Page 16 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

“Please,” the doctor says. I feel the tip of a syringe pressed against my forearm. “His heartbeat is too fast. This is stressing him out. He needs silence.”

I don’t know what he is injecting me with, but I feel my nerves calming down and my mind being dragged to yet another sleep,hoping that the next time I wake up, it will all just have been a nightmare.

But the next time I wake up, it’s all too real. There is no hoping it was just a dream. No, I’m living the nightmare. At least it’s only my mother here this time, which means the others have followed the doctor’s advice.

I’m much more aware of my surroundings than last time, shifting around to change my position.

“Marcellus,” Mom says gently. “You are awake.”

“Yes,” I say, my voice hoarse and strained even to my own ears.

“Don’t talk too much,” she says. “Wait, I will give you something to drink.”

I wait for her to scurry around my hospital room to retrieve a cup with water. I hadn’t realized how my throat was burning until I take a few sips. “I’m so thankful you are alive,” she says, obviously trying to sound cheerful, while her look is sad and tired. “Don’t worry, we will find a solution to this,” she tries to reassure me. “Your father said that, despite your weakened state, you put up a tremendous fight. You are still very strong. There is a lot you can do in the pack; there are many ranks for you. You would be a fantastic beta. And there are plenty of women who would love to be your mate,” she continues. I know her well enough to realize she is truly panicking by now.

This whole ordeal has truly ruined our lives. Twins can only lead a pack together as alphas when their souls are connected. It’s not possible for Eugene and me anymore.

I raise my hand to stop her from talking. “Mom,” I manage. “Mom.”

“Yes, sweetheart?” she asks, before looking down at her hands. “I’m sorry, I know I am… I am…”

“I know,” I say.

For a split second, neither of us talks before I clear my throat. “Mom,” I say. “You know I can’t stay.”

“What are you talking about?” she whispers. “Of course you can stay! Your brother would never kick you out of the pack. He is devastated, Marcellus. And your father is, too. They know they are responsible for most of what happened. It’s their burden to carry. You don’t have any fault.”

“I know,” I whisper.

“This whole thing is such a mess. It should have never happened, none of it!”

“But it did,” I say. “Itdidhappen. I got fated to my brother’s girlfriend, but she doesn’t want me. She wants him. And I battled for my rank and lost. These are the facts.”

“We are family,” Mom says sadly. “There is no way we will leave you hanging or let you disappear.”

“I loved her,” I say.

Mom raises her gaze. “Huh?”

“Olive,” I mutter. “When we were younger, I was head over heels for her.”

“What are you saying?” she whispers. “You, you never mentioned it.”

“I didn’t mention it because I knew Eugene liked her, too, and I didn’t want to steal my brother’s girl or battle it out with him. I should have been honest much earlier. Mom,” I look at her. “The goddess didn’t just make a cruel mistake, I’d liked her too.”

Deep inside, I know it’s not the only reason the goddess mated me to Olive. There was another, deeper reason, but I can’t say it out loud.

We don’t talk anymore about it, though. I know Mom can’t understand it. Only Eugene and I can, only we know how much our bond was strained. I loved my brother, and I think I still do. I don’t know which one of us made the most mistakes. Maybe it was me for always placing him first and lying about my own feelings. Maybe it was him for not placing me first atthat one moment when it counted. Maybe it was Olive for being indecisive and not making a clear decision immediately.

Maybe it was Dad for showing his favoritism, or maybe it was Mom, who is always about keeping the peace.

But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that it happened, and that we can’t undo it.

seven

Impossible Demands

*MARCELLUS*