Mated to the Alpha Twins

Grace had let me leave the classroom without any hassle. Her murderous and slightly unhinged demeanor faded as soon as I told her the truth. She even had the audacity to chat with me, asking about my plans once I had left.

What frightened me more than her bold threat against Tori was the way she changed with the flip of a switch. I gave rushed, one worded answer in a hurry to leave the classroom.

I had just enough time to mask the fear and disgust on my face before Tori found me in the halls. She had already grabbed what she needed from her locker, wandering around in search of me. Her face contorted in confusion as she saw the heat fill my cheeks. Understanding flashed in her eyes as they traveled down my neck. Without a doubt, she was thinking of Alec and Kade.

I sat quietly as Tori drove the two of us to the restaurant. We both ran in, grabbing our checks from the manager on duty.

“I’m still waiting for that explanation y’know.” Tori’s orange eyebrow lifted as she shot me a stern look.

My stomach flipped and a chill spread over my skin. I had promised Tori explanations for a lot of things, explanations I couldn’t give.

I had planned to leave a note for her when I left, one explaining what Grace had done to me. Grace’s threat against Tori made me question whether that was the right decision or not. While Tori could handle herself, Grace was incapable of thinking clearly. It was just another thing I would need to think on.

While I wanted nothing to happen to Tori, it was eating me alive that Grace would get away with this. She had successfully chased me out of town, not that I hadn’t been planning it regardless.

I couldn’t see what telling Tori would hurt. I would explain everything to her, giving her ample warning what Grace was capable of. I could only hope she kept the information to herself, keeping her safe from Grace.

“I’ll give it to you.” I coughed uncomfortably, “I’ll call you tonight.”

I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to tell Tori what happened over the phone. My voice cracked and weakened any time I tried to speak about it. Bile would rise in my throat when I thought about my swollen and busted face.

“I’m holding you to that.” Tori’s lips were pressed together tightly. “I’ll call you around eight, Mom’s having a dinner party with our neighbors.”

“That sounds—fun.” I forced a lopsided grin to my face, ignoring the pinpricks of guilt that settled under my skin.

“You’re more than welcome to join.” Tori chuckled, giving me a playful eyeroll. “It’ll be more eventful than what you’re doing tonight.”

“You’re right about that.” I laughed hollowly.

Aurora.’ Thalia murmured

grimaced, ‘I deserve more than this—than living

murmured, her voice growing silent.

faces flashed into mind, the feel of them still lingered

of the banks in town. The two of us cashed our checks. I placed my wad of money deep in my bookbag, eager to add it to what I had saved up. Taking money from Grace had been an offer I hadn’t anticipated, but had no qualms refusing. Taking any form of

heading to her own. She shot me one last stern glance, concern flickering in her eyes. I mustered up my strength and gave her a bright smile. Tori hadn’t asked about our shift at work tomorrow, and I hadn’t mentioned whether

the house. His crisp suit irritated me, as did his dark slicked back hair. His aura of poise and superiority grated away at my nerves. If only everyone

us.” Garrett cleared his throat, his mismatched eyes staring

replica of Garrett’s. One eye was a light blue, lighter than the sea or sky. The other eye was a rich brown, hints of honey and gold thrown into the mix. The sight

thing I wanted to do was eat dinner with his

if reading the contempt in my eyes, Garrett shifted to the other foot. “They

wife and

them as it is to you.” Garrett frowned, compassion filling his eyes as he spoke of his wife. “After dinner, there is something I would like to show

chose not to comment. I had no choice but to indulge him. Come

ready soon after. I

there was nothing left to pack. I wanted to bring toiletries but decided they would take up too much room. I stuffed a couple granola bars and water bottles into the bag. It had been a

escape. I would change into something I hardly wore, making it harder to be identified on cameras. I’d keep my hat and hood pulled up, blocking what parts of my face I could manage. The phone Tori had gotten me would have to be left behind, but I could

bother changing for dinner. If anyone reported me missing, they would remember the dress I had worn today. I walked down the stairs quickly, wanting

his place at the table, Veronica by his side. Katy sat beside her

I had interrupted something. Garrett’s face held anger

you joined us, Aurora.” Garrett smiled. While the emotion looked genuine,

dinner, barging in on something

on sharing. His eyes filled with guilt as I talked about my

in a rush, ready to retreat upstairs. My stomach dropped when Garrett stood from the table and motioned for me to follow. Lucy shot me a wide smile as she began gathering the empty plates. I had

silently as he led me out the backdoor. The garden in their backyard was beautiful, overflowing with brightly

to change when he spoke of his family. The thought sent a small wave of pain washing over me, one

her knee’s to garden. The image didn’t