Chapter 97 Enemies Hidden In Plain Sight
1279words
Adeline's eyes were filled with rebellion as she crossed her arms over her chest and questioned my decision, "And why not?" She knew she was pushing my buttons and seemed to enjoy it.
There was something about her bratty tone that made my dick throb on cue. She gave me a look of defiance, silently begging for a punishment from her mate for questioning my decision. I smirked—my good girl had gone bad, and bad girls needed to be taught a lesson. A lesson that I would be sure to deliver shortly.
Alpha Christian stepped forward with a grin; he had also been enjoying watching the new Luna challenge her mate. "Alpha, there was no malicious intent," he assured. "I was just hoping to get some insight about my situation from the Luna."
Beta Don let out a low growl, signaling a warning to Alpha Christian. He had been on edge since he found out Sophia was Alpha Christian's mate. He had always seen her as his own sister. Given the circumstances, I didn't blame him for being protective over his new Luna. However, there was nothing either of us could do if they were, in fact, fated mates. Pack law forbade it. Even though Sophia still had no clue her fated mate was standing right in front of her, I could see that she was starting to develop feelings for Alpha Christian. She batted her eyelashes and got all giddy like a schoolgirl when he was around. It was a different side of Sophia that I had yet to see. If things went sideways, he knew I'd just kick his ass. Since we were pups, he had never managed to win.
I nodded and allowed it, giving in to Adeline's wishes. Although it still clawed at my insides to have my mate ripped from my side, I was a newly mated Alpha, my possessiveness at its utmost peak. My mark hadn't even healed yet, and I already had men whisking my mate away. I watched with a clenched jaw, not noticing that I had been grinding my teeth until Beta Don's rough voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"She's our Luna..." he growled, adjusting his suit jacket. "Just let me sucker-punch him once, for good faith."
I chuckled and shook my head, my wolf agreeing with Beta Don's idea. "She is indeed our Luna, and as our Luna, we need to trust her intuition. She's already made progress adjusting to her position as pack mother, which does involve the mating of shifters in her pack. And judging by the look on her face, I think she just realized that Alpha Christian may be sticking around longer than we thought."
Adeline brought the shot glass up to her lips like she couldn't wait to devour the clear substance. I watched as Adeline and Alpha Christian placed their glasses on the marble bar counter and continued back to Beta Don and me. My stare zoned in on Alpha Christian as I tried to sense how the confession went.
Alpha Christian raised his hands in surrender. "Whoa, relax Alpha. You said one drink. It was only one drink." Adeline snuggled into my side, draping her arms around my waist. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes, making me melt into her gaze. She had become my one and only weakness and was quickly learning how to get her way with me.
"Hmm, and how was that one drink, Luna?" I asked, sarcasm laced in my voice.
Adeline giggled, placing her hand on my chest playfully. "Well, Alpha, I think Alpha Christian misjudged the weight of our conversation. I may need the entire bottle of tequila. Not sure if a single drink was enough," she chirped back.
The night went on to be truly magical. I glanced around at the pack, feeling my pride nearly bursting from the seams. The Moon Goddess had blessed me with the perfect mate. Adeline was kind, nurturing, and thoughtful. She was all the things I wasn't. I watched her twirl aimlessly on the dance floor, dancing and laughing with my pack—our pack. They all seemed to gravitate toward her with love and adoration. She was their Luna.
I watched as Sophia followed Alpha Christian like a lost puppy; she was surely feeling the mate bond. It would be only a few days until her eighteenth birthday, and I was sure she would be delighted when she figured out Alpha Christian was her fated mate. He maintained a level of respect toward her that I appreciated, acknowledging her presence yet holding his wolf back. He was either falling through on his word or terrified of Beta Don. Both possibilities.
I waltzed onto the dance floor, grabbing Adeline's hips in my large hands and staring down at this perfect creature made just for me. Her smile was all it took for me to know she also wished the night would never end. The trumpet blared, signaling the official dance between mates. The pack stepped back, leaving Adeline and me alone in the middle of the dance floor as soft music echoed in the wind. Adeline giggled as she watched the pack pups join hands and form a circle around us. So much love and happiness swirled—the missing piece of the puzzle finally found.
I felt her gentle hand creep up my neck, pulling me in as her lips touched mine. Fireworks exploded behind my eyes, feeling her tongue tangle with mine. The crowd broke out into applause, startling Adeline as she pulled back. Her face flushed warmly at the attention. "Take me, Alpha, I can't wait any longer," she whispered, causing my wolf to stand at attention. I chuckled, "I love it when you beg."
As the dance ended, I spun Adeline around. Her gold dress reflected the twinkling lights of the hanging lanterns. I decided to say a few words to end the night, then reached for Adeline's hand in mine, ready to make an escape back to our bedroom.
I felt Alpha Blake approach before placing his hand on my back. "Ending so soon, Alpha? What a shame. My Luna and I were looking forward to a pack run. We haven't seen Adeline's wolf yet, although I bet it's as beautiful as she is," he said in a chilling voice.
Adeline smiled sweetly, but I felt her hand go clammy. "What a kind compliment, Alpha. I suppose you'll have to join us on one of Midnight Moon's runs in the months ahead. Tonight, however, the Alpha and Luna would like to explore the mate bond, wouldn't we, Jaxon?"
I felt the blood rush to my cock. Fuck, spoken like a true Luna—diplomatic yet straightforward.
Alpha Blake's face faltered, urgency building in his voice. "And I understand, Luna Adeline," he said, running his hand through his hair. "Alpha Jaxon, I'd appreciate a tour of your pack boundaries before I leave later tonight. If our packs are to join in alliance, it would be critical for me to ensure your borders are secure."
My wolf pressed forward, easily identifying that this slimy douchebag had other motives. I straightened my spine, a growl escaping my clenched jaw. "If you wish to see the pack boundaries, Alpha, the night of a mating ceremony is not ideal. You may make arrangements to return with my Beta next month, as the Luna has already suggested."
His eyes cowered down, my Alpha aura clearly stronger than his. "Very well, Alpha. I wish you a good night," he said before turning back to his mate, who was standing alone by their table with her arms crossed, evidently irritated.
