Chapter 2
Waking up to the window’s blinding sunlight, I stretched and sat up. I swear I fell asleep near mom and daddy’s tombstone last night, crying. But I didn’t know how I came back.
Did one of my brothers follow me yesterday, maybe beta Edward or the gamma’s son, Jake? He was appointed my guard after the incident on my fifteenth birthday. However, I hated being followed and usually hid from him. Looking down, I was still in my black sweat pants and grey long-sleeved cropped top I wore yesterday before the whole fiasco. There was dried-up mud at the bottom of my pants, and I could feel some dried-up leaves stuck in my braid. Shimmying out of my clothes, I walked towards the bathroom and jumped into the shower.
While washing my hair, I couldn’t help but think over what happened yesterday. Not what I did with Ashely, that dim-witted fake barbie deserved it, but the fight with my brothers. Yes, whatever they said hurt and hurt a lot, but it was not entirely their fault. Maybe I should apologize and try explaining it to them without giving too much away. No matter what, they were my brothers, and I loved them. They were all I had left, and whenever I wanted to be upset with them, mom and dad’s words came back into my head like a mantra: trust in the family. They were the only ones I had left.
After a quick rinse and some conditioner, I stepped out of the shower, wrapped myself in my black Versace robe, and headed into my walk-in closet. On paper, I was living every girl’s dream—designer bags from Gucci to Hermès, racks of clothes less than a year old, and shelves stacked with luxury shoes. But none of it mattered. My brothers thought gifts could patch over grief, but what I really needed was their presence, their support. With a sigh, I slipped into a white floral Dolce & Gabbana maxi and Valentino flats, tied my hair up, did light makeup, and headed out—when I opened the door, Fiden stood there, wearing a sad smile.
Did something happen?
Before I could say anything, he said,
“How are you feeling, L? I found you passed out in front of mom and dad’s tombstones. I brought you back; you were cold as ice.” He finished.
Oh, so it was him who brought me back. Not knowing how to reply, I smiled and said I was okay.
I live with growing guilt that it was my fault we don’t have our parents standing with us today.
And, if I opened up to you, would you all think the same and blame me for their deaths as well.
He probably sensed my inner turmoil and reached out and held my hand, dragging me out of my room and into the hallway.
“Let’s go. Lars has something he needs to talk to you about,” Fiden said.
Fiden and I were the least estranged of all my brothers. He had often caught me crying, comforted me, and never asked why I was crying. There wasn’t a point; I probably wouldn’t have told him even if he asked.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
To which I just got a nod.
Reaching Lars’ office, we knocked once, opened the door, and walked in. To my surprise, besides my other three brothers, Jax was also there.
Jax was my fiance, also the alpha of the Bluemoon Pack. He was best friend with the triplets and the younger brother of alpha Jackson, who was the alpha of the Redmoon pack and Lars’s best friend. Both Bluemoon and Redmoon were our pack neighbours.
Growing up, I used to have a massive crush on Jax, but when he turned eighteen four years ago and found his mate, I was devasted.
The worst part was, even though I got over it, my brothers knew about my crush and used to tease me. Unfortunately, his mate and Luna died in a rogue attack after one year of them mating. He was devasted. However, he eventually pulled through for the sake of his pack and family.
And, when the incident with my parents happened, and I began acting out, Jackson had proposed to have me and Jax mate when I turned eighteen. Jax had claimed he always felt a connection with me and was surprised when he turned eighteen and found out I wasn’t his mate. Everyone knew I had a massive crush on him. My brothers thought it was an excellent idea and would even help calm me down from spiralling behaviour. They agreed. At the time, even though I was growing through my own demons, I couldn’t resist the thought of becoming his mate and Luna, so I agreed.
I also thought that with my brothers so busy handling the pack, Jax could be my anchor and help reduce the baggage.
But, over the months, that wasn’t the case. Yes, he showered me with love and gifts, but I never felt a sense of security. Like I was scared if I told him about my demons, he wouldn’t be there like I would want him to be.
Eventually, my constant fighting had reached his ears; even though he never looked down on me or yelled at me, I could see a hint of disappointment in his eyes from time to time. Plus, I knew he wasn’t my fated mate.
As my eighteenth birthday got closer, the feelings I used to harbour for Jax were slowly dwindling. However, I never told him or my brothers that. I was engaged to him, and even if I could see the disappointment in his eyes from time to time.
“Come, Lyla. Take a seat.” Lars said.
I nodded and went towards Jax; he got up and crouched down to my five-foot-three height and hugged me, leaving a lingering kiss on my cheek. Even though we were promised to one another, Jax had always been a gentleman and never did anything that would make me uncomfortable.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
However, instead of a reply, I got a weak smile and was led to sit next to him.
What was up with everyone today?
“I heard you got into another fight yesterday, sweetheart. What happened?” Jax asked from beside me.
Did my brothers call him to get answers from me?
If that was the case, they were grade A jerks!
“Nothing serious, Jax. We just had some exchange of ideas, and things got out of hand.” I said, looking at him and then at the bookshelves behind him, with my hand going to my shoulder. Jax caught the action and sent a glance toward Lars.
“Sweetheart isn’t a concussion, a broken nose and a split lip a bit too much for a difference in opinion. This is your tenth fight, L. This needs to stop,” he said gently, but I could tell he was frustrated.
I just humphed and looked away. Of course, they’ll blame me. Never get to know the real reason. Just blame me. I thought he was supposed to at least be somewhat on my side, giving me some benefit of the doubt, but nope.
“Look, L, this needs to stop. You’ll be my Luna in a month. You need to take responsibility for your actions and grow up. This is getting out of hands now.” Said Jax, clearly annoyed by a lack of respect.
Alphas and their egos! Geez.
I stood up, not wanting to be a part of this anymore, turning to leave when I heard Lars call from behind me.
“I’m not done with you. Sit down,” he said.
Turning around, I saw the seriousness in his eyes. I sat in a chair in front of him and away from Jax. I didn’t want to be near him right now.
“Enough is enough, Lyla. You leave us no choice. Your behaviour not only reflects poorly on Bloodmoon but Bluemoon as well. We tried, we did, but the little act you did right now was the last straw. You need to learn to behave and control your emotions.” Lars all but yelled at me, banging his fist on the table.
I glared back at him.I wanted to resolve and make up with them for yesterday, but from the looks of it, they don’t care at all. Are they even my brothers and know me at all? And there was my fiance not bothering to give me the benefit of the doubt, who claimed to be in love with me and have a connection with me? Did he not know me at all or did his so-called connection stop working?
“We’ve spoken to the Dean at Maxwell Academy in the Wolf multiverse. You’ll be attending your classes there till you turn eighteen and can mate with Jax. You need discipline in your life, L. You should be ashamed of yourself. Think of what mom and dad would think?” Said Aiden.
At the mention of mom and daddy, all hell broke loose from my eyes. Tears ran down my cheeks as I stared heartbroken at my brothers infront of me for claiming that I was disappointing our parents.
Maxwell Academy? No, that academy was where alpha training was done, it was home to ruthless warriors, and usually, students were sent there to be set on track for life in leadership. It was an exclusive school; wolves died to get in, but I didn’t want to leave; I couldn’t leave. Mom and daddy weren’t there.
“We’re sorry, L, but this could be good for you. Please give it a chance.” I heard Fiden say before I got up and ran out of Lars’s office ignoring their calls.
