Avoiding Alpha

I looked to Dastien as he crossed his arms, mouth pressed in a firm line. Still he gave a tiny nod, telling me it was okay but that he was worried. I was worried, too.



Even if she got this way during the full moon, I didn’t like it. Adrian—the only Were here who also had brujo blood—had mentioned trying to figure out a way to break the curse before, but I’d gotten caught up in all the vampy-werewolfish stuff. It was time for me to be as good a friend to Meredith as she’d been to me.



She stood and I held my arms out, ready to catch her if she fell again. She slapped them away. “Chill. I’m fine.”



“If you say so.” But I still watched her as she walked away, ready to jump into action.



“I say so.” She went through the bathroom that joined our two rooms together. “See you in the AM.” She closed the door to my room and the water turned on.



I turned off the music on my laptop and climbed back in my bed.



Dastien toed off his shoes. He was still fully clothed in jeans and a plain gray T-shirt.



“You think she’ll be okay?” I asked as he slid under the covers with me.



“Oui.” He opened his arms, so I settled down with my head on his chest. “Weres don’t get dizzy, but she does on full moon days. It’s a little early for that, but she could be having an off day. Things have been tense around here.”



He wasn’t joking. Vampires had invaded campus my first week at St. Ailbe’s. My second week, Dastien, Mr. Dawson—the principal—and a few others had gotten kidnapped as part of a werewolf coup. Since then, the pack had been a little stressed. It was slowly getting better, but it’d taken a toll on everyone.



He ran his fingers through my hair. “I’m sure she’ll be okay once the moon passes.”



“She’d better be,” I said.



“I’m heading out to patrol, but I wanted to come say goodnight before I left.” The campus had been on lockdown every night since the vampires had shown up on campus. They hadn’t come back so far, but he spent at least part of every evening making sure no vampires came back.



“Okay,” I said, but I really wanted him to stay.



“But then I heard what you two were talking about…”



I scrunched my eyes shut. This was so embarrassing.



“We have to do the Full Moon Ceremony this month, cherie. I know you’re scared about changing and what the ceremony means, but the Tribunal starts next Wednesday. If we don’t do it now, our case won’t be as strong. I have to do everything in my power to make sure you’re safe and that we have a future together.”



Dastien had broken werewolf law number one when he bit me. He’d lost control. Usually that meant death, but since we were true mates, Donovan and Sebastian—two of the Seven—pardoned us. Unfortunately, I lost control shortly after that and nearly ripped out Dastien’s ex-girlfriend’s neck, which brought up the issues all over again. Imogene deserved it, but her father still filed a complaint against us, calling for a formal Tribunal. Nothing could stop that once the process started.



Next week, the Seven and a bunch of other pack alphas would come to St. Ailbe’s to decide our punishment. Everyone kept saying it would be okay, but Dastien was right. We needed every little thing we could get to help our case.



I knew in my head and in my heart that doing the Full Moon Ceremony was the right move, but I was still nervous. “So, what comes after the ceremony?”



Dastien pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “That’s entirely up to you. I’m not rushing you on anything else. I think I’ve done that enough.”



I sat up enough to look at him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I meant that. I really, truly loved Dastien.



As our mate-bond settled in, we grew more in tune with each other. Meredith swore that after we did the Full Moon Ceremony silent conversation over any distance would be just as easy as actually talking. Until then, we could only feel the other’s strong emotions.



His love burned hot through our bond as he held me.



Someone knocked on my door, shouting something in French.



“That’s my cue,” Dastien said.



“Are you coming back tonight?”



His frown made his left dimple show up. “We’re hunting the far grounds. It’ll be really late before I get back, and you need your sleep. Dr. Mozan’s test is tomorrow, right?”



I nodded.



“Good luck. I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch, okay?”



“Okay. Stay safe.”



“Always, cherie.” He got up, pressing another soft kiss against my lips. “Want me to get the light?”