The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn

SCARLETT~

“Can I sleep in your room?” I ask Elsa. I didn’t want Wilder or any of his brothers to offer their rooms to me.

She nods, “You can have your own room if you’d like.” She informs me. “I know that my brother hasn’t exactly left a good impression on you, but he will not force you to sleep in the same room with him. I am at least sure about that.”

I didn’t believe her. If he could kidnap me and force me to stay in his home, he was capable of doing anything.

“I still prefer to sleep in your room,” I tell her.

“Okay.” She whispers. “Come on in.”

I do as she says and take a look around the room. I was searching for a phone. If I could contact Carter again, it would make it easier for him to find me.

However, I was scared to inform him of where I was. I was terrified that something would happen to him. I didn’t think that I should tell him of anything until I knew for sure that we could both get safely out of this place.

But I missed him. I missed him so much. And I felt sick to my stomach, knowing I had found my mate. In my heart, Carter was my only mate. There wasn’t anyone else but him for me.

“I’m sorry about my brother, I hate what he is doing to you.” She apologizes as she hands me a blanket. “I know you must be extremely exhausted.”

“I know this isn’t your fault; you don’t need to apologize for his behavior,” I assure her.

She smiles, “You’re not the only one being forced into something you don’t want to do.”

“What do you mean by that?” I ask her.

“My family wants me to marry someone I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with.” She informs me. “They aren’t listening to me. They’re only concerned about their reputation.”

I sigh, “I’m so sorry you have to go through that.”

“No, I’m sorry that you are going through this.” She whispers.

“Can you please do something for me?” I ask of her. I was desperate to see Carter, even if it was on the phone.

“What is it?” She asks hesitantly.

“I haven’t seen my husband in some time. I miss him so much. He’s very popular back home. There are videos of him everywhere. I know that I can’t use a phone, but I want to have one look at him. I would forever be thankful if you could do this for me.”

Her eyes soften at my request.

“Okay,” she whispers. “You said that his name is Carter Prince?”

I nod.

She types his name on her phone, and multiple videos pop up. My eyes are filled with tears the second that I see him.

Elsa had no idea just how much this meant to me. Seeing Carter even on video made my heart swell with so many emotions.

“You’re truly in love with him.” She whispers. “I can see the pain in your eyes. I’m surprised someone with a mate can love another man so strongly.”

I wipe my tears, unable to stop them now.

My love for Carter couldn’t be compared with anything else. My love for him would never waver. Never.

. . . .

~CARTER~

“I know she isn’t my mate,” I whisper to Ares. “I know I can’t have mates. But my heart still hurts so damn much. I feel her connection. I feel everything for her just as strongly as if she were my mate.”

He touches my shoulder, “She may not be your mate, but your love for her is pure and natural. No one will ever love her as much as you do. I know that you will find her brother. There are so many people helping us. It wouldn’t be long before you find her.”

I hoped that he was right. I felt like I would go insane soon if I didn’t find her.

“We have some news,” Alaric says as he barges into the house.

“What did you find out?” I demand as the phone drops from my hand. I was staring at pictures of Scarlett for the last hour, hoping that it would give me the strength that I needed to keep on fighting.

“We were able to restore the audio on the camera footage.” He informs me. “You won’t want to hear what I’m about to say to you.”

I could feel the tension in my body intensify at his words. The fact that he knew it wasn’t something I wanted to hear worried me.

I already had to deal with so much; I didn’t want any more bad news. However, there could only be bad news as long as Scarlett was missing.

“Tell me.” I plead with him. “What is it that you found out from the footage?”

“I now know why they took Scarlett with them.” He tells me.

My back stiffens, and I narrow my eyes. “Tell me what it is, Alaric. Do not hold back. I need to know why they took my pregnant wife.”

He runs a hand through his hair and he looks like he’s about to lose his mind too. Was he that afraid to tell me? Just how bad was it?

“They took her because she’s Wilder’s mate.” He yells out. “Her mate found her, Carter. And he’s a bloody Cage.”

Everything around me begins to spin at his words, and my vision turns red.

My worst nightmare.

I never wanted Scarlett to meet her mate, not in this life.

What did this mean?

Did she willingly go with them?

Is she happy that she found her mate?

Does she have feelings for him?

There were so many questions in my mind, and all of them made my heart hurt.

I was in f*g pain.

Why was this happening to me? Was this part of our curse? Could none of us ever indeed be happy with the woman that we were in love with?

“Carter,” Alaric says my name in a panic, but I can barely hear him.

My heart hurts too much.

Please, Scarlett, please don’t love anyone else but me. Please don’t break my heart in two. Please only be mine.

Please.