Chapter 152: Putting Some Sense Into His Brother

(Alnitak)

After Amaia has fallen asleep in my arms, I rest with her for a few hours and wake up.

There is a red streak in her hair now, according to Mintaka it formed when the mate bond developed between us.

It’s like a part of me is owned by her.

I try to speak to Mintaka about her curse. But I couldn’t, every time I tried to form the words, my mind went blank.

What crazy kind of curse was it?

And who is the culprit behind it?

"I know the truth about her now but you gotta figure out the rest on your own, Taka," I tell my brother sadly while slowly removing my arm from underneath her so she can sleep peacefully. We tired her out.

"She is so brave, the way she handled my dark self and brought him on board. She has earned his respect. I think I am getting an idea of what’s wrong with her," Mintaka answers quietly, so we won’t disturb her sleep.

He picks up her torn shirt, carefully folds it taking extra time like he always does when folding clothes. He places it in his cupboard.

I don’t even know how to fold clothes, spoiled rotten by maids. I hate chores and suck at them.

The very thought of someone hurting her makes my insides boil. I don’t want anyone to even lay a finger on her or even look towards her the wrong way.

We were protective of her before, but from the moment the mate bond has set, I have become extremely possessive. I don’t even know how I will let her go to that filthy bloodsucker.

"What are we going to do about that vampire mate of hers?" Mintaka asks and I let out a frustrated sigh.

Just what I have been thinking. We are always on the same frequency.

He fixes the curtain so the morning sun won’t disturb her sleep.

"I wish she would just reject him. Everything will become so much easier with him out of the equation."

"Mama and father might have reservations if they come to know that she is also mated to a vampire besides us," Mintaka says, which has been swirling in my mind.

"Don’t forget, she has a fourth mate and we are still unaware of who he is." I move to the couch and sit beside my brother.

"Most probably some sleazeball, who keeps cheating on her." Mintaka watches her sleep in my bed with tender eyes. She has her knees snuggled to her chest and hides under the blanket.

"Yeah! I hope I can find out." I lean back on the couch with my hands pushing my hair back.

"She deserves to be with you, only. Not me and not that vampire or whoever the fourth one is," Mintaka’s pained voice has me reaching out and slapping the back of his head.

"Owie!" He rubs the sore spot and finally diverts his attention towards me. "What was that for?"

"That’s for being an ass. For not fighting hard to control your demon and thinking you are not good enough for her. She likes you, she wants you. Buckle up and accept her, she has been through enough."

Mintaka sighs, but I know he wants her too. I have seen him battling his emotions and the tenderness he has started to carry for her.

"Hmm!" He slowly nods. One step at a time and we will get there.

"It’s already lunch time. Go get some lunch. We don’t want to eat late and not eat properly at dinner with Mama."

Mintaka gets up at my words and stretches himself.

"I will send some over for you and Amaia. I need to stretch my legs." He leaves, quietly shutting the door behind him.

I bought a gift for her when we went to that bazaar and have been holding onto it. I have also arranged for a dress from our royal seamstress so she can wear it tonight.

I have never seen Amaia in a dress, and the very thought of seeing her in one makes me excited.

Kacir brings us food. I answer the door and step out so her sleep won’t be affected. He hands me two plates. "Mintaka told me, Amaia is with you guys. I got worried for a while."

I accept them. "The mate bond developed between us last night. I don’t know why it happened so late but I was right about her," I gleefully inform my friend, unable to keep my excitement contained. Although I now know exactly why our bond took so long. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I have hoped for Kacir to be happy but his smile drops. "You haven’t been cheating on her right? If you are her mate then why was she going through all that pain?"

"Yeah! About that. She has more than one mate. As you saw during the training session yesterday. We don’t know the whole truth, but there is more to this," I regretfully inform him, and he pats my shoulder with a small smile.

"At least she has you, Ali. It makes me happy. Take care of her."

Kacir leaves and I balance the plates in my hands while closing the door with my foot. I keep Amaia’s plate on the table while I sit down with mine on the couch and begin to eat.

I am halfway done when Amaia finally stirs and gets up, startled. Her hair is a mess but she looks extremely cute in Mintaka’s oversized shirt on her small stature.

Next time I am giving her mine. The smell of food brings her flying to me and I offer her my plate.

I tell her to eat up so I can show her the dress and my gift.

She sits down beside me, relishing the food Kacir has brought for us.

I also inform her that I am unable to tell anyone that she has a curse placed on her.

"I knew it, that’s why I didn’t want to get you involved," she regretfully says.

I place a kiss on her forehead. "No need to worry. I figured out this much, I will figure out the rest too."

Once she is done eating, she goes to take a bath. Opening the cupboard I extract the dress that has been especially prepared for her and the gift alongside it.

Placing them on the bed, I wait for her to emerge from our wash area.