81

SIN

"What do you want now? Are you ready to apologize for what you did earlier? If yes, just know I am not having it." I said, not turning to glance at him.

"Apologize?" Laurent scoffed. He strode from the door post into the room. "That's the last thing I will ever do."

"Then, what the F do you want from me? From Artemisia?!" I shouted.

I couldn't help myself. The anger was still evident in me. And now, Artemisia was sleeping, I believed it was the right time to finish what we started.

"Whatever is going on in your mind, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Laurent said.

I halted in my tracks, glaring at him. "You need to stay away from Artemisia. She isn't even your mate. I don't know the number of times we are going to fight on this. She is freaking mine."

"She isn't mine," Laurent affirmed with a nod. "But, you don't deserve her either."

I let out a relieved sigh. At least, he wasn't claiming to steal her away from me. I don't care what he says.

So far, it isn't about Artemisia, I believe we could live fine under the same roof.

I went back to sit next to Artemisia after a few seconds of glaring at him.

"I heard what happened," Laurent spoke up after a while.

I ignored him and continued to stare at Artemisia who was sleeping soundly.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt her fingers twitch. And I let out a disappointed sigh and she didn't come awake.

But then there was an improvement. This was the first response I got from her.

Moreover, her once pale face was returning to its original colour.

I couldn't wait for her to come awake so I could stare into her lovely eyes.

It was better having an Artemisia that hated me than having a woman in a coma or worse, a corpse as a Luna!

"Well, I'd say it sucks to be you."

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

I grimaced and kneaded my temple as I sensed a headache brewing.

"How is she?" Laurent asked again. He stepped further into the room but he didn't come to where I was.

He was still at my back and I believed that was how far he could go.

The last time he came before the event of Artemisia trying to strangle me, we had scuffled with each other.

I had sustained some bruises and I could still feel my busted lip. It had healed but not completely.

"Did Mila say anything about her wellbeing?"

"None of your business," I grunted. I wanted him far away from here. I didn't know why he kept poking his nose where it didn't concern him.

"I am only concerned."

"You don't need to. I am her mate and I can keep her safe. So, keep your concerns to yourself." I snapped.

"You are doing an awful job as a mate. I am sure I can do better." Laurent mumbled.

And his statement got to me.

I sat up abruptly and swirled to stare at him. "You need to leave."

My voice had dropped down to a dangerous tone. I believed Laurent knew what it meant for my voice to sound like that.

But he didnt care nor did he budge. He stood in the same position with a smirk on his face.

"If I don't?" He asked with a tilted brow.

I balled my hands into fists but I was interrupted by the door as it opened.

I felt another presence in the room and I turned to see our mother.

"Mother…" I mumbled, standing to my feet.

Her eyes locked on mine for a few seconds, and then she tutted. She stepped towards the bed and sat down in the small space before gripping Artemisia's hand.

"I am sorry. I let my stupid son marry someone as lovely as you." I heard her say it before she sniffled.

"You are to be blamed, Sinclair." She turned to me. Her eyes shimmered with tears and I sighed.

"It isn't his fault," Alisson said as she stepped into the room.

Then she shrugged as Mother and Laurent glowered at her, "Maybe it is partly his fault but I believe we neglected her as well. Brother has a lot of work to do as the Alpha and he can't protect her whenever he desires, so putting all the blame on him isn't right.

"You are just like him. You know, trying to shove everything on everyone." Laurent said.

"Would you have done better if you were in his position?" She tilted her brow and crossed her arms, "You are even worse than him, to be honest."

"Mother!" Laurent complained.

"Alisson." Mother warned.

"I said what I said. He shouldn't act like he would do a better job than him." Alisson said.

Laurent stepped forward and attempted to yank Alisson back as she proceeded towards me, I intercepted him.

Shoving her to my back. I crouched glaring at Laurent as he did the same.

I was prepared for a few seconds showdown. I don't care if he got hurt or not, I just wanted to put him in his place. I didn't care if I got injured as well.

"Children." Mother snapped. "Alisson, you do enjoy setting your brothers against each other."

"Your favourite doesn't want to know the truth. You should at least seat him down once a while to teach him some manners."

"Enough Alisson!"

"It's Ally, mom," Alisson mumbled.

If it had been a lighter situation I was in, I could have laughed. Mother looked furious and felt as if she was going to bash Alisson for countering her.

And the way Alisson gazed at her back with a straight face was somewhat funny as well.

But, I was angry at everything. Angry at Laurent and most especially angry at myself for being careless.

"Apologize to mother, Ally. She doesn't need your hardheadedness. You can give all to your brother."

"She calls me Allison. I hate the name." Alisson grumbled.

"You are Alisson and there is nothing wrong with your name." I pointed out.

Alisson glared at me and punched my hand slightly. Then she turned to mother.

"I didn't mean it, mom, I am sorry." Allison yelped as a pillow came flying at her.

"You are very rude," Laurent said.

"That's a bit rich coming from you," Alisson interjected.

I gripped her hand and stared into her eyes, "He's your superior and your senior."

As much as I loathed Laurent I wouldn't watch Allison talking down on him. It had always been that way to respect who was your superior.

Laurent gave the same respect to me. Only that he taunted me most of the time.

Alisson scoffed, "He's been a stupid older brother."

"I'd pretend I didn't hear you say that," Laurent said.

"Sin…"

I turned as Artemisia interrupted what I was about to say. I walked to her side and sat on the bed.

"Are you alright, darling?"

"My head hurts." She groaned, attempting to sit up on the bed.

I nudged her back gently. Then placed two pillows on her back to brace it.

"You need more rest. Mila said so. I wouldn't want you to faint again. I don't think I can take that if it happens."

"As if." Laurent sniggered.

I glared at him as well as ignored his jeers. "What would you want me to do?"

"It's nice to see you awake." Mother said.

I had forgotten she and Allison were still in the room.

I sighed as mother took the spot I was on and clasped Artemisia's hand.

"I'll get you the pain reliever and some soup," I mumbled, walking to the door.

"The worst and insensitive mate ever." Laurent snorted.

My shoulder nudged his own and he gripped my shirt.

"Let him go, Laurent." Mother said.

"But you saw what he did," Laurent yelled.

He was acting like the brat he was. I wondered why I chose him as my Beta in the first place.

I guess it was his skills that earned him that spot. If he didn't get on my nerves and rile me on purpose, he could be a great leader.

But not in the Blue Moon Pack as far as I was concerned and not whilst I was still alive.

"Let him go." Mother repeated and he reluctantly let go of my shirt.

I was sure if she wasn't in the room, both of us would be rolling on the floor and trying to see who would overpower whom.

I was glad she was because I didn't have the time to scuffle with Laurent. How to make Artemisia better was all that was in my mind.