The Luna of My Lover's Brother

All I See

ATLAS' POV

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Alpha Alexander's study is primmed and polished to perfection. There's not one single thing out of place, no dust underneath the heavy wood armchairs, no crease in the leather that could turn into a tear. The papers on his desk is stacked perfectly, and just from eyeing it, he has some control disorder I believe. His ink pens are stacked neatly, the rolled scrolls put in a thick vase like they're decorations. "So tell me," Alpha Alexander's voice is filled with joy, mixed with a bit of curiosity. "How did you get Madeline to agree? She..." he trails off, shaking his head. "It took time, but she isn't unreasonable." He's speaking as if she's this vile person who can't be reasoned with. "Took all night," He snorts, smiling smugly like he's the one who achieved something. I take the short glass he hands me, the golden liquid glinting underneath the warm light of the sun pouring in through the windows. "It took five minutes." I lie, the taste satisfing enough to have me grinning, "The rest was about what we are going to do about the upcoming threat," I take a sip of the amber liquor that makes my throat tighten. "And? What are you going to do about it?" He pushes the qork back into the top of the crystal glass bottle. "It's still up for discussion, but my real concern is your heir." I shrug. His eyebrows raise, "Why is that any of your concern?" I inhale a short, deep breath, "Because if I'm going to be in alliance with someone, I really do hope they are compitent enough to realize when to fight, and when to retreat." I sit down, sighing as I relax. "He needs some touching up, and will be ready for anything when the time comes to take over, don't you worry," He nods with a sure look on his face.

"Good," I take another sip.

Hours go by with Alpha Alexander talking about the old days, and how he raised both his children, but I don't miss how little he actually talks about Madeline. He can name a ton of things he did with Aaron outside of his Alpha duties, but he only speaks of Madeline when mentioning all the years he's wasted with training her to become the next heir.

I walk into the dining room, everyone already seated, and when I spot that empty seat right next to my little wolf, I head straight for it. Gripping the back of the chair, I tug lightly, but it doesn't pull out. The smile I wear falters, becoming tight like the way Madeline is gripping her fork and how tense her jaw is.

I tug again, the resistance pulling it back. My eyes narrow on Madeline as a vein at her temple quivers.

I can't believe it-- she's keeping the chair in position with her foot. "Madeline," I whisper, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Let's remember what we talked about, yeah?" Everyone else in the room thinks it's our plans for the future, but she and I both know that it's about saving my brother.

I can feel the tension snap free from the chair, and I gently pull it back, letting go of her before I sink into the chair, "So what's for supper?" I clear my throat rougly. Luna Matilda is the first to break the awkward silence and explain each dish, some of it I've never heard of before. I nod while the words go into one ear and out of the other. Servants stride in with even more food, and starts plating the food for each of us while pouring our drinks.

The wine bottles looks older than this house.

"Looks great," I beam, digging in right away. After the first bite of the cooked carrots, I click the back of my fork against the wine glass lightly, "I'd like to thank my in laws for this divine meal, and for opening their home, and also thank them for their understanding that the ceremony will be held on our land, also only the immediate family is invited." I watch as Alpha Alexander's face drops, his eyes narrowing as his fork freezes halfway to his mouth. "But this is a ceremony for both packs." Her father sets down his fork, eyes narrowing on me. I can see the wheels in his head turning as his eyes become cold with calculation. "And it's Madeline and I's ceremony, and we'll be living at our pack, not here." I explain with a cool smile. Alpha Alexander is as arrogant as his son. It shows in his eyes. "We have the perfect ground..." Her father tries to bargain, my patience snapping in half like a twig being stepped on. "This is my ceremony, with my Luna, and it will happen on my ground. If you don't like it, then I can call it off, but I'm not going to cave on my Luna ceremony, not for you, not for my parents, not even for my brother." I can see how Madeline tenses up from the side of my eye, but I let it roll off my shoulders, not bothering to look at her even as I notice how she tries to supress a smile.

Anger claws at my throat at the sight of it.

She's hopeful-- she hopes that I call it off.

Alpha Alexander stares at me with void, until his eyes soften and a small smile curves at his lips, "You're right," He points his fork at me in acknowledgement. My eyebrows raise, and Madeline's knuckles turn white as she grips the knife and fork with rage. When they start to glow as the heat of the fire that's burning inside of her is spreading through her fingers to the metal utensils. I grab her hand, ignoring the searing pain as I bring it underneath the table, "Would you like flowers?" The change in subject snaps her out of her raging thoughts. "What?" she asks confused, her voice suddenly sounding so light and small. "For the ceremony, do you want flowers?" Her cheeks are tainted red with the heat of the anger she felt moments ago.

"I guess," Her shoulders lift, the act so small that she looks like a lost, sky kid. I can see the innocence dancing in her eyes, the need to live freely, wildly and the desire to be loved louder than any thunder bolt I could create.

"Yes, or no? You want flowers? You want jewelry? The kind you carry?" I don't know many options, but..."Crystals," Madeline speaks dreamily, her eyes zoning out as she starts to think of something rather deeply.

"Crystals? No, dear." Her mother chimes, and the coldness that seeps into her eyes is that of death itself.

"Excuse me," Madeline stands, not bothering to touch one single piece of food on her plate, and walks off. "Madeline, you're being very rude," Her father snaps authoritively. "I think she's just tired," I clear my throat, "I'll check up on her after dinner before going to bed." I start eating. "You're too kind, Atlas." Her mother beams, "A true man, she's a lucky girl," Her father chimes afterward, but if only they knew that she's not the lucky one, I am.