Forbidden Mate, Bound by Fate

Chapter 17

SYDNEY

The previous Luna stepped forward to support my sister's decision. Her eyes blazed with maternal protectiveness while looking at me with hate and anger.

"I agree with Alexis," the previous Luna said in a firm and serious tone. "Sydney is not Alpha Gray's mate. Alexis is. We appreciate your concern for my son's condition, Sir, but we won't let anyone, especially someone who deceived and manipulated my son, near him.”

Elder Thane's expression didn't change, but his eyes and attention swiveled to Luna Lyra.

"The bond between Alpha Gray and Sydney is real, regardless of how it came to be," he said, his voice calm. "And it's worth exploring to see if it can help him recover."

But Alexis and Luna Lyra were unmoved by Elder Thane's explanation. Their faces were set in determination. They wouldn't budge, even if I insisted. I could sense the conflict brewing, but I didn't care about it because what’s important to me right now is that I'm in the same room with my mate, and this will help my wolf, Katrina, heal fast.

My mother's face twisted in anger. She obviously doesn't like to see me here and causes noise, making everyone upset because of my presence. Her eyes blazed with fury, and I knew that if I made a little mistake, she would surely hit me without thinking twice.

My mother walked in my direction and grabbed my left arm. She tried to pull me up from the wheelchair but pushed her hand away.

"You're so selfish, Sydney," she spat, her voice venomous. "You always think about yourself! You're shameless! How could you do this to your own sister and her mate?”

Her words cut deep into my heart. It's painful because they came from my own mother’s mouth, but before I could respond, she grabbed my right arm, which still had a cast on it, and twisted it, making me scream in agony.

My mother's grip was like a vice. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall, but even though I was in pain, I managed to control myself. I closed my eyes tightly and waited for the pain to stop.

Then, in a swift motion, she slapped me twice in front of everyone around us, but no one stopped my mother from hitting me. The sound echoed through the room. I felt my cheek sting. My eyes welled up with tears again, but I used all my power not to let them fall.

I won't give them the satisfaction of hitting me. I am used to this kind of beating and humiliation from my own parents and family. I saw how my mother's hand rose to slap me again, but before she could strike me, Elder Thane's voice boomed through the room.

"Enough!" he shouted, his eyes flashing with authority. "Back off, now. Or else you'll face punishment if you disobey my order."

My mother's face paled. The fear was evident in her eyes after she heard Elder Thane's declaration. She took a step back and walked beside my father. She knew better than anyone that she shouldn't cross Elder Thane. She took a deep breath, composing herself before she glared at me with hatred.

I'm relieved that she kept her distance, but I can see her anger and frustration simmering just below the surface. I knew she was furious, but she wasn't stupid enough to mess with Elder Thane.

Elder Thane's eyes never left my mother's face until she backed down, his gaze piercing and commanding, ensuring that no one would dare to question him. He turned to me, and once again, I couldn't read what exactly he was thinking because his expression was unreadable.

"Are you okay, Sydney?" Elder Thane asked me. His voice was calm, but his eyes expressed otherwise.

Elder Thane's expression turned stern as he faced everyone in the room. He seemed mad because of my mother's actions towards me and the continued disrespect from my sister, who, until now, has opposed him and doesn't allow me to get closer to my mate.

"I didn't bring Sydney here to be punished or beaten in front of me," he said, his voice firm. "I want to get to the truth, and I'm using this opportunity to see if Sydney can help Alpha Gray's recovery.”

Alexis's face contorted in defiance, her eyes flashing with anger. Once again, she shot me a deadly glare before she open her painted red lips and arrogantly talk to Elder Thane.

"I won't allow it, Sir," she said, her voice firm. "I won't let her near my mate. Not now, not ever!"

Elder Thane's eyes narrowed. His gaze pierced, and that is clear evidence that he doesn't like what he heard.

"Alexis, I'm commanding you to stand down," he said, his voice authoritative. "We need to explore every possibility to help Alpha Gray. He's not healing, even though you were beside him for two days. Do you think I'm stupid enough to just come here and drag your sister along with me just to let her see and get closer to Alpha if I don't know that she's not capable of helping him?”

My sister's eyes darted to me. She surely won't allow me to hold my mate's hand because she knows that she's not a real mate of Alpha Gray.

“Sir, please consider my pleas,” Alexis begged Elder Thane, but it seems her drama won't succeed this time.

“If you are sure that you are his real mate, you don't have to worry about anything that won't matter to you at all, Alexis,” Elder Thane answered.

Alexis knew she couldn't disobey Elder Thane's direct order. She looked like she was about to explode. Her body trembled with rage and frustration and anger towards me.

Suddenly, she burst into tears. Her body was shaking violently, but her eyes never left mine. I could clearly read the hate and disgust she felt towards me, but I shrugged it off. I used to see her like this whenever she didn't get whatever she wanted, and I was expecting her to pull the trigger that would surely blame me for causing her more pain, making her look pitiful in front of everyone else.

As expected, the drama started. She stumbled backward, her eyes wide with despair, and then her legs gave out beneath her. She fell to the ground and became unconscious.

The room fell silent, everyone staring at Alexis's prone form. Luna Lyra rushed to her side and held my sister's hand immediately. My mother's concern is etched on her face, but she didn't dare to move because Elder Thane shot her a dangerous glare.

"Alexis, darling, please wake up," she cried, shaking my sister gently. “Don't worry, I'm with you.”

Luna Lyra's eyes met mine, but I didn't look away. She stared at me for a second before averting her gaze and focusing her attention on my sister.

Alexis remained unconscious. I know she's pretending, and she has already mastered her drama. Her body is limp, still making everyone believe that what they are seeing is true and that my sister is not faking it.

Elder Thane's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of concern for my sister. He immediately called the doctor and ordered her to take Alexis.

"Take her to the bed and make sure she's comfortable," he ordered. "We'll deal with this later."

The room erupted into activity as people rushed to obey Elder Thane's command. I watched as the doctor checked my sister's pulse rate and heartbeats, then smiled at us and gave news that shocked me but made everyone happy.

“Our future Luna is pregnant,” the doctor announced to everyone in the room, making my parents smile and feel proud of my sister.