Mae POV
The end of the bed dips awkwardly, pulling me from my peaceful sleep. I stretch my arms to the sides, searching for Kieran, but the bed is empty. Rolling over onto my back, I let out a sigh and think about last night. Something inside me switched on. Something that I don't understand. But there is one thing I do know, and that is this place feels like home.
I look from side to side, wondering where Kieran has gone.
"He's not here," Tish's voice interrupts my thoughts.
I am startled by her voice and sit up in bed. Pulling the covers up around my bare chest, I glare in her direction.
"What are you doing in here?" I hiss at her. I am still angry about what she said to me last night.
"Your mate left the door unlocked," Tish says with a shrug of her shoulders. "I needed to know that you were okay."
"Oh," I roll my eyes. "Now you are concerned about me."
Tish tries to inch forward on the bed, but I hold up my hands to stop her. A look of hurt flashes across her face, and I feel incredibly guilty. This has always been Tish's way of apologizing to me. After fights, she would crawl into bed with me and cuddle up next to me, silently begging for forgiveness. But it isn't going to work this time. Not after the terrible things that she said to me last night.
Running her fingers over her face, Tish grumbles in frustration. "I am sorry for what I said last night," Tish begins. "I was out of hand."
I stare at Tish in shock. This is the first time I have heard Tish utter an apology. Crossing my arms over my chest, I wait to hear what else she has to say.
But Tish doesn't seem to have anything else to say. She silently picks at loose threads on the comforter, refusing to meet my gaze.
The tension between us is thick. Neither one of us knows what to say.
"I think I am going to leave," Tish finally blurts out.
My voice gets caught in my throat. Yes, I am angry at Tish, but I don't want her to leave. Without her here, this place would never feel like home. Not to mention, I am scared to be without her.
"Where are you going?" I manage to squeak out.
Tish shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know. Away from here."
"Away from the North Pack or…" I don't have the strength to finish the sentence. Fear courses through my body at the thought of living without Tish.
"Far away," Tish mumbles. "I think it is time I find a place where I won't be tied to werewolves. A place where I won't be looked at like a pet anymore."
"No one thinks you are a pet," I whisper.
Tish throws her head back and laughs. "You are naïve. They will always think of me as a pet."
"They don't look at me that way," I respond hopefully.
Tish rolls her eyes. "They say they don't, but we both know the truth. We will never fully be accepted into their world."
"You are wrong," I snap at Tish. "I am his mate."
"You are just another human," Tish warns me. "That is all you will ever be to them."
I fear that Tish is right but I don't want to admit it.
"So, you are just going to leave me? With literal wolves?" I yell at her. "What happened to us standing by one another?"
"You want me to stay?" Tish looks up at me with tears streaming down her face.
"Of course, I want you to stay," I whisper. "I love you."
Tish crawls across the bed and gathers me into her arms. She rests her head on my shoulder while she cries. I wrap my arms around her body and rub my fingers along her back while she cries.
It has been a long time since I have seen Tish cry. I have only seen her cry when she is really pissed off or scared. I never thought she would scared of losing me.
Tish pulls away from me and wipes her nose on her sleeve. Sniffing back her tears, she looks into my eyes. "Sorry, I cried."
"You don't have to be sorry," I say as I run my fingers over her hair. "I am scared, too."
Tish wrinkles her nose in protest. "I am not scared."
I chuckle to myself, knowing Tish is lying, but I don't call her out. I simply pull her in for another hug.
Tish lays her head on my shoulder, and I run my fingers through her hair. She lets out a little sigh and closes her eyes. Before long, tiny snores are coming from her lips. Leaning back against the bedframe, I hold Tish close.
There is a knock on the door, and Kieran appears in his bedroom doorway. He pauses as he looks at Tish and me.
I know how he feels about Tish and I's relationship, but I don't let go of her. She needs me right now.
Raising two fingers to my lips, I signal for Kieran to be quiet. He raises an eyebrow at me but doesn't insist I let go of her.
"I see you two have made up," Kieran frowns.
"I guess you could say that," I whisper.
"We need to talk," Kieran says seriously.
My body immediately begins to tense. "If this is about Tish," I start to fumble over my words. "I swear I was just comforting her."
Kieran rests his hand on my shoulder and offers me a weak smile. "This isn't about Tish."
I shift Tish off my shoulder and lay her gently on my pillow. Kieran groans as Tish settles into my spot on the bed.
Pulling me off the bed. Kieran leads me into the bathroom and cracks the door. Taking off his shirt, he tosses it to me so I can cover myself. Then he begins to pace the floor awkwardly.
I slip the shirt over my head and wait for Kieran to tell me what this is all about. But he doesn't speak.
"If this isn't about Tish, what is it about?" I ask nervously.
"My sister," Kieran responds. "The Queen."