Rejected By My Mate, Claimed By His Stepbrother

me

d to for two years, Adrian, was sitting there with another woman, his lips pressed against hers as if the world outside did

Adrian with another woman. I'd trusted him. But now, stand

d him, my voice trembling with ange

hers, and turned to face me. His expression

t my gaze had already shifted to the woman. When I saw her face

lpha over him because Adrian hadn't shifted into his wolf. The same woman

this is why you didn't come home for our

elia, let's talk outside," he said firmly, ste

y arm free. "What the he

. she's been through a lot. Her father forced her to leave me, and the Alpha

issing her?" I shot b

ted mate, Amelia. I coul

am I, Adrian? Your chosen mate? The woman who

sted, his voice softening. He reached out to wipe the tears from my cheeks. "I'll make it up t

ading back inside. As I stood there in the cold night air, the weight of hi

ids to clean up the anniversary dinner I'd prepared

-

, the ache in my chest deepening with every step. From downstairs, the sound of laughter and

light and easy. She was seated in my usual spot, her hand brushing his

iling. "Hey, Lia. Yo

, my eyes fixed on Mara.

else to go. Her parents won't take her back, and sh

humility. "Please don't be angry, your h

eigned helplessness, the calculate

erstand," Adrian said, his hand res

f course," I murmured before turning away and headi

ome join us for breakfast," Adr

re continuing up the stairs. I didn't want to be anywhere near

-

ck at the door. Assuming it was a maid, I called out

ne was the timid facade. Instead, her lips curled into

ng my arms. "Wh

. "I just thought I'd remind you that Adrian is

that's true, why hasn'

moment. "Oh, he will. And when he d

ere, Mara? If you're so confident, why

rom her pocket and plunged it into her own stomach. Staggering ba

between Mara, clutching her bleeding stomach, and me, my

," Mara gasped weakly. "

's gaze turned to me, fi

did yo

contin