Page 33 of Chasing Luna

“Why? If I were a part of your pack, I’d start looking for a new Alpha.” I laugh as he attempts to push me away.

“Well, I told them it’s going to be okay because,” he leans in to whisper in my ear, “I have you, my dear.” I shiver at his husky tone, remembering all the times he called me that when we were little.

Should I tell him I knew him back then?Turning my head slightly, I see his face inches away from mine. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I whisper back.

His eyes stare at my lips a little too long for my liking. “I’m serious,” he says, closing the gap slowly between us. I gulp and sit up straight.

Isabela, this is not good,I mentally berate myself at the continuous pounding of my heart against my ribcage.It’s his scent. You’re not actually attracted to him.

Gregory sits up, too. “Am I becoming too much for you to handle?” he asks, a cocky grin adorning his chiseled face.

“Shut up.” I am about to retort when I hear footsteps scurry toward us.

“Aren’t you two done with your date yet?” Luca, a sixteen-year-old boy, hands me a water bottle.

“Shouldn’t you be sparring?” I say sternly.

“We’re done for the day.” Lisa, his twin sister, plops down beside me.

“And the others?” I ask, and they point toward the group. Some are stretching their limbs, some practice the shadow boxing techniques Gregory taught them earlier. We regroup with everyone. “How do you feel after today’s training?” I ask afterward. Hidden a few yards away from the cabin, I clear out a space where the Omegas can train freely in their spare time. I look over at Gregory, hazel eyes gazing over the group.

“So, as soon as training sessions are over, they go back to acting like weaklings?” he presses on a little too loudly.

I laugh. “Yes, it’s a way of keeping them safe, too. As soon as I ascend the throne, I’m formalizing this group as an exclusive team working for me.”

He nods slowly. “Sounds to me like you’ve watched a lot of bad superhero movies.” My hand flies to connect with his chest, but he catches it mid-air. “Too slow, my dear,” he teases, grinning as I snatch my hand away from his.

“I have a question, Mistress Isabela!” I hear Luca’s voice call out to me.

“Yes, Luca?”

“I don’t want to say it in front of him.” He eyes Gregory up and down.

“It’s okay, he’s on our side.” I wave him off.

He sighs and continues, “I don’t mean to sound rude, but me and some of the people here would like to know how you plan on fighting if they stage a revolt before your eighteenth birthday?”

“What?” I gesture for him to stand.

“There are rumors going around the estate, here on the lower levels of the pack.”

“Just how big is your pack?” Gregory chimes in, and I elbow him on his side.

“Rumors regarding what?” I ask, motioning for Luca to continue.

“About how unfit you are to rule. After the death of Mistress Katya, it seems that the guards at the frontlines favor your big sister more now. Tommy overheard some of the kitchen staff talking about Mistress Katarina’s ability to bring everyone in the pack together with ease.”

“The discontent has grown,” Vera expresses, standing up with Luca. “Especially right after you nearly killed one guard that one time. Most of them say that you might become even more of a tyrant than your grandmother.” She twiddles with the end of her shirt. “We’ve been doing the best we can in trying to fit in the pack. But I don’t know what else you can do to gain favor amongst everyone.”

I look at the faces of the Omegas before me. “Yeah, I’ve been trying to rack my brain for a solution, too. It’s not like I can just show up and help around the house one day. Even that seems a little disingenuous.” I sigh.

“But can you fight your sister?” Vera asks again. “She’s had a head start at gaining her power. Her flames grow stronger every day.”

I shake my head. “I can. Don’t worry about it.” I smile, but I can’t ignore the uneasiness that’s creeping around everyone’s head. “Why don’t I show you what I mean?” I smile, warming up my hands for my next trick.

“Isabela, are you sure?” Gregory queries.

I nod. “They’re loyal to me. Don’t worry.” This time, I try to think of the spell in my head, instead of saying it out loud. My left hand starts to feel tingly and warm, and I point at a particularly overgrown bramble bush with my finger. A bolt of electricity crackles through the air, blue light reflected in the eyes of the Omegas. In one swift movement, I cut the bramble bush in half, disintegrating most of its leaves in the process. My eyes widen in surprise.I can’t believe that worked!I quickly lift my other hand, concentrating on the trunk of the nearest oak tree. I don’t even have to think of the entire spell at this point; I just have to focus on the cool air beginning to fill my palm. I exhale sharply, and a large, pointed icicle forms in mid-air and shoots at the center of the oak’s trunk. “See?” I say after a beat of silence. “I’m strong, too.” I smile wide at the astonished faces of the Omegas. Gregory grins beside me. “There’s no need to worry,” I announce, relishing the feeling of being able to control my powers even more. After dismissing the training session and scattering the evidence of our little rendezvous around the clearing, I head to my room with Gregory tailing behind me.

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