Chapter 32
Elowen's POV
"You don't understand," my mother hissed, recovering her composure. "That engagement contract isn't as simple as you think. I have my own unspeakable difficulties. Everything I've done has been for your future!"
"Bullshit!" I shouted, tears streaming down my face. "Everything you've done has been for yourself! For your position as Beta! You've never given a damn about what I wanted!"
"You ungrateful little—"
"No! I'm done listening to you. I'm done being controlled. I've been marked, Mom. By both Casper and Cassian Thornwood. So whatever sick arrangement you had with Drake is over."
Her sharp intake of breath was almost satisfying.
"You WHAT?" she screeched, voice rising to a pitch I'd never heard before. "Do you have any idea what you've done? A double marking? You stupid, reckless girl!"
"At least they asked for my consent," I said, my voice dropping dangerously low. "Which is more than I can say for you and Drake."
"I'm coming to get you," she said, her tone shifting from anger to cold determination. "This is unacceptable. We'll have the marks removed—"
I laughed, a bitter sound. "That's not how it works. You know that. They're permanent. I'm theirs now, and there's nothing you can do about it."
"We'll see about that," she snarled before the line went dead.
I dropped the phone, my whole body shaking. The dam had broken, and years of pent-up emotions flooded through me. I sank back against the couch, huge sobs wracking my body. My shoulders heaved as I gasped for air between cries. I'd finally stood up to her, said all the things I'd kept inside for years. It felt terrifying and liberating all at once.
Casper pulled me against his chest, his arms secure around me. "I'm proud of you," he whispered into my hair. "So damn proud."
Cassian moved closer, his hand on my back moving in soothing circles. "We need to talk to our father," he said, voice grave. "These photos are just the beginning. There are rumors about all three of us circulating."
"What do you mean?" I asked, wiping tears from my face with shaking hands.
"Some asshole is claiming I won my championship through doping," Cassian added, ice-blue eyes burning with cold fury. "Randall's demanding an official investigation."
"Drake couldn't do all this alone," Casper said, his fingers gently stroking my hair. "Someone with power is helping him."
"My mother," I whispered, fresh dread filling me. "She threatened to have the marks removed."
The twins exchanged a dark look.
"That's not possible," Cassian stated flatly.
"She said she's coming here," I said, fresh panic rising in my throat. "She's probably already on her way."
Casper's arm tightened possessively around me. "You are home. She can't take you anywhere."
I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. The wave of panic receded, leaving me feeling hollowed out and utterly spent. My body seemed to suddenly remember all its neglected basic needs at once, now that the immediate emotional crisis had passed.
"God, I'm a mess," I muttered, glancing down at myself. "I must smell terrible." I ran my fingers through my tangled hair and wrinkled my nose. "Like stress and tears and... I need a shower. And I'm starving. I can't remember when I last ate."
Cassian's mouth quirked up at one corner. "How about we join you in that shower? I promise we'll make you feel better."
Despite everything, a blush heated my cheeks. "As tempting as that sounds, I need a minute alone to clear my head. Just... to process everything."
Casper nodded, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Use my bathroom. There are fresh towels in the cabinet."
"Thank you," I whispered, reluctantly pulling away from his warmth.
Casper's bathroom was sleek and modern, with a massive walk-in shower that could easily fit three people—which was probably the point. Under the hot spray, I let the water wash away my tears and the emotional exhaustion. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to simply feel the water hitting my skin, without thinking of photos or threats or my mother.
When I emerged wrapped in a towel, I found a neat pile of clothes waiting on the counter—a soft t-shirt that smelled like Casper and a pair of sweatpants with a drawstring I could tighten around my waist.
I had just finished dressing when there was a soft knock at the door. "El? You okay in there?" It was Cassian.
"Yeah," I called. "I'll be right out."
Both brothers were waiting when I emerged, concern etched on their handsome faces. Casper held a hairbrush in one hand and a fluffy towel in the other.
"Come here," he said softly, guiding me to sit on the edge of his bed.
He began gently drying my hair with the towel while Cassian disappeared, returning moments later with a tray laden with food—fresh croissants, scrambled eggs, sliced fruit, and steaming coffee.
"You remembered," I breathed, eyeing my favorite breakfast foods.
"Of course," Cassian said, setting the tray down. "We've been paying attention."
Casper worked the brush through my damp hair with surprising gentleness, his fingers occasionally brushing against my neck. "Your scent is driving me crazy," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "Honey and vanilla, mixed with something that's just... you."
"It's intoxicating," Cassian agreed, handing me a mug of coffee made exactly how I liked it—with just a splash of cream and a hint of sugar.
I took a grateful sip, the warmth spreading through me. "Where did you even get all this food?"
"A good Alpha is always prepared," Casper said with a slight smile, still working on my hair.
Cassian smirked. "What he means is he keeps enough food here to feed an army. Control freak that he is."
For a few precious minutes, we existed in a bubble of comfort. Casper finished with my hair, and both brothers sat with me as I devoured the food. Their body heat surrounded me, chasing away the last of the chill that had settled in my bones during the confrontation with my mother. Their easy banter and tender glances made me feel safe, protected, wanted.
"God, this is amazing," I sighed, biting into a perfectly flaky croissant. "Thank you."
Cassian smiled, looking pleased. "There's plenty more where that came from."
Casper's fingers traced the marks on my neck. "These look good on you," he said, his voice dropping to that husky tone that made my insides melt.
I was just about to respond when we heard it—the sound of car tires screeching to a halt outside, followed by a car door slamming shut with unnecessary force. Heavy footsteps stomped across the gravel, then through the building.
The peaceful moment shattered instantly. My stomach clenched, the food suddenly feeling like lead.
"She got here fast," I muttered, my heart racing again.
"She must have been already on her way when she called," Casper reasoned, moving protectively closer to me.
An angry female voice echoed from the hallway outside. "Elowen! I know you're in there! Come out this instant and get in the car!"
My blood turned to ice. My mother was here.
Casper's eyes flashed gold. "Like hell she's taking you anywhere."
Cassian stood, straightening his shirt. "I'll handle this."
"No," I said, standing on wobbly legs. "She's my mother. I need to face her."
Casper rose beside me, his hand finding mine. "Then we face her together."