Chapter 23: Ch 22

I stood there awkwardly as my words lingered in the air like a bad stench floating in the atmosphere.
The scene in front of me was not what I expected and I couldn't help but think what a great photo
moment this was.

My words however, seemed as if they didn't reach Tate's ears seeing as his hands tightened around
the strangers neck.

The stranger who I now assume as his brother, was having trouble obtaining his smirk but never let the
mocking look on his face disappear.

"Dale that's enough," Roger said in a gruff tone, to the person whom I now know as Dale. Roger shot
Tate a look and Tate clenched his jaw as he let go of Dale.

Tate's eyes snapped to mine and I gave him a nervous smile.

Oh my. Didn't I just have to walk into a happy family reunion. I thought dryly as Tate appeared in front of
me his face close to mine blocking my view of Dale.

"Is everything alright?" he asked me in a soft tone as his lips brushed against my forehead.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" I asked and couldn't help the grin that spread upon my lips.

Tate opened his mouth to speak but Dale made a noise that resembled a gasp which made Tate's head
snap to his.

"Tate!" he said in disbelief, "-you didn't tell me you had a lady friend," Dale said with a wide smile as he
walked towards Tate and I.

"Aren't you a sight to look at," Dale said with a smirk and Tate growled lowly as he turned around to
lash out but I held his arm.



I smiled sweetly at Dale, "Too bad I can't say the same thing," I said and rolled my eyes as I glanced at
a snickering Eddie in the far corner.

"A mouthy one are we?" Dale said with an eyebrow raised and Tate gave him a death stare.

"Don't speak to her," he said lowly, "-in fact, don't look at her," Tate said looking back at me as he pulled
me into his arms.

I heard Roger sigh and walk over towards the door with Eddie right behind him.

"You'd think Eddie would be the immature brother," he mumbled as he looked at his younger son with a
small smile.

Eddie on the other hand, puffed out his little chest and stuck out his tongue towards Dale and Tate.

"You call that mature?" Dale said with a snort.

"It was nice seeing you Elina," Roger said ignoring his sons comment as he opened the door to leave.

"You too Roger," I said with a warm smile as Dale let out a low whistle.

"First name bases with the big man?" Dale said in disbelief as he looked at his father in confusion.

Tate sighed impatiently and his arms around me tightened.

"The Luna can speak as she wishes," Tate said in a voice like stone as Roger stepped out hurriedly
with Eddie behind him, most likely wanting to avoid further conflict.

"Luna? So she isn't a play toy," Dale said thoughtfully as he gave Tate a pat on the back making Tate
growl.

"Play toy?" I couldn't help but ask as I glanced at Dale and looked back up a Tate.



"Why would you think that?" I said as an image of Tate and some random blonde bimbo popped up into
my head.

"Well you see, Tate over here-"

"Dale get out," Tate said in a hard tone, his entire body shaking as he glared at his older brother. He
seemed to hate his presence and Dale was taking advantage of that.

"Always so grumpy," Dale mumbled as he slowly walked towards the door.

"You are anything but cheerful. You sure as hell don't live up to your name," Dale said referring to the
meaning of Tate's name from what I understood.

I couldn't help but mentally snort at the idea. Sure Tate has his happy days but cheerful? That's going
over the top.

"Because Dale is such an appealing name?" Tate said tilting his head to the side with a mocking tone.
"I don't think so. Get out," Tate repeated with dark eyes as Dale rolled his eyes.

"Yes Alpha," Dale replied with a smirk empathizing the word Alpha.

Tate let go off me and was ready to lunge at Dale but Dale quickly exited the room, slamming the door
behind him before Tate could grab a hold of him.

"Wow," I said looking at Tate with wide eyes, "-you and your brother sure as hell share a lovely bond," I
said snickering as Tate ran his hand across his hair, sighing.

Oh. Right. Serious moment.

Coughing I tucked my hair behind my ear as I walked to stand in front of Tate. I circled my arms around
his neck and looked up at him in concern.



"OK. Seriously. What was that all about?" I asked but Tate didn't look at me and his body was still tense
along with his jaw.

I cupped his face into my hands and rubbed soothing circles on his cheekbones which made him finally
look at me.

For a second, I forgot what I was saying as I peered into his hazel orbs. The mate bond never failed to
amaze me and the beauty of Tate was surely illegal.

"It's nothing. It's in the past," Tate said shrugging his shoulders but I gave him a flat look which made
him sigh and continue.

"He was supposed to be Alpha but refused to have that kind of responsibility. I stepped in and for two
years I've been Alpha. Dale complained about still being young at the time but," Tate paused as if to
create suspense and I nodded my head urging him on.

Although it was pretty ironic how Dale complained about being too young to become Alpha when Tate
stepped in being younger then Dale.

"Now he shows up and says he's ready to accept the Alpha title-"

"Can he do that?" I said with my eyebrows furrowed as I tilted my head to gaze up at Tate.

He chuckled and shook his head. Leaning down he placed a soft kiss onto my lips.

"No he can't, that's why his doing he's best to annoy me," Tate said with a smile now as he cupped my
cheek bringing my face to his stealing another kiss.

Leaning back I smirked and looked at Tate with mischief.

"Why don't we return the favour?" I asked tilting my head to the side as I smirked.



"You mean annoy him?" Tate asked a little cautiously at the look on my face.

"Just leave it to me," I said with a wide smile. I placed a quick kiss onto Tate's cheek that had a little
stubble on it.

"Annoyance is one of my many talents," I said in a sing song voice as I skipped out of the room leaving
Tate to stand there confused.


62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda