Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: 31-Mr. Rune Nightmare

Helanie:

I don’t remember waking up to such happiness before. My mother had a radiant smile on her lips as she gently roused me from sleep.

“Your dad and I have been waiting for you at the breakfast table. He made your favorite banana pancakes,” she said, walking over to the large closet to pick out a dress for me. But something felt off.

Her face.

Why did she look like a stranger? I couldn’t recall ever seeing this face before, but deep inside, I knew this was supposed to be my mother.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, likely noticing me lost in thought.

“Did you change your hairstyle or makeup?” I asked as I got out of bed, moving toward her and cupping her face in my hands.

Her smile was so warm and comforting. Yet, the strange feeling of not recognizing her face was unsettling. She was so loving and kind, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings by asking anything foolish.

“You noticed?” she said, touching her hair and smiling. At that moment, I realized the issue wasn’t with her–it was with me.

She seemed fine. Maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I gave her a smile and nodded.

“Anyway, your ball gown has arrived. You’re going to look stunning. Just take a shower, and then I’ll let the makeup artist in,” my mother said, patting my shoulder as she walked away. But then she paused, turned back, and held my arms, looking deep into my eyes. “You will never be sad. My sweet daughter, you will never cry for your mother’s embrace again.”

I didn’t fully understand what she meant, but hearing those words felt like the answer to my deepest wish. An overwhelming urge to cry swept over me. But before I could release the tears, a knock at the door interrupted us.

“Oh, that must be your stylist. The Alpha King must be very impatient. He’s been sending gifts and jewels for you since this morning. This ball is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to you,” my mother said. She was right. I needed to get ready–Alpha King would be waiting for our first dance together.

If my memory serves me correctly, I felt the mate bond with him sometime last year, and we’ve been together ever since.

He had expressed his desire to make me his Luna Queen, and I had accepted it. However, it wasn’t like a clear memory–just something I knew, as if it were a fact stored in the back of my mind.

After my mom left, I stepped into the bathroom, and the moment I caught my reflection in the mirror, my entire body began to tremble.

This wasn’t some innocent, “Oh, look, I’m so beautiful” kind of surprise. Nor was it the horror of discovering a pimple on such a big day.

It was something far worse.

“My hair!” I gasped, staring in disbelief. What had happened to my platinum blonde hair? It was black now. But I was blonde–at least, I thought I was.

I shook my head in confusion before deciding to take a shower. Maybe I was losing my mind from the stress of today’s event.

My life was perfect. I had maids and servants always ready to serve me. People adored me. My brother and sister were like my best friends. Sometimes it felt like I was living in a dream. How could anyone’s life be this perfect?

I was the most cherished Royal–the Beta’s daughter, loved deeply by everyone. After slipping into the stunning golden gown, I stepped out of the bathroom to greet the makeup artist and stylist the Alpha King had sent from the royal mansion.

They prepared me as if I were a princess.

I felt complete.

My heart raced as I looked at myself in the mirror.

“Look at you! I hope all evil eyes stay far away,” my mother said, entering the room with my father, both of them beaming with pride.

“Mom,” I turned toward her, holding a thick, curly strand of hair in my hand, showing it to her.

“Why is it black? Wasn’t I a blonde?” I asked, and that’s when everything seemed to freeze. Both my parents stiffened, and even my sister, who was about to enter the room, stopped mid-step, not moving an inch.

“Guys?” I questioned, taking a cautious step back to observe them.

“Huh?” And then, just like that, everyone started moving again, leaving me utterly confused.

“You all froze, like–” I couldn’t even find the right word to describe what had just happened.

“Let’s go. The Alpha King is waiting for you,” my mother quickly smiled again, taking my hand and leading me outside as if nothing had happened.

I didn’t want to linger either. My mate was waiting for me at the royal hall, and he had sent his Lamborghini to escort us. The whole protocol felt grand and dignified.

My brother couldn’t stop talking about how I was the best sister he could ever ask for.

When we arrived at the royal hall, the chauffeur was there to assist us. As I walked through the crowd, people smiled at me. The soft, tantalizing music set the perfect mood.

The hall was beautifully lit, and in the center stood my mate.

He wore an all-white suit, his smile radiant. His jet-black hair was neatly styled with gel, and his striking blue eyes were fixed on me from across the room. He was tall and broad, clearly muscular, but I couldn’t tell too much about his abs under the suit. He was The Alpha King Rune Nightmare.

I shook myself out of my daze, realizing this wasn’t the first time I was meeting him. Of course, he had abs, and he was the best mate I could have ever hoped for. He treated me perfectly and always took care of me.

He extended his hand for me to take, and without a second thought, I stepped forward and placed my hand in his.

His touch was unexpectedly cold, despite him being such a warm person.

“My beautiful Helanie,” his voice echoed through the hall. Everyone fell silent as he spoke, even the music stopped.

“My mate!” he added, pulling me into his chest. I giggled softly as his arm wrapped around my back, his other hand still holding mine.

The music resumed, and we began to dance. Everyone stood around us, watching in silence.

There were a few moments when something felt slightly eerie–nothing major, just the fact that everyone wore the same kind of smile, and they barely blinked.

“Eyes on me,” my mate whispered, and my gaze instantly shifted to him, as if I had no choice.

But strangely, it didn’t bother me that much.

We continued dancing until some commotion interrupted our peace. That’s when the smiles around us began to fade.

My mate stepped back slightly and said, “Forgive me, my love. It seems we have an uninvited guest trying to steal you from me.”

His voice held a subtle hint of aggression as he looked over my shoulder. I turned to follow his gaze.

There he was–a tall man dressed in black pants and a matching shirt, his eyes locked on me as he declared, “I am here to take my stepsister back home.”