Echoes of the Moon: A Werewolf Girl's Odyssey at Royal Academy of Wolfs

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Rae knew telling her brothers wouldn't be easy but she needs to tell them anyway. Remi and Reymon always minded their business and let me have my freedom sometimes even not knowing where I was but they were overprotective of me in front of wolves —and if there was one thing they were worse at than being subtle, it was anything involving Rae's love life. Not that she had much of one. Until now.

She took a deep breath, sitting cross-legged on the floor of their shared common room, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. 

Remi lay sprawled across the couch with his arm draped dramatically over his eyes, pretending to nap, while Reymon leaned against the wall, scrolling through his phone, occasionally smiling probably at the texts from Leylo.

"Hey... guys?" Rae began cautiously, her voice steady but hesitant.

Remi groaned from the couch without moving. "If this is about Leylo using my favourite mug again, I already told her she's dead to me."

"Not everything is about your mug, you dumbass" Rae shot back.

Reymon arched an eyebrow without looking up from his phone. "What's up Rae?"

Rae swallowed. Okay, just rip off the bandage, Rae, not a big deal, they can't do much about it anyway, hopefully.

"I believe... I found my mate."

Remi bolted upright so fast he nearly fell off the couch. "What?" His eyes narrowed with sudden intensity. "Who? When? How? And—what the hell—why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Reymon finally looked up, his brows furrowing. "Wait. huh. Your mate?"

Rae bit her lip and nodded. "I met him the first day, but... well, I only just found out his name. He ran off before I could even talk to him but it's fine now, we talked."

"Ran off?" Remi repeated, scowling. "What do you mean, ran off?"

Rae shrugged, trying not to sound as frustrated as she felt. "I don't know. He bolted like the place was on fire as soon as he saw me and realised he was my mate but not his fault entirely"

Reymon folded his arms, his expression darkening. "And you've just been sitting on this? For weeks?"

"Well, yeah," Rae admitted, shifting uncomfortably. "I didn't want to say anything until I knew who he was and got a chance to talk to him."

Remi's jaw clenched. "And? Who is he?"

She hesitated, locking eyes with Reymon. "Kael Draven... from the Nightveil Pack and he's the next alpha."

The room went dead silent. Both brothers stared at her as if she'd just told them she was moving to Mars. It would've been easier to hear that than about her mate.

"Nightveil?" Reymon's voice was sharp. "You've got to be kidding."

Remi let out a low whistle. "Damn, Rae. That's... complicated."

"Tell me about it," Rae muttered.

Reymon pinched the bridge of his nose. "The Nightveil wolves are bad news. They're... different."

Rae rolled her eyes. "I know that. But it doesn't change the fact that he's my mate."

Remi shook his head, his expression caught between disbelief and concern. "So what's the plan?"

Rae's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "We are figuring it out but it's mostly me keeping him in the palms of my hands."

Remi groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. "Of course. This is exactly the kind of disaster you love to walk into."

"And you can't stop me or do anything to him 'cause he's my mate, remember that" Rae said with a playful grin.

Reymon shot her a look. "Rae, seriously—Nightveil isn't like other packs. There's probably a good reason for him to run away. You need to be careful."

"I can handle it," Rae said firmly, meeting his gaze. "He was avoiding me, not attacking me, also I'm stronger and you of you know it and his curse doesn't scare me at all"

Remi crossed his arms, his scowl deepening. "So he's cursed"

Raina stirred in her mind, her voice a low snarl. Brother is furious with our choices. 

When is he not though. Rae sighed

"Yes" Rae said aloud, confidence flickering in her chest. "He's just scared for me, it's nothing to worry about."

"Sounds like a good start to a romance," Remi deadpanned. "Boy meets girl, boy runs away like a coward, girl stalks him across campus, girl confronts him, he's cursed and happily ever after."

Rae threw a pillow at him, but even Reymon let out a chuckle.

"Look," Rae said, softer now. "I just needed to tell you guys. This is... a lot. And you guys know best how I'm not good at this but I'm trying so trust me."

Reymon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just promise us you'll be careful."

Rae smiled, a fierce glint in her eye. "I'll be fine. You two are way too paranoid."

Remi grinned lazily from the couch. "Paranoid? Or just better at spotting trouble when it's right in front of us?"

"You're the definition of trouble, Remi," Rae shot back.

"And you love me for it," Remi said with a wink.

Rae shook her head but couldn't help laughing. "Don't worry, boys. I've got this."