MATED TO THE ENEMY BROTHERS

CHAPTER 4: Regrets

ADOLPHUS

I knew she would be my fated mate since she was a very little pup, and ever since then, I have been protective and possessive of her in a way that would make her comfortable.

I made sure she doesn’t feel the absence of her mother, of whom she has little or no knowledge about.

She was supposed to get her wolf on her sixteenth birthday, but we couldn’t question the moon goddess. She never gave her her wolf.

I knew I would reject her anytime she does have her wolf.

I felt my wolf stirred with agitation and excitement in my head after catching her scent as it hit my nostrils: fresh butter mint and chocolate.

It smelled very strong and intoxicating. I couldn’t resist the urge to follow where it was coming from even though I knew the inevitable. My wolf, Ryker, started howling loudly with joy.

I stood right in front of Otsana, my hands on her face. I could see the feeling of want in her eyes, the connection between her new wolf and Ryker. The pleading in her eyes for me to accept and claim her. To make her mine.

And also the bulge between my trousers was something I wouldn’t want to mention.

But I couldn’t. I had to reject her.

“No, you won’t. I want her wolf. I want her. I want them both!” Ryker protested inside my head.

I had always known that the moon goddess making her my mate was a punishment for her. It was a dangerous situation, and it would put her in harm’s way.

Even if it meant not having another mate for the rest of my existence, I still had to do what I had to do.

“I, Otsana Dolph, accept your rejection.” I felt a sharp pain twist my chest as the connection gradually disappeared. It was so painful, but I had to hide the pain under a poker face.

I knew rejecting her would cause her pain right now, but I’m sure she was going to thank me later.

“I told you not to reject her, you fool!” My wolf seethed in anger.

I couldn't reply to Ryker’s banter and antics.

“You’re just a hypocrite! Why love and protect her and then reject her in the long run?”

My heart tightened at his comment.

But was I really a hypocrite? Was I being cruel to her?

“She was our mate, and you know it! Why cause her pain?”

I think I have to do what I always do.

“I don’t think I’m ever going to forgive you for…”

Ryker kept on rambling and protesting…

I shut the mindlink because no matter what reasons I gave him for me rejecting our mate, he wasn’t ready to have it.

I wished she would know I have my reasons for rejecting her.

I felt dread pooled in the pit of my stomach. What the f*****g hell was I seeing?

Were my eyes deceiving me? What was Fenrir looking for in my pack?

He has been banished for moongoddess knows when. He was my stepbrother. He was an abomination of nature. He was not supposed to step his feet inside my pack.

What effrontery!

His aura, his confidence, was making me see red. He was the last pure-blood vampire still existing, as his father had been killed a long time ago.

And that reason alone sent cold shivers down my pack member's body. I could feel it. They were tense, and fear was palpable on their faces.

If I wasn’t the Alpha, with my own aura and powers, I would be drowning in fear too. I felt his hybrid power radiating around him.

He was more powerful than I was, no doubt.

“I’m here for my mate.”

Dread pooled in the pit of my stomach as those words sank into my head.

How the hell was that possible? His mate? In my pack?

I wasn’t surprised he was to have a destined mate; at least he was half vampire and half werewolf. A hybrid.

Maybe his werewolf side wants a mate too.

“And who might that be, Fenrir?”

“There she is, my beautiful mate.”

I saw him pointing to Otsana.

It felt like a bolt of lightning struck my thoughts, leaving me momentarily speechless and struggling to make sense of it all.

“She’s mine to claim,” his eyes beamed with pride and something… as if he knew I had just rejected her.

My eyes widened like saucers. The news hit me like a ton of bricks, making my heart skip a beat.

She was mate… Oh f**k, I rejected her.

“Jokes on you, mate,” my wolf snickered.

Wait… Was this some kind of joke?

Was the moon goddess playing a prank on me?

She fated my just-rejected mate to my stepbrother? Like… what the actual f**k?

Seeing Fenrir sink his teeth at the base of her neck confirmed I wasn’t dreaming. It confirmed my worst fear.

I saw the look on Otsana’s face as she grabbed him closer to herself. I couldn’t decipher the look—maybe fear? Excitement? I can’t really say.

The waves of shock coursing through my veins were momentarily replaced, leaving me icy towards Fenrir.I felt like a storm was brewing inside of me.

My wolf wanted to take over me as the orange color of his eyes flashed with horror, but I tried to keep him at bay.

Otsana was mine, right?

“But you rejected her! I warned you!” My wolf, Ryker, lashed out.

At that moment, I felt a heavy weight of guilt.

Why… Why did I reject her?

My chest tightened as I found it hard to breathe. Maybe I shouldn't have if I knew what the moon goddess was up to.

I wanted to lunge at Fenrir, but my beta’s voice halted me, making me stop.

What he said was true… They were mates whether I like it or not; I have to let them go.

There was nothing I could do. I lost her, but I’m not accepting defeat until I put up a good fight for her.

I couldn’t stand there any longer. I had to leave, but not until I confronted Fenrir, telling him I knew what he was up to.

And he knew we both understood.

With nothing more left to say, I stormed away from the scene and returned to my study, throwing everything I found in my way away with anger.

Once I was in, I locked the door behind me.

I sank on the sofa beside my working space. It was like the whole earth was falling on me.

As I sat there, like a wrecked truck, one thing was on my mind—getting Otsana back!

But would I be able to?

Will she ever forgive me for making her go through the pain of rejection?

I made up my mind—I have to try and do everything it takes to get her back!

I needed power!

I needed protection against Fenrir. I knew he wouldn’t stop there. I needed to stop him.

Giving myself no time to wallow in my own misery, I stood up and walked towards a section of ancient books in my study. A section I had avoided all the days of my life as an Alpha.

I picked a book titled The Dark Magic. It was wrong for me to get involved in such things, as it was an abomination, but for me to conquer Fenrir, I needed a dark power, and I will stop at nothing to put an end to him.

Forever!