8

Draco's POV ~

She's stunning. Please, Goddess.. don't let her be an insipid little twit like her twin! I doubt I could take two years of that! I walked in, seeing Naomi in a headlock and tapping out. That tells me she at least has some skills. But.. seeing that face every day? Being reminded of my unfaithful mate every single day? I don't know.. I just don't know!

I'm seated at the dinner table, when she walks in with Naomi.. she is dressed in skinny jeans and a graphic tee that states 'I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious" and it took me a minute to understand. Funny!

They're laughing and I hear Naomi say "Yeah, yeah! Double or nothing tomorrow! Let it ride?" Aurora laughed "Fine.. tomorrow you'll owe me twenty!" She steps over to me.. sticking her hand out, says "Aurora Heartsong, Alpha Arconium. It's nice to officially meet you.. without my legs wrapped around another woman!" I laughed and shook her hand.

Culver said "What? Scissors?! Where was I?" She grinned "No! Headlock! And you are?" He laughs "Gamma! Culver Muldoon!" Nodding, she sat down beside Naomi, and I introduced her to Adrian. He said "Holy Fuck! You look just like your sister!"

Her face darkened and she quietly said "You're mistaken. I do not have a sister. I do, however, have a brother. We're orphans.. by choice. And that is all I will say about that."

She asked me "Will I be inducted into the pack, Alpha? Isla is driving me crazy to run, and I didn't allow her to. It's dangerous without a mind link." I nodded "How about we take care of that, after dinner?" She smiled brightly, and thanked me.

Adrian linked  The resemblance is uncanny.. if they were side by side, I couldn't tell them apart.  they are very different. Her eyes light up.. her smile is genuine. Even her hair is a shade lighter. Most importantly, her personality is actually present. Amelia had none. Adrian started choking.. and Aurora immediately patted him on the back, admonishing him to be careful and chew his food better. Making me laugh. Okay.. maybe I can get through the next couple years.

She knocks on my office door and Adrian admits her. She smiles and sits down. Then says "Fire away. I know you have questions." I shook my head "I honestly don't. I read your college transcripts.. your senior thesis. You are more than qualified, in my opinion. Your brother filled us in on personal details.. and only because I admit to being concerned about your banishment.. when I heard."

She nodded, saying "Let me guess. Anderson painted me as a disrespectful little jit who ran rampant around the pack house, always wanting my way?" Adrian barked out a laugh.. "Pretty much". Again, she nodded "Did he tell you he wanted to keep me? So Axel wouldn't weaken? He expected me to just accept he was mated to the twat.. and I don't know.. let it destroy me? His father tried to command me to accept his decision and suck it up. Dumbass didn't realize he had never been able to command me to do shit, my entire life."

I chuckled "No.. he didn't tell me that. He didn't even tell me you were his mate. Just that you resented him for going against the Goddess's edicts." She grins "Yep! Sounds about right.. He likes to think he's a master at the art of deflection! I do want you to know how very sorry I am that you are going through this! The first couple months can be hell! So, if you ever need to just talk.. know that I will listen.. in a been there, done that kinda way"

She apologized.. literally feels bad for me having to face rejection. Definitely not a shallow person! I believe I will be able to see her every day and not be hurt by it! I ask "What made you choose law?" She sat up straighter and said "That's easy.. With the integration into the human world, shifters are facing a million problems. Land encroachments.. false accusations.. insurance liabilities because of our strengths. I didn't.. I don't.. want to see our kind being taken advantage of. I know the ins and outs of shifter's laws.. but I also know the ins and outs of human laws. If I can help it, I will not allow our species to be taken advantage of! We have the right to govern ourselves.. without being on the outside of any laws!"

I smile at how passionate she is.. so I ask "Why didn't Amelia further her education?" She laughed "Oh she did! At sixteen, she decided she was Luna..and only needed to smile and look pretty. That takes a lot of hard work!" Adrian laughed again "Yeah.. I think she failed that Luna course."

Aurora rolled her eyes "Still wearing her slut costumes, then? She believes less is more..and all eyes should be on her. I never understood the concept, if I'm honest with myself."

I said "Let's get you inducted into the pack! Then Isla can run.. maybe Asmodeus can show you around?" She smiles and said "Sounds good to me!"

She swore allegiance and I felt her bond snap into place.. I linked  Can you hear me? She grinned and responded  Feels good to have a link again. It's only been Caleb and I for so long. Isla is practically purring! I laughed.. "The image of a wolf purring is funny!

I asked "Did you want to run a bit, tonight? It might do her some good to stretch it out!" She nodded saying yes, please. We headed outside.. I had decided to take her towards the southern border.. the terrain was a little flatter and easier to maneuver in the dark.

She shifted into a large silver wolf. Nearly the size of a normal Alpha.. it's obvious she's an Alpha born Beta! And Isla is beautiful! I called Asmodeus forward, and we took off running. Isla was an adorable, playful wolf. Bouncing over Asmo's back.. and nipping his heels. She yipped and chased a snow rabbit down a hole.

We reached an overlook and stopped to rest a minute. Isla began singing.. a soulful sound that pulled at my soul. Then, I realized.. she is a Heartsong.. and this is exactly how they got their name! She sang for about twenty minutes.. I heard others joining in.. A grateful, happy sound. Something new for us!