Page 194 of His Sunshine Baby

“I’m sorry, babe, but I saw a bunch of the Opal Moon clan heading south on my way here, I didn’t know if I should tell you or not.”

Holy shit. I jump back on my feet. Who would dare to…! I saw Xavier and Chris running to the hospital, who could be doing this behind their backs! And after Clark told the whole Opal Moon clan to stay put! I immediately start growling. This is not the day to fucking piss me off.

“Elena, wait!”

I ignore both Reagan and Danny and start running south. They’re going to get it this time. I mind-link everyone I trust from the Opal Moon, including Daniel’s siblings, our friends, and the youngsters I trained. None of them know anything about the group headed south, but agree to meet up with me.

I hear my best friend, already shape-shifted into his tawny wolf form, and my mentor running behind me. Sylviana’s apparently gone Moon-Goddess-knows-where, but she doesn’t need to be involved in this.

When I finally reach the group, they are about to cross the border. I growl immediately. Even in my human form, my Alpha Aura and angry wolf voice are enough to stop most of them. Some seem confused to see me here, and others are furious.

“Elena? What is it?”

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” I growl back.

The sorrow from earlier adds to my anger, and the fuel in my voice impresses some of them enough to make them step back. I must look scary, with my red eyes, disheveled hair, and anger painted all over my face.

“I asked where do you think you’re going?!”

They hesitate, looking at each other like no one wants to take the blame until someone finally steps forward to face me.

“Get out of the way, we have a gathering to attend, cousin.”

“You?” I ask, confused.

Why the hell would my cousin Iris be leading this group? On her father’s orders, perhaps? But Xavier just lost his brother, so why would he give orders now… Iris chuckles at my confusion.

“What is it, Elena? Surprised to see me taking the lead, perhaps? I bet you never thought one second your pretty, well-behaved cousin had the guts to overstep her own father’s authority to make a deal with the Gold Moon.”

Iris? Iris was behind all of this? Since when! I’m so shocked, I don’t even know how to react. But my cousin steps forward, not impressed by my Alpha Aura.

“Elena, you’re no match for me. Step aside and mind your own business, cousin.”

I growl back. Hell no. I don’t understand what’s going on, but I am not letting her ruin Nora’s hard work to organize this gathering. Iris may be my adoptive cousin, the one I grew up with, but Nora is my blood. She is the one I feel close to, and the one doing the right thing right now. She’s trying to unite the packs and be a good Luna. And so will I.

I am Selena Bluemoon, and I am a fighter of the White and Opal Moon packs. And I’ll fight for them.

“What is wrong with you, Iris? This isn’t you!”

My cousin sighs, brushing her purple hair back.

“You don’t know the first thing about me, Elena. Let me guess. You’ve always seen me as the quiet, shy, and good girl my daddy raised. Isn’t that it? I was never on the stronger side, like you and Chris. I was barely average for an alpha. Do you have any idea what it’s like to grow up in someone’s shadow? In my own sibling’s shadow? In yours?”

I don’t even recognize her voice when she speaks. She sounds like someone else, yet she is still… Iris. An Iris I don’t recognize. She steps forward again, defying me with her eyes.

“My father was always crazy with his jealousy. His younger brother was stronger, smarter, and more appreciated. He alwaysfelt like Samuel stripped him of his Alpha title. Even when my dad finally got it back, it wasn’t enough. Your adoptive father’s shadow was always there.”

What does this have to do with her? Our fathers’ rivalry is nothing new!

“Iris, that has nothing to do with us. Xavier got the Alpha position in the end!”

“Oh, but that was never enough. Actually, he trained us even harder because of that. Or more precisely, he tried to train Chris. Me? I was his smart little girl, cast aside because why would he consider me when he had a son?”

I’m confused. Didn’t Xavier always treat Iris better? He cherished her like a little princess her whole life compared to Chris! Her brother always had to train harder, to prove himself to their father while Iris could do whatever she wanted.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t have cared that my younger brother took the heir position if it wasn’t for you, Elena. But you? You were always so annoyingly strong and perfect. Father grew obsessed about Chris being better than you. ‘You can’t be beaten by Samuel’s daughter, by a girl!’ Guess what? Your existence fueled our father’s jealousy, Elena. And mine! You were supposedly only the Alpha’s niece, but Clark had to make you his goddaughter and make you a possible heir for the White Moon clan! Do you know how humiliating that was?”

I’m completely in shock. I never thought Iris gave a shit about the Alpha position, in the Opal or White Moon clans!

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