Macy POV
Once again, I am standing at the portal. This time, everyone is at my side. Nyx managed to get a message through the portal to Destin. He is going to meet Oliver and Wren and take them back to the royal mansion.
There is still unrest among the werewolves even though the moon has been restored. Selene's former armies have failed to realize they lost the war and have been attacking packs at random. After much negotiation, it was decided that Wren would be safest with a group of warriors to escort her home.
Edward and Winston wanted to be the ones to do it. They still do not trust Destin, but once I told them I would rather eat dirt than step back into the Human Realm, they relented and agreed to let Destin meet us.
Wren is shifting from foot to foot. "What if he doesn't meet us?"
"He will," I assure her. "Now that time is flowing equally, it is easy to communicate with people on the other side. Destin may be annoying, but he is reliable."
Edward scoffs loudly, but I elbow him in the side. He stiffens but doesn't say another word.
I close my eyes and reach out to the portal. I imagine it growing in my mind, and when I open my eyes, I am pleased to see that it has grown. I squint through the shimmering veil, and I can see Destin standing on the other side.
He steps through with Alpha Charlie at his side. "Princess," he nods in my direction. His eyes stare into mine, and it makes me feel uncomfortable.
"Destin," I return his greeting.
"She is a queen now," Edward snarls.
"Glad to see you are still a hothead," Destin rolls his eyes. "Charlie's warriors are waiting on the other side. We can go as soon as you are ready."
"I am staying behind," I remind him. "Only Oliver and Wren will come with you."
His jaw is tense, but he nods. Wren gasps loudly, and I turn to look at her. Her eyes are full of tears, but she isn't looking at me. Her eyes are glued to Destin.
"Oh fuck," Winston mutters under his breath.
Destin's chest rises and falls angrily. If he feels anything toward Wren, he is not letting it show. "Alpha Charlie will escort you to the royal mansion," he says stiffly. "I will stay behind."
"You are staying in the Immortal Realm," Wren cries. "With her?"
"No," Destin hisses through gritted teeth. "I am staying at my cabin. Just on the other side of this portal."
This seems to calm Wren slightly, but not much. I know heartbreak when I see it. Destin is her mate. The one she has been looking for, and he seems hell-bent on not accepting a bond between them. It is going to be difficult for both of them, but it is officially not my problem. Though, I don't think my mates feel the same way.
Edward, Winston, and Oliver are glaring at Destin, but I don't think he cares. He has already turned back to the portal and has walked through, leaving Alpha Charlie standing awkwardly.
He raises a hand and gives a small smile. "I am Alpha Charlie. Are you ready to go?"
Oliver nudges Wren, and she steps toward me. Her body is stiff, but I embrace her anyway. "Give him time," I whisper to her. "He is broken."
"And in love with you," she hisses.
"No," I sigh. "He only thinks he is in love with me. You are his path. I never was."
Wren turns away from me without another word. Oliver says his goodbyes and takes a bag of goodies from me that I put together for Raven. I had hoped this would be a pleasant send-off, but seeing Destin and Wren are fated mates made things difficult.
I wait as they walk through the portal before I shrink its size. Edward is still growling but Winston has taken my arm and is leading me away. I glance over my shoulder and Edward is kicking the dirt at his feet.
"Do you want me to open it back up?" I groan. "I am sure you can catch up to them."
"No," he grunts. "It's just- he is going to break her heart."
"He might," I shrug. "But I doubt it."
"Have you seen something?" Edward asks as he jogs back to us. "Is that why you asked him to be here?"
"No," I quip. "I know nothing."
"You are lying," Winston laughs.
"I cannot, but if I could, I wouldn't," I remind them.
Winston pauses in the middle of the trees and looks around. I don't have to be a mind reader to know what is on his mind.
"She made me choose," I finally tell them the truth. "Your voice or our firstborn."
"And you chose my voice," he whispers. His eyes are wide, and he looks wounded.
"You would have done the same for me," I tell him.
"But you will have no heir," he tells me.
"I don't need one," I tell my mates. "I am sure Destin and Wren will have plenty."
Edward growls. "That is my sister you are talking about."
"And I am sure Destin will take very good CARE of her," I laugh.
"You have until the count of three," Winston teases.
"Until what?" I laugh.
"We are going to hunt you," Edward smirks.
"I will just hide in the skies," I remind them.
"One…" Edward begins.
"Edward," I reply in a warning tone.
"Two…" Winston continues.
"Winston," I say, backing away from the two of them.
"You better run, Crazy, because we are going to fuck you where we catch you," Edward threatens.
"You wouldn't dare," I laugh, but I can tell by the look in their eyes that they are serious.
They look at one another and smirk. "Three."
I squeal as I turn. My wings flap wildly behind me, but I can't seem to get my feet off the ground. I can hear them advancing behind me, and it only makes my heart pound in my chest. Suddenly, I can't hear anything. I glance over my shoulder, but I don't see them.
I stop running and spin around. The forest is unusually quiet. "Edward," I call out. "Winston, this isn't funny."
A twig cracks behind me, and I spin around. Only no one is there. Before I can take off running again, I am tackled to the ground. Edward cradles my head to protect me from the fall, and we roll until he is on top of me.
"I never wanted kids away," he whispers. "I don't want to share you."
"Me either," Winston smiles.
"Just the three of us," I smile. "For eternity."