Ethan and I drove to the airport in a comfortable silence that gave me ample time to wrestle with my anxiety. Not only had I fled from Ethan and Kieran, but I had also left Kat behind. Part of me desperately hoped she would forgive me, though I wouldn’t blame her if she couldn’t. She had always been there for me, supporting me, and I had still chosen to leave.
Ethan and Kieran seemed to grasp why I had left, even though the pain of my departure lingered. I hoped Kat would come to understand as well. Our impending reunion was a mix of anticipation and dread. I hadn’t given much thought to Sebastian and how he would react to my departure, nor did I care. He had mishandled everything-from using me for my future position to revealing that I wasn’t fully human. He had never been a father figure; he only saw me as a means to an end-the werewolf version of me that could lead his pack. I refused to return to that, to being controlled and exploited.
“I have one condition if I’m to return,” I finally spoke up, breaking the silence.
Ethan’s head snapped towards me, his gaze intense, though he kept his focus on the road. His undivided attention was overwhelming yet reassuring, even amidst the traffic.
“Name it,” Ethan replied, a hint of concern flickering across his mind. He worried he might not meet my condition, that I would demand to be taken back to Bia and Bryan. I knew he would comply if I asked.
“I won’t live with Sebastian,” I stated firmly. “Or Lauren and Darren. I won’t be used by anyone ever again.”
“We never intended to return you to them,” Ethan assured me, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. A single dimple appeared on his left cheek, and I found myself captivated by the sight. His eyes held a glint of relief, soothing the lingering worry that had plagued him.
“I suppose Sebastian won’t be thrilled about that,” I chuckled dryly. “And Lauren and Darren probably haven’t even noticed I’m gone.”
“Lauren did,” Ethan replied tersely, his jaw tightening with irritation, leaving me wondering what had transpired during my absence. “Darren, on the other hand, likely hasn’t noticed much of anything. Sebastian’s opinion is irrelevant.”
“She noticed? That’s surprising,” I remarked with a dry laugh. “There are a few things I left at Sebastian’s house that I’ll need to retrieve.”
“Kieran and I will accompany you,” Ethan nodded, his expression softening. “You won’t go there alone.”
“Is there any way I can refuse to take over his pack?” I frowned, voicing a long-standing concern. “He has another daughter who can inherit the pack.”
“Unfortunately, you can’t,” Ethan sighed, his tone regretful. “As strange as it sounds, you’re bound to his pack by blood. And to our pack by the mate-bond.”
“I have no desire to lead a pack,” I admitted wearily. “I never have.”
“You won’t be alone in this, Sophia,” Ethan reassured me, his smile gentle. “Kieran and I will be with you every step of the way. That’s what mates are for. I believe you’ll surprise yourself. Leading comes naturally to you; it’s in your blood.”
“You’ll both support me?” I asked tentatively, feeling a glimmer of hope that ruling a pack might not be as daunting with Ethan and Kieran by my side. I wouldn’t be expected to shoulder everything alone, to navigate the complexities of leadership while being manipulated by Sebastian. Ethan and Kieran had experience, raised by parents who had once borne the same responsibilities. If anyone could guide me without exploiting me, it was Ethan and Kieran.
“Absolutely,” Ethan nodded, his smile widening as the dimple reappeared. “Our parents led the pack long before Kieran and I were born. We grew up learning the ropes.”
Unspoken words hung between us, hinting at a future where any children we might have would also be raised to understand pack leadership. The notion made my stomach twist, not with dread but with a sense of responsibility.
“If you’d like, we could merge the two packs,” Ethan suggested thoughtfully. “It’s entirely up to you. Instead of overseeing two separate territories, they would become one. Our land would blend with his, his people would become ours.”
I pondered his proposal for a moment. Among all the people who had tried to manipulate and control me, Ethan and Kieran had never given me that impression. My instincts urged me to trust them, to rely on them for whatever I needed. Amidst all the uncertainty swirling in my mind, one thing remained clear: I could trust Ethan and Kieran with anything.
“I think I’d like that,” I nodded, offering him a genuine smile.
“Typically, the female would become Luna, while the male assumes the role of Alpha. You’re the sole heir to your father’s pack, which means your future mate will become Alpha,” Ethan explained, his voice steady yet tinged with warmth. “But we won’t be making decisions independently. It’ll always be the three of us.”
“I trust you both,” I affirmed, feeling the truth of my words resonate deeply within me.
Relief swept over Ethan like a gentle tide, and I smiled to myself as his hand found mine, offering comfort in its warmth. We arrived at the airport within the hour, Ethan securing us seats on the earliest flight back home. Home-though it had never felt like one before, that had changed without my realizing it. With Ethan and Kieran, anywhere could be home, even Antarctica.
“So, now that you know about my family, tell me about yours,” I asked, settling into the plush seat of the plane.
While I had managed to scrape together enough for a basic ticket out of town, Ethan had splurged on better seats. I didn’t dare inquire about the cost of first-class tickets; it was one of many questions buzzing through my mind. A television on the far wall played a muted talk show, and only a few other passengers occupied this section of the plane, reclining in their seats. A stewardess stopped by, offering me a soda, which I gladly accepted. Ethan took one for himself, flashing me a smile that sent a delightful shiver through me.
“We don’t have any siblings, but we have quite a few cousins on my mom’s side,” Ethan replied casually. “Mom and Dad led the pack until Kieran and I took over about a year ago. It’s unusual for werewolves to have twins, especially twins destined to be Alpha and Luna. Our parents weren’t sure who would inherit.”
“Werewolves don’t usually have twins?” I asked, surprised. It was uncommon among humans but not unheard of.
“Never,” Ethan’s chuckled softly. “Kieran is older by a minute, so everyone assumed he’d be Alpha.”
“Why didn’t he take over?” I inquired, genuinely curious.
“Kieran and I have always been inseparable,” Ethan explained, a grin spreading across his face. “We never fought and shared everything except for romantic interests. It’s hard to explain, but we were both meant to lead the pack. And the fact that you’re our mate confirms that even further.”
“Do your parents know about me?” I asked, feeling a pang of discomfort.
“Not yet,” Ethan admitted, his smile gentle. “We’ll have to introduce you once we get home. Kieran and I won’t hide you from anyone. You’re their Luna; they’ll love you unconditionally.”
Anxiety churned in my stomach as yet another worry added to my list: Kat’s likely anger, Sebastian’s continued attempts at control, and now meeting Ethan and Kieran’s parents. Would they react the same way? It was unheard of for two men to share a mate, and I was about to find out firsthand.
“They will love you, Sophia,” Ethan reassured me, his rough hand gently tilting my chin to meet his gaze. “You’re family now. Lauren, Darren, and Sebastian won’t have any power over you anymore.”
Family. The word echoed in my mind, warming me from within and soothing my fears. It was something I had always longed for. My grandma had been family, albeit briefly. Lauren and Darren were anything but family.
Even Marcella, in her own way, felt like family. We shared a connection that transcended blood ties or friendship. Marcella and I were alike, and my soul recognized that as surely as it recognized Ethan and Kieran.
I felt the truth of Ethan’s words settle in my heart, bringing a sense of relief I hadn’t felt in years. No longer trapped in a miserable, inescapable situation, I didn’t have to hide or run anymore.
Buoyed by a newfound sense of freedom, I leaned in and kissed Ethan. His surprise was tangy, followed by a sweetness that made me press closer. This time, Ethan took the lead, his lips moving against mine with tender insistence. His hands cradled my face, deepening the kiss until we both needed to breathe.
Ethan’s eyes widened with awe as he pulled back, his hands still gently cupping my face. “Now you owe Kieran two,” he chuckled, earning a genuine smile in return.