Chapter 83

Chapter 83
“Who the fuck made you cry?” Dylan demanded. His fingers tightened into a fist, and I could just perceive the faint scent of agitation bubbling on the surface.

I shook my head, refusing to make this a bigger issue than it already was. I don’t know why I decided to break down in front of them when I knew it wasn’t going to end well.

“Maddie, who the fuck did this!” Ryan barked, pushing forward; he raised his hands, ready to lift my head, but he seemed to remember something, and he stopped himself short. “Was it Toby?”

My breath hitched unexpectedly, but it was a telltale that the name was obviously the cause of most of these things, and they pounced on it.

“What the fuck did he do?” The twins were closing in on me, and it was almost suffocating, especially with the testosterone that was just permeating the air.

“It is fine; please just let it go.” I tried to sound firm, but my voice only came out soft.

“Maddie!” They hissed in sync, and it felt like the roles were reversed—as if I were the younger one and they the senior. “Don’t try to protect him because he is your mate. If he had dared to hurt you, let us know.”

“I…” I began, but it was like wood had been lodged in my throat. “I think we should enter inside.” The twins looked at me with squinted eyes, but I avoided it and opened the door. They entered after some seconds, and they stood there, folding their arms and wearing similar frowns. “Please sit down; your overwhelming testosterone is not helping me.”

“Fine, but you have to tell us everything.” Ryan threatened in a voice that would call out any bullshit, and I nodded my head.

I waited until they had sat down, then I drew in a deep breath to steady myself, and I was ready. “You know we have not been a typical couple…” I began, and they nodded, still in confusion. “Well, you remember when I told you guys that I was going to train?”

“Yeah, the time you disappeared for months and suddenly called that you were outside the country.” Dylan said, and I nodded.

“Well, I didn’t exactly go to train. I was with Toby, and I have been living in his pack.”

“Did Mom and Dad know about this?” Ryan asked me, and I scoffed, shaking my head. Like they would ever know. I was trying to erase their existence from my life. 

“No, but anyways…” I proceeded to give them an abridged version of everything that had happened since I met Toby.

“Alright, I think my head is full.” Dylan said after I finished, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “So, if I understand correctly, you and Toby have been together for a year now, and you have not completed the bond because your mate is a pussy?”

My mouth dropped open at the insult, not sure I liked hearing them call him such, but they had pretty much summed it up. “I wouldn’t say that word, but yeah, that is what happened.”

“Fucking Toby!” Dylan yelled as he stood up, banging his hands on the table, and some of the files shook. “I swear I am only holding back because he is your mate; else I would have used his blood as a fucking decor!”

Lia raised her head from her dormant state, not at all pleased with their choice of words, and I had to calm her down.

“While that would be the ideal, I still love him, and I want him very much alive.” There was a pause as I said the word, and it echoed in my ears before I realized what I had just said.

“Maddie…” Ryan began, but I closed my eyes, moving my head from side to side. 

“Just forget what I said.” I whispered as I opened my eyes. My hands were clenched into fists at my sides, my eyes flickering between them, urging them to just drop it. “He had made his decision, and I am not going to fault him for that.”

“Are you hearing yourself? You sound so fucking pathetic!” Dylan spat out, dragging his hands through his hair. “We should be on our way to his pack now and be using his intestine as a skip rope.”

“Dylan!” I yelled, and his brother held his hands, pushing him to his seat. “I am still your alpha, and you will treat me as such!”

“Yes, alpha.” They both apologized, baring their necks as a sign of submission.

“There will be no mention of killing Toby and doing whatever with his organs or blood. He is my mate, and I will deal with him as I see fit.”

“Hmm.” They grumbled under their breath, their lips twisted to the side. I didn’t need a translator to tell that they didn’t agree with my statement, but as long as they didn’t make any remarks about it, it was fine.

“Besides, it will surely pass.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Within some years, I would have forgotten about this and moved on with my life. It may even be the best decision for us.” I knew my mouth was moving, but even I doubt that those words coming out of them were mine.

“Alright, if you say so.” They said with one voice whilst they exchanged glances among themselves.

“Thank you.” I said with every sincerity. Although most of the words they had used were cruel, and they didn’t really offer me sympathy. Yet they had managed to take my side and stand for me in a way that appealed to that little child in me.

I hated sympathy, and they had just provided the comfort I needed.

“We have to go now, Maddie. Take care of yourself.” Ryan said, and both men rose to their feet.

“Take care.” I said as I watched them go, and I was left alone with my thoughts. I glanced at the work in front of me, shifting my desk closer, but even one look at it was enough to discourage.

However, I knew I had to keep myself busy; else I would succumb to the temptation of wailing for a mate that wouldn’t care.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I should have just kept quiet. I don’t even know what I was expecting. If things didn’t change in over a year, I doubt they would in a day.

No! I shook my head, refusing to go back to that part of regret. It was important I did that so that I could move forward, and I would look into other options since he had backed out.

If only Charlie hadn’t found his mate, he would have become a potential partner.

I grabbed my hair in my hands, pulling it hard until it hurt. I think I am teetering on the edge of going crazy. I closed the files in my front, my eyes too blurry from all the tears—spilled and unspilled—and I could feel the onset of a raging headache.

It was almost useless trying to do anything.

I stood up and dragged myself upstairs to my room. If I manage to sleep the rest of the day off, I know that tomorrow will definitely be better.

I got to my room, and I was dumping myself on the bed, burying my face inside the sheets. If I sniffed a little hard, I could still perceive Toby’s scent, and it was not helping me in the state I am in. Yet, the familiarity had me closing my eyes and falling asleep.



The next morning, I was jolted awake by a loud pounding on my door. I groaned, rolling to my side and refusing to acknowledge it. Instead, I shut my eyes tight and plugged my fingers in my ears, hoping to drown out the noise.

The knock came again, loud and threatening, breaking through every barrier. Frustrated, I threw the blanket off my body and stormed to the door. There was no escaping this; it was better I just attend to them.

“What do you guys want?” I barked, yanking the door with force. My irritation gave way to confusion as I saw the cake in Dylan’s hand. “Hmm… guys, what is going on?” I asked, arching a brow as I noticed their present.

The cake had Toby’s face plastered on it, and a knife was embedded in the middle with red liquid spilling from the knife.

“Why are you surprised?” Dylan smirked, but before he could finish his sentence, he froze mid-speech. His nostrils flared, and Ryan stiffened beside him, his eyes darting past me. 

A familiar scent filled the hallway, making the air feel heavy, and we all turned in unison. My heart rate quickened as I saw the person approaching, and I froze.

He is back.