Page 65 of Challenged Mate
“I need to tell you something.” My voice was low—lower than I wanted. I needed to be strong for this conversation, but nerves were getting the best of me.
Axel leaned back in his seat. “I’m listening.”
I inhaled and sat up in my seat. My mind raced for the right words to say. I realized there were no right words. I just needed to speak.
“During the Alpha Games, something happened between me and Asher.” I cringed. That didn’t sound right. “I mean, something unexpected happened.” That wasn’t any better.
I squeezed my eyes closed and tightened my hands into fists.
Just spit it out, Blair.
And I did.
Eyes still closed, hands still clenched, I told Axel the truth. “One night, during the Alpha Games, I was attacked by sorcerers. I assume you know about that. But what you might not know is that when Asher saved my life—when he gave me CPR—a… a bond snapped into place. A fated mate bond formed between us. I’m fated to your brother.”
Seventeen
I openedmy eyes with an exhale, feeling lighter than I had since that fateful night when Asher and I first bonded. I’d admitted its existence to Stephanie, but that confession didn’t feel as peaceful as this.
Axel’s face gave nothing away, but his eyes swirled with sympathy as he met my gaze.
“I know.”
I blinked, unsure I heard him correctly. “You… know?”
His chin dipped in a nod. “Asher told me on the day of the final fight, hours before he defeated the Coastal Pack heir.”
My head spun.
I remembered my trip to Asher’s hotel.
I’d been seconds away from knocking on his door, confessing my desire to see our bond through, when I overheard him on the phone.
“Damnit, Axel. You’re asking the impossible. You know I cannot be with her. That isn’t part of the plan.”
I sucked in a rattled breath.
Asher told his brother about us. He’d told his alpha, the male I was to mate, about us…
Asher told Axel couldn’t be with me… because he knew I would be with Axel when he won the games.
I felt sick.
“I’m sorry, Blair. I know this situation is less than ideal.”
Ideal.
I didn’t bother to hide my scoff.
“Asher can be distant,” he said gently. “But you have to know how difficult this has all been for him.”
I had no idea why Axel bothered to defend his brother.
Shouldn’t he be more concerned with the fact his future mate was bound to his twin?
Why wasn’t he talking aboutthat?
Axel continued on, confusing me even more, “With time, I’m sure you both will adjust. Dare I say, I think you can both end up happy.” Hope showed in his half-hearted smile, but so did uncertainty. He wanted to believe his words, but even his optimism had limits.
