Twice Tempted: Between Two Alphas (Mia and Cameron) novel Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

“There is no choice!” Jace growls. “The kids belong to Healmsworth Pack. You cannot deny them their birthright–or their family. You have no right, Mia–”

“Don’t you dare speak to me of rights!” I growl. I’m so angry I’m trembling.

They will NOT take my children.

I’m not stupid. If we go back to Healmsworth lands, my kids will no longer belong to me. And what’s to stop Ashley from killing me once and for all? Or hurting my babies. What’s to stop Cam’s father or his bitch of a sister from claiming my kids and banning me?!

“What the hell is all this screaming about?” Corinne walks into the hall. “If we’re going to brawl, let’s shift and get on with it already.” She grins as she sizes up Jace and his men. “But something tells me you don’t really want to hurt this one,” she jerks her head at me, “so if all you males are done posturing, why don’t we have dinner?”

Jace sucks a deep breath. He doesn’t appreciate the intrusion.

Me, I kind of am thankful for her barging in.

She sits at the center of the table and starts loading up a plate. As she does, several women file into the hall and do the same. These women are garbed in military attire and they’re tall and thick with muscle.

“Meet my Raven Guard,” she says in between bites.

Ravens? I thought they were a myth. I’d heard tales of them as a child. Bloodiest bitches in North America. If I’d known Eric’s sister was a Raven… would I have attacked her?

Nope. Definitely not.

Corinne winks at me.

“My sister has excellent advice. You’re our guests. Join us for a meal. We can resume these…conversations afterward.”

I study the way these women position themselves and the added guards at the doors. Corinne might act like she’s just hungry and not a threat. But I know better. Not that Eric needs it. If the situation eroded, one thing I’m sure of is that Eric would fight fiercely.

Jace’s hands open and close, his muscles flex. He doesn’t want to wait.

But he sees he’s outnumbered and the flash of gold in Corinne’s eyes makes it clear that she might be playing nice, but her presence in this hall with her fellow Ravens is not as ‘nice’ as it seems.

Begrudgingly, Jace sits. His men follow his lead.

For a few minutes, the room is silent. Bowls and platters are passed. Food is loaded onto plates and everyone is quiet as they eat.

I’m not hungry. But it smells delicious. And tastes amazing. I take a few bites.

Across the table, Liam grunts appreciatively. He always was ruled by his gut. Whenever I baked cookies, I’d have to make a few extra batches for him. He catches me looking at him and smiles lopsidedly. I wonder if he’s remembering too.

Eric pats my hand. He sits beside me and I’m grateful for his nearness.

This wolf grounds me.

“Eat,” he tells me. Then more quietly, “I’m having our best healer flown in. She’s currently in Oregon. She’ll be here shortly.”

Eric uses his napkin to blot at the wound on my arm. He’s not happy that I’m hurt. Neither am I. We’re wolves. Our ability to regenerate is the entire basis of our ability to shift. I didn’t lose my connection to my wolf–thank the Goddess–but being unable to heal… is a very bad thing.

Eric holds up a hand to one of the servants as they deliver another bowl of corn. “Have the kitchen grill Mia a steak.” Like the added protein or iron will help. I’m doubtful this ailment can be cured by food, but I appreciate that he’s trying.

He seems to remember that we have guests and sighs. “Does anyone else want to order something more from the kitchen?”

Corinne taps her lip. “We caught sockeye this morning. Let’s grill some salmon too.”

Two of her guards nod excitedly.

Me…I’m struggling to eat. The food lodges in my throat as I imagine Cameron alone, dying. Will I look back and think of how I enjoyed this lavish meal while he was suffering? Or will I remember this moment as the day that changed everything–my health declining and my former pack trying to take my babies.

I glance at my arm where one of my wounds seeps blood through the bandage.

“Soooo,” Corinne says after polishing off an impressive amount of chicken. She drops one of the bones on her plate. “How’s life with Luna Ashley?”

Jace frowns. “She is not well,” he says neutrally. “But then… I’m not sure she or her pack ever recovered after you ransacked their lands, forced their pack to swear fealty, and stripped her Alpha parents of their holdings.”