Mated To The Alpha, Falling For His Brother

4

LANA

“What did you just say?” Jude growled, his eyes darkening.

I flinched at the harshness of his tone, knowing that his wolf was on edge. Alpha wolves don't like being disrespected, and what if what I had just said felt like a slap to both Jude and his wolf. However, I couldn't back down now.

“You heard me, Jude. Let's call off the wedding,” I repeated, my eyes flashing with defiance.

There was no reason to go through with the wedding anymore. He was in love with someone else. Why wouldn't he call it off?

In a flash, Jude lunged forward, his chest heaving with each breath he took. His hand shot up, clamping around my throat.

I gasped, my fingers clawing at his wrist as he tightened his grip, lifting me off the ground. My feet dangled, my toes barely scraping the floor as panic surged through my veins, feeling the air in my lungs leaving me.

My wolf growled, clawing at the edge and desperate to come out, but I couldn't let that happen.

I had disconnected myself from my wolf five years ago, and I made sure to stay away from trouble or anything that could make my wolf unleash hell.

“Ju–de,” I whimpered, my tone pleading.

‘I’m sorry. I can't keep my promise anymore, Lana,’ my wolf whispered in my head, and terror widened my eyes.

I wouldn't be able to control myself if my wolf took over, I knew it. Jude really had to stop whatever he was doing right now.

I was about to kick his balls when he suddenly loosened his grip, sending me falling to the cold floor. I gasped for air, my breath coming out in ragged gasps as pain shot through my legs.

Relief flooded through me in an instant. I didn't know what my wolf would have done if she had taken over, but that couldn't erase the fact that Jude had tried to hurt me a few minutes ago.

“You can't call off the marriage. Shouldn't you be happy I am marrying you? Isn't that what you've always wanted?” His eyes darkened with rage as he spat.

A whirlwind of emotions swirled within me as I pinned him with a glare. Suddenly, his gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought he would take back his earlier words about not loving me anymore.

No matter what happened, I wasn't sure I could stop loving him, so a foolish part of me thought he had finally come to his senses.

“It's fine,” he said in a low tone, and excitement bubbled within me, but the moment I heard his next words, my heart tightened. “Let’s call off the wedding.”

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand as his words sank in. I just stared blankly at him as he looked at me like I was nothing to him.

I had suggested calling off the wedding, but I thought Jude would not agree to it. I thought he would beg to show how much he loved and wanted me. But I was wrong.

I bobbed my head at him, and without another word, he stormed out of the suite. The tears I'd been holding back fell heavily.

‘I told you he's a scumbag. You should be happy we have our mate now,’ my wolf purred in my mind.

Despite how much I wanted to snap at her for communicating with me, I had no strength to. Even if I had met my fated mate, I couldn't accept the mate bond.

Jace was the black sheep of their family. He was dangerous. Moreover, the only person my heart belonged to was Jude. There was no way I would accept the matebond.

‘You don't—’

‘Please, get out of my head and shut up,’ I snapped at my wolf, interrupting her words.

I palmed my mouth to muffle the sound of my sob. I was still on the floor when the door opened again. I thought it was Jude as a part of me still wished that he was going to change his mind, but I was shocked to see my two cousins rushing in.

“Lana, are you okay?” Avery asked, her tone laced with concern as she crouched to the floor.

I sniffed and wiped the tears from my face, forcing a smile. “I am,” I lied, despite being obvious that I wasn't.

“Alpha Jude said there will be no wedding again, and the engagement is now on hold. Is that true, Lana?” She asked again, confusion clouding her features as she wrapped her arms around me and helped me get back to my feet.

I nodded. “Yes, the wedding is called off. You two should return home.”

A stunned gasp rippled through the room as Aria walked up to me. “It's all right, Lana. You will be fine, okay?” She said, her tone reassuring.

There was no way I would remain fine after the betrayal from Jude, but I nodded again, not wanting to give any of them the details of what had happened.

“Thank you so much, you two. I appreciate your words and effort,” I plastered on a smile, and they both exchanged knowing glances.

“We will see you soon in the pack,” Avery mumbled before they both made their way out of the suite.

I began packing my stuff the moment they left, my heart thumping in my chest. I didn't bring much because we'd planned to stay in the hotel for just three days. I was sure Jude's parents would have left by now.

Although I didn't want to return to the pack, I had no choice, knowing that I had nowhere to stay in Italy.

‘How about we spend a few more days here before returning to the pack?’ My wolf suggested.

My eyes narrowed as I wondered why my wolf had suddenly become talkative.

‘I thought we agreed on you not talking until I speak to you, first?’ I snapped, and she went mute again.

Good!

That was what she should have done before now.

***

The music in the bar was loud but not loud enough to drown the ache in my chest. I was supposed to return to the pack, but I couldn't. I was afraid of what the pack members would say now that my marriage to Jude had been called off. I had to come to the bar to drown my sorrow, maybe, just maybe the numbness in my chest would leave after drinking.

I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, pretending it could fix the shattered pieces of my heart. My fingers tightened around the glass, my knuckles white.

“I don't love you anymore.”

Jude's words replayed in my mind, and tears pooled in the corners of my eyes. He didn't apologise; he didn't hesitate.

I threw back the rest of the drink, the burn in my throat, nothing compared to the one in my soul. I slammed the glass down a little too hard. The bartender looked in my direction but didn't say anything. Maybe he had seen it in my eyes, the storm, the pain, and the fracture.

Suddenly, a scent drifted past me, wrapping around me and making it hard to think.

I turned my head, looking around so fast. That scent, I knew it so well. My wolf purred in my mind, and then I saw him.

Jace Sinclair, my fated mate.

He was walking towards my table, his eyes fixed on me like a predator watching its prey. My heart thudded heavily in my chest, but his scent was undeniably intoxicating.

“You are here,” his deep baritone voice muttered, his eyes not leaving mine as he leaned closer to me.

As if pulled by an invisible force, my gaze lowered to his lips, and I pressed mine on them, sucking them.

He kissed me back hungrily and desperately, like he had been starved for days. His tongue coaxed my mouth open, and I didn't hesitate. I welcomed him, pulling him closer as my fists grabbed a handful of his hair.

Our chests met, and our tongues slid against each other, wet, warm, and soft. I moaned softly in his mouth as his hands trailed down my neck, teasing me until his fingers made their way into the cup of my bra.

A tingling sensation courses through me immediately. I pulled him closer, not wanting him to stop as my tongues engaged in a heated dance.

I wanted him so much. I wanted him buried inside me right now. I don't know if it was the effect of the alcohol or the mate bond, but whatever it was, I didn't want this to end. His finger grazed my n****e and a sweet ache bloomed deep inside me.

“I want you right now,” I whispered, and he growled.

“f**k, Lana. Let's get a room,” he whispered.

I didn't hesitate or even think twice. I bobbed my head in agreement.

“Yes, we should.”