Page 19 of Claimed By My Fiancé's Brother

I looked away then.

The entire hall suddenly fell silent, and I turned to see why.

Alpha Maximus had just walked in.

His sons obviously took after his massive build, ink-black hair now streaked with gray, and a piercing gaze that dared anyone to stand up to him.

I felt Alexander’s presence behind me before he leaned in and put his hand on my lower back, his lips at my ear.

“Father wants to see you.”

I sucked in an anxious breath before taking Alexander’s offered arm and letting him escort me to his father.

Alpha Maximus was sitting in his throne when we reached him.

Alexander bowed slightly, his tone more formal than I would have expected.

“Father, this is my mate, Eleanor Ashford.”

I stole a glance at Alpha Maximus, waiting for his negative reaction to the fact that I’d mated with Alexander, since he’d been the one to sign off on the alliance between Dylan and me.

To my surprise, he looked at Alexander with a fond expression on his face.

“I’m glad you finally decided to choose a mate.” Alpha Maximus looked at me with a small smile. “Welcome to the family, dear.”

I bowed.

“Thank you, alpha.”

I’d been so tense for nothing. It seemed like Alpha Maximus was kinder than the rumors claimed he was.

I felt a familiar presence behind me, and I stiffened as I caught Dylan’s scent.

“Father,” he said gruffly. “I introduce my mate and future luna of the Nightshade Pack, Micah Tyrell.”

Again, if Alpha Maximus was shocked by this development, he didn’t show it. In fact, he didn’t show any emotion as he spoke to Dylan.

“Well done, my son.”

What sort of strange family dynamic was this, where a father congratulated his son for stealing his brother’s bride?

Alexander seemed to be done with it, because he turned to leave without another word, his hand on my lower back still giving the false impression that we were happily mated.

We only made it a few steps before the silver blade hissed through the air, nicking Alexander’s shirt before thudding into a nearby pillar.

The band stopped playing, and it felt like the entire hall held its breath as Alexander turned to face his brother, who’d thrown the silver blade at him.

Dylan didn’t back down, a sardonic smirk on his lips.

“I challenge you to a duel, brother.”

CHAPTER 4

ELEANOR

It felt like my entire world was spinning out of control.

I looked between Dylan and Alexander, my heart pounding rapidly.

---