BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 18
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
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.”
with one another. He continued to defend Isabelle while continued to have my misgivings about her. Something that was not lost
on our mother as she eyed us both. She sighed
“Isabelle, I’m sure that you will have a wonderful time tomorrow she said warmly, glancing at me warningly “but do you mind if I
have a quick word with my two boys here? I have something that I would like to talk to them about in private. Alpha business”
she added hastily so that Isabelle would not get offended.
Instantly Isabelle looked intrigued but swiftly nodded. “Of 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.
“Thank you for being so understanding 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 at each other.
I had a feeling that whatever she was about to bring up, it wasn’t anything good.
“What?” I sneered
“Tomorrow there will be several important Alphas at 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 you stick to the agreement and reject her as you have promised.”
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Chapter 18
She hesitated “There is something else 1 have decided must be one If you wish to be Alpha. I would like, tomorrow night. in front
of the entire pack, and the visiting Alphas for you to dle are Isabelle as your chosen mate. You will still have the formal ceremony
later, but this is to” she looks meaningfully at the “prevent further mistinderstandings later.”
“In other words, you want the 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 mother wanted Isabelle as Luna and she was determined to
do what it took to make sure we did what she waited.
She smiled. It was cunning. “Yes, well you have always been bright Xavier. Naturally, if other alphas witness you make that
statement, they will 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 pointedly.
Xander looks nervous even as he nods his agreement. 1, however have my doubts. The thought of having Isabelle as my 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 as my
mother’s eyes narrow and her voice becomes sharper. “Xavier?” she snaps.
“What Mother?” I stare at her “Would you prefer I lie and pretend that I have no qualms about taking a spoilt Beta’s daughter as
my mate?” I challenged, feeling frustrated and beyond exasperated.
She huffed. “You didn’t 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 position of future Alpha, do you?” she demands irritably.
“That’s just it Mother. I’m starting to think that the deal we made with you, or the agreement you insist on, is more for your benefit
than our own.”
My words were blunt and cut straight to the chase. I stared her down, daring her to refute what I had just said.
For a moment she looks stunned. As though unable to believe what I’ve just said to her. I’ve 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 and
loud exhale.
“It 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 lead.”
“Who my mate is has no bearing on my leadership” I snarl, while Xander stands between us, beginning to look slightly panicked.
“I am simply saying that I am not entirely sure that Isabelle is as perfect as you seem to think she is,”
In other words, mother was blind where Isabelle was concerned. She would never see Isabelle as anything but perfect. Isabelle
could do no wrong in my mother’s eyes.
My mother sighed. “Nobody is perfect Xavier, not even you. Civen time, Isabelle will adjust to her role as the Luna, just like I had
to. Her prowess in fighting, her etiquette, and her comportment are all assets as is her popularity. Nobody will question her right
to lead. You can’t ask for more than that” she explained tightly.
She forgets all about love, as though that is of no importance whatsoever.
“It’s okay Mother, I think that Xavier and I need to talk” Xander interrupts hastily and my mother looks between us and then nods,
turning on her heel and stomping off in a temper.
I’m not in the mood and glower at my twin brother spoiling for a fight when he speaks. “Look, I’m not sure about Isabelle either
okay” he admits in a hushed voice “But right now if we keep fighting against Mother like this, she’s going to take ba our titles.
Don’t be foolish” he hissed “Just play the game. It’s not as though Isabelle is ugly or anything. We could have been given much
worse” he pointed out “at least we know who our mate will be, instead of being given one from a different pack.”
As if that’s anything to be grateful for. My lip curls and I can’t help but stare at him in disbelief. Is that all you can say?”
Chapter 19