The Twin Alphas’ Fated Mate
Fate of the Forsaken Brother Chapter 24

~Kaden-

We were all shocked. Rhett wasn't dead. I couldn't believe it. I don't know who this Silas guy is. I know he's a warlock, but that's it. I'm conflicted between hating him because he helped Ivan and Hudson take Aubrey away, but he also saved Rhett.

Elliot called for Arthur and Mercury to come to the office before Silas told us what was going on. When Mercury burst into the room, she was already crying, looking for the twins. She grabbed onto them both, shaking as she cried. She was muttering about how they'd never leave her sight again. So dramatic. We all know Mercury isn't a helicopter parent. She's the 'let them have their freedom' kind of mom. So this whole never leaving her sight will probably last less than two weeks before she feels weird about it and leaves them alone.

Once everyone was settled, Elliot told us how Silas had just showed up in his office looking for Max and I. We shared a weird look before turning back to Elliot. He told us how Silas was a warlock, which Max had already pointed out, and that he's over 500 years old. That's how he's still around.

"I remember reading in one of Greta's books about the history of casters that they took away warlocks fertility, in the odd chance some didn't die that day. I guess they were right about some not being affected by the spell." Mercury says to Silas.

"Very few of us remain. I only know of ten other warlocks. I don't know exactly how many are left. Some don't even practice. They live among humans and live a peaceful life." Silas states.

"Well, it's been 300 years and no one knew you guys still existed, so obviously lying low works for you guys." Arthur says. "But Jerald found you. How exactly?"

"I still live in the supernatural world sometimes. I am friends with some casters and I was visiting a caster friend of mine when her pack was getting a new alpha. You know of Alpha Austen, correct?" Silas asks.

"He's a good friend of mine. Our packs have always been allies." Max says.

"Austen's father was a close friend of ours as well. He always backed us up if we needed and we did the same. You know their caster?" Elliot asks.

"Yes, Adaline is a great woman. I visit her when I can. I was with her when Alpha Austen was getting his title. Jerald saw me and recognized my eyes. Most warlocks use their powers to change their eye color to blend, but I don't when I'm with the supernatural. I'm not ashamed of who I am and I have done nothing wrong in the last 300 years that would cause concern. So I leave my natural eyes. Jerald asked for my help. He didn't tell me the exact details, so I agreed to a meeting with him. A few days later, I went to the location he gave me and I was confused because he claimed it was his pack, but I knew it used to be the Half Moon pack location. I knew Half Moon's caster as well." Silas explained. Mercury scoffed and rolled her eyes. Silas gave her a look.

"I know Maria wasn't the warmest person, but she had a good heart." Silas says.

"Oh yeah, until she tried to kill me for disobeying her as if she was in any position to demand anything of me." Mercury snaps back. Elliot clears his throat.

"Mercury is Maria's biological daughter. Maria held a lot of hatred towards Mercury for trying to save our pack and not staying away from Lyle." Elliot explains.

"Oh, I see. Maria told me all about how she gave away her child and told Alpha Henry the child had died. She was always resentful about her mate dying. I can see how she'd be mad at you. But you were doing what was best for your family and pack, I imagine." Silas says.

"Of course." Mercury says.

"So, you are the ones who took down Half Moon? This is a full-circle moment." Silas says, more to himself than to us.

"Please continue the story." Arthur says.

"Right. So when I got to the pack, I was met by Jerald and a man named Ivan. He was human, but Jerald assured me he was going to help us. But I never got good vibes from Ivan. Anyway, Jerald said his nephew was a twisted man and left his pack behind and has been torturing them ever since with Alpha Maxton. It was an awful story, but things seemed off with everything. I'm 500 years old, I've met many people who have lied to get their way. Jerald told me Kaden's chosen mate was this sweet young girl who was supposed to be another man's mate. They said the man was named Hudson, another human. But Kaden corrupted her and forcefully mated her. I felt bad for this young woman, so I agreed to take the bond away."

"I didn't force her! Aubrey is my mate! Those pricks that took her are human s*x traffickers! Ivan even kidnapped Mercury almost 19 years ago." I shout.

"Kaden, calm down. We all know Aubrey is your true mate. We all watched it happen. We know how happy she was here with you. We didn't even know about Hudson until today." Arthur says to me. I can't calm down though. I'm seething. How could they tell these lies to people? I would never force anyone to do anything, especially my own mate!

"So what happened today? Why did you still help them?" Devin asks.

"When I came into the situation today, something didn't feel right. Kaden and Maxton didn't seem to be the monsters Jerald had made them out to be. Ivan seemed to be the one who was causing distress for Kaden and Maxton and the girl looked genuinely scared. The boy holding her was apparently her 'true' mate, Hudson, but she looked terrified of being near him, like he was a stranger to her and he wanted to hurt her. But at the same time, I had no proof that you weren't the people I'd been told you were. So instead of removing the bond like Ivan wanted me to, I simply hid it." Silas explained.

"Hid it? How?" I ask.

"It's still there. She's still your mate. You just can't feel it at the moment, almost like it doesn't exist. She doesn't know who you are because her memories of you are hidden. Unfortunately, to do that, I have to remove the marks. But I'm sure you will have no issue marking your mate again." Silas says.

"How will she get her memories back?" I ask.

"That's simple. When you lock eyes with her, the bond will no longer be hidden. It will be as if you're just finding her again. But you will already know her and her memories will return."

"Just like that? What was the point of all this?" Max asks.

"I let them go because I needed to be sure what kind of people you are. If you really were horrible, I'd make her spell perminate. I wanted to meet you. But since you people are clearly the ones who have been wronged, I'm here to help. Yes, I did help them escape. But I know where they are. I can take you there." Silas says.

"Take us to her now." I demand, standing up.

"Hold on, Kaden. We don't know how many people Ivan has working for him. Plus, Ivan is human. Humans don't fight fair. They use guns with silver bullets." Max points out.

"He's right, Kaden. Rushing into this without planning isn't smart. We all want to take Ivan down. Arthur and I have hated him for almost 19 years now. But he's gotten smarter. He now knows of the supernatural world. We can't just run after him without a solid plan." Elliot says to

me.

"Silas, you are very powerful. Can't you help us with this?" Devin asks him. Silas looks around the room at all of us before his eyes land on me.

"I don't use my powers to hurt people. I can help protect you, I can restrain the enemy, but I will not be involved in any bloodshed. Is that clear?" Silas says. I stare him down so he knows

how serious I am.

"Crystal."

After Silas briefly explained what he's willing to do and what is a hard pass, we got into what will be going down when we get there.

"You said humans don't fight fairly? It will be even more unfair to have me on your side." Silas

says to Max.

"They had you first. And lied to you about their true intentions." Max says.

"This is true." Silas scratches his facial stuble. "Anyway, you don't have to put your warriors in danger. I will make sure all of Ivan's men are subdued. Making humans fall asleep is very easy. I could also do this to Ivan and Hudson, if you wish."

"Can you keep them awake but weaken them?" Mercury pipes up. We all turn to her. She shrugs. "I want Ivan to look me in the face when he realizes he messed with the wrong people."

Max smiles and shakes his head. "This all started with you guys, mom. You deserve to be the ones to finish it. We took care of Black Creek and all their crap. This is for you guys."

"As much as I can't stand Ivan, if he hadn't kidnapped you, we wouldn't have met." Elliot says to Mercury. Mercury smiles at him.

"That's true. I had no reason to come here. I had no plans of leaving home when Ivan took me. I wouldn't have found this pack if I wasn't running from him." Mercury says. Arthur comes up behind her and hugs her. I make a fake gagging sound at the display of affection. They know I'm just joking. Mercury laughs.

"I didn't do that when you couldn't keep your hands off Aubrey. And I won't do that when Maxy finds his second chance mate." Mercury says. Oh crap, Max didn't tell them? I look at him and

he's looking down, his eyes wide.

"Excuse me, I have to go do something." Max says, and rushes out of the office. I look after him, knowing he's going to see Ava. He hasn't seen her in almost two days. I know how he's feeling right now. At least the hidden bond is making it easier for me.

Everyone stares at the door after Max leaves. Everyone but Devin and I have confused looks on

their faces.

"Wonder what he had to go do in such a rush?" Silas comments.

"Probably his mate." Devin mutters quietly. But not quietly enough. Mercury whips her head to

look at Devin.

"His what?" Mercury asks. Devin smacks his hand over his mouth and backs into Kai. He shakes his head. Mercury stomps over to Devin. Devin is short compared Max and I, being only 5'10, but Mercury is barely 5'2. She makes Devin look huge, and Kai looks like a mountain. I always thought it was funny that she's so small when Elliot and Arthur and big like Max and I.

"Devin Joyner, if you don't tell me what you meant by that right now, so help me, I will make you so busy you have no time to see your mate." Mercury says to him. Devin whimpers and I

laugh. Big mistake. Mercury turns and glares at me.

"Kaden Anderson! You know something too, don't you? One of you, spill it!"

"Ah, alright woman. You're scarier than Arthur when he's angry." I say. Arthur glares at me.

"No one is scarier than me." He says. Mercury whips her head to look at him and shoots him a look. He shifts on his feet. "Sorry, kitten."

Mercury looks back at me and Devin. I sigh. "Max found his second chance mate. He didn't tell anyone because of all this s**t going on. Aubrey and the twins were gone." I say.

"Who is it?!" Mercury nearly shrieks in my face. I look over at Dev and he shrugs. Thanks for the

help, dipshit. "Ava." I say. Jack, Arthur and Elliot's beta, looks right at me. He looks pissed.

"My niece, Ava?" He asks. I nod. He thinks for a minute before his face softens. "Ava is going to

be the next Luna?"

"Congrats." Arthur slaps him on the back.

"I should be saying that to you." Jack says. Arthur smiles.

"They'll be great." Elliot says.

"Oh my god, I'm so happy! Ava is such a sweet girl! I can't wait to teach her everything!"

Mercury cries out.

I look over at Devin again. He gives me a thumbs up and I flip him off. His dumb comment put

me on the spot. Fucker. I just hope Max doesn't hate me for telling everyone.