Mated to the Vermore Brothers

Chapter 4

Hallowell

My council chamber was thick with tension, the Elders' voices rising and falling as they argued over simple border disputes and unnecessary trade agreements. As always, they all had something to say, each of them competing to have the final word but their concerns only blurred into meaningless noise.

My fingers flexed against the polished wood of the table where I sat. Outwardly, I was composed, but inwardly, my thoughts were miles away.

Miles and miles…

At this point, I needed help because I couldn't stop thinking about her—the strange woman who’d turned my world upside down the night before, and then built it back up in a way that could only contain her...

My mate.

Memories of her haven't ceased since I'd woken up this morning to find the space where she should've been beside me, empty. It'd left me feeling... empty, too.

I didn’t even know her name.

Worse, she was a werewolf. Meaning the chances of finding her easily were slim. But I was determined. Matter of fact, that’s what Welwyn was up to right now. I couldn't imagine he was faring any better though, because my mind was honestly an utter wreck.

I wanted her… Goddess, I needed her!

I’d lived my entire life without her presence, and in just one night, I’d become an addict. If this was what mate bonds were like, they were far more dangerous than I’d ever imagined.

Her sweet scent still lingered in my nose, wrapping around me and pulling me further from the present.

No matter how hard I tried to focus, to shift my thoughts to less… exciting matters, it was impossible to forget the way her body had responded to mine, molding perfectly against me as if…no, because we were made for each other. I even had to regulate my breathing so the elders didn't notice how increasingly hot and bothered I was becoming!

So much unspent energy surged through my veins, a restless current trapped beneath my skin yet, all I could do was sit here, the last place I wanted to be, while I reminisced…

About the feel of her skin on my palms…

The way her back had arched as my fingers dug into her hips.

The silken texture of her hair, a perfect anchor for my hands as I'd thrust into her again and again, and her moans…

Goddess!

Her desperate pleas and screams as I'd kept a maddening pace still echoed in my mind, haunting me and consuming me.

My blood hummed, my c**k hardening instantly as mental flashes of just how perfectly she’d come undone beneath me came flooding back. The vision of her legs trembling as I’d pushed her past her limits was branded in my mind, and not even the presence of a room full of Elders could taper my reaction.

But it wasn’t just lust that made her unforgettable. It was the trust in her eyes. I'd marveled at the way she’d surrendered, utterly and completely, giving herself to me without a hint of fear or hesitation.

I’d never felt anything like it before, never craved anything as fiercely as I craved her. But then, I’d never had a mate before.

And then she was gone.

Vanished before I could make proper sense of it all before I could claim her as much as I ached to!

And there was Welwyn, my little brother by three years, with his easy grin and the same mate bond thrumming in his chest. That was another complication I’d barely given much thought to.

I hated sharing what was mine.

But shared mates weren’t… unusual. And I admit, if the Goddess had wanted to test my ability to compromise, she’d chosen wisely by picking him. He was an extension of me.

And frankly, the only other person I could ever imagine sharing something so precious with. Though I couldn't imagine there wouldn't be times where I'd come close to ripping—

A sharp knock at the door cut through my thoughts.

“Enter,” I permitted, my voice low but authoritative enough to silence the room.

The doors creaked open, and two guards stepped inside, their expressions grim.

Between them, a small figure slumped, barely conscious and my sharp gaze zeroed on her.

My heart stopped. Then stuttered in my chest as recognition hit me like a blow.

It was her.

I didn't want it to be her, not in such a heartbreaking state. But I couldn't deny that the woman who’d consumed my every thought was now cradled between them like a broken doll.

My chair scraped against the hard floor. The sound jarring in the sudden silence of the chamber as I got to my feet even before I realized I’d moved.

“Sire,” one of the guards began, his tone hesitant, “we found her near the southern border. She’s unconscious, but alive.”

I could see that. My eyes roved over her, taking in every bruise, her torn clothes, the same ones from last night…

Fuck!

Anger boiled in my chest at the sight of blood streaked on her face, stark against her pale skin. My reaction was such a strong one, but I forced it down. I couldn't lose my cool in the presence of such an audience.

“What happened?” I asked through gritted teeth, my voice still sounding steady but I could feel the storm brewing inside me.

“We don’t know,” the guard admitted. “She was unconscious when we found her.”

I clenched my fists, the urge to lash out at something, someone. It was almost unbearable. Someone had done this to her..hurt her, and—

“What should we do with her?” the other guard asked, casting a wary glance at the elders.

My brow arched at that. It should've gone without question. “Take her to the infirmary and ensure she's treated—”

“No, Sire” one of the elders interjected without caution. Alfred.

But, of course… he was the only one who would dare.

“This is highly unacceptable! Bringing an outsider into the palace is dangerous, and we must consider—”

“I have considered,” I cut him off sharply, my gaze locking on his. “And she is under my protection. As such, she will be treated with utmost care, understand? Do see to it that no harm comes to her.” I finished firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument.

The council murmured among themselves, their disapproval evident. An outsider, especially one in such a state, was a risk. Protocol demanded that she be interrogated before being allowed into the heart of their territory, let alone the palace.

But she was my mate.

The guards nodded quickly, clearly relieved to be dismissed. They carried her out of the chamber, and my gaze followed her until the doors closed behind them.

The elders were watching me, their eyes filled with questions they didn’t dare voice.

“Your Majesty,” Alfred started again, his expression stern as if that would change anything. “Surely, you must see the danger in this—”

“I am well aware of the risks, Alfred!” I snapped coldly, leaning forward so my dominance permeated the room. “And I will not leave an injured woman to die at our gates!” I met his glare head on. “This meeting is over.” I declared, rising to my feet.

The room fell silent at that, and I'm bloody certain Alfred's gaze bored into me as I strode past the table but I didn't slow or wait for anyone to argue or object further.

As for Alfred, he could remain there and seethe in his anger for all I cared. My priorities lay elsewhere. Particularly with... I still didn't know her name.

My strides were purposeful, my mind racing equally as I headed straight for the infirmary.

My mate was here, in my territory, but only because someone had left her for dead at our borders...

Not an accident.

But who would dare? And why? That, I was going to find out, but first—

I got to the infirmary, the smell of antiseptics hitting my nose as I stepped inside—but it was her scent that drew me like a beacon.

My gaze immediately landed on the bed in the far corner where she lay, and I approached quietly, my heart clenching painfully at the sight of the dark bruises marring her porcelain skin. Oh, when I found who was responsible...

My hands curled into fists at my sides, my claws threatening to extend as a new bout of anger surged through me.

Someone had done this. Had dared to harm her, to treat her life so carelessly. Gods! If I ever get a hold of them, I'd f*****g rip their throats out!

She looked so small and fragile, as I crouched beside her, my fingers trembling as I reached out to touch her face.

Her skin was cold to the touch and her pale lips parted slightly.

She was beautiful… even in this state, she still took my breath away.

I held my breath as her eyes opened, unfocused at first, but then they zeroed on mine.

Blinking, her lips moved in an attempt to speak, but I shook my head. “No,” I said firmly, hoping she got the message. “Rest,” I murmured softly as I brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple.

But she was stubborn.

“Shhh,” I whispered when she tried to speak again. "You’re safe here,” I reassured. “In good hands. And I’ll do everything I can to take care of you.”

But then the air shifted suddenly and I was on my feet, my muscles tense and my jaw clenched as I turned to see Alfred standing at the entrance of the infirmary, his expression unreadable.

I exhaled sharply.

“What now, Alfred?”

But rather than give an immediate answer, he took a step forward, his hands clasped behind his back.

His cold eyes flicked toward the bed before meeting mine with a calculated stare and then he finally opened his mouth to speak.

“I see you’ve found your mate, Sire,” he sounded anything but pleased, his voice dripping instead with a level of sarcasm that provoked me. “But I’m afraid that bond cannot work, not if you want your sins to remain a secret.”