Chapter 7
Maxwell’s POV
“Is she married?” The words left my lips in a stunned whisper, disbelief coursing through me.
I turned to the elderly woman, my gaze heavy with the weight of my emotions. As soon as her eyes met mine, she bowed her head low, as though the truth she carried was too shameful to bear.
“Tell me, woman. Is Delilah married?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she replied, her voice trembling. “She is married.”
My chest tightened as her confirmation echoed in my mind. How could this be? A married woman–my mate? The very thought sent a sharp ache through my heart. Was this some cruel twist of fate, or a deliberate test by the goddess herself?
For thirty–two long years, I had searched in vain for my destined mate, resigning myself to the bitter truth that perhaps I would never find her. And now that I had, this revelation felt like a dagger to my soul.
Last night, when the bond revealed itself, I had been skeptical. Twice before, women had tricked me, claiming to be my mate, only to betray my trust. My sister had exposed their deceit, and they were rightly punished. But now, faced with Delilah, the undeniable pull between us shattered all doubt.
Yet, how could I reconcile this? She belonged to another man.
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“What has her…” I faltered, unable to stomach the word. “What does her husband have to do with this?” I forced myself to ask, though the question burned my throat.
The woman hesitated before replying, “We need him to… bond with her. Their connection will strengthen her and aid her recovery.”
Her words struck me like a physical blow. My mind rebelled against the notion, and my _wolf howled in agony. Watching another man touch her–my mate–was unthinkable.
It would destroy me.
Before I could voice my protest, the door swung open, and Cross, my Beta, stepped inside. He bowed respectfully.
“Your Majesty,” he said, his sharp gaze darting to Delilah, who lay unconscious on the bed. “What’s going on? Who is that woman?”
“She is my mate,” I said firmly, my voice carrying the weight of finality.
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A wave of shock rippled through the room. I had kept this revelation to myself until now, so their surprise was understandable.
“Another fake?” Cross scoffed, crossing his arms.
Rosa, the healer, looked equally bewildered. “Your Majesty,” she said cautiously, “this
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Chapter 7
cannot be. She is married to another man. How can she possibly be your mate?”
“A married woman as your mate? Impossible,” Cross declared, shaking his head.
“She is the king’s mate.”
The voice came from behind me. My elder sister strode into the room, her presence commanding as always. Her appearance startled everyone–she rarely set foot in the palace.
“Sister?” I asked, my shock evident. “You summoned me. What’s going on?”
“I came because I knew you’d need me,” she said, moving toward Delilah. Her gaze softened as she studied the unconscious woman. “Tell me what happened.”
“I found my mate,” I said bitterly. “But she is married. How is that even possible?”
“She was married,” my sister corrected, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“What do you mean?” My heart raced at her words, hope flickering within me.
“She was destined for two mates,” my sister explained. “The one she fell in love with and the one she was meant to meet after her heart was broken. Her husband left her for another, believing the lie of a fake mate. She belongs to you now, brother.”
The room fell silent as her words hung in the air.
“Is that even possible?” I asked, struggling to process this new information.
“Yes,” she said firmly. “The goddess has her reasons, though they remain a mystery. Delilah is no ordinary woman–that much is clear.”
The others exchanged uncertain glances, their confusion mirroring my own.
“But the healer is right about one thing,” my sister continued. “She does need her former husband’s presence to recover fully.”
“Why?” I demanded, my frustration boiling over.
“No one can say for certain,” she admitted. “The goddess holds the answer, and Delilah herself must unlock it.”
I clenched my fists, torn between anger and helplessness. “She’s my mate,” I growled.
“Yes,” my sister agreed. “But she has yet to accept you. Until she does, her path remains her own.”
“If only she were awake,” Rosa interjected softly. “She could decide for herself.”
I nodded reluctantly, though every fiber of my being rebelled against the idea.
“If her former husband could embrace her, it might help,” Rosa suggested hesitantly.” When she regains consciousness, she can choose.”
My wolf snarled in protest, unwilling to see her in the arms of another man. But my sister’s voice cut through my turmoil.
“Send for him,” she said firmly. “If you truly want to save her, there’s no other way.”
Chapter 7
I hesitated, my gaze drifting to Delilah. I moved closer and took her hand in mine,
warming her cold fingers with my touch. To my surprise, her eyes fluttered open briefly, meeting mine with a faint glimmer of recognition. But just as quickly, they closed again, leaving me desperate and frustrated.
I stood and began pacing the room, my mind racing. Should I allow another man near her? Or risk everything by defying the goddess’s will?
No matter the choice, one thing was clear: Delilah was mine, and I would do whatever it took to protect her–even if it meant breaking my own
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