“All right,” Dillon said as he and Taffy stood. “We’ll report back if we find anything.”
“Thanks, guys,” I responded, pushing the call button and bringing the phone to my ear.
They left, closing the door behind them as I listened to the line ring, my thoughts swirling with the mysteriously beautiful Shade from Thunder Moon.
My mate.
What to Know About Mates
SHADE
Sunny dragged me from the party the moment we were dismissed.
First she lectured me on how furious father was going to be that I’d made the final five. She felt that if Alpha Caelan were to discover what a “freak” I am, that it would ruin her chances.
She lectured me until it occurred to her that we could use this to her advantage. She then spent hours detailing how I was going to help her win over Alpha Caelan.
I stood at attention while she paced back and forth, telling me exactly how I was to behave around the alpha so she looked better by comparison. She wanted it clear I was her servant, there to ensure her well-being.
She outlined what she expected of me during any interactions I had with him.
“You won’t look him in the eyes. You won’t be witty or charming. You won’t touch him. You will be subservient, making it clearyou don’t have what it takes to be a luna,” she ordered. “You’ll go out of your way to show him that you’d be a terrible choice.”
This all seemed so pointless. I had no plans to look Alpha Caelan in the eyes, nor would I even consider letting myself be so familiar as to touch him, despite how pleasant it’d been at the welcome party.
“Most importantly,” Sunny added as she finally pushed me into the hall. “You’ll talk me up every chance you get. The conversation should always come back around to me, and why I’d make the best choice for luna. Am I clear?”
She slammed the door shut before I could respond, not that I minded. I was exhausted and Sunny’s constant ranting had given me a headache.Like she has anything to worry about. The alpha will never be interested in me.
I rubbed my palm against my dress as I entered my room, remembering the tingles that had caressed my skin and the electric hum that’d danced through my veins from his touch.
I wonder if that’s an ability of his.~I was no stranger to odd abilities. “Geez, took you long enough,” a voice chided.
I jumped, bracing for an attack as I spun toward the two chairs facing the fireplace. Beta Taffy was seated in one of them, her leg thrown over the arm and a book in her hands as she smiled at me.
“Where have you been?” she asked as she snapped it shut. “I was…ensuring Sunny’s room was secure,” I replied. “W-what are you doing here?”
Alpha Caelan must’ve come to his senses and decided to eliminate me.I tried to ignore the sudden ache in my chest at the thought.It’s for the best. If he cuts me, things can go back to normal.
“I figured we’d have a cup of tea and chat,” she said cheerfully, nodding toward the tray on the coffee table. “We didn’t get to talk much at the party.”
I fidgeted beneath the beta’s gaze. No one had ever wanted to just hang out with me before.
My father had kept me isolated from the other children in the pack so I wouldn’t have any distracting relationships. He’d also discouraged Sunny from considering me as anything but a servant, making it understood that we’d never be friends or equals.
“Do you want to change first?” she asked. “PJs are way more comfy than evening gowns.”
“Yes, Beta Taffy,” I replied automatically.
“No,” she scolded, setting her book to the side. “None of that. We’re friends. Call me Taffy.”
“We are?” I queried, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
I slapped my hands over my mouth, eyes wide. I’d never directly questioned a beta in my life.
Much to my surprise, Taffy laughed.
“Of course, we’re friends,” she giggled. “As a matter of fact, I think we’re going to be best friends.”
