Chapter Twenty-Eight: Alpha Ceremony (Part Two)
Sunday
Emerald's POV:
I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, but they weren't. I even rubbed them with my hands a couple of times to ensure what I saw was right and not my imagination. I had seriously thought that the powerful growls I heard were from the quads, but here I was, seeing something completely different.
Instead of the quads, there stood the Alpha twins, one holding Aria by the neck while the other twin held both Cassandra and Ivy by the throat. My mouth was on the floor. Usually, visiting Alphas or wolves never intervene with pack business; it's a form of disrespect to the pack Alpha, and it implies the Alpha is unable to handle his pack.
As much as I didn't want to think about the quads right now, I had to somehow get the twins to back off, this could end up causing a rift in their friendship, and I didn't want to be the reason for that. Plus, the way the three she-wolves were gasping for air and turning blue, showed if I didn't hurry they would probably die of asphyxiation. Alphas were ruthless and would kill without batting an eye, I couldn't have that on my conscious.
I began to control the tremble in my body and the exuding sweat, resulting from the aura they were emitting. They weren't giving off such strong vibes when they arrived, why now? Were they just hiding it yesterday? If so, how powerful are the twins?
It took me a couple of seconds to finally get my legs to work, and I stumbled toward them. Approaching them from behind, I saw them tense up; feeling a presence behind them, they turned and locked their black eyes with my blue ones. I would've tucked in my tail and ran far away, but surprisingly, I wasn't scared, not one bit. The other thing that had my mind going haywire was the fact I could tell who was Isaiah and who was Josiah, something I was only able to do with the quads. I wasn't even able to tell the Lycan Kings apart.
What was happening?
Who were these two?
I was brought out of my whirlwind of thoughts when I heard Aria, or maybe it was Ivy, trying to croak something out but failing. I squared my shoulders and said with as much confidence as I could muster,
"Supreme Alphas, please let them go. They'll die. I don't want unnecessary trouble. I appreciate you coming to my aid, but this is a form of indirect disrespect towards my Alphas and soon-to-be mates,” I whimpered the last part. I wasn't even sure I would be their mate from what I had just learned. However, I wouldn't let them disrespect them like this. These three were the quads’ responsibility, and if they wanted to punish them, that was their headache, not the twins.
"You think the quadruplets will not cause trouble because these three disrespected their future Luna and mate? We would probably give them an easy death compared to what they might get from Ezekiel,” said Isaiah, as he stared down Aria with so much anger in his eyes that it made me flinch back.
If only the twins heard what these three she-wolves said not even ten minutes earlier, they would know that the quads likely wouldn't care if they disrespected me, as they had planned to get rid of me as soon as they had gotten what they wanted.
My heart broke.
Here I thought things were looking up, but how could I forget my life could never look up to such perfection.
However, I still didn't want their blood on my hands, the twins had to let them go. Then I did something which I hadn't expected at all. I reached out and grabbed both Isaiah and Josiah's arms; it was like my body had a mind of its own, and knew that my touch would get them to stop. To my surprise, they dropped the three she-wolves, that were now coughing and sucking in as much air as they could on the ground.
Though I didn't feel any tingles like I did with the quads, I felt warmth spread through me and helped my broken heart calm down.
By the look of it, my touch calmed the twins down; their black eyes had returned to emerald green. Everyone still had their necks bared to their Supreme Alphas, but surprisingly I could hardly feel their aura anymore. While the pack felt terrified, I felt safe and somewhat at home. We were broken out of our three-way staredown when we heard someone clearing their throat. I immediately let go of the twins, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea, and turned around to the person that had just made themselves known. To my surprise, I saw a confused Luca looking between the twins and I with his head tilted to the side. Clearing his throat once again he said,
"Luna, the Alphas are worried about you. They felt your distress and have asked for you to come with me so I can take you to them."
If they felt my distress, why weren't they here themselves? If I wasn't sure about Aria's words before, I was now. They had blatantly ignored my distressed emotions and sent their Beta to fetch me. Seeing my confusion, Luca spoke up again,
"They tried coming themselves, Luna, but they are in a meeting with the triplet Kings and could not excuse themselves."
That or they just didn't want the drama. But what could I say to that anyway? That, no, Luca, Aria spilled the beans. I shook my head and controlled the tears that threatened to fall again. Seeing my dishevelled state, Luca tried coming closer to me but was stopped by two powerful growls behind me from the twins.
"Is this how the quadruplets run their pack, disrespecting the future Luna?" said one of the twins.
I saw Luca's eyes bulge out, and he visibly swallowed. I wasn't sure if Luca heard or saw anything, but I'm sure if he did, he wouldn't have let it get out of hand as it did. Before he could reply, the other twin spoke,
"Even if she wasn't the future Luna, is this how pack members treat other members by slut-shaming and raising their hands. Do you not teach your members the meaning of honour?"
At this point, Luca was basically trying to control his breathing, and with the twins’ aura rolling out, it was getting hard for him. If Luca thought he would get in trouble with the quads because of this, little did he know they wouldn't even touch a single strand of hair on him. It was all an act to get me into bed and dump me later.
"Luna, what happened?" Luca asked.
Should I tell him what happened? Was it even worth it? No one cared enough to stop the three she-wolves, and now that I knew what the quads wanted, I doubt he'd be able to do anything. I didn't have it in me for any more drama than there already was.
"It's nothing, Beta Luca. I'm fine,” I replied in a meek voice and tried smiling at him, which I'm sure I epically failed.
"Are you out of your mind? Nothing happened; you were practically declared a slut and then said to be tossed out like garbage once the quadruplets had their fill. Manhandled, and would've probably been hurt if Josiah and I didn't get here in time, and you're saying nothing happened. Own up, Luna; otherwise, you’re no better than these
pathetic creatures around you!” said Isaiah.
"As far as I remember, the quadruplets had mentioned that you were put in charge of the Luna's safety. Is this how you do your job, Beta? Letting the Luna get harassed by those whore she-wolves?” asked Josiah.
I was speechless. Why were the twins sticking up for me? This could potentially damage their relationship with the quads and the pack. I didn't want that. I was used to the harassment; what I didn't need was for the pack to think I had something going on with the twins, when I hardly felt anything romantic towards them. Yes, they intrigued me and gave me a sense of security, but nothing more.
I would've laughed at how Luca looked right now. He was staring at the twins, dumbfounded. However, the situation didn't call for it. I needed to get the twins away from Luca. They were shaking with rage and it would not end well if these three weren't split up.
"Beta Luca, let the Alphas know that I have to be somewhere right now, and I'll come to meet them once I'm done," I said, trying to make Luca leave.
"Luna, the Alphas were adamant that you come to see them. It won't take long...,” but one of the twins spoke up before Luca could finish.
"If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't have to, Beta. Let the quadruplets know. Does this girl have any voice of her own or not?” you could hear the hostility in his voice.
"But...,” Luca tried again but was cut by a growl, followed by,
"Enough! That's an order, Beta! said the other twin as he let his aura role out.
I saw Luca squirm a bit and bare his neck to the twins as he said,
"Yes, Supreme Alpha, I'll let the Alphas know,” he turned around and went towards where the quadruplets probably were.
Not wanting to face the pack members or the twins, I just left the dining hall.
What a mess?
What I am going to do now? Do I confront the Alphas or pretend that I don't know anything and see what they'll do? Was I even a hundred percent sure that whatever Aria said was true? But again, she wouldn't so boldly lie like that, would she? My heart kept telling me that whatever she said was a lie, but my brain was rebuking and telling me to safeguard my already damaged heart.
I hadn't even realized that I had walked to a clearing where there was a small lake in the forest behind the packhouse. Sitting down on one of the rocks nearby, I pulled up my knees and held them to my chest. Unconsciously a tear slipped down my cheek.
I miss mom and dad.
Hell! I miss my miserable old life at the academy.
Why do you have to give me so much heartache, Moon Goddess?
Why?
"You know I wouldn't take what that she-wolf said about the quadruplets’ feelings towards you as the truth,” I heard someone say behind me. I knew it was twins before I even turned around. Whenever they were close, I could feel their calming presence surrounding me.
Without turning around, so they won’t see my tears, I said,
"You can't be sure about that. The Alphas were known for their one-night stands and playboy ways,” I whispered, but I knew they heard me.
I heard them come closer untilI I felt them both behind me, but they kept a respectable distance and didn't touch me.
"Actually, whatever Isaiah said is correct. We've known those four idiots since they were ten years old. No doubt they are assholes when it comes to women, but we know they would never do that to you. All this time we've known them, they have wanted nothing but their mate,” said Josiah, I believe.
"My brother is right. When they informed us they had finally found you, you could practically hear the love and adoration drip down their words,” said Isaiah this time.
Still not turning around, I replied,
"But why would Aria lie? Defaming an Alpha is a serious crime."
I heard the twins snicker behind me.
Huh? I'm pretty sure that wasn't supposed to be funny.
"Your pretty gullible,” said Josiah, still chuckling.
"You'd be surprised what people can do when they're jealous,” said Isaiah, chuckling along with his brother.
Could it be? They had no reason to lie to me, whereas Aria and the other two had every reason. I knew the quads had broken up with them when they found me. Were they holding a grudge that wasn't even my fault? Wiping my tear-stained cheeks, I turned and looked back at the twins. They were pretty tall, probably the same height as the quads.
I looked at them skeptically, ensuring they weren't saying all this to make me feel better, but I saw nothing but honesty in their emerald green eyes.
"Hey, if you don't believe us, go to the source. If you truly are their mate, you'll be able to tell if they're lying or not. Your wolf will tell you,” said Isaiah.
"I'm not eighteen until next Saturday. So that wouldn't work, I guess,” I replied in a meek voice, disappointed that it couldn't work.
Looking up again, I saw the twins staring down at me weirdly, like they were trying to solve a puzzle.
I blushed, not in a friendly way but out of embarrassment.
Was there something on my face?
Clearing my throat, I asked,
"Supreme Alphas, is everything okay?" That seemed to break them out of their daze.
"Oh, um, yes, sorry about that. You don't need to call us that, Isaiah and Josiah are just fine. Plus, that title still belongs to our father until we find our mate,” said Isaiah.
Huh? I couldn't call them by their names. That would mean familiarity, but there was none between us. Plus, I didn't want pack members getting the wrong idea. However, not wanting to seem rude, I just nodded. I'll just avoid using their names when talking to them.
"Anyhow, that won't matter, if you're fated mates you'll still be able to tell regardless. Your body will react accordingly. So just ask them, Emerald,” said Josiah, smiling down at me.
He said my name with such love that it sent happy tingles to my tummy. A feeling of being content bloomed in me when these two were around. Before I could stop my mouth, I asked them,
"Why are you so nice to me? From what I’ve heard, you guys are very hard to approach and as ruthless as the quadruplets, if not more,” realizing what I had just said, I slapped my hand over my mouth and meeked out an apology.
Oh, Goddess, I hope I didn't offend them.
Here they were trying to be friendly and saved me from those three she-devils, and I was mouthing off of at them.
Moving my hand from my mouth and looking up to expect some sort offended look in their eyes, I was shocked to see them smiling down at me tenderly.
Was that sadness I saw in their eyes?
"You remind us of someone that was very dear to us,” said Isaiah.
I saw their eyes sparkle with tears, but they quickly contained themselves. Before I could ask them who, I heard someone behind us;
"Little Luna…”
"Love…”
"Angel…”
"Baby…”
I knew it was the quads before I even looked their way.