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.

his lip curled back in anger, while Isabelle stood

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 1 blinked, not comprehending

to ruin this for them. It had just happened. Why was

hand shot out and gripped me by the neck

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Chapter 24

don’t know what you mean wheezed, trying

twins refused to take Isabelle as their chosen mate tonight Heather’s voice was dripping with

870%

I glanced at Isabelle horrified. No wonder they were so angry with me. I began to feel my

declared 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” 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

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

and the pack, that Regan Lourdes was their fated mate. I wonder when they had time to discover

at the pain as my back

narrowed.

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

Isabelle’s hand

was meant to be Luna, not you” she sobbed, as I put my hands up, trying

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

hand as I turned my head away, spitting out blood “instead of letting you grow up and

I couldn’t

Xander POV

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 had an agreement” at my mother and father, who have their heads bowed low. I do not like to see them looking so cowed when they are meant to be the

Johnathon, watch your tone” Xavier growls, stepping into the study,

regarding the announcement you made in front of witnesses

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

it sound simple. My tone brooked no arguments. Beta Johnathon sneered at us, not pleased by the suggestion

to abide by it. Regan is not suitable to be Luna. She does not possess

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

in agreement. “Precisely. 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 as if the pack is forsaking her. She will still be free to find her fated mate” he pointed out, looking down at his fingernails, nonchalantly.

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

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 we will fill the position with somebody else, that is more” I paused and looked at Xavier meaningfully, “capable of the position as well as able

he thundered, losing his composure as we

you would be replaced once they became Alpha’s. You will still have a nice position and salary as a 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 mate they do not want against their will, and they are prepared to fight for their titles. I will not

fight them for the right to have Isabelle as chosen mate. If in he gestured towards

other. My mother and father look uneasy, surprised by

I don’t think that..” my mother

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Fri, Jan 10 G.

Chapter 25

you. I knew you wouldn’t be able to…

smoothly, glancing at me. “It doesn’t seem fair to make you fight both of us. Pick your challenger and we will do it your way, seeing as you’re determined Beta Johnathon” he drawled as I

warningly, but Xavier shook

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 near the pack house, and neither will you. You will be prevented from entering. I don’t trust you not to try anything with

you’re going to win, but

father, but he just nodded subtly 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 own fault, and

look at Xavier who looked remarkably calm “I guess that I will choose to fight Xavier then, seeing as he’s looking so damn cocky” he

Just great. Xavier was the better fighter out of both of us so I 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 hell. He had years of experience, but Xavier had

duel between friends‘ my father said gravely, glancing

Jackson, I do” he answered, glaring at

your chosen mate and

do Father” we answered in unison, clenching our jaws and staring directly at Beta Johnathon as though daring

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

Regan POV

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 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

father’s voice brooked

as

coffee in front of my father and glaring

speaking to my father like that or using that tone of voice on him.

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

this was about and why I had been brought here.

mask of worry “I simply cannot be banished from the pack house. What

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

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

the provision that if they lose,” he said in response with a low growl, while Isabelle continued to look panicked “they reject you as their mate and take Isabelle as their chosen one, as we all first agreed

had already rejected them, but it looked as though they had failed to mention that 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

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

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

have to do with

get whatever this

to the duel,” my father said with a crooked grin “That means you will have to be there too. Heather will help to

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Chapter 26

better of when she saw the fierce expression on my father’s face. She quickly shut her mouth and silently fumed instead. She

think makeup is going to fix all this?” I pointed at my

afternoon, thanks to your shifter blood and makeup will cover the majority of it. Your clothes will cover the rest and you will as though everything is fine” he narrowed his eyes at me. “When the

I asked coolly, leaning back in the chair and studying him closely.

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

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 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.”

should I?” I asked, staring at him incredulously, unable to believe my ears. “Why should I

was 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 all. I wasn’t about to tell him I had already rejected them and they had

life a living hell, I will make it even

they Regan?” he taunted as I blinked at him, taken aback by the venom in his voice and the glint in his eyes,

at him. “You expect me to humiliate the Alpha twins in front of the entire pack?” I asked, swallowing hard at the

as I’ve requested. I have no doubts that I’ll win but this is my backup plan and you better adhere to it.. unless you want to be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your

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 at me as I sat there motionless “and you’re going to

give a

any hint at all about what’s happening here my father growled, looking me deep in the eyes as I flinched “I’ll make sure you never see the light of day again. Is

Xander POV

There’s 4

eyes scanning the 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

ask him cautiously,

quiet, studying the crowd, looking thoughtful and pensive. It’s not normal for him. He’s usually the more outgoing, extroverted one. He turns his head

to beat me, do

all on his own. Beta Johnathon might 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 to do? Once this fight was over, Regan would safely be in the pack house with us,

look my brother in the eyes but I don’t trust him either. He’s sneaky and he’s manipulative. I don’t think he’s

answers, shaking his head and giving a chuckle, “he knows the laws and rules as we all do.”

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 anyone. We shouldn’t have left her in his

to the pack house where we could have kept a close eye on

us to interfere by taking her out of her home” Xavier protested, but his eyes were shrewd. “You think that

my words carefully, trying not to come across as paranoid and yet unable to help feeling that I was right. “I think that Beta Jonathon is not above using what he has available in order

as I could throw him in other words.

I can see our mate” Xavier

approaching with Isabelle, his wife Heather, and then Regan in tow. I am angry that Regan is following behind them, last, her head staring fixedly at the ground. She won’t meet our eyes, and I know that something is wrong. Xavier shoot me a confused glance, but I stare at him meaningfully See, I want to tell him, something is wrong with our mate. I see Beta Johnathon lean in close to 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 glance at Isabelle and see

Chapter 27

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

and I rolled our eyes, not surprised by his arrogance in

the duel or fight, then the twins will have the choice of taking their fated mate as their Luna and Beta Johnathon and Isabelle

I stared at Regan, willing her to look at me, wanting to assure her, 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. Didn’t Regan understand that we were doing this for her? That we were fighting in order to keep her as our

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