Page 43 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

Her eyes glide over all of us, taking in everyone, before she nods, opening the door for us. “I trust Jade.”

Once we’re inside, our eyes land on an elderly woman lying in a hospital bed, tubes stuck to her arms and nose, and a machine beeping next to her. “She is still in a coma,” the young woman says sadly.

“You’re related?” I ask softly.

She nods. “She is my aunt.”

I decide to take the rest of her doubts towards us away by introducing us openly. “I’m Anthony, and this is my twin brother, Henry. We’re the future alphas of Emerald Moon pack. Next to him is his mate, Elodie, and this, here, is Elise. They both work for the Council.” At the mention of the Council, her eyes indeed light up in relief. “And these two fine gentlemen are Marcel, Elise’s mate and an elite warrior of an allied pack, and Arman, the beta male of the same pack.”

The woman nods in awe. “I apologize in advance for probably not remembering your names immediately.” She smiles, brushing through her beautiful long hair. Honestly, she’d absolutely be my type, but I really don’t want to chase these affairs anymore. They tire me. Maybe I should look into finding a chosen mate? Maybe this could be her? “I’m Cassiopeia,” she explains. “And this is my aunt. She raised me as if I were her own child.”

“You’re werecats, aren’t you?” Elodie asks.

“Yes,” Cassiopeia says. “I’m a jaguar. She is a lynx.”

“A jaguar?” Elodie’s eyes widen. “They are rare! You must be of royalty?”

Cassiopeia nods. “I am a princess. We have a small pride here in this area. You know that werecat populations here are pretty small.”

“I didn’t know there was a pride here,” Elise muses. “You should visit the Council eventually. Werecats here are almost extinct, and we’d happily offer you some protection until you’re getting stronger and bigger.”

Cassiopeia’s eyes light up. “Aunty said the same a while ago. We actually wanted to visit, but then…”

“What happened?” Henry wants to know. It’s the first time he says something. I know he tries to hold back in big groups because it tends to strain his ears when there are too many people around him. It’s worse when he doesn’t know them. That’s why I normally do most of our social work.

“Maybe that’s a talk for somewhere else?” Marcel points out. “It doesn’t feel safe to discuss here. We should do that on pack grounds or at least in the Council building.”

“You are right,” Henry says earnestly.

“Do you have somewhere to stay?” I ask her.

“I’m in a hotel at the moment,” she explains. “Driving back and forth between the pride and hospital would be too much. My most entrusted warrior is currently in control of the pride until I return and take over the crown.”

“You don’t need to stay in a hotel,” I point out. “You can stay in any of our packs.”

“He is right,” Elise smiles warmly. “The Council would host you too.”

She seems to contemplate our offers, seemingly battling with her pride of not being dependent on others. I know the feeling. As an alpha, pride is my second nature… even if it will bring me troubles occasionally, it’s hard to let go.

“I would like to remain close to the hospital,” Cassiopeia finally says, without agreeing or declining any offer.

“The Council owns a hotel in the area,” Elise chimes in. “Elodie and I stay there, too, and it’s very private.”

Cassiopeia’s eyes glint in sudden interest. “Really?”

“Yes, it’s safe there for us,” Elodie agrees. “No prying ears or eyes, as it’s for supernatural beings only.”

Her comment pretty much sealed the deal, it seems, because Cassiopeia agrees to the offer the moment she realizes she’d be with other shifters mostly. I know Elodie thinks she doesn’t have what it takes for a luna, but she is attentive and smart and reacts fast.

As for the social and emotional component, fortunately, these two cute dunces will have me as a co-alpha to help out.

Elodie nods in relief at having found a solution and steps aside a bit to phone Prince Eric and update him on what’s going on and about needing an additional room for a werecat princess.

Meanwhile, Arman looks at Cassiopeia’s aunt. “What did you say was her name?” He mutters.

“I didn’t mention her name.” Cassiopeia furrows her brows. “Why?”

“Something feels familiar.” He tilts his head. “Where is she from?”

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