Chapter 47 " Elaine !! Tell me it's true . It's true , right ? Darius is not pulling our leg , right ? " Roselyn burst into her room without knocking , her voice carrying down the hall . She nearly tripped over herself in her rush , her face glowing with excitement . Elaine looked up from where she was folding a blanket , startled but already smiling at the sight of Roselyn's boundless energy . " I don't know if it's true , " she teased , tilting her head and letting her lips curve mischievously " I don't know what Darius told you . " " Oh my God ! " Roselyn squealed , practically bouncing onto the bed beside her . " He said you're together . We are so excited ! Elaine , you have no idea how long we've been waiting for him to finally admit it . Since you came here , we could all see how much he cares for you . We didn't say anything because we wanted to give you space , give you time to heal . But we knew . Wie saw it in every little thing he did - making sure you rested , standing guard outside your door like some lovesick wolf , making sure you are comfortable and safe . And now he has finally told you ! We are so , so happy . " Her words came like rapid - fire , a hundred per second , and Elaine couldn't help but laugh softly . Roselyn's enthusiasm was like a storm , sweeping everyone along with it . " Yes , we are together , " Elaine admitted , her cheeks warming . " But ... it's like on a trial basis . I'm still worried , Roselyn . What if he finds his fated mate ? " The younger woman's smile softened , her tone shifting from giddy to serious . " I understand . But you have to know something . He's been searching for a long time . He's gone to every mating ball , visited countless packs , tried everything . And yet nothing . Then he met you , and wham ! " Roselyn clapped her hands together dramatically , her eyes shining . " You became his world . I know this because he's my brother , Elaine . I've never seen him act this way . The care , the protectiveness , the softness - he only shows that with you . He loves you . " Elaine swallowed , her heart tightening at those words . " I know ," she whispered . " I feel the same way . But the mate bond ... it's sacred to me . I can't pretend it isn't . I won't stand in the middle of two wolves the Goddess made for each other . I've been there before , Roselyn , and it was not fun . The pain , the jealousy , the constant ache of knowing you're second choice . I don't want anyone to feel that way . " 1/3 Chapter 47 Make Roselyn's eyes softened with sympathy , and without hesitation , she pulled Elaine into a warm hug . " Yeah , I know , " she murmured against her shoulder . When she pulled back , her face brightened again , though her words carried a playful scold . But three years , Elaine ? A three - year trial period? That's way too long ! Mom was over the moon when she heard you both chose each other , but she nearly fainted when Darius told her she had to wait three whole years for the Luna ceremony . She's disappointed , and honestly , so am I. " She crossed her arms dramatically , her pout making Elaine laugh again . " I know ," Elaine admitted . " To be honest , I don't like waiting either . But I need time , Roselyn . Right now , what I feel for Darius is real , and I know his feelings are too . But fate doesn't always give us what we want . Sometimes it gives us something entirely different . " Roselyn sighed , flopping back on the bed , her hair spilling like a dark halo . " Yeah , you're right . Still ... I hope when I find my mate , it won't be so complicated . I want it to be simple . A smooth ride ." Elaine smirked , amused by the irony . " How will you ever find him if you refuse to go to mating balls ? Every year you skip them . And when visiting packs come , you make sure you're out ' exploring ' somewhere far away . " Roselyn sat up quickly , eyes wide with mock guilt . " Well , maybe I'm not ready to find him yet ! Just like you , I want time for myself . To enjoy being single , to have freedom before the Moon Goddess ties me to someone forever . " She laughed , brushing off the topic with her usual carefree spirit . Elaine arched a brow , her tone playful but laced with warning . " Don't let Darius hear that . Right now , he thinks it's all a coincidence . He doesn't know you're purposely avoiding meeting your mate . " Roselyn gasped , grabbing her hand in panic . " Don't say anything ! If he finds out , he'll drag me to the next ball himself and chain me there until I talk to someone . Promise me you won't tell him ! " Elaine couldn't help it - she laughed , truly laughed , the sound filling the room with warmth . She laughed more and more these days , she realized . With every passing day , happiness seeped deeper into her heart . She had found not only love but also family for and for her pup here in Crescent Moon . And as she looked at Roselyn , smiling despite her dramatics , Elaine knew she was exactly where she was meant to be . < Chapter 47 " I won't say anything . But your brother is not stupid , Roselyn . " Elaine's voice carried both amusement and seriousness . She leaned back against the pillows , arms folded across her chest , giving the younger woman a knowing look . " He will eventually figure it out . And when he does , it won't be me caught in the storm . It'll be you who has to deal with him . " Roselyn groaned dramatically , throwing herself back on the bed as if Elaine had just delivered her doom . " Ugh , don't remind me , " she muttered , covering her face with her hands . " I know , I know . Darius sees through everyone eventually . He's like a hawk with those sharp eyes of his . Nothing escapes him for long . " Elaine chuckled , watching her . " Exactly . And when he puts two and two together , I'm not stepping in to save you . You'll have to stand your ground ." Roselyn peeked through her fingers , her expression torn between dread and defiance . " Do you know how hard it is to stand your ground against Darius ? He doesn't even have to raise his voice . He just gives you that look - the alpha look , and suddenly you're confessing every little secret you ever had . " Elaine smirked knowingly . " Oh , I know that look all too well . Believe me ." The two women shared a laugh , though Roselyn's quickly dissolved into another heavy sigh . She sat up again , shoulders slumping as if the weight of her brother's inevitable discovery already pressed down on her . " You're right , " she admitted softly , almost pouting . " He'll figure it out sooner or later . He always does . " Her hands twisted in her lap , betraying her nervous energy . " And when he does ... I guess I'll just have to deal with the hurricane that is my big brother . " Elaine reached over and squeezed her hand gently , her smile both sympathetic and teasing . " That's the spirit . At least you'll survive it . Barely . " Roselyn gave another dramatic sigh , flopping against Elaine's shoulder . " Barely , " she echoed , already envisioning the inevitable confrontation 1 Comments Get Bonus ( Ad ) > Vote 107 3/3