Rejecting The Alpha Twins (Regan)

Chapter 18 Xavier Pov

It's the night before our eighteenth birthday. Xander and I are watching the décorations being placed up, the omegas moving frantically back and forth, our arms folded across our chests. It doesn't occur to either of us to help, not with being the Alpha and Luna's children. We're above all of that. My mother places a gentle hand on our shoulders as we turn to look at her. "Just think tomorrow morning, my babies are going to be eighteen" she whispers as I roll my eyes and Xander turns to hug her "I can't believe how grown up the two of you have jen" Her voice is shaky, her expression nostalgic

She waves towards Isabelle who comes prancing over. Isabelle ist helping with the decorations, I note, but rather watching and bossing the omegas around in a blatant overreach of her power and position. My mother, of course, makes no move to correct her behavior. I suppose she thinks that as future Luna, it well within Isabelle's prerogative to boss the omega around, including her sister Regan, who I have not seen, I think with a frown as I try to discreetly scan the surroundings for her with no success. Maybe she's inside the pack house?

"Xavier, Xander" Isabelle places a kiss on our cheeks and smiles sweetly at us both.

I feel repulsed, wiping the trace of her kiss away with the back of my hand as my mother shoots me a scolding glance.

"I'm so happy to see you. Look how beautiful the decorations look outside" Isabelle takes Xander's hand but leaves mine alone, to my instant relief.

There are fairly lights everywhere, lanterns, tables set up in a marquee, centerpieces, sashes on the chairs you name it, we had it. Nothing was too good or too expensive for us. I thought I was a bit much, but then, we were expecting other Alphas to attend from other packs as well, so perhaps it was to be expected. It was not to my taste, but Xander looked impressed as he eyed it and studied the various bits and pieces.

"It's beautiful," he told a beaming Isabelle "I can see how much work you've put into it. Thank you, and thank you Mother" he added, causing my mother to also beam at him.noveldrama

"Well, at least one of you appreciates my efforts" my mother grumbled good-naturedly, as Isabelle giggled at the expression on her face and playful manner.

"I appreciate it," I said absentmindedly "I'm just not prone to sucking up like Xander is."

Xander shot me a scathing glance in reply. I glared at him. We were both still out of sorts with each other and continued to argue with one another. He continued to defend Isabelle while continued to have my misgivings about her. Something that was not lost on our mother as she eyed us both. She sighed

"Isabelle, I'm sure that you will have a wonderful time tomorrow she said warmly, glancing at me warningly "but do you mind if I have a quick word with my two boys here? I have something that I would like to talk to them about in private. Alpha business" she added hastily so that Isabelle would not get offended.

Instantly Isabelle looked intrigued but swiftly nodded. "Of course Luna Jennifer. I will go back to helping with the decorations. Xander, Xavier, I will see you tomorrow at the party She smiled sweetly at us all.

"Thank you for being so understanding Isabelle" My mother complimented her and then smiled as Isabelle left before turning to the both of us, regarding us silently for a moment as Xander and I glanced uneasily at each other.

I had a feeling that whatever she was about to bring up, it wasn't anything good.

""What?" I sneered

"Tomorrow there will be several important Alphas at your event Turning eighteen is a big deal. Not only will you get your wolves, but you may find your mate and it's imperative that you stick to the agreement and reject her as you have promised."

1/3 Chapter 18

She hesitated "There is something else 1 have decided must be one If you wish to be Alpha. I would like, tomorrow night. in front of the entire pack, and the visiting Alphas for you to dle are Isabelle as your chosen mate. You will still have the formal ceremony later, but this is to" she looks meaningfully at the "prevent further mistinderstandings later."

"In other words, you want the other Alphas to bear witness to our declaration so that we can't take it back," I said, knowing full well what she was up to. It was beyond deceitful but then again, our mother wanted Isabelle as Luna and she was determined to do what it took to make sure we did what she waited.

She smiled. It was cunning. "Yes, well you have always been bright Xavier. Naturally, if other alphas witness you make that statement, they will hold you to it as the law insists. Since you have promised to do it anyway, it shouldn't be too much of a problem should it?" she asked pointedly.

Xander looks nervous even as he nods his agreement. 1, however have my doubts. The thought of having Isabelle as my mate, forever, makes me feel sick to my stomach. I can feel it churning and feel bile rising in my throat. I swallow hard, watching as my mother's eyes narrow and her voice becomes sharper. "Xavier?" she snaps.

"What Mother?" I stare at her "Would you prefer I lie and pretend that I have no qualms about taking a spoilt Beta's daughter as my mate?" I challenged, feeling frustrated and beyond exasperated.

She huffed. "You didn't have any problems before but now you want to say that she's spoiled? In what way Xavier? She's been groomed for this position, it's true, but that's because Beta Johnathon and I always thought that you would make good matches with each other. It happens in packs. Sometimes a chosen mate is more desirable and has better qualities than a fated mate. Such as in this case. I do not think that it is a bad compromise for the position of future Alpha, do you?" she demands irritably.

"That's just it Mother. I'm starting to think that the deal we made with you, or the agreement you insist on, is more for your benefit than our own."

My words were blunt and cut straight to the chase. I stared her down, daring her to refute what I had just said.

For a moment she looks stunned. As though unable to believe what I've just said to her. I've never been this defiant before, this questioning. But something about this just angers me. 1 can feel myself wanting to strike out as my hands form into fists and my nails dig into my palms, drawing blood. The pain is a good distraction as my mother slowly inhales and then lets out a large and loud exhale.

"It is for the benefit of the entire pack," she says slowly "and if you cannot see that Xavier, then I'm beginning to question if you are truly fit to lead."

"Who my mate is has no bearing on my leadership" I snarl, while Xander stands between us, beginning to look slightly panicked. "I am simply saying that I am not entirely sure that Isabelle is as perfect as you seem to think she is,"

In other words, mother was blind where Isabelle was concerned. She would never see Isabelle as anything but perfect. Isabelle could do no wrong in my mother's eyes.

My mother sighed. "Nobody is perfect Xavier, not even you. Civen time, Isabelle will adjust to her role as the Luna, just like I had to. Her prowess in fighting, her etiquette, and her comportment are all assets as is her popularity. Nobody will question her right to lead. You can't ask for more than that" she explained tightly.

She forgets all about love, as though that is of no importance whatsoever.

"It's okay Mother, I think that Xavier and I need to talk" Xander interrupts hastily and my mother looks between us and then nods, turning on her heel and stomping off in a temper.

I'm not in the mood and glower at my twin brother spoiling for a fight when he speaks. "Look, I'm not sure about Isabelle either okay" he admits in a hushed voice "But right now if we keep fighting against Mother like this, she's going to take ba our titles. Don't be foolish" he hissed "Just play the game. It's not as though Isabelle is ugly or anything. We could have been given much worse" he pointed out "at least we know who our mate will be, instead of being given one from a different pack."

As if that's anything to be grateful for. My lip curls and I can't help but stare at him in disbelief. Is that all you can say?"