~Winter~ As we chatted and shared gossip during the flight, the cabin buzzed with lively energy. Across from us, the men were deeply engrossed in their card game, seemingly oblivious to the chatter around them. Brandon, in particular, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself, his demeanour reminiscent of the carefree spirit I remembered from our initial meeting. It was a welcome sight, a reminder of the person he was before the weight of responsibility descended upon him with the challenges facing Hayland. I silently wished for Brandon's success, knowing full well the burden he carried and the stakes involved. He was a remarkable individual, someone who deserved happiness and fulfilment. Seeing him with Lilly and knowing they were fated only reinforced my desire for their relationship to flourish. The thought of Lilly being just a thirty-minute journey away filled me with a sense of warmth and anticipation. It was a comforting notion, knowing that she would be within reach, and it
~Winter~ The sudden silence that followed Ethan's actions provided a much-needed respite, allowing us a moment to collect our thoughts and address the accusations being hurled at us. Noah and Sebastien recognised the importance of not walking away in silence, knowing that it would only serve to validate the allegations against us. It was clear that the reporters and onlookers had overstepped their bounds, their words dripping with venom and malice. Sebastien, his voice laced with anger and rage, spoke up, determined to set the record straight. "My brothers and I are nothing like our father. If anyone crosses the line with us or insults our mates, I swear, we will deal with them. Do not get it twisted. We may be alphas, but our family comes first, including our mates," he declared, his words resonating with authority and conviction. The orchestrated attack on our reputation was evident, and I couldn't shake the feeling that someone, perhaps one of Albert's enemies, had orchestrated
~Ethan~ The surprise at the airport was unpleasant, but we made it through. I wondered who put them up to it and who leaked our flight plans to the press; either way, now that we were back home, we would figure them out. Suddenly, being Beta to my brothers wasn't such a bad thing, and I was glad that I came home. As much as the issue with the press was unsettling, a giddiness overshadowed the anger. The fact that I was back in Mountain meant I could continue my pursuit of Chelsea. She had dared me the last time I saw her, and I planned to live up to the dare. But first, I would need some information from my future sister-in-law. I never said I was going to play fair. As we pulled up to the duplex, I watched as everyone filed out of the van and headed towards their respective rooms. My brothers and I had grown accustomed to living together under one roof, sharing experiences, laughter, and even occasional disagreements. But as I made my way towards my section downstairs, a nagging re
~Ethan~ As I stepped into the orphanage, Aspen greeted me with her usual brashness. It seemed like every encounter with her was marked by her assertive demeanour, though today, it felt particularly charged. Some might have mistaken her behaviour for a crush, but recent events had me reevaluating that notion. Her interaction with Anthony when we visited the orphanage together had been the catalyst for this shift in perspective. Aspen's reaction to him had been markedly different from her interactions with me. It was as if she reserved her warmth and enthusiasm exclusively for him, making me question her motives altogether. Perhaps she wasn't infatuated with me after all; maybe she was simply adept at putting on a facade of kindness. "Alpha Ethan," she greeted, her tone oddly energetic for the occasion. "You've been quite the frequent visitor lately." I could discern the sarcasm laced in her words. It wasn't lost on me that I had never set foot in this orphanage until when I visited
~Ethan~ As we entered the grill, I couldn't help but notice all eyes turning towards us. People were looking at Chelsea with envy, a rare sight considering I didn't often have female company. The camera flashes going off around us confirmed that our presence was being noticed and captured. Finding a nice spot in the sparsely occupied garden, a waitress approached to take our orders. Typically, I would have opted for a beer, but I refrained, mindful of Chelsea's limitations. However, I couldn't ignore the flirtatious tone the waitress directed towards me. It was a common occurrence, and I found myself wondering why it always happened. Normally, I wouldn't care, but Chelsea was right there. Yet, Chelsea seemed unfazed by the waitress's behaviour, either oblivious to her rudeness or choosing to ignore it altogether. "Ladies first," I said, gesturing towards Chelsea. The waitress's energy shifted, her smile faltering slightly as she turned to take Chelsea's order. It was as if the prese
~Brandon~While Lilly and I remained in the guest room of Albert's duplex, I felt less of a man. I should have taken her home to Hayland, but after what happened at the airport, I began to fear our relationship was over before it started. Even though Lilly tried to cheer me up, it was impossible for me to be happy about the situation. The fact still remains that I just stood there when it all happened. I stood there at the airport, unable to defend my mate. I stood there and took all the insults. It was unfair. I was grateful to Ethan for what he did. Had I done that, I would have been arrested because I was an outcast. Though silent, I roared inside from pain and agony. Somehow, true happiness seemed fleeting.On our drive to Albert's house, I began to fear I was going to be a source of ill luck for Lilly. I began to contemplate whether or not I should end it. I honestly wanted her, and I wanted to right the wrong I had committed against fate and love. This was my second chance, a
~Brandon~I held Lilly and caressed her arm gently, trying to soothe the ache in her heart and alleviate my fears. There was a little silence in the room as her words sank deep into my soul. Knowing she was willing to give up on her identity and walk away from everything for my sake made me feel unworthy. I didn’t do that for Winter. Instead, I humiliated and ridiculed her, hoping she would understand and wait for me. I deserved the punishment I got.Knowing how my love was inferior back then, I held on to Lilly, promising myself I wouldn’t fail twice. My love won’t be inferior this time. "Most people think my life as a royal is rosy, but they are wrong. I have had a very shitty life. People only befriended me because of what they believed they would gain. As popular as I may seem, I wasn't always the first choice for anything. I wasn't the princess; neither was I the king's niece; my father was third in the mix, and so I was only considered when the ones before me weren't available.
~Brandon~ Lilly was strong and a leader in her own right. She had years to her belt, so she was mature. She knew what to say and how to handle every situation, and even though it seemed like she was taking a huge risk, I somehow was calm because I believed in her strength. Unable to answer her, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her with all the love I had in my heart. I was afraid, but she had given me the strength to dare the consequences. I knew it would be hard, and I might lose in the end, but we still had this moment, and I chose to live in it and enjoy it with her. I wasn't going to claim her, but I planned to love her with every fibre of my being, and I wouldn't stop until it was really over. With that resolve, I held onto her tighter as I tasted her sweet, soft lips, allowing myself to fearlessly fall deeper and leave myself at her mercy. Moving from her lips, I moved towards the sweet spot of her neck, grazing my teeth against the soft, delicate, sensitive flesh, a p