The Royal Brothers' Mate

Chapter 9

Chapter 9.

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“What did he do, Eden?” Corin repeated when I did not reply, it sounded like he was asking through clenched teeth and he sounded terrifying.

“Nothing.” I said. He was quiet and I looked at Francis. He knew Corin longer than I had, perhaps he could tell me what his silence meant. He gave me a shrug with a sympathetic look on his face before he continued to take my measurements. I guess not. If Corin was closer I could just have felt what he was feeling or heard his thoughts and this would not be so nerve-racking. “Corin?” I whispered concerned. “I-I mean your high –”

“The first time you lie to me… and it’s for him.” He muttered. I felt cold, not because of his tone or his anger but because he sounded so hurt.

“Corin –” I began.

“Corin, we are on a schedule, the flight leaves in fifteen. Have you read the script?” The king’s voice came from the other end of the phone.

“Yes, Father.” He spoke away from the phone, “I will see you soon, Eden.” Corin spoke into my ear hanging up almost immediately after the last word left his mouth.

My eyes burnt at the feeling of having let Corin down and I felt my wolf restlessly trying to make us shift. I did not know how shifting would help us right now. She was upset that I had hurt him. It was not my fault, it was not like she was not pulled to Rowan as well. This two mate thing was stupid. I hated feeling like I was hurting and using both of them. I hated not knowing what to do or who to choose.

“Isn’t Prince Rowan your mate?” Francis asked confused.

“Yes.” I mumbled.

“‘Yes’?” I looked at a smirking Rowan who had just entered the room before turning back to Francis.

“Are the measurements okay?” I asked.

“Yes, Eden.”

“Thank you, Francis.” I smiled at him before I made my way out of the studio. I kept walking despite hearing Rowan follow closely behind me.

I did not turn to him or say anything and kept making my way upstairs, once I was in my room, I walked over to the balcony realising I had not been out on it. I pushed the screen door open and stepped out, almost gasping at the sight of the lush, colourful garden that made up half the backyard, the other half completely covered in perfectly trimmed green grass. Their back yard was massive, like a couple of football fields massive. There was a house further down, with a cottage not far away in the field. My brows rose in surprise as my nose picked up the faint smell of a dog. They had a dog? My eyes caught a patch of the garden that looked like it had been mauled and I grinned. They had a dog. I hope Brandon was not over-feeding our cat Misty now that I was not there to watch him.

The creaking of my bed reminded me that Rowan was still watching me so I turned and slid the door shut creating a barrier between us. Rowan looked amused at that and I leaned back against the balcony watching him as I dialled Olivia’s number.

She answered almost immediately.

“If Brandon had not told me you were visiting your grandmother, I would kill you for not answering our calls or messages for two days straight. Do you realise how worried Ken and I were?!”

“Grandma? Ha. I wish.” I muttered. Because Brandon’s mother and my mother’s mother, my biological grandmothers, had passed a long time ago and I was quite close to Liana’s parents, I referred to them as my grandparents.

“You’re not? Oh my god, did you lie to Brandon? I’m so proud of you.” I began laughing. I was the more reserved one in our group of friends and Olivia and Kennedy usually had to drag me to parties and bars.

“No… I’m… I’m at the palace.” Rowan’s brows rose signaling that he could hear me. I did not lie to Olivia and Kennedy.

“The palace? Is that a hotel or something? Who are you with?” She asked.

“No. The Palace. Royal… house.” She was quiet before I heard a ‘Let me speak to her, Olivia. I miss her too.’ From Kennedy. I let out a surprised cry when the screen door was shoved open and Rowan was in front of me in an instant.

“Who is that?” He growled.

“Who is that?” Kennedy and Olivia asked in surprised unison.

“Um… My friends… My mate… one of… my mates…” I mumbled the last four words hoping no one would hear them, everyone did. Rowan bit the inside of his cheek but did not say anything and I was glad, I figured it was because I was already annoyed by him and he knew saying something would make it worse.

“Did she say one of?” I heard Kennedy, his voice seemed to make Rowan tense up and I felt the need to pat his arm to make him relax, but I did not because I did not even want him near me. Well… I did want him close… but I was still upset.

“I think so, can’t be though.” Olivia answered.

“Is he her mate?” Rowan asked hopefully.

“No.” I said to him making his eyes narrow.

“Is he jealous? Wow, who would have thought you would meet your mate before u – wait, Corin really is your mate?!” Olivia screamed into my ear making me pretty much drop my phone at the sudden noise but I caught it before it could hit the floor.

“Olivia!” Kennedy yelled.

I looked at Rowan who seemed a little lost in thought and dejected. He swallowed as he looked at the garden behind me. I felt my heart clench. Of course they would assume it was Corin, no one knew about Rowan. I fought hard not to reach out and take his hand to comfort him.

“No way.” Olivia sounded shocked.

“Oh – no, no way.” Kennedy chimed in. “Is your mate a palace guard?”

I wish. Rowan frowned and I gave him an apologetic smile.

“Don’t link to me without telling me.” I spoke to him.

“It’s really rude to wish we weren’t your mates, lots of women – and men – would kill to be you.” He frowned.

“And I would kill to be them.” At least then I would have just one mate who would not accuse me of making out with everything that walks and whose parents did not think I somehow faked all of this because I was a – what did the king call me? – sleaze that just wanted to be with royalty or something. I guess they agreed on that. Rowan’s frown fell.

“I-I did not mean to imply that you are a… um… I was upset, Eden.” He said.

“You’re still linking to me.” I groaned.

“It’s a habit!” He snapped. “Just block me out.”

“You’re a royal, it’s harder to block you out, I have to practice.” I replied. “You think I haven’t been trying?” I added annoyed.

“Well, maybe if you trained harder instead of wrestling with Jacob –”

“Really?” I glared at him.

“It’s not me – I-I can’t help it! He shouldn’t touch you! It just made me so angry!” He growled.

“Are they arguing? Well, this is awkward.” Kennedy said. I could picture his embarrassed face and it made me laugh, leaving Rowan staring at me utterly confused.

“Shhh. He sounds handsome.” Olivia replied. I didn't even realise that her words made my jaw clench until I noticed Rowan lift his brow as he smirked at me.

“You can’t sound handsome.” Kennedy retorted.

“You sound handsome.” Olivia and I said at the same time as I furrowed my brows.

“Really? Thank you.” Kennedy chuckled shyly.

“I want to kill whoever the male is.” Rowan growled pinching the bridge of his nose as he shut his eyes tightly. “Oh my God. I can’t be this jealous, it’s humiliating. I want to kill him so badly.” He whined covering his face. ‘I’m sorry, Eden. I can’t stop this.’ He linked to me and I pouted feeling bad that he felt so bad.

“Aw. Eden, stop speaking to Ken.” Olivia said.

“Yeah, you’re hurting your mate, stop speaking to me. I’m too handsome.” Kennedy said. Rowan’s hands dropped from his face, his eyes suddenly sparkling with happiness.

“I like them, invite them over.”

“So you can hurt Kennedy? No.” I moved away from Rowan realising he had stepped out onto the balcony and was basically against me. He smirked.

“Kennedy’s the male? Don’t worry, Eden, I won’t. Now do it.” He said.

“Don’t tell me to –” I stopped retorting back at him and furrowed my brows, ‘They don’t know there’s another Royal brother, remember?’ I linked to him.

‘They’ll find out today, I mean they’re bound to find out anyway seeing as you’re not going anywhere anytime soon.’ He linked to me. I frowned at him and before I knew it he had grabbed my phone from my hand.

“Rowan, don’t –” I tried grabbing it back from him but he pushed me back against the balcony lightly and shut the screen door between us as I had done earlier, but locking it.

I stared at him shocked as I tried to pry it open but it would not budge as he spoke on the phone, turning his back to me. I considered breaking the lock to open the door, but knew it would not look good to the king and queen when they found out. Then again, exposing the fact that they had a secret son was going to be much worse than a broken lock. I grabbed the door handle and gave the door a forceful pull, Rowan instantly turned around looking surprised when the lock broke and the door slid open. I took his moment of surprise as an opportunity to grab my phone and hang up.

“What the hell?!” I yelled at him.

“Well, that is just rude. You should not hang up on your friends.” He said pointedly.

“You can’t – you can’t just invite my friends over.”

“Oh? I already did. You broke the door?” He looked past me.

I stared at him seriously, my fist balled in anger at him blatantly ignoring me and locking me outside. It was like he was oblivious to everyone but his own wants and his own wellbeing. Was Corin the same? They probably grew up pretty coddled and got everything they wanted, he was so entitled.

“Cancel it.”

“Excuse me, are you demanding that?” He asked.

“I don’t – Uh! You can but I can’t?! Your parents don’t want me here. No one knows you exist. How do you think they’re going to react when they find out my friends know and have met you?! Do you ever think or should I get used to this stupid impulsive arrogance?” I snapped at him, he looked completely dumbfounded when I finished. I glared at him for a second before I began redialling Olivia’s number but he tapped the red end-call circle on my screen as soon as it appeared. I stared at the screen livid and clutching my phone almost tightly enough to break it but I felt completely deflated.

“They won’t know, they’re due back the day after tomorrow.” He said. I tried to ignore the part of me that instantly wanted to whine about Corin being away for another couple of days and tried to push him to the back of my mind.

“They’re powerful wolves, my friends will leave their scents. They’re not going to miss that.” I muttered.

“We’ll have it cleaned up. Eden, don’t you miss them? Don’t you want to tell them what’s been going on? Are you happy with just Corin and I to talk to?” He asked. I still did not look at him until I saw him step towards me. I looked at him as he lifted his hand to my cheek. “Come on, don’t you want to show them all of this?” He motioned to himself.

“Rowan.” I pushed his hand from my face. He chuckled stepping closer to me and it made me step back but I bumped against the screen door behind me.

“I know this is selfish, but I want to know them too. I want to know who they are to you… and I want to see this Kennedy person.” He grit his teeth as he looked down on me. He was just a few centimetres from our chests touching.

“If you touch him…” I muttered. “And get away from me, I haven’t forgotten what you said earlier.” I mumbled looking down as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“This does not make up for it?” He genuinely seemed confused.

“This?” I gave a laugh. His father seemed like somewhat of a loose cannon, I did not trust my friends, or family for that matter, near the palace. His eyes darkened and my laugh caught in my throat. How did he manage to look so dangerous so quickly? It seemed to be a royal thing.

“It’s like you’re not even trying.” He frowned. I raised my brows. “You know, you make it seem like we’re mated to you and you aren’t mated to us. You’re making no effort, Eden. We’re risking everything having you here, I know my parents practically want to kill me right now, but you make it seem like you could not care less that you found your mate.” He looked hurt and I felt my heart ache.

“Rowan, what do you want me to do? I can’t get close to either of you without the other going insane… I can’t get close to either of you without feeling like...” I drifted. Trash. I felt like a tramp. Like I was just messing with both of them, using them. Like I had somehow caused pairing this even though I knew I could not have.

“Choose, Eden.” He stated, “Choose me.” He added in a whisper.

I bit my lip. “That’s… not fair to Corin…” I said softly. That and being rejected by their mates basically crushed people, I did not want to hurt either of them.

“He’s not here, Eden. He’s never going to be. Kings never are. We don’t even have to tell anyone who I am, we can just leave. There is no royal arranged marriage for power and whatever the hell else with me. It will be so much easier with me than with him.” He said lifting his hands to my arms. “Eden, Royals have to marry suitable partners chosen by Royals that came before them… but as far as everyone’s concerned, as far as I am, I don’t have to.” I shook my head slowly.

“Your parents don’t agree with that.” I said.

“They don’t have to. We can just disappear.” His hand squeezing mine drew my attention down to our hands. He chuckled. “I’ve never been this happy to be fifteen minutes younger.” I felt myself smile at that before I furrowed my brows.

“When are my friends coming over?”

“Really? That’s what you’re thinking about right now? Not how much you want me to, you know… take you… and mark you here and now.” He bit his lip as his brows rose at me and my eyes widened.

“Rowan,” I mumbled as I felt my face burn and shoved him away from me lightly. He laughed as he stumbled back. “You can’t randomly say things like that.” I covered my heated face.

“Why not? You’re my mate.” He laughed pulling me into a hug. I did not attempt to hug him back or push him away because I was still covering my face.

“Well, for one, people can hear you.” I wanted to disappear into the floor as a man spoke from my room’s door. I recognised him as one of the guards Corin and Rowan had trained with, at least I was basically hidden in Rowan’s chest.

“You were eavesdropping, Kyle.” Rowan let me go to turn to face the man and I was pretty disappointed by the movement.

“Yes, well, maybe close the door in future, your highness.” He pointed at the watch on his wrist, “You’re supposed to be a half hour into your training already.” Kyle frowned.

Rowan turned back to me.

“Wanna watch?”

“No.” I frowned at the previous day’s memory. Definitely not. He chuckled.

“It’s just me.”

“I would rather see the garden.” I said honestly. It looked beautiful outside. He sighed.

“Fine. Just watch out for Nix.”

“Nix?” I asked before I gasped as I jumped. “Your dog?!”

Rowan seemed amused by how excited I suddenly was. “Yes. He’s a little weird, sleeps most of the time and we’ve put a fence around the field to keep him over there, but he’s always somewhere in the garden which drives my parents insane considering that he makes the biggest messes over there. Mother won’t let us have him inside so he stays in the cottage over there.” Rowan pointed to somewhere outside behind me.

“We have to get going, your highness.” Kyle’s voice was laced with annoyance and I sensed that Rowan did not like the tone he had been spoken to in, so I spoke up before he could.

“Have fun, I’ll be outside.” I turned to push the screen door open wider.

“Not alone, Eden –” I had already jumped over the railing and landed in the back yard, rolling before I stood up and looked back at Rowan.

“What was that?!” I called.

“Stay there, some guards will be – Nix!”

I cried out as I was received a forceful shove from behind making me fall forward onto the grass. I quickly rolled over and laughed seeing a tall greyhound towering over me, wagging his tail as he tried to sniff me. He was incredibly friendly right off the bat and I was glad to be able to pet him and play with him.

“Eden, you can’t just jump off of balconies.” I looked up at Rowan confused. Being able to jump out of buildings and off of high places was one of the perks of being a werewolf, it was something none of us took for granted, seeing that some of the jumps would most certainly kill other animals. He frowned back at me before he raised his hands realising he had linked to me again. “Just… don’t go too far off and stay near the guards.”

“Guards?” I called up.

He didn't reply, instead disappearing from the balcony and I heard him tell Kyle to send some guards to the backyard to watch over me. I shook my head confused. No one knew I was here, no one knew I was mated to either prince and I had also trained enough to know how to fight off a couple of wolves at a time, he had no reason whatsoever to be worried. Still, I stayed near the back doors as I played with Nix waiting for the guards to join me.

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