Fated to the Alpha's Brother

CHAPTER FOUR

“No, my Lord, someone’s in there…” Nurse Gomez said, just as they barged into each other.

Audrey looked up at the man and, for a second, she got lost in those clear hazel-green eyes that were flecked with gold.

Julian froze mid-step, his brows drawing together slightly as if he hadn’t expected anyone else in the room. For a heartbeat, they stared at each other. Audrey, clutching the cloth against her bruised skin, and Julian, studying her as though trying to place her.

“Forgive me,” he said finally, his voice steady but low, almost soothing. “I didn’t know you had company.” He said to Nurse Gomez.

Audrey’s pulse quickened at the sound of it. Not sharp and mocking like Adrian’s. It sounded calm, measured, yet carrying a quiet authority that made her straighten without realizing it.

She let out an awkward cough as she said, “Uh, s-sorry…”

She looked down and quickly sidestepped him and walked away.

Audrey sat on a stool and looked around wordlessly. She saw the guard and the nurse. The guard seemed to be playing a game on his phone. And the nurse was jotting down notes on some papers.

Minutes later, Julian returned from the bathroom and sat quietly on the cot across from her. He rolled up his tunic sleeve as Nurse Gomez cleaned a thin, angry scratch along his forearm. He didn’t flinch at the sting of the herbs, just kept his gaze steady, flicking once or twice toward Audrey.

Audrey tried to keep her attention on the steaming basin in front of her, but it was impossible to ignore the weight of his presence. Unlike Adrian, Julian wasn’t trying to fill the room, yet somehow, he did.

Nurse Gomez chuckled at him. “You’d think a commander would know better than to lower his guard in sparring.”

Julian’s lips curved faintly, the ghost of a smile. “You’d think so,” he said. His tone was light, but his eyes flicked back to Audrey as though the joke wasn’t really meant for the nurse.

Audrey tightened her grip on the cloth in her hands, unsure why heat was rising to her face.

Julian tilted his head, studying her openly now. “You’re not from here,” he said quietly, more observation than question.

Audrey hesitated, then muttered, “It’s that obvious, huh?”

That almost-smile returned, softer this time. “The way you look around. Like you’re memorizing every way out.”

Her chest tightened at the accuracy of it. She opened her mouth, then shut it, unsure how much to give away.

Julian didn’t press. Instead, he looked back at Nurse Gomez as she tied off the bandage. But Audrey could still feel the weight of what he hadn’t said lingering in the air between them.

Ronny’s phone rang again, and all attention went to him. “Uh…sorry,” he awkwardly laughed.

“Yes, boss.”

“Where’s the girl? I will not ask again.” Adrian firmly said and hung up.

“Uhm, Nurse Gomez, is she good to go?” Ronny asked, stuffing his phone in his jacket pocket.

“Not quite yet. I just need to add one last ointment to her skin, and that's it. But I’m done with you, Sir Julian. Try not to get torn up again before tomorrow.” She said, patting his hand as he rolled down his sleeve.

“Thanks, Gomez.” He said with a small smile, then stood. The movement was fluid, unhurried, and yet Audrey noticed how the space seemed to shift when he rose to his full height. He adjusted his tunic sleeves and then, almost as an afterthought, his gaze flicked back to Audrey.

His eyes lingered curiously on her skin.

“You’ll heal,” he said, his voice low, certain, as though it were less a comfort and more a fact.

Audrey blinked, unsure how to respond. By the time she opened her mouth, he was already at the door, the faint scent of steel and earth following him as he slipped out.

“Now, this might sting a little, dear.” She said as she untied Audrey's towel.

Once she applied the oil, Audrey winced.

Moments later, she said, “All done.”

“Alright. Thanks, Nurse Gomez.” Ronny nodded at her as he ushered Audrey out.

“Thank you.” Audrey quietly said.

“It’s nothing, child.” She said with a small smile.

When the heavy doors swung open at Adrian's chamber, Audrey was ushered in, but she could barely move her legs.

Her gaze darted between Adrian, Eleanor, and the looming walls of the chamber. She looked small, still bruised, but her chin lifted ever so slightly in defiance.

Adrian’s smirk curved as his eyes raked over her. “There she is,” he drawled. “The lamb dressed up for the slaughter.” He set his glass down with deliberate care and leaned forward.

“Bring her closer,” Eleanor said.

Audrey gazed at Eleanor, who stood near the hearth, radiant in dark velvet that made her eyes gleam like polished glass. She looked far too youthful to be his mother..

Ronny obeyed, pulling Audrey forward. She stumbled, and Eleanor’s eyes softened with something close to pity, though her mouth remained set in a careful, dignified line.

“Sit,” Eleanor instructed, gesturing toward a low cushioned seat across from Adrian.

Audrey obeyed, her hands twisting in her lap, her pulse hammering.

Eleanor let the silence hang for a moment before she began, her tone deliberate and formal.

“How are you?” She asked.

Audrey was taken aback by this question and struggled to find an answer.

Eleanor didn’t wait for her reply as she continued. “You are to stay here, in this house, under the protection of my son. For appearances, you will be his betrothed until after his coronation.”

The word betrothed struck Audrey like a slap. She stiffened, but Adrian’s sharp glance warned her not to speak. His lips twitched, as if enjoying her discomfort.

Eleanor continued, her gaze flicking between them, “There are reasons for this arrangement that you need not understand now. What you must understand is this. You don’t have any options. You would’ve been dead and forgotten by now, if not for this. So, defiance will not end well for you.”

Her words were gentle, almost maternal, yet the steel beneath them made Audrey’s throat tighten.

Adrian finally leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes gleaming with a predator’s amusement. “She doesn’t look convinced, Mother,” he drawled. “Shall I remind her what happens to lambs who wander from their pen?” His teeth flashed briefly, sharp enough to make Audrey’s stomach lurch.

“Enough,” Eleanor snapped, her tone cutting through the air like a blade. For a heartbeat, even Adrian stilled. Then she turned back to Audrey, her expression softening again. “Do not mistake his cruelty for a lack of reason. He may be harsh, but he will not harm you… not if you play your part.”

Eleanor stepped closer, reaching down to gently brush a stray lock of hair from Audrey’s face. The touch was deceptively tender, though her eyes pinned Audrey in place. “Do this, and you will live.”

Adrian chuckled low in his throat, leaning back again, clearly entertained by his mother’s delicate yet ruthless diplomacy.

Audrey was momentarily frozen in fear. Everything was happening too fast. Just hours ago, she was listening to her mother scream at her, and now she was bound to the confines of werewolves.

“Finally, don’t try to pull off that stunt you did earlier. Lying about a fire. Any attempt to escape will cost your life.” Adrian said icily.

Audrey’s head spun with questions. Fire? What fire? She desperately longed to request answers, but she was too scared. She figured that they all must be suffering from dementia, or this was a case of mistaken identity.

Eleanor’s hand lingered a moment longer on Audrey’s cheek before she straightened, her regal poise unshaken. “It is settled, then,” she said firmly. “From this day forward, you are Adrian’s betrothed. The household will treat you as such.”

Audrey’s chest tightened. Betrothed. The word tasted like iron and ash.

Adrian smirked, tilting his head with mock curiosity. “A betrothal means a celebration, doesn’t it?” he drawled. “Perhaps I should have her paraded before the pack, let them see the little lamb who’s to be their Luna.”

Audrey’s blood ran cold. The thought of being displayed, surrounded by wolves in human skin, made her throat close.

But Eleanor’s sharp gaze cut to Adrian, and he fell silent, though his grin remained. She turned back to Audrey, her eyes dark, unreadable.

“Prepare yourself,” Eleanor said quietly, her voice carrying more weight than any threat. “Soon, you will stand before them all. And when you do… they must believe you are who we say you are.”

Her words settled over Audrey like chains. But as Eleanor turned to leave, she added, almost under her breath, “For your sake, pray they never discover the truth.”

The door shut behind her, and in the echoing silence, Audrey realized with dawning horror what was about to become of her life.