The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn

~ALARIC~

Carter shoots the ball into the hoop and grins at me.

"You're only one point in front of me," I remind him. "Don't get too cocky."

He laughs as he throws the ball back at me. It felt good to play against each other again. Everything has been so hectic recently that we didn't have a chance to play.

Things were still a little tense.

I knew that Carter still feared that Wilder would show up and challenge him for Scarlett. He barely made it out of the last fight alive.

I still blamed myself for everything that happened that day. I should have been able to protect him. I was his big brother; my job was to keep him safe.

He wasn't the only one I was upset that I couldn't protect that day. Clara had gotten seriously injured as well. I remember the panic I felt in my chest the second that I saw her unconscious on the ground with nothing to cover her delicate body.

I wince at the memories that didn't want to leave my mind no matter how hard I tried.

Fuck.

The reminder of that image sends my blood boiling once more.

I wanted to kill them all that day.

I should have at least killed one of them. However, Carter's life was in danger, and we had to save him; his life was more important. But I still held a grudge against that family. If they ever showed up again, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself.

"How does it feel to be the first one to give our parents a grandchild?" I ask my brother to distract me from my dark thoughts.

He grins from ear to ear; his face always lights up when I mention that he is going to be a father soon.

"It's the best feeling in the world." He answers me. "Though, it's bittersweet since I know you always wanted to be the first to have a child amongst us."

It was true.

I always wanted a baby. It's not that I wanted to be the first one to have one; it's just that I was the eldest, and it's something I was looking forward to with Nicole.

Of course, all that is no longer possible, but it doesn't mean I've stopped wanting it. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Ares told me that there's a new rumor going around the academy." He says suddenly.

Was he trying to change the conversation? He must have sensed my sadness and wanted to distract me. That was something Carter would do.

I frown, "really?" I ask. "Does it concern our family, or are they finally speaking about someone else?"

He shook his head, "they're speaking about you."

I pause to look at him in surprise, "they're speaking about me?"

He nods, "It turns out that you're quite popular with the ladies brother."

I wasn't surprised by his words; I knew that they were fascinated with me. However, I wasn't interested in anyone. My life was already a mess because of Nicole; I didn't need to add any more stress to my life. Plus, they were all too young for me, just like Clara was.

"I'm their professor, much older than them," I say, even though he didn't ask me anything.

He nods, "You're only 26, but I get what you're saying. It wouldn't be good to date one of your students."

"Is there any particular reason that you brought this up today?" I ask him. "It feels like there's more you aren't telling me."

I usually knew when Carter was keeping something from me. I could tell that tonight was no different.

But what could he possibly want to keep from me now?

There weren't anymore secrets to keep.

"I didn't want to bring this up since I knew there wasn't a possibility of it being true, but since you asked, I'll tell you." He answers me.

"Go right ahead," I urge him. "I'm listening."

"There's another rumor." He finally says while looking me dead in the eyes.

"About who?"

"You, and Clara."

The ball drops from my hands at his words.

He looks a little surprised by my reaction.

"Clara?" I asked even though my voice was now strained. "Why the hell would there be rumors of the two of us?"

He sighs, "Apparently, people at the academy think that the two of you are having an affair. They believe that you're divorcing Nicole so that you could be with her."

It seemed people had nothing better to do with their time than to sit down and make up absurd stories.

"Fuck." I growl. "Clara's been through enough already. Why would anyone spread a fucking rumor like that?"

Carter shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know, brother, but I would suggest you don't let it bother you. I'll see what I can do to stop the rumors so that it doesn't affect you or Clara."

"No." I stop him. "I can handle this on my own."

I would personally see to it that anyone spreading rumors about Clara would feel my wrath.