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.

hurt people when you leave, Aurora.’ Thalia murmured in my mind, ‘Tori’s one of

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

to them, Aurora.’ Thalia murmured, her

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

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

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 I’d be there. Come tomorrow, everyone important would know

hair. His aura of poise and superiority grated away at my nerves. If only everyone knew the

us.” Garrett cleared his throat, his

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 was a rich brown, hints of honey and gold thrown into the mix. The sight was hypnotizing, both eyes bright and unique in their

wasn’t asking a question, yet the word fell from my lips regardless. The last thing I wanted

eyes, Garrett shifted to the other foot. “They will learn to accept you, Aurora but you must make an

an effort?” I scoffed. I hadn’t tried due to the clear distaste his wife and daughter had for me. How could I

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

clearly noticed the reluctance on my face but chose not to comment. I had

me to come down to the dining room in an hour, and that dinner would be ready soon after. I thundered up to the bedroom, wasting

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

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 manage without a phone.

missing, they would remember the dress I had worn today. I walked down the stairs quickly, wanting

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

into the dining room. My 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.

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

family dinner, barging in on something I had no

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

me to follow. Lucy shot me a wide smile

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

seemed to change when he spoke of his family. The thought sent a small

on her knee’s to garden. The image didn’t sit right in my mind. Wouldn’t