“I’ll be your mate.”

I stared at the Alpha’s serious face. He didn’t seem to be kidding. Also, I was quite sure that he didn’t fall in love with me at first sight. Come on it was not a fairy tale. So what did he make this decision for? I tried to read his mind from his poker face, although it might be impossible.

“You wonder why?”He perceived the look of confusion on my face.

“Yes.” I honestly replied.

“Because Lief is my rival and I have to take everything from him, including his mate.”He leaned back in the chair.

“But I was rejected by him. He doesn’t want me...”

“We’ll see.”He interrupted me impatiently. “And you want a mate, don’t you?”

I nodded. Well, he was right. I did want a mate.

“That’s enough. It’s a win-win deal.”He gave me a satisfied smile before he picked me up from the bed in a bridal style.

“Hey! What are you doing?!”I struggled in his arms with my face blushing.

“The doctor said that you are too weak to walk on your own now. If you don’t want to fall on the floor, then stay quiet.”He glared at me and threatened. I had no choice but to stay still.

We walked out of the ward and left for the parking lot. On the way, I could feel people’s eyes fixed on us. I buried my face into Brian’s chest, trying to ignore this humiliating situation. Oh my god, why was the parking lot so far away?!

It seemed a century had passed before we finally got to Brian’s car. I was dropped on the passenger’s seat when I saw a black truck pull up. Lief got out and made his way over to us.

“Give her to me, now." He glared fiercely at and said, trying to control himself.

 ”No way.”Brian glared back at him.

“I am her mate!”He yelled with anger. He was about to show off his canines. That was what a werewolf would do to threaten its enemies and defend its territory, food, or mate. It was the first time for me to see Lief get mad like that.

“But you rejected her, didn’t you? Because a good puppy needs to obey the family’s rules and maintain the god-damn blood purity, right, coward? You are not qualified to be her mate anymore!”Brian stepped forwards before he growled at his rival.

Lief was choked because of his words. I knew it touched his sore spot. He was a well-known obedient boy in this pack. He would never disobey his family’s words.

"Neither do you, Brian. Do not forget that you are also supposed to be the next Alpha. The pack will not allow you to be her mate if they know." He said trying to control himself.  His eyes were shifting between brown and gold when he was trying to control his wolf.

"Then they should know that I won’t listen to them," Brian replied with a scornful smile. These two Alpha werewolves were poles apart in personality. If Lief was the most well-behaved werewolf, then Brian must be the most reactive rebel of the pack.

“Stay away from her. She is my mate, Brian. Whether I reject her or not doesn't change that.”

What he said irritated Brian. The latter started to show off his canines and his wolf was howling to come out. My heart flinched. A fight between two Alpha could be triggered at any moment. Although I was not sure about whether I was able to stop it, I should have a try anyway.

I raised my hand and grasped Brian’s arm. He turned around and looked at me. His black eyes started to shift to gray.

“Please don’t...”I pleaded with him with my head slightly shaking shook my head.

He stared at me for seconds. Fortunately, his eyes finally turned back into the black. His wolf was calmed down. I let out a sigh of relief.

Then I looked at Lief across Brian. I took a deep breath and said.

“Look, Lief. You are a very kind person. You are nice to me and you don’t elbow me out as others do. I am very grateful for it.”

Lief gazed at me with an expectant smile. But soon his smile was frozen on his face.

“But you gave me up because of those rules of your pack.”I heard my voice was trembling. Tears escaped from my eye sockets. I knew I just looked stupid right now.

“I don’t think you are the right one who can protect me.”God knew how hard I had tried not to cry out.

“Brian,” I raised my head before staring at him and said, “I will go with you.”It was clear that I was driven by impulse. But it seemed to be the best choice to make at present.

Brian gave Lief a victory grin and shut off the car door before he got in the car and sat on the driving seat. He started the car and drove away, leaving Lief to stay where he was.

I sagged against the seat and stared blindly out the window. I stared at the passing roads attempting to fight back tears. But they disobediently scrolled down my cheeks. I sneaked a peek at the driver's seat from the corner of my eye. Brian glared at the road and didn't say anything either, which was kind of a relief.

He drove down the main street, passed through downtown, and then turned onto a dirt road. The road seemed to go on and on, winding slightly here, twisting there, until there was nothing around but trees.

Finally, Brian drove up to a mansion that was surrounded by woods. He parked the car in the open space in front of the mansion. Without any hesitation, he pulled the keys out of the ignition, unlocked the doors, and jumped out. I only had enough time to unbuckle my seat belt before he opened my door and lifted me right out of the seat.

He walked into the mansion holding me in his arms and dropped me off in the living room.

"Stay here," he ordered and before I had a chance to respond. Then he crossed the foyer and walked up the stairs. I stood frozen in place until a beta she-wolf walked towards me.