My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

28 How Long Does It Take Grant POV

It is taking all my control not to reach across the table and kill this smug ba**ard. Knowing that we are surrounded by his subjects and killing him will put Lily at risk is the only thing stopping me. I can see Liam feels the same way as he watches

the pr*ck touch his mate.

I've watched Liam's eyes linger on her since we arrived, and it's almost as if David is taunting him. I'm sure he noticed Liam's stares and flashes of anger. He is trying to stake his claim. If he only knew what we all heard back at Myra's place. I fight the urge to smile at the thought of the fake king having a meltdown if he knew that Liam bares Jasmine's mark.

Liam is a better man than me because I don't think Cash or I could stop ourselves from

ripping his f**king hand off his body. When Lily asks to speak to David alone, I try to link her, but she blocks me out. Cash is growling and I have to push him to the back of my mind. It doesn't take me long to realize the servant that was being harassed by the warrior is her mate.

I look him over, and I can't help but make comparisons. We are equal in size. Despite his baggy clothing, I can tell he's muscular. His hair is blonde and though I can't see his eye color from this distance, I would venture to guess where my eyes are dark his are probably blue. My

frame is wider but not by much.

Part of me can't stop myself from wondering if he will be good to her. If he will treat her well, but I quickly realize that he was the goddess's plan and I have to trust that for Lily. Trust that he will treat her with all the love she deserves. Never be so stupid as to hurt her carelessly. Cherish the gift that she is instead of making selfish choices that will hurt her. I push those thoughts aside for now and focus on Lily doing exactly what Jasmine and I asked her not to I'm livid at the thought of her being alone with that slimy ba**ard behind a closed locked door. I'm just about to try to stop it from happening when Myra offers to make them tea. I fight the urge to smile at the thought of what Myra has planned. David may think that Myra is just a slave, but after what I saw at her house he should be worried.

She has a room filled with bottles with every concoction you could think of. When I asked why, she simply said "you never know when you are going to need to f**k up somebody's day." I laughed, but now I realize just how serious she was when she winks at me before she heads toward the kitchen.

"Lily, are you ready," David asks, and I grip the table, so tightly I'm surprised it doesn't break under the pressure. David turns to me with a triumphant smile. "I promise your sister is safe 1/4

28 How Long Does It Take

with me, Grant. I know you are worried, but I give you my word as the king." I nod and he offers

his hand to Lily. She stands but instead of going with him, she comes around the table and wraps her arms around me.

"I will be fine. Just make sure you watch that pr*ck that was harassing my mate." "Alright but I still don't like this." "I know but you have to trust me" she says. Her words wash over me and the worry seems to fade. She stands and rejoins David. Cash growls in my head when he places his hand on the small of her back, but I quickly look away.

"What the hell is she doing" Jasmine whispers. "She is protecting her mate. I need to follow Jared and make sure he doesn't hurt Drake before Lily can get to him. Where is Drake's room, Jasmine?" Liam isn't happy he isn't joining Jasmine, but he goes to find Myra. She stands, and I follow her to a door just outside the kitchen. When she pushes it open, it's a dark hallway. 

"This is the servants' quarters. There are thirty rooms down here, but they are all only big enough for a bed and chair. David insisted on cutting all the rooms in half after he became king. He didn't feel that slaves deserved anything more." I can hear the pain in her voice. As we reach the end of the hall, we can hear sobs. Jasmine's eyes meet mine and I can see both confusion and concern.

"These are individual rooms. Servants with beloveds or children are housed in a different wing." As the last word leaves her mouth, the door bangs open and the prick from earlier steps out. "What the hell are you doing down here? You were warned what would happen if you came down here to see the mute" he says stepping closer to Jasmine.

I maneuver myself between them. "I don't think you should be talking to your queen that way. The king offered me a tour and the queen was kind enough to bring me on one. A evil smile

spreads across his face, and he takes a step closer. "The only reason the king is even

entertaining you is because he plans on f**king your sister."

Cash pushes forward, taking control. I don't even try to stop him. My fist connects with his jaw, and he drops to the ground like a ton of bricks. The sobs from earlier have quieted to whimpers, "Jasmine, I need you to go find Myra and Liam and bring them here." She seems frozen in place as she stares at the pr*ck laid out on the floor. I place my hands on her

shoulders and force her to look at me.

"Jasmine, go now." She finally snaps out of it and takes off back the way we came. I move toward the door that a**hat came out of. I push it open gently and find a woman I clearly scent is a wolf. What the f**k would she be doing here? She pulls herself into a tight ball in the corner of the room. I can see by the blood on her cheek and lip where that pr*ck hit her. 2/4

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28 How Long Does It Take

"I'm not going to hurt you. What's your name?" She eyes me suspiciously before she finally whispers "Matilda." Before I can ask her anymore questions, the sound of footsteps has me stepping back into the hallway. Liam looks between me and pr*ck boy. "What the f**k Grant?" "I had no choice. He was acting like he was going to hurt Jasmine." His shoulders sag, and he pulls her to his side. "Thank you" he says.

"Myra, is there anything you can give him to make sure he doesn't alert the king before Lily makes it to her mate." A wide smile spreads across her face as she digs into the pockets of her dress. I didn't even know dresses had pockets. She pours the liquid into his mouth and Liam helps me put him into an empty room. "Myra, do you think you can take a look at this she-wolf? It looks like a**hat put his hands on her."

She nods and follows me into the room. As soon as we step inside, Liam growls from behind me. When I turn his eyes are black. I can see his wolf is at the surface. He untangles himself from Jasmine and rushes over to the she-wolf. Hurt flashes in Jasmine's eyes and I can see she is ready to run. I step toward her and take her hand in mine before a growl has me looking

toward Liam.

Lily POV 

As soon as we are in the office, he shuts the door and locks it. I look at him silently asking why. "I don't want anyone to interrupt us. Please don't be nervous Lily. I want you to feel comfortable around me" he says, placing his hands on my shoulders again. I offer him a small smile before I turn stepping away from him and taking a seat in front of his desk.

He rounds the desk, taking his own seat. "So before we get to the unpleasantness why don't

you tell me more about yourself Lily. How old are you? What do you do for fun?" I answer his

questions, saying a silent prayer that Myra will arrive soon with the special tea. He stands

rounding his desk and takes the seat next to me.

"I can't imagine the pain you suffered because of your beloved. I meant what I said Lily. Any elf that wouldn't treasure you is a fool." His hand moves to my knee and I fight the urge to gag. "If you were mine I would never treat you so callously" he says. I tap his hand before moving it from my leg. "That is kind of you to say. Queen Jasmine is very lucky to have such a loyal beloved." 

He stands moving until he is standing behind me. He places his hands on my shoulders

again. "I do love my queen and nothing will ever change that, but she knows that I like a little variety in bed," he says. Before I can wrap my head around him, blatantly propositioning me, a knock sounds on the door.

He quickly moves to open it and a smiling Myra steps inside. She sets the tray down and

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28 How Long Does It Take

brings me my tea. She then hands David his. "Thank you, Myra. If you will excuse us, we need to finish our discussion" he says. "Of course, my king. I'll go find the queen, so I can say

goodnight to the children" Myra says before she steps out of the office. He closes and locks

the door again.

Thankfully, he takes his seat and I take a sip of my tea hoping he will do the same. I start to panic when he sets the cup on his desk. "Do you not like shimmer plum tea?" "No, I do" he says, offering me what I assume is a seductive smile. I watch as he lifts the glass to his lips and takes a long pull. Thank the goddess. I have no idea how long it will take before whatever

she put in the tea starts to work.

When he empties the glass, he stands again, asking me to join him on the couch. I hesitantly stand to join him. "Now, where were we? Oh, yes I was asking you to be my mistress." I quickly school my shocked expression. "As flattered as I am my king, I don't think I could do that. I likeThis content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

the queen far too much, and I am waiting to give myself to someone I love."Love, is

overrated" he says, but his words seem slurred.

"F**king will feel so good, and I'll make sure you are taken care of" he manages to get out before he falls over onto the floor. I say a prayer of thanks as I make my way to the door. When I reach the foyer, I follow the scent of chocolate and coffee. Ariel is losing her mind as we make our way down a long hallway.

When I reach the door where the scent is the strongest, I hear a growl from a little further down the hall. Before I can turn to check it out the door to the room I'm standing in front of

opens and I come face to face with the man that is mine. His blue eyes never leave mine as I say the word that once brought me so much pain. "Mate"