Accepting My Twin Mates by Unwise Owl

Accepting My Twin Mates Chapter 18

Chapter 18 – Can We Talk?

Badru

Finley scrambled to his feet on shaky legs and out of the door before he could be told twice. I didn’t care where he went as long as it was out of our sights. We would need to speak with our parents and Beta Kate tomorrow about all of this. I would’ve been happy to have the asshat booted out of his title based on his personality alone. After this? I was tempted to throw him from the pack, but decisions like that were still firmly in my father’s control.

“It’s Lucy, right?” Astennu turned to the red-haired young woman.

She nodded, “thank you,” she whispered, her eyes glistening and a deep frown on her face.

I had never witnessed a rejection before. Few ever chose to walk away from their mate. We had always been taught they were a traumatic affair and I didn’t think they would all go as simply as this. But considering the circumstances, this was no regular rejection… and it made me all the more determined to never get to this stage with Evie. I would spend my life atoning for my wrongdoings if that’s what I had to do.

“Are you ok?” I asked. “We can walk you back to your room if you want?”

“No, I’m fine. Better than fine,” a genuine smile began to spread on her face. “I’m not letting that man dictate any more of my life and, no offence, but I worked too hard on the catering to this damn party to walk away now.”

We helped her pick up the ice, which she had apparently thrown in Finley’s face when he burst in looking for some. I wondered if that was Evie’s handy work and if it was why he was stumbling away from her. I knew from personal experience how hard she could kick and I was so f*****g proud of my nour el-ain (light of my eyes). But what had he done to warrant her wrath? And should I have done more than punch him? This would be another thing to hash out when the three of us sat down to talk.

“I think Evie really needs the both of you,” Lucy suddenly spoke when we finished picking up the ice cubes.

“She told you?” I almost dropped the last cube in my hand… how much exactly did this woman know?

“Evie told me everything,” she looked between us. “She wants to give you a chance, but you need to show her you care. Just relying on words won’t get you anywhere. She doesn’t let people in easily because she’s been abandoned too many times, as it is.”

Upon hearing that, the slicing guilt returned. Times when Astennu and I could have stood by her… we turned our backs… thinking only of our guilt and how we felt…

“How do we get close to her?” My brother frowned, a deep crease forming between his brows as his emotions mirrored my own, only more openly. “It feels like there’s this huge wall.”

“That’s because there is. She’s a walking contradiction,” Lucy explained. “Everything is a defence mechanism with her.”

“What do you mean?” I was a little confused. Evie had been incredibly outspoken with us so far, saying exactly what she meant. There had been little contradiction in what she felt for us, and so far the only thing she had felt towards us had been hostility.

Lucy let out a long exhale, “even though she seems cold and aloof, she’s not. She comes across as cynical, but she’s a complete hopeless romantic. She’s crass and blunt, and acts like nothing bothers her, but in reality, she’s incredibly sensitive. You actually have to be careful with your words around Evie. Things you say to her, they cut deep.”

I knew what I had said to her four years ago was hurtful, but now I realised how much they must have stung. No wonder she ran, thinking we were about to reject her…

If I could go back in time and punch my younger self I would; hard and repeatedly. The one time, before the mate bond even kicked in, I could have told her how much she meant to me and I threw it away. When she denied me, I acted like a spoiled toddler who was told he couldn’t have something and I threw it in her face. She had every right to deny me. Every right. And I had to go be a spiteful bastard and hurt her. Why would she ever forgive me? I would reject me… and instead, Evie was giving me a chance to prove myself to her. I didn’t deserve her chance, but I would not squander it either.

The electric excitement buzzed through me and a symphony of vanilla notes exploded in my senses. The door burst open, almost bowling me over, with Evie looking worried.

She looked between the three of us, her eyes narrowed… s**t, I hoped she didn’t think we were doing anything with her friend!

“You better not be trying to bribe Lucy onto your side,” she glared at Astennu and me.

“Cool your jets before you beat them up again,” the little she-wolf smirked at us. f**k, she knew we had our asses handed to us?

“They actually helped me. They made Finley accept the rejection and knocked his ego in check too,” Lucy smiled up at us.

“You did?” And the softest expression overtook Evie’s whole face, one which I would fight the world to keep the shine in her beautiful eyes.

‘If that makes her happy, we should punch Fin again!’ Baniti wagged happily, completely enthralled by our mate’s sudden warmth.

“We’d never stand by and let anyone abuse the mate bond like that,” Astennu said quietly, never taking his eyes off of her. “Plus, Badru’s been dying to punch his lights out for some time.”

me a measured look with a raised eyebrow, “is

that douche canoe? You better straighten that out right now!’ My wolf panicked, not wanting our mate thinking we in any way got along with the man that had caused

this earth, is he a friend!”

said slowly, in the same tone

each other… were they making fun of me

Evie

don’t think this nugget understands sarcasm,’ I muttered to my wolf, seeing the

instantly, ‘dude’s gonna be f****d

of his struggles to process sarcasm. So use it sparingly around him,’ Astennu mind-linked me and

start getting suspicious if we stay disappeared for much longer,” he said, moving

she’s doing the cake thing, I’m running from

never asked for a big cake or anything, so I think you’re safe,”

hates everyone singing happy birthday to him because he doesn’t

away,’ Evva howled in

my stomach once more. Goddess, the big blue puppy eyes

out into the hallway for

the timing was shitty, but that’s life,” she released a giant breath. “Lobelia and I feel amazing. It’s like having a huge weight off of us. I barely even felt the rejection after everything. I can kiss those meds goodbye, I don’t have to worry about when I’ll feel that stabbing

“That may have been my fault. He tried to make a pass at me when I wanted to eat, so I kneed

between you and a meal, is

pain if you mess with a friend,” I grinned. “But seriously… he

arm was all, after I threw the ice in his face and that’s when

When I came back into the hall and found Finley was nowhere to be seen, I almost had a heart attack. If anything had happened to Lucy in

stashed. As the party wound down and the guests started to leave, the huge clean-up effort began. The Luna had already thanked us for a job well done, another rare instance of receiving praise from her. I wondered whether on some level I craved her approval because the bond knew what her sons were to me; whether I would ever receive her true approval was a separate matter. Most of the staff had gone, leaving me and Lucy alone to enjoy a small scotch nightcap and the

were on the kitchen door, well before they strode through it. Heavens above, how did they look more devilishly attractive? Both had rid themselves of their jackets and waistcoats, rolling their dress shirt sleeves up to their elbows. Their shirts were a little more open, revealing more of

I just plucked a few more buttons with my

pick

I’m horny,

a knowing grin.

not staring!’ I lied. I was completely checking them out alongside

you lie about Astennu and Badru, you blush, hard,’ she raised an eyebrow, wiggling her fingers at me, and walked out of the

smiles. Astennu’s was soft and tender, his eyes sweeping over my features. Badru’s smirk made me want to punch it off

want some?” I indicated the last of

the first to take up Lucy’s seat and dive in with his own

I make from time to time,” I felt my cheeks grow warm

thought so. It kinda smells just like you,” Astennu

innocuous, so erotic? That damn heat flared through me

what did

Badru gave me a boyish grin, looking all cute

pack, because there’s no way in hell he is being our

forward to this conversation. “Just come

seen? How do we

to their room? It

am not waiting on them!’

up as a cover. They can

a terrible

I brought breakfast up to one of your

that look suspicious too?” Badru poked

know! Stop shitting on my ideas,” I felt my patience

defend himself. “You’re the one wanting to keep this secret. I’m

a cover for you,” Astennu interjected. “I’ll discuss it tomorrow, after… the