4. His Rightful Mate
1125 Words
Liam had taken to wearing the scarf left behind by his mate on his wrist. It was his pledge of loyalty towards the one woman who had his heart.
He and his brother discussed the possibility of his going back on the alliance one rainy afternoon, at the palace, where they had been reunited because Theodore had found his mate. And what a sweet mate he had! Emily Nill was not only a sight for sore eyes but also possibly the sweetest woman he had ever encountered.
Theodore, albeit not a diplomat, fished for information, and that was how Liam found himself spilling the beans. He told him all about that fateful one-night stand in Roma. But he did leave out the part of the scarf’s significance.
“I don’t believe I can carry on with this sham of an arranged mating when I should be out there looking for my fated mate,” Liam said on a sigh.
“I understand,” Theodore nodded at him. “Don’t do anything rashly just yet.”
“What do you have in mind?” Liam asked, an eyebrow rising in question.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” his brother winked at him.
Liam would have never guessed his brother was foolish enough to go seek help from their cousin, David. Although he got the information he was looking for, he and Emily nearly lost their lives to that end. Indeed, David had poisoned Theodore who had gotten really sick. And Emily, his sweet mate, had been ready to forsake her own life to save him.
It was a good thing she didn’t pass away, for Liam was sure Theodore would have taken out his anger on him for allowing her such foolishness as he put it.
When they retired to the office to discuss his findings, one could say that Theodore was furious.
He banged his fist on desk before letting out on a growl, “I risked my life for that damned information, Liam. My mate almost lost hers in a desperate attempt to save me. And now, you’re telling me Princess Tatiana is the one you slept with four years ago?”
Liam hung his head low in shame. “How was I to recognize her? I never met her, remember?”
Theodore growled out his next words, “You really are a fool. You were all hung up over that one-night stand that you wanted to break things off with the werewolves… and we almost did - again! And now, it turns out that your one-night stand is in fact your betrothed. You do realize that this is beyond messed up, right?”
“Hey, I basically had to replace you at the altar,” Liam couldn’t help but spit out angrily.
“I never asked you to,” Theodore said in an annoyed tone. “I made my choice all those years back, and I was more than willing to go to war - again - should her foolish father provoke me.”
Liam shook his head negatively at that. “Well, forgive me if I didn’t want you risking your life on the battlefield again. It is an ugly place. And war changes people.”
“Really now?” Theodore bit out.
“Yes, really,” Liam said with a sigh. “Correct me if I am wrong but you became a recluse afterward.”
“I did because I was tired of being lonely,” Theodore said, almost sounding exasperated. “I much prefer being alone out of free will, then feeling lonely even when I am in a crowd.”
Theodore then didn’t give him the chance to digest that before adding almost cruelly, “You, too, have been sulking away since four years ago, much like a jilted bride.”
“Well, I was basically thrown into an arranged mating that had all the best reasons to fail,” Liam retorted bitterly. He paused and then he added, “and then I met her four years ago. She was splendid. Our connection was out of this world…”
“Do spare me the gory details,” Theodore groaned. “I have no wish to have that kind of information.”
“Well, imagine being wham-bam-thank-you-madam’ed by your own fated mate,” Liam forced out a laugh.
Theodore winced at that, almost feeling for him, it would seem. “Well then, you should rejoice, brother,” he said after while, “for your fated mate is in fact the one arranged for you.”
“Do not even think about it,” Liam said threateningly.
“What?”
“Do not think about how things would have been complicated had you gone through with that arranged mating,” Liam shook his head negatively, warning his brother… but to no avail.
“Well, it would have been easy once you two were introduced to one another on the party,” Theodore said. “I would have happily stepped back and enjoyed the show. I never cared for an arranged mating. And maybe if I hadn’t backed out of it, you would have been mated to her for nearly a decade now…”
“You are impossible,” Liam told him as he shook his head again at him, even as a small smile came to adorn his face.
“So, what are your plans, Liam?” Theodore asked matter-of-factly since both had cooled down. “Will you proceed with the arranged mating as if nothing had happened, or will you seek out Tatiana, and come clean about your feelings towards her?”
Liam clicked his tongue in dismay “I will let things run their course. She left four years ago, claiming she had obligations. She expressed no desire to fight for me - her fated mate. I am not even sure why I told you I wished I could back out of the arranged mating, just because of that one-night stand.”
“Because you obviously care for your mate,” Theodore shrugged.
“Easy for you to say,” Liam taunted. “Emily is all over you and truly loves you.”
“When you truly love someone, you don’t expect anything in return.”
“But you do wish that your feelings get reciprocated,” Liam countered immediately, not missing a beat.
“True,” Theodore nodded at that. “Well then, all I can say, brother, is best luck conquering your scorned princess.”
“Do not call her that,” Liam growled.
“My bad. That was uncalled for,” Theodore conceded. “I just wish you the best of luck wooing your rightful mate.”
“Thanks,” Liam smiled at him hesitantly.
- Writer
