Mated to My Alpha Uncle

Chapter 2 Brian's True Nature

Laura's POV:

"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath, barely believing my ears.

Bella was the one engaged to Matthew Smith, so why was I the one being forced to drop out of school?

Mabel had no intention of explaining herself. She just stated it coldly. "Bella doesn't like him, so you'll have to take her place and marry Matthew Smith."

This was completely insane. A cold shiver crawled down my spine.

No wonder Bella's flirting hadn't stopped despite her engagement. Mabel and Bella had already decided to offload me as a replacement to marry the infamous Alpha, Matthew.

According to the rumors, Matthew Smith was an Alpha who was as ugly as he was cruel. Bella was terrified of him, and no one dared to say no to Matthew Smith.

"No way! I'm not doing this!" I shouted, my voice filled with anger. "You can't just force me into this! I won't marry Matthew Smith!"

For the first time, I stood up to Mabel with a blunt and defiant tone. I couldn't stomach the idea of marrying a man I didn't love.

Mabel looked at me with a cold, dismissive gaze, not even batting an eye at my defiance.

Just moments ago, I'd been over the moon about the possibility of winning Brian's heart. But now, I was being thrust into a marriage with a man I'd never met.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I demanded, "Why should I have to take Bella's place and marry someone she doesn't want?"

Mabel's voice was as cold as ice. "You're just a foster child of the Watson family. We raised you, and you have no right to refuse what I've asked of you!"

"I won't marry Matthew Smith!" I shook my head wildly, my voice echoing through the room.

Mabel's face twisted with disgust at my outburst. She turned to the maid and ordered, "Lock her in the basement."

The cold, damp dungeon was all too familiar to me. Over the past nineteen years, I'd been thrown in here more times than I could count.

Even if I'd just broken a bowl, they would lock me up, leaving me to starve until I was begging for mercy.

But this time, I wasn't going to give in. I couldn't let Mabel and Bella dictate my life.

Curled up in the corner, I cried silently, hating my fate that seemed to deal nothing but misery.

Why was I thrown away as a child? Why did the Watsons take me in, only to treat me like an unwanted stray?

I had no answers, only questions that haunted me.

For nineteen long years, the only thing that kept me going was my love for Brian. I was head over heels for the man who'd shown me a glimpse of kindness. I'd dream of us running away together, starting a new life somewhere far away.

But just as that glimmer of hope appeared, Mabel and Bella crushed it without a second thought.

I sobbed until I had no more tears, until my body gave out and I drifted into an exhausted sleep.

When I awoke, the room was still dark, but I heard the soft shuffle of footsteps approaching.

I had no idea who it could be. Bella wouldn't miss a chance to mock me, but somehow, I knew it wasn't her.

The door creaked open, and in the dim light of a candle, I saw Brian's face. My heart leaped.

He stepped closer, and I could only stare, too stunned to believe he was really there.

It was like a dream come true. The man I longed for was right in front of me.

Brian handed me a piece of bread with a gentle smile. "Here, eat this. You must be starving."

Tears fell as I took the bread, savoring it like it was the first real meal I'd had in years.

Brian's eyes never left mine as I ate, and though I felt awkward, my hunger overshadowed any embarrassment.

As soon as I finished, I looked up at him and blurted out, "How did you find me here?"

He settled beside me, so close I could feel his warmth, and my heart raced.

Brian met my eyes and said softly, "I couldn't stop worrying about you."

My heart was pounding as I looked at his perfect face and finally confessed, "Brian, I've always loved you."

The words hung in the air, and I braced myself for his response, my stomach in knots.

Brian nodded, his voice gentle but firm. "I know. I care about you too, Laura. But you and Bella are like sisters to me."

"I don't see you as a brother, Brian," I said, my voice trembling. "I see you as... someone I love."

Brian stayed silent, so I continued with fervor, "I truly love you. You've always been so kind to me, the only one who's ever made me feel loved. I've always dreamed of us being together."

I paused, glancing at Brian, but his expression was unreadable. Mustering my courage, I pressed on, "I know you're engaged, so I was going to keep my feelings to myself. But now, I can't hold back anymore. Mabel and Bella are forcing me to marry Matthew Smith. I don't want to marry someone I don't love. I just want to be with you!"

By the end, I was crying my heart out. Brian pulled me into his arms, and I trembled with emotion. "Don't be afraid, Laura. I've got your back," he said, his voice soothing.

I held onto him, pouring out my heart. "Brian, I love you!"

He didn't respond, but his hands were soft on my shoulders, and I lost myself in his tenderness. Even if this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up.

But then, something felt wrong. Brian's touch grew rough, more forceful. When his hand groped me shamelessly, I pushed him away, panic rising. "Brian, what are you doing?"

"I'm just teasing you, Laura," he said with a low chuckle, his tone and expression changing to something eerie and familiar from the men at school who'd tried to take advantage of me. "Haven't you always wanted me? Now, I'm giving you the chance to have me, right here in this dark basement."

"That's not what I meant!" I shook my head, tears welling up. "Brian, I love you, but that doesn't mean we should rush into this."

Brian's expression turned cold, and I continued, my voice steady despite my fear, "I want you to take me away from here. I don't want to be forced into marrying a stranger. I want to be with you forever."

But Brian pushed me away, his voice like ice. "Laura, I'm just being friendly with you. If you really love me, you'd be ready to sleep with me. But that doesn't mean you'll ever be my mate."

I stared at him in shock, unable to comprehend how Brian had suddenly become a stranger. His gentle eyes now burned with a predatory malice.

His gaze fixated on my chest, lecherous and hungry. "Laura, I don't care that you're Wolfless or that you're just an orphan. But do you really think anyone else would give you a second glance?"

Brian paused, then continued, his voice dripping with disdain, "Why fight it? You're into me, aren't you? So why not strip down and let's get to it?"

Shame and anguish washed over me. "Brian, stop! You can't humiliate me like this!"

It was only now that I saw Brian for who he really was. His kindness was just a facade to get what he wanted. He'd never cared for me; I was just a toy for his amusement.

Brian sneered at me, "And let's not forget how you flashed me at school earlier, trying to get my attention."

"I did no such thing!" I retorted, my voice filled with anger.

He let out a chilling laugh. To him, I was nothing but a cheap, two-faced tease.

He slammed me down, his hands clawing at my clothes, desperate to strip me bare.

"Brian, stop! I'll scream if you don't back off. Everyone will know you're here, trying to force yourself on me!" I pushed him with all my might, my voice trembling with desperation.

Brian froze. I knew he was terrified of being discovered.

I steadied my breath, locking him in a defiant glare. "Think about Sara. If she finds out you're cheating on her, she'll destroy you."

Brian's face went pale. He shot me a venomous glare, then let go and stormed out, leaving me trembling in the oppressive darkness.