Page 58 of The Alpha Wolf's Bullied Bride

Even in her current state, while she lies in a semi-coma in the other room, I'm certain that she'll be fine. The moment her eyes open, our lives will change forever. It's a promise I've made to myself.

“I don't understand,” Miles repeats, and I sigh when I turn my face to him, a wave of relief washing over me just for the mere fact that he's right here with me.

The moment I heard about his capture, I was flung into the past, when we received word of my brother's passing. As the days went by and the truth unfolded, I was left with a massive hole in my chest of regret.

If I had been there…

I sigh, deciding to let go of the past. It's done me no good before, turning me into a monster who denied my attraction for my fated mate because I was a coward. A coward who only cared about his image, when the truth of who Lila is to me is the reason I am who I am right now.

If I hadn't marked her last night, I would have lost Miles to the rogues.

I can't lose another brother…

But even that fills me with a sense of remorse.

“There's something you should know, Miles,” I admit tentatively, gauging the way he stares at me intently. “Your sister is my fated mate.”

Miles takes a deep breath, turning to stare out ahead of him as if he's processing what I've just said.

“Your fated mate, huh?” he sniffs, turning to me. “Is that even possible?”

“Apparently, yeah,” I shrug nonchalantly. “It should have been Finch. But the Moon Goddess…”

“Has other plans,” he finishes for me with a chuckle. “Congrats, bud.” He throws a playful slap on my back with his good arm. “That's why her wolf never came before,” he laments.

“I suppose so,” I acknowledge. “It would have come sooner if I wasn't a complete idiot.”

“When are you not?” he quips.

“Hey!” I defend with a chuckle. When the laughter subsides, I sigh and lean forward, bracing my elbows on my lap. “You're right. I've always been an idiot. I was hell-bent on doing things my way, I didn't accept the fate I'd been given. That's why—” I halt abruptly, turning my face to Miles and feeling regret wash over me. How was I so foolish?

“That's why I treated her the way I did before.”

“Like the others?” he scoffs, shaking his head.

That regret lodges in my throat, forcing me to gulp with trepidation. “You—you knew?”

“I always suspected it,” he sighs. “But you're my best friend. I didn’t wanna interfere unless Lila came to me. Of course, she didn't.”

“She's too good for me…”

“No shit, Sherlock,” he chuckles, lightening the mood and allowing the claws of regret to dissipate. “But she is your fated mate. I knew she'd get her wolf when she was mated, and now she's mated to my best friend. I only ask that you treat her well and show her the same kindness that she's shown everyone else. Even those who've hurt her.”

I straighten when I turn to him fully, pinching the skin over my Adam's apple between two fingers when I say, “I promise to be a better man for her.”

Miles accepts my solemn oath with a curt nod and a wistful smile. He checks his watch and titters, “Do you know what today is?”

“I'm guessing you're gonna tell me.”

He lifts his head and stares deadpan into my eyes. “Lila's birthday.”

“Shit.” I drop my face into my hands. “I had no idea.”

“Now you know, so do better,” he warns with a friendly pat on my back.

“Alpha Flynn?” comes Doctor Stevens’s call.

I look up to see the doctor standing at the door to Lila's room with a clipboard in hand. I immediately get to my feet, my heart pounding with anticipation.

---