The Last Lycan Luna

CHAPTER 7 - ALINA - JAYCE'S POV

As I stumbled home in a drunken state, I found myself pausing at my mate's bedroom door. To my surprise, I could hear her bustling about inside. It seemed that my brother had removed the privacy spell that had once concealed the room's activities.

"Go in and talk to her!" Hunter demanded, his voice filled with urgency. However, I chose to ignore his plea, walking past the door and making my way to my bedroom.

Seeking solace, I entered the shower, but instead of washing, I found myself leaning my forehead against the cool tiles of the shower wall. The droplets cascading down my body provided a temporary reprieve, as I closed my eyes and allowed the water to wash away the turmoil within me.

I desperately attempted to banish her from my thoughts, but not even a sip of alcohol or the consequent, half a bar's worth of booze seemed to erase her from my mind. I wasn't a coward, and I wasn't afraid of receiving affection or love. My brother was such a pr*ck, he didn't understand. He might have been the one who suffered the attack, but I was the one who had to find everyone. I was the one who had to live with the burden of guilt for not being there to help everyone. I couldn't accept a witch.

"Mate's not a witch."

My frustration mounting. "Then where's her Lycan?" I snapped. "If she had one, then how was she removed? How could she have been overpowered and captured by our troops? It's impossible. It just doesn't make sense. And on top of that, there's no way she could be 1000 years old. Lycans typically have a lifespan of around 400 years, so how is she still alive?"

"I don't know," Hunter growled, frustration evident in his voice. "I don't have all the answers. I just know I want my mate."

"Well, you can't have her!" I snarled back, my own anger simmering beneath the surface.

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to find peace in sleep, and when the blaring sound of my alarm finally jolted me awake, I was grateful for a full day's work to distract my mind from thoughts of her. Without any concern for my appearance, I hastily threw on some clothes and made my way to the dining room, but as I was about to enter, I overheard my brother engaged in a conversation, and when I caught a whiff of my mate's enticing scent, I found myself frozen to the spot.

"You know, we really have to come up with a name for you." I heard him say, his voice filled with joy.

I hated it. I envied his happiness. Without hesitation, I decided to forego eating at home and instead headed towards the pack house dining hall.

As I entered the bustling hall filled with loud conversation and some light laughter, I couldn't help the thoughts of my mate still lingering in my mind as I joined my Beta and his mate for a meal, hoping to find solace and clarity in their company.

"Morning," Caden smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Alpha." His mate Zoe greeted me as she brushed a lock of her vibrant red hair behind her ear. "Did the Luna?"

"She's not the Luna." I cut her off angrily, my voice sharp, and she paused, her brow furrowing slightly as she exchanged a glance with her mate, while I started pulling food onto my plate.

The air in the room suddenly felt thick with tension, but I focused on filling my plate, trying to push down the rising irritation I felt at the mention of the Luna. What was it about that title that set me so on edge?

"Forgive me," Zoe continued in a smaller voice. "Um, did Alpha Kayson's mate like the dresses I sent?"

"No clue." I shrugged and turned to one of the waiters. "Get me more bacon."

"Yes, Alpha." He bowed his head and rushed off.

Zoe's question hung in the silence, her eyes searching my face for any sign of approval. I took a deep breath, willing myself to speak in a calmer tone. "The dresses were... acceptable. I'm sure she liked them, but you'd have to ask Kayson. Thank you."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and she offered me a tentative smile. However, a lingering unease still tugged at the edges of her expression. Though probably not the same unease I felt that refused to dissipate. Something was brewing beneath the surface, and I had a feeling it was only the calm before the storm.

I ate in sullen silence after that, listening to the simple light chatter around me, before I stood up and left the dining hall without another word, eager to be alone in the confines of my office.

I entered my office that I shared with my brother and glared at his empty desk. He was no doubt enjoying his day off with his new mate.

I was sitting at my desk, focused on the task at hand, when the sudden loud banging of my office door slamming open jolted me from my concentration. I unleashed an angry growl at the intruder, but I froze when I saw my fiancé Alina.

She stood there, wearing a thick coat that she was pulling off, and her usually neatly-tied blonde hair was now a disheveled mess on the top of her head as if she had hastily thrown it up that morning. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were red as if she had been crying, and held a frantic edge. Her pack, Vandelorn, was situated five hours from here. She must have left very early.

"Alina?" I said, my brow furrowing in confusion as I sat back and examined her appearance. "Why are you here? You were not meant to return until a week before the wedding?"

Alina's eyes glistened with anguish as she confronted me. "Is it true? Did you find your mate? When were you going to tell me the wedding was off?"

"Alina, calm down." I rose from my chair and approached her, my heart heavy. "Yes, I met my mate. However, I am rejecting her."

Relief washed over Alina's face, but she still looked skeptical. "Why would you reject your mate?"

I sighed, struggling to find the right words. "The reasons are... Complicated, and none of your concern. The wedding is still on. That's all you need to know, and you would have known that if you'd just called rather than shown up in my territory unannounced and uninvited."

"Since when do I need an invitation?" She snapped as she reached out and grasped my arm, pleading. "Please, tell me what's going on. I need to understand. This mate? Is she also Alpha Kayson's mate?"

"She is,"

"And did he accept her?"

"He did."

"So what is happening now?" She asked, her voice trembling, "Am I Luna or her?"

"We are still to discuss that."

"But she's his true mate, and I'm chosen, so naturally the council would insist that she become Luna, and that means I would have no authority here!"

"The council is merely a sounding board for my brothers and my wishes." I pointed out, emphasizing the limited role they play in decision-making. "They listen and provide feedback, but have no authority unless we allow it. Kayson and I will decide who ultimately decides who the Luna is to be."

"This isn't fair!" She shouted, her voice echoing through the room as tears filled her eyes. "I was marrying you with the intention of becoming Luna." She continued, her words laced with a mix of anger and betrayal. "You have to make this right. I was raised to be a Luna, only I deserve to stand by your side. I will now be second to your brother's mate! Either you accept me as Luna, or the wedding and peace treaty are off and my father will-"

"HE WILL WHAT?!" I shouted over her, and she cowered back at my outburst. "He will do nothing, because he can do nothing. My pack out numbers his 3 to 1, and even if you become my Luna, do not think for one second you will have authority over me. Kayson and I are in charge of this pack, not you, and don't you ever forget that again. I will not tolerate a mate who thinks she can speak to me like this. Your father has clearly indulged you too much if you think you can speak to an Alpha with such a tone."

Alina's eyes swam with tears as she shot me a fierce look. "Yes, Alpha. I'm sorry. I just... This isn't fair. I was promised I'd be your Luna, and now-"

"And now, nothing." I waved my hand dismissively. "You will still be my wife. You will still have a life of luxury and privilege, so stop acting like a child."

She continued to glare at me, but I gave her a warning growl, and she fixed her features. "So the wedding is still taking place next month during the Goddess Festival?"

"Yes,"

"Oh, alright."

"Why don't you go rest? I will have someone return you to your pack tomorrow." I told her, letting her know this conversation was over. "Your suite is still set up from your last visit."

"Can't I stay with you?"

"No."

"Is Alpha Kayson's mate staying in your suite?"

I paused on my way back to my chair. "Yes," I answered, refusing to look at her.

"But I'm not allowed?"

I sat down, "We're not married yet."

"So? We will be and if she's allowed, then why?"

I brought my hand down forcefully onto the table, causing her to flinch.

"Alina, I will not tolerate your petty immaturity, your father may have spoiled you, but I will not. When I say no, it means no, it doesn't mean argue, it doesn't mean throw a tantrum to get your own way, it means no. Now get out."

"Yes, Alpha." She bowed her head, lowering her gaze from mine, before turning on her heel and marching out, forcefully slamming my door closed behind her.

"I can't believe you expect me to deal with that brat for the rest of our lives." Hunter growled angrily before blocking me.

I didn't leave my office for rest of the day, I wanted solitude. I kept getting links from the council asking for a meeting about my mate, bu I blocked all of them, even opting to eat in my office during lunch to avoid everyone. It was late in the afternoon when there was a knock on my door, before one of the staff walked in.

"Forgive the intrusion, Alpha, but you were ignoring everyone's links."

"What?!"

"The Luna is in the hospital." He told me, catching my attention instantly, though I feigned indifference. "She passed out. Alpha Kayson is with her."

"Very well. Now get out." I instructed.

He looked at me in confusion, but eventually lowered his gaze, bowed his head and left.