Page 136 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

He gave me a home, and I can’t lose it again.

“Think of what I told you,” Auset says softly.

I nod, still feeling overwhelmed by what she told me once we left the meeting and let Tony, Henry, and his father plan the attack.

“It’s your birthright,” Auset says. “But it doesn’t mean you need to accept it.”

I close my eyes, trying to think what my mom and grandmother would advise me to do. “It’s just…” I mutter.

“I know.” Auset wraps me in her warm arms. “You have a choice, Dalila. But even if your family would still be around, none of them would be able to make this choice for you.” She pauses. “And I can tell you already what your second mom would say.”

“What would Nephthys say?”

“Nothing.” Auset smiles sadly. “Deities like her or Selene, the moon goddess, do believe in the autonomy of their children. And while Bastet was involved in our case and led Arman, it’s a very rare occasion for her to meddle with the humans.” She pulls back a bit, taking my face between her hands. “You shouldn’t see it as a sacrifice, Dalila, because it isn’t. But you are your own person, and if you don’t want to accept that offer, you won’t need to, and no one will ever hold it against you.”

I stay silent, still not sure what to think or feel.

“I can organize a meeting,” she tells me.

“That’s possible?” I blink.

“Of course.” She smiles. “How about for now you go outside a bit, get some fresh air, and greet your friends. They are back now for the last couple of preparations.”

“Are they going to take off that fast?” I ask, surprised.

“I’m sure they will want to attack today,” Auset says. “There is no gain in waiting any longer. They know as much as they can. The twins from the Council are probably just getting some protection amulets in case a spell will hit them.”

“It’s too easy,” I say, feeling worried.

“What do you mean?”

“The building, everything about it… it’s easy to invade. I’m sure they will be able to get there without any problems.” I pause. “But it’s too simple. And they aren’t prepared for what’s waiting for them.”

“That’s because you can’t be prepared for what a deity has planned,” she says. “Apophis definitely has some barriers up.” She sighs. “The only thing you can do is trust in their abilities.”

“But I don’t know their abilities. I don’t know anything at all,” I point out. “All I can do is be ignorant.”

“You aren’t ignorant,” Auset reassures me. “You are still learning.”

My thoughts go back to Tony and how she is right… all I can do is trust that he will do the right thing. This won’t be the last time he will go into battle, either. After the last two weeks, I’ve begun to realize that this is their reality… there are wars, battles, attacks from other supernatural beings, and I’m part of this now.

“I want that meeting, if possible,” I tell Auset, and she nods. “And you are right. I will go to see my mate and friends meanwhile.”

“Go ahead, dear.”

I leave her hospital room, which looks more like a command center at the moment, to look for Tony and Henry. Tony had called me before and told me that they were on their way. Pity the mind link doesn’t work over long distances. It doesn’t take me long to find him, as on my way, I bump into Cassiopeia, who immediately links our arms and helps me find everyone.

“How come you find them so fast?” I ask.

“As shifters, our senses are much better,” she tells me. “Wolves have an exceptional sense of smell and great hearing, whereas cats have fantastic hearing and particularly sharp eyes.”

“Must come in handy at times.” I chuckle. “I wish I would have some of my werecat senses.”

“In your heart, you will always be a werecat,” she tells me. “At least to me you are. It doesn’t matter that you lost your cat spirit or that it was taken from you to save you. You will always have a place in my pride.”

“Really?” I ask her, surprised.

“Of course.” She squeezes my arm. “Though something tells me you will be just fine with the wolves.”

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