Rejected By My Mate, Claimed By His Stepbrother

Chapter 2: Trust Issues

*Amelia*

"Adrian, you have to believe me, I..." My words faltered as Adrian stormed towards me, slapping me hard across the face. I stumbled, crashing to the ground, the sting of the blow still ringing in my ears.

"How could you be this heartless and vicious?" His voice thundered with rage, dripping with anger and hatred as I sat there, tears streaming down my cheeks.

This was the first time Adrian had raised his hand to me in our two years of marriage. And it was all because of Mara—his ex-mate. What hurt most was that he hadn’t even given me a chance to explain. Without hesitation, he slapped me and accused me.

"You better pray nothing happens to her," he spat, his words like a cold knife to my heart. "If anything happens, you won’t like what I’ll do to you."

He then turned his back on me, scooping Mara off the ground and leaving the room.

As I sat there, the realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Adrian was still in love with Mara. No matter how much time had passed, no matter what we’d built over the past two years, he was ready to destroy it all for her. He didn’t trust me. If he did, he would have listened before making his judgment.

Hot tears burned my eyes, and the truth hit me—my marriage was crumbling before me, and I had no control over it. I could only cry.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Sarah. I quickly wiped my face, trying to regain composure before answering.

"Hello, Sarah, how are you?" I asked, forcing cheer into my voice.

"I'm fine, Lia, but there’s a rumor going around the pack. What’s this about you trying to murder Adrian’s guest this morning?"

"What?!" I gasped, shocked and confused. How had this story spread so fast?

"Is it true?" Sarah pressed. "Is the guest the same woman you saw Adrian with last night?"

"Yes, it’s her," I said, explaining everything that had happened.

Sarah sighed. "Lia, listen, if after everything Adrian still doesn’t trust you, if he’s so quick to believe Mara and bring her into your life without even talking to you first, maybe it’s time for you to start thinking about your own future. You need to find your fated mate."

Her words stung. Adrian was my mate, even if he wasn’t my fated one. I loved him with all my heart. The thought of leaving him made my stomach twist.

"Lia, I’m not saying you should leave him. But if you stay, know that this could get worse. He hit you today. Who knows what might happen next?"

I sighed deeply. "I don’t know what to do, Sarah."

"Think about it. Do what feels right," she said softly, then hung up.

I was left standing there, feeling torn and lost.

"Ivy, what do you think?" I asked my wolf.

"I think Sarah has a point," Ivy replied. "Adrian hit you, Lia. What if he does worse next time? I’m scared for you."

"I know," I said, trying to keep my resolve. "But right now, I’m not leaving him. I’m his mate and Luna. I’m not letting Mara tear everything apart. I’ll fight for us."

I heard Ivy sigh through our mind-link, disappointed, but she fell silent.

After a long bath, I decided to go and have my breakfast. I hadn’t eaten since the night before, and my stomach growled with hunger.

As I made my way to the dining table, I heard whispers from the maids. They must have heard the rumors too, but they quickly scattered when they saw me.

I was about to start eating when Jake, Adrian’s Beta, burst into the room.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Jake greeted me, his expression serious.

"Good morning, Jake. What’s going on?" I asked, sensing something was off.

"The Alpha sent me to get you. He says you need to come to the hospital right away."

"Is everything okay?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Jake hesitated. "I’m not sure, Your Highness. I wasn’t with him when he went to the hospital."

I nodded, the sinking feeling in my chest growing stronger. "Let’s go."

On the way to the hospital, whispers followed me. Some of the Pack members were already turning on me, accusing me of trying to murder Mara. The murmurs cut through me like daggers.

When we arrived at the hospital, the glares from the nurses and Pack members were palpable. I ignored them and headed straight for Mara’s room.

Outside, I found Adrian pacing, his face a mask of fury.

"What took you so long?" he demanded coldly as I approached.

I didn’t respond. His anger was suffocating, and I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

"The doctor said Mara was stabbed with a knife coated in wolfbane. They had to drain her blood to prevent it from spreading," Adrian explained, his voice hard. "She needs a transfusion, and since you have the same blood type, you’re the only one who can help."

I clenched my fists. "Sorry to disappoint you, Adrian, but I’m not giving her my blood. If I had really stabbed her, maybe I’d consider it. But I didn’t, and I’m not helping her."

His eyes flashed with anger. "What do you take me for, Amelia? A fool? If you didn’t stab her, then who did?"

"She stabbed herself to frame me!" I shouted, unable to contain my frustration. "Why won’t you believe me, Adrian? After everything we’ve been through, how can you still doubt me?"

He scoffed. "Mara would never do that. She wouldn’t stab herself, especially with wolfbane. She has no reason to frame you."

"Because she’s trying to take everything from me! She’s trying to take you!" I yelled, my voice cracking with emotion.

Adrian’s face twisted with fury. "Enough!"

He stepped closer, his anger radiating. "When I tell you to give her your blood, it’s not a request. It’s an order."

I stood my ground. "If you force me to do this, Adrian, I will file for divorce. I won’t stay in a marriage where we don’t trust each other."

His eyes widened, disbelief and shock flashing across his face. "What?"

To be continued...