CHAPTER 380: A BROTHER’S ADVICE

I watched as Vincent and Winter slipped out of the chamber, the heavy door clicking shut behind them like a final breath. The sound echoed in my chest, stirring something uneasy, a whisper of dread that I couldn’t quite shake. The room felt emptier without them, the morning light filtering through the windows suddenly too bright, too harsh. Nicholas stood beside me, his dark eyes still lingering on the door, that brooding intensity of his softened by the lingering warmth of our mates’ promises.

"Hey, Kat," he said, turning to me with that cocky grin that always made my heart skip a beat, even on days like this. His black hair fell messily over his forehead, and he ran a hand through it, trying to play it casual. "What do you say we sneak down to the kitchen? See what’s cooking for breakfast. Maybe swipe a few pastries before the servants catch on. You know, like old times."

I forced a smile, trying to match his mischief. It was our thing—Nicholas and I had been pulling pranks since we were kids, back when our parents’ unyielding friendship meant we’d spend endless summers together, causing chaos in the castle halls. He was the one who’d always drag me into it, his vampire charm making even the riskiest ideas sound irresistible. "You’re impossible, Nick," I teased, nudging his shoulder with mine. "But fine. Lead the way. If we get caught, it’s on you."

He laughed, that low, magnetic rumble that vibrated through the air, and slung an arm around my shoulders as we headed out. The corridors were quiet this early, the stone floors cool under my slippers, the scent of fresh-baked bread already wafting up from below. Nick started chatting animatedly, his voice filling the space between us. "Remember that time we stole those honey cakes from the kitchens during the solstice feast? Your dad nearly caught us, but you distracted him with that whole ’innocent princess’ act. Gods, Zane’s face when he realized half the tray was gone..."

I nodded, laughing softly at the memory, but my mind wasn’t there. It kept drifting back to Vincent—his dark eyes locking onto mine, that promise in his kiss still tingling on my lips. "I’m not running away," he’d said, his voice like midnight silk, wrapping around me with that dangerous charm. He’d asked me to trust him, just a short stroll in the gardens with his sister. Sibling stuff, he’d called it. But why did my stomach twist like this? Like a storm was brewing on the horizon, dark clouds gathering that I couldn’t outrun. My celestial magic hummed under my skin, a faint glow of prophecy teasing at the edges of my thoughts, but it was too vague, too elusive. Something bad was coming—I could feel it in my bones, in the way my Lycan instincts prickled, urging me to shift and protect what was mine.

As we turned a corner, the kitchen aromas growing stronger—cinnamon and yeast mingling with the sizzle of bacon— I couldn’t hold it in anymore. "Nick," I said, my voice quieter than I intended, stopping him mid-sentence about some other childhood escapade. "Aren’t you worried? About Winter and Vincent, I mean. What if they... what if they leave? Now that the mate bond’s eased up, we don’t have to be glued to them anymore. They could just vanish into the shadows, like that first night. Never come back."

He paused, his arm tightening around me for a moment as he thought it over. His dark eyes, so much like his father’s, searched mine, that brooding depth flickering with something vulnerable before he masked it with a smile. "Worried? Nah, Kat. Come on." He pulled me closer, his werewolf strength gentle but firm. "Vincent and Winter aren’t going anywhere. They’ve got us now—why would they bail? Trust our mates. And trust the bond. The Moon Goddess herself wove it, right? Your grandmother wouldn’t steer us wrong."

His words hit like a balm, soothing the edges of my unease. The Moon Goddess—the mate bond was my grandmother’s legacy, that divine thread connecting us all. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, leaning into him. "You’re right," I admitted, my voice softening. "I guess I’m just... overthinking it. Thanks, Nick. You always know how to pull me back."

He winked, that cocky arrogance back in full force. "What are best friends for? Now, let’s get those pastries before Alex shows up and lectures us about royal decorum."

We rounded another bend, the kitchen doors just in sight, when a familiar figure stepped into our path. Alexander—my big brother, the future king, looking every bit the part in his tailored tunic, his broad shoulders squared with that disciplined poise he wore like armor. His eyes, a beautiful light brown, lit up with surprise, then narrowed slightly as he took us in. "Kat? Nick? What are you two up to this early? And... where are your mates? I thought the bond had you all inseparable these days."

I exchanged a quick glance with Nick, who stepped forward with his usual effortless charm. "Hey, Alex," he said, clapping my brother on the shoulder like they were old comrades—which they kind of were, thanks to our families’ ties. "Funny you mention that. The bond relaxed last night. Woke up this morning and boom—no more constant shadowing. We can actually breathe without them right there. Vincent and Winter just headed out for a quick garden stroll. Sibling time, you know?"

Alexander’s face shifted, a visible wave of relief washing over his features. His shoulders dropped just a fraction, that protective aura of his easing. "That’s... good to hear," he said, his voice steady but laced with something heavier. "Actually, I was hoping to run into you both. I need a word. It’s important."

I studied his serious expression, the way his jaw tightened, and a flicker of worry sparked in my chest again. "Alex, is something wrong? You look like you’re about to declare war."

He shook his head, glancing around the empty corridor as if walls had ears. "You’ll understand soon enough. Come with me—my chambers. We can talk there."

Nick and I shared another look, our kitchen raid forgotten in the face of Alexander’s intensity. "Lead the way, Your Highness," Nick quipped, trying to lighten the mood with a mock bow, but even his cocky grin faltered a bit.

We followed him through the winding halls, the castle’s ancient stones whispering secrets under our feet. Alexander’s chambers were in the royal wing, grand and imposing, with tapestries depicting our family’s storied battles—Lycans clashing with shadows, celestial light piercing the darkness. We entered the living room, a cozy space despite its size, with plush armchairs circling a low table and a fireplace crackling softly. Sunlight streamed through arched windows, creating golden patterns on the rug.

"Have a seat," Alexander said, gesturing to the chairs as he closed the door behind us. His voice was all business now, that charismatic leader tone he used in council meetings. We sat—me on the edge of an armchair, Nick sprawling casually beside me, though I could sense his tension in the way his fingers drummed lightly on his knee.

Alex paced for a moment before settling into the chair across from us, his eyes locking onto mine with that protective big-brother stare that always made me feel like a kid again. "Look, I don’t know how to say this without it sounding harsh, but... I don’t trust them. Vincent and Winter. Something’s off about them. I’ve been watching, and it’s not just me—Mom, Dad, and Uncle Seb asked me to keep an eye out. Discreetly."

My heart stuttered, the words landing like a punch. "What?" I whispered, disbelief flooding me. Nick shifted beside me, his dark eyes narrowing.

Alex leaned forward, his voice dropping. "Kat, Nick—be careful. Don’t let love blind you. We’ve got enemies out there, and these two show up out of nowhere? The timing, their stories... it doesn’t add up. Dad and Mom’s instincts are screaming, and you know how they are about threats to the family."

Fury ignited in my chest, hot and fierce, my celestial magic flaring under my skin like divine rage bubbling to the surface. How dare he? Alexander, my brother—the one I’d idolized since I was little, the one who always had my back, who loved me fiercely and protected me from every shadow. But this? Accusing Vincent with no proof? The man I loved, the one whose touch set my world on fire, whose ambition matched my impulsiveness in ways that made us unbreakable.

"You’re accusing them with nothing?" I shot back, my voice rising, trembling with emotion. "No evidence, just suspicions? Vincent’s my mate, Alex! Winter’s Nick’s! They’ve done nothing wrong!"

"Kat, listen—" Alex started, his face pained, reaching out a hand.

"No!" I stood up, my hair whipping around my face as I glared at him, eyes blazing. "You stay out of my business with Vincent. I love you, Alex—with my whole heart, you’re my brother, my protector—but this? This crosses a line. I won’t let you poison what we have."

Nick jumped in, his hand on my arm, trying to pull me back down. "Kat, hey, calm down. Alex is just looking out for us. Let’s hear him out—"

I yanked away, turning my fury on him too, though it hurt to see the surprise in his dark eyes. "You can stay here and listen to him badmouth your mate if you want, Nick. But I won’t. Not in my presence. I won’t let anyone—even my own brother—talk trash about the man I love. Vincent’s everything to me. If you can’t see that..."

Tears pricked at my eyes, hot and unwelcome, but I blinked them back, my impulsive nature taking over. I stormed toward the door, the room blurring in my anger, my heart pounding like a war drum. The last thing I heard was Alex calling my name, his voice thick with regret, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Not when everything felt like it was teetering on the edge.