Page 8 of Claiming Xan
Gracie and her pack were strangely quiet for a long time. I sat there, stewing in my dark thoughts and stroking Sky’s hand totry and comfort him, but inside, a war was raging. My wolf was agitated and pacing, snarling and snapping at the walls of my mind.
Finally, the Alpha spoke again. “They forced you to breed with your own brother?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
“The child…” I knew she was thinking about Sky’s condition when she’d found us. The questions she’d asked me last night.
“Was mine. Yes,” I bit out. “And it’s likely dead.” I hated that I had to say that with my sensitive brother right next to me, because Sky’s whimper sliced through my heart.
“I see,” Gracie murmured. “I did a bit of research. I’ve been up all night, in fact, trying to figure out some way to keep both you and my pack safe. I found a possible solution, one where you can stay in Rubydawn and have the protection of our pack, but I don’t think you’re going to like what will have to happen.”
“Just tell us.”
She nodded. “I did find a few case studies where Alpha-Omega twins, once separated, their energies were able to stabilize and they were able to live semi-normal lives not ruled by emotion.”
“N-No…” Sky whispered, clinging to me.
My heart began to race. “Define separated,” I said slowly.
“Split up. No contact. Living separate lives within the pack, indefinitely. I have a theory that if you were to find partners and complete the mating bond, that your energies might adhere to your mate, and therefore, you would be able to be around your brother again, but it’s only a theory.”
I stared at her, dumbstruck. Separate from Sky…forever? Did she not know how deep our bond went? But wasn’t that why we were so messed up? Because we didn’t know where I began and he ended?
Anger and pain were like blood red streaks across my vision as I hunkered in my chair and thought about a life without my twin. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. We’d been kept apart at the facility, but we were free now.
Were we, really?
Beside me, Sky began to panic, as if he could sense my coming decision. “River, no. Please, don’t do this to me. I don’t know anyone! I don’t want to be alone!”
I turned to him and cupped his face in my hands. “Shh. I’m sorry, Sky, but what if it’s the only way to stay out of Dr. Thompson’s hands? At least here, we’d be safe.”
“But I’ll never see you again,” he whimpered, fresh tears burbling free. “Where would I even go?”
“You’ll have cellphones, so you can text each other as much as you’d like,” Gracie interjected softly. “And Sky, one of my friends, Jem Murphy, is an Omega who has experienced similar grief in his life. He’s willing to take you in. He’s a very sweet young man. He understands how it feels to be alone. You’ll be in good company and he’ll take care of you.”
Sky only cried harder. I growled, slamming my fists down on the table. “Fuck! I hate this.”
“It’s not forever,” came Kace’s calm voice from across the table. “Maybe a couple of years. If your energies settle and you find mates, maybe Mom’s theory will prove correct and you can be reunited without issue. Let’s think positive.”
“Right.” I snorted.
“So you’re willing to separate?” Gracie asked, and even as Sky shook his head frantically, I sucked in a deep breath and nodded. We didn’t have any other choice. As much as I hated this, it was our only option.
After another meltdown from Sky, Gracie pulled me aside and told me I would be staying here, in the guest room. I knewwhy—she was the Alpha, and my wolf would submit to her dominant energies, even if I hated her right now.
The morning passed by in a haze. Anger took the wheel and I spent it pacing and growling. When a large, muscular man who looked more Alpha than Omega came to pick Sky up, I wanted to rip his face off.
Instead, I watched him wrap his arm loosely around my brother’s shoulders and guide him out to his car. Sky got in on the passenger side, but I didn’t miss the way he turned to look back at the house. Seeking me out.
And I’d betrayed him. Anger and pain tore through me, clawing its way out through my chest in bloody streaks. I couldn’t breathe. I buckled over, holding my roiling stomach.
Something inside of me twisted tightly, then snapped. With a snarl, I spun on my heel and stormed into the guest room that was now mine—and I lost it.
Claws out, I thrashed and spun and slashed, shattering everything and anything I could get my hands on. I trashed the room in a fit of anger and frustration until I was utterly exhausted and broken.
Then I collapsed on the bed and dropped my head into my hands. This is why our mother sold us. We were monsters. Nothing less.
For the first time in years, I cried.
