Page 9 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

She smirks mischievously. They are truly a set of crazy twins, which is why the four of us didn’t get along first. That… and because Henry and I were true shitty assholes at the beginning.

“I’m so glad you were able to stay here for your birthday. I was worried you’d travel back to Paris for it,” I say.

She smiles. “Elodie and I were thinking about it but then wanted to stay here for our birthday to be with all of you. We talked to Prince Eric, and he approved of it.”

Prince Eric is their direct superior, as they are working as his advisors. He is one of the princes of the Council. Together with a group of chosen princes and princesses, he is part of the inner circle of the council and currently makes the decisions. As long as there is no reigning king, the inner circle is responsible for ruling. “Pity he didn’t make it, though.”

“Yeah.” She chuckles. “But it’s okay. It’s incredibly busy in Paris now, especially with the branch they’re opening here on this continent. He is actually glad Elodie and I are still here to oversee that everything goes smoothly.” She links our arms. “Come, Elodie is back there.”

“Awesome.” I beam. “I want to say hello to her too and congratulate her.”

We make our way to her sister, who smiles at me. She is a bit more serious than Elise and definitely more direct. “Hello, Anthony.”

“Elodie, happy birthday!”

“He was able to tell us apart again,” Elise tells her with a giggle.

“Well, to me, you have completely different auras and characters,” I muse. “Also, Henry and I are identical twins, too, and we had the same hairstyle when we grew up. I think as a twin you get used to seeing even the tiniest differences between you and your sibling.”

Elodie nods. “I think so too. Henry and you don’t look all that similar to me, though you are identical twins. And it’s not just because you dress differently and have different hairstyles.” She pauses. “You just… it’s not the same…” She looks around, and for a split second, I can see a hint of hurt in her eyes. “Did Henry not come?”

“Oh, he came,” I reassure her, surprised by her reaction. Elodie is the tough one, a bit harsh sometimes, and she has a sharp tongue. I’m not used to seeing her vulnerable, even if it was just a short moment. “But he received a call from one of our allied alphas and had to take it. He is going to be here in a minute.”

Elodie looks relieved and smiles. “Of course.”

Elise looks at her sister, surprised, but soon recovers. “It’s good to see you two stepped up your game.”

“It was about time,” I admit. “You know better than anyone else how irresponsible we were. We can’t continue like that. We have a pack that relies on us, and Dad wants to retire too one day.”

“Especially now with the baby coming,” Elise muses. She eyes me warily. “Does your father know?”

I instantly know what she is talking about. The family secret Henry and I discovered a few years ago, and that made us spiral. I shake my head, a twinge of pain in my chest. “No, we haven’t told him yet.”

“I understand your reasons,” Elodie says earnestly. “But you need to tell him the truth eventually, or it will eat you up.”

I don’t really want to talk about it, so I just nod. The less I argue with people, the easier they will let a subject drop. It works because soon Elise and Elodie start to chat about something else. They even introduced me to some of their friends from the Council. Eventually, more and more people drop in to congratulate them, and I decide to give them some space.

Stepping away from them, I’m suddenly aware that I’m on my own again. To feel lonely in a mass of people. It’s weird.

My stomach churns slightly at the familiar feeling, and my heartbeat picks up. I grab a glass of prosecco from a waitress passing me, flashing her a bright smile. She giggles a bit. I contemplate following her and seducing her, but two girls in a night is too much and will raise suspicions from Henry.

The twin bond is a gift and curse alike. Most of the time, we know when something is off, and if I’m not careful, he will know that something is off.

I make a beeline to the restrooms instead and grab the small bottle in my bag, taking one of the pills and swallowing it. I went to a human therapist for them because I didn’t want anyone in the pack to find out. I grimace slightly. I hate them, but they help.

Everything alright?Henry links me.

Yes,I say shortly.Just drank too much.

Is that so?I can almost feel his frown.

I won’t take any of that shit now, especially when I can feel his own anxiety.What about you? Something is off. I know it.

Henry is quiet.I’m fine.A pause.I drank too much.

You weren’t even at the party until now,I argue.

He seems to contemplate his words.Let’s just leave it at that.

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