THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER SIX

Rafe leaned back in his leather chair, the flickering light from the fireplace casting shadows on the dark wooden walls of his office. The room was spacious but filled with an air of suffocating power, the kind that made visitors feel small and insignificant. He addressed Kyle, his friend but more like an acquaintance, with a hint of impatience. "Do you have the information?" His voice cut through the low murmur of the room, demanding immediate attention.

Kyle nodded, settling into his report with the air of someone who knew he held valuable knowledge. "Besides Alpha Isolde, Alpha Luna also met Alpha Lyla and some beta guy, who, according to my source, is Alpha Lyla's cousin."

"Who is this Lyla?" Rafe asked, his brow furrowing.

"Just some crazy woman from the library. She's from the Darkbane family. They're pretty average, not particularly powerful or well-known," Kyle replied dismissively.

"Do you mean Lyla Nightingale? She's not Darkbane though, She's Nightinagle, and she's absolutely not just some crazy woman. She's a well-respected researcher, you know," Ryle, Kyle's twin, chimed in. His voice clearly held admiration for Lyla, making Kyle roll his eyes.

Rafe, his arrogance barely veiled, pressed on. "What about the other guy? Do we know his name?" His eyes narrowed, seeking more precise details.

"It's Elias, I think. He runs a small veterinary clinic on Rosewood Street with a friend. Other than that, I don't have any clue," Kyle admitted with a shrug. "But it doesn't even matter. He's just a beta, not some alpha in shining armor who can beat you up."

Sensing Rafe's anger, Ryle tried to placate him. "Of course, even if he was an alpha, it wouldn't make a difference. Nobody can beat you, Rafe. Right?" He nudged his twin, hoping to defuse the tension that was thickening the air.

The room itself added to the tension, the heavy drapes blocking out the twilight that had settled over the estate. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, many of which were more for show than actual reading. The scent of aged paper mixed with the faint aroma of burning wood, creating an atmosphere both cozy and ominous.

"Unless he's her mate," Kyle joked, laughing at his own remark. "That would be hilarious." The twins laughed together mockingly, but Rafe did not join in.

Rafe brooded, his thoughts darkening. The idea of Luna, his ex-fiancé, meeting someone else to replace him irritated him deeply. Not to mention the chance he might be thrown out from the Rite if he doesn't partner with Luna an that's made Rafe's blood boil.

So far, even though Luna was very discreet, Rafe always knew who she met and had successfully scared them away. It wasn't that hard to do it again, especially with a mere researcher or a beta.

"Whoever it is, I'll crush them. I'll make Luna crawl to me, begging to be my partner again," he declared, his voice cold and determined. The firelight glinted off his eyes, a predator ready to strike, as the flames cast a malevolent glow on his face.

......................

Luna moved through the dense underbrush of the secret forest, her heart racing with anticipation. This hidden grove, a sanctuary away from prying eyes, was where she and Elias had planned to meet. The forest's tranquility, with its whispering leaves and the distant call of owls, offered solace from the day's chaos. As she reached the clearing, her mind replayed the moments from their last encounter, their unspoken connection still fresh and raw.

Meanwhile, Elias was making his way to the same spot, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. He quickened his pace, eager to see her again. However, fate had other plans.