Lunar Eclipse

40 - Fire Spears

The next weeks go by in a blur. Besides upping the hours of training to ensure Cassum will be ready for Trials, I spend every minute with Raelyn, mostly in my bed that we now share. My Alpha duties slip, something my mother coldly reminds me of one morning before we sit down for breakfast.

"I'm glad to see you so happy, I really am, but this can't continue. It interferes with your responsibilities."

"How?"

"Did you know there was trouble in one of the new territories? Niccolo had to dispatch fighters to help Zyron restore order."

"Fuck. Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because you aren't around much. You spent hours on end with Cassum in the woods, and the rest of the time, you make yourself rare by locking yourself in your bedroom. This has to stop."

I smirk. "Don't you want me to prepare Cassum for the Trials?"

"Stop it. You know exactly what I mean." Her glare is lethal. "Besides, Raelyn is still a mated she-wolf. It sends the wrong message."

"Her and Dante's mating was arranged, and he cheated on her with his true mate while they were together."

"I don't' care."

"Then why do you have such a hang up about Raelyn and me?"

She huffs. "It's perception, Kendrick, and you know it. Quite frankly, I'm surprised by your behavior. You're not a young pup who can't control his hormones. I expected more of you."

The air deflates out of me. My whole life, she and Dad have suffocated me with expectations. I was tossed into the Alpha role long before I was ready, just because my brother Loyal couldn't wait to call for Trials. I tasted from my father's vein of life when my wolf wanted nothing more than to roll on my back and wash my siblings' blood from my snout. Killing my father had sliced away a part of me, a piece that Raelyn was able to mend. Why is it so hard for my mom to see that?

"And that warlock is still around," Mother carries on. "She's causing trouble by flirting with some of the unmated males. When will you put a stop to that and send her away?"

"It's not that easy."

"No? What's the problem?"

I don't even know anymore. "She's teaching Arabella about plants."

"Arabella is already an excellent healer, she doesn't need a warlock to poison her ways with dark magic."

"Not all magic is bad."

"Is it not?" Her smile is belittling. "Then tell me one example where something magical worked out for us werewolves. The few encounters we had with the Sentinels left absolute mayhem in their wake. No survivors, unless you count the warlocks."

I rub the bridge of my nose; this conversation is giving me a headache. "It's winter solstice this week. I ask Rikka to leave right afterward."

"Why wait?"

My fist comes down hard on the table. Luna or not, she will not challenge me. "Because I said so."

"Fine, have it your way, but don't come crying to me when shit hits the fan." She bangs down the last plate on the placemat, huffing as she turns away from the table. I stare at the empty space she skipped where her mate usually sits.

"Did something happen to Seth?"

"I got tired of him and Cassum was kind enough to dispose of him."

I smirk. "You could have asked me."

"Unfortunately, you were busy with Raelyn, and I didn't want to interrupt all the moaning." Shooting me the nastiest grimace, she slams the door to the dining room behind her.