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.

people when you leave, Aurora.’ Thalia murmured in my

have done nothing but hurt me.’ I grimaced, ‘I deserve more than this—than living

Aurora.’ Thalia murmured,

who ‘them’ were. Alec and Kade’s faces flashed into mind, the feel of them still

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

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

suit irritated me, as did his dark slicked back hair. His aura of poise and superiority grated away at my nerves. If only everyone knew the insanity that was hidden beneath his

for you to attend dinner with us.” Garrett cleared

a moment, I wondered if people thought the same thing when looking into my eyes. My eyes were an exact replica of Garrett’s. One eye was a light blue, lighter than the sea or sky. The other eye

The last thing I wanted to do was eat dinner with his family. His wife and daughter clearly hated

reading the contempt in my eyes, Garrett shifted to the other foot. “They will learn to accept you, Aurora but

I hadn’t tried due to the clear distaste his wife and

is to you.” Garrett frowned, compassion filling his eyes as he

on my face but chose not to comment. I had

an hour, and that dinner would be ready soon after. I thundered up to the bedroom, wasting no time as I

a medium sized duffle bag from the closet and began packing some clothes. I rolled my clothes up tightly, saving as much room as possible. Apart from clothes, a picture or two and all my money, 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

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 manage without a phone. I emptied out

anyone reported me missing, they would remember the dress I had worn today. I walked down

at the table, Veronica by his side. Katy sat beside her Mom, a permanent

face heated under the stairs. I couldn’t help but feel I had interrupted something. Garrett’s face held anger as he looked at his wife. It was clear they were having a heated conversation about

smiled. While the emotion looked genuine, I couldn’t get past the irritated stares coming

their family dinner, barging in on something

where I needed, never once looking into Kady or Veronica’s sharpened eyes. Garrett seemed genuinely interested in my past, something I wasn’t keen on sharing. His eyes filled with guilt as I talked about my Grandma, the woman who had raised me. He could hear the love and gratitude dripping from my voice as I talked about her, along with the contempt I held as I talked

finished my dinner 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

out the backdoor. The garden in their backyard was beautiful, overflowing with brightly

smiled proudly at the flowers. His entire demeanor seemed to change when he spoke of

to garden. The image didn’t sit right in my mind. Wouldn’t she be