Twisted Ties: The Brother's Claim

Not accepted

~Hannah~

Saying the words of rejection is the easy part. We are werewolves and if we are to reject our mates, he or she will have to accept the rejection for it to completely stand and not cause the other party tremendous pain. I was told by my mother before she died how painful it is to live when your mate doesn't accept your rejection. Sometimes you don't get a second chance mate and end up suffering forever. In my family's case, my mom said the pain is worse because of our blood lineage.

“I reject you, Liam. I am no longer your mate as from now.”

“What?”

“You don't trust me! You hit me! You treat me like I'm worth nothing. So let's end it all. Let's end this and go separate ways. I will leave with Olivia–”

“I will never accept your rejection,” he retorts, smirking. He knows about my blood lineage and mate bonds. My teeth ground in my mouth. I have always known this bastard has never loved me as a mate but to own me. But watching him right now being smugly, I want to pounce on him and claw his eyes and teeth out.

“Why won't you? Why won't you! You hate me, you fvcking hate me so why won't you accept my rejection?” I yell.

I did not see it coming–lady Durk standing up and slapping me hard across my face. It happened so fast. It is the first time she's raising her hand on me. All these while she knew her son hit me. She never said a word. I guess she finally wants to partake in the hitting. I swallow hard, past the painful bulge of bitter bile that had risen all the way to my throat.

She glares hard at me. “How dare you? You crawled before me before begging for him to accept your mate bond and marry you. Now what? You reject him?”

I know. This is the worst time for Liam's reputation to be ruined. I forgot that they care more about the Alphaship coming into their family than my life.

“Who says you will end this marriage? Listen, I will decide when to let a pimp like you leave my family. Do you understand?”

“Mother–”

“And you Nathan, you walked out of this family on your own three years ago but you think you can walk back in as you please? Remember you are nothing but the son of a slut. A bastard. Know your place in this family. Help Liam become the Alpha and I will consider accepting your return into this family.”

“Mom…but…” Liam tries to speak.

“Liam, let's go. We have an important meeting.”

Liam is a mama boy. Grossly over pampered to a fault. This was one mistake I made. Back then, I should have known and I would have done everything to get him to reject me. I should have sided with his mother and had him reject me. I should have fvcking had him reject me! A tear slips down my face as I grip onto the nearest seat, my chest heaving heavily with pent up anger.

I feel a hand around my shoulder softly patting me. Nathan. I force myself to swallow back my tears. I promised myself to not show my tears in front of anyone. Especially Nathan. It's worse he already knows how pathetic my life is now but I must keep a strong face and never show him how I'm feeling inside.

I get up and quickly wipe my face. “Thanks but I'm alright.”

“You are not alright. Hannah…why are you still bearing this…you are suffering and you keep pretending to be alri–”

“Nathan!” I spin and glare hard at him. “Know your place, Nathan. I did not ask you to be my knight in shining armour. I can take care of myself. I want you to pretend you saw nothing. Back at the hall and here. Stay out of my business.”

I know he's trying to help but fuvk what will I be if I accept his help after boldly pushing him away? Even now I feel so embarrassed I want to die.

“What are you so afraid of? Why are you willing to suffer this much? Why are you going this far to hurt yourself and ruin your life… Do you not feel pity for yourself or for Olivia…you think you are doing this for her? Is this what she wants? For her mother to be hurt–”

“I said fuvking mind the way you speak to me! Who are you to speak to me about what to do and what not! You mean nothing to me! You are my husband's brother and will remain as such! Nothing more!”

His eyes drop but his face hardens. My words slice sharper than dagger. But it's my aim. It's my aim to make him hate me. To make him see me as nothing but his brother's mate. To get that longing gaze out of his eyes.

Fvck. It's all my pride. It's all my damn pride. I'm afraid of ruining my dignity, I'm afraid of hurting forever because I know Liam will never agree to accept my rejection. I'm afraid of what will happen to my daughter Olivia who will become a name for gossip in this place… I’m afraid of what people will say…the stigma…it's so fuvking hard to just up one morning and end a three year marriage with a daughter!

“I will be waiting. Whenever you are ready. Whenever you want to escape here. I will be here waiting for you. I will help you.”

“Where have you been the last three years? Why did you leave?” I blurt the question I have waited so long to ask.

He is silent but his eyes speak volumes. “Because I couldn't bear to watch you get hurt.”

I gulp painfully. “Why did you return now?”

His throat moves, his bulge moving with it. He stares at me, his gaze direct, steady, gripping me.

The answer is obvious. “Because I love you. Because I still want you.” That's exactly what his eyes say.

“I have other business to take care of,” he says instead, coldly. “I will be waiting for your answer. Just know I won't wait for long.”