Page 24 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

He turns his head to look at me. “I hate liars.”

“You are not the only one,” I say bitterly.

“I’m confused with you,” Silas admits thoughtfully, much to my surprise. If anything, I am the one confused by his attitude. “That’s the first time in centuries that I have encountered a wolf who finds their mate and doesn’t try to claim them instantly.”

“We are not that barbaric,” I grumble.

“Maybe, but you are holding back a lot right now.”

“Wait, did you say centuries?” I ask, stunned.

“Is that a problem?” he wants to know.

“No, just… unusual,” I muse.

“So is a wolf mated to a vampire,” he points out.

I look at him curiously, trying to read his expression and what he is getting at. “I don’t understand you.”

“That makes two of us,” Silas says. “I don’t understand myself either. Are you disappointed to be fated to me?”

“No,” I say promptly. “I am just surprised, and not ready for another mate.”

He smiles slightly. “You really carry your heart on your sleeve, don’t you? I admit, that’s not a complete turnoff.” He pauses. “If it helps, I’m not fully ready either. One betrayal a week is enough.”

“I prefer only one a lifetime,” I grumble.

Silas gazes at me. “Yes,” he agrees quietly. “So, what’s your story, wolf?”

“Do you truly want to know, or are you just trying to make conversation?”

“Both,” he says. “And I am bored and in pain, and I know my fellow vampires already told you what happened to us. So, enlighten me.”

“My father is an alpha,” I explain without further ado. I see no reason to lie to my mate. “My twin brother and I were very close and were supposed to inherit the alpha rank together. However, on our eighteenth birthday, I realized I was mated to his girlfriend. He obviously didn’t like that. She didn’t like it either. I’d liked her ever since we were children, but didn’t want to steal my brother’s girl. My father has always favored my brother, so took his side, thinking I pretended her to be my mate. Like the liar I am!”

Silas stares at me. “You are really not making this up, are you? That could be the plot of a soap opera. Your brother lied about your role in this?”

“Yes,” I admit quietly.

“So, what happened next?”

“Parents found out that I didn’t lie. Brother and mate promised to stay away from each other, so that everyone could think about it.” I pause. “I knew she wanted him and not me, and I would never forcefully mark someone. I just wish they’d been honest from the beginning. They met secretly.”

“Of course they did.”

“The funny thing is, I was ready to let her go,” I confess. “But my brother didn’t believe in me. I first thought the goddess was crazy to do this to us, but now I think she only did it to test our bond. We were supposed to rule together and have each other’s backs. I was ready to let her go and choose him… but he didn’t choose me. Our bond wasn’t strong enough.”

“That’s possible,” Silas admits. “And then?”

“My brother and I battled it out. He won.”

“How was it a fair fight with the mate bond weakening you?”

“It wasn’t.”

“And then, they kicked you out?”

“No, I left on my own terms, secretly at night,” I explain. “My family, aside from my father, wanted me to become my brother’s beta.”