#10 Royal Twins of La Lune

Chapter 14 Alexander

I was honestly appalled by my brother’s behavior. And it took a lot for me to be rattled or offended by anything Ian did at this point in our lives.

“What’s with him?” Carter asked, looking after Ian.

“He’s cranky.” I mumbled.

“He doesn’t like me.” Stella replied in turn, shrugging like it didn’t phase her.

“That’s not true.” I argued and she leveled me with a stern glare that said don’t lie.

“Are you okay?” The new Beta female, Wren, asked my mate.

“I’m fine.” She shrugged again.

“Carter, I think our ladies should get back to enjoying the ball, don’t you?” I smirked, changing my tone. Stella looked up at me with a questioning gaze but said nothing. Wren, on the other hand, grinned widely at Carter.

“Shall we, my dear?” Carter asked, holding out his hand. Wren nodded as she bounced up and down, taking his hand and following him into the ballroom.

“Stella?” I asked, holding out my hand between us. She sighed and accepted the gesture,

“I’m not a puppy who needs cared for, you know?” Stella said with a pout.

“And, yet, caring for you is my job.” I countered, squeezing her hand and leading her towards the ballroom.

“I’m not a good dancer.” She argued some more. I chuckled,

“Lucky for you, I am. I guess I’ll just have to lead.” I winked and earned an eye roll, which only had me laughing harder.

When the doors to the ballroom opened, the room was silenced and all eyes were on us. The crowds parted as we walked across the marble floor and towards the center of the room. New mates were clinging to each other as they watched us carefully, disappointed singles stood around the outside of the room while some wolves even looked relieved not to have found their mates, yet.

Stella stiffened and her palm began to sweat against mine as all attention remained on us. She fidgeted at my side and I released her hand to wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me.

“Don’t worry about them.” I whispered in her ear. Her eyes flickered towards me and her lips were in a pale thin line.

That’s when the murmurs and whispers started from the onlookers. I identified some of the ramblings as statements of shock and questions about who Stella was and where Ian had gone. From the look on Stella’s face, she heard them, too. I turned her in my arms and held her close as we began to sway to the orchestra. I knelt down to press my cheek against hers and spoke softly in her ear,

“They don’t matter.” I said,

“They’re your people.” She argued, pulling away to look me in the eyes. I shook my head and kept her close,

“They’re our people and they’re just in shock.” I corrected her and she stiffened in my arms.

“I can hear them, they’re more than in shock. Half of them have no idea who I am, and the other half do know who I am and hate me.” She said,

“I’ll set them straight.” I promised her, finally letting her pull away.

She rolled her eyes at me again before we settled into a comfortable rhythm. After a while, the others filled the dance floor again and the gossipping slowly began to calm down, for now at least.

“Wren, your friend, it’ll be good for the two of you to have each other here.” I said after a minute,

“It’s not just Wren.” She said with a shrug.

“What do you mean, my love?” I asked, not missing the look of displeasure I got from my term of endearment.

“Sebastian’s Beta and Gamma also mated to two of my friends, Oaklee and Kinley. Then there’s Tate who mated to a legacy, Nolan Landry.” Stella explained.

I felt my eyes widen in surprise. It was a suspicious coincidence for Stella to be friends with the long awaited mates of the royal Betas and Gamma, not to mention a member of the legacy families. The legacy families were those who came to the realm with my grandparents, they were from old, long, and very strong bloodlines that were held in great regards inside the kingdom.

“The Moon Goddess sure had a plan this time.” I chuckled humorlessly.

“So I’ve heard.” She mumbled, sounding irritated.

“Are you upset by this?” I asked, c*****g my head to the side.

“I don’t like the idea of my life being arranged and maneuvered like I’m just some puppet.” She grumbled.

“You’re not a puppet. You make your own choices. The Moon Goddess just lays out the path.” I said as I wrapped my arm farther around her back and tugged her closer. She frowned but stumbled forwards without resistance, gripping my forearm to steady herself.

“As long as you remember that I make my own choices.” She said with a snarky attitude. I laughed at her,

“Of course.” I smiled, “How could I forget?”

“Your brother has already.” She snapped and I sighed loudly.

“Let’s not talk about him right now.” I said, immediately soured by the mention of my brother’s poor behavior.

“I wanted to say that I’m sorry about Petite Chouette. She might’ve overreacted a bit.” Stella shrugged, looking unremorseful. I smirked at her,

“Your brother told me that she’s looked out for you since you were a girl. I can’t be upset with something that protects you. Besides, Ian deserved it.” I said and Stella giggled slightly at that.

“You spoke with my brother?” She asked.

“He’s one of our patrol leaders.” I said as a way of answering her question. She nodded once,

“Yes, as is my father. My mother works in the castle.” She said, narrowing her eyes on me like she was judging my reaction.

“I know, I put that together.” I replied, “Apparently your mother has been giving Ian French lessons.” Stella’s eyes went wide,

“What?” She gasped and I laughed at her expression.

“Ian is more complicated than he appears.” I said,

“My mother is going to lose her mind.” Stella said, mostly to herself, “She’s all about the Moon Goddess’ greater plan for us.” She added with an irritated snort.

“You’re a better dancer than you give yourself credit for.” I said, changing the subject. I could tell she was fighting back a smile and was about to say something, when the music was interrupted.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the feast, please find your seats.” One of my parents’ royal advisors addressed the crowd.

I sighed and reluctantly released my mate, allowing her to step out of my arms.

“Come on, you’re sitting with me.” I said, picking up her hand. She planted her feet stubbornly,

“We have assigned seats.” She argued.

“I don’t care.” I said plainly, she still didn’t move, “Stella, I will throw you over my shoulders.” I added in a warning tone.

Her eyes went wide and she searched my face, like she was trying to determine if I was joking or not. Deciding, correctly, that I wasn’t, she let me pull her through the room. Ian and I, along with our Betas and Gammas, were seated at a table just below the balcony which held the royal thrones. Carter and Wren, Dylan and Nylah, Owen, Hudson, and two women I didn’t recognize were already at the table.

“See, you’re not alone.” I mumbled in Stella’s ear as she noticed her friends at the table. She huffed at me and rolled her eyes.

There were three empty chairs in the center of the table and Ian was nowhere in sight. I pulled out the middle chair for Stella and helped her sit, pushing in her chair before sitting to her left. Neither one of us said anything about Ian’s absence. The three new faces at the table, Wren and the girls I assumed were Kinley and Oaklee, smiled widely at Stella. Owen inclined his head towards Stella like the two of them had already met.

“Oh, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Nylah gushed, breaking the silence as she reached across the table to take Stella’s hand, “I’m Nylah, the Gamma female. This is my mate Dylan, Alex’s Gamma.” She said, introducing Dylan who was sitting beside her. Dylan smiled politely,

“It’s an honor to meet you, Luna.” Dylan said. Stella frown profusely,

“It’s just Ella.” She said defiantly and I chuckled.

“You’ve already met Carter,” I began,

“And Owen.” She added, confirming my suspicious.

“And Owen,” I eyed him curiously and he just shrugged, “Hudson is Ian’s Gamma.” I pointed out the last man at the table.

“It’s an honor to be of service, Luna.” Hudson smirked and I groaned loudly at him.

“Such a conscience that you’re all friends.” Nylah ignored us, motioning around the table to all the new female faces, “I’m so glad not to be the only girl anymore. There’s way too much testosterone around here.” Nylah teased.

“What did you do to Ian?” Hudson injected, earning a glare from Nylah.

“Shut up, Hudson.” I snapped.

“What? I haven’t seen him in this kind of mood in a longtime. I just wanted to thank the woman responsible for it.” Hudson shrugged innocently. Stella continued to sit quietly.

“Where is Ian anyway?” Nylah asked, looking around.

“Who knows.” I grumbled, frowning.

Suddenly, a thick and heavy blanket of dread fell over me. I stiffened and was immediately on high alert, even Derek perked up in my head. My head snapped towards Stella as I sensed her discomfort. Her face was contorted painfully and her skin was pale.

“Stella?” I leaned towards her protectively, placing my hand on her arm. At my touch, Stella jumped off her chair and crumbled to the ground, screaming.

“Stella!” I cried, dropping to the ground with her. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close, inspecting her body for injury and trying to get her eyes to focus on me.

The entire room went silent, only Stella’s cries could be heard. Guardsmen were immediately surrounding us, Stella’s brother the first to arrive. Eliot was on his knees on the other side of Stella, looking over her with wild eyes.

“What’s going on?” Eliot asked frantically.

“I don’t know, she just started screaming.” I said,

“Alex, where’s Ian?” Nylah’s voice cut through my panic and I focused on her face.

“What?” I snapped.

“She’s fine and you’re fine, so where is Ian?” She asked again, more sternly this time.

“Owen, Hudson, find him.” I ordered Ian’s Gamma and Beta. They didn’t even nod before taking off, “Carter and Dylan, clear the room.” Carter started barking orders immediately, but Dylan didn’t move. He was hovering over top of Stella.

“Dylan.” I growled at him.

“I’m not leaving her.” He snarled, his eyes black.

At first, I thought he was talking about Nylah, and I nearly ripped his head off. Then, I realized that his entire posture was protectively positioned over Stella and his gaze was scanning every inch of the room.

“You’re not leaving the Luna.” I clarified and Dylan nodded stiffly. I took a breath, trying to calm myself as I realized Dylan’s Gamma instincts were kicking into high gear.

“Alex?” My mother’s voice appeared behind me but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Stella, “Is this your mate?”

“Yes.” I mumbled, my voice suddenly going hoarse as I saw the fear swimming in Stella’s eyes. I leaned down to whisper in her ear,

“Stella, you’re safe, I promise. I’m not going to leave you. You’re safe.” I said softly, over and over again as I nuzzled her face and pulled her against my body.