Chapter 87 Rise and Shine Luna
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A loud bang startled me, causing my body to jolt up from the marble-tiled floor where I had fallen asleep last night. Shit, I thought to myself as I picked myself up and glared at the canvas beside me. I had been so excited about the painting I was working on that I must have lost track of time and somehow ended up curled up on the floor. No matter how hard I tried to tire my brain out last night from the anxious thoughts racing through my mind, the idea of being fully mated—especially to an Alpha—had kept me awake most of the night. As I swept the colors from my brush against the canvas, all those fears seemed to vanish. It was as if my mind and hand were connected, revealing my subconscious and deepest desires.
I crouched down, retrieved the white sheet I had found stored away in one of the linen closets, and draped it over the canvas. The sun was already rising through the large windows, as if calling to me for the undoubtedly long day ahead. Another clash, followed by a high-pitched scream, came from down the hall. I turned on my heels and bolted toward my bedroom, curious about the commotion.
When I finally reached my bedroom door, I pushed on the large wooden frame, which was already slightly creaked open. Sophia stood beside the bed, tears falling from her wide amber eyes. She seemed paralyzed, her large eyes blank and filled with desperation. I glanced around the room and saw Beta Don standing chest to chest with Alpha Christian, as if prepared to shift at any second. Neither noticed me enter; they were both locked in a deadly stare.
I fought to keep my voice steady and avoid sounding nervous. "Care to tell me why my Beta is about to rip your throat out, Alpha Christian?" I asked, placing my hand on my hip in annoyance. Out of all the ways the morning of my mating ceremony could begin, this was not how I had envisioned it. Beta Don growled low in his chest, his eyes still fixed on Alpha Christian's.
"Adeline, if you want to know why YOUR Beta Don is about to rip an Alpha's throat out, why don't you tell us all why Beta Don came looking for you this morning and instead found Sophia and Alpha Christian snuggled up in our bed?" a deep voice rang from behind me, sending the hair on my arms standing up from the anger in those words.
I quickly spun around and locked eyes with my mate, who towered over me, his gaze piercing my soul. "I c-couldn't sleep," I admitted, lowering my gaze to the floor. Alpha Jaxon was furious. I realized Beta Don must have mind-linked him when he arrived to wake me, only to find a surprise instead of his Luna.
"Where. Were. You?" Alpha Jaxon demanded, his warm breath brushing my face from the close distance. His hand rubbed against my cheek and then under my chin, gently tilting it upward so our eyes met. His gaze fell briefly to the jersey t-shirt I had borrowed before shooting back up to meet mine.
"I told you, I couldn't sleep, so I went to paint. Alpha Christian came to check on me last night, and he and Sophia fell asleep during the movie we invited him to. I'm fine, Jaxon. I promise. I just needed to clear my head before the mating ceremony and somehow fell asleep there," I admitted. I could feel Sophia take a deep breath and sigh behind me, thankful I had saved not only her but also Alpha Christian.
Alpha Jaxon gritted his teeth, his piercing stare shifting over me toward Alpha Christian and Beta Don. He simply nodded at them. "Very well then. I think everyone has overstayed their welcome. Our Luna needs to get ready for today."
I smiled up at my mate, taking in all his perfectly sculpted features. I was nervous to become his mate today, but I was also incredibly excited—he would be mine and only mine from that moment forward. "I think that includes you too, Alpha," I said playfully.
Alpha Jaxon's eyes flickered from their usual irresistible honey hue to a darker shade, as if holding back his wolf from a challenge. He locked his gaze on mine, making me feel so weak in the knees I thought I could fall over. "If that's what my mate wishes," he said softly, leaning down to plant a small kiss on my lips. My heart hammered in my chest, desperate for more of his touch. It was like he knew exactly what he was doing to me—a satisfied grin pulling at the corners of his lips. He seemed torn between prudence and desire. "My Luna," he whispered against my lips before turning around and heading to the door. I watched his broad shoulders from behind, all I could think about was how badly I wanted to rip my clothes off and press my body against his. I took a deep breath, wondering if Alpha Jaxon had the same thoughts.
Like clockwork, everyone exited my bedroom after Alpha Jaxon, leaving me alone again. I threw myself on the bed and checked the time on the alarm clock beside me. 6:45 a.m. I shook my head. It was barely morning, and I hadn't even had my coffee before all this commotion found me. I sighed in defeat, dragging my exhausted body toward the bathroom for a shower.
