Forbidden Mate, Bound by Fate

Chapter 18

SYDNEY

The doctor's words hit me like a punch to the stomach. As congratulations filled the air and faces lit up with joy, I felt numb. I couldn't fake a smile or share in the happiness. The news ripped through my heart, leaving it shattered and bleeding.

How could fate be so cruel? My mate, Alpha Gray, was going to be a father to Alexis's child. He hasn't accepted me as his mate, but the reality in front of me tells me that no matter how I try, he will surely reject me.

The thought made me want to scream, cry, and run away from this nightmare. The reality felt like a bad dream, one I couldn't shake or escape. I felt trapped in my situation, with no way out, only to surrender and accept my fate that my mate has a chosen mate, and that is my own sister.

I watched as my parents beamed with pride. Their faces were filled with happiness after they heard the news about my sister's pregnancy. They were going to be grandparents, and they couldn't wait to welcome the new addition to our family. But I knew the truth.

That child wasn't just any child; it was Alpha Gray's child, my own mate's child, but at the same time, that child is also my niece or maybe a nephew.

So what about me now? Should I give up and surrender my right to be his mate for the sake of the child that is growing in my sister's womb?

I felt a wave of anger wash over me. I'm silently asking the moon goddess why this had to happen to me. Why did Alpha Gray have to bond with me when he was already meant to be with Alexis?

It wasn't fair! None of it was fair, but I don't understand why the moon goddess allowed it to happen.

I tried to hold back my tears. I felt like I was going to break, but I didn't want anyone to witness it. Everyone around me was celebrating, but I was dying inside. I didn't know how to process this news or how to deal with the emotions that were swirling inside me.

Elder Thane's expression was still unreadable, but I could sense a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. Maybe he was happy that Alexis was pregnant, or maybe he was just relieved that our pack's future was secure now that Alpha Gray had an heir. But I knew one thing – my future was uncertain, and I didn't know where I fit in anymore.

The room was filled with laughter. I witnessed how my parents congratulated Alpha Gray's family.

I felt like I was alone, like I was drowning in a sea of happiness that wasn't mine to share. The news about my sister's pregnancy broke my heart and Katrina too. We didn't know how to escape this pain that we were both feeling right now. I wanted it to stop, but I didn't know how.

All I could do was watch them celebrating while frozen in my sorrow and observe as everyone celebrated the news that would change everything—not just their lives, but mine too.

Luna Lyra's gaze fell on me, her eyes narrowing. It seems she only remembers my existence now and has noticed that I'm still inside this room and haven't left because she was too happy and excited after they received the news.

"Sydney, aren't you ashamed?" my mate's mother asked me. "If you didn't seduce my son, this wouldn't have happened to your sister!"

Luna Lyra angrily shouted at me. Her hand rose, and her finger pointed at me.

"You are clearly the source of Alexis' stress. It is your fault that she lost consciousness and endangered my grandchild! If anything bad happens to her, I swear to the moon goddess, I won't ever forgive you!" Luna Lyra shouted.

She spat at me and pointed at the door. "I want you out of my sight.”

She froze for a moment. She seemed to be talking to her wolf or other wolves in a mind link. Then, suddenly, the door swung open, and a few tall and strong warriors entered the room.

“Guards, take this wicked woman away from here!” Luna Lyra commanded.

The guards approached me, but I couldn't move. I was trapped in the wheelchair. My injuries and weakness made it impossible for me to stand or walk. I looked up at Luna Lyra, a mix of anger and desperation in my eyes.

“I'm sorry, Luna, but you've made a mistake,” I answered. “I will accept your punishment if I'm really the cause of all of this, but at least listen to my explanation. I believe you are a sensible person. You won't simply punish the innocent—”

“Shut up, Sydney!” my mother shouted. “Who are you to talk to Luna Lyra like that?”

“Really, mother? Are you really my real mother? Because as far as I remember, you never stood up for me?” I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm.

“You!”

My mother's hand flew up, her palm open and ready to strike me but it froze mid-air as our eyes met. She saw the unspoken question in my gaze, and her anger seemed to deflate, her hand dropping limply to her side and took a deep breath to control herself.

Luna Lyra's expression didn't change, but her voice grew colder. She asked my mother to throw me out of the room so my sister wouldn't see my face again once she woke up.

“If anything happens to my grandchild or Alexis, Sydney will pay the price. Do I make myself clear?"

My mother nodded in approval. Her face was expressionless. She walked towards me and pushed my wheelchair to wheel me out of the room.

"Stop!" Elder Thane commanded. His eyes were fixed on my mother as she slowly walked towards me. "We can't afford to have Alpha Gray lying around when our pack is under attack. We need to wake him up because the pack needs him right now."

Elder Thane's voice cut through the tension. His words commanded attention, making my mother stop pushing my wheelchair out of the room.

My mother halted, looking at my father, who has been quiet since I entered this room, and uncertainly turned back to Elder Thane.

"Yes, Elder," my mother said.

Elder Thane's piercing gaze made me uneasy. His eyes narrowed, and I sensed a calculating intensity behind them. My wolf and I shared a wary instinct, sensing hidden motives behind his scrutiny, and I couldn't shake the feeling that his plans might not bode well for me.

"Sydney, you're bonded to Alpha Gray, aren't you?" he asked, his voice dripping with intrigue.

“Yes, Sir.” I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation as I spoke in a low voice.

"Then perhaps you can help him wake up," Elder Thane said, a plan unfolding in his mind.

He smiled at my mate's parents before his gaze landed on my face again. "If you succeed, we can use you as collateral in our pack war. Alpha Devon's warriors are after our Luna, but if they find out you're bonded to Alpha Gray, they'll take you instead.”

A shiver ran down my spine as I realized the gravity of Elder Thane's plan. I never expected to hear this from him. I thought he came to protect me, but now it's clear that his intentions are to use me as bait to protect my sister.

"You want to use me as bait," I said with a heavy heart. My voice was barely above a whisper, but I'm sure everyone inside this room has heard it.

"You will be useful to us to win this battle, Sydney," Elder Thane told me.

"What do you mean, Sir?" I asked nervously.

"We'll use you to our advantage,” Elder Thane responded. “If Alpha Devon believes that you are the real mate of Alpha Gray, his warriors will surely take you. We can protect our Luna and the heir of this pack. It might sound harsh to you, but this strategy will give us the upper hand we need to win this war.”

I sat in stunned silence because I didn't know what to say to him. My mind reeled from Elder Thane's words. He wanted to use me as bait, and this would surely put me in danger, but if I disagreed with him, did I have a choice?

The thought sent a chill down my spine. I felt like a pawn in a deadly game, and no one seemed to care about my well-being.