Star Light, Star Bright

FOUR

Rafael.

The near silent dinning room fairly echoed with the sound of cutlery clicking on audaciously arrogant gold plates. It was ridiculous. Not even my family used gold plates or bowls, preferring to use decorative but simple plates and bowls. This golden monstrosity was ruining my appetite.

If you can, my dear son, prepare me a serving of whatever you're going to cook so I will not have to eat this slosh. Gold plates! How utterly ridiculous! Lenora has clearly lost her senses.

I nearly choked on a sip of water as my mother's soft voice drifted through my head. Regaining my equilibrium I glanced around the room to see our guards with nearly imperceptible smiles. They had heard her loud and clear as well and were fighting to keep their faces as impassive as possible.

Glancing about, I frowned. Lucas was nowhere in sight. Usually he was close and watching every movement of anyone in our vicinity but I couldn't spot him and I couldn't find his scent either. It was most unusual.

I will mother. I will have someone bring it up to you.

I somehow managed to make it through that awful dinner with all my mental facilities intact. I felt like breaking out into dance in sheer joy that I no longer had to smile pleasantly and compliment a tasteless, metallic dish that looked like goo.

After shaking off a very persistent Lenora and a sulking, utterly transparent plan of seduction from the Alpha I made it to my room only to nearly jump out of my skin as the bastard I had been missing cleared his throat from a darkened corner.

"Bloody Hell on ice Lucas!" I had a hand over my pounding heart as it almost stopped. "What the hell are you doing in my room scaring me half to..."

I caught the alluring scent of my mate yet again. As sweet as ever but what made me downright murderous was that it was faintly coming from Lucas. Before I could really think of doing anything I found I had Lucas shoved up the wall with my fanged mouth inches from his nose.

"Where is my mate?" I snarled into Lucas's astonished face. The scent was a bit stronger but still faded and I could only imagine how sweet and potent it would be on my mate's skin. "Tell me!"

"He's a servant," Lucas choked out breathlessly. "I stopped the Alpha from beating him."

I dropped Lucas in surprise.

"My mate is a he?" I asked half in surprise and marvel. Then the rest of what was said caught up to me with glaring intensity. "That whelp tried to beat my mate?!"

Lucas coughed from the floor as he tried to get air back into his starved lungs. I immediately felt shame and guilt as I watched my brother pant before struggling to stand. Grabbing his arm I hauled him up.

"I am truly sorry Lucas." I bit my lip as I caught a glimpse of the reddened handprint around his throat.

Don't worry about it Rafe. Its not like I'm going onto be scarred for life. I'll heal.

I was skeptical but trusted Lucas not to lie to me. After quickly checking his throat I felt more at ease. The swelling and redness were already fading. Sitting Lucas down firmly on my bed I stood in front of him with my arms folded.

"Tell me."

Lucas stared at me before clearing his throat with a grimace. Though his voice was a bit rough it was understandable. "From what he told me, he's a servant. His name is Cass, we met when I was sent to get the Alpha for his mother. In all actuality your mate ran into me, he was in such a hurry, he fell flat on his butt. He's a tiny little thing with blonde hair and huge eyes. His voice was soft and soothing, like a true Luna. Anyway, I helped him up since it was my fault he ended up on the floor but there was also something else about him. I wanted to protect him. It was about then that the Alpha started yelling and threw Cass against the door. The poor boy was so terrified he bolted into the Alpha's room.