The Blood Moon Twins
Chapter 24

CAULDER

\tAs Remy climbed into the car, something felt off. I glanced back at her, and I noticed that there was a leaf stuck to her shoulder. She had been very vague about what she had been doing after school as well, and I had this feeling there was something she wasn't saying. I knew she wouldn't admit the truth, especially not in front of Harper. I held my tongue, not sure how I would even go about confronting Remy about where she actually was.

\tThe distance between us felt like it was growing again, and it made my chest ache. Remy and I had always been best friends, but ever since our birthday, it felt like a wedge was being driven between us.

\tBy the time we got back to the pack house, Remy had fallen asleep in the car. I looked at her and shook my head. I could believe she tried to get me to leave her behind to replace her way home when she was that tired. Even if she wasn't that tired, I wouldn't have left her behind, not with the threat looming over her head.

\t"I'm worried about her," Harper said in a whisper as she looked back at Remy. Harper had also noticed Remy growing distant and isolating herself.

\t"I know." I rubbed my fingers over my temple.

\t"You have to talk to her. She respects and cares about you." Harper looked at me with her doll eyes, and it melted my heart. I wanted to do whatever she asked, but it wasn't that simple.

\t"Yeah." It wasn't the time to discuss this, especially with Remy sleeping in the car. If she woke up and heard our conversation, I knew it would only make it worse.

\tl got out of the car and went over to Remy's side. I picked her up and carried her into the house. She barely stirred as I carried her, so I knew she was exhausted. I brought her to her room and left her on her bed to get proper sleep. When she was tucked in, I left, shutting the door quietly behind me.

\tl hurried back downstairs, knowing Harper was waiting for me. When I saw her, I rushed over and wrapped her in my arms, planting a kiss on her lips. She refused to kiss me at school, saying she didn't want to show that kind of PDA at school. She didn't want anyone to think less of her, which I understood. Although I had a sinking suspicion that people already thought less of her.

\tWhen I pulled away from the kiss, I brushed a piece of hair out of her face and held her by her hips. "How was school today?" I was a little worried about girls harassing Harper, since I knew the rumors were already flying around. I had very little privacy in my life. \t"It was fine." She gave me a smile, but it felt a little forced.

\tl rubbed my thumb over her cheek. "No one bothered you?"

\tShe scrunched her nose. "Oh, some girls were a little jealous, but I handled it fine. Don't worry about it."

\tl kissed her again and then said, "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to deal with this."

\tShe smiled against my lips and then gave me a quick peck. "I supposed it comes with the territory of dating the school slut." She gave me a quick peck. "But I know they are all jealous because I'm the only one who has managed to get the title of girlfriend." \t"Girlfriend?" another voice said.

\tHarper shot away from me, and when I looked I saw Beta Rie staring at us with wide eyes.

\t"Mom," Harper said, her cheeks burning bright from the sudden intrusion.

\tl hadn't officially told anyone, especially my parents, about dating Harper. I knew they would replace out eventually, but I didn't want them to make a bigger deal out of it than needed, especially when Harper and I were still getting our sea legs under us. \t"Harper," Beta Rie said, staring at me with a paled face. She looked almost horrified, which was not the way she normally looked at me. "Did you just say you're his girlfriend?"

\tl was frozen by the way Beta Rie stared me down. This was not the reaction I anticipated at all. Beta Rie helped raise me. She was almost like the cool aunt I could go to when I couldn't talk to my own parents. But in that moment, she looked at me like I was the enemy.

\tHarper stepped towards me and intertwined her fingers with mine. She straightened her posture and looked her mom in the eyes. "He did. Caulder and I are dating"

\t"Dating?" she repeated in disbelief. She swallowed hard, and it was clear she was struggling with the idea. "When did this happen?" Her voice was squeaky.

\t"Yesterday officially," Harper said. Even though her mother was having a hard time keeping it together, Harper was acting calm and composed, and I was grateful she was taking the lead on this one. I wasn't sure how to face Beta Rie about dating her daughter. \tRie took a deep breath. "Harper, sweetie, can I talk to you for a moment?" She looked over at me and then added, "In private."

\tThis wasn't good.

\t"Fine," Harper said. She followed her mother into a little conference room, and Beta Rie made sure to shut the door behind her to make sure I couldn't overhear anything.

\tl leaned against the wall next to the door and let my head hang back. I hadn't even considered how our parents would react to us dating, and I was now worried it would cause strain on our relationship. \t- \tHARPER

\tl had expected my mother to sit down when we entered the conference room, but instead, she paced back and forth, biting her nails. "You and Caulder are really dating?" She was in disbelief of this relationship, and I already had a sinking feeling about this. \tl had planned on telling her what was going on, but everything was still so new with Caulder, and telling my parents hadn't been a priority. I didn't want them to affect my decision before I had even made it. This wasn't the reaction I had expected though. \tSince Caulder and I had grown up together and we were the children of the beta and alpha, comments had been made about us being perfect for each other as we grew up. I had always rolled my eyes at the comments, since I knew status had nothing to do with compatibility. My mother had stopped with those comments years ago to my relief, but I had expected her to be happy about the relationship. I would have expected her to push me towards Caulder. Clearly, it was the opposite.

\t"We are. Do you have a problem with it?" I challenged. Now that I had finally decided Caulder was worth the shot, I didn't understand what was going on with my mother.

\tShe finally stopped and looked at me. "Why Caulder? Out of all of the boys in the pack, did you really have to make him your first boyfriend? Wouldn't someone like Bennett be better for you?"

\t"Mom!" I stared at her in disbelief. "I like Caulder. I don't want to date Bennett. I thought you would be happy about this."

\tShe sighed and pinched her nose. "Look, I love Caulder, like a son almost. However, he doesn't have a great track record with girls. I don't want you to get hurt."

\t"He's not going to hurt me," I said instantly. There was a small fear inside of me that my mother was right, and Caulder would end up hurting me, but I refused to say that to her, especially when I had decided to give Caulder all of my trust. \t"Honey," my mother said. Her voice was borderline condescending, and it was just irritating me more. "Have you really thought about this? You're still young. You're not even eighteen yet. You've gone this long without having a boyfriend. Can't you just wait until you're eighteen and replace your mate? Caulder is going to be the alpha after all. He's under a lot of pressure, and if you date him, you're going to feel that pressure."

\t"Honey," my mother said. Her voice was borderline condescending, and it was just irritating me more. "Have you really thought about this? You're still young. You're not even eighteen yet. You've gone this long without having a boyfriend. Can't you just wait until you're eighteen and replace your mate? Caulder is going to be the alpha after all. He's under a lot of pressure, and if you date him, you're going to feel that pressure."

\tMy heart thumped against my chest. The idea of breaking things off with Caulder hurt more than I expected, since we had been together for a small blimp of time. However, I had liked Caulder for much longer than I wanted to admit, and my hopes were already high. I knew there was the chance that Caulder would replace his mate at any moment, and that would mean the end of the relationship. I could also replace my mate when I turned eighteen, which would mean that I would be the one to break off the relationship, but I didn't care.

\tl didn't want to go through life wondering what if. Caulder was my best friend and the world to me, and even if our time was short, I wanted to experience what it would be like for us to finally give it a shot.

\t"No." My voice was firm and unwavering. My fingers curled into little fists, and I didn't want to have this conversation any longer. "I know what I'm doing, and I'm not going to break up with Caulder. That's final."

It-

\tCAULDER

\tMy throat burned as I waited for Harper to finish talking to her mother. Harper had been so hesitant before, and clearly Beta Rie didn't approve. Part of me was terrified Harper would change her mind. I took a deep breath to try to keep my calm while waiting. Worrying wouldn't change the situation, and I knew that. I didn't stop the worry from coming though.

\tMy eyes were closed, but I felt his presence approach me. I looked over and saw my father leaning against the wall next to me. He crossed his arms and had an amused look on his face.

\t"So Harper, huh?" he said.

\tGreat, he already knew. "Are you here to scold me?"

\tHe chuckled and shook his head. "No. Rie is just freaking out a little." His chuckle faded, and I could feel him growing more serious. "Look, I know you're a good kid, and you care about people, but be careful with Harper. She's not like the other girls you've been with."

\tThis was the conversation I was expecting. "I know she's not. She's special, and I plan on treating her that way. I would never treat Harper like I treated other girls."

\tHe looked me over for a moment, and the smallest smile pulled on his lips. "Ah, I see. If that's the case, then I know you'll do the right thing."

\tl furrowed my eyebrows as I looked back at him. He looked too amused as he looked at me, and I had a feeling he knew why Harper was special to me. \t"How did you know?" I asked him.

\tHe laughed again. "Because of the look on your face when you talk about her. It's the same way I look at your mother."

\tl nodded slowly. I must have looked completely heart stricken. "Do me a favor and don't tell anyone. I didn't want to freak her out and make her feel pressured." \t"It's our little secret," he said. "And don't worry. I'll deal with Rie. She'll be fine."