The Royal Brothers' Mate

Chapter 10

Chapter 10.

*****

I played with Nix for a while, the unnecessary ten guards around me finding it amusing every time I was knocked off my feet by the huge skinny dog. I just didn't expect him to have as much force as he did when he ran at me. Occasionally I could get one of them to play with us for a few minutes, but they would immediately straighten up and get back into their rigid guard stance every time we heard the slightest noise. We heard noises often because we could hear cars drive by the front of the place.

The air smelt like salty water, reminding me that we were not that far from the ocean, I really wanted to visit because I rarely went, it being a two-hour drive from where I lived. Brandon, Liana and I usually went on New Year’s, in recent years though, I would arrive with them and then disappear to find and hang out with my friends. I was in the middle of tossing Nix another ball when I heard the doorbell ring. I looked at one of the guards as his head turned to look towards the house. He pulled out a walkie-talkie and I listened as he called one of the guards in the house. I immediately knew from the sound of grunting that it was one of the guards in the gym.

“Hey, someone’s at the door, keep your guard up.” The grunting stopped.

“At the door?” Rowan’s voice came.

Oh.

I sprinted into the house, ignoring the guards behind me as I heard them yell out for me. I ran my way through the house hearing their feet behind me until I reached the entrance hall. Seeing guards around the door but immediately being hit by their scents, I ran over excitedly.

“Guys!” I yelled making the guards turn around surprised.

“Eden!”

Pushing my way through the guards, I immediately felt arms circle me tightly and I laughed as I lifted my arm to Kennedy’s waist while pulling Olivia into our hug with my other arm.

I gasped in surprised as I felt an arm around my waist tug me out of the hug before I was pushed behind some guards.

“Hey –” I began.

“Keep her inside.” The guard that had pulled me back spoke.

“No – I know them – obviously.” I said. Did they think I would hug random people I did not know? And why would a threat to the palace come through the front entrance, passed the guards?

“Who are they?” Rowan spoke beside me.

“Rowan.” I turned to glare at him but temporarily paused seeing his wet hair sticking to his forehead, he had not even put a shirt on. He did not seem to like clothing, did he?

“I was going to tell you and everyone… I just… got distracted.” He said, “You know, by you jumping over balconies into unknown threats and stuff.” He frowned at me.

“Unknown threats? I was in the backyard. Tell them to let my friends go.” I said seeing Kennedy struggle against the guards holding each of his arms.

‘Don’t tell me what to do.’ Rowan linked back to me looking annoyed before he commanded the guards to let my friends inside after searching them. I frowned at him. ‘Hey, it’s protocol, Luna.’ He linked to me, glancing at my friends – or Kennedy, rather – with a narrow-eyed glint in his eyes.

I bit my lip nervously wondering if it was safe to have him anywhere near Kennedy, I did not trust the jealousy that seemed to be radiating off him right now. Rowan grabbing my arm to pull me back into the palace snapped me out of my thoughts and I tugged my arm back from him once we were inside.

‘Could you stop dragging me around?’ I linked to him.

‘I don’t like him.’ He linked to me.

‘Calm down, boy.’ I rolled my eyes but he growled grabbing my arm roughly, making me realise my joking around had really pissed him off. I grit my teeth immediately grabbing his wrist to try to pry his hand away but he would not let me go. I stopped trying when I looked up at him and his eyes were a dark red that made me tense. I swallowed nervously as I realised that if he shifted, he would go straight for Kennedy and my friend would not stand a chance against a royal wolf.

‘You seem to be forgetting who I am, Eden.’ He linked to me coldly. ‘I do not like him, you will not be near him alone. Am I clear?’

I was upset, he knew nothing about my relationship with Kennedy, he was pretty much my brother, we had grown up together. I forced myself not to object though because he was clearly on the verge of losing it and I was not going to let him hurt my friends.

“Yes.” I mumbled, his eyes still did not change, nor did his grip on my arm loosen, in fact it seemed to tighten as everyone that had been outside joined us and his glare shifted to my friends. I turned to face everyone.

“Your majesty, shall we continue your training?” One of the guards spoke.

“No. I have company.” Rowan’s eyes cleared back to their normal shade of brown. He looked at my friends and only then seemed to realise he was not wearing a shirt. “Oh.” He chuckled rubbing his chest.

I felt annoyed at myself when jealousy and anger began to bubble within me seeing Olivia’s shocked stare at my mate’s torso. I clenched my jaw stepping in front of him and she seemed to snap out of it. She looked down giving me an apologetic glance that only pissed me off more because she was blushing. I turned back to Rowan to glare up at him.

‘You should get cleaned up.’ I linked to him. He smirked.

‘Is someone jealous?’ He asked.

‘Now. You should get cleaned up now.’ I linked to him feeling more annoyed with every second he stood there bare-chested. He smirked at me.

‘Wow, this is so sexy.’ He linked to me, “Want to help me get cleaned up, Babe?” he asked out loud, not hiding the suggestive tone in his voice. I suddenly felt embarrassed, we were surrounded by staff and my friends.

“N –” I began.

“Eden and I have to change. Jacob, show our guest around the palace, will you? Everyone else is dismissed.” As soon as he finished speaking, Rowan began to leave the room, his hand still secured around my arm causing him to drag me upstairs.

“My room is –” I pointed down the hall but Rowan just pulled me into his room and I gave a light gasp as he pushed me against the wall before he leaned over me, his hands on either side of my head supporting him. I tried not to look down at his flexing abs. “What are you doing?” I asked.

“I like the girl.” He smirked.

“Kennedy is gay.” He was not, I was lying. Rowan’s face dropped before his eyes lit up.

“Really?! He’s gay? Not bi, gay?”

Well… he seems to like him now. There was even a small smile on Rowan’s face. If I keep lying he’ll back off of Kennedy…

“Yes.” I frowned at him. “Can I go back downstairs now?” I asked.

“No.” He smirked. His hands dropped from the wall and to my waist. “You’re supposed to help me, remember?” He asked in a husky whisper as his hands slipped under my shirt onto my waist. I shivered at the sparks his warm hands seemed to send through me once his skin touched my own. I tried to keep my mind clear; I needed to change, we needed to get back downstairs, but my thoughts seemed to blur away behind my just wanting to touch what Olivia had been looking at… because it was mine. He was mine. My jealousy grew again as my eyes drifted from his down to his lips. Mine. I let out an annoyed growl.

He seemed almost surprised when I pushed away from the wall to lift my hands to his neck so I could pull him closer to me and kissed him softly. He seemed surprised for a few more second and just as he began to respond by sliding his arms around my waist, my phone went off.

I gave a nervous laugh as he let out an incredibly frustrated growl when I stepped back from him, bumping into the wall again.

“Uncle Brandon!” I answered happily once I had looked at the screen.

“Hey, Sweetheart. How are you? Everything okay? Don’t need me to pick you up yet?” He asked. Rowan’s frown grew and I bent down to slip under his arm. I pointed to the bathroom as I opened his door to step out. I shut the door behind me as I assured my uncle I was fine. He went on for a few minutes about the restaurant and I told him about the dog which prompted him to talk about our cat and we spent a few more minutes on the phone until he was called by one of the staff in the background. I smiled as we said bye and I love you before we hung up.

I missed working at the restaurant… or being outside and free in general…

I changed out of dirt-soiled and grass-covered clothing into a t-shirt and track pants before I made my way back downstairs. I found Rowan with my friends in the living room, they were talking and I realised I had been on the phone with my uncle for quite a bit of time. Rowan was dressed in a pair of trousers and a white button-up shirt. I furrowed my brows at his attire.

‘Just in case. Mother doesn’t approve of laid back clothing unless we’re hiking or training.’ He linked to me. Oh… I looked down. She was going to hate what I was wearing…

“So there is really a second prince?” Kennedy asked still seemingly shocked by Rowan's existence as he stared at him.

“Yes.” Rowan motioned to himself.

“Where is Prince Corin?” Olivia asked.

“Some meeting.” I heard Rowan reply, completely dismissing any possible conversation about his brother.

“Another prince… Weird…” Kennedy stared at Rowan confused.

“Ah, yes. Corin and I are twins and my parents thought they would keep my existence a secret in order to spare themselves the worry of having another prince to keep tabs of. If people don’t know I exits, they won’t try to kill me.” He said.

“They’ve tried to kill the Prince – I mean Prince Corin?” Olivia asked confused.

I looked at Rowan curious about the answer. His face was thoughtful and he shrugged. “Everyone in power is threatened. Just like I’m sure your Alpha have been challenged – you’re all from the same pack, right?”

“Yes.” I said. “Anyway, do you guys want to –”

“Wait, how do you hide someone for this long? You look like them and you live here.” Kennedy said.

“I’ve mostly lived where I went to school as I grew up, only occasionally visiting and there’s a disguise as well.” He said. I bit my lip remembering the conversation about his disguised-self looking better than him. I kept my eyes away from him to keep from focusing on his lips and my mind from drifting to wondering what could have happened upstairs if my uncle had not called.

I pouted annoyed at the interest my friends had taken in Rowan, asking him question after question about everything they could possibly think of and basically forgetting I was there. I considered joking that if the three of them wanted to hang out, I would just go find Jacob but I caught myself before I spoke remembering that it would probably result in immediately pissing Rowan off to a dangerous level. I guess I was slightly jealous of the attention he was getting from them. I leaned my elbows onto my knees and settled my chin in my hands as their conversation went on and I found interest in staring at random parts of the floor trying to spot dirt, it was an incredibly hard game to play. This went on for a while until I suddenly sat up.

“I’m hungry.” I spoke up, only realising that I had interrupted Kennedy mid-sentence after I spoke. I gave him an apologetic smile and he laughed.

“I can have our cook make something.” Rowan smiled at me.

“I was thinking pizza.” I said. I was really craving it, but we were in the palace so I nodded at Rowan. “Actually, anything is fine.” I assured him.

“Jacob.” Rowan spoke. Jacob was with us in a second and gave a slight bow. He smiled noticing me and I grinned back. “Luna here wants pizza. Drive out and get some.” Rowan said with a slight frown on his face as he stared at the young male in front of him.

“Oh, no, it’s okay –” I began.

“Of course, your Highness.” Jacob cut me off. “What would you like?” He asked me.

To go with you.

Not him particularly, but just to leave the place, even just for a few minutes to get pizza. I had not realised exactly how much I wanted to leave until he asked. Rowan and Corin didn’t ask…

“Cheese.” I said. “We can go with you.” I added.

“I’m fine on my own, really.”

“I’ll go with.” I laughed as Kennedy spoke. He was a very picky eater and it usually took me a piece of paper to note down his specifics before I ordered food.

They left leaving Olivia, Rowan and I seated on the couches.

“So… do you guys like to paint?” I turned to Rowan.

“We do, mostly for class –” Olivia was saying.

“Follow me.” Rowan cut her off as he got up, an excited smile on his face that made me very interested to see where he was taking us.

We followed him through the palace and up to the third floor, which I had not been on before. We walked up to a door before he pushed it open and I gasped in surprise seeing the walls covered in paintings.

“Welcome to the art studio. It’s mine. Corin uses it sometimes –” Olivia and I laughed as Rowan pointed to paintings of stick figures and morphed animals in unnatural colours. It was adorable. “But not often because he can’t stand the mess I usually work in.” Rowan laughed. The place was clean right now.

“These are yours?” I asked looking up at one of his paintings. I glanced at Olivia to see her absolutely absorbed in studying everything as she walked around. It made me grin. She loved painting and was great at it, but was usually quite modest about how good she was at it.

“Yes, do you like it?” He sounded almost expectant and I smiled at him.

“They’re really good, Rowan.” I said turning back to see where Olivia was. She was in a corner, leaning over a painting that was in a glass box.

“That’s my personal favourite.” Rowan spoke.

“It’s amazing.” She said.

“Do you want to paint?” Olivia turned to us wide-eyed before realising how shocked she looked and nodded straightening her face.

I laughed as Rowan began getting supplies from various cupboards around the room. When Olivia said we mostly do art in class, she meant me. She did it constantly. I was confused about half the materials Rowan was putting out that Olivia was fawning over, I just pretended to be as excited about it as she was because it made her so happy. Eventually, Rowan settled on spray paint, Olivia had oil and I used the pastel. We opened the blinds and then the huge windows at the side of the room before we began. We had been at it for about forty-five minutes when Kennedy and Jacob came back with the pizza.

“Eden…” Rowan mumbled. “That… It’s… nice…” He said slowly, carefully. Olivia began laughing at his tone and I frowned feeling my face heat up in embarrassment.

“I… dance better than I paint... or draw.” I only went to art classes so Olivia would not be going alone.

“I… I guess it’s better than stick figures.” Rowan chuckled. I had basically just made a canvas of trees and apples in pretty much solid colours because when I tried to mix the colours it turned out horrific. “We’ll watch something while we eat. Jacob, please show them to the theatre while I have someone clean this up.” He said.

Jacob nodded and then led my friends out of the room.

‘Can Jacob stay?’ I looked at Rowan hopefully as I linked to him. He frowned, clearly about to say no so I stepped up to him and hugged him tightly, leaning my head against his chest. “Please, does he ever hang out with anyone around here?” I asked.

“Seriously? You’re going to do this?” He asked sounding amused.

“Please?” I looked up at him pouting and resting my chin on his chest. He narrowed his eyes as he stared down at me for a few seconds before he sighed.

“You’re sneaky…” He frowned before he chuckled. “Fine, but he’s not sitting near you.” He said.

“Yay!” I let him go but he grabbed my waist to pull me back into another hug. I laughed hugging him tightly.

We removed our aprons before we met everyone downstairs in the theatre and Rowan asked Jacob if he wanted to stay. Jacob seemed beyond surprised he had been asked but agreed after Kennedy begged him not to leave and we all sat down to watch a comedy because it was the only genre everyone could agree on.

I sat between Olivia and Rowan with Rowan refusing to let anyone else sit beside me, it was embarrassing but everyone found it funny, Olivia and Jacob found it adorable because they were mate enthusiast. A few minutes into the movie I began to feel uncomfortably worried about something I could not place my finger on. I tried to focus on the movie, but the more I tried the heavier the feeling of impending doom was in my chest. It felt like I knew something bad was going to happen, like it had already started but I had no way of knowing what it was.

“Eden, you okay?” I looked at Olivia when she spoke, making everyone turn away from the screen to look at me.

“Y-yeah. Tired.” I shrugged.

Rowan’s hand taking mine made me look at him to find his face skewed in concern.

“You sure? You feel… weird.” He gave a confused frown as he glanced over me.

“Aw. I want a mate.” Olivia groaned making me laugh lightly.

“I’m good.” I said.

It was stupid, I had nothing to worry about… unless… Corin. I swallowed as I looked back at the screen. No, if anything happened to him, if he got hurt in any major way I would be able to feel it no matter how far he was from me. I was just being stupid.

Everyone else hesitantly turned back to the screen and I was glad to try to focus on the screen again. When the movie finished I could barely remember what it was about because I had not paid attention between the sinking feeling in chest and dosing off repeatedly.

We all made our way upstairs to my room and I argued with Rowan for a few minutes about why everyone should sleep in my room instead of separate rooms. Eventually he agreed to let everyone ‘camp’ in my room because my friends still wanted to play the board games Jacob had. After piling a bunch of blankets across my room, we sat down on them as we waited for Jacob to bring the board games.

I giggled seeing that Rowan looked incredibly uncomfortable as he stretched his legs out in front of him and then crossed them only to uncross them again.

“You don’t ever sit on the floor, do you?”

“No. I don’t know what to do with my legs.” He admitted making me laugh more.

Leaning against my bed with Rowan seated beside me, he finally decided to just keep his legs outright, I grabbed some cards and we began to play, but I don’t remember finishing the game because I drifted off somewhere before my turn even started.

I woke up to the sound of a door slamming that immediately made me sit up. My instant movement had woken Rowan who for some reason was asleep beside me and his eyes snapped to the door.

“Father –”

“What the hell is going on here? Who the hell are these people?!”

I froze for a second as the king’s voice boomed through the room before I jumped out of bed seeing him make a swift move towards Kennedy but my arm was grabbed and I was tugged back. I let out a scream that mixed with Olivia and Jacob’s terrified screams as a loud crack echoed through the room when the king’s fist met Kennedy’s face effectively waking him up with a startled grunt.

“Stop!” I screamed trying to fight out of the grip that held onto me as I watched the king go at a dazed Kennedy whose face was now a bloody mess.

“Get out of here, Eden.” Rowan’s voice spoke into my ear as he grabbed my other arm to pull me against him.

No. I smashed my elbow back into his stomach to get away from him, it seemed to take him by surprise because his grip loosened on my arms temporarily allowing me to fight away from him instantly. I tried to run at the king seeing him pin Kennedy by his throat, his tightening grip making my friend’s eyes bulge as his face went red, but I almost ran into a body as it appeared in front of me.

“Stay back.” I was shoved back by Corin.

“No, Corin –” Why wasn’t he helping? Why was he focused on me when Kennedy was clearly in more danger? When his father was going to kill someone just for being in the stupid palace.

“Get out!” Corin shouted back at me. “Rowan – get her out!”

I was relieved for a second as he dove at his father but I screamed as he was easily knocked back by a kick to his chest that sent him slamming into the wall. I fell onto my knees as the air was knocked out of me and I could feel that that kick hurt him badly.

“Corin –” I called out as he shoved himself back at his father despite clearly being in pain. I felt a hand grab my wrist to tug me off the floor.

“Come on –”

“Let me go – Help them – Ken – my friends –!” I tried to fight out of Rowan’s grip.

“You’re more important.” He said.

“Rowan –! Let me go!”

“No!” I froze at his shout as he began pulling me.

“Please –”

“Sorry, Eden. He’s too strong.” I stopped fighting against Rowan, he looked terrified. I turned my head and saw Corin against the wall, his eyes on the ground and his shirt ripped and stained with his blood, he made no attempt to stand up or fix what looked like his shattered arm. “We can’t fight him, we're not strong enough – we just need to protect you.” Rowan whispered before he began dragging me again.

I began thrashing in his arms trying to get out of his grip but I froze feeling my blood run cold as every sound around me seemed to drown out when Kennedy’s screaming and gasping came to a terrifying halt. Rowan stopped as his eyes moved to the scene behind me and his breathing seemed to stop. I turned in his arms and felt every ounce of strength I had disappear.

No. No.

*****