Chapter 13
Elowen's POV
"It's not them," I told Cindy, my voice cracking from crying. The tears were still running down my face, making my breathing shaky. "It's Drake... and my mom..."
Cindy's blue eyes turned ice-cold in an instant. She stepped forward, her wedding dress trailing behind her. "What? What did that asshole do now?"
My mouth opened, about to spill everything about the contract Drake had shown me, but right then, Casper gently touched my wrist, his fingers warm and firm. I felt that subtle signal—keep quiet. At almost the exact same moment, Cassian stepped forward, positioning himself slightly between Cindy and me, creating an invisible barrier.
The gesture snapped me back to reality. Ethan was standing behind Cindy. Starfall Pack. An outsider. This wasn't the time to share pack secrets, especially shameful ones like this.
I quickly wiped my tears away, my face burning hot. "Just... he was playing a cruel joke. Scared me." My voice trembled, the lie sounding like it came from someone else's mouth. I felt guilty for lying to my best friend, but Juno whispered approvingly in my head: Smart girl. Don't let outsiders know our vulnerabilities.
Cindy frowned, her eyes narrowing to slits. "And what about Jessica? What did she do this time?"
I shook my head, avoiding her eyes. "Nothing, just being strict and cold as usual."
Cindy squeezed my hand, her perfectly manicured fingers gripping mine tightly. "Fuck her, she's always been like that. So damn uptight and conservative, like she's living in the last century." She rolled her eyes. "Remember how she made you wear those high-necked blouses to school? When all the other girls were wearing tank tops and short skirts?"
The memory hit me hard. My body shivered underneath the silver dress. Summer, when I was fourteen, Jessica insisted I wear long sleeves and high collars to school, saying that was how "respectable Beta girls" dressed. I remembered the sweat soaking through the fabric on my back, the whispers from other girls.
"She always made me do endless chores too," I said quietly, a familiar feeling of powerlessness washing over me. "Dishes, floors, cleaning rooms... like my only purpose was to serve others."
"And Drake seemed just her type," Cindy said with disgust. "A controlling prick."
I gave a self-deprecating laugh. "It's okay. At least I had you."
Cindy turned to the tall man beside her, her new husband. "Ethan, this is my best friend Elowen. El, this is Ethan, my mate."
I looked up at the stranger and forced a smile. "Nice to meet you." My voice was still raspy from crying.
"I've heard a lot about you," Ethan smiled, with his chestnut curls and warm brown eyes. "Cindy talks about you all the time."
I felt a subtle shift in the air. Cassian's shoulders tensed, his posture seemingly relaxed, but I could feel every muscle in his body on alert. Casper was the same, standing at my right side, his arm almost touching mine, emanating that scent of pine and smoke.
They're protecting you from contact with another pack member, Juno observed keenly. This isn't just protection, it's possession.
I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware that I was half-surrounded by a wall of twin brothers. Somehow, it made me feel both safe and embarrassed at the same time.
"Well, I need to get back to the guests," Cindy said, glancing toward the reception hall. "Are you sure you're okay?"
I nodded, forcing myself to give her a genuine smile. "I'm fine, go. Enjoy your big day."
Cindy looked at her brothers, her expression turning stern. "Take care of my little El, got it?" Her tone was half-joking but carried an obvious threat. "If Drake comes near her again, break his legs."
"Of course, sister," Casper said with a smile, but I noticed his eyes flash gold for a second—his wolf stirring just beneath the surface.
"We'll handle everything," Cassian stated calmly, but his tight jawline told me this was no joke.
After Cindy and Ethan left, I felt a wave of relief, my shoulders relaxing. The three of us stood in silence for a moment, hearing only the distant beat of music and laughter of guests.
"Why didn't you tell her the truth?" I asked, looking between the brothers.
Cassian answered first, his voice cool and analytical: "Ethan is from another Pack after all. Your privacy shouldn't be known to outsiders." His ice-blue eyes looked directly into mine. "Drake has something on you, and that's an internal Pack matter."
I bit my lower lip, considering. It made sense, but I hated lying to Cindy.
"What should I do?" I asked, instinctively looking toward Casper. I'd always turned to him for advice, ever since we were kids. "Should I go back to my mom's? I can't stay at your place forever."
"No," both brothers answered in unison, their voices so firm it startled me.
Casper stepped forward, his amber eyes fixed on mine. "That contract—we'll investigate it. Even if your mother did sign it, it might not be legally binding."
"Until then, you'd be better off staying at the Pack House," Cassian added. "We can guarantee your safety there."
I hesitated. "My mom won't allow it. She'll go crazy."
Casper flashed a confident smile that showed his canines, making my heart beat faster. "We'll make her agree. She's just a Beta."
The power implication in his words made me feel both secure and vaguely uneasy. I knew this was how pack hierarchy worked—Alpha power overrode everything. But using that power against my mother, as awful as she could be...
"I don't know..." I muttered.
"Trust us," Cassian said, his tone lacking Casper's enthusiasm but equally determined. "The question now is: do you trust us?"
I looked up at both of them, these twin brothers, one warm as sunshine, one cool as moonlight. They said they wanted me as their mate. The thought still shocked me.
"I do trust you," I finally said, my voice stronger than I expected. "But I need you to promise me one thing."
They waited, expressions focused.
"In front of Cindy... don't act too close." My cheeks felt hot. "Not yet, anyway. She's my best friend, and I don't want things to get complicated."
Casper's smile dimmed slightly, but he nodded. "Alright, Little Freckle. For now."
"Acceptable request," Cassian agreed, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. "Temporarily."
As we walked back to the reception hall, they positioned themselves on either side of me, forming an invisible shield. I felt Juno stretching contentedly inside me, like a cat basking in the sun.
You know they're just waiting to devour you, right? she whispered in my mind, her voice both a warning and anticipation.
I didn't answer her. Because at that moment, sandwiched between these two powerful Alpha heirs, feeling their heat and scent, I found I might not object to being devoured.