Chapter 26
Gradel
It took all the self-control I had to walk away from her without tearing her dress into shreds and claiming her, but I succeeded after conquering the innate desires of my wolf to take her right there in the garden.
I feared a relapse as my body was getting weaker by the minute. I didn't know whether to blame it on Iris's absence or the poison, but getting dependent on her wasn't a part of the plan so I agreed that it was the poison.
Those bastards.
They thought that they could get rid of me by poisoning me, what they didn't know that I had a strong immune, capable of fighting off poisons.
I might have had a death scare, but heaven knows that I'd rather fight it with all my strength than give in. After all, the Red Sea pack still had to pay for what they did to me and my mate-no, Iris.
As I descended into the hallway leading to my room, my eyes caught the sight of a shadow lurking around. Angst and animosity worked its way through me when I discovered who it was.
"What are you doing here? Tired of staying in your wing?" I rasped, my voice dripping with mockery.
He pulled away from the wall which he leaned against and advanced towards me with his hands tucked in his pocket. I ran my eyes through his outfit and huffed nonchalantly.
As usual, he was dressed for the meeting, where he'd be present to show my father how incompetent I was. If only he could understand that my father was unbiased when it came to leadership and he was still going to hand over the pack to me, we won't have to tear down each other's throats.
"I'm not tired, just interested in knowing why you keep going against Father's wishes while trying to take what belongs to me?" His eyes brimmed with disdain and I returned the loathful stare.
My eyes reeled drowsily, reminding me that I needed proper rest. The discussion with Iris earlier was quite tiresome yet satisfying in a strange way and if not for my decision to give her some distance, I'd have continued.
"Is that what you have to say to your twin who just escaped death? You're far too kind," I spoke tiredly and continued walking with my room in sight.
He blocked my path and gripped my arm, glaring daggers at me. "Look, Gradel, I don't know what your plans are, but you have to stop rubbing the reputation of our family in the mud. First, you return from the human world after swearing that you don't want to have anything to do with us, and then you agree to have Iris as your mate after I rejected her publicly. What does that woman have over you? Why her?" He lashed out, his breaths erratic.
My eyes darted to his neck and sadness washed over me at the sight of his necklace. The one that our late mother had given to him and I wondered if she would be happy to see us like this.
The answer sprang up in my heart and I drew in a deep breath. No, she won't have liked it, but then, the Devin I knew before leaving the pack was no longer the same person I met now.
The man standing in front of me reviled me outrightly and I wouldn't be surprised if he sent those people to kidnap Iris just to break me.
I shoved his grip on my arm and walked a little distance behind him. "Look, Devin, you remain my younger brother and I remember how close we used to be. What happened to that bond?" My voice broke.
His harsh intake of breath was very audible in the silent hallway and I could tell that he was struggling to contain his emotions. I wished he would be able to let it all out and tell me what happened.
"You were never bothered from the beginning so why now? Actually, I don't care about any so-called childish bond that we might have had. What matters is who sits on that throne and I don't want it to be you." He said flatly without mincing words. "I don't know what's keeping you, but Father isn't sick as he claimed so you are very free to leave."
I chuckled lightly and shook my head. "My presence here shouldn't bother you if you are sure that father will hand over the rulership to you, should it?" I took a step and remembered something. "And as for Iris, don't ever belittle her like that in front of me or anyone else. She's my mate and I've accepted her just the way she is even if you'd rejected her. I think it's for her best that you did because she doesn't deserve to be with someone who has issues with his self-esteem."
"Gradel!" He barked.
And then I twirled around and fixed him with the most intimidating stare I could summon. "Be careful, Devin, I'm not interested in being the next Alpha of this pack presently but don't make me change my mind because I can get that title without having to try too hard." I snickered and walked away, enjoying the horror and anger plastered on his face.
I sighed in exhaustion, realizing that the little banter had drained the remaining energy left in me, and then Iris's floral scent that had merged with mine wafted into my nose giving me some kind of peace.
Though I'd been pretending to be tough, I knew that I'd miss her when I left. She was already growing on me and we might become inseparable if I didn't find an apartment for her soon.
A knock rang in the air after I'd barely sank onto the properly arranged bed. "Come in,"
The guard who was standing at my door let himself in with anxiety blaring on his gait. "Greetings, Prince, I'm sorry to disturb you but I have something important to tell you."