The Luna of My Lover's Brother

Raging Heat

MADELINE'S POV

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The moon is shining bright tonight, and if I time everything perfectly, I can make it to the Vihar pack and get Jaxon out and we could be gone by dawn. The only problem is how light it is outside with all the clouds missing from the sky. I tie my sack around my one shoulder, letting it hang on the opposite side of my waist, and braid my chocolate hair tight enough so that strands don't pull free when I'm on the move.

Out the window. To the lagoon. Cross it. Sneak into the Vihar mansion. Set Jaxon free. He'll get us out, and we run.

That's the plan, and I go through it one more time as I tie my boot laces.

I glance back at the room I've grown up in, and mentally say goodbye to the girl who did everything right, because from now on, everything I do won't be for the pack, or my parents, but for me, and what I want.

I push open the window, and put one foot through. My eyes roll as I miss the ledge outside once again, and lean out more. I smile as I have a steady grip to stand on, and swing the rest of my body out. Lowering myself, I stare down at the rose bushes, and calculate how far I have to jump to miss landing in the thorns. I count to three and jump, the cool air kissing my heated cheeks. My ankles strain as I land, and twigs snap underneath my feet.

I bite down on my teeth, and slowly turn, glancing around to look for any patrols, but there is none. My heart drops as I take the first step forward the woods. A shadow emerges from behind a tree, and I'm suddenly rooted to the ground.

"Where are you going, my little Luna?" My teeth grind against each other, but I try my best to act calm, to collect myself and my thoughts. "Out on a stroll, I need the fresh air." My voice come out cold and chipped, something I can't help when Atlas is in the vicinity. His face contorts lightly, seeing right through my lie, "Mind if I join?" His question rattles my very existence. Of course I f*****g mind if he joins, but if I say no, he will literally ask why and ask if I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing.

"Nevermind, I'm going to bed. Enjoy your walk." I grit out. I will just wait for him to go to bed and fall asleep before I make my move. "I'll escort you back to your room then," He smiles kindly, but the warmth doesn't reach his eyes. I'm stuck in the same position as before-- and I can't say no.

"It's not like someone's going to attack me in my own home." The words come out as bitter as I feel. "Probably not," He shrugs, eyes dancing with light. Light that makes everything around us seem less dark. "Then I can walk myself," I turn, only for him to say what I've been dreading, "Why would you want to be alone?" His question strikes like a backhand across the face. I don't want to be alone, I want to be with Jaxon.

My shoulders slump as I turn to face him, his hair extra shiny as the moon cascades down on us. "I don't want to be near you." I clarify. He catches the hint, but still he grins, "And my brother is much better company?" He asks, seeming genuinely curious. "Much." I grin, watching his eyes narrow as his ego takes a hit. "I'll prove you wrong," He challenges. "I'm not interested." I retort. "You'll see...In time." He's staring at me knowingly, like he could actually see the future-- that's how certain he looks.

I turn on my heel, walking back into the house when Maverick appears out of literally nowhere, "You're upset." He states the obvious. "And a werewolf, congratulations on being so observant." I beam sarcastically. I can feel the moment his vibe shifts to offended. "Is it the Alpha of the Vihar pack? Is he upsetting you?" He whispers, but Atlas strides in, shutting the door behind him with a loud thud. "What could I have possibly done to upset her? I'm the one smiling at her while she scowls at me." Maverick snorts, shaking his head. "Goodnight, Maddie." He bows his head in respect before walking off toward his chambers to sleep.

I turn to Atlas, "He's my guard, you have no right to speak to him." I seethe. "Don't I?" He raises a questionable brow, and I can feel the icy edge rolling off of him like cold mist. "Because last I checked...I'm the Alpha, and you're a mere..." he shakes his head at me as my eyes narrow on him. "A mere girl? A daughter to an Alpha? A woman that's becoming a Luna, but since I'm still a woman, I'm less." My voice cracks as my own words sink in. Is that why my father decided to give me away? Am I not good enough to be an Alpha in his eyes?

"You are fierce, little wolf." Atlas steps closer, my breath hitching in my throat. He's a breath away from me, eyes sharper than ever, "You could rule this entire world if you set your mind to it, and that doesn't make you less. That makes you exceptional. You're just not there yet, while I have conquered the title, the respect and the authority to speak to whomever I please— and that includes your personal guard," His voice drops low, soft and determined. He's not scolding me, but explaining something I clearly already know.

My tongue is twisted into knots, and all I can do is stare up at him until his admirable appearance becomes mere eye candy, and mostly annoying.

“Goodnight.” I blurt, my spine twisting with unsettling intensity as I head back to my room. The tension in my back doesn’t ease— and that’s because he’s following me.

Striding into my room, I push the door shut behind me, letting it close on its own, but the usual click doesn’t come, but footsteps follow.

I drop the bag on the other side of the bed where Atlas can’t see, turning to face him. “Want to watch me strip too?” I grind out. “Only if your offer is genuine,” he settles himself into the armchair next to the wooden table, glancing around like he’s in some sort of art room. “Get out, I’m tired.” His sapphire eyes lock on me, “But you were just going for a walk?” My jaw tightens with a burning sensation. “I want to be left alone.” I snap. Atlas chuckles, crossing his ankle over his knee. “Are you now tired, or do you just want to be alone?” He teases. My fingers curl into balls at my side. “Leave.” I demand, “But it’s so fun here.” He beams, his fingers drumming on the armrest. “Fun?” I snort. “Yes.” He answers rather quickly while staring at me with expectation.

I can feel my bones start to rattle with rage. “Leave. Please.” Perhaps all he wants is for me to beg. “No, why should I? We are bonding, aren’t we?” There’s no amount of hatred that could measure up to how much I dislike him. “No. We aren’t.” I snap. “You are just irking me to the point of wanting to yank my hair right out of my head. You are ruining my life, and that of your brother’s and you don’t even seem to care. You are a heartless prick, Atlas!” Everything is warmer all of a sudden. I can feel the blazing heat of anger coating my cheeks in a deep rosy color, “Now!” I yell, pointing at the door, but it’s not my hand that comes into my vision— it’s fire.

I’m on fire.

My hands are burning.

I lift my other hand, watching the flames dance.

“Madeline, breathe.” Atlas says, but his voice is far in distance like he’s yelling through a glass shield.

I start to shake my hands, my heartbeat hammering against my ribs. “What the hell?” I shake my hands faster, turning to the window, then the door, spinning until my head becomes light, and an ache forms in behind my eyes. My screams bounce off the stone walls, echoing back at me.

“Madeline, stop panicking!” Atlas says, “I’m on fire!” I yell at him. “Just stop!” He yells back, and I’m pinned to the wall, his lips crashing against mine— everything becomes blank.

The world slows down, so does my heart rate.

I shove against his chest, noticing my hands.

My hands.

Not flames.

Hands.

Five fingers on each hand.

My gaze lifts to his.

“What did you do?”