The Traitor's Brother

07 ~ Confrontation

He grits his teeth in annoyance. Why is she suddenly part of this dream? Must be because of the little public scene she did tonight, declaring to all and sundry that nonsense about deciding to take a chosen mate. And that that person was right there, in the garden. His heart had hammered his chest so hard, he found it difficult to believe no one had actually turned to look at him.

Princess Alys is coming closer now, staring at him warily, like one would a wounded, dangerous beast or a ticking time bomb. She has been looking at him like that all these years, since they’d found out they were fated mates: as if bracing herself for an incoming pain, probably expecting him to finally officially reject her.

It has been something like a hybrid game of tag/hide and seek, but both of them are ‘taggers’, waiting for the other’s move, while trying to avoid the other as well.

It would have been much easier if Alys weren’t the royal princess. He would have had no qualms about rejecting the bond, freeing her from this cursed situation. However, there are protocols to be observed, and it would be ‘undignified’ for the lycan princess to be rejected, especially by someone of his rank, even though Jayden has already come a long way, being an elite warrior and the future lycan king’s chosen King’s Guard.

He will always be just an omega---it's in his blood. He just happens to be a very dangerous one because he has nothing to lose. His second chance mate doesn’t count. Alys has never really been his to begin with, despite the Moon Goddess’s obvious delusion that they would be perfect for each other. A more mismatched pairing he had never seen or heard of, before or ever since.

The princess should have rejected him long ago. He has certainly given her enough reason to be so inclined to do it herself, as she sees him for what he is: an empty husk of a beast with nothing to offer. He’d been cold and distant; he’d practically ignored her even though it pained him to do so; he’d sent her birthday gifts with the same note over and over again, clearly hinting that she should find someone else more worthy. And yet, for whatever reason he can’t quite fathom, the princess does nothing. He waited, but the days turned to months… and then years… and with everything going on, it just became easier to pretend the bond was never there in the first place. Well, except from those moments of proximity that he could not avoid, and her scent would send his wolf into a rabid frenzy he could barely control it.

Not that he ever yielded, of course, and no one would have been able to tell that he was struggling. Rio’s death had hardened something within him, and just thinking of going through that soul wrenching pain again made it easier to stay strong and maintain control. He is cursed—his entire family is—there’s no need to ruin another person’s life, especially that of the beloved and most precious of the royal family.

Princess Alys stops just a few steps away from the bridge, staring at him with eyes too conscious to be a mindless part of his imagination, and Jayden realizes what is happening.

F*ck. She’s here with Maeve.

Maeve’s lycan power is ‘dream walking’, which is the ability to visit other people’s dreams and even bring others with her. This is probably the biggest reason why Jayden goes out of his way to avoid dreaming, even though it would have been a simple and nice way to avoid the painful reality of Rio being gone. If Maeve knew the extent of his ‘madness’, she would certainly do something about it. Well, he doesn’t need help. He needs privacy.

Jayden sighs, gripping the railing so hard his knuckles turn white. Keep your cool, stay calm…

“What are you doing here, Princess?”

Alys frowns, looking miffed. “I should be the one asking. This is my dream. Why are you here?”

Her dream? Jayden looks around. That’s odd. He thought this was his dream. He’s not really sure how Maeve’s power works but then again, lines are blurred when it comes to dreaming.

His frown deepens when he tries to remember how he fell asleep… and couldn’t. The last thing he remembers is being called by Sir Elijah, the King’s secretary and trusted King’s Guard…

The other lycan whose power is being able to put someone to sleep.

Realization hits him and Jayden closes his eyes in frustration, taking a deep, calming breath to avoid exploding in anger. Blasted meddlers.

“Where’s Maeve?” he asks, barely able to control his temper.

Alys stares at him for a few but seemingly interminable seconds and shrugs as she joins him on the bridge.

He has to hand it to her. Princess Alys has a tough backbone for someone who lives a pampered life.

“She’s back at home, working on a project. She, uh… left me alone to explore.”

Home? Home where? The dress shop, most likely. He pushes away against the bridge railing and sets off, determined to go to the dress shop to confront Maeve for sticking her nose where it is neither wanted nor needed, but Alys’s next words stop him in his tracks.

“Since we’re already here, why don’t we talk about our mate bond?”

He freezes right where he’s standing.

Really? They’re doing this now? She truly wants to go through this right f*cking now?

He doesn’t turn around, almost afraid of what he might see if he looks at her. Which makes him angrier still. He has faced so many hardened warriors and he has never backed down, not even when faced with his own mortality. And yet, this slip of a young lady is making him feel like an absolute coward.

“I know what you’re doing, Jayden,” Alys murmurs. “You’re waiting for me to reject you. Your honor dictates it, and protocol demands it: The crown first. Always.” She takes a deep breath and leans on the railing for support. “I know I should have done it already. Should have rejected you years ago, since you started acting like a jerk. Do you know why I never did?”

He doesn’t answer. Deep inside him, he knows the answer already. Probably.

“Because you never really told me why you didn’t want me…”

Jayden blinks. That’s not exactly what he was thinking.

“I know about her. The girl who died saving you.”

He scoffs. “It’s not exactly a secret.”

“Yes, but is she the reason why you won’t have me? Am I competing with a ghost? Or is it just really me you don’t want?” She asks in a very casual tone, but he can still hear the underlying world of hurt in her words.

“Why should the reason matter?” he growls, feeling the pressure growing. His wolf is starting to pace inside him like a caged beast and it is making him antsy. “Once the bond is formally broken, you will be free to choose another. Someone worthy to stand beside you. Whatever my reason, it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Just do it and be free to finally be happy!”

Alys smiles bitterly. “If it were so easy, why don’t you do it?”

“I can’t—”

“Or you won’t. Maybe because you don’t really want to. It’s the uncertainty that gives me pause, you know. What if it’s a mistake to ignore the Moon Goddess’s gift? What if… we could work it out?”

Feeling the frustration building, he turns to face her. “Princess—”

“Alys,” she reminds him. “My name is Alys. You’ve always called me Alys before that… fateful day. You still call my brother, the future king, Teddy. I’m your fated mate, why are you being so formal with me?”

He swallows painfully. “The bond is unacknowledged and will soon cease to exist. If it bothers you that I call the prince with his nickname, that can be rectified—”

Alys clicks her tongue. “Don’t be deliberately obtuse, it’s beneath you.”

Jayden shakes his head, trying to clear it. This is the very first time they are confronting the issue and Alys is showing remarkable calm and maturity. And while it’s certainly the most inappropriate moment, he can’t help but feel the attraction.

Rio’s pale face flashes in his mind and the warning bells are going crazy. Not again, not again! No more…

He runs his fingers through his hair, fighting the urge to grab a fistful and pull.

Breathe… breathe…

He regains control after a little bit and tries again, this time with a reasonably calm voice. “Believe me, it’s for the best. You deserve better. I’m not really the one you want, it’s just the mate bond messing with your head.” He takes another deep breath. “You want my reasons? I’ll give you plenty: You’re young, smart, beautiful… pure. Look at me. I’m beastly and have anger management issues. A cursed man and a broken wolf who will never have the right pedigree or appropriate manners. My history and my rank are both questionable—I will only sully the line of kings with my omega pups. Do you know what they used to call me in training camp? The traitor’s brother. I have nothing to offer, not even a good reputation. I can’t afford to keep you—I haven’t enough savings to give you a future lifestyle even remotely similar to the one you are accustomed to now. I can’t ever be your equal… and it will only ruin everything in the end.” He looks away. “Find your Prince Charming elsewhere, Princess Alys. You won’t find him here.”