Chapter 0022

The school bell rang, signaling the end of another exhausting day. I dropped Nathaniel off at his place before heading home alone. The moment I stepped through the front door, my father Grant gave me that knowing smirk. "No mysterious gifts today, Evelyn?"

My expression must have betrayed my turmoil because his smile vanished instantly. "Sweetheart?"

I collapsed onto the living room couch, exhaling sharply. Then I told him everything about the extravagant lunch delivered to me. His low whistle cut through the tension as he studied me carefully. "That could mean several things, Evelyn."

Wordlessly, I handed him the note. His eyes scanned the message, then lingered on it just as mine had. "Well, that removes all ambiguity. What did Selene think? I imagine she was quite pleased?"

"Ecstatic," I snorted. "Finally getting the worship she believes is her birthright."

Evander surged forward as my father's emerald eyes flashed brighter. "She's a Guardian and my cub. Any male should consider himself honored to court her. This is precisely the respect a Guardian and my daughter merits." His gravelly tone left no room for argument.

Grant wrestled control back from Evander, and we exchanged an exasperated look. Our wolves could be... overly proud sometimes. "Any leads on your secret admirer?" he asked, changing topics.

"None whatsoever. I eliminated most trainees this morning when they mocked me about yesterday's flowers."

"Could it be Alpha Sebastian?" His knowing look told me he'd noticed our flirtations, though I hadn't mentioned our private conversation Friday night. My feelings about that encounter remained unresolved.

"Doubtful. He actually texted me last night after hearing about the flowers. Pretty sure it's not him."

"Oh! The owner of Celestia personally delivered my meal today." Another whistle from Grant. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Might be Alpha Adrian."

I doubled over laughing until my sides ached. "Dad, hate to disappoint you, but Alpha Adrian doesn't even recognize me."

His eyebrow arched in silent question.

"Last week he literally asked my name and which pack I belonged to."

A growl rumbled through the room - whether from Grant or Evander, I couldn't tell. I quickly intervened before this reached Alpha Alistair's ears. "It's fine, Dad. He'll remember eventually."

After training and dinner, I was finishing homework when my phone buzzed. Sebastian's name flashed on the screen. I sighed - this confrontation was inevitable.

"Good evening, Sebastian. What brings this unexpected call?"

"I believe you know exactly why I'm calling, Evelyn. Yesterday you claimed it was 'just flowers, not a romantic dinner.'"

"Well... technically it wasn't dinner," I hedged awkwardly. How could I explain when I didn't understand it myself?

"Shall I join you for lunch tomorrow?" Even through the phone, his possessive energy pulsed - an Alpha sensing competition for his intended mate. His patience had limits, and now he perceived a rival.

"Don't trouble yourself, Sebastian. Surely you have better things to do than eat cafeteria food."

"Selene accepted the tribute." His statement required no confirmation, but I answered anyway. "Yes."

The prolonged silence made me wonder if he'd crushed his phone in anger. "Sebastian?"

"I'll see you soon, Evelyn." The abrupt click left me staring at the darkened screen.

I decided to turn in early. Opening my window to the warm night air, I lay awake analyzing the implications. Selene now had two wolves vying for her - which meant two Alphas claiming me. My wolf practically vibrated with satisfaction at the thought.

'Are you insane? One of them could seriously hurt the other!'

'Only if the challenger isn't also an Alpha.' The image of two dominant males fighting over her sent Selene into such intense purring I expected the bed to shake.

For me, the terrifying possibility remained - what if neither was my destined mate? Would there eventually be three wolves battling for me?

'We could call it "The Alpha Games" or "Luna's Choice." Maybe "Guardian's Conquest?"' Selene suggested unhelpfully.

'For moon's sake! Our duty is to maintain peace, not start wars!'

'Human emotions. In our world, only the strongest claims the female. This is natural.' Her calm certainty infuriated me.

Rolling over, I punched my pillow. I needed to uncover my secret admirer's identity before this escalated further.

The question haunted me as sleep finally claimed me: What if this courtship wasn't about affection at all, but pack politics? If Adrian had learned about Sebastian's interest, might this be his way of ensuring I remained with Blackthorn Pack?

Moon goddess help us all - two Alphas preparing to war over a Luna? History showed such conflicts devastated entire regions. And the terrifying truth? Selene would happily watch them destroy each other for the chance to choose the victor.