THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

"How's Elias' training?" Isolde asked Lukan, her curiosity evident as she approached him. The two stood in a sunlit clearing, the forest surrounding them echoing with the sounds of their pack's daily routines. Isolde's competitive spirit was palpable, her green eyes sharp and calculating as she observed Lukan.

"Almost killing me. Literally," Lukan replied, wiping the sweat from his brow. His mischievous black eyes still held a glint of humor despite the exhaustion. He adjusted his stance, his athletic build showing the strain of intense training.

"Really? I'm jealous. I know Elias is good in my training, but when we spar, he holds back his power. It frustrates me," Isolde said, crossing her arms. Her red-brown hair was pulled back, highlighting her angular features and piercing gaze. The dark, utilitarian clothing she wore contrasted sharply with the sunny clearing, reflecting her no-nonsense attitude.

Before Lukan could respond, Isolde called out, "Luna!" Ignoring Lukan's attempt to continue their conversation, she turned to greet their friend.

Luna joined them in a second, her long, flowing dark silver hair catching the light as she moved. "Hi," she greeted, her piercing blue eyes glinting with curiosity as she looked between Isolde and Lukan, hesitating to speak afterward. Her practical attire—a leather jacket over casual clothing—matched the earthy tones of the forest, with leather accents and the occasional glint of earrings in each ear.

"If you want to ask about Elias, he's doing fine. Too fine actually, your mate almost killed him," Isolde said point at Lukan, her voice tinged with mock exasperation. She knew well what was on Luna's mind; it was just midday, but Luna had already asked ten times about Elias to Isolde. Isolde didn't know how much Luna had asked Lukan, but she could guess its as same much as her, and now Luna obviously wanted to ask again but maybe felt uncomfortable doing so.

"A couple of times, and the worst, I felt that he was targeting my face," Lukan said, adding a dramatic gesture. His square jawline tensed as he spoke, his full lips curving into a wry smile.

"Oh no, not your handsome face," Isolde said sarcastically, but Lukan just nodded enthusiastically. Their combo made Luna laugh, her full lips curving into a bright smile, her laughter infectious and lightening the mood further.

"How's your pack elders' decision?" Lukan asked, his deep brown eyes sharp and penetrating.

"Elias is in. He's my mate after all. Also, my father revoked his condition, so Elias doesn't have to fight with Rafe to prove anything," Luna answered. Her straight nose crinkled slightly in relief, though there was a hint of lingering tension.

"Rafe will go berserk when he hears it!" Lukan said.

"Not really. He'll be partnered with Alya from the Ashen family," Luna informed them.

"Alya? But she's not even twenty yet," Isolde exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"It's true, but that was their decision to make, not mine," Luna said. Although her tone seemed cold, she couldn't deny she felt guilty about it. As Isolde said, Alya was just too young to join the rite. Luna also knew that Alya never had ambitions to become a leader. Even though she was a great fighter, she didn't like being stuck in the city. Luna knew it all because Alya was one of her students that she trained.

But if Luna objected to their decision, then Rafe would target Elias again, and Luna just couldn't let that happen.

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

Elias worked awkwardly in his office as the last rays of the setting sun filtered through the clinic's windows, casting long shadows on the walls. The clinic had already closed for the day, so all he needed to do was clean up while Lyla finished the paperwork. The air was filled with the faint scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of the overhead lights. She hadn't spoken to him for the past couple of days, and Elias assumed it was because she was still angry about his decision to join the rite with Luna.