~Landon~
I make it to the packhouse with Tia in my arms. I take her up to my room and set her on
the bed. I watch her look around the room, taking in all the details. I have a king-sized bed
in the room against the back wall. A big screen television is mounted on the opposite wall,
big enough that I can see it from several different locations. There is a small eating area in
the room with a love seat and a small, two-seater table. I have a huge 4-door armoire with
matching end tables on each side of the bed. My room has a walk-in closet as well as a
luxury bathroom. My brother’s room is pretty much the same, though with different color
schemes. Actually, there is a door that leads right to his room from mine.
I place Tia against the headboard and prop her foot up on the pillows. I know she will heal
soon, but this should ensure that she heals properly. “Hang on, and I will get you an ice
pack.” Tia grabs my arm, and I look at her.
“You really don’t need to go through the trouble.” I shake my head and continue out of the
room for the ice pack, When I return, Tia is asleep, snoring softly. I place the ice pack on
her ankle and take off my shoes, jacket, and tie. I unbutton a few buttons of my shirt and
slide in next to Tia. I sit next to her and wrap my arm around her shoulders, trying not to
wake her up. She stirs a bit and snuggles into my shoulder, placing a hand on my
stomach. I could really get used to this. I close my eyes and let her scent take me into
dreamland.
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I hear the door open and look around. It’s dark outside, and some way, Tia and I scooted
down on the bed. Our arms are wrapped around each other, and her head is on my
shoulder. I look toward the door, my vision picking up the intruder.
Where the hell have you been?
I had to think.
Think?! What the hell did you have to think about? She is our mate……..our fated mate.
I know, but we promised the twins.
F**k that! That promise became void the minute we found our mate. Lincoln moves closer
to the bed, taking Tia in. Why did you really run away? Lincoln pulls his head back, looking
at the ceiling as if something is fascinating there.
I……I don’t know that I can share. I don’t know if I can be okay with that. I don’t want
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtjealousy and anger to come between us. My attitude softens at this. I remember that
Lincoln has always been hesitant about accepting one mate between the two of us. He
never really told me why.
Linc, she was made for us…….for US. The Goddess wants us to have just her, and she
needs both of us. I sigh, You know she asked about you. She wondered where you were.
She won’t be complete with just one of us, and we won’t be complete with anyone but her.
We look at each other in the darkness, me trying to convey everything through our twin
bond. That bond is almost as strong as the mate bond, and we have always had it.
Lincoln sighs and takes his clothes off, leaving just his boxers on. His clothes look dirty,
making me guess he has been in the woods all this time. He throws on a pair of my
sweatpants with a t-shirt and slips into bed next to Tia. Lincoln tentatively reaches out to
her, placing a hand on her thigh. He scoots in closer, but not too close. Tia sighs and
scoots backward a bit. The minute her body makes contact with his, she snuggles up to
him, placing a hand on his thigh. A sigh of contentment leaves her lips, and Lincoln’s eyes
widen in surprise.
I told you she needs both of us. Don’t fight this, Lincoln. We have our fated mate now, our
Tia. Let’s enjoy our blessing.
Tia? I chuckle through the mindlink.
Yeah, she goes by Tia. I will let her explain it to you. Lincoln nods and places his nose on
her head, inhaling her scent. I scoot closer to Tia and close my eyes again, reveling in how
right this feels.
~Tia~
I yawn and stretch a bit, feeling the warmth on both sides of me. The scent of peppermint
is so strong I can practically taste it. The lemon smell is still there from yesterday, but I
can also smell grapefruit. I turn to look behind me and notice Lincoln on his back, asleep. I
look in front of me, and Landon is facing me, his face calm as he breathes heavily. I slide
down to the end of the bed and slowly extract myself.
I tentatively step onto the floor, testing out the strength of my ankle. Everything is fine,
and it doesn’t even feel sore. I stand and stretch, making my way to the restroom. After I
relieve myself, I look in the mirror while washing my hands. I don’t look half bad,
considering everything. I have to admit that last night was the best sleep I can remember
having.
I stand in the doorway, looking at the sleeping Alphas. They are so beautiful. They have
dark brown skin and clean, shaved faces. They have short hair, waves evident throughout.
They are taller than me at 6’0 and are extremely muscular. I can admit that I had a crush
on them at one point in my life, but I didn’t think of it much. There was no way that they
even noticed me, nor would they ever be interested in me. I would never have imagined
that they would end up being my mates.
PORTIA! I had my block up once I realized I had seen my mates yesterday. I decided to put
the block down once I woke up this morning. I’m sure Lynn and Mark have been trying to
reach me.
Y…y….yes father?
Why haven’t I been able to reach you?!
I…….I……. He growls in the link.
Get your a*s home now!
I tiptoe into the bedroom, grabbing my purse. I check my phone and notice it is dead
figures. I quietly open the door, take one last look at the men on the bed, and quietly close
the door behind me. I rush out of the packhouse and head over to my family home. I don’t
know what this is about, but I dread it just the same.
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I arrive at my family’s house, and I stop at the door, trying to gather myself. I hate being
here, which is why I’ve been gone all of these years. This place holds no real fond
memories for me. My good memories are of other places, just not this home.
The door opens just as I’m about to reach for the handle. My mom steps outside, engulfing
me in her arms. Her hug is warm and strong, and I have missed it so much. The bad part
about staying away is being away from her. I love her fiercely, and she is the only family
member that has ever shown me an ounce of care. “I love you so very much, Tia. Never
forget or doubt that.” I breathe in my mother’s scent as I wrap myself around her even
tighter.
“Get the hell in here already. I have other things to do.” My mother sighs and lets me go,
stepping out of the way so I can walk inside. She walks in behind me and closes the door.
My father is sitting in the front room, on my right, in a big armchair. Adela and Aida are
sitting together on a couch near my father. Adela and my father look pissed, which is not
really anything new. Aida looks hurt and lost. I’m going to go ahead and guess that they
are aware of what happened yesterday, so this is not going to bode well for me.
I stand in the room’s entryway, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. My mom stands
behind me, off to the side. I know this is a lot for her to deal with, and I hate this for her.
Adela walks close to me and takes a big breath in. Her eyes flash black, and she stomps
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmback to the couch. “She was WITH them!”
“So you ignored my mindlink all night, and now I find that you were with them?” Aw, hell,
this is just bad off the top. No easing into it, I see.
“I was with………who?” My father growls, shaking the room.
“Don’t f**king play with me! I’m not in the mood for games.” I try not to sigh loudly.
“We know…….” Aida says quietly. I turn my head toward her and say nothing.
“Damn it! We know you are the supposed mate of the Alphas………of OUR Alphas!” Adela
screams in frustration, but I keep my face emotionless. They may know the truth, but I
don’t need to confirm anything.
“You will reject them.” My head snaps forward, and I stare at my father with my mouth
hanging open. There is no way he can be serious. He can’t honestly think I would willingly
do that. They are my fated mates, for Goddess sake. How the hell could I reject them like
that?
“I won’t,” I whisper.
“Excuse me?!” My father rises out of the chair and stares me down. He is taller than me at
6’0, and his natural anger toward me makes him seem all that taller.
“They are my fated…….I won’t reject them.” My father takes menacing steps toward me
until he is right in front of me. He pulls his hand back and lets it go, slapping me so hard
that I fall to the floor. My ears are ringing a bit, and I feel dizzy. I hold my cheek, looking at
my father with terror in my eyes. I hear my mother’s rapid breathing and increase in
heartbeat. I hope she stays where she is. She doesn’t need to try to defend or save me. I
need her to be safe.
“You sisters have been with the Alphas for years now. They have been named future
Lunas. They deserve the title and everything that comes with it. You WILL NOT take that
from them. You will reject the Alphas and you will leave this pack and never return. This is
NOT up for debate nor do you have a choice.”
I look up at my father, tears starting to fall down my face, and I’m pissed. I always told
myself never to cry in front of him. Adela is smirking, and Aida is looking satisfied. I
scramble to my knees and fly out of the door, hearing my father scream my name behind
me. I run to my car and hop inside. I can see Adela not too far from the car. I hurry and
start the car, throwing it into reverse, putting more distance between my sister and me. I
throw the car into drive and fly down the street. The gates, thankfully, are already open,
and I fly through them, trying to put as much distance as I can between myself and this
pack. Andricia is whimpering in my head, wanting me to go back to my mates, but I can’t
risk it. I need to be as far away as possible.