Wren POV
We are sitting around the massive round table in the Fae Castle. Everyone is here. The Gray Creature leader, Gracus is here with his mate. His anger is making the lights flicker. Nyx is pouting in the corner, over what, I am not sure. Macy is massaging her temples, while my brothers sit diligently at her sides. And then there is me, Destin, and Charlie. It feels like we are on trial.
Destin slams his hands on the table. "What is done is done? Selene knows about the twins. There's nothing we can do to change that fact. Why are we still arguing?"
Gracus growls beneath his breath. "You failed them."
"Fuck you, Gracus," he spits back.
Both men jump to their feet, and the lights finally succumb to the magic and flicker out. I groan uncomfortably, and Charlie shifts closer to my side. If I didn't know any better, I would think he was frightened of the dark.
"Enough," Macy shouts.
The lights burn back to life, illuminating the anger on Destin's face. I tug on his arm, desperate for him to sit down. We need to discuss this like adults.
Macy eases herself back into her seat. "Destin is right. There is nothing we can do about what Selene knows, and to be honest, I am shocked we kept it from her for this long. Now, we need to decide what to do with them."
"Them?" My voice comes out higher than I wanted. "They are not a pair of shoes. They are children that you have locked away for six years."
"They are five and a half," Edward corrects me, and I shoot a glare in his direction.
"Don't make me fight you," I growl between my teeth. "Jasmine is dying to kick your ass."
Destin snorts beside me, but Macy rolls her eyes. "I was hoping you would be the other adult in the room."
"I am sorry," I keep my eyes glued to Edward.
Macy calms slightly. "I am sorry too. I understand they are children."
Nyx huffs loudly in the corner. "This is all pointless." Her fingers tap on the front of the tome. "Let's split them up and close the portal. Easy Peasy."
"Easy Peasy." I repeat her ridiculous words. "Once again, they are children. They have just lost their mother, and now you want them to lose each other."
Nyx softens slightly, but I get the impression that it isn't her strong suit. "It is not ideal, but the portal needs to be closed. Magic bleeding into the Human Realm is dangerous."
I throw my arms into the air. "Then close it. Cut us off from the Human Realm. It will be fine."
"Speak for yourself, Wren," Edward snaps at me. "But I would like to see Mom sometimes."
"Gods, you are exhausting. We can't all be happy. We can't always get our way. We are talking about two small children. They need each other."
Charlie clears his throat. "We also need to discuss how to get Sadie back from the Moon Goddess."
I cross my arms over my chest. I feel no love lost when it comes to Sadie. She went to Selene in hopes of breaking my bond with one of my mates. She went to betray me.
"That feels like a werewolf Queen problem," I mumble under my breath.
Winston pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. "You are the werewolf Princess."
"Once again. A werewolf Queen problem, which I am not that."
Winston opens his mouth to speak again, but Macy cuts him off. "No, she is right. Raven should be here. She should be informed about what is going on."
I let out a sigh of relief. The less I have to deal with Selene, the better. I hate her. But I actually think she and Mom had a decent relationship until, Nyx was turned into a wolf and ended up in Macy's mind. I still haven't been able to wrap my mind around the complexity of their relationship or how Nyx managed to escape her mind.
"Wren," Macy says gently. "I understand that you care for the children, but we can't ruin two realms because they can't be separated."
"So, that's that." I fight back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. Pushing away from the table, I get up to leave.
"Where are you going?" Edward demands to know.
I shrug my shoulders. "To let them play outside."
I storm out of the room, stomping the whole way. The Fae warriors at the castle doors, eye me suspiciously before opening the doors. It must be because golden fur is beginning to sprout on my arms. I have never been one to maintain control of my wolf when my emotions are high, and now is no different.
As soon as the doors open, Jasmine springs forth, ripping my clothes against my body. I pout inwardly. 'I liked that shirt.'
'You can get another,' Jasmine growls.
I let her run in silence. She has grown to love the twins as much as I do. The mistlings were her idea, which was funny because she hates cats. But when she saw them, she just knew they would love them.
The air swirls around her while she runs through the forest. The dirt is cool under her paws and a sense of claim washes over her. 'We should steal them.'
'What?' I snort.
'Yes,' she yelps. 'Destin and Charlie would go with us. We can take the children and run into the Human Realm.'
I sit in the back of our mind, and think about what Jasmine has proposed. 'We would have to leave under the cover of night. Do you think they know how to glamour themselves?'
Jasmine is begging to get excited. 'Destin can teach them.'
'This could work,' I whisper like someone can hear me.
'Of course, it will work. It is a perfect plan.'
She skids to a stop in front of Destin's cabin, and gives me back control. I grab some clothes from the bin, outside and burst through the cabin doors. I need to hold my babies.
Sophie is lying on the couch, with her hands over her eyes. "Forty, forty-one, forty-seven, fifty-two, eighty-eight."
The twins giggle from upstairs, and I can't help but smile, too. "You are relieved of duty."
"Thank the Goddess," she groans. "They are a handful."
The children rush down the stairs and wrap their tiny arms around me. I lift them in my arms one at a time and put kisses on their little cheeks. "Thanks again, Sophie."
She pauses at the door. "I know Sadie did a terrible thing, but please save her."