Chapter 15: An Angry Queen

CONNOR

I let out a sigh, rubbing my forehead and shifting my gaze to the woman beside me. It was our first official morning as Luna and Alpha of the pack.

I should have been thrilled, but Elaine’s sour mood was making it hard to feel any joy.

“Are you upset?” I asked, causing Elaine to glance my way.

“No,” she grumbled.

Elaine had been acting off since the crack of dawn. She seemed angry, even ignoring me when I tried to start a conversation. Was it because of what happened last night?

I thought we both agreed to have sex and that it was okay. It might not have been part of our agreement, but we both wanted it. At least ~I~ did.

I was still surprised to learn Elaine was a virgin. Had she really been saving herself for her mate all this time?

“So what’s wrong?” I asked again. Elaine let out a sigh loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.

“Nothing, Connor. Just hurry up. I want to leave.”

I clenched my jaw, turning my face away from her. We were supposed to be on our honeymoon, but Elaine decided it was better to skip it and get straight to work.

She had a point. There was a lot we needed to do, but taking a day off wouldn’t hurt, right?

We both looked up as the dining room doors swung open. My father and Elaine’s father entered, flanked by a few pack members.

All of them were warriors from Elaine’s father’s pack.

“Good morning,” my father greeted.

“Alpha, Luna. Good to see you,” Alpha Atlas greeted with a smile.

Elaine barely glanced at them before continuing to eat. I cleared my throat and returned their greetings.

“We thought you two would be on your honeymoon,” Alpha Atlas said, looking at Elaine, who simply ignored him. “Is something wrong?”

“We’re going to start working and making some changes around the pack. It’s best if we get used to the environment here,” I explained, causing both men to frown.

“Excuse me?” my father retorted. “The rules are clear. The new Alpha and Luna spend the first week together outside the pack to strengthen their bond.”

I sighed and rested my chin on my hands. He was starting to get on my nerves.

“It’s pack rules,” my father continued.

“And as the new Alpha and Luna of this pack, we make the rules,” Elaine suddenly snapped. I frowned as I saw her nails lengthen. “It’s not your place to tell us what to do.”

Elaine’s eyes were still the same blue, but I could feel Ashina lurking just beneath the surface.

“I decide to stay, so I stay. Are we fucking clear?” Elaine growled, causing a few of the pack members to bow their heads in submission.

I was about to step in. There was no need for her to react like that.

“I said, are we fucking clear?” Elaine growled again, slamming her hand down. Her chair screeched as she glared at the group of men.

Both our fathers bowed their heads, and the others followed suit.

“Elaine, calm down,” I tried to intervene. “There’s no need to get so angry.”

Elaine was huffing, so I reached for her arm, but she bared her teeth at me.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” Elaine snapped. I lowered my hand and looked at her, taken aback.

“What’s the problem—”

“Fucking problem?” Elaine grumbled as she turned to face me. “I’m setting things straight. That’s what’s happening.”

My jaw tightened as she glared at me. Standing up, I slowly straightened my shirt and looked at her. That kind of behavior wasn’t acceptable, especially not in front of my father and the rest of the pack members.

“I warned you about how you talk to me,” I growled back. “Don’t forget who I am.”

The tension between Elaine and me filled the room. Our fathers couldn’t stop shifting uncomfortably as we argued.

“Likewise, Alpha,” Elaine snapped. “I’m the Luna and queen of this pack as well. So don’t forget we’re both in the same position.”

Elaine spun on her heel and stormed out of the room. I let out a groan of frustration and followed her before the shackles took effect.

“Elaine!” I called, trying to get her to stop. “ELAINE!”

This time, I grabbed her arm and stopped her. Elaine spun around furiously and slammed us against a nearby wall. I furrowed my eyebrows as I glared at her.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Connor. Just because you got to fuck me last night doesn’t mean you own me or that I’ll bow down to you.

“No, you’re wrong,” Elaine growled. “Not for a second have I felt or even thought about doing what you want. So forget about ever fucking me again or even touching me without my permission.

“This is a fucking agreement, so do your part and stay out of mine.”

Elaine shoved me away and walked off. I took a deep breath to calm down, but I was seething.

I stayed where I was, feeling a burning sensation spread up my arm. A few more steps and we’d both be in pain.

“Move!” Elaine screeched. I slammed my fist against the wall and followed her.

As we turned to go down the stairs, we both stopped. I frowned as I saw who was standing at the bottom.

“Good morning, Alpha, Luna,” Elaine’s brother and my brother greeted.

I let out a warning growl at Sorin.

“I warned you,” I snapped as I descended the stairs. “I told you to stay away from Elaine.”

Sorin scoffed and then looked up at Elaine, who was staring back with a sad expression. My lycan stirred inside me as we both stood in front of him.

“Get out!” I ordered.

“No!” Elaine growled from behind me. I whipped my head around. Was she serious?

“Excuse me?” I retorted. “I gave an order.”

“And I’m tossing one right back at you,” Elaine shot back. “I’m the one who invited Sorin. You don’t get to kick him out.”

A growl of frustration rumbled from my chest, shaking the walls and stairs. How could she dismiss my warning so easily?

“Lay a finger on him, and you’re dead,” Elaine threatened, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper.

I bit the inside of my cheek as Elaine brushed past me, heading straight for Sorin and her brother. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm of anger inside me, but it was a losing battle.

Without a second thought, I grabbed Elaine’s arm and pulled her out of the hallway. I heard her brother shout something, but we were already in one of the guest rooms before he could finish.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Elaine exploded. My hands clenched into fists as my lycan fought to take over. “Answer me, Connor.”

“I told you not to look at anyone else,” I muttered, barely audible. “I warned you last night.”

Elaine’s face was a blank mask, and it unnerved me.

“Still jealous?” Elaine sneered. “Listen, I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but if you think for even a second that I could have feelings for you, you’re mistaken.

“I will ~never~ have feelings for you, Connor, and I certainly won’t accept you as my mate.”

My lycan recoiled as her words hit us.

“I will never, in this life or any other, consider you my mate.” Elaine leaned in closer. “So stop acting like a jealous fool or like you fucking own me. Because no one owns me, Connor, and you ~never~ will.”

I hung my head. Elaine just watched as I sank further into despair. Her words were a knife to my heart.

“This is just until we figure out how to get out of this mess,” Elaine murmured. “Once we do, we’ll break this ridiculous bond.”

My head snapped up as I processed what she was saying. Breaking the bond would mean we’d both be mateless for the rest of our lives. Was she out of her mind?

“So that’s what you want?” I asked.

“Yes,” Elaine replied, her voice icy. I was stunned.

“Fine then,” I growled, lifting my head. “I want the same thing, once we escape this fucking nightmare.”

Elaine turned to face me. My chest ached as I saw the smile spreading across her face.

“Good. Then we’re on the same page.” Elaine’s smile grew wider. “Now let’s get to work. We have to meet with the warriors. That’s why Sorin and my brother are here.”

Elaine gave my shoulder a pat as she walked out, acting as if nothing had happened. Not wanting to know if she meant every word, I turned and followed her out of the room.