Wren POV
Selene is perched on her golden throne while Sadie sits on a smaller one at her right side. I glare at the two women standing before me. Just as I expected, Sadie is not in duress. The Moon Goddess is a lot of things, and one of those is lonely. She once begged for me to stay with her, and I am not at all surprised that when I turned her down, she took Sadie under her wings.
"You are making my life hard," I growl at Sadie.
She purses her lips before laughing. "How is that?"
"Your sisters wish for you to return. I am here to negotiate that."
Crossing my arms over my chest, I wait for either one of them to respond. Sadie doesn't dare to speak, and I can't say that I blame her. If I had gained the favor of an actual goddess, I would not want to ruin it either.
Selene leans forward and smiles. "Sadie is free to leave whenever she chooses. She is not a prisoner here, but a guest."
Sadie's mouth drops open, and she spares a glance at the goddess. Selene pats her hand. It is not an endearing action, but a warning, and Sadie quickly plasters a fake smile on her face. "Yes. I am a guest."
My brain is beginning to pulse with a headache. "Then you will not mind floating down on a cloud, or whatever you do, and speaking with your sisters to get them off my back."
Sadie scoffs loudly. "You aren't here to help me, only to help yourself. Why would I help you?"
I throw my arms in the air and scream. It bounces off the walls of the throne room until it turns into a whisper. My face is red and hot with anger, and I worry I won't be able to leave this place. Selene brought me here, and she could keep me here for as long as she pleases.
"Must you always act like a child?" Selene groans, uncovering her ears.
I told myself I wasn't going to beg, but still, I find the word please leaving my lips. "I am done. Please. I no longer want to be a part of whatever game you are playing. I am tired. I have nothing left to give. Just leave me out of this."
Sadie shifts uncomfortably in her seat, but Selene looks amused. "Like I said. This she-wolf is free to leave whenever she wants."
I roll my eyes. "Can I get that in writing?"
Selene throws her head back and laughs. "I like you much better than your mother. You have spunk. Maybe I will keep you here instead of this one."
Sadie looks down at her hands and sighs heavily. I can see her thoughts written all over her face. Making a bold move, I step toward the throne and tip up her chin with my fingers. "Destin didn't choose me over you. He was my mate, and you have one waiting for you on Earth. Don't Selene make you think otherwise."
"What if I don't?" Her voice is small.
I keep my eyes focused on hers. "What if you do?"
"Enough!" Selene shouts. "She leaves here only when I say."
I snort. "You can't keep your lies straight anymore, Moon Goddess. It is time to let go of this hatred in your heart. It is really disappointing that you, a titan, can be so upset by the lives of mortals." I look her up and down. "I would have thought you were bigger than this."
Sadie snickers by her side, and Selene shoots her an evil glare, effectively shutting her up, but I choose not to wipe the smile off my face. She doesn't scare me anymore.
"The twins," Selene begins. "I want them."
"Fuck you," I spit at her. "You can't have them."
She straightens her shoulders, and a beautiful orb grows in front of her. She flicks through the pictures like television channels until she finds the one she is looking for. The twins are older, sharing a warm embrace. Tears stream down their faces, and I know what is going to happen next. One will disappear into the Human Realm, and the other will stay behind. The portal will close behind them, and they will be separated forever.
"Give them to me, and this doesn't have to be a reality," she demands.
"No," I respond coolly. "They are not bargaining chips, they are children."
Selene's eyes flash a brilliant shade of gold, and a growl rumbles in her chest. I wait silently until she calms down. Her eyes gaze upon the orb, and she slams her fists onto her throne. "When they are of age, let them decide where they belong."
I click my tongue on the roof of my mouth. "Fine, but I am raising them. You don't really expect them to choose you if you remain a tyrant, do you?"
All of a sudden, I am holding all of the cards, and I feel powerful. Too powerful. Selene can feel it too. "What are your terms?"
"Stop meddling in the lives of mortals. Let them find their mates and be the goddess they always thought you were. And for fuck's sake, let Sadie go home."
Selene is quiet while she considers my offer. "You ask for nothing for yourself?"
I straighten my shoulders. "No."
"I have a condition," she continues. "You must come to me once a month and stay for a week."
"One night," I counter.
"Two nights."
I narrow my gaze. "No."
She sighs, knowing I have won. "Fine."
She snaps her fingers, and Sadie disappears from her side, but I hold my hand up to stop her from sending me home. "Thank you, Moon Goddess."
Waving her hand dismissively, she smiles. "You were right. I am a titan, and I should be acting like it."
She pauses before sending me home, and I worry she might change her mind, but she stays true to her word, and with a snap of her fingers, I am standing in front of my cabin. Charlie and Destina are right where I left them.
Jasmine awakens in my mind, and her voice comes out as my own. "Mates."