Once Rejected, Twice Desired (Book 1 of Blue Moon Series)
Once Rejected, Twice Desired Chapter 25

Alaia

POV

I slowly began to get into a routine with my new pack, and before I knew it, it was the day of the full moon.

Blue Moon pack was planning a big dinner and would end the night with a pack run. The dinner wasn't something done at every full moon, but because it was my first with them, Xander wanted to make it unique.

I was taking a walk through the gardens around the house when my phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts.

I checked the screen and saw my favorite picture of Jordyn and me on the caller ID.

I didn't realize I had missed her so much until I answered the call and immediately screamed in the receiver.

"ALAIA? What's wrong, are you alright?? Aaron, get in here now! We've got to get to the Blue-"

"Jordyn, calm down, I'm fine. I was just so excited that you called. I've missed you guys so-"

"What. The. ACTUAL. f**k ALAIA?! Why would you do that to me? My nerves are already bad enough with my f*****g Luna ceremony tonight, and then you pull some s**t like this? I'd kick your tiny a*s if you were here right now!" "I'm sorry, J, I didn't mean to scare you. How are you and Aaron? Are you guys ready for tonight?"

"Ugh, you b***h! I really hate you right now. Don't think I'll just forget about this. Anyway, I'm a nervous wreck, and I don't know what to do. I'm a fighter, not a Luna! I know I'm supposed to be Aaron's perfect compliment, but he's the friendly, approachable one. I just want to kick people's asses all day! I need you, Alaia; I need you here because I don't know if I can go through with this."

I wished I could be with Jordyn and Aaron so badly right now. Two of the most important people to me were taking huge steps in their lives, but because of some crazed possessive ex, I couldn't be there.

But why was I letting Alexi control me? Why should I miss something so important to me, so important to them, to keep from stirring the pot of jealousy?

I wouldn't. I wasn't going to let myself be afraid; I wasn't going to let someone else dictate my life.

"Jordyn? You're stronger than you think. You can do this. You don't have to be anyone's idea of what a Luna should be. All you have to do is support your Alpha; everything else will fall into place. Be the kick-a*s Luna you were born to be, and stand by my brother's side. Can you do that for me?"

"I can be a kick-a*s Luna?" she asked while sniffling into the phone.

"Of course you can, the Moon Goddess herself demands it!"

"I still wish you were here with us, but I feel so much better after talking to you. I will give you a call tomorrow, okay? I've got to find your mom and make sure everything is ready for tonight. I love you, girl."

"Love you too, Jordyn. Talk to you later."

I sat in the garden for a short while longer watching the flowers, feeling the breeze, and just enjoying the sun on my face.

My wolf was getting more and more agitated. The whole situation seemed to weigh heavier on her than I thought it should. And I was torn, what was I supposed to do?

I knew how important tonight was for Aaron and Jordyn, but I also knew that my safety was a priority.

We have to go back, Alaia. We need to be there tonight.

Amethyst? Why is this so important? What about Alexi?

I can't tell you that, Doll. What I can tell you is that I know without a doubt that we need to go back to Opal Moon tonight. This is written in our destiny.

I don't know why, but I feel it too. And I trust you.

Talk to our mate; you can make him understand.

I quickly stood up, dusted myself off, and rushed up to Xander's office.

He was sitting behind his desk working, but when he saw me, he immediately when into protection mode.

"Alaia? What's wrong, baby? Did something happen?"

He quickly crossed the floor and grabbed onto my arms, looking me over for injuries.

"I-I have to go...I have to go home, Xander."

***

Xander POV

Go home? This was her home now. She was a week away from officially being named my Luna, and she wanted to go back?

"What do you mean, 'Go home'? Your home is right here, Alaia. This is not an extended slumber party, and we are not just two people dating who occasionally sleepover at each other's place. You are my mate, and this packs Luna, so please explain to me why you now want to leave me; to leave us."

I felt like my heart was breaking; what had happened that made her change her mind about us? If it was Francesca, I'd peel her skin from her bones without a second thought.

Alaia shook her head frantically before answering.

"No! That's not what I meant; I'd never leave you, Xander. And I'd never leave our pack. I just need to go back to the Opal Moon pack for the Alpha ceremony tonight. Aaron and Jordyn need me, and I need to be there for them. I know that is my home now, and I love it here. I'm so sorry for my poor word choice earlier."

I heaved a sigh of relief. Alaia didn't want to leave me, but she wanted to put herself in danger; I was conflicted.

I wanted nothing more than to make her happy, but I also had to keep her safe.

"Alaia, you do understand the potential danger you'd face going back? You saw firsthand that Alexi was using dark magic. We don't know what his plan is; we don't even know how to find him."

"Please, Xander. I know I'll be safe with you by my side. I just really feel like I need to be there tonight. My wolf is telling me to go back, and I can't ignore her. I won't force this on you; if you feel that the danger outweighs the benefit, then I will try and let this go. But if you see any way for me to go back, just for a few hours, then please take me."

I ran over strategies quickly in my head before I looked down at Alaia's pleading eyes. She knew I couldn't deny her anything.

"Henry and his team will escort us in their wolf forms. Kade will remain here to stand in our place at the dinner and pack run. Matt will accompany us to Opal Moon and remain by your side if, at any point, I can't be. You cannot go off on your own, Alaia. You have to promise me that you'll stay with Matt or myself the entire night, even if it's just to go pee."

She rolled her eyes at my last statement, but she was getting what she wanted, so she didn't have much room to argue.

"It's a deal. Thank you so much, Xander. When do we leave?"

"I'll have the warriors here in fifteen. We'll head out in thirty minutes. I need to call your father and let him know of our arrival as well."

She stood on her tippy toes and kissed my cheek before spinning around and running to our room to get ready.

I had a feeling that tonight would be a night to remember in more ways than one.

***

Twenty minutes after I ended my call with Alpha Jonathan, I stood outside the pack house with Kade, Matt, Henry, and the rest of the escort team finalizing the details of the trip.

Even though we were going to Alaia's old pack and not some unknown territory, tensions were still a bit high.

"Alpha, we will guard her with our lives," Henry assured me before he and his team shifted.

Matt stepped closer and pulled Kade and me aside.

"Xander, have Alaia wear this bracelet tonight. It was given to me by one of the elders, and it's said that the center stone holds powerful protection properties against dark magic. The stone will begin to glow if, at any point, the wearer is being targeted. If Alexi tries to get to Alaia through a spell or potion, it will not affect her. It's very rare, the last of its kind, and has to be returned to the elders as soon as we return."

"If it so rare, why would the elders trust you with it?" Kade asked.

"I guess this pretty face really is good for something, now isn't it? Anyway," Matt said, returning his attention to me, "the stone will protect her spiritually, and we will protect her physically."

This bracelet was it. This stone was exactly what we needed to ensure Alaia's total safety. I had no doubt that a frontal attack against us would be quickly subdued, but I had no power against dark magic, and that scared me. I could now relax, just a bit, knowing that we had our bases covered.

"No one besides the three of us will know of what this bracelet does. Matt, if at any time it starts to glow, remain passive and send me a mindlink. I'll alert the escort team, and we can try and sift out anyone there who could be responsible. And thank you for this." "I've got to look out for my best friend, don't I?"

"Ugh! I see you two have this all handled, so I'll go back and do some real work. I'll go and entertain OUR pack while you're all off gallivanting with Opal Moon. Enjoy your party!" Kade said while mumbling and stomping up the porch stairs. "You love to rile him up, don't you?" I asked.

"I do. It keeps Kade humble," Matt replied with a sly grin.

Alaia then bounced down the stairs, clearly happy about tonight.

"Someone looks excited," I said. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, and thank you guys so much for doing this. I really appreciate it."

"Anything for my best friend! I'll meet you two in the car," Matt said, getting a smile from Alaia.

He then hopped in the driver's seat and started the engine.

I turned to her before she could follow behind him and took her hand.

"Baby, please be extra careful tonight, okay? I wouldn't be able to function if anything were to happen to you."

"I promise I'll stay by you or Matt's side the entire night. Everything will be okay. I'm meant to be there tonight; I just know it."

As she spoke, I removed the bracelet from my pocket and gently slid it onto her wrist.

She looked down at it then back up at me.

"Xander, this is beautiful."

"It is, and I want you to wear it tonight. Don't take it off, okay?"

I didn't tell her why, and she didn't ask. She just nodded her head before climbing into the back seat of the truck and buckling in.

***

The trip took a little over three hours. Once we arrived back on Opal Moon territory, we were immediately allowed to cross over the border, then escorted to the packhouse.

As we were making our way up the driveway, I looked over and saw Alaia's eyes glazed over; she was mindlinking someone. But she hadn't shifted yet, how was this possible? Her eyes became clear again as she looked at me.

"It's Aaron. As twins, we have been able to mindlink each other our entire lives. I can only link him, and he can only link me. He must have felt my presence when I crossed the border." "I guess that makes sense. Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Eh, it's always been our own twin thing. Because we've done it our whole lives, it's just normal for us now, and I guess no longer something that I find interesting enough to share." "Have you got any other cool superhero twin powers I should know about?"

"Ha! Not that I know of, but the night is young, and I may just surprise you," she added with a wink.

Just then, we pulled up front and parked the truck.

Aaron and Jordyn rushed out the front door and had engulfed Alaia in a hug.

I hadn't realized she was out of the car, but there she was being crushed to death by her family.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming when I called earlier?"

"I didn't know then. I spoke to Xander afterward, and we were able to quickly get everything in place."

"Thank the Goddess you're here, Alaia! My wolf had been hounding me for days about it," Aaron chimed in.

"Really? My wolf pushed me to come back tonight as well. I wonder what's got them so riled up."

“།

I guess we'll find out soon enough," he responded.

I then stepped up to Aaron and shook his hand.

"I'll be the first to congratulate you, Alpha Aaron. I look forward to us working together soon. This is my Gamma Matthew. He'll be looking out for Alaia's safety this evening alongside myself. There is also a second group of six of my warriors who will guard the perimeter. They will remain in their wolf forms."

Aaron turned to Matt and shook his hand.

"Gamma, it's nice to meet you. Thank you for being here to keep my sister safe."

"It's my pleasure, Alpha."

The group began to head into the house with Matt and me guarding Alaia's sides.

I saw Matt tense up a bit from the corner of my eye and decided to link him to find out if there was an issue.

Matt, everything okay?

Yes. But I have a question.

What is it?

Back in the car, if I heard correctly, Alaia and Aaron, they are twins?

Yes, they are-the only children born to Alpha Jonathan and his Luna.

Is Alaia the youngest?

She is, by six minutes, if I remember correctly. Where are you going with this?

I think I know why their wolves were so insistent on them being together tonight.

Okay?

I believe Alaia may be an Amethyst wolf.