(Mintaka)

We finally discover the identity of Amaia’s fourth mate, but I hadn’t even dreamt of it being Alnilam.

The hints were there and yet we overlooked them.

How did we not see it coming?

His hair was the first one to reach her when she got injured while protecting us. They wouldn’t leave her. I had seen how they wrapped all around her body like a possessive protective shield.

"My magic won’t let her go," that’s what he said at that time.

In those moments, my mental state was volatile, the bond was forming for me, and all my focus was on Amaia.

Now, that I think about it. Why wasn’t his magic letting her go? The only explanation is that his magic recognised her as his mate when he didn’t.

The way he had insisted that everyone take an oath to protect her.

"You think that’s true?" I ask my twin when Alnilam disappears by wolfing out.

Leaning against a tree, I fold my arms over my chest and face an extremely annoyed Alnitak.

"Seems like it. There is no other explanation. If she is mated to us, likely, she is also mated to Alnilam. It explains the clueless sleeping around and his reaction."

"How is this even going to work?" A million thoughts are running through my brain.

"More like, why didn’t we figure it out but that brainrot did." Alnitak grinds his teeth together, his frustration is so apparent in his words.

"We weren’t expecting this. Alnilam and Jamina fit so perfectly together that I never thought along those lines." Frustration makes me highly agitated. Alnilam likes to keep his love life extremely private.

"I did, but not regarding Amaia. I just wanted to know what he would do if he ever found his mate." Alnitak extends his foot and aimlessly kicks the drying leaves on the ground.

Curiosity gets the best of me. "What did he say?"

"He was conflicted. He respects Jamina a lot, and as the future king, she is the perfect choice, but he craves his mate too. I don’t know what he is going to decide."

Alnitak’s words throw me into deep thoughts again.

"No matter the decision he takes. The two people are going to get hurt. Our brother will definitely be one. I kind of feel horrible for him," I confess to Alnitak.

"Me too but I just wish he would open up to us, accept that he is mated to Amaia. He is bringing her so much pain. You saw how disappointedly she left." Alnitak shakes his head. "You haven’t seen it but I have when she gets those pain episodes. I don’t wish them upon anyone and she is our mate."

Leaving the tree I step towards my brother and hold his shoulders.

"I don’t want to take sides, but this situation is messed up, and both of them need our support. We can’t abandon one and take the side of the other. Let’s be there for both of them and help them navigate this."

Alnitak nods at my words. "Don’t forget Jamina. Once she finds out, her life will be one big mess. If Alnilam ends up breaking off the engagement with her, she will be beyond heartbroken. Both of us know she worships the very ground our brother walks on."

Sadly, I nod at Alnitak because what he said is true. Jamina has always been obsessed with Alnilam just like Rahria was with me. The difference is that Jamina respects our brother, and she always makes correct decisions.

"Yeah, no one is going to emerge victorious from this." We begin to walk back towards the academy.

Amaia had left frustrated and it hurts just thinking about her.

"I do wonder, whoever cursed her knew that this is how it would unfold?" Alnitak questions, lowering his head and watching the ground.

"When I find that dirtbag, it’s not going to end well for him." That’s why it’s so important for Alnilam to recognise Amaia as his mate so the curse can be broken. Amaia can finally tell us the name of the culprit.

"He will never see the sun again," Alnitak hauntingly says before asking.

"Do you want to check up on Amaia? I know she said she doesn’t want to see us, and we should respect her boundaries, but a little sneak peek won’t hurt. The bond has been too quiet from her side."

I have noticed that too, it’s like she is trying to mask her emotions from us or maybe she is just too exhausted from the continued drama in her life.

"Yes, I just hope that bloody Ezran won’t be there. He keeps sticking to her like a leech."

Alnitak lets out a slow snort. "Yeah! Don’t let Amaia hear that though. He did take the oath on his body, which means a psychotic part of him does care for her."

We arrive in our dorm building and begin to climb the stairs.

"The irony of his actions today was hilarious though. He beat up Alnilam for trying to hurt Amaia when he had done that himself too."

Alnitak sarcastically smiles. "The difference is, Amaia doesn’t consider Ezran’s sucking on her blood as causing her harm and pain." We step just outside Amaia’s door and halt while Alnitak finishes what he is saying.

"On the other hand, Alnilam’s actions have not only caused her immense physical pain but I can’t even imagine the psychological and mental torture she must be experiencing and has experienced seeing our brother with Jamina."

As we said, this situation is beyond messed up for everyone involved.

Fisting my hand, I slowly knock on her door and we wait with abated breaths. Bond is too quiet, and the mindlink is silent.

The door is finally opened and we find none other than the bloody Ezran standing there.

"She is sleeping, don’t disturb her," he quietly says but I can see how he is trying to keep his rage contained.

Alnitak pushes past him and enters her room, I follow. Both of us are drenched by her scent.

Like always, she is curled up in her bed, snugly covered with her blanket, and she is soundly sleeping.

The urge to bury my lips in her hair grips my heart but I refrain. Since Kacir is not here, I drop myself on his bed and place my hands behind my head. Alnitak does the same and sits on the edge.

Ezran stays near the door, unmoving. Like the three stubborn males, we watch our mate and refuse to give the other satisfaction by leaving.