Wren POV
I am curled up on Sophie's couch, sobbing. Snot and tears run down my face. I am aware I do not look dignified. Pathetic would be a better word to describe me. Yet, I can't seem to stop crying.
I knew things were going to end poorly. It is like the calling card of my life. Nothing ever seems to go as planned. I take a single step forward, and Selene drags me back three. I am drowning in my life, unable to keep my head above the water. Eventually, it is going to kill me.
"Why do they keep hurting me?" I emphasize each word with a dramatic sob.
Sophie brushes my hair out of my face. "Do you want me to kill them?"
It was meant to be a joke, but it only makes me cry harder. Because even though they keep hurting me, I keep crawling back to them. I don't know if it is love or the fucking mate bond that drags me back to them, but I am so tired of being hurt.
Sophie's mates are staring at me while she tries to console me. A hysterical werewolf princess is not what they signed up for, yet here I am, disrupting their peace. Their eyes are glazed over as they speak to one another through the mind link. I am very sure they are talking about me, but I am too upset to care.
"Princess," one tries to approach me. "I think the Queen is on her way here."
I sit up abruptly, knocking Sophie off the couch. "Macy?"
He nods his head. "We can't disobey her. She is our queen."
I wipe the tears from my face. If Macy is showing up, I would prefer not to look a mess. "It's okay. I will speak with her."
They both look relieved, but Sophie scoffs loudly. "She is your queen. Not mine. I will not allow her to set foot in this house."
"My Love," the other mate tries to reach for her, but she is already stomping toward the door.
Sophie opens the door before Macy has a chance to knock, but she isn't alone. My brothers are with her.
"We are here to see Wren," Macy says, doing her best to be diplomatic.
"Go away," Sophie snarls. "You aren't wanted here."
Macy looks a little taken aback, but she doesn't press the issue. On the other hand, my brothers tower over Sophie, trying to intimidate her. She does her best to block the doorway, but when Edward snarls in her direction, she cowers and slips to the side.
He looks me up and down, and his face turns a vibrant shade of red. He opens and closes his mouth several times, but he can't seem to find the words he wants to say. Winston takes a different approach and cuddles up to me on the couch. He reminds me so much of Father, and I sink into his touch.
Macy is the first to speak. "They didn't explain the situation when you arrived here?"
I am not sure if it is a question or not, but I shake my head from side to side. Edward growls, and Sophie's mates grip her by the arms, pulling her safely behind them.
"I have had many reasons to kill Destin," he continues to growl. "But I think I actually might this time, and I will kill Charlie for good measure."
Tears spring to my eyes, and I hide my face in Winston's chest. I don't want to be a prisoner, but I also do not want to lose my mates. Not when we have just completed our bond.
Macy turns to Sophie and her mates. "Leave us."
Sophie squares her shoulders. "I will not. This is my house."
She has more to say, but her mates pick her up and carry her out of the front door, kicking and screaming. I can't help but giggle. Sophie is my fiercest ally. I would never want to get on her bad side.
Macy is trying to hide her amusement. "I like her."
"I am not going back," I tell her before she can try to convince me otherwise.
"I would never ask that of you," she says gently. "Destin and Charlie should have explained the situation to you. You were never meant to be kept a prisoner in that cabin. I apologize."
"It is not your fault," I try to sound reassuring, but I think it is falling flat.
"There are plenty of vacant houses here in the lycan city. You are more than welcome to any of your choosing. When and if you decide to return to your mates, is your decision."
My shoulders slump over in relief, but it doesn't last long. "What about the twins?"
Macy stiffens and plasters a fake smile on her face. "I am afraid there is nothing that can be done. We cannot risk Selene finding out about them."
My fingers pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration. "They have never felt grass. They have never felt the sun on their skin. That is no life for a child. If it was not okay for me to be held captive, it is not okay for them either."
Winston tightens his arms around me. "With the portal open between the realms, we cannot keep them safe. Until we can find a way to close it again, I am afraid they cannot leave the cabin."
Jasmine pushes forward in my mind, and a snarl rips from my lips. Winston lets go of me and inches away, but Edward has a pleased look on his face. "I told you she would be pissed."
"For the record," Macy gestures to Edward. "He is on your side."
Getting up from the couch, I stand by Edward. We both cross our arms over our chests and glare at Macy and Winston. Macy grits her teeth together. "The two of them will be impossible."
"How do we close the portal?" I ask.
Macy flops down onto the couch. "Nyx is working on it, but she keeps coming up short. She thinks we need Arabella's tome, but it is missing."
"What do you mean it is missing?" I snap. "Destin has it."
Macy pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and looks at Winston out of the corners of her eyes. "Not anymore."
"Okay," I mutter. "So the first thing we need to do is to find the tome."
"You are going to help us?" Macy cocks her head to the side.
"I will not let those children be prisoners," I tell them. "So, yes, I am going to help you."
"One of us needs to speak with Destin," Macy looks pointedly at me.
"Send Edward," I yawn. "I am not ready to deal with his bullshit."