Bonds And Betrayals

9.

Damn it!

I was so caught up in my emotions that I didn't pause to think what Turk would think about her absence.

But that was good. It wasn't like I planned to sit back and watch him make my woman his. And with Lamido’s daughter now in the picture, I doubt Turk would have any interest in the human when he wanted to solidify his power even more.

“Relax brother. She is fine. I am fine too, if that is what you are concerned about. Just enjoying a moment with my... sister-in-law, we will be right there with you in the hall shortly.” I replied, and I felt the vibration.

After all, I was only letting him do what he wanted out of pity, and because truly, even if my mother had been father’s mate, Turk truly was the eldest child and deserved the Alpha title.

But I doubt if he'd ever stop being insecure about me.

“Are you…okay?” Sasha asked softly.

I smiled, stepping closer and lifting a finger to tuck a lock away from her face, feeling her breath hitch slightly, her eyes widening.

“I am. It's just that my brother wants you back, but the problem is... I also want you. So, how are we going to solve that?” I uttered, my voice low.

She swallowed, her throat moving. For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to run my tongue along her throat and taste her scent.

“You…you want me?”

My fingers moved down her jaw, curling underneath her chin and tilting her face towards mine.

“Isn't that obvious already?" I whispered, sensing her heart racing. "I mean, why else would I have dragged you into a dark room?" My lips brushed along the shell of her ear and it took everything within Conri and I not to bite on the delicate flesh. "I want you Sasha and I am going to take you away from my brother. Would you like that?”

I am glad for this distraction. Glad she wasn't asking all the questions she asked before. It wasn't like I wouldn't expose her to the world, I would and the world would witness a love so pure, so powerful that everyone would crave for it.

But now wasn't the right time. Not when I had an unhinged brother desperate to do anything for power.

“I…”

“I will keep you safe,” I added, pulling back. “You have my word. Would you let me do that? Would you do me the honor?”

“Honor?” She asked, clearly flustered as she blinked rapidly.

‘She wouldn't understand. She has no idea how much she means to us.’ Conri said, and I agreed.

So I simply smiled and took her hand.

“Come. Let's go meet my brother.”

She hesitated for a minute and nodded.

Elliot was standing outside when we stepped out of the room. We locked eyes, and I simply nodded my head. I didn't need to say much, not when I dragged him along and we followed Blade, and certainly not when I pulled her into a dark room. He knew. He recognized who she was and what she meant to me.

“The Alpha is waiting,” he simply said, smiling.

“I thought you left,” I murmured as we began walking to the hall.

“I should. But I wanted to, you know, be sure everything is okay with you.”

"Everything is fine, Elliot, Turk can't do s**t to me... if he knows what's good for him." I stated "Now go home. You know Lois‘ condition, and I am sure Shaneisha is waiting to see you before she sleeps.”

“But…”

“No buts, go before I have to order you."

I knew he didn't want to, but he wouldn't argue with me. “As you wish. I will wait for your call.”

“I'll send a mind link in case Lois is asleep. Send my regards to her and Aunt Neisha. I will come see them tomorrow.”

Then he left.

I led us to the hall, my mind set on my decision. But the feel of her hand in mine, the warmth, the softness made it impossible to think clearly. All I could focus on, all I could obsess over was her touch, and the wild, crazy things it was doing to my poor heart.

‘What are you planning to do?’ Conri asked.

‘Claiming her,’ I answered without missing a bit. ‘As I should have earlier this evening.’

‘You don't think he'll suspect anything?’

‘I won't give him the chance to. He knows I am turning my head on a lot of things, and since I hardly ever ask him for anything, I don't think he'll deny me this. I just need to play my cards right so he doesn't suspect anything.’

‘Right,’ Conri licked his snout. ‘I guess your dreams of her were real. Seeing as she is here, and she is our mate. What I never thought of was her being human.’

That was the one thing that still baffled me. I could have swore she felt like a wolf in my dreams. Like a tether was drawing me to her, and Conri to her wolf. Yet, somehow, she was…human.

I squeezed her hand in mine, and her sharp intake of breath reached my ears. I could feel her pulse, and I could swear it wasn't…one. Like she had…a double pulse. What was this?

We approached the double doors of the hall, and the guards pulled them open, bowing to greet me. I didn't spare them a glance as I stepped in, finding Turk pacing across the hall. His hands clasped behind him, with Blade standing on the side, holding a still broken hand.

Guess healing is still slow for him.

Great!

“Brother!” I called, making sure my face was a mask of happiness to quell down my rage. Seeing him reminded me of what Sasha had said. That he had bought her. How does anyone ever feel comfortable buying people? How?

“Bello,” he answered, his voice clipped, his expression grim. But then it shifted, his shoulders relaxing just a bit as I closed the distance between us. “Where were you?”

“Oh, were you worried?" I placed my hand over my chest. "Forgive me for worrying you, Alpha.” I murmured, my tone worried. “Is something wrong?”

He stared at me for a moment, perhaps trying to grasp what was going on, but I said nothing and simply tugged Sasha close to me.

His eyes snapped towards her, and his nostrils flared. Then he was in front of us.

“Why are you holding her hand? Why does she,” he sniffed the air, “smell like you? What is going on?"

I smiled at him, though I was certain there was no warmth in it.

"Oh, nothing to concern yourself over, Turk."

He glared at me.

"She will be my Lun..."

"About that." I said, cutting him off. "I want her. And I know you’ve noticed that I want her. So, I’ll take her. Simple, right?”

His eyes widened. “You…you…” he trailed off, blinking rapidly. “You want her?” He pointed at Sasha, his face in disbelief.

“I do. You don't need her, right? Not when you have Alpha Lamido's daughter,” I inclined my head towards the lady standing behind him. “I mean, what more would you want with a human?”

“No, that's not it,” he shook his head, still staring at me.

What was he thinking? Usually, I prided myself on being able to read him. I anticipated all of his moves before he made them. Yet, somehow, today I couldn't. I couldn't understand the shocking look plastered on his face.

“It's been three years since you last showed any interest in a woman, Bello.”

Dang it!

I didn't think he still remembered Denise and the past, but now was not the time to reminisce.

I grinned at him, shrugging.

"Well, it's high time I moved on, don't you think?”

“Of course!” Turk laughed, clapping his hands. “Of course, brother!” And then he was pulling me for a hug, clapping my shoulders. “About damn time!” His booming voice echoed.

Now, that wasn't what I expected. At all. Not even the slightest.

“But how about someone better? Maybe a wolf? A ranked one, perhaps. A human isn't befitting of your status.”

“You had no problem with that when you wanted to make her Luna though,” I countered.

He smiled again, but this smile was different. It had no glint. No warmth like the one from earlier.

“Well,” he scratched his mohawk. “That is just me. I am the son of a concubine after all. I am always beneath you purebloods. So a human would be perfect for me.”

I inwardly rolled my eyes, biting back a sigh.

There it was. The jab. The reminder of the bullying he endured growing up, even if I had always loved and respected him. But Turk had always resented me, even if he didn't say it out loud. Even if he did his best to hide it. It was also why he was trying so hard to please the courtso they would accept him.

“Oh, come on,” I bumped my shoulder against his. “You are an Alpha, and you deserve a ranked wolf. Even better, the daughter of an Alpha. A human?” I waved my hands, my tone syrupy. “Totally beneath you. Don't let what those fools say bother you. You are better than that.”

That seemed to do the trick, as always, and he was smiling again. His eyes constantly shifted from my face to Sasha's.

He wanted her. I was absolutely sure of that. I didn't know what about her drew him, but Turk wanted her, and I doubted he'd let her go so easily.

“Sure sure. You can have her, brother. Isn't she just a plaything? Or do you plan to marry her?” He inquired, his gaze focused on me.

Again, another unexpected move. One I couldn't read as well.

I smirked, chuckling slightly.

“No, of course not. Why would I when I probably have a mate out there?"

“You still believe in that?”

“Of course, brother, just like I believed you years back when you swore you didn't poison me, despite father's insistence.” I grinned.

His face shuttered, his expression turning cold for a minute before he smiled again.

“Right. Then she can be your plaything for as long as you want. Just be careful not to break her. She seems…” his eyes trailed her full length. “Frail. And weak.”

I bit back a growl, hating the yearning in his eyes and the way his eyes roved across her body. The way he swallowed. The salivating drool at the corner of his mouth.

‘Smack him and pretend you wanted to hug him,’ Conri snapped.

‘Or I simply break his nose,’ I hissed, doing my best to reel in my anger.

“Don't worry, brother. I will be careful with her. That being said, congratulations in advance. Now the court has nothing to say against your ruling.”

He grinned, and this time, it was real.

“You think?”

“I know. Besides, you have me backing you up. Trust me, no one will say anything.”

“You are right,” he nodded, still grinning, but there was a slight twitch in his eyes. “Here, meet your sister in-law. And this time, she is the real one,” he beckoned at the lady behind him, Jamilah. She stood beside him, her face carrying a full-blown smile.

“A pleasure to meet you, Beta Bello,” she stretched her hand for a shake, and for a moment, I thought Turk would stop it like he did with Sasha, but he didn't.

“Welcome, sister-in-law. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I hope you'll take care of my brother.”

She looked at Turk shyly before dropping her head down. Only it lasted for a few seconds before she jerked her head back up, staring at Sasha.

She frowned, her brows furrowed together, and mouth in a firm line.

“You look familiar. Don't I…know you?”

The stiffness in Sasha's body was enough to let me know that something was terribly wrong.