My Mate and Brother's Betrayal

76 Regrets and Truths Reese POV

As soon as I see Miranda's face I know that Bryce is spouting more of his viciousness at Rosalyn that she doesn't deserve. Tears stream down Miranda's cheeks and her pain is almost palpable. I am glad to see Charlie has her tucked tight to his side offering her the love and comfort she needs.

I know that Mindy had hoped making Bryce wolfless would make him regret his actions, but I don't think anything could make him regret all he did. He isn't the man I once cared for. There is an evil in him that wasn't there before, or maybe it just hid it well. If anything, losing his wolf made it worse. The guards tell me that he is constantly telling anyone that will listen that he doesn't need a wolf to make Rosalyn and my mate pay for taking what belongs to him.

I had hoped for Miranda's sake we wouldn't have to end his life, but sparing him isn't an option when he poses a threat not only to my mate and pup but to Rosalyn. He truly believes she is the one to blame for everything that happened. He could never see that we were the ones at fault. The part of me that once cared for Bryce is gone. He killed it every time he disrespected Rose. Even if she isn't my mate, I will always hold a special place in my heart for her.

We grew up together. I wish I had never caused her a moment's pain. She didn't deserve any of what Bryce and I did to her. I won't wish to take back everything that happened because then I wouldn't have my amazing mate, but I do wish Rosalyn wouldn't have suffered because I was an entitled a**hole who thought I could do what I wanted and there wouldn't be consequences. How wrong I was.

My mind drifts back to Bryce. Despite everything he's done, Bryce is Miranda's pup. How will she react when I finally sentence Bryce? Will she hate me again? I know she did after I hurt Rosalyn, but just like her daughter, she forgave me. She is like a second mother to me and the thought of her hating me kills me. When my mother finally notices her, she rushes toward Miranda. Pulling her from Charlie's embrace.

I expect to see Rosalyn following behind her and when I don't a wave of unease flows through me. "Where is Rosalyn?" Miranda's eyes meet mine, and it knocks the wind from me. She can't

is the only thought I have as I move back down the hallway toward Bryce's cell. Rosalyn will never live with herself if she does this. She is so strong, but taking Bryce's life will eat away at her pure heart. I won't let him cause her pain even after he's gone.

When I reach her, she is placing the key in the lock. Bryce has a sinister look of satisfaction on his face watching her unlock the cell. I can't stop myself for reaching out to stop her. She 1/4

+50 Points

76 Regrets and Truths

looks up at me with determination in her eyes. "I won't let you do this. You shouldn't have to carry this burden." I mean that to the depths of my soul. I should be the one dealing with Bryce.

When he again insinuates that Rosalyn is a wh're, I can't help the growl that escapes me. I reach for the key ready to shut him up permanently. She gives me a look that lets me know she won't be giving me the key.

She holds the key firmly in her hand until she finally forces it into the lock. When she steps inside the cell, my heart is in my throat. I want so much to protect her from what she is about to do, but her actions have made it clear she doesn't want or need my protection. If I can't. change her mind, at least she knows I'm here if she needs me.

I stand behind her and Bryce's eyes move between the two of us. I can see an evil glint in his eyes. He still believes she's weak even now. I'm shocked when Rosalyn launches at him, landing a hard right hook to his jaw. Part of me wants to laugh at how comical it is to see this petite woman knock a man that is six foot on his a**. I don't have time to laugh as I watch her wrap her arm around his neck before he can get back to his feet.

When I hear the tell-tale crack, Bryce goes limp. My eyes immediately meet Rosalyn's expecting to see devastation, but all I see is relief. She gently lays his body on the floor. My mind immediately goes to Miranda. Knowing he's gone and seeing it are two different things. I reach down, offering Rosalyn my hand to help her up.

I pull her into my arms. Holding her like this reminds me of when we were pups, and she would get hurt. I should have known then we were mates. All I ever wanted to do was make the hurting stop. I should have done that as a grown man. I shake those thoughts away, knowing the past needs to stay where it belongs. We can only move forward.

Once I let her go, I bend down and lift Bryce's body from the floor without a word to Rosalyn. Once he's on the cot, I cover him with a blanket. I'll have the guards deal with his body. I turn back to Rosalyn, expecting at some point she will fall apart. I just hope she realizes that he had to be done. That she is stronger than any of us ever knew when that time comes.

"It's over. I can't imagine how difficult that was for you, even though it needed to be done. I'm proud of you, Rosalyn. You are amazing and strong. I know Bryce couldn't see it, but I can.

Beck is lucky that the goddess chose you for him. I hope he thanks her every day of his life

like I should have."

Before she can respond, I turn to leave the cell. As soon as I step back into the space that surrounds the cell Christopher is being held in, Mindy launches herself at me. I can't help the chuckle I feel at my mate's actions. Despite the darkness of the last few hours, she is my

2/4 

+50 Points

76 Regrets and Truths

light.

Rosalyn joins us minutes later and walks directly to her mother. I expect her to break down in her mother's arms, but again she surprises me as she pulls her mother from my mother, wrapping her in her arms. "It's done" is all she whispers to her mom, who sobs.

Maureen POV

I wish I could dig those two pricks up so I could kill them again. I know Bryce made his own choices, but watching the actions of those two monsters framed who he became. Watching the woman I consider a sister break because she knows the pup she loved is no more and not just because he is dead, it is heart-wrenching.

I'm glad she has Charlie. She deserves to have a mate that truly loves her. That will help her grieve her loss. "Just like we do," Adina says, and I look at Barrett. I'm so grateful to the

goddess for giving me this chance at happiness. As I pull Miranda into my embrace, I think

about all we've been through. How strong she has been despite all the things that could have broken her. I couldn't imagine losing one of my pups. If Reese hadn't realized his mistakes, I could have lost him just the same. My heart aches at the thought.

"I'm glad your alright Maureen. I can't lose you," Miranda says, and I squeeze her tighter. "I love you, Miranda. I don't plan on going anywhere after I just found my mate."She gasps, but before she can say anything, Rosalyn pulls her into her arms. My heart breaks when I hear her whisper "it's done." Despite who Bryce became, he was still her pup. The day she broke her bond with him was hard, but today will be worse. She sobs and Rosalyn holds her.

I wrap them both in my arms and press a kiss on Rosalyn's head. "Don't scare us like that again Auntie Maureen" she says. "I promise I'll try not to. Why don't you take your mom up to my wing? I need to finish up here, then Barrett and I will be up.Rosalyn looks between us and smiles. Charlie ushers them both down the hallway.

I turn back to Christopher and there are fresh tears on his cheeks. "Was that Cain's mate" he asks. "She was Cain's mate? She has a new mate now. One that deserves her. I'm sure you know Cain and Robert are both dead. I won't ask the rude way my son did earlier, but what did

you hope when you came here today, Christopher," say glaring at my son.

He was given a second chance when, for all intents and purposes, he didn't deserve one. He doesn't get to sit in judgment of a man that clearly tried to right his brother's wrongs. "Before I tell you the reason, I have to apologize that Alyssa hurt you. That wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to stay with the others as a distraction, so I could speak to you."

"I waited till Reese was gone because I wasn't sure how much like Robert he was. I remember how kind you always were to the pack members, no matter their rank. My father used to b**ch

+50 Point 

76 Regrets and Truths

about it. I knew that you would be willing to listen and hopefully convince Reese to help," he says. 

"Why did the girl stab me? It clearly wasn't because I was a threat since she snuck up on me." His cheeks turn pink, and I wonder what the hell is making him blush. "Alyssa and I were intimate occasionally, nothing more. She wanted me to make her my chosen mate. The only thing that makes sense was she heard me telling some of my men that I had a crush on you as a pup. She was a jealous woman," he says.

Barrett pulls me to his side. "Mine" he says, glaring at Christopher. "Barrett, I am yours. He said when he was a pup. Please calm down." "Despite how beautiful she still is, I would never interfere with your bond. I also have a mate somewhere out there that was made just for me,"

he says. 

Barrett seems to calm down, but he keeps his arm around my waist. Adina purrs and I fight the urge to roll my eyes at my wanton wolf. "You want to know why I came back its simple. I never wanted to become a rogue or leave my pack. Most of the rogues that are with me don't

want to be rogues. We all want to become pack," he says and Reese growls.

"How do we know you're not just like him? That you don't want to take the pack from me so you can take over where my sperm donor left off. You knew you couldn't beat him, but maybe

you think you can beat me. I won't allow you to hurt this pack or my family if that's your intent," Reese says. His fear is getting the better of him. Before I can say a word, Barrettnovelbin

speaks up. "He's telling the truth, Reese." My head whips in my mate's direction. He sees my

confusion and smiles.