“What?” I started.
“Surprise,” he said.
I frowned, pulling away slightly to look back at my brother. He was smirking too.
“What's going on?” I asked.
Brandon raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, how did you get in here?” I asked, looking back at him.
He snorted. “I live here, remember?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Yes, but—”
“Nobody is mad,” my brother said suddenly. “We know you guys have been sneaking around.”
I felt my cheeks heat up.
Oh god, they knew.
“Relax,” Brandon murmured, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “It's okay.”
I gulped. “Is it?” I asked weakly.
He nodded.
Before I could say anything else, my brother spoke again. “There's something we need to tell you,” he said seriously.
I felt Brandon's body tense, but I kept my gaze locked on my brother. “What is it?” I asked.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Brandon's mate came to see me last night.”
My heart stopped.
Brandon's mate was here?
I felt all of the color drain from my face, and I pulled away from him.
His mate was here.
Oh my god.
I had known that this would eventually happen, but I hadn't expected it to hurt this badly.
I backed away from them, tears filling my eyes.
“Where is she?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Brandon stepped towards me. “Ivy.”
But I was already shaking my head, backing away. I turned around and ran back up the stairs towards my bedroom.
I shut my door and locked it, sliding down against it.
Tears fell down my cheeks, and I covered my mouth with my hand.
I couldn't believe that she was here.
I couldn't believe this was actually happening.
Brandon had a mate.
She was his.
I was just a fling.
I'd known it, but that didn't stop it from hurting.
I closed my eyes and let myself cry.
“Open the door, Ivy.”
I squeezed my eyes shut at the sound of Brandon's voice.
“Go away,” I said, my voice muffled from behind my hands.
“Ivy,” Brandon snapped. “Open the door right now.”
“No.”
I heard him growl, and the next thing I knew, my door was flying off of the hinges.
I looked up at Brandon through tear-filled eyes.
His expression softened as he stared down at me.
He reached for me, but I flinched away from him.
“Don't touch me,” I cried, more tears falling down my cheeks.
“Ivy,” he murmured, his hand pausing in midair.
I shook my head, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand. “Go be with your mate.”
He frowned. “I don't want my mate,” he said. “I want you.”
I laughed bitterly. “You can't have me,” I said. I looked away from him, staring at the wall across from me. “Your mate is your soul mate, Brandon. She's the one for you.”
“That's not true,” he argued, kneeling in front of me.
I glared at him. Of course he would say that. He didn't even know her.
“You don't even know her,” I hissed.
His eyes narrowed. “You know what I'm talking about,” he growled. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn't feel it too.”
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes again, and I blinked, trying to force them away. I looked back at him.
“I felt it,” I admitted, my voice soft.
He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. “Then what's the problem?”
“You have a mate,” I said.
He shook his head, reaching for me again, but I pulled away before he could touch me.
I pushed myself up to my feet, heading to stand by my window.
I heard him stand up, and a moment later, his arms were wrapping around me from behind.
I froze.
“Ivy,” he said softly. “Listen to me.”
I squeezed my eyes shut.
“You're my mate,” he murmured.
I froze. “What?” I whispered.
“Turn around,” he commanded.
I turned to face him, and when I did, I realized that his eyes were glowing.
I stared up at him, my eyes widening. “Brandon,” I whispered. I reached up to cup his face in my hands. “Are you okay?”
He grinned, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest.
“Now do you believe me?” he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
I nodded, melting against him.
I had never felt happier.
I couldn't believe it.
We were mates.
“Come on,” he said, pulling away and holding out his hand.
I took it, letting him tug me out of my room and down the stairs.
“Where are we going?” I asked curiously.
“To meet your brother and my parents,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at me with a grin.
I raised an eyebrow.
“What for?” I asked.
“They want to officially meet you,” he said.
I bit my lip. “Oh,” I said nervously.
“Nothing to be nervous about,” he assured me.
“Are you sure?” I teased.
He nodded, pulling me into the living room. Everyone was standing around, waiting for us, and when we walked in, all of their gazes fell on me.
I felt myself pale, and I instinctively moved closer to Brandon.
He chuckled and wrapped an arm around me, tugging me against his side.
“It's nice to officially meet you, Ivy,” his mom said with a grin.
I nodded. “It's nice to officially meet you too,” I said softly.
She grinned even wider. “Well, I guess we should get to planning then.”
“Planning?” I asked in confusion.
“For the ceremony,” Brandon's dad said, as if it were obvious.
“The ceremony?” I asked.
His dad nodded, clapping Brandon on the shoulder. “It's going to be great,” he said.
A few days later, Brandon and I were in the backyard with our family.
The whole pack was there, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
I was so nervous, and my hands were shaking as Brandon and I stood side by side.
“Hey,” he murmured in my ear. “Relax.”
I looked up at him, giving him a weak smile. “I am relaxed.”
He raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Sure you are.”
I rolled my eyes, looking away from him.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Ivy Clark and Brandon Jameson. From this moment forward, they will be mated. They will be one, and no one may break the bond,” my brother suddenly spoke, beginning the ceremony.
I gulped.
This was it.
Brandon squeezed my hand gently, and when I looked at him, he winked at me.
My brother looked at me. “Ivy, do you take Brandon to be your mate?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Brandon, do you take Ivy to be your mate?” he asked.
“Yes,” Brandon said.
My brother smiled. “Then I now pronounce you mates. You may kiss your mate, brother.”
I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and before I could even begin to process how I was feeling, Brandon was dipping me, pressing his lips against mine.
The kiss was gentle, and then it deepened.
I melted against him, running my fingers through his hair.
He groaned, his grip on me tightening.
“Alright, that's enough,” my brother laughed. “Let the poor girl breathe.”
Brandon pulled back, smirking.
I grinned up at him, my heart feeling like it was about to beat right out of my chest.
“I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you too,” he said back.
And when he pulled me back into his arms, I knew that this was just the beginning of our happily ever after.