Semua Bab Mated to Adoptive Alpha Brother After Betrayal: Bab 21 - Bab 30

These past days, Damon had been living in agony.He drank while clutching his phone, staring at the message he'd read no less than a thousand times—[Damon Blackwood, I, Sage Rivers, refuse to accept you as my mate. I don't love you anymore.]Every time he read it, images of my smiling eyes flashed through his mind.Like they were carved into his memory, impossible to erase.Whether awake or asleep, his mind was filled with me.My figure, my voice, even the faint herbal scent on my skin—all like invisible shackles binding his heart tightly.Damon had never imagined he could become like this.He had once been the high and mighty, cold and ruthless Alpha of Ironwood Pack, a man who would stop at nothing for power and strength. But now he was as pathetic as a rogue wolf who'd lost his territory, drowning in alcohol and memories, unable to escape.He didn't understand why he was in such pain.I had left, but my departure felt like his heart had been ripped out too.He vaguely sensed someth

Damon stood at the entrance, took a deep breath that made his injured ribs scream in protest, and walked in alone.Each step sent sharp pain through his back where the silver whips had torn open his flesh weeks ago. The wounds hadn't had time to heal properly with his refusal to rest or eat. But his expression didn't change—he couldn't show weakness now.The research institute's interior was spacious and clearly carefully designed. Everything was clean, organized, professional. It spoke of the life I'd built without him.I was facing away from the door, focused on processing materials in my hands. I wore the institute's standard dark linen work robe, my hair simply tied back in a way that made Damon's chest ache with memory.He remembered how I used to let him braid my hair in the mornings, how I'd hum softly while I worked, how I'd smile when I caught him watching me.In front of me were a mortar, small silver knife, and several crystal bottles containing different colored powders and

But I looked up at him with steady eyes and said word by word, "It's not fake, Damon Blackwood. It's real."My voice was calm, final. "Damon Blackwood, I fell in love with my brother—yes, your most hated mortal enemy. Our bonding application has been approved by the Alpha Council. Now he can legally mark me, become my official mate, and be with me for life. Are you satisfied?"The words hit him like physical blows. His knees buckled, and only his grip on a nearby wall kept him upright."You're lying," he gasped. "You love me. I know you love me.""I did love you," I said quietly. "Once. Before I learned what you really were.""Sage, please—""Don't," I cut him off. "Just don't."With that, I took Garrett's hand, our fingers intertwining naturally, and we turned to leave.The sight of our joined hands sent a bolt of pure agony through Damon's chest.Witnessing me and Garrett with our fingers intertwined, Damon's eyes were full of disbelief."This isn't happening," he muttered to himself

The Beta was momentarily stunned by the casual tone, but seeing Garrett's ruthless expression in the rearview mirror, he understood the full meaning."Garrett, what are you doing?" I asked, noticing the change in his demeanor."Protecting you," he said simply. "Like I should have done years ago."As soon as the words fell, several Beta bodyguards emerged from nearby alleys. They moved with military precision, surrounding Damon before he could react."What the hell—" Damon spun around, finally realizing the trap."Damon Blackwood," Marcus announced formally. "By order of Alpha Garrett Rivers, you're under arrest for assault, kidnapping, and attempted murder of pack royalty.""This is Stormfang territory," another guard added. "You have no authority here."They injected Damon with wolf's bane before he could shift or fight back. The drug hit his system immediately, making him stagger."No!" Damon struggled weakly as they bound him with silver chains. "Sage! Tell them to stop! You know I

The entire hall fell silent. I looked up, my eyes carrying complex emotions—surprise, anger, and something that might have been pity."Damon Blackwood, why did you come?"My voice was so cold, so different from how I used to say his name with warmth and love.Damon's voice carried pleading. "Sage, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have used you or hurt you. But I... I really fell in love with you. Give me one chance, please? I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, loving you."I stood up from my chair, my wedding dress rustling. Several Stormfang Pack members stepped closer, ready to intervene."One chance?" I repeated, my voice rising. "One chance? I gave you five years of chances, Damon!""That's different—""No, it's not!" I cut him off. "Every day I loved you was a chance. Every time I trusted you was a chance. Every time I believed your lies was a chance!"My eyes turned cold, my voice carrying no warmth. "Damon Blackwood, I don't love you anymore. That text message was