HIS BROTHER, MY MATE

KIERAN’S POV

****

Today was the day.

The day I had spent my entire life preparing for.

Tonight, I would finally become Alpha of the Thorne Pack.

Yet, despite everything I had been taught about duty and leadership, I couldn't deny the conflicting emotions happening inside me.

Part of me was excited.

Another part was terrified.

Becoming Alpha meant inheriting more than a title. It meant inheriting the responsibilities, burdens, and expectations that came with it.

The lives of an entire pack would soon rest on my shoulders.

But regardless of how I felt, there was one thing I knew.

Yesterday, after seeing Elara, I had felt considerably better.

Being with her had been like taking my first breath after being underwater for far too long.

She had always been my escape from the pressures surrounding me.

And tonight, as I stepped into my new role, I wanted her beside me.

I spent the rest of the day preparing for the succession ceremony.

Every detail had to be perfect.

---

That Evening

The moon had risen high above the estate by the time the succession ceremony was about to begin.

I stood inside my room, dressed in the ceremonial attire of the future Alpha, when there was a knock on the door.

I turned.

Elara walked in.

The moment I saw her, some of the tension inside me eased.

She was here. Her presence made me feel less tensed.

But as I looked at her more closely, I noticed something wasn't right.

Her expression was distant.

Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

She looked as though something was weighing heavily on her mind.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

She nodded quickly.

“Yes.”

Then she gave me a faint smile.

But I knew her.

Something was wrong.

I could see it in her eyes.

Still, I didn't press her.

When Elara was ready to talk, she would.

At least, that's what I told myself.

She stepped closer and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

It was brief.

“I'll see you after the ceremony,” she whispered.

Then she left.

I watched the door close behind her.

And made my way to the hall.

---

The succession ceremony began shortly afterward.

The grand hall of the Thorne Mansion was filled up.

My father stood at the front.

Elara's father was among the gathered elders.

Cassian stood nearby, along with the entire council and countless members of the pack.

Every eye was on me.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.

My heart pounded.

This was it.

I looked through the crowd.

And there she was.

Elara.

Our eyes met.

Then my father stepped forward.

He held an ancient scroll in his hands.

He extended it toward me.

I took it carefully.

The oath.

The words every Alpha before me had spoken.

The words that would bind me to my pack.

I unfolded the scroll.

My voice echoed throughout the hall.

“I, Kieran Thorne, swear to protect my pack, to uphold its laws, and to bear every responsibility that comes with the mantle of Alpha.”

I continued reading the oath word for word, my voice growing steadier with every sentence.

“I swear to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to lead with strength, to rule with wisdom, and to place the welfare of my pack above my own.”

When I reached the final words, silence descended upon the hall.

I lowered the scroll.

My father approached me.

In his hand was a heated iron bearing the engraved symbol of a wolf. - The mark of the Alpha

My heart thudded heavily against my ribs.

I knew what came next.

He pressed the hot iron against my shoulder.

Pain exploded through me.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to make a sound.

The scent of burning flesh filled the air.

Then my father withdrew the iron.

He looked at me with pride.

“I now proclaim you the new Alpha of the Thorne Pack.”

For one heartbeat, the hall remained silent.

Then—

A chorus of powerful howls erupted throughout the mansion.

The sound shook the walls.

My wolf surged within me, answering the call of the pack.

It was done.

I was now the Alpha of the Thorne Pack.

---

Cassian approached me almost immediately.

A wide smile spread across his face.

“Congratulations, Alpha.”

I pulled him into a brief embrace.

“Thank you.”

For the first time in since the death of my mum, I felt as though things were finally coming together.

After the ceremony, everyone proceeded to the dining hall for a grand feast.

Tables were covered with an abundance of food and drinks, and the entire pack celebrated late into the night.

Laughter filled the hall.

Music echoed through the mansion.

Everyone was celebrating.

My gaze repeatedly drifted toward Elara.

She sat at the far right side of the table.

At first, I thought she was simply quiet.

Then I noticed the glass in her hand.

She drank.

Then another.

And another.

My brows furrowed.

That wasn't like her.

I watched as she continued drinking until her movements became sluggish and her eyes began to lose focus.

I pushed my chair back.

I was about to stand when my father placed a firm hand on my shoulder.

“You are the Alpha now,” he reminded me quietly. “You have an image to maintain.”

I glanced toward Elara.

She looked miserable.

I hated that I couldn't simply walk over to her.

Then, moments later, her head dropped forward.

She collapsed face-first onto the table.

My heart lurched.

“Elara.”

I instinctively moved to stand again.

But my father stopped me.

“Cassian.”

My gaze shifted toward my brother.

“Take her upstairs. Make sure she gets some rest.”

Cassian nodded.

He walked over to Elara and carefully lifted her into his arms.

I watched helplessly as he carried her toward the staircase.

My hands curled into fists beneath the table.

I should be the one there for her. But I couldn't.

Not with every eye in the pack watching the newly crowned Alpha.

The celebrations eventually came to an end.

I waited until the hall had begun to empty before heading upstairs.

I wanted to see Elara.

I needed to make sure she was okay.

But before I could reach her room, my father's voice stopped me.

“Kieran.”

I turned.

“I need to speak with you. It's urgent.”

I hesitated.

Then followed him into the study.

What was supposed to be a brief conversation turned into hours of discussions about pack affairs, alliances, security, and the responsibilities I now carried as Alpha.

By the time we finished, the first light of dawn was already beginning to creep across the horizon.

I was exhausted.

Completely drained.

And although I wanted nothing more than to check on Elara, my body could barely keep itself upright.

Eventually, I gave in.

I went to bed.

---

The next morning, I woke with a heavy feeling in my chest.

The first thought that crossed my mind was Elara.

I felt terrible for not seeing her the previous night.

But circumstances had gotten in the way.

After freshening up and getting dressed, I immediately set out to find her.

But I was told she already left the mansion.