Page 91 of Moonlight and Mischief
“It takes time to build trust. And you have many years of deceit,” Slate says, his voice low.
Hazel chews on her lip, glancing up at her mate. He nods, ending their silent conversation, and says, “But we will meet with you.”
The tension lowers, though no one truly lets down their guard. Hazel leads Sienna toward the shallow end of this stretch of creek so they can stand ankle-deep and discuss matters privately. Sienna looks as if she’s smelled something disgusting as she steps into the water and I want to laugh.
As the three Alphas speak quietly, I approach my sister. Stepping off a flat rock, I stop a few feet from her. Ember stands stiffly, her obsidian irises cold as she regards me.
“How are you doing?” I ask.
She idolized both of our parents so Ferris’s death must be difficult for her. It doesn’t surprise me that she sees Sienna’s actions as a betrayal, leaving her without a parent she can trust.
Her voice is hoarse and full of malice. “What do you care?”
“He was my father too,” I reply, my tone a soft reminder.
Ember’s nose wrinkles as she sneers. “I believe he said otherwise after you objectively failed the pack.”
“Are you on speaking terms with mom?” I ask, nodding toward Sienna.
She decides not to answer. Instead, her hand goes to Hawk’s wrist. “Someday I will be Alpha, and you will only be,” she pauses, “what you are now.” Her disdain is a physical weight, but I let it slide off of me.
“Happy?” I supply.
“Pathetic.” She turns her nose up.
There’s no sense in telling her that I’m now Beta. It wouldn’t make a difference, and it’s not the driving factor in my happiness or my sense of success.
“You are still my sister. If you need me, you can call, and I’ll answer,” I say, even though she pretends not to hear me.
Hawk regards me, the same indecision on his face as during our fight to reclaim our territory.
“Take care of her. If you hurt her, I will destroy you,” I growl. He doesn’t flinch, just regards me coolly. It still makes me uneasy to not know this male so close to my sister.
Ember’s hand releases Hawk’s as she turns away. Her nails are a sharp, black manicure against the white of her fingers as her fists clench.
I hope it’s not the last time I see my sister. But just in case, I want to leave nothing unsaid. “Ember, I love you.”
“Eat shit,” she growls under her breath.
Exhaling sharply, I turn away. Marigold’s blue-green eyes are full of concern as I make my way back to her, stepping from rock to rock. “That didn’t sound good.”
Sighing, I pull her close. “She’s angry. She’s always angry. But her world is upside down right now.” She nods sympathetically. “Honestly, I’m worried what she’ll do,” I murmur against her ear.
“It’ll be okay,” she reassures me.
“I hope so. My father controlled her, and now with only my mother… I don’t know.”
Her hands tighten on my biceps. “You’ve done everything you can. Nothing that happens is on you.” Her words help, but it’s her sweet smile that breaks through my worry.
“Jasper,” Hazel calls. She signals me to come over.
I stride toward them, slowing as the shallow water ripples around my ankles. Sienna’s smile thins as I approach.
“You know our Beta,” Hazel says with a vindictive smile. “Jasper, could you take some notes for us? I’d like your feedback.”
“Of course,” I say, pulling out my phone. She doesn’t need notes from me, but she wants Sienna to see my new position. To show her that she was wrong. I busy myself typing into my notes app, resisting the urge to look up at my mother.
“Sienna, please continue,” Hazel says.
