Chapter Four: My Husband’s Brother Is My Mate

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, but it didn’t do anything to soothe the uneasy feeling swirling in my chest.

Moonlight streamed through the hall windows, illuminating his striking features. His skin was tanned, his face ruggedly handsome, with strong angles that gave him a naturally fierce appearance. But the ferocity that clung to him softened in his eyes, revealing a gentleness that caught me off guard.

I swallowed hard, shivering as the cold night wind whistled around us.

‘Mate!’

I winced as her cry grew even louder, panic flaring through me.

“Stop…” I whispered, but this time I wasn’t speaking to him. I was speaking to the voice that wouldn’t stop ringing in my ears.

Before now, I had never felt my wolf, and I had long since accepted the fact that I never would. So now that she’d surfaced, a myriad of sensations slammed into me all at once, threatening to unravel me.

‘Mate. Mate. Mat—’

“Stop!” I covered my ears, squeezing my eyes shut and I staggered back.

My heel caught on a broken piece of stone, and I yelped as a sharp sting tore through my leg the moment I put weight on it.

I fell forward, bracing myself for the impact. But before I could hit the ground, strong arms wrapped around my waist.

I gasped as I was pulled up with fluid strength, crashing against the chest of the mysterious man. I stilled as his fingers brushed against my exposed skin, where the fabric of my dress had torn.

At that moment, I forgot to breathe, and the noise in my head flattened into silence.

Heat shot up my waist and spread throughout my entire body, racing through my veins like wildfire. My heart slammed violently against my ribs as I met his gaze, his golden pupils flashing with dull light.

He stiffened, and for the briefest moment, surprise flashed across his face before being replaced by something else.

Recognition.

And that was how I knew he felt it too—the bond weaving between us like threads of fate itself.

It was too much. Too much for my fragile heart to bear.

“No!”

So I pushed against his chest with all the strength I could muster.

The movement caught him off guard, giving me the chance to jerk away from his hold.

Turning away, I gathered my skirts and fled down the hall as quickly as my injured ankle allowed.

He didn’t chase me, and I spared him a glance over my shoulder, gritting my teeth as I continued to run.

As I moved farther away from him, I could feel my wolf thrashing within me, but I didn’t stop.

Because if I did, I would be forced into a bond that could ruin everything.

****

The palace physician finished wrapping my ankle before stepping back.

“You were fortunate,” he said. “The injury is not serious. You’ll need to avoid putting too much strain on it for a few days.”

I nodded absentmindedly, staring out my room window.

It was a new day, and the physician had spent the better part of an hour asking questions about the attack.

How many assassins were there?

Did I recognize them?

Did I see any identifying marks?

Who saved me?

And so on….

But I remained silent. Because the person who was meant to be asking these questions wasn’t here.

News of the attack had already spread through the palace, and even then, Leon had not thought to come see me.

He was probably busy with Nyra—because checking on the wife who had humiliated his precious mistress would be the proper thing to do, wouldn’t it? Especially after she had almost lost her life at the hands of dangerous assassins.

He was king after all. He could do whatever he wanted, and I really shouldn’t be disappointed by his behavior. Leon had made it clear that I was only the queen, and nothing more. A duty I was meant to fulfill without question.

And to be honest, that wasn’t what bothered me the most.

It was those golden eyes.

The touch of the stranger lingered on my skin, searing itself into me like a burn. While my wolf stirred restlessly beneath my thoughts, growing more agitated with each passing second.

Eventually, the physician gave up and excused himself, then Mona rushed in with tears in her eyes, relief flooding her face upon seeing me sitting upright.

“My queen,” she sniffled, and I couldn’t help but smile at her expense.

In her hands was a sealed envelope bearing the royal crest, and my stomach sank immediately.

It was a formal summon, and I scoffed at the irony of it.

He really expects me to show up in my injured state?

“Ready a dress for me, Mona,” I said simply, setting the envelope down. Mona looked skeptical, like she wanted to speak but didn’t.

I had already made up my mind. If all Leon wanted was a queen, then so be it. Yet I didn’t know what to do about the mysterious man.

Who was he? Why did he save me? And how was he so strong?

It seemed fate was playing a cruel game with me, and now that a new player had been added to the mix, I was at a loss for what to do.

****

The event was held that evening in the Grand Assembly Hall, and unlike Nyra’s welcome ceremony, the atmosphere was far more formal.

Nobles filled the chamber while military officers lined the walls in polished uniforms.

Leon didn’t even spare me a glance as I limped toward my seat beside his throne, but I swallowed the ache and hid it behind a mask of indifference. Nyra sat nearby, dressed elegantly as always, but I paid her little attention.

Soon I learned the reason for the gathering. The kingdom’s border troops were returning home after ten years of defending Eryndor’s northern borders against rogue forces.

They had finally wiped out the threat that had plagued the kingdom, and now they were welcomed as heroes.

Trumpets echoed through the hall as the double doors swung open, and rows of soldiers marched in.

Everyone cheered, but I sat stiff in my seat, my breathing turning shallow as goosebumps prickled my skin. I felt my wolf surface yet again, but I tried my best to suppress her, struggling to maintain my composure.

Just then, the horde of soldiers spread out into a neat formation, revealing the towering figure standing between them.

The moment I saw him, my heart skipped a beat.

It was the same man who saved my life.

The same man my wolf refused to stop calling—

‘Mate’

The troops saluted him as the general, and to an extent, everything made sense.

But then Leon rose from his seat, wearing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

The general’s expression gave nothing away, but I couldn’t help but notice the lingering tension between them.

“Welcome home,” Leon spread his arms wide, an unfamiliar emotion flashing in his eyes. “Brother.”

The word felt like a slap to my face. And a harsher realization dawned on me.

My supposed mate… is my husband’s brother?