the drain” he roared, shaking me as I winced “do you want to know who their fated mate is?” he hissed as I began to feel dread rising

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

mate. I wonder when they had time to discover that she murmured, stepping closer as I flinched “considering that

a heavy thud, crying out at the pain as my back began to throb with pain. My father’s

narrowed.

I denied, clutching my chest and staring up at them with watering

hands clenching into fists. Slap. I felt my head go sideways as Isabelle’s hand connected with my

not you” she sobbed, as I put my hands up, trying to defend myself against another hit “You’re just some loser,

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

hand as I turned my

I couldn’t

Xander POV

morning, neither Xavier nor 1, am surprised when we hear the sound of Johnathon Ramona’s voice coming from my father’s study as we head downstairs. I shoot Xavier a look and we both stop in the doorway as we hear the outrage in his voice while he shouts “We

the study, with me close behind him, glaring daggers at the

regarding the announcement you made in front of witnesses last night,” she said quietly, “but seeing as you have come down, perhaps you would like

irate man while Xavier smirked, “I understand your anger Beta Johnathon, but we will only make our fated mate our Luna. That mate happens to be Regaryour

tone brooked no arguments. Beta Johnathon sneered at us, not pleased

to take Isabelle as your chosen mate, and I expect you to abide by it. Regan is not suitable to be Luna. She does not possess the kind of

I am surprised to hear such disparaging words coming from her own father” I exploded, causing the Beta to look surprised and taken slightly

Shouldn’t you be happy for 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

nothing but a murderer Beta Johnathon yelled, 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

the eyes, “and you, are Beta for now, but that position will soon change when we gain our titles as we will fill the position with somebody else, that is more” I paused and looked at Xavier meaningfully, “capable of the position

insult me” he thundered, losing his composure as we

it is null and void” he told the other man heavily “we cannot force the twins to take a mate they do not want against their will, and they are prepared to fight for their titles. I

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

each other. My mother and father

I don’t think that..” my mother began

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Chapter 25

sneered “the lot of you. I knew you wouldn’t be able to…

seem fair to make you fight both of us. Pick your challenger and we will do it your way, seeing

my father said warningly, but Xavier shook his head.

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 our chosen mate, but she will also no longer be allowed

spat. “You’re so certain you’re going to win, but I have years of experience on you boys”

rest, and this was the best way to do it. If he lost. Beta

Beta Johnathon straightened up, looking proudly at the both of us while I stole a look at Xavier who looked remarkably calm “I guess that I will choose to fight Xavier then, seeing as he’s looking

was surprised that Beta Johnathon had chosen him over me, but then, maybe he was arrogant enough to believe that he would beat my brother. I knew he didn’t have a hope in

between friends‘ my father 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 friend, looking upset “you understand that if you lose, you and Isabelle will no longer be welcome at this pack house?

do” he answered, glaring at me and Xavier,

Xander, 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

directly at Beta Johnathon as though daring him to

well, be at the training grounds at 2 pm.” My father said, dismissing all

Regan POV

flashing as she unlocked the door and swung it open. She flattened her lips and made an angry motion for me to follow her, without uttering a word, and limped after her, barely making it up the stairs without incident, my breathing shallow as she stormed into the dining room, where my father was seated, along with Isabelle who was wringing her hands and looking highly

father’s voice

my body, wincing as the pain continued to

slamming a cup of coffee

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

you forgetting who trained him to begin with?” he told her as she glowered and shook her head, folding her hands across her chest

about and why I had

if you lose?” Isabelle’s face is a mask of worry “I simply cannot be banished from the pack house. What about my friends?” she wailed. “My

and challenge one of the Alpha twins to a duel, didn’t you” Heather snarled, shaking 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

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

that if they lose,” he said in response with a low growl, while Isabelle continued to look panicked “they reject you as their

their parents. I cast my eyes on the table, wondering

her hands incessantly and just listen for heaven’s sake. I have a plan that will fix

he did. He wouldn’t leave all of this to chance, now, would he? That would have been far

have to do with me?” I asked dully.

this

to be there to bear 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 so that you can look

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Chapter 26

but thought better of when she saw the fierce expression on my father’s face.

all this?” I pointed at my face, most sneering

rest and you will as though everything is fine” he

back in the chair and studying him

me with his tricks and conniving attitude. What was he up to now? What

duel” he sneered “which is unlikely, you will then step in and reject the twin alphas in front of everyone, forcing them to have to take Isabelle as their chosen mate

incredulously, unable to believe my ears. “Why should I

scruples at all. I wasn’t about to tell him I had already rejected them and they had apparently decided not to accept it because I

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

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 time when you

fresh marks, glaring hatefully at him. “You expect me to humiliate the Alpha

no doubts that I’ll win but this is my backup plan and you better adhere to it.. unless you

to her feet “I’m going to go get changed. Mother you’re going to have to do a lot of work to get Regan to look even halfway decent” she said looking down her nose

give a

growled, looking me deep in the eyes as I flinched “I’ll make sure you never

Xander POV

There’s 4

crowd. I know who he’s looking for because my eyes are looking for her too. Regan. She’s nowhere to be seen, but I console myself with the fact that Beta Johnathon is not here yet and therefore Regan is most likely to attend when he gets here. Both of us are longing to see her, our wolves irritated beyond measure by all this chosen mate nonsense that continues to plague and annoy us.

about this” I ask him cautiously, glancing at him from

pensive. It’s not normal for him. He’s usually the more outgoing, extroverted one. He turns his head to regard me looking amused by the

Johnathon is going to beat me, do you?” he asks incredulously, his lips curving into a

have begun to train Xavier in the beginning, but Xavier far surpassed him ages ago. No, I have no doubts that my brother will win this fight and that’s what makes me hervous. Beta Johnathon was so damn cocky when he left, that I have begun to wonder if he has something else in mind or something else up his sleeve. I didn’t like this terrible sense of foreboding I had it was almost instinctual. I also didn’t feel as though Isabelle was just going to let this go either. But what was she going

him either. He’s sneaky and he’s manipulative. I don’t think he’s going to

shaking his head and giving a chuckle, “he knows the laws and

he also has access to Regan” I said quietly, causing my brother’s head to shoot back up as he looked me in the eyes, his jaw clenching at the implication, “and he can manipulate her as easily as

a close eye on her for her own safety. regardless

taking her out of her home” Xavier protested, but his eyes were shrewd. “You think that Beta Johnathon would do something to ensure

to help feeling that I was right. “I think that Beta Jonathon is not above using what he has available in order to get the outcome

in other

see our mate” Xavier hisses,

Regan as they halt in the crowd, murmuring something in her ear, before her face goes pale and she nods, biting her lip. What did the bastard say to her? Did he threaten her? I shoot a

Chapter 27

out, causing the crowd of pack members to hush and turn towards him with expectant looks on their faces “As you are aware, we are all here today to watch the duel between Beta Johnathon” several pack members nodded “and my son Xavier Dominion” lul claps and yells as the Beta starled at everyone “for the right to choose who they want as their mate. If Xavier loses he looks apologetically at Regan but she’s still staring miserably at the ground “Then Isabelle Ramona will be made their mate, and the twins will reject their faterl mate. However, he hesitated, while Bem Johnathon stood up straight “if Beta Johnathon loses… his voice trailed off as he was interrupted by none other than the

as Xavier and I rolled our eyes,

will have the choice of taking their fated mate

if only with my eyes but she refused to look our way. I clenched my hands into fists, fighting back the urge to let gut a low growl of frustration. I just wanted her to look at me. I could see that Xavier was studying her as well, a look of exasperation on his own face.

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