Twice Tempted: Between Two Alphas (Mia and Cameron)

Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

It’s dark outside, so I’m not sure how much time has passed.

I’m surprised I was able to sleep, but in the long hours while I lay constrained on the gurney, waiting, I

guess the overwhelming stress finally pushed my body to shut down.

A small mercy, I suppose.

“The moon is rising,” Dr. Lee says.

Hmm, it’s early in the night then. When I try to sit up, I find my restraints gone. The guards are still

here. I don’t see Morgan.

Christian and Liam enter the hospital room. They head over to Cameron first. They pat his hand and

whisper hellos to him, encouraging him to wake up and see his family.

I should’ve told Cameron about his kids.

When we were in that ‘other’ space, I should’ve said something.

It’s just one more regret in what’s adding up to be so many.

“It’s time, Mia,” Dr. Lee tells me. “They have convened the Elders.”

A trial then.

Funny, how this pack could rally so hard to save Cameron, even while they conspire to punish me.

Liam helps me to my feet. He hands me clean clothes and I automatically accept them before moving

toward the bathroom in the corner of the hospital ward. They wait for me to change.

I never did get that shower.

Or a chance to eat.

It’s been one day since I’ve returned to my pack. And already, I’m about to be cast out again–or worse.

I’m hungry and tired and just so…sad.

Nala help me.

She growls and paces, pouring her energy into me.

It’s not a lot, but it is enough.

My kids…

They’re so empathic and Aaron is so proud. He’ll never get over the betrayal of his pack banishing his

mother. And Jacelyn, my little angel, she’ll be devastated to lose me.

At least, I hope that exile will be the worst of it.

I’m connected to Cameron in some way and surely that must count for something.

Killing me might kill Cameron, and that’s the one saving grace I cling to.

Nala whimpers.

I’m seconds away from breaking down. I can’t do that. Crying or showing weakness will be perceived

as guilt.

I need to be strong. To voice my truth and to appeal to their sense of justice.

I have been punished enough for treacheries that I had no part of.

They lead me out of the building and past the rows of houses.

There isn’t much time. I pause and glance at Liam. “I need to see my children.”

Liam sighs. “Yeah.”

“Liam…” Christian narrows his eyes, and I know they’re talking mind to mind. The way pack does.

The way I no longer can, since I’m not pack. Not family.

“They’re going to kill us for this,” Christian says, but he’s already relenting. “We have to be fast, okay?”

I blink away useless tears and hurry to my father’s house.

There I see my children playing games with him, and again I wonder what I ever did that made my dad

not love me. He seems so happy with them. He was never like that with me.

“Mommy!” Aaron sees me and jumps from his chair to rush into my arms.

I hug him back, loving him so much.

The thought that I might not see him after tonight…destroys me.

“Mommy?” Aaron frowns, and I quickly cross my eyes and stick out my tongue, making him laugh.

“I just missed you. And your sister,” I say as she rushes into my arms.

I squeeze her tight, smell her hair, close my eyes so I never forget a single detail of this moment.

We won’t leave them, Nala insists. We won’t.

I agree, but I’m not sure how we’ll be able to protect them when I can’t even protect myself.

I hug them close. “I’ve been healing.”

I hold up my arm where the wounds I acquired back at Eric’s lands have scabbed over.

Liam enters the house. “Your mom has to go meet with the pack now, kids.”

Aaron’s face lights up. “The pack is good, Mommy.”

“I like it here a lot,” Jacelyn agrees, nodding.

I choke back my tears. “That’s good, sweeties.”

I ruffle her hair and his, then stand with a little help from Liam.

My dad just watches, looking sad.

And not doing a thing to stand up for me.

Yet again.

“Remember, my babies. Mommy loves you more than anything. I will always love you–no matter what.”

My daughter’s eyes narrow, and she glances nervously at her brother.

My son stares at me for a long time then he nods solemnly. He slowly takes my hand. He kisses it. “We

love you, mommy. And will be with you…wherever you are.”

I ignore the unspoken plea in his eyes.

He…knows.

Maybe not everything, but enough.

My son’s strength and love fill my heart until I can barely stand up. “Always and everywhere,” I whisper.

I kiss my daughter’s head and turn to leave.

“Mia!” It’s my dad. His mouth trembles but he doesn’t have any words.

I nod. “Promise me.” I look pointedly at my kids.

“Until my last breath,” he vows.

“Mia,” Christian says quietly. “It’s time.”

I force a smile.

As I leave, what’s left of my heart is torn apart.

Liam and Chris escort me out of the main compound. We walk beyond the pack houses and the

various buildings that house vehicles, and weaponry, supplies and our archives. We move to the edge

of the grounds where the soft grass meets the woods.

The moon shines bright and full, and Nala prowls.

Silently, we three strip and shift.

The ground smells…nice.

These woods were home for most of my life, and the familiar scents and terrain bring a brief bit of joy.

Nala, too, missed this place.

A pity that this will be the last time we run these paths or breathe in the smell of pine and cedar and

rich, old earth.

All too soon, we reach the clearing. It’s marked by a ring of standing stones. A sight more suited to Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Britain or maybe Ireland or the old country in the Netherlands, where such rings were more common.

There is an outer ring of stones. They’re small and mark the start of the sacred ground. We pause here

and shift back to human.