Tish POV
The car ride back to the North Pack is silent. Cedric keeps his eyes on the road while I stare at the latest text from Mae. "Don't let them stand in the way of your happiness."
Before I met the twins, I had never considered that I might deserve happiness in my life, especially after what I did to Mae. But if Mae thinks I deserve to be happy, maybe she is right. There is just one thing no one will tell me, and that is how to break the mate bond between the three of us. When I asked Mae, she avoided the question and told me to see how things play out. Cedric wouldn't even look me in the eyes when I asked him.
My phone dings, and I see another text from Mae. "Kieran is on his way to get you."
Vomit rises in my throat, and I grip the seat of the car in panic. I don't want to go anywhere with Kieran, not after what he did to me. He will probably drop me on the side of the road somewhere, never to be seen again.
Cedric seems to notice my anxiety spike, and he reaches over and touches my hand. I quickly pull it away. I don't want to be touched by anyone right now.
"What did it say?" Cedric breaks the silence.
"That she is sending Alpha Kieran to come get me," I choke on the words.
Cedric glances at me out of the corner of his eyes and lets out a huff of frustration. "Isn't he the one that locked you in the trunk of a car?"
"Yep," I say, popping the 'p.'
"Well," Cedric says. "I am certainly not letting you leave with him. Let's get your stuff, and I will book you a flight to the North Pack."
"It's not my stuff," I sigh. "The twins bought it all, but I don't have anything else. I feel guilty taking it."
"Don't worry about that," Cedric says as he pulls into the pack house driveway.
The twins are getting in their car as we pull up, but they jump out when they see me coming. I get out of Cedric's car and head straight for the cabin, pretending like they aren't following me. Cedric is walking behind me to keep them from getting too close.
I push open the door to the cabin, and the smell of the twins hits my nose. Tears rush to my eyes. I know what I am leaving behind, but they haven't given me a choice. Their betrayal is too strong in my mind. I make my way into the bedroom, ignoring the argument that is taking place behind me.
Grabbing only a few outfits, I carry them in my arms to the kitchen and find a trash bag. I place them inside and toss the bag over my shoulder.
Cedric is blocking the front door. I don't see Kaden and Kai, only two identical black wolves growling at him, but Cedric doesn't look phased.
"If you kill me, you will only push her farther away," Cedric informs the wolves, and it seems to make them pause.
"Where are the twins?" I ask.
Cedric gestures to the wolves. "Meet your mates in their wolf form."
Tilting my head to the side, I step in front of Cedric and look at the wolves closely. Even though they are identical, I know which one is which. When they see me, they stop growling and sit back on their haunches. Their tails beat excitedly on the ground. They are excited to see me.
I can't stop the excitement that flows through me when I see their wolves. I desperately want to reach out and touch them, but I keep myself in check.
"I don't think this is going to work out," I say in no more than a whisper. "But no one will tell me how to break this fucking bond, so I was hoping one of you would."
Kaden is the first to shift back. I let my eyes graze greedily over his naked body, knowing this will be the last time I see him. I hear Cedric make a grunting noise, and I glare at him from over my shoulder. I know he is eyeing my mate.
"I am not giving up without a fight," Kaden says. "I love you. I only want what is best for you, and that is Kai and me."
I gesture to Kai's wolf. "He has a funny way of showing it."
Kai shifts back quickly and tries to take me into his arms. I wiggle away and push him back.
"How dare you touch me after you touched that whore?" I snap at him.
Kai looks offended. "How do you know it was me?"
"I am not stupid," I hiss at him. "Don't try to make me feel that way."
"What can we do to make you stay?" Kaden begs. "I will do anything you ask."
"We will do anything you ask," Kai corrects him.
"I need time," I reply.
"You can have all the time you need," Kaden tells me. "We won't visit the cabin unless you need us."
"You don't understand," I whisper. "I need to leave. I need space."
Kaden drops to his knees in front of me. "I refuse to let you walk out of my life. I have been waiting for you."
I smile at him weakly. "I know you have, but sometimes that isn't enough."
I walk past Kaden and Kai, and Cedric rushes to catch up with me. He is mumbling under his breath as we walk to the car.
"If you have something to say, spit it out," I snap at him.
"Are you sure you want to leave them behind?" Cedric whispers.
"No," I admit.
Kaden and Kai have shifted back into their wolves and are running along beside us. Kai's wolf is growling at Cedric, and Kaden's wolf is trying to pull me back my shirt. Cedric opens the car door for me, and Kai's wolf tackles him to the ground. His wolf is snarling in Cedric's face, and I fear for my friend's life.
"Stop," I scream. "He is my friend."
Kaden's wolf nips at Kai's, and Kai's wolf steps off Cedric. Cedric gets to his feet and brushes the paw prints off his suit. He throws up his middle finger at the twins and gets in the car. I am left standing outside staring at the wolves.
"I may not have had the best life," I tell them bravely. "But I deserve to be treated with respect."
I expect them to shift back into their human forms and beg me to stay again, but they don't even fight for me. It is so disappointing.
Once I am in the car, Cedric drives away quickly.
"They will fight for you," he tells me. "Once they pull their heads out of their asses."