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MATED TO HER ALPHA STEPBROTHERS 154
BROOKS“Summon the royal physician. Now!” My voice cut through the infirmary, and the maid bolted without hesitation.Heath remained glued to Brooks’ side, crouched low, his hand hovering just above her arm like he wanted to touch but couldn’t. His jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grind.“She’s burning alive,” he muttered. “I can’t just stand here—”“I know,” I said sharply, because if I let him keep going, I’d lose my own control. I looked at her again, her lips dry, her breath uneven.The royal physician came in a couple of minutes later, her gaze sharpening the moment it landed on Brooks.“My lords, I must ask you both to step out,” she said gently but firmly. “I need a clear space to examine her.”“No.” Heath’s answer was immediate and guttural. “I’m not leaving her.”I stepped forward, placing myself between him and the physician. “It will only take a moment,” I said low, steady. “She’s not sending us away. She’s trying to help. We’ll wait right outside the door.”Hea
MATED TO HER ALPHA STEPBROTHERS 153
BROOKSThe gown was suffocating.No, all the gowns were fucking suffocating. I have been paraded into silk, satin, lace, velvet, dress after dress, pin after pin, needle after needle. By now, I have lost count. Was this the hundredth? The thousandth? Each one felt heavier than the last, as though the fabric itself was binding me, swallowing me whole.“Stand straighter,” the royal designer snapped, his voice sharp as his pins. His hands tugged at the bodice like I was some lifeless mannequin. “You are not a peasant bride. You are meant to be regal. Meant to be divine. Stop slouching.”Divine. Regal. Bride. The words were chains.One of the apprentices brought a color and the designer shook his head.“No, no, no, this color won’t do, it makes you look washed out. Bring me the emerald!”My throat tightened. The air around me felt too thin, as if every breath I took was stolen. I glanced at my reflection, a stranger in another gown. Pale, tired eyes staring back at me, skin bruised by
MATED TO HER ALPHA STEPBROTHERS 152
ZADE“See for yourself.”Mother’s fingers brushed over the papers like they might burn her. She pulled the stack toward her, unfolding each sheet with an intensity that made her brows knit tighter and tighter.“These…” her voice faltered, thin with disbelief, “these are mine. These were kept in my private archive.”I tilted my head just enough to look concerned, though inside, I was glowing with satisfaction.“I found them with Ashar, Mother,” I told her. “He’s been stealing your plans from you for weeks. Plotting against you just like I said. I told you never to trust him.”Her eyes darted across the inked schematics, troop placements, confidential strategies she’d hidden from even her closest circle. Even me. Every revelation stole a little more of her composure until she looked less like the indomitable Lady Natasha and more like a woman betrayed.“He was never to see this,” she whispered, more to herself than to me. “No one… no one was meant to touch these plans.”I leaned closer
MATED TO HER ALPHA STEPBROTHERS 151
ZADEI made my way to my mother’s study, rehearsing every word in my head and trying not to show any form of emotion that would compromise my plan. When I entered, she was seated behind her desk, speaking with one of her top officials. Her voice was sharp, clipped and commanding as ever, talking about what border to attack next.The moment her eyes lifted and found me, though, her expression softened. She raised a hand, dismissing the man instantly. He bowed and hurried out, leaving us alone.“Mother,” I bowed, mustering a smile that mirrored concern so she could pick on it.“My son,” she said warmly, rising from her chair. “You came. Tell me, what troubles you?”I lowered my gaze, acting as if it pained me to say the words. “It’s Ashar Vale,” I said slowly. “I can’t shake the feeling that he’s… dangerous. That he’s moving against you.”Her brow furrowed, the warmth in her face flickering into cold steel. “Ashar? No,” she scoffed out a laugh. “He’s a proud fool, yes, but he has bee
MATED TO HER ALPHA STEPBROTHERS 150
STEPHANThe night was heavy with a kind of silence that made every step sound louder than it should. Heath and I reached the meeting place first. A clearing deep in the woods, far enough from the palace walls to feel cut off, yet open enough that we could see anyone coming. I hated that it had to be like this; secret, dangerous, and in the dark, but there was no other way.I stood with my arms folded, restless. Every crack of a twig had me turning my head. Heath paced beside me like a caged beast, his jaw set tight, his fists already clenched as if he was preparing to fight instead of talk. I knew he wasn’t going to make this easy.Then Zade appeared. He stepped out of the trees and the moment Heath saw him, his whole body went rigid, his eyes narrowing into blades. I could practically feel the tension crackle between them.For me, I forced myself to stay calm. One of us had to be steady, and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be Heath tonight.“What the hell do you want from us th
MATED TO HER ALPHA STEPBROTHERS 149
ZADEThe soldier hit the dirt hard, coughing as the air left his lungs. I stood over him, chest rising steady, not even winded. The ring of fighters erupted into cheers and applause, some even pounding their fists against their chests in respect.“Enough,” I said, rolling my shoulders as I stepped back. “That’s it for today.”A few groans of disappointment came from the crowd, but no one argued. They’d seen enough. My body ached from the day’s drills, and I was ready to be done, ready to disappear, gather my thoughts, and keep playing the part until it was time to end this charade.But then a voice, sharp and cold, cut through the noise.“Leaving so soon, little prince?”Ashar Vale stepped into the circle, his eyes locked on me like a predator itching for blood. His smirk carried the weight of a challenge.I exhaled, already annoyed. “Not today, Ashar,” I said to him. “I’ve had enough.”“What’s wrong?” He tilted his head, circling like a wolf. “Scared you’ll lose in front of the me
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