Betrayed By Love

Chapter Fifteen

"Zach, how is the injured girl? Has she regained consciousness?" Checking in with my gamma at the hospital ward.

"She's stable. No sign of waking up yet. They really did a number on her."

"If she still doesn't wake by the time we leave, we'll take her to the Royal Physician to see if they can help."

"May I ask a question, alpha?"

"Go ahead."

"Do you feel something for this girl? Is that why you're so concerned over her?"

"What?! No, I feel nothing for that omega. But, something is telling me I need to make sure she's okay."

"I just wanted to make sure alpha, nothing else."

"Why is everyone so obsessed with me finding a Luna all of a sudden?" Them constantly bringing it up is making me physically ill.

"Well, it's obvious why I do. I have no purpose without my Luna to protect. I wish to finally have my purpose one day. To have a reason to continue to stand by your side as your gamma." He sounded so dejected.

Ugh, this is truly exhausting. "You will always have a place by my side, whether I have a mate or not. But, I understand. I will do my best to find our Luna." I could tell he was smiling now.

"Thank you alpha."

I can't ignore his needs. I promised I'd do my best to be the alpha they all wanted and needed. Zach was the gamma in his old pack, but his old alpha also didn't have a Luna, and he didn't care that their pack was suffering because of it. So, Zach left to become a rogue. Until he ran into me on my way to the Barron Lands. Dumbass really tried to kill me. After tiring him out, all I could sense from him was pain and a need for a home. So, I took him in. It's been 6 years since. It's time to fulfill my promise to him.

"I need you to return to the packhouse to get ready to leave tomorrow."

"Yes, alpha."

"Are you done yet?" Lexi pulled me from my conversation.

"I guess. What do you want?"

"Mira, told me something that I found interesting. She seemed to remember while enjoying a little personal spa day I arranged for her in her room."

"Spa day?" Leaning back in my chair as I listened to my little sister.

"Yes, I'm looking for ways to get her out of her head. Away from those horrible memories."

"Okay, then what did she tell you?"

"She said she saw you at the party. Or at least someone that resembled you."

"I didn't know she really remembered anything from that day."

"The details right before passing out. She doesn't remember well. She felt Aaron get ripped off her body, but nothing after."

Hearing his name forced the memories of that night back into my head. The image of her begging for help as he tried to have his way like that. My wolf and I both wanted to go find and skin him slowly.

"I should've killed him that night." Her eyes widened in surprise.

"So, you were there? Why didn't you say anything to me? Why were you there?! And why the hell didn't you kill either of them?!" Her words kept getting louder until she was full on screaming at me. My wolf bristled st her disrespect.

"Lexi. Do not scream at your alpha!" she flinched in response to my wolf's command, instantly calming herself.

"Sorry, alpha." I could hear her whimpering at being scolded for the first time.

"It's okay. My wolf isn't used to how our sister is anymore." She was saddened by my words.

"I'll tell you why I was there. I was doing one of my usual steak outs. I also—wanted to see you for your graduation. I'm very proud of you, by the way. Congratulations." smiling trying to ease her wolf.

"Thank you brother." Her shining smile back where it belonged.

"I didn't plan to enter the house. But, my wolf sensed something. I couldn't help but follow. We walked around the house—"

"Why didn't I sense or smell you? Now that I think about it the first day here, I could barely smell you either."

"The queen gave us a potion that temporarily hides our scent. We used it that night."

"Oh."

"I found myself standing in the event room staring at your friend. We did make eye contact. But, I immediately left. I had hoped she didn't remember any of that night. I continued to look for anything I could use against our parents when I heard cries for help. I followed. That's when I found her. I didn't want to get caught. I had my beta f**k him up, ditch him somewhere while I laid her in a different room."

"Where was I? How did I not hear her scream for help?" A weird look crossed his eyes, but it was gone just as fast.

"Lexi, my gamma will need to talk to you about that night. I wasn't the one that helped you, so I can't really tell you what had happened."

"What do you mean?" He looked anxious. Like he really didn't want to talk to me about this.

"All I can say is we think what happened that night was planned. But, please wait for my gamma to explain more."

"Oh, okay if you say so. How long until he comes back?"

"He's on his way. He's who I was talking to when you so kindly interrupted me."

"Sorry, about that too alpha."

"It's okay. I'll get used to having my sister around again, and you get used to what it's like to have a good alpha."

"When can Mira, and I join your pack?" Her eyes shined with excitement, at a new home and new adventure.

I'm already tired of having to hurt her feelings. We haven't been around each other long, and I've only really seen her sad.

"Mira is a princess, and a Lycan. Her parents will probably want to keep her with them. Lexi, after we leave the palace. We probably won't be returning with her."

"What? I'm going to lose her again after just getting her friendship back?" Her tears started falling free as she realized.

"What if Mira doesn't want to stay with them? We can't let them force her. Everyone always forces her." She cried more, thinking Mira was about to be subjected to unfair treatment again.

"No one will force her. The king and queen isn't like that, I promise. If they were, they would've ordered her back immediately without fearing her rejection like they do." My words seemed to reach her as she calmed back down. Is this what it's going to be like to have a sister?

Something seemed to catch her attention, as she started sniffing the air like a maniac.

Lexi POV

"What is that smell?"

"What smell?"

"Is someone making caramel?"

"Uh, no?"

mate

What did you just say, Leela?

That smell is coming from our mate

The scent became overwhelming as soon as she said it, the origin of the delicious scent now directly outside the room.

A knock and the sexiest voice I had ever heard shifted something in me.

"alpha? It's gamma Zach."

"Come in." Seth opened his computer, seemingly distracted.

The door opened, and an Adonis of a man walked in. All his muscles kept flexing as my scent surrounded him. His eyes met mine, and the words I'd been dreaming of hearing finally left his beautifully plump lips.

"Mine. My mate. Finally." His deep, gravelly voice caused my insides to react. He smiled, happy with my reaction to him.

"Mate?" I whispered, feeling like I was about to wake up from a dream.

"Yes, beautiful, I belong to you." He kissed me passionately as he wrapped his muscular arms around me. The sparks that shot through at his touch were overwhelming. I couldn't help the moan that shamefully left my lips as his teeth grazed my neck.

Seth, clearing his throat, brought us both back to reality as I flung myself out of my mate's arms in embarrassment.

Zach laughed at my reaction. "I've been wanting to officially meet you since the day I saved you." His words caught my attention.

"Saved me?" His features became angry, as he thought back.

"Your graduation party—"

"Yeah, it was there, and apparently, while Seth was helping Mira. It's why I didn't hear her cries. What happened?" He just stared at me before laughing.

"Miss impatient. I love it. The man you drank with was paid to lace your drink in an attempt to forcefully mark you." His anger grew at the thought of someone else marking his mate.

"What? How do you know that?" I was lost for words.

"We don't know everything, yet. All we know right now is that the man that paid the kid is employed by your parents. Their plan failed thanks to us being there."

"A man? My parents? They wouldn't. They believe in mat—" Seth interrupted.

"Not anymore, Lexi. They are completely deranged. They're not the parents you thought they were."

"I want to know everything that I've been blind to."

"You will, everything will be laid out for everyone when we are able to sit Mira down with the Royal Family."

"Okay, I'll go make sure she's ready for the trip tomorrow."

"May I come with you mate?" The shyness in his deep, gruff voice surprised me, and his look of need made me blush.

"Of course." He smiled as he took my hand, leading me to the door.

"Lexi?"

"Yes, brother?"

"Do you think—" His shoulders dropped as he sighed. "Never mind. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight brother." Quietly shutting his office door, I made my way to Mira. What was that? Is he okay?