Heir of Luna

~7~

The room falls silent as all eyes snap to me.

Wait. Did he say mate?

“Mate?” I say with confusion.

He stalks toward us and takes my hand before pulling me to stand up. His eyes assess my face before his hand caresses my cheek.

“Mate.” He says it as though in a trance.

I get this overwhelming sensation to say the word back, my wolf instinct pushing.

“Mate,” I whisper back.

“What the f**k?” Josiah suddenly speaks and it makes me jump. I suddenly create some distance between me and both guys staring at me. I look to Issy and she is staring open mouthed.

“Josiah,” the stranger reprimands. “Language in front of the pups.”

Josiah glances away, “sorry Drake.”

Drake! My mouth drops open in surprise as I realise the stranger before me is Alpha Drakos. I back off a little more with unease. Though now I think about it, he resembles Josiah and Issy.

“I’m sorry,” Josiah says toward his cousins before turning back to the Alpha. “But how can she be your mate? You must have it wrong.”

Drakos looks to Josiah with furrowed brows, “how would I have it wrong brother? My wolf is shouting at me that she is my mate.”

“She-“ Josiah begins and stops. “She’s.” He shakes his head with frustration. He glances at me again before storming from the room.

“Josiah,” I call after him in confusion.

There is a crash in the hallway followed by a bang. I flinch from the noise and Issy steps beside me.

“It’s okay,” she rubs at my arm. “He just needs time to adjust to this.”

The Alpha looks to Issy confused.

Issy sighs, “isn’t it obvious Drake? He’s in love with Cleo, always has been.”

“What?” I manage to squeak out. In love with me?

“I will go and speak to him, and then I want to know about your black eye and nose.” Alpha Drakos says before turning to me. He leans over and kisses my forehead before leaving. Just like Josiah always does.

I turn to Issy and she gestures for me to follow her. We make it up to her room and she closes the door.

“You really had no idea Josiah was in love with you?” She asks surprised. I shake my head at her. “Well that explains a lot actually.” She sits on her bed. “Do you love Josiah back?”

I open my mouth to speak but shut it again. I am not sure what to feel right now. I have always been fond of Josiah.

“Does it matter?” I ask instead. “If Josiah and I are destined to be with someone else then none of it matters.”

Issy watches me for a moment with curious eyes.

“If you did love Josiah then no one would say anything if you were to…” she lowers her voice to whisper. “Reject Drake.”

I gasp in horror, “you know that is frowned upon.”

She nods in agreement, “I know it is. But Josiah has been so certain you were going to be his mate for a long time now. He was telling me this morning how living in the same house should make it click into place. He was counting down the days to his birthday. I cannot stand to see my brother distraught by this. He would choose you as his mate in a heartbeat Cleo.”

“What about Alpha Drakos. He is your brother too.” I point out.

She smiles grimly, “I know. But he barely knows you Cleo. Yes he will be hurt but not anywhere near as much as Josiah right now.”

-

I decided to skip school today and hide in my bedroom. Issy still went ahead, she wants to try and check on Josiah.

Her points were valid this morning but I cannot bring myself to make such a decision on a whim. Could I really reject my goddess given mate to be with his brother. I have not even given Alpha Drakos a chance.

Then again, he might not want a chance. He might turn around and reject me anyway. I am not strong enough to be a Luna. Look at me, battered and bruised. Pathetic.

I decide to take fate into my own hands. I will march down to Alpha Drakos’ office, reject him and tell Josiah I love him. That way, I will not have to be embarrassed when the Alpha rejects me.

I nod to myself and steel my shoulders as I march from my room. I make it to the Alphas door and hesitate a moment as doubt seeps in. I quickly shake my head and dismiss the doubt.

Without knocking I open the door and walk in.

“I-“ I begin but my words die when I take in the Alpha. He is shirtless. His glistening muscles on full display as he hits a punching bag.

He instantly stops at my intrusion and concern takes over.

“Hey,” he sounds surprised. “I was going to come and find you soon.”

Right. Probably to reject me. I tear my eyes away from his glorious abs and back to his face.

I turn to close the door and keep my back to him as I speak, this way he cannot distract me with his body.

“I just came by so we can get it over with.”

I hear the Velcro being undone on his boxing glove. “Get what over with?” He sounds genuinely curious.

“The- erm. Rejection.” The word is almost impossible to get out. My tongue feels heavy in my mouth. “I Cleo-“