Mated to the Alpha and His Beta

Chapter 426

Lanie

“What do you mean, we’re going to say goodbye to the twins in front of Gabriela?” My jaw had dropped, gaping wide, and I shut it with a snap.

I clipped my tongue between my teeth and tasted blood, but that was a better flavor than the bitterness in my words.

“We have to make sure she hears us and sees us, so it’s relayed to the High Council,” Stella said.

I spoke to her in the tone of voice I’d used on the rare occasions when she’d thrown a temper tantrum. Calm, but firm, and clearly letting her know that I was disappointed in her. “I understand that part, Stella. But you’re asking me to leave them behind?”

She’d quickly laid out the plan to us, but I was not convinced that it made sense. My mates seemed to believe that leaving the enclave was a good idea, and I was having a hard time getting behind that, too. Leaving Alaina and Isaac here though, while we ran off…I couldn’t do that.

“Gabriela will stay with them.” Stella said.

“Lanie, just hear her out,” Zane began, but I made an angry gesture to make him go quiet.

“How can you even think I’d be okay with this?” I demanded of the three of them. Then, I turned to my daughter. “I don’t like this, Stella.

You’ve grown up, but your brother and sister are little more than babies-”

“They’re stronger and smarter than you give them credit for, Mother.”

here!”

Like you. Which is exactly why

myself tight. I shook my head, not meeting the eyes of any of my mates. I couldn’t bear to look any of them in the face. “I swore when I rescued them from that cursed testing facility that I would never abandon them. They would never be alone like that ever again. I vowed to protect them and love them like they were my own, and that’s what they are. They are my children as much as you are, Stella. And now,what you’re asking… It’s too much. I won’t do

else, Lanie. And we can’t really fight with two children in tow. It’s

mother will take care of

Xander said.

Xander’s reach, too. I whirled on him. “Your mother is

1/2

C

Chapter 426

you seem to have conveniently or st upidly

not, Gabriela is a tool for

ask

children!” Xander snapped at me, sounding truly angry, probably because I’d

him. “Of course she wouldn’t, if she could help it. But what

something you were telling us

Xander growled.

hard. If there was another way, I would offer it, but I’ve seen the various

me?”