Rivals to Lovers by Patricia Galindez (have you read this book TXT) 📕

so that would be my cue to run. I was quick, but since he's older and faster than me he caught up to me easily. He knocked me down in the snow, and we began to pin each other down. After some time wrestling each other, he finally pinned me down.
“You know this is so unfair, you're stronger than me cause you're older,” I complained.
“Yeah, but haven't you heard little brother? Life isn't fair,” he teased.
“I scoffed. “Whatever. Can you get off me now?”
“Sure, but on one condition.”
I sighed. “What?”
“Tell me what you've been daydreaming about.” Damn it.
“I don't want to talk about it, Conner.”
“Indy, come on. Are you like keeping something from me? I thought you could trust me when no one else will.”
“I'm sorry, but I can't.”
“It can't be that bad that you can't tell me, Indy,”
“It would be for you, Conner. It's just as bad for you and everyone else in the pack.”
He got off me then. “Indy, please. The way you're acting about this is worrying me. Just. Tell. Me.”
“God, fine it's about my mate!” I shouted before I could stop them.
“Wait, your mate?” he smiled proudly at me. “Indy, how in the world would this be bad? That's great, I'm so proud of you! Who is she?”
“And that's where it's bad, Conner. If you know who she is, you and everyone else will think I'm a traitor, even father,” I argued.
“What, is she like a rouge, or something? You know I can't get upset with you over that, and I'm sure father could make an exception in letting her join the pack.”
“No, you don't get it. She's not even close to being a rouge. You just won't understand.” I ran away leaving him there confused. If only my mate was a wolf, and none of this would ever get in our way. But, of course I wouldn't want to change her; I love her for her.

~~~<3~~~

I sat in front of the river where it separated our lands. Where it separated me and Nova. If only I could make this river disappear. What will I say to Conner once I get back? I can't really tell him the truth now can I? He could freak out about the whole thing and tell father, making him to be more disappointed in me than ever. He could even kick me out of the pack, even if I am his son. But, Conner is my brother and best friend; I do trust him.
With my heightened sense of smell, there was a scent I knew anywhere. Strawberry and vanilla.
“Indy,” I heard a whisper call my name. I looked towards the other side of the river to see Nova behind a tree. Just one look at her makes my face light up.
She came closer to the edge of the river.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I kind of sensed you out here, and I couldn't pass up the chance to see you.” I smiled more if it was possible, but then faded as I once more thought about Conner, and what I would say to him.”
Nova saw my change of mood, “What's the matter?”
I sighed, “It's a complication I have; it's doesn't matter.”
“Maybe I can help. It can't be anything serious, right?”
“It's just that my brother knows that I found my mate, but he doesn't know you're a witch. I accidentally let it slip since he wouldn't stop bothering me about what I was keeping from him. He thought you were a werewolf, and there was no reason to hide it, or that it'll be a bad thing. And then I kind of ran off, but I don't know what to say to him when I get back,” I explained.
“So he knows about me?” She paused, “Are you two close?”
“Close as two peas in a pod,” I chuckled.
“Okay, I know we were going to keep this a secret from everyone no matter what But, I wouldn't want this to ruin your bond, so maybe you could tell him about us....and what I am.”
I thought about it. “It's still going to get ruined anyway; he won't treat me the same after he finds out. And I'm scared that he'll tell my father about this and he might kick me out of the pack.”
“But, do you trust him?” she asked.
“Of course I do.”
“And do you trust me?”
“More than I should.”
“So, you got to trust him that nothing will change between you. And you got to trust me that something might happen for the better if he knows.”
Maybe so, but I'm still scared,” I admitted.
“Just trust.”
I nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
She smiled sweetly at me, and stood up. “Well, I must be going. See you tonight,” she said as she blew me a kiss. When she blew it, a small mist came out of her fingers over to me. The mist landed on my lips, and I felt as if she really did kiss me when I felt my lips tingle. She's so amazing.
I looked at her one more time before she disappeared into the forest. I stood there thinking about what she said. Conner is my brother, so I should trust him, and believe everything will be okay.
“Conner, can you meet me in front of the river boarder?”

I asked through telepathy.
“Why, and what are you doing there?”

he responded.
“Because, I need to tell you something important, and I can't do it with everyone in hearing range.”

“Fine, I'll be right there.”

In a flash he was here.
“Indy, why are you wondering around near the river boarder? Some sorcerers might be lurking around.”
Okay Indy, you can do this.
“Conner, I need to tell you about my mate.”
He shook his head. “No it's okay, I know you don't want to talk about it.”
“But, I do. I need to. It's just I'm scared that you'll hate me, and never see me the same. You're technically the only one I have left, Conner.”
“Come on, don't say that. Nothing will make me hate you,” he assured.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
I took a deep breath. “Well, about my mate, she's not really a werewolf.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really, well that's very rare to happen, but I couldn't hate you for that, it's not like you picked her. So, what is she? Is she a human, cause I thought not many lived around?”
“No, she's not human, well technically, but she's different than any human.” I took one last breath before I said, “She's a....She's um....a witch.” I looked down at the snow on the ground avoiding his reaction.
“She's a what?! Indy, do you know how forbidden that is? We can't have any contact with them what so ever. So how would you know your mate is a witch?”
“Well, I kind of went over to their land a few times after the first time a few days ago.”
“Oh my god! Do you know how stupid you are?! You seriously would’ve gotten yourself killed just by stepping into their land.”
“But, you said it yourself that it's not like I picked her. But I'm glad she my mate. And I don't ever regret meeting her.”
“Then I guess that makes you a traitor to this pack. I'm going to have to report this to father.”
“But, he might kick me out of the pack. Do you really want me to become a rouge.”
“I'm sorry, Indy. I'm just trying to do what's best for everyone.” With that, he walked away. But not before I whispered, “ You promised.”

Brothers Stick Together

~~~Conner~~~

I walked away, but not before Indy whispered, "You promised."

I guess I did break my promise to him, but I didn't think whatever he had to tell me was this bad. Him being mated to the enemy? A witch? I didn't have anything against them, but since this has being going on for centuries I have to side with the pack. I don't really want to do this to Indy, but it's what I must do.

I entered through the front door of the pack house, and everyone had a cheerful look on their face once they noticed my arrival. I'm actually the favorite around here, so everyone respects me. Though, I can't say the same for Indy. He's kind of the outcast here in the pack. No one really looks up to him as a leader that could take over as Alpha one day if something were to happen to me, or if I can't produce a blood line. I don't think anyone gives him any credit. Personally, I think he has the potential as a leader, but they can't really see that.

I went upstairs to father's office to feel a little guilty of what I'm about to do. Am I really going to sell out my little brother just because he's mated with a witch that he has no control of?

With a shaky hand, I knocked on the door. "Come in." I opened the door, and when father noticed it was me he smiled. "My son, what is it that you need?" he asked.

"Um, well...it's just that...it's about Indy," I choked out. And instead of him being worried if something has happened to Indy, he frowned.

"Yes, what about him?" he questioned as he went back to his paper work. Indy didn't deserve to be treated like this. He's my baby brother...and I will protect him no matter who's he mated to.

"I found him wondering around the river boarder."

"So what?" he asked, still not caring.

"Well, it could have been dangerous if the witches and sorcerers are lurking around."

"Please, he can take care of himself. H old enough."

"Father he's only fifteen," I informed him as if he doesn't already know. Then again, maybe he didn't from the way he treats him.

He chuckled. "My boy, when I was thirteen my father let me take care of myself. If I was going to lead this pack I had to be tough."

"So why didn't you to the same for me? I am going to lead this pack one day."

"Sure, but you were already tough, but I mostly wanted you to be safe from any danger. We don't want to lose our future Alpha and have your brother take over now do we?"

"But father, there's no need to make Indy be on his own and make him do things that he should do until he's a little older. Why would he need to toughen up if I'm going to take the role as Alpha, not him?"

Father scowled at Indy's name. "That boy needs a lesson, Conner. There's no way one of my sons will be weak like he already is. Do you know how embarrassing it is to be a father to someone