Page 102 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

“And the cult?” I ask.

“You listened well to Zahra’s story, it seems,” she nods approvingly. “Them, you need to find.”

“But—”

“Listen, my dear child, we don’t have a lot of time.” She takes my hand. “You know now you are a werecat, although you never got your cat spirit.” She pauses. “But you aren’t without powers. You’re smarter than most humans around you, you have sharp instincts, and you are blessed.” She points at my heart. “Don’t forget who your mothers are. You are part deity, and you have something from me, my gift of protection.”

I tilt my head while a beeping noise comes closer to me. Shaking my head to get it out of my ear, I try to focus on her. I want to know what kind of gift it is and how I can use it, but the beeping gets louder.

Nephthys hugs me once more. “Apophis,” she whispers before she starts to fade.

What? I want to call out for her, reaching out my hand, but instead of grabbing her, it hits something hard. The beeping sound gets louder, annoyingly so, and I grumble slightly.

“Dalila.” I can hear a gentle voice.

So beautiful, such a beautiful voice. I turn a bit, snuggling closer to the voice, until I can feel warm hands on my body.

“Dalila.” The voice calls out again.

I force my eyes open. “You are loud,” I grumble. “And the stupid beeping is annoying.”

“You are back with us!” Tony exclaims.

Hm.

My eyes widen at the sudden realization. Right, I’m with Tony! I force my eyes open, looking directly into Tony’s. He looks like he has cried. He is clearly terrified.

“I’m here,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “I’m okay.”

“Goddess,” Tony breathes out before gently embracing me. “I-I’m so glad.”

“What happened?” I mutter while I can see a nurse and a doctor entering. They check me, but I don’t really pay them attention. My whole focus is on Tony, wanting to reassure him that he isn’t going to lose me.

“You had a panic attack and wouldn’t wake up again. Luna Giselle had you brought to the infirmary immediately. You were out for hours.”

I reach out my hand, gently brushing over his cheek. “I promise I’m okay. I’m sorry for worrying you. It was just so overwhelming.”

“I can imagine,” he mutters, rocking me in his arms.

“Don’t you find it…” I pause, not sure how to continue. “Don’t you think I’m a freak?”

“No.” He blinks. “Why would I think that?”

“Because technically, I shouldn’t exist,” I say quietly. Before he can say something, I shake my head. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m eternally thankful for Nephthys saving my life and my mom’s, and I’m thankful she made sure I was born, but technically—”

“You are my mate, Dalila, my wonderful, smart, funny, cute mate,” he says earnestly. “And you heard Zahra, your old self didn’t all die; only parts of it did, and you merged with something else instead. I couldn’t care less for what you are. You are you.”

I wrap my arms around him in a sudden burst of emotions. “I love you,” I blurt out.

Yeah, awesome. I’m back to being awkward. Nephthys might be somehow my mother, but I certainly didn’t inherit any of her grace or eloquence.

“I love you too,” Tony says. “You are my everything.”

My heart skips a beat in joy. “Isn’t it too early to say we love each other?”

“Not at all,” he exclaims. “I love you, I love you, I love you, I—”

“Okay, I got it. Don’t make it a cringey moment.” I grin, clasping my hand over his mouth just for him to kiss and lick it. “I can’t believe you just did that!?” I groan.

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