When We Were Mates (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 18

18

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Emris.

“Emris, are you really-”

“Of course not.” I murmur to her shaking face. “You’re scared. That’s why you’re not thinking straight. Go to bed.”

Elena sucks a breath. That’s her greatest fear, isn’t it? She loves being the Luna. She loves the title, the power, the prestige of being my wife. She knows a true mate would cause everything she’s built to tumble from her hands like sand.

In a moment of raw relief, she places her hand flat on my chest. But then that hand begins to drift downward, over my stomach. I shut my eyes with a silent groan of irritation at her foolishness. Now she’s investigating…trying to confirm if I still possess the anatomy of a male. If I didn’t it would explain why I can’t have sex with her.

Her fingers find what they’re searching for, curling around my girth inside my pants. There’s no reaction from me, no answering heat, but she seems to take its mere existence as a victory.

“Goodnight,” she says with confidence, before she finally turns and leaves the room.

Three days later.

Elena walks into the dining room just as we’re having breakfast. The Alpha Fest invitation from LeadCon…the association that organizes the event for all the packs has just arrived.

“Tell us, what’s it say?” Mom asks excitedly, leaning forward while I watch Milo make a spectacular mess of his pancakes. “This invitation is dedicated to the Alpha and Luna of the Black Covenant Pack,” Elena reads, her voice taking on a formal tone. “You are hereby invited to the Alpha Fest. As our first–place winners from the previous Fest, we’ve sent a gift along with this invitation.” She chuckles, and I note the massive lower vases the housekeepers are struggling to bring in.

“Go on, keep reading!” Mom’s eyes gleam as she peers over Elena’s shoulder at the letter.

“For this Alpha Fest, it’s going to be three days of fun, community, and strength. We have designed special events to keep everyone entertained. For the first day, we will be having a royal–style ball. Each Luna and Alpha should come in their best royal outfit and must wear masks to have dinner with another pack. Two packs, one table. There will be dancing… at the Ocean Springs, oh my,” Elena looks at me when she says that part, as if I’d care about playing dress–up.

“On the second day, it will be a surprise strength–testing event for the Lunas.”

“Whoooa!” Milo starts clapping his syrupy hands.

“And on the third, the strength of the Alphas will be put to the test.”

“I need to call my fashion designer immediately to start working on my dress! I shall go as Cinderella’s stepmother.” Mom chuckles, and Teddy chooses that moment to come downstairs, glaring at me the second she enters.

“What’s that?” she asks

“The Alpha Fest invitation. I’m sure we were given the first notice.” Elena replies but Teddy just rolls her eyes.

“Why did you do that?”

“I don’t know, maybe because you’re busy getting all giddy over the Alpha Fest when there are females in the pack who have been sending us messages about the abuses happening to them. Ever thought about that? Sometimes I forget you’re a Luna.” Teddy walks to the table and drags out a chair with a screech.

“It’s not my fault they married horrible men. It’s also not my fault your mate is from the damn Lion Pride pack. Maybe next time you should pray harder to the Moon Goddess-”

“Did you hear what she just said!?” Teddy cuts her off, looking directly at me. “Why am I even asking? You two are a perfect pair. Stupid Luna. Ruthless Alpha.”

“Are you insane!?”

“Mommy, stop.” Milo shouts, slipping down from his chair and running out of the room. Elena glares at Teddy…nothing new there and I don’t get in the middle of it.

Silver walks in and immediately senses the tension. “Okay, um… I sent a message to the Lion Pride pack two days ago, and they replied.”

Teddy stands up in shock. “You sent what to what?”

Now, I’m listening.

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18

“You did what!?” Mom stops looking at the flower vases.

“I am the Beta. I solve cases like this. Plus, I’m the only one in this house who isn’t hot–headed Silver ruffles Teddy’s hair and then sits beside her. She stares at his face, waiting.

“Without my permission?”

“Mom, you were the Luna. You aren’t anymore, so I don’t need your permission to speak to the Lion Pride Pack”

“And I’m luna now, you couldn’t run it with me first?” Elena asks.

“No offense, Elena, but you spend your time gossiping and buying things. It’s hard to remember to loop you in on emergency situations.” He finally looks at me. “They’ve agreed to talk to us. At the Alpha Fest.”

“What?!”

“They don’t trust us enough to meet anywhere else. Actually,” Silver’s eyes dart to me again when he sees I’m still quiet,” they don’t trust buddy over here.”

I’m buddy.

“Will Miss Pride be there?” Elena muses aloud, stirring her coffee. “It’s not like she’s a Luna. I think whoever impregnated her abandoned her. Plus, Slade doesn’t even have a Luna… what a mess of a pack, honestly.”

I keep my eyes on the cold pancakes on my plate. If only she knew.

“Emris?” Silver asks, pulling my attention back. “Is that okay with you?”

“Yeah. You did good.”

“You guys are going to force me to get rejected? I already spoke to Eden this morning. He doesn’t want to reject me. Miss Pride told him he doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to.” Teddy crosses her arms. “So what can any of you do?”

“Miss Pride?” I lean forward. I think this is the first time I’m speaking this morning.

“Yes.” Teddy says with a playful smile on her lips. She’s doing that because she knows exactly who Miss Pride is to me.

“Miss Pride is Eden’s cousin, and she really supports him. She doesn’t think it’s fair to break our bond.”

“Miss Pride. The same lost–and–found daughter?” Mom scoffs.

“She’s actually a renowned world artist by the name Metra.” Teddy’s smile sharpens as she turns her gaze to me. “My sweet brother here has bought a lot of art pieces from her collection. Isn’t that right, sweet brother?”

“Is that true?” Silver asks, but I don’t answer. My mind is racing. Demetra thinks supporting Eden and Teddy is a good idea? If she hates me so much, why would she want anything to do with uniting our families?

“Miss Pride, huh?” Regan strolls in, still damp from his shower. While I’ve already finished my morning run through the woods, he was just getting started. He grabs an apple from the bowl and takes a loud bite.

“She’s Slade’s sister.” Elena informs him.

“Why don’t we teach them a lesson-” Regan begins, but Silver cuts him off.

“No. We’re going to have dinner with them on the first day of the Alpha Fest. Then, we can talk after that’s settled. No cunning games. This isn’t about you.”

“What the hell do you mean by that!?” Regan slams his hand on the table, making the silverware rattle. “That pack has something to do with Dad’s death. Should we wait until they make our sister disappear, too?”

“Eden is not like that-” Teddy starts, but Regan turns on her.

“Keep your fucking mouth shut when we’re talking!” he snarls, and Teddy shrinks back, tears welling in her eyes.

“That’s enough.” My voice is low, but it carries the full weight of my Alpha authority. “Are you insane? Don’t speak to our sister like that.”

Regan freezes, his anger is warring with the command in my tone. He’d better cool off. I didn’t use my brotherly voice. I spoke as his Alpha.

“The Emris I know,” Regan says through gritted teeth, “would have taken Slade’s hand a long time ago for what he did to Elena. And now you catch our sister with the little boy, and you still haven’t done anything. When will you do something?” “When I decide.” I push my chair back and stand. Elena looks like she wants to protest, to keep me at the table, but I walk behind her seat and let out a slow sigh before leaving the room.

Soon, they’ll all know that Miss Pride is Demetra. And if things get worse, they’ll find out she’s my mate. Strangely, somewhere deep in my chest, I don’t care if they do.

Why is that? Why don’t I care? I’ve hated the Lion Pride all my life

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18

They’re the reason I broke things off with Demetra in the first place. It was five years ago. The moment I saw her sandwiched between Alpha Ronin and Slade at the convenience store. All I felt was a fierce hate knowing they had something to do with my dad’s death, and seeing her standing there with them made me feel like she was never really mine

Years ago, I wanted to keep her a secret so badly. Now, every time I see her, I feel an urge to tell the whole world that she

was once mine.

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