Betrayed Luna's Fated Mate

-Brendon-

My mate could be cruel in the best kind of way, and she loved taunting me, using her father's orders against me. Of course, the moment I could touch her, there would be retribution, but until then, she held all the power, and she relished it. As we had gotten dressed and went to meet her family downstairs, as they were the only ones allowed in the meeting plus me because I was Celeste's mate, she taunted me again. Her hair was up, and she flung it over her shoulder, sending her intoxicating scent toward me and sending my heart racing. I almost missed a step, and I couldn't hide the groan that left me.

She chuckled happily, continuing down the stairs as I reached out to steady myself. My eyes met her father's, who saw the obvious trick Celeste was putting on me, and he loved that his daughter was putting my resolve to the rest. However, after surviving these torturous 24 hours, I knew everything would be forgiven and my alpha would know I was fully loyal to him, which would please him greatly and make sure our bond stood strongly.

"Why are you smiling like that?" my luna asked her alpha.

"Like what, lovely?" he asked innocently.

"That strange smirk? And why is Celeste smiling exactly like you?"

"She is my daughter, of course she looks like me."

Celeste walked over to him, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer and kissing her on top of her head before turning to me. It was another taunt, another way to show everyone else could touch her except me. Goddess, give me strength, I thought inside myself as I continued down. Jason was obviously the only one feeling bad for me, as he shrugged off a small apology for not being able to do much for me.

"Okay, I am missing something here," my luna said, glancing between us all. "Celeste?"

Celeste was too honest and too good to keep anything, so she spilled the truth, "Dad told Brendon he couldn't touch me for 24 hours."

"Richard!" she scolded.

"What?" he asked, not looking guilty at all.

"They are true mates! What if someone told you not to touch me for 24 hours?"

"It happened."

"When? Your dad never ordered that."

"No, yours did. He didn't believe I could keep myself in control, and to prove I was worthy of you, he demanded it."

"Oh Goddess!" my luna exclaimed, shaking her head and thinking it was a foolish demand.

"It's good training and an important lesson," my alpha said and turned to me, but I wasn't looking at him. I focused on Celeste, who wasn't far from me but completely out of reach still.

She gave me her sweetest little smile, and I felt my entire body shake. I felt as if I were 18 again and was unable to claim Celeste because she was still too young, but I knew in my heart she would be mine. This was fucking hell! "This is cruel," my luna said.

"No, it's the perfect punishment. Now let's go," my alpha ordered before grabbing his mate and guiding her with him.

Jason followed after his parents, and I watched Celeste, who blew me a kiss before following her brother.

"You know once I can't touch you, you will be at my mercy, right?" I whispered lowly, but I knew she heard me, and instead of answering me, she just let out a little giggle.

Oh, when we got our hands on her, my wolf growled in my head.

Yes, once I could touch her, she was definitely going to feel how true the words what goes around, comes around, were.

-Celeste-

I had fun this morning with Brendon, but as we neared the house where important meetings between alphas were held, I grew worried, and all I wanted was to throw myself at Brendon and let his touch comfort me, but Jason had been told he couldn't drive on his own today, so his big alpha body could be the wall between me and Brendon. It was obvious my father didn't believe I could last long either, and he was right in believing so. I kept glancing around Jason to look at Brendon, and he returned the look before Jason had to reach out and press us back to ensure we stayed in our seats.

"Why am I their babysitter?" Jason groaned.

"Another lesson," our father replied as he drove the car.

"How so?"

"Okay, I lied. I just find it funny," he chuckled, making Jason sigh and shake his head. Our mother reached out and lightly swatted our father's arm, but I could see an amused smile on her lips too.

This was truly torture, and I was so glad when we finally arrived at the house that stood out in the middle of nowhere. A lot of warriors were present because the house was placed in no man's land, meaning other rogues and lone wolves could come by.

My dad parked the car, and we got out before walking inside. Brendon stayed close to me, and I was glad to feel his reassuring presence behind me. We descended a small staircase and then entered a big meeting room where Zack and his family were waiting, as well as other alphas from the area. Some of their territories were between Zack's and mine, meaning Brendon and the others had crossed more than one territory without notice, and because if there was going to be a pack war, sides were going to be picked.

"Ah, we are all here now," one of the other alphas said. They were going to direct the meeting, giving us all time to speak and because they could stay neutral in the whole case. "Let's sit."

We all took our seats, and I saw that I ended up sitting right in front of Zack, who was smiling at me. I gulped, but luckily I was flanked by my father and Jason. Brendon had ended up sitting away from me again. I didn't like it. I wanted to be close to him, but this was how it was going to be.

"Let's begin then," the alpha in charge said. "Alpha Richard, your son and his friends crossed multiple borders without notice. While you don't need permission to cross because of our agreements and close friendships, it's important to let us now. Their racing caused disturbance, and we hear they showed up armed at Alpha Victor's place, demanding to see his son. You understand what a direct threat that is right?"

My father nodded, but he looked as calm as ever.

"There was an incident that prompted this," my father revealed. "Explain."

"It seems my daughter came earlier in the day to talk to Zack, simply a friendly visit, but he took it as more and made an obvious and unwanted pass at her. This is not the first time, as it was witnessed at the last dinner between us."

The other alphas glanced at each other, having heard or seen the incident as well.

"Celeste, as a good and honest mate, revealed this to Brendon. As mates, it's natural for him to want to defend her and what he deems as his," my father continued. He may be mad at Brendon for acting irrational and dragging the others down with him, but my father also understood his reasons and didn't fault him for wanting to protect me. "And according to the old law, he actually has every right to do so."

My father turned to Alpha Victor, glaring at him, and the other alpha glared at him too.

"Is this true?" the alpha in charge asked.

"There has been a misunderstanding," Alpha Victor replied without taking his eyes away from my father. "My son did no such thing. Your daughter has just recognized she isn't being satisfied by someone who isn't an alpha and has come to my son for that."

A terrifying growl spread in the room, and I was certain it came from Brendon for a moment, but then I noticed everyone was staring at me, and I realized it was me who was growling. I cleared my throat, getting it to stop, but when I glanced at Brendon, he was smiling.

"Celeste?" the other alpha questioned.

"I'm perfectly happy with who my mate is. I don't need an alpha, and I have never made any attempts to flirt with Zack or tell him I was interested."

"Maybe you sent mixed signals," Alpha Victor suggested.

"I did not. I made no attempts."

"Then why did you come alone?" he questioned, making me look down as I saw now what a terrible move I had made coming alone.

"I..."

"My daughter is not tied to Brendon and can move around as she wants to. She also represents this family, and coming to see your son should never have been perceived as anything but a way to make sure our connections between our packs stay strong," my father quickly jumped in and said.

I turned to him, smiling up at him, but he wasn't focused on me, keeping the alpha role. Alpha Victor certainly wasn't pleased, and I could see he wanted to tell my father it was my own fault for getting into the situation I ended up in, but then the other alphas cut in.