Chapter 4. Reject Them

~Landon~

I make it to the packhouse with Tia in my arms. I take her up to my room and set her on the bed. I watch her look around the room, taking in all the details. I have a king-sized bed in the room against the back wall. A big screen television is mounted on the opposite wall, big enough that I can see it from several different locations. There is a small eating area in the room with a love seat and a small, two-seater table. I have a huge 4-door armoire with matching end tables on each side of the bed. My room has a walk-in closet as well as a luxury bathroom. My brother’s room is pretty much the same, though with different color schemes. Actually, there's a door that leads right to his room from mine.

I place Tia against the headboard and prop her foot up on the pillows. I know she will heal soon, but this should ensure that she heals properly. “Hang on, and I will get you an ice pack.” Tia grabs my arm, and I look at her.

“You really don’t need to go through the trouble.” I shake my head and continue out of the room for the ice pack. When I return, Tia is asleep, snoring softly. I place the ice pack on her ankle and take off my shoes, jacket, and tie. I unbutton a few buttons of my shirt and slide in next to Tia. I sit next to her and wrap my arm around her shoulders, trying not to wake her up. She stirs a bit and snuggles into my shoulder, placing a hand on my stomach. I could really get used to this. I close my eyes and let her scent take me into dreamland.

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I hear the door open and look around. It’s dark outside, and some way, Tia and I scooted down on the bed. Our arms are wrapped around each other, and her head is on my shoulder. I look toward the door, my vision picking up the intruder.

Where the hell have you been?

I had to think.

Think?! What the hell did you have to think about? She's our mate……..our fated mate.

I know, but we promised the twins.

Fuck that! That promise became void the minute we found our mate. Lincoln moves closer to the bed, taking Tia in. Why did you really run away? Lincoln pulls his head back, looking at the ceiling as if something is fascinating there.

I……I don’t know that I can share. I don’t know if I can be okay with that. I don’t want jealousy and anger to come between us. My attitude softens at this. I remember that Lincoln has always been hesitant about accepting one mate between the two of us. He never really told me why.

Linc, she was made for us…….for US. The Goddess wants us to have just her, and she needs both of us. I sigh. You know she asked about you. She wondered where you were. She won’t be complete with just one of us, and we won’t be complete with anyone but her. We look at each other in the darkness, me trying to convey everything through our twin bond. That bond is almost as strong as the mate bond, and we have always had it.

Lincoln sighs and takes his clothes off, leaving just his boxers on. His clothes look dirty, making me guess he has been in the woods all this time. He throws on a pair of my sweatpants with a t-shirt and slips into bed next to Tia. Lincoln tentatively reaches out to her, placing a hand on her thigh. He scoots in closer, but not too close. Tia sighs and scoots backward a bit. The minute her body makes contact with his, she snuggles up to him, placing a hand on his thigh. A sigh of contentment leaves her lips, and Lincoln’s eyes widen in surprise.

I told you she needs both of us. Don’t fight this, Lincoln. We have our fated mate now, our Tia. Let’s enjoy our blessing.

Tia? I chuckle through the mindlink.

Yeah, she goes by Tia. I will let her explain it to you. Lincoln nods and places his nose on her head, inhaling her scent. I scoot closer to Tia and close my eyes again, reveling in how right this feels.

~Tia~

I yawn and stretch a bit, feeling the warmth on both sides of me. The scent of peppermint is so strong I can practically taste it. The lemon smell is still there from yesterday, but I can also smell grapefruit. I turn to look behind me and notice Lincoln on his back, asleep. I look in front of me, and Landon is facing me, his face calm as he breathes heavily. I slide down to the end of the bed and slowly extract myself.

I tentatively step onto the floor, testing out the strength of my ankle. Everything is fine, and it doesn't even feel sore. I stand and stretch, making my way to the restroom. After I relieve myself, I look in the mirror while washing my hands. I don’t look half bad, considering everything. I have to admit that last night was the best sleep I can remember having.

I stand in the doorway, looking at the sleeping Alphas. They are so beautiful. They have dark brown skin and clean, shaved faces. They have short hair, waves evident throughout. They are taller than me at 6’0 and are extremely muscular. I can admit that I had a crush on them at one point in my life, but I didn’t think of it much. There was no way that they even noticed me, nor would they ever be interested in me. I would never have imagined that they would end up being my mates.

PORTIA! I had my block up once I realized I had seen my mates yesterday. I decided to put the block down once I woke up this morning. I’m sure Lynn and Mark have been trying to reach me.

Y…y….yes father?

Why haven’t I been able to reach you?!

I…….I……. He growls in the link.

Get your ass home now!

I tiptoe into the bedroom, grabbing my purse. I check my phone and notice it's dead....figures. I quietly open the door, take one last look at the men on the bed, and quietly close the door behind me. I rush out of the packhouse and head over to my family home. I don’t know what this is about, but I dread it just the same.

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I arrive at my family’s house, and I stop at the door, trying to gather myself. I hate being here, which is why I’ve been gone all of these years. This place holds no real fond memories for me. My good memories are of other places, just not this home.

The door opens just as I’m about to reach for the handle. My mom steps outside, engulfing me in her arms. Her hug is warm and strong, and I have missed it so much. The bad part about staying away is being away from her. I love her fiercely, and she is the only family member who has ever shown me an ounce of care. “I love you so very much, Tia. Never forget or doubt that.” I breathe in my mother’s scent as I wrap myself around her even tighter.

“Get the hell in here already. I have other things to do.” My mother sighs and lets me go, stepping out of the way so I can walk inside. She walks in behind me and closes the door. My father is sitting in the front room, on my right, in a big armchair. Adela and Aida are sitting together on a couch near my father. Adela and my father look pissed, which is not really anything new. Aida looks hurt and lost. I’m going to go ahead and guess that they are aware of what happened yesterday, so this is not going to bode well for me.

I stand in the room's entryway, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. My mom stands behind me, off to the side. I know this is a lot for her to deal with, and I hate this for her. Adela walks close to me and takes a big breath in. Her eyes flash black, and she stomps back to the couch. “She was WITH them!”

“So you ignored my mindlink all night, and now I find that you were with them?” Aw, hell, this is just bad off the top. No easing into it, I see.

“I was with………who?” My father growls, shaking the room.

“Don’t fucking play with me! I’m not in the mood for games.” I try not to sigh loudly.

“We know…….” Aida says quietly. I turn my head toward her and say nothing.

“Damn it! We know you are the supposed mate of the Alphas………of OUR Alphas!” Adela screams in frustration, but I keep my face emotionless. They may know the truth, but I don’t need to confirm anything.

“You will reject them.” My head snaps forward, and I stare at my father with my mouth hanging open. There is no way he can be serious. He can’t honestly think I would willingly do that. They are my fated mates, for Goddess's sake. How the hell could I reject them like that?

“I won’t,” I whisper.

“Excuse me?!” My father rises out of the chair and stares me down. He's taller than me at 6’0, and his natural anger toward me makes him seem all that taller.

“They are my fated…….I won’t reject them.” My father takes menacing steps toward me until he is right in front of me. He pulls his hand back and lets it go, slapping me so hard that I fall to the floor. My ears are ringing a bit, and I feel dizzy. I hold my cheek, looking at my father with terror in my eyes. I hear my mother’s rapid breathing and increase in heartbeat. I hope she stays where she is. She doesn’t need to try to defend or save me. I need her to be safe.

“Your sisters have been with the Alphas for years now. They have been named future Lunas. They deserve the title and everything that comes with it. You WILL NOT take that from them. You will reject the Alphas and you will leave this pack and never return. This is NOT up for debate, nor do you have a choice.”

I look up at my father, tears starting to fall down my face, and I’m pissed. I always told myself never to cry in front of him. Adela is smirking, and Aida is looking satisfied. I scramble to my knees and fly out of the door, hearing my father scream my name behind me. I run to my car and hop inside. I can see Adela not too far from the car. I hurry and start the car, throwing it into reverse, putting more distance between my sister and me. I throw the car into drive and fly down the street. The gates, thankfully, are already open, and I fly through them, trying to put as much distance as I can between myself and this pack. Andricia is whimpering in my head, wanting me to go back to my mates, but I can’t risk it. I need to be as far away as possible.