Page 25 of Losing My Siren Luna
“What the hell is this?” I snapped, drawing all their attention to me. Killian is saying something, probably telling me to calm down, but I can’t hear him over the white noise of my rage in my head.
“Alpha?” Cherum slows his walk, looking at me questioningly.
I nod to his hand holding onto the skirt of her slip, pressed tightly against her thigh. Another fierce growl echoes down the halls from me, making all the maids jump in surprise.
He must catch my mood and what triggered it, because he quickly sets her on her feet, his hands lingering on her until she gets her footing. I step out to help her instead, but she takes a step back, backing into Cherum’s chest so he has to hold her shoulders to keep her steady.
She avoids my touch, but seems perfectly fine with his touch. That realization hurts.
“Ela almost fell going down the stairs,” Cherum explains, “Her feet were hurting due to her shoes, so I helped her to prevent her from hurting herself more.”
He’s the Delta, whose sole purpose is to serve and protect our Luna. This shouldn’t surprise or anger me. His father would have done the same for my mother, but I can’t stop the rampage of my jealousy raging inside me.
Not until I saw the look on Lira’s face.
My flaring nostrils slowly calm as the air freezes around me. She’s not impressed with my dominant display. Why would she be?
“Is there a problem, Alpha?” She asks coldly.
I send a fierce look at Cherum before I can stop myself, then instantly regret it when her expression grows even colder.
“Why didn’t you call for me if Lira was having trouble walking? I could have come to assist her. I don’t know how I feel about my Delta carrying my wife when she is dressed so provocatively.”
“My name is not Lira,” she snaps, “It’s Elelira, and you can address me directly since I am right here. There is no need to talk to Cherum as if I am not present. I assumed you would be retired for the evening with your guest from earlier, who was dressed far more provokingly than me. Why would we disturb you for something so menial whenmy Deltaso kindly offered to help? It is very unbecoming of an Alpha to put down his own member and ranked warrior for just doing his job.”
Panic fills me, knowing I messed up once again. Killian is snarling and cursing at me for my endless transgressions to our mate today when we were supposed to be winning her favor.
“I’m sorry,” I hang my head, “I just don’t like the idea of another man touching you.”
She snorts.The sound would make me chuckle at the cuteness of it if I wasn’t so worried about pissing her off more. “That’s supremely hypocritical of you, don’t you think?”
Chapter 9
We stand in an awkward stare off, her face remaining cold and displeased, and I’m sure I look like a total prick about to drop to her feet and grovel for her forgiveness. Cherum and Niomi start directing the maids to enter Lira’s new room with her belongings. Niomi follows the last of the maids in, calling out agitated directions about where to put everything. She stops momentarily at the door while looking back at Lira for any indication that she might need to stay with her. Lira nods at her, giving her a reassuring smile. Niomi sighs, then continues to direct the maids, moving about the room as they busy themselves with the task.
Cherum remains behind Lira, a protective hand still on her shoulder. Is he trying to protect her from me? I’m her mate and his Alpha.
A brief glance at his face and I can see disapproval there towards me.
“Lira, I’m sorry. I reacted before thinking.”
“Again, it’s Elelira, and I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”
She wants me to apologize to him?! I want to groan, but I know better. Picking a fight with Cherum won’t do me any good right now, especially when it seems they are growing closer to one another. Close enough for him to be calling her by a nickname instead of calling her Luna like he should. I get scolded every time my nickname for her slips out. He can touch her and call her nicknames, and I’m not allowed to do either of those.
I fight to keep the glare out of my eyes as I turn them up to look at him. “I’m sorry, Cherum, for misunderstanding the situation.”
He pulls on his beard, twirling the tip in his fingers like he’s contemplating my apology. “The growling really hurt my feelings too, Alpha.”
Oh, I’m going to run his ass into the ground during training in the morning.
Lira tilts her chin up expectantly, waiting for me to continue apologizing, I’m sure.
I sigh heavily, running a hand down my face, wishing I could wipe off the shame of this moment. Me, an alpha, apologizing to my Delta for fucking growling. Growling!
“Serves your headstrong ass right,”Killian growls in my head. “You don’t deserve time with her anyway. Give me control and I’ll do what you are too stupid to accomplish.”
“What’s that?”I snarl at him in my head.
