Chapter 4 Bond undeniable

Isabella's POV

My new room was too quiet, too empty. It was bigger than my former one and even with all of my belongings in it, it seemed like I hadn't moved in yet.

Crossing my hands on my chest, I looked out of the window for a while. There was nothing appealing to the eyes so I returned to the center of my room.

Falling on my bed, I was staring at the white ceilings, thinking of nothing in particular. The house was massive, yet, my world felt small.

It was cramped and suffocating.

Trenton had acted like he always did, bitter and angry whenever I crossed his path. If it was only Oliver and Darcy, I wouldn't have contemplated running off.

But with Trenton, that was the best option.

He considers me a threat and he will do whatever he can to make sure I don't get in his way.

It was tough already being his step sister and now mate?

Ugh!

For the past few hours, I had been trying to piece up the puzzle to make everything make sense.

The rejection of my mate, the betrayal of my best friend and the sudden move into a house filled with strangers, and the most unforgivable twist of fate: being mated to not just one, but three stepbrothers.

My fingers trembled as they brushed my neck. It was the exact spot where my mate mark should have been.

Alpha Cain was supposed to mark me there in less than twenty four hours but I had severed that bond only to fall into the hands of Trenton, Oliver, and Darcy Slade.

If I had known this was going to be the aftermath of my actions, I was going to remain in my pack, piecing my life together.

But still, I was baffled.

I hadn't expected to feel it again, the pull, the undeniable spark of recognition in my soul.

Even if I had second chance mates, I hadn't expected it to snap just after rejecting my first mate but it did, fierce and undeniable.

First with Darcy, then Trenton and finally Oliver.

The mate bond had snapped thrice in the same day, and it shattered me completely.

Trenton's reaction had been the worst. His fury was unmasked and his hatred undisguised.

When the time is right, I'll reject you. - I rewinded his words in my head, his expression also on point.

He had met what he said, I could see it in his eyes and his voice.

I bit my lip, pulling the covers tightly around myself.

My earnest wish was to meet with the moon goddess and tell her I don't want this. I could do without a mate for the rest of my life.

All I wanted was to go back to the time when everything made sense.

Just when a sob was about to escape my throat , a knock sounded on the door. It was gentle and hesitant.

At first I froze, racking my head on the identity of the person on the other end.

Yet to make an identity, another knock came through, this time more urgent.

"Isabella? It's Darcy."

My raging breath returned to normalcy as relief washed through me.

Just like Oliver, Darcy had looked at me with kindness. He was the only one who didn't react when the bond snapped and so, I was more connected to him.

"Bella, are you there?" He asked, hitting his knuckles against the door.

"Please give me a second." I ratted out, sliding from the bed and in a matter of seconds, I was right next to the door.

Pulling the door open gently, I locked eyes with him for a while before shifting my gaze elsewhere.

He was dressed in a simple white t-shirt and dark sweatpants. He had a mug in his hand and the softness in his gaze was still there.

"I figured you couldn't sleep," He said. "So... tea?"

"You figured it out." I replied, my lips twitching into a smile.

"Can I..." He didn't have to complete his request before I stepped aside, ushering him into my room.

Closing the door behind him, I received the mug he had offered and immediately took a sip of the steaming liquid.

The silence between us wasn't awkward, it was comforting.

"Chamomile," he said. "Not spiked with wolfsbane or anything."

"I already took a sip from it." I chuckled.

"You trust me that much, huh?" He rippled into a chuckle and I joined him, lowering myself on the edge of my bed while he pulled a nearby chair to my side.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, his voice low, like he was afraid to scare me away.

My response was immediate. I stared into my tea for a long time before answering.

"I thought I had everything figured out. I thought Cain was my forever. And then... I walked in on him with my best friend." My voice cracked.

"I didn't even get angry at first. I was just numb and then I rejected him. It felt right in the moment, but now..." I paused, regret washing through me.

"And now you feel like fate's playing a cruel joke," He finished for me, eliciting a nod too.

"Exactly." I whispered, grabbing the mug with both hands.

Leaning forward, he clasped his hands in front of him, "I'm not saying I understand all of this, but I do know this wasn't your choice. The bond is ancient, it doesn't care about logic or step-sibling awkwardness."

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I nodded. He was right, I had no control over the bond, neither did they.

"Trenton hates me." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Trenton has a lot of pride, and a big temper. You two have history, and that complicates things. But... he'll come around. Maybe not soon but eventually."

My lips trembled, "I don't want to be hated, Darcy. If I had known this was going to happen, I should have been less competitive." I gulped, wiping the lone tear that slipped from my eyes.

Pulling himself to his feet, he pushed his hand forward, hesitated a bit before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear..

"You're not alone in this," he whispered. "Even if it feels like it."

The tension between us shifted, something in the air sparking to life. My wolf stirred in response to the closeness of its mate but before either of us could say another word, the door flung open.

Startled, I shifted my gaze to the door, locking eyes with Trenton immediately.

His jaw was clenched, and eyes blazing with unfiltered rage. He looked from me to Darcy, then back again, the muscle in his cheek twitching.

"What the hell is going on in here?" He growled.

Terrified, I rose staggering backwards, trying to avoid his gaze but I couldn't.

Darcy didn't flinch, instead he matched his gaze.

"We were just talking. Nothing else."

Ignoring his brother, he walked further into the room, stopping right in front of me. I couldn't run away from him now so I just buried my head, fiddling with my fingers.

"You need to stay away from him." He said through his teeth.

"Excuse me?" My brows furrowed as I mustered courage to look back in his eyes.

Leaning close so that his warm breath was all over my face, he said, "You're already messing with our lives. Don't add seducing my brother to the list."

"Trenton," Darcy snapped. "That's enough."

But Trenton wasn't done. His gaze, filled with fury and something unspoken, jealousy? bored inside me.

"You're trouble, Isabella. And I won't let you destroy my family." He spat in my face only to start storming towards the door.

"He doesn't mean it." Darcy said in a breath.

Too angry to remain still, I rushed towards Trenton, grabbing him by his arm.

Before he could react to my interruption, I yelled, "Reject me, now."