BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 12
Chapter 11
Xander POV
“Xander, why does Xavier hate me so much?” Isabelle pouts, her big blue eyes studiously looking into mine as I glance away,
unnerved by the question.
Even she’s noticed that my brother is behaving strangely, I try to laugh it off, but she looks serious as she continues to observe
me. We’re both outside, watching several of the warrior doing their training, Isabelle keeping her distance, her short skirt hugging
her curves and revealing her lacy underwear when she bends over too far, causing my mouth to go dry. as I swallow hard at the
enticing image.
“He doesn’t hate you, he’s just irritable lately. It’s not just with you” I mutter, hoping she’ll leave it alone.
The truth is I don’t know what’s wrong with Xavier lately. It stings that he doesn’t confide in me as much as he used to, being that
we are twins and all.
She raises a brow “Is it something to do with his wolf?” she asks, her lips curving downwards “Is he recognizing that I might not
be his mate?” she sounds slightly panicked about the very idea of it.
I rush to reassure her. “No Isabelle. I haven’t heard my wolf yet, so I doubt he has. He’s probably just nervous about the whole
shifting thing and maybe tired of discussing the birthday party” I sighed “Just give him some space and you’ll see that he’ll come
around.”
At least I was hoping that’s what it was.
She touches my arm lightly. Normally I’m pleased by the contact but today, today I feel numb. Empty. Desolate. I force a smile on
my face. “You still find me attractive, don’t you Xander?” she bites her pale pink lower lip, causing my eyes to dart towards them.
Did I? Isabelle was the prettiest girl in our pack. There was no denying it. Usually, I wouldn’t hesitate to express how exactly! felt
about her, but today, I was reacting differently, and judging by the expression on Isabelle’s face, she could tell as well. I hesitated
and then forced myself to speak the words I knew she wanted to hear more than anything.
“Of course, I still find you attractive” I give a fake smile,
“I just find it so hard lately, with how badly Regan treats me” She picks up a flower from the grass and lets it slip through ber
fingers, watching it fall softly to the ground, “I guess I’m just feeling insecure” she whispers, glancing at me sideways and
adopting a forlorn expression.
She sounds so vulnerable. Maybe the upcoming ceremony was messing with her as well and causing her to feel insecure. 1 tried
to remind myself that Isabelle might seem tough on the exterior but that inside, she was still as soft–hearted and kind as she had
always been.
“Forget about Regan” my voice is sharp, causing Isabelle to blinkat me in surprise. “When you’re Luna nobody is going to be
able to make you feel anything less than what you are. Just because she’s the Beta’s biological daughter doesn’t mean she’s
going to be granted leeway. You will still be in charge Isabelle” I reminded her as she gave me a twisted smile, “Regan won’t be
able to do anything more to you. You’ll be safe from her.@
She opened her mouth to retort when there came a furious shout from behind us. “Isabelle‘
It was Xavier. The person we had just been discussing. He looked wild, his hair disheveled, a look of rage on his face. 1
wondered what was eating him. He looked as though he was on the verge of ripping somebody to shreds with his bare hands.
Even Isabelle looked frightened as she looked at him. It was unusual for him to act this way towards her.
He stormed over.
Xavier, what’s wrong?” Isabelle whispered, glancing fearfully at me.
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Chapter 11
He narrows his eyes, I glance at him, watching as he slowly clenges his jaw, “Did you hurt Regat?” he says with gritted teeth
My mouth falls open in shock. I can’t believe he’s confronting us about that bitch Regan Isabelle’s eyes begin to shine as she
shakes her head in denial, tears threatening to fall. I immediately rush to her defense. “Brother, what are you doing? Isabelle has
been outside with me” I snapped “You can’t go around accusing people with no proof and especially not your chosen mate” I
snarled,
He gives Isabelle a condemning look. A tear trails down her cheek. I feel awful as I put a protective hand on her shoulder. What
did Xavier think he was doing? I had never felt so angry as did right then at my brother.
“I would never hurt Regan” she protests, looking to me for help Never. How could you accuse me of such a thing!” she hiccups,
“Somebody did. Her hand is red raw and burnt” Xavier shoots back, folding his arms and tilting his head “And she refuses to tell
me who did it he growls.
Isabelle gives a small laugh. It’s filled with bitterness. “So, you thought that it must be me,” she said, sniffling. “The reason she
couldn’t tell you who it was, was because she most likely did it to herself to gain your sympathy” she cried, throwing her hands
up “I’ve told you before how cunning she is, how clever and manipulative she can be. Why can’t you believe me when I tell you
she’s capable of anything?”
Her eyes are watery as she glances at me. My arms wrap around her as she begins to sob in earnest. I shoot my brother a
vicious glare.
“It’s okay Isabelle” I murmur, feeling her clutch at me with desperation, her sobs wracking her body, her head pressed down
against my chest as she stares down at the grass “I believe you,” I tell her, staring at Xavier defiantly.
“Damnit Xavier, how could you just come out here and shoot your mouth off like that?” I hiss as he continues to stare at Isabelle
with an inscrutable expression.
I don’t like the expression on his face. He’s never looked at Isabelle so coldly before. This is a first. I feel a moment of
apprehension, What if Isabelle was right? What if Xavier has gotten his wolf or started to hear it? Could they be telling him to
treat Isabelle so badly? It didn’t make sense.
“Brother, perhaps you should leave before I feel inclined to fight you and sort this out between us in a different manner” I bit out.
Isabelle immediately raised her head, looking frantically between us. “No” she cried, putting a hand on my chest, and glancing
pleadingly at Xavier who remained motionless “Please don’t fight because of me. I couldn’t bear it You’re twins. brothers for
heaven’s sake” she sniffled “I would rather turn and walk away than have you commit such a horrendous act against one
another.”
She was so sweet. Always thinking about us. I stroked the top of her head, shooting Xavier a look of daggers. If Isabelle hadn’t
requested it, I would have thrown down the gauntlet and started fighting with my brother. He was lucky she was so kind–hearted.
I glared at him as he continued to observe the both of us, a tic in his jaw.
“Ce the hell out of here Xavier” I snapped “You’re lucky Isabelle is here. I don’t know what’s going on with you or what is wrong
with you, but you better sort yourself out before the ceremony. I’m not letting you treat Isabelle like this.”
I took her hand and walked away, ignoring the pointed stare of my brother which felt like it was boring holes into my back Come
what may, Isabelle was destined to be Luna. Our Luna. If He didn’t see that, then I was going to have to remind him of what was
at stake. I don’t know why he’s suddenly obsessed with Regan, but I do know that it’s going to stop, no matter what I have to do
to make that happen.
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Chapter 12
Regan POV
My hand is throbbing by the time I make it home. It’s painful arcradle it to my chest as I step inside the door. I make dinner and
leave it on the table, escaping quickly to my room, unable to find an appetite to eat. Thankfully, my father and stepmother say
nothing, perhaps sensing that it’s best to leave alone or trying to keep the house peaceful so that I can continue to work at the
pack house, perhaps fearing that Luna Jennifer might pick up on what they are doing if they continue to harm me where it might
be visibly seen.
I stare up at the ceiling. I am still in shock at the way that Xavier handled me. The way he touched me was so gentle, so different
from all the other times he had. He had been almost tender and the expression on his face. I shook my head. He had been
furious to discover that somebody had hurt me. It didn’t make sense. None of it did. He had never cared about me being hurt
before. Not ever. In fact, he’ll helped contribute to it. So why was he acting so strangely now? Was it the stress of becoming an
Alpha that was causing him to act so irrationally? ander wasn’t acting the same way so whatever it was, it wasn’t affecting the
both of them. I sighed and then heard the sound of my bedroom door creaking slowly open, turning my head just in time to see a
furious Isabelle storm into the room.
One glance at her eyes and the glittering hatred in them and I knew she wasn’t here to have a conversation. No way. She was
furious about something, and I couldn’t comprehend what I had possibly done this time to provoke her anger. She had already
but my hand. What more did she want? She narrowed her eyes at me as I sat up slowly, dread rising inside of me. She was
between me and the door, so the likelihood of escaping whatever she had in mine was practically nil. Unless I jumped out the
window and I didn’t think that was advisable.
“What did you do?” she hissed, advancing on me as I folded my arms across my chest and regarded her warily.
“I don’t know what you are talking about” I denied, staring at her with bewilderment.
threatened me over your stupid hand” she gestured, her lips curling back. “When we all know that he’s never given a damn about
you before.”
I continued to stare at her. I hadn’t said anything to Xavier, at least nothing incriminatory regarding Isabelle but it looked as
though he had put two and two together anyway. I fought to keep my amusement hidden from her, however. Xavier might have
shown a surprising hint of concern for me today, but tomorrow I would be forgotten about as always.
“I didn’t say anything to him” I snapped as she narrowed her eyes at me and flattened her lips in displeasure “If he came gut
looking for you then that’s your problem” I declared in frustration “Maybe he’s not as stupid as you thought he was Isabelle” I
added as a parting shot.
She moved, so fast she was practically a blur, her hand reaching out to grip my long brunette hair, tightening it in her fist as 1
gave a cry of alarm, her eyes beginning to gleam with maliciousness.
“You think you’re so smart, don’t you” she growled, tugging on as my fingernails clawed at her, Isabelle yanking me so that– I fell
to the ground, uselessly batting at her hand as she pulled at my hair again, causing tears to come to my eyes.
“Let go” I rasped, feeling as though she was about to tear my hair out of my head.
“I know you said something to Xavier. He’s never accused me of anything before. He’s always believed the lies I’ve fed him.
Same as Xander. They both think that you’re mean and spiteful while I” she paused, yanking my head back to look up at her,
tears shining in my eyes “while I’m the poor kind Isabelle constantly being teased and harassed by the stepsister who has never
wanted me in her life.”
“Then they are idiots for believing you, but I never said a word to Xavier” I snarled, managing to climb to my feet and face her in
the eyes. “Maybe they’re getting more suspicious with the upcoming ceremony” I taunted her as she eyed me for maybe you
haven’t been as discreet lately Isabelle. Either way, you messed up, not me” I snapped “so go take your temper elsewhere.”
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Chapter 12
It was the wrong thing to say. She immediately let go of my half and I breathed in a sigh of relief, only to double over as she
slammed a hand into my stomach, coughing and spluttering, long my breath.
“I never wanted you as a stepsister Regan,” she said, as I stared at her, her hands going to her hips, “and I hate that we even
have to live in the same house, but if you think you’re going to in this for me think again. I will be Luna, she told me, poking me in
the chest as I awkwardly straightened up “and you” she shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips “will be gone. I don’t
care what it takes, what I have to do. I will make sure you don’t remain here where I have to constantly lay eyes on you” she
spat.
Good luck with that I thought miserably, remembering the paperwork the Alpha twins had signed. It wasn’t going to be as easy as
Isabelle thought, trying to get rid of me now. I sensed Isabelle’s eyes on me, filled with misgiving. I could feel my hand, painfully
throbbing, along with the sick churning in my gut from Isabelle’s blow. As usual, my stepmother Heather and my father remained
oblivious to what Isabelle was doing to the or didn’t care. I thought about striking back but the thought of being whipped again,
my back still sore, caused me to hesitate. Another lashing could kill me. It would certainly prevent me from going back to the
packhouse and cause the Alpha and Lana to ask questions. One would think that was a good thing but, in my case, it would only
cause further problem Isabelle flipped her hair over her shoulder and then said something that chilled me to the core and caused
me to stiffen in disbelief. I had never thought she would go this far or be this cruel but it was something I should have anticipated,
or perhaps even expected.
“I am going to make sure that your mate if they are in this pack, whoever they happen to be, rejects you. I will personally make
sure it happens” she promised, looking at me scornfully. Not that anyone would want to be mates with a murderer anyway but
how do you suppose it will feel when you’re rejected I’ve heard it can be quite painful” she mused.
I stared at her, my mouth going dry. “Isabelle you can’t force somebody to reject me I began incredulously, and she laughed in
my face.
“If the choice was to reject you or be banished from the pack, what do you think your mate is going to choose? I doubt they
would keep you anyway” she added with a roll of her eyes “Oh so hope you find your mate now” she added gleefully as my
shoulders began to slump “I can only imagine the devastation on your face. I guess that’s enough punishment for now” she
added, glancing at me and smiling coldly “Now let’s make sure there aren’t any further problems when it comes to me and my
chosen mates, shall we? I would hate to have Xavier come and accuse me of something else” she added pointedly, before
stepping backwards and turning on her heel, leaving the room and me staring blankly at the doorway.
A feeling of despair began to take over. If my mate rejected me, what would I have left to live for? Isabelle would have taken the
last thing I had left for living or remaining in this pack. I wasn’t naive to believe they might be able to save me from my family, but
I had hoped that maybe, a mate, might show me the love and affection that had been missing my entire life. Now I realized how
stupid and naive I had been. My mate would never accept me. Not if they came from this pack. I was well and truly alone and
would be, forever.
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