Chapter 13 Why my brother ?

Chapter 13 Why my brother ?
TALIA POV

I burst out of my father’s room and walked away. I knew he had already made up his mind, and there was no way I could change it.

My wedding would happen in two days, and I could not run. There was nowhere I could go. No place was safe. Being a human made everything worse.

If I tried to run, I would either be attacked by rogues or captured by another powerful pack.

“From the look on your face, you’ve confirmed what I said about your father,” Liam muttered as he walked toward me.

I let out a heavy sigh, my shoulders dropping.
“What is your problem? What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice tired.

“Now that you know you are nothing more than a treaty, won’t you break this marriage off? Don’t worry, you’ll find another mate,” he replied, stepping closer.

My brows pulled together.
“Have you forgotten what you said?” I asked, staring at him.

He looked at me with a slightly confused expression.

“You said I have no choice in this, and since you know I have no choice, why are you telling me to back out?”

He was quiet for a second, then spoke quickly.

“Because I know Zane will make your life a living hell,” he blurted.

“What?” I asked, my heart skipping.

“Because he is going to treat you like nothing more than a slave,” he added.

My chest tightened.

“Now you’re talking badly about your brother? What do you gain from all this?” I asked, my eyes narrowing.

“I’m just trying to save you. It’s better than running away and getting captured by another pack, then being forced into something worse. At least with Zane, you know you will survive,” he explained.

My hands trembled slightly.

“Are you joking?” I snapped. “You know I am human, yet you want me to be captured by other packs? Do you know how they would treat me?”

My voice shook, but I continued.

“Why are you so heartless? Why can’t you just let your brother be happy?”

He burst into laughter.

“Heartless?” he repeated. “I’m trying to save your life, and you’re calling me heartless?”

“Enough,” I muttered, my chest rising and falling. “I don’t care what you think or say. My wedding with Zane is in two days, and my father has finalized it.”

“Then why are you still here, Talia?” Liam asked quietly.

I froze, my breath catching.

“You still have a choice,” he added, watching me closely.

Before I could answer, another voice cut in.

“Why are you telling her to run, Liam?”

I turned, my heart tightening as I saw Zane.

“You know there’s a lot of danger outside the pack,” he continued, his eyes fixed on me. “Especially for a human without a wolf.” a voice cut in, and I saw Zane walk forward.

Liam lowered his head slightly as their eyes met. Then he leaned closer to me, his breath brushing my ear."Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he whispered before stepping away.

My chest tightened.

“Did my brother tell you that you’re nothing but a treaty and that I’ll treat you like a slave?” Zane asked.

I said nothing. I just stood there, watching him.

“I’m sorry for whatever he said or did. Sometimes he just… goes too far,” Zane added.

I forced a small smile, even though my lips felt stiff.

He moved closer to me, closing the distance between us.

“You’re more than just the girl I marked,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. “I care about you, and I promise nothing will happen to you.”

My fingers twitched slightly at my side.

“Why is your brother so bitter toward you?” I asked quietly.

Zane let out a low breath.

“It’s a long story. I’m sure you don’t want to hear it,” he replied.

“I’m listening. Just tell me,” I said, folding my arms lightly.

He hesitated for a moment, then began.

“Liam was deeply in love with a woman named Achillia,” he said.

My brows lifted slightly.

I let out a soft scoff.
“Liam? In love? I can’t believe that.”

“Let me finish,” Zane continued.

“Achillia was a spy from another pack. When I found out, I told Liam, but he didn’t believe me. He thought I was trying to ruin what he had with her.”

Zane’s expression darkened slightly.

“But I knew who she really was,” he went on. “When war came and Achillia’s pack attacked us, Liam believed I was the one who manipulated everything just to break them apart.”

I frowned, my fingers tightening slightly.

“He didn’t know she was sent to kill him,” Zane added. “I had to kill her… to save him.”

Silence followed.

“Since then, my dear brother has hated me,” Zane said quietly. “And he ruins anything that makes me happy.”

I swallowed slowly.

“You’re such a good person… why would he do this to you?” I asked.

He gave a faint shrug.

“Some questions don’t have answers,” he replied. “But I promise to love you.”

A small smile appeared on my face, maybe I misunderstood him. Maybe Zane really was a good person.

I exhaled softly, my shoulders relaxing a little.

“Are you ready to get married?” he asked, gently cupping my cheek.

My breath paused for a second.“Yes,” I answered quietly.