Elara POV
“That’s a good question,” Braden sighs. “But I think it does, I an, it has been containing my scent this entire ti.”
“Good,” I grimace. “Now all I have to worry about are the three n trapped here with .”
“Godspeed to all of you in that tiny cabin,” Braden chuckles. “That scent of yours is going to drive them all crazy. It really is delectable, if I may say so. In a friendly way, of course.”
“Of course,” I roll my eyes, bumping my shoulder against his. This is the one thing I appreciate the most about Braden. There is no aning behind his flirtatious teasing. We are friends, and he is a good one at that.
“I’ll confirm with Rhiannon about the spell,” he says, patting my knee. “I have to go check on your family and head back into the fray today. I’ll report back at so point tomorrow.”
“Could you be a little vaguer?” I tease.
“I know, I know,” Braden says. “But you have enough to deal with here. Let deal with the Orion shit.”
I watch as he walks away, grateful for his willingness to keep and my family safe. Braden is a true friend, and that is a rarity these days.
As he crosses the threshold of the protective spell, a little spark of light floats around him, and then he is gone. I exhale deeply, debating whether or not to head back inside when the voices beyond the door grow louder, and one of the babies starts crying.
Shit. What now?
I quickly get up and race inside.
Kane and Axel stand face-to-face with Mason; their expressions all twisted with anger. It almost looks comical ... their huge, muscular bodies taking up so much space in the tiny living room. But then I notice Mason holding Stella, and she is crying. It is not funny anymore.
I am not upset that Mason is holding her – he has done it plenty of tis before, and I know he will not harm her. It is Kane and Axel’s deanour that unsettles . Are they simply protective towards Stella, or is sothing more sinister going on here?
“Hand. Her. Over,” Kane says through gritted teeth. “She’s obviously upset and needs her father.”
“Because you’re fucking yelling!” Mason cries. “What’s the big deal? She was crying, and I picked her up. You were in the bedroom fucking sulking or whatever.”
“What the hell is going on here?” I demand, and they all spin around to look at .
“Give her to ,” I order, rushing towards Mason and taking Stella from him. She calms down imdiately.
“We were handling it, Elara,” Kane says, before turning back to Mason.
“You both just want to do it all, don’t you?” Mason snorts. “You can’t let have a single fucking thing!”
“Stella is my baby,” Kane snaps. “Did you already forget that?”
“I helped Elara raise her from the beginning,” Mason points a finger towards , his voice rising again. “She’s mine, too, even if it’s not by blood.”
His choice of words instantly irritates . She is his. She never was, and she never will be.
“Cut it out!” I snap. “All of you before you have all the kids hysterical.”
“Elara,” Mason turns to . “You and I might be over, but that doesn’t undo the past. I love Stella and will never harm her.”
“I know that,” I say firmly. “But you’re not her father, and she’s not yours. You might have held my hand when I gave birth to her, but that doesn’t give you any claim on her.”
“That’s cruel, Elara,” Mason replies, his eyes filled with pain.
“It’s the truth,” I sigh. “I’m sorry, but you’re no longer part of her life, because you’re no longer part of mine.”
“How can you be so heartless after everything we’ve been through?” His voice is hoarse with pain. “Is it so bad that I wanted to hold on to what we had for only a mont?”
“It is if you’re using my mate and daughter,” Kane growls.
“Don’t let get started on you two,” Mason said, his eyes flashing with his wolf. “You convinced that we can work together as brothers. You invited here. For Goddess’ sake, I even helped you escape the Council, but you haven’t even introduced to my niece and nephew.”
Kane POV
My mouth turns dry. Fuck.
We have been purposely keeping Mason away from the twins, and with all the action and drama, we did not think he would notice.
I glance over at Axel. His lips are pursed in a tight line.
“When did you expect us to do it?” I finally reply in a voice I hope sounds casual and confident. “When you confronted Dad or pursued Elara?”
The fact that Mason is the twins’ biological father has been eating at since they were born. We have been keeping the secret for too long. We cannot turn back now. In our minds, they are ours, and the thought of giving them up rips us in two.
Elara looks at curiously, and for a split second, my heart leaps into my throat. Was our mind link back? It has been gone ever since the spell was lifted, but the way it works has always been a mystery to .
“That’s a pathetic excuse,” Mason huffs. “I’m sure you just don’t want my disgusting rogue bastard paws all over your purebred twins.”
“Enough with the pity party,” I say icily. We didn’t introduce them because you didn’t show interest, and I didn’t think you cared. If you want to et them, you can as soon as they wake up.”
“Are you insane?” Axel hisses. “What if he figures it out?”
“The more we refuse him, the more suspicious he’ll get,” I reply.
“Fine,” Mason sighs. “I’m sorry. I can’t bla you for keeping them away from when I take every opportunity to jump down your throat.”
“Thank you,” I smile, relieved. “How about we restart this day with a cup of coffee?”
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