Page 8 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha

I turn around, my gaze landing on my brother, who just stares at me. “What are you doing here?” he mutters. “She is my girlfriend!”

Oh fuck, due to the high of the mate bond kicking in, I almost forgot. Not sure what else to say, I decide to be honest. “But she is-“

“No!” Olive blurts out, running towards Eugene.

Did she just say no?Amos mutters, letting his head hang down. He is as confused as I am. Any other guy I would have fought now, but my bond to my brother is strong. He is my soulmate, but at the same time, I also feel the bond to her so much.

“How could you do that?” Eugene blurts out. “She is my girlfriend, and you can literally have any other girl!”

“That’s not what happened,” I try to defend myself.

But Eugene is not having any of it. He turns around and stomps off. Olive doesn’t even spare me a glance and just hurries after him.

The next couple of hours pass in a blur. I feel my heart breaking. I know I’m not the smartest bulb in the pack, but I know when I’ve lost. Olive is in love with my brother, yet the goddess paired us together, as messed up as it is. There is no chance she will ever choose me – with or without a mate bond. And my brother won’t let her go just like that either. Besides, I don’t want to hurt him like that. He wanted her as his chosen mate!

I groan, brushing through my hair. This was supposed to be the best day of my life. I was supposed to celebrate with Eugene and party the whole night. But now I have found my mate, and it’s ruined everything.

Whatever happens next, there is no way I can allow Eugene to get hurt.

It’s the early morning hours when I stumble back into the pack house, my heart heavy when I walk up the staircase. I don’t even want to take the elevator this time, so I just drag my feet over the stairs. Amos has retreated to the back of my mind, too hurt to talk to me.

The light in the alpha suite is already on, much to my surprise. I thought my parents would definitely be asleep. I was hoping they wouldn’t have noticed my absence. Oh fuck! By the noises coming from inside and the closer I get to the door, I know they have already taken up my scent.

The door opens, and Mom looks outside, her eyes falling onto me. “Come,” she says quietly. “We’ll talk about it, okay?”

I feel a bit confused at first, then dreadful. Talk about it? Awesome, so they already know about the whole fiasco. Obviously, I have no chance to escape this talk and follow my mother inside towards the living room.

My eyes instantly fall on Eugene, who is standing next to Dad. At least Olive isn’t here. I decide to be quite thankful for that. I’m not sure if I would have been able to keep my sanity had she beenhere. Before I can even say anything or sort my thoughts, Dad walks towards me.

His palm cracks across my cheek, whipping my head to the side. I gasp, placing my hand on the spot he struck, looking at him, shocked. The gaze in his eyes is disappointed.

“Lawrence!” Mom warns.

“Your brother says she is his mate,” Dad tells me coldly. “And even if she wasn’t, how could you force yourself on her against her will!? What do you have to say to defend yourself?”

I look at Eugene, who at least has the decency to look away.

“What…he… what…” I stumble over my own words, completely shocked. “Is this what you think happened? Is this truly what you believe?” I feel Amos stir in my mind, the accusations pissing him off even more so than me. I let my hand drop down and stare my father right in his eyes. “I know I’m not your favorite, far from it, but even you have to be able to see some tiny good in me, don’t you?”

“Let’s all calm down,” Mom begs.

I gaze at Eugene again and decide I’ve had it. It’s just too much for one day.I hope you are happy, asshole,I link him, before turning on my heels and running out of the suite.

“Marcellus!” Mom calls after me.

I ignore her. I just can’t… not this time. I can’t turn around, walk back in there and do as she wants me to for the sake of the family peace.

For the peace in the pack.

For peace with my father.

I usually do everything to keep said peace, but what aboutmypeace?

Picking up my pace, I basically run through the pack grounds, not stopping for anyone, despite there being pack members calling out to me and wishing me a happy birthday. At least they didn’t notice the drama.

How could Eugene say that? I get that he is upset, I get it was the worst possible outcome in terms of fated mates, and neither he nor I expected it. But he lied. He told our parents that Olive is his mate, when she is not.

He knew Dad would take his side without even thinking twice, without questioning him.