Chapter 44
LANA
“Are you okay?” I ask, offering a hand to help her up from the ground.
“Am I okay?” she responds, her eyes wide with shock. “Of course I’m fine! Why wouldn’t be fine?”
I roll my eyes. “See? I knew you’d react like this once you found out that Apollo is my mate. This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you.”
I made a mistake by opening up to my sister. I wasn’t sure if she would be able to keep calm the next time she saw Apollo.
She shrugs, trying to act unfazed. “Honestly, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m totally fine with everything you just mentioned. Why wouldn’t be? Our step–brother is your mate, that is nothing to freak out about.”
Sure, she was fine with everything. She could barely stand, and her eyes were still wide open after I dropped that bombshell.
“I just don’t get it,” she whispers. “Out of all the guys out there, your mate ended up being Apollo? What kind of unfair fate is that?”
I let out a sigh. I couldn’t agree more. I have questioned the Moon Goddess plenty of times ever since I found out. This entire thing didn’t sit right with me. I still wanted to believe that it was all just a silly mistake or just one really long nightmare that I would soon wake up from.
“He figured it out long before I did,” I explain. “And he chose to keep it to himself until I found out by the river. But he made it clear that we are just step- siblings–nothing more. That was one of the reasons I didn’t bother telling anyone what took place.”
Saying that aloud stings more than I anticipated. It hurts hearing myself admit that my mate didn’t want me.
She gives a frown. “Now it all makes sense. I noticed how strange you both have been acting lately. Never thought it was because you were mates.”
I nod in agreement. “Things have definitely heated up between us since I learned about our connection.”
Isabella starts pacing the room, trying to wrap her head around everything I’ve just shared.
“This is crazy,” she murmurs, still in disbelief. “So what happens now? What’s your plan?”
I bite my lip.
I don’t want to give up on Apollo–not after last night when he showed me a side of himself I hadn’t seen before. It felt like he was finally revealing his true feelings. He even protected me from that psycho who attacked me just a few days ago.
There was a sweet side to him that he was trying his hardest to keep from me.
“I honestly don’t know,” I admit. “I have feelings for Apollo, and I can’t deny that. But it feels like he’s trying to push me away. One minute he’s sweet, and the next he’s distant. I can’t figure out what he’s really feeling since he keeps switching it up.”
Isabella nods thoughtfully. “I can’t say I have the answers, Lana. You’re clearly in a tough spot. Even if Apollo is interested, mom will lose it if she finds out about the two of you.”
That much was true. Both mom and my stepdad would definitely freak out. The last thing they would want is to find out that the
“Mom isn’t the only one,” I admit. “Apollo’s mom seems ready to scream if she finds out about me.”
Isabella raises an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”
en were mates.
I let out a sigh. “From the moment I met her, it was clear she couldn’t stand me think it all ties back to our mother and the fact that she doesn’t like her
at all.”
Isabella rolls her eyes. “It’s so petty for her to hold a grudge because of our mom. We haven’t done anything to her. But if she’s already got issues with
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Chapter 44
you, I can’t imagine how much worse it’ll get once she discovers you’re Apollo’s mate.”
I cross my arms defensively. “And it gets worse. Last night, she insisted that Apollo go to some dinner she had planned for him and another girl he’s refusing to tell me about.”
Her interest is piqued. “Is that why you wanted me to cover for you last night?”
I nod. “I heard about the dinner from our stepdad, and I didn’t take it well. Just the thought of him dining with a girl his mother adores was making me sick to my stomach.”
Concern flashes in Isabella’s eyes as she walks over and wraps me in a hug. “I’m really sorry I didn’t realize what you were going through sooner. You
should have talked to me, Lana.”
“I was afraid of how you might react,” I confess. “Apollo is part of the family, and it’s strange to admit—but the mate bond doesn’t care about that, it just
wants him.”
She sighs. “It is odd to think of you two as anything more than step–siblings, but this isn’t your fault. You didn’t plan to have him as your mate, and you shouldn’t feel guilty for your feelings.”
I know she’s right, but I feel trapped.
“Do you think I should fight for Apollo?” I ask, though I already know the answer in my heart.
She ponders for a moment before responding, “Absolutely. He is your mate, and you have every right to claim him. I also don’t care what he or anyone else says; he definitely has feelings for you.”
Her words make my heart skip a beat. I wasn’t sure if my sister was saying this because she wanted me to feel better or not.
“You really think he does?” I ask, unable to hide the yearning in my voice.
Just the idea of Apollo having feelings for me sends my heart racing. More than anything, I want him to feel the same way I do.
Isabella rolls her eyes, as if my question was obvious. “If I called Apollo right now and told him you were going on a date, I bet he’d come running home.”
I fold my arms, skeptical. “You’re exaggerating. He wouldn’t overreact just because I’m going out with someone.”
She laughs. “Oh, my poor naive sister. You know nothing about Apollo.”
“If he doesn’t want to be with me, why would he care if some other guy takes me out?” I challenge her.
She pulls out her phone and starts dialing. “What are you doing?” I demand.
“Don’t you want to test that theory?” she replies. “I want to show you that Apollo has feelings for you, despite what he’s been saying. You’re his mate, and I’ve seen him fiercely protect you before. I have some guy friends who are older and I bet one of them would love to take you out.”
“What?” I hiss. “I don’t want to actually go on a date with anyone. I only want Apollo.”
I’m surprised I even admitted that to Isabella. I hadn’t even fully accepted it myself yet.
“You’re not actually going on a date,” she assures me. “Apollo just needs to think you are.”
I groan.
There’s no way she’s going to drop this, is she?/
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