Cast Aside Without a Mate

Chapter 2: Happy Birthday!

*The next morning*

Chapter 2: Desmond's POV

"Good morning, Young Master Desmond," a harmonious voice came from the doorway. I was putting on the finishing accessories to my robe, and Armani's tailored suit fitted my physique. I turned to look at the voice's owner, which surprised me as I smiled cheekily. "Good morning Grandma Deathridge," yes, as in that Deathridge family. We are known as powerful elites in the human world, but we are more like gods compared to humans. My grandmother and grandfather on my father's side were the ones to thank for the pack they created alongside their parents when they were just teenagers. My grandmother in the human world is known as Crystal Deathridge and is a model even at 2500 years old, but humans think she is 40 at most.

" I did not think you would be coming after last year's incident with my brother." I teased Grandma as I usually do when she visits the family. Rewarded with Grandma's wholehearted laugh as her smile slowly disappeared from her face, replaced with a sad appearance. "You know we do not need to talk about your brother. I still do not understand how your twin can be useless to the family. How did your mother create a human child and a godly son like yourself? There is something defective about Dante, so you should stay away from him after the ceremony today. It would be in your best interest as you will become king of the Menyaka and your kingdom. As such, having a burden like your twin brother Dante would only drag you down against your enemies." Grandma's disgust for my brother filled the room as she talked little of him. The atmosphere was heavy with hatred, something I could see all too well and sense with my menyaka by my side.

I frowned at my Grandma, who was messing with a few trinkets I had on my dresser, which were more like two custom-made vanities slapped together as one. I don't like everyone trying to separate me from my twin. I have lost control of my Menyaka twice this year because I could not handle people speaking poorly of Dante. Most of the pack still do not utter a word about my brother in my presence, but I know they have been bullying him since our birthday last year. "If only they knew what I know! They would never treat him poorly or tell me to push him away from me. No one gets it! Dante is the kind of person that would fight for you even if it cost him his last breath. He would never abandon someone who loves and cares for him."

Crystal lets out a sigh of grievance and turns away while saying, "Happy birthday Desmond, my boy; I pray to the lord of Sanctuary that you find your mate tonight, even if you have to share them with your useless brother. After all, you are twins, and there is a chance the gods have chosen one mate for you both to share for the rest of eternity with." as she said the last part, she looked at me with a smile that made me shiver. Brushing off Grandma's mockery of my brother and ensuring I was set for the breakfast ceremony, I straightened my tie, closed my robe over my fashionable turquoise suit, and headed out of the room. "You should listen to our grandmother." Odin quipped after my grandma left the room. I rolled my eyes because that was never going to happen. "At least consider it, Desmond." Odin sighed as he drifted back to sleep.

My room was upstairs inside the Castle of Deathridge. Outside its gates is our homeland, known as Xudford. Only Menyakas can enter our land, and only those with special permission from the king and queen can leave Xudford. Those who leave never come back, and those forced to leave become Neubetu or will be once exiled. I just exited my room and paused to examine the beauty of our upstairs formal living space right outside my bedroom. My brother Dante and I are the only ones who live on the third floor, and since our part of the castle is at the back where no one travels, it can be pretty convenient when you want a peaceful place to rest your head at night. Directly on our floor plan, we have six rooms for ourselves as we are the only siblings in the castle as well.

Our parents love us equally, and we appreciate that because, ever since last year, things are not the same between my twin brother and me. We are still close, but I wish he knew how much I loved him as a brother and would open up to me as he did before the ceremony last year. "You may be born together, but your paths will differ. You must accept that not everything will always be done by your brother's side." Odin's voice drips like venom into my thoughts. His words have haunted me even while he sleeps in the back of my mind since we met last year. "NO! Dante is my brother. He will always be by my side." I felt a ping in my stomach. Then suddenly, I felt like I should hurry to Dante's room. I had known I needed to see my brother more than I usually had when we were kids, but what am I supposed to do when I feel like I'm going to lose my other half, Ever since last year? Odin will not stop telling me to distance myself from my brother, just like Grandma and Grandpa Deathridge tried to convince me. "Shut up, Odin! You know my brother, and I have worked on a plan to prevent that future from happening. We can prevent it from happening if everything goes smoothly during tomorrow's ceremonial ritual." I sneered at him. Even if he is asleep, I know he can still hear me. No one will get in the way of our plans for tomorrow. If they try, there will be consequences for payment. I gritted my teeth and headed to the opposite side of the room, away from the stairs.