Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 501

Chapter 501: 501-Shame Is A Huge Word
Helanie:

“Helanie, what are you doing here?” Norman asked, slowly pulling his hands behind his back.

“He forgot about me because he decided missing Azura was more important than being there for me,” I stated, my voice breaking. Why would he do that to me?

“He must have forgotten, you know what he’s going through,” Norman tried to explain, but I shook my head—I wasn’t going to be fooled by that reason.

“And he only remembered Azura? He told me he forgets about people when they’re not around him. Azura hadn’t been around for years, yet he remembered her?” I was feeling so drained and useless.

“Helanie, we should wait for him to wake up and then let him tell us what happened. Don’t assume the worst,” Norman was, of course, taking his brother’s side.

“Let me see,” I held my hand up for him to give me the pictures, and he shook his head.

“You’re not doing that to yourself,” he mumbled, not handing over the pictures.

“Norman, give me the pictures,” I said, using a firmer tone, and he stood tall, like a statue.

“I’m ordering you to give me the pictures,” I screamed, stomping my feet like a child—so worked up that I didn’t care if I’d be punished for my behavior.

“Norman—” I warned him, but he didn’t listen.

“I should’ve known you’d always take their side,” I hissed and turned around, crying hysterically and loudly as I ran out of Emmet’s room. I hated Emmet, I hated Norman, and everyone else.

While crying, I kept running toward the exit—because screw them, now I was free. Once I got to the gate, I saw the warriors closing it.

“Open the fucking gate,” I hissed, realizing Norman had already called them to stop me from leaving.

“We’re sorry, but the young rogue king told us not to let you go. He said you’re too angry and the outside isn’t safe for someone who’s upset,” the warrior said, stealing glances as he noticed how furious I’d become.

“Ugh,” I screamed under my breath.

That’s when I saw one of the warriors whisper into the other’s ear, and they opened the door just a little—for someone’s arrival. It was Kaye, holding Maximus.

Maximus had his arm resting over Kaye’s shoulders as he carried him. The two stopped, and their eyes met mine.

Maximus lifted his head from where it had been hanging and slowly removed his arm from his brother’s shoulders to straighten his back. His eyes briefly scanned me, noticing my dress, and then—it was like the realization hit him.

He suddenly looked so down.

But Kaye, on the other hand—I noticed something cold in his eyes.

“Is there a problem?” Kaye asked his warriors.

“Why is she crying?” Maximus managed to say quietly. It seemed like Emmet hadn’t just let me down last night—he even forgot that if he didn’t want to marry me, he should’ve been with Maximus, giving him blood.

So Maximus seemed weak. I could see a mark on Kaye’s neck and could tell he had given his brother blood. But Emmet? He’d probably give so much that he’d pass out. Even thinking about his name made me angry.

“She wants to leave,” the warrior told Kaye, who stared at my face, frowning.

I had a feeling Maximus didn’t know the whole truth. Or maybe he did, but right now, he was just focused on why I was crying.

“Let her go,” Kaye ordered, signaling the warriors to open the gate for me.

“Sir, she’s not ready to leave,” the warrior tried to stop him. “Norman, sir, said—”

That was all he got out before Kaye hissed at him to be quiet.

“I’ll go with her. But don’t stop her,” Kaye added.

“I’ll join you two,” Maximus said, even though he could barely stand.

“You need to rest,” Kaye turned to his brother. And even though I knew they were trying to help me, I had to interrupt.

“Can I please leave?” I stomped my foot, and they both looked at me.

“Okay. Let’s go,” Kaye gave in and grabbed Maximus’s arm, patting his back for support.

The minute the gate opened, I ran out like crazy. I was crying, speeding up while they followed behind me.

I was sniffling so loudly, I bet they could hear me. After a few minutes, they were walking beside me, with Maximus grunting in pain.

I slowed down when I realized he was trying to keep up and putting too much pressure on his body.

I eventually came to a stop, sitting on the side of the trail, out of breath. Kaye and Maximus sat down on either side of me.

“Did you not want to marry Emmet?” Maximus asked softly.

“She didn’t marry Emmet,” Kaye said before I could respond.

I turned to him sharply. “Norman must’ve told you, didn’t he?” I raised an eyebrow at Kaye.

“No, I arrived,” he finished—and my jaw dropped.

“I came, but Norman—he had already married you. I don’t understand why he was in such a rush to do it, like he was scared someone would show up and ruin his plan,” Kaye started talking, and I watched Maximus get up and face us.

“What do you mean by ‘Norman married her’?” he yelled—well, almost yelled. He tried to raise his voice, but the exhaustion in his body probably held him back. He sounded grumpy.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Our dear older brother, who knew we were both mated to her, went ahead and married her. It’s like he’d been waiting for that day. A perfect betrayal. He knew all our secrets, our curse, and still attacked us the moment he got the chance,” Kaye punched the air while Maximus started pacing around anxiously.

“He didn’t betray anyone. He only helped me,” my voice cut through their scoffs and grunts, and they both looked at me.

“He had his eyes on his brother’s mate. Shame on him,” Maximus hissed, not even bothering to hear me out.