REJECTED MATE IS CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA’S BROTHER

Chapter 2

I guess that would be my lambor Genie, he says with a displeased frown, making me roll my eyes, a car, that is his big thing, really but I'm happy to give it up for Rowan's sake, he adds.

Adrien sags into a chair sending our guest a board look.

I guess I could use a new car, he says with a shrug thought. Keep in mind what matters most to people is rarely what they'd expect.

I can't guarantee I'll be taking your car for payment, I'll be taking what matters most to you.

It's the car Caleb insists with a smirk, it's vintage if you say so, Adrienne shrugs, I'll let you think about it for a minute. I think my assistant wants a word, he turned to me and indeed wanted a word or more accurately to yell at him for agreeing to grant this stupid shifter's wish.

Don't do it I implore once we're alone in the adjacent room. It's a selfish wish, he's going to ruin this couple's chance at happiness.

I don't make the rules Adrienne reminded me sounding perfectly indifferent to my plight. If a client wishes to make a wish then I’m obligated to accept but you could discourage him I argue, making him understand what he wants is wrong.

How will you know it's wrong?

You've met him for all of 10 minutes and you don't know the brother or the mate, she should be a conniving b***h for all you know.

I pout, displeased,

Do what you want then, I say exiting the room you always do and he did.

A minute later Adrien would grant Caleb his wish and somewhere not too far from here, a bond would break.

A month later Caleb came home to the den, to find Annie sitting by herself on the porch of their home drinking one of those insipid herbal infusions. She liked it didn't even smell good. He tells her eyeing her cup seriously, why do you drink that stuff, Caleb, Annie greets him warmly as if she only just realized he was there.

Some wolf she made most members of the pack would have heard him coming from miles away but Annie was always daydreaming about one thing or another.

As if she didn't have a care in the World, Caleb didn't regret breaking the mating bond she had with Rowan for a second. Neither of them was the wiser. They didn't even remember being bonded and hadn't suffered from this new reality, where a romantic relationship between them was never in question.

Caleb had made sure of that when making the wish, he didn't want Rowan to renew the bond down the line and he had to ensure he'd never be tempted to court Annie ever again, also he didn't want Annie to be sad.

She may be useless but Caleb wasn't a monster, he had no desire to break a poor girl's heart.

Annie was nice, she didn't deserve that, would you like me to make you one?

She smiled pointing at her drink, it's a bit of an acquired taste, but it's very good for the body. Caleb had no desire to try her drink whatsoever, but Annie looked so hopeful and eager to please that for some reason he replied, I guess if you add whiskey to it.

I can do that She said looking pleased wait here they drank their infusion together in silence after that Caleb had always known Annie wasn't particularly skilled in the art of conversation just like she wasn't particularly skilled at anything at all.

Most women from the pack were always eager to speak with him either about a pressing matter that needed solving or with the intent to flirt the Alpha’s young brother was a rather promising catch after all Annie didn't attempt any of that thing though.

She just sat there emanating peaceful waves that while unsettling at first felt rather nice now that he thought about it.

You know Caleb she tells him as he's about to retreat inside I always wanted to thank you, thank me he asks genuinely surprised, yes I'm very grateful your family agreed to take me in.

That wasn't my decision Caleb confessed feeling rather uneasy maybe not but I know your brother and father, they'd never agreed to let me stay. If you'd argued against it and for that I thank you.

An uncomfortable feeling settled in Caleb’s gut sure he hadn't argued against Annie staying but he'd never encouraged it either he was never particularly enthusiastic about the idea and ever since she’d arrived he'd made no effort to help Annie settle in or train to become a strong wolf like he would with other members of their pack.

He’d seen her as a lost cause and chosen to ignore her over and over again and yet here, she was thinking of him as if he'd shown her any kindness that didn't feel right. I know I'm very strong Annie said smiling sadly, so I'm grateful you've given me a chance, Caleb thank you why are you telling me this now? Curious Annie turned away because your brother has arranged for Me to be mated she says in a bright voice that does not match her expression he's from another pack so I'll be leaving soon.

Caleb agreed to act as Annie’s chaperone during the courting period, even though the match was already arranged.

Both parties were to get to know each other better before the mating ceremony, to ensure the viability of the match, because they were from different packs.

Custom warranted that Annie he accompanied by a member of her own pack for protection.

And when Rowan requested, Celeb take on the role, he couldn't find it in his heart to say no. That was partially because his brother and future Alpha requested it, but also because he was excited at the idea of Annie finding a mate outside the pack. She'd be assured of future and protection, both away from Caleb and his family.

Best of both worlds so to speak now, if only Annie was a little more enthusiastic about it.

Corbin is a good wolf as Annie, he tells her while driving her to her meeting in his Lamborghini, which against all odds hadn't been kind of worried about it, wondering what this thing that mattered to him most was, if not his car.

But in the days after making his wish nothing and no one he cared about had gone missing.

So Caleb had concluded that whatever mattered maybe it was a old photo or toy he'd forgotten easily.

I'm very lucky to have found a match with a strong wolf, she says the words like she's practiced them, like they aren't particularly genuine.

But Annie ia always very genuine.

It's practically her defining trait, give him a chance, Caleb encourage feeling slightly guilty again.

It happens more and more often when he's around Annie and he doesn't like it.

If you don't like him then you won't hate to mate with him, he adds without thinking.

What is he saying, of course she’ll have to mate with him, it's Annie best chance at a safe future.

One they were very lucky to secure for her given her low status and weak disposition, but she'd been luckier before.

A little voice whispers in his mind, she was your Alpha’s mate, your own brother's mate.

There is no better wolf than Rowan, but you took that away from her.

Don't worry Caleb, Annie places her hand on his arm misinterpreting Hus unease for something else.

I'll make Corbin like me, I won't let you down.

The unease Caleb feels only grows further.

To be honest, Corbin says after Annie has left them alone to discuss pack politics.

I’m not very difficult I just want a nice mate who can cook and bear my children. I don’t care that she’s not very strong and your father promised me a nice day for her says this reassuringly as if this is something Caleb will be happy to hear strangely.

He probably would have been happy to hear it only a month ago but ever since making his wish, ever since he tore. Annie and Roman apart he just hasn’t been the same. It’s just the guilt taking he tells himself as he tries to hold back a Grimace at Corbin’s words except, Annie’s not some stock that can be cheaply bargained and exchanged for pragmatic reasons.

She’s a person with thoughts and feelings but it’s like everyone has forgotten about that somehow even Annie herself doesn’t seem to pay any mind to her reservation as if her hopes and dreams were inconsequential but what did you think of him?

He asked as they were driving back home,

He’s a strong wolf she replied ever so politely yeah we’ve established that, Annie but did you like him?

“What’s not to like, I’m very lucky to have found a match”, Annie said to Caleb.