Forsaken by the Moon Goddess novel Chapter 43

Sloane

I have no idea what came over me. It must have been the complete relief of not being in trouble for once. But when Principal Rodgers announced that Benedict and I were co-Valedictorians and the entire school began cheering, I looked at Benedict. I don’t know how to describe the look in his eyes. It was part pride, part possessiveness, and if I’m honest, what looked a lot like love. So yeah, my brain short-circuited and Aisling took that moment to lift us onto our toes and press our lips to his.

Benedict, never a man to let an opportunity slide, wrapped his arm around me more tightly, deepening the kiss before my brain could take over. Just like every other time he’s kissed me, I forget everything around me, giving in to the kiss and to him.

When he pulls away, he rubs his nose against mine. “Let’s go eat, and we can talk about where you want to go to write our speech.”

“I’m supposed to be going dress shopping tonight for your Alpha ceremony,” I tell him.

“I don’t care what you wear to my ceremony, Sloane. I just want you there beside me.”

“I’m your girlfriend. I need to look the part,” I say, not sure that I’ll be standing next to him. It’s not traditional since we don’t know if we’re mates. I know that if his motherhas anything to say about it, i won’t be standing on that stage. Honestly, I’m not sure why he even wants me up there with him.

“Well then, it’s a good thing you have the best friend in the world, Sloane. Congratulations, both of you,” Scarlet says, pulling me back to reality. Once again, the entire student body is staring at us. However, this time, they’re still clapping.

Scarlet pulls me into a hug. “I knew you could do it,” she whispers in my ear.

“Thanks, Scar,” I say, hugging her back.

“Congratulations, sis,” Slade says, walking up.

“Thank you,” I say, hugging him while Bethany and Ellis come over to congratulate Benedict. As more people come up to congratulate us, mostly Benedict, we get pushed apart.

“What am I going to do about a dress, Scarlet? I didn’t know I would have to give a speech if I made Valedictorian.”

I”‘ll get one for you,” she says. “Mom and I were already going shopping with you and Luna Samara, I’ll just pick one up for you.”

“Scarlet, you and I don’t have the same taste in dresses,” I say, thinking of the sexy dresses my friend likes to wear.

“Duh! I’m your best friend. I would never do that to you.Besides your aunt would never let me buy something you wouldn’t be comfortable in, especially knowing you’re going into the lion’s den,” she murmurs quietly. “You go write your speech and Luna Samara, mom, and I will go shopping for dresses.”

“Sloane,” Benedict calls out. I look over as the group of people part and see him extending his hand to me. “Let’s go eat.”

“‘ll call Aunt Samara and see if she’s okay with that,” I say to Scarlet.

“Already done,” Scarlet says, grinning.

“What would I do without you?” I ask, hugging her quickly again.

“Flounder around with no direction at all in life, I’m sure,” she teases.

I walk through the group of people to take Benedict’s hand.

“Thank you all very much for the warm congratulations.

Sloane and I appreciate it,” Benedict says, surprising me by including me in his address to the students who are obviously here for him.

As we walk away, Benedict wraps his arm around my waist again. “Where should we go to write our speech?”

“Uh, the library?” I ask. Where does one go to write a speech?He smiles at me. “I was thinking someplace away from campus. Someplace where we could have a bit of privacy,” he says.

“Like where?”

“How about where we had our first date? That seems like an inspirational place to me, what about you?”

I narrow my eyes at him as we sit and begin eating. “Are we really going to write this or are you going to use that time to flirt with me?”

He gives me that sexy grin of his. “I can do both,” he says, waggling his eyebrows.

We finish eating and then he takes my hand, leading me to his car.

“Let me just text Aunt Samara and make sure she’s okay with me not going dress shopping with them today,” I say.

“Let her know I’m going to take you to dinner before l bring you home so it might be late.”

“You’re taking me to dinner?” I ask.

“Yes. You’re my girlfriend. We just got some great news and I want to celebrate with you.”

Me: Aunt Samara, did Scarlet tell you that I need to write a speech tonight with Alpha Benedict?

Samara: Scarlet told me that you and Alpha Benedict areco-Valedictorians, althought would have liked to hear it from you.

Me: Sorry. I didn’t know she was calling you.

Samara: So, you need two dresses? One for tomorrow night and one for Saturday?

Me: That’s okay. We have our cap and gown for tomorrow.

I’ll just wear one of the dresses I have in my closet.

Benedict opens the door for me, and I get into his car as my phone rings.

“Hi, Aunt Samara.”

“I’m sure whatever you choose with be fine, Aunt Samara.

Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Have fun at dinner,” she says before we hang up.

I look at Benedict. “When we’re you going to talk to me about staying overnight at your pack?””Today. I wanted to get past finals first. I was going to ask you out tonight anyway, since I didn’t want to go the rest of today and tomorrow without seeing you. I figured I’d approach the subject then.”

He pulls my hand to his tips while he drives. “Will you stay the night in my pack? I’ll put you in the room beside mine.

Unless you want to take advantage of a brand-new Alpha on his first night,” he says, grinning.

“I don’t think your mother will appreciate me staying at your pack, much less the Alpha floor,” I say.

“My mother has no say in it. In two days, I will be Alpha. already intend to relieve her of her Luna duties immediately.”

“You do? Who is going to become your Luna?” I growl, feeling a flare of jealousy.

He smiles, pulling my hand to his lips again. “I’ve asked Bethany to help me until we know for sure who my mate is.”

I sigh and look away, shaking my head. “Benedict..”

“Look, I know that you’re going to take over Alpha Waylon’s pack. I know that we won’t know if we’re mates until your birthday. I know that we have a lot of potential obstacles to overcome. But you and l are the two smartest people in our class, Sloane. Who else could figure this out, if not us?””Benedict, you need to know that I’m not going to give up my Alpha status to become your Luna, even if we are mates.”

“I wouldn’t want you to. Which is all the more reason that you and I should talk. Let’s get through the next two days and next week we’ll talk about how we can make things work between us. I know we have your birthday, then your Alpha ceremony, plus l’ll be taking over for my father, so well both be busy, but l’d still like to see you every day, Sloane.”

“Well, I’ll be spending several days at Alpha Waylon’s pack next week, so that will make it easier to see each other,” | tell him.

“Perfect!” he says as he pulls up to the overlook. “Now, I’m assuming, based on your tone earlier, that you haven’t started your speech yet?”

“Uh, no. I didn’t even know that was a thing,” I tell him.

“Okay, we’ll l’ve started one. Let’s look over the points I have and see what you agree with and what you think we should add,” he says.

“Are you always prepared for everything?” I ask, frowning.

How is he always so confident?

“As Alphas, don’t we have to be?” he asks me seriously.

His simple question makes me pause. I’ve always felt like life has come at me from all sides. I’m always prepared fora fight, but am I prepared for anything and everything? have no idea. And the thought makes me wonder as I step out of the car, am I ready to become an Alpha of my own pack?