Claimed By My Adopted Uncle

5. Why did she say yes?

KAEL

I knew Rowan was going to do this. Back in his office when the call came in, Rowan snatched the telephone from my hand before I could refuse.

It was bad enough I had to wed Kathryn, but her brother with Raven? That was far fetched.

There was something that always put me off around Soren, and I wouldn't want my mate anywhere near him.

You don't want her, remember? Odin snarled at the back of my mind. Who said I didn't want her? I valued the mate bond more than most did. But I also had a duty. As Beta, it was required of me to make some sacrifices for the well being of the pack. And many might not understand it like I did. Not even Rowan completely did.

Not to mention what was at stake.

Raven is a silver wolf. No one must know.

I had spent the better part of the day just thinking of a way around this mess. Only for them to show up and for Rowan to outrightly tell Raven about her wedding with Soren.

My blood boiled, soaring to the brink of eruption.

She won't accept. She can't.

Raven, like me, valued the mate bond all too well. She wouldn't agree to being mated to her brother in law.

I tried to hold on to control, to keep my composure tight. But anyone with eyes would see just how white my knuckles had turned from clenching my fist so hard.

She didn't look at me. I could tell she was deliberately avoiding my gaze.

Don't say yes, Raven. I spoke in my mind, hoping she would hear me. But being wolfless for years, she hadn't mind linked with anyone before. We weren't connected.

I should do something about this.

“Raven?” Soren called sweetly, it infuriated me. “Do you mind if we step out for a moment?” No, whatever he wants to say to her, he can say it here.

Now we were talking. Odin was equally pissed as I was.

“I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Right sweetheart?” Rowan chimed in where it wasn't even his place to. I was barely holding it in at this point.

Raven, ever scared of her father, nodded timidly. Soren's smile grew to a wide grin and he took her hand in his. My brow twitched at the sight. He was touching my mate.

And she didn't stop him.

They went through the front door, leaving Kathryn and myself in the living room. I wanted to stand, to follow, to listen in. Anything. Just to know what that fucker would say to her.

I bit the inside of my mouth knowing I couldn't. No one is supposed to know. If I acted out of place with and about her, Rowan's smart ass will pick up on something being wrong. I had acted out in her regard already.

I tasted blood in my mouth to realize I had bitten too hard.

I shouldn't care that she was out with him. I was the one who chose duty over a mate but I couldn't help but feel possessive over her. And maybe she was right. Perhaps rejection was the better option at keeping this a secret.

No! You will not reject my mate! Odin's growl almost deafened me. You have to claim her before he does. She's mine! And mine. I wanted to remind him.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt a presence that made me skin crawl beside me.

“Kael, could I have a word with you too? In private?”

She asked just as sweetly as her brother. The behavior made me want to vomit. It was disgusting how identical they were.

My eyes met Rowan's excited ones, “Don't f**k this up…” he mind linked and my brow twitched.

He got up from his chair and left with room with his mate following right behind. I didn't even know she had been in the room all the while.

When it was just us two, Kathryn's shoulders relaxed a bit. “I just want to know what you think about our marriage. Do you have concerns?”

Oh I do. And that is, why the f**k is your brother after my mate. Of course, I didn't dare say that but I want to, badly.

“I have no objects. Our packs need both alliances…”

“That's good to know. Have you found your mate…?” my breathing quickened for a second but I remained composed. After a moment of silence she spoke again. “I'll take that as a no. But if you do happen to find her, what happens to us?”

I turned to her this time to make my point clear. “I'll be honest with you, Kathryn. This marriage is simply a business transaction. I'll never love you. I don't do feelings so don't expect it from me. And when I do find my mate, I'll definitely be with her despite this arrangement…”

Perhaps if she canceled this arrangement herself, I could be free of my duties. But my wishes were burnt before they could be taken in by the wish faires. Kathryn maintained her smile, didn't make a fuss and simply nodded. Shocking and disturbing.

“I understand your point and I'm okay with it. I haven't found my mate either and I just want to know your standpoint on things. I'm glad we're on the same page…” For goddess’ sake! “How about we go shopping today?”

Oh f**k no.

I lifted a brow at the crazy. If she thought that I, Kael was going shopping with her, she had another thing going.

“Surely you know I have better things to do than go shopping with you, Kathryn…”

I said simply standing on my feet to go look for Raven myself. Whatever Soren was telling her was enough.

Rowan however stormed into the room like the wind. “Here, you'll need this to get whatever you want…” he was handing Kathryn his card and a scowl morphed on my face.

“I'm not broke, Rowan. I don't expect you to pay for anything concerning this wedding. I can do that myself.”

It was at this moment they came back into the house. Soren held the door for Raven who had a faint smile on her face.

She's never smiled at us before. I thought to myself feeling a pang of jealousy in my chest.

That's because she's scared of you, stupid. Odin retorted and I realised that he wasn't wrong.

“What are we talking about?” Soren asked breathlessly like he had to joke all the way back. He was too good in a mood and I didn't like it. A part of me sensed that Raven had agreed to this wedding. I would have to ask her.

“Oh, Kael is taking Kathryn shopping…” Rowan needed to learn to shut the f**k up. How the hell did I even let him take over as Alpha with that mouth of his? I wanted to facepalm myself so badly.

“That's a great idea. I hope you two don't mind Raven and I tagging along?” No answer came from me. My chest vibrated with a silent growl from Odin. My nostrils flared. “Raven has agreed to marry me…” She agreed? My eyes snapped in her direction. She had a smile. It wasn't even forced. Why the f**k was she smiling?

Soren, as if his message hadn't been heard, lifted their intertwined fingers to show the ring he put on her.

This asshole came prepared.

They wanted to go shopping? They were going to get the spree of their lives.

“Fine, let's all go shopping…”

You and I have a lot to talk about Raven. I spoke with my eyes before walking.