Mae POV
I toss in turn in the bed with Tish. She fell asleep hours ago with her arms wrapped around me like she is protecting me from the monster sleeping in our living room. Only I am not so sure that he is a monster.
When I met Kieran in the hospital, he was kind and sweet. He didn't seem at all like the type of man who would have sex in a crowded bar. But then again, I don't know him well.
Tish mumbles something in her sleep about someone trying to steal me from her and werewolves before she unleashes me from her grasp and rolls over. I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling for a few moments, trying to decide what to do.
Curiosity is racing through my body. I need to know more about Kieran, but I don't want Tish to wake up to me missing. Most of all, I don't want her to think I am choosing Kieran over her because when push comes to shove, she is the most important person in my life. I know that I could never replace her, not even with my soul mate.
My heart is thumping loudly in my chest, and I realize I will not be able to sleep until I know more about this man in my apartment.
Quietly, I slip out of the bed and pad down the hallway to the living room. I peek around the corner and see Kieran tossing and turning on the couch.
He looks ridiculous lying on the couch. His feet are hanging off one end and his head off the other. A giggle bubbles in my chest, and I quickly cover my mouth with my hand. But that doesn't stop Kieran from hearing me.
Kieran turns in my direction and looks at me with a softened gaze. He lets out a sigh and sits up on the couch. "What are you doing?" He asks. "You should be sleeping."
"I can't sleep," I admit as I step further into the living room.
"Me either," Kieran runs his hand down his face. He looks absolutely exhausted.
Kieran pats the couch beside him, gesturing for me to sit beside him. I shuffle from foot to foot, wondering if I should join him or not. Sensing my hesitation, Kieran raises his hands in the air and smiles at me. "I promise to keep my hands to myself."
He crosses his fingers over his heart as a promise, making me giggle. I haven't seen someone do that since elementary school.
I make my way across the living room and sit next to him. I don't leave much space between us. His leg brushes up against mine, and the strange tingles spread over my skin.
"How do you do that?" I ask.
Kieran cocks his head to the side. "How do I do what?"
"The strange sparks that happen whenever we touch," I say as I reach out and brush my fingers against his hand. "Do you feel them, too?"
Kieran nods his head. "It is our bodies way of telling us that we belong together."
My eyebrows furrow together in confusion. "I don't understand. Jameson said he was my mate, but I never felt the sparks with him."
"He must have been lying," Kieran growls. "If he were truly your mate, you would have felt the same kind of spark."
His words make me feel better. I would hate to think some magical Goddess paired me with someone like Jameson.
Kieran and I sit in silence, not looking at one another. He draws tiny circles on my hand's palm, making me feel extremely relaxed.
"Tell me about yourself," I finally speak.
"You don't want to know about me," Kieran says curtly. "It isn't a pretty story."
"How bad could it be?" I tilt my head to the side as I look at him.
"Bad enough that you might decide you no longer want to be my mate," Kieran answers truthfully. "What about you? What's the deal with you and Tish?"
A deep blush spreads across my cheeks, and I am unsure how to answer his question. I pull my hand away from his and clasp my hands together on my lap. "It is complicated," I finally respond.
"Are you two together?" Kieran asks quietly.
"She is my person," I tell Kieran. "I can't imagine my life without her."
I glance at Kieran from the corner of my eyes, and he looks deflated. He runs his fingers through his dirty blonde hair. "Do you love her?"
It isn't a question I have ever considered, but I immediately know the answer. Looking straight ahead, I nod. "I do love her," I admit for the first time. "But I am not sure she feels the same way about me."
"Then you are blind," Kieran sighs. "It is clear that she loves you. She is worried that I am going to take you away from her."
I hear Tish clear her throat and look up to see her standing in nothing but her bra and panties at the far end of the living room. Jealousy rages through my body at the thought of Kieran looking at her body, and I quickly cover his eyes with my hands.
"Tish," I hiss. "Could you please put on some clothes?"
But Tish ignores my request. "How could you think that I don't love you?" She asks with tears in her eyes. "You are the most important person in my life."
My hand is still covering Kieran's eyes, and he groans loudly.
"That's right, Loverboy," Tish laughs. "We are a package deal."
"That's not how this works," Kieran says, ripping my hand away from his eyes. "The Moon Goddess chose Mae for me. Not both of you."
"Then I guess you don't get Mae," Tish huffs. "Because I loved her first."
"And I will love her last," Kieran snarls at her. "That is all that matters."
Kieran and Tish look at me, and I know they are waiting for me to decide. Either I choose Tish or I choose Kieran. It should be an easy decision. I barely know Kieran, and Tish has always been there for me. But my heart feels torn.
"I can't do this right now," I shout as I get to my feet. I push my way past Tish and storm to my bedroom, shutting my door behind me.
"Mae," Tish yells through the door. "Let me in."
"No," I yell back. "I need a moment to myself."
I lie back on my bed and let tears stream down my face. I can't believe I am going to be forced to choose between the two of them.