Rise Of The Deaf and Helpless Luna

Chapter 3

Everyone gasped as they stared at us. At that moment, I grew increasingly frustrated, tired of all the unnecessary attention. I turned to Kael and signed to him, "What do you think you are doing? Please stop this." He ignored me and continued, looking at his brother.

"I have plans for her," Kael said.

"And what sort of plans might those be?" Kaiden asked, his usual calm self.

"My plans include taking her as my mistress when I marry the princess over here. But you want to claim her as your mate? You think I will allow that?" Kael said angrily.

I grew even more irritated by him. That was his plan all along? To use me as a common mistress while he marries royalty? Is this who I have been in love with all these years? What kind of filth was this man? I thought to myself, my anger rising by the second as I clenched my fists, trying to control it.

"Don't you think that's something you shouldn't be saying in front of your betrothed?" Kaiden asked in a tone that was somewhat mocking, which only made Kael angrier.

"You can't be with her, brother. I will not let you jeopardize the future of our pack by claiming an omega as a mate. You are the heir. Consider your responsibilities before anything else," he said, making Kaiden raise his brow. "Look at her—pathetic, worthless. She's nothing more than a piece of filth. What contribution can she really bring to the pack if you choose to marry her? She’s just a lowly omega, a stain on our family name. Mother and Father made the right choice for me by choosing the princess. Why don't you find a bride worthy of you and leave this trash where she belongs? The only thing she deserves is to be scrubbing our chambers, or better yet, groveling at our feet, grateful for any scrap of kindness we toss her way. If I decide to be merciful, I might use her as my common mistress, but even that's more than she deserves," Kael spat.

I was shocked. All the sweet nothings he had whispered to me all these years were lies? This was how he really felt about me? I felt heartbroken beyond words as tears made their way down my cheeks.

I looked at Vesper, who had a smile on her face as she watched me, clearly entertained by the horrible things Kael was saying. My heart began to ache; it felt unbearable. I had loved this man ever since I could understand what love meant, and I thought he loved me back. But this is how he truly felt all along? In that moment, I hated Kael more than words could explain and wished nothing but the worst for him.

"Are you certain you're concerned about the fate of this pack, or does this have anything to do with the fact that you're interested in the woman?" Kaiden asked, raising his brow.

"Your brother is right, Kaiden. You cannot claim a mute as your mate, let alone an omega. Reject her now and be done with it," said the alpha of their pack, their father, while their mother nodded in agreement.

"I will not reject her," Kaiden said firmly. His mind seemed already made up, and it would take more than words to convince him otherwise.

"You want to claim this nobody as your mate? Have you no self-respect, brother?" Kael sneered. "She is a nobody, filth that doesn't even deserve to breathe the same air as you. It would be a huge slap in our faces if we let someone of such low rank claim the position of the throne just because of your so-called affection towards her. It's disgusting."

"I never mentioned affection. I just said she was my mate and I intend to claim her. Sounds like you are talking about your self and your feelings," Kaiden replied calmly.

"You cannot claim her," Kael insisted, his voice growing more serious. "She is just an ordinary mute slave, and you cannot claim her."

"I will claim her," Kaiden said, his tone strong.

"Then I challenge you," Kael declared, shocking everyone. "I challenge you to a duel. Whichever one of us wins shall have her and the throne. The loser shall have nothing and be Banished from the pack with no hope of return."

"Stop this madness at once!" their mother said, rising to her feet. "How can you both even think of having a duel over that nobody? Throw that woman out immediately. Get her out of here," she commanded, growing impatient.

Kaiden smirked. "I do not want to fight you, brother. I have no interest in it," he said.

"Well, I do want to fight you—unless you are too scared because you know you will lose the crown and this pack," Kael said. From what I had heard, Kaiden was a powerful warrior known for his powers and skills in battle, no one has been able to defeat him which is more of the reason why he deserves to be the king more than his Brother. He had the power and wisdom from what I have heard. Kael was a warrior too, but no one compared to Kaiden. What was he thinking, requesting a duel with him?

There was a long silence as Kaiden stared at me as if he was thinking hard about something. Finally, he glanced at his brother and said, “If a duel is what you want, then that is what you will have.” Kaiden suddenly agreed. “If that is what you want, then let's fight for the woman and for the throne—tomorrow. But here is my condition: the loser shall not only be banished but also stripped of all titles and honors, forced to live as a rogue for the rest of their life.” Kaiden's words shocked everyone.

"That is madness! Do not do this. What do you think you are doing, Kaiden?" their mother said, growing scared for her sons.

Kael smirked and said, "I accept your conditions, brother."

I was caught between the two brothers, glancing between them, unable to say a word as I tried to figure out what was going on. How did a day that started like any other turn into two royal brothers preparing for a duel over me? What exactly have I caused? Why is the moon goddess playing with my life?