Page 55 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

She nods with a smile. “Same. Mom and Dad would have loved you, or at least that’s what I believe they would. I can’t remember them, but I refuse to believe that anyone could not love you.”

Her words touch me. I wrap my arms tighter around her, swallowing the lump in my throat. All her life, it had only been her and Elodie until Prince Eric met them and started to support them. I will make sure she will never feel lonely again.

I carry her all the way downstairs to the dining room, loving how she doesn’t feel the least bit embarrassed. Outside, there seems to be a thunderstorm approaching, in winter. The Council is right; it’s clearly higher forces at work here. Good thing my beautiful, smart mate and her sister started investigating it.

Elise kisses my neck and smiles, enjoying how I carry her through the dining room and how everyone stares at us and hollers their congratulations. She loves the attention, and I love that she loves it. Only when I reach our table do I let her down.

“Really?” Tony grins. “I thought my brother was weird, but you just took the mantle.” He smirks at Henry. “No offense.”

“What do you mean with no offense!?” Henry glares while sounding very offended.

“No offense,” Tony points out again lazily, making Henry just fume more. These two are impossible. Good thing at least one of them has found their mate. They will need all forces to make sure they have their minds set once they become alpha.

Elodie looks at me first before she turns to look at her sister. She seems to instantly notice the mark there. I almost fear she will get pissed because we did it so fast or even sad because she and Henry haven’t marked yet, but to my surprise, her lips tug slightly, and she smiles at me. “Welcome to the family.”

It’s weird because I can swear I can feel a bond to her, too. But it’s different to the intense, crazy fuck-bot bond I feel to Elise. It’s more like what I feel for my sister, Jazz. A sibling bond. Probably because they are identical twins.

This is amazing. In just twenty-four hours, I gained so much. I have a mate now and an additional sister.

20

Emergencies

*ANTHONY*

I’mgenuinelyimpressedthatMarcel and Elise went all in immediately. It’s awesome, they are funny and adorable together. The Moon Goddess truly knows who she matches against who.

Just for me, she messed up. I wonder why she did what she did. I can feel the usual pain in my chest, a dull ache that soon turns into something stronger. Once it does, I can feel Henry’s eyes on me, and Elodie’s too, thanks to her having built a sibling bond to me.

Exactly what I needed. Twice the attention.

I try to will the crushing sadness down, and for a split second, I wonder if I should reach out to Lysander. But then I don’t. He hasn’t answered me in weeks, and I’m tired of it. I’m fucking fed up.

Instead of reaching out, I just open the mind link to him, hoping he will get the message.You know what,I hiss in a sudden spout of anger.You’re supposed to be my best friend, the other part of my soul. I was hurt, too, for fuck’s sake, but you don’t care. I don’t mean shit to you, so don’t expect me to be all cuddly once you decide to grace me with your fucking presence again.

Something in my mind stirs slightly, but I make sure to slam the blockade up again. I have enough to do with my own pity party. I don’t need my unresponsive wolf to deal with either.

“Mom made some jam,” Henry says, pushing the bottle of freshly made strawberry jam towards me. It’s his favorite, and he normally claims it instantly, metaphorically biting off anyone’s hand who reaches for it.

I sigh a bit. Henry has always been like that. He doesn’t know how to console someone and kind of resorts to offering food, like a kitty going on a hunt and presenting its owner with a dead bird or mouse. I remember when I was fourteen and had a horrible fight with Dad. Henry later brought s’mores to me, pretending as if he had them just coincidentally.

Who carries s’mores around spontaneously and claims it’s just a coincidence they have them? It’s typical for Henry. It can be nice and doting in his own way.

Tony,Henry links me.I-I… do you want coffee too? Or maybe some fresh toast?

My heart melts a bit. He is a great brother, even if he sucks at feelings. “Do we have toast somewhere?” I ask.

Henry instantly jumps up and makes sure to get me some toast, then sets off again to fetch Elodie some fresh coffee. He might not look like it, but he is a sucker for her. He is smitten… and he has never been smitten by anyone before. He might not display his affection like Elise and Marcel do for each other, but it’s in the little gestures. He subtly touches her whenever they are close, having a hand on her arm or on her back, and he looks at her like she is pooping rainbows.

It’s cute, and despite the void I feel inside me, I’m relieved to realize that I am happy for him. They are a great fit.

While Henry makes sure his mate has plenty to eat and drink, kissing the side of her head gently, Mom and Beta Deacon join us, too. Deacon ruffles Henry’s hair like he is still a little boy, which we all know he only does to annoy him. Henry indeed glares at him, but when Elodie brushes her fingers through his messed-up hair, his glare loses its heat.

“Miracles,” Deacon snorts.

Deacon’s not mated currently. He had a mate once, a young guy who rejected Deacon for a more powerful chosen mate… an alpha. It didn’t end well. Looking back at it now, I can understand Deacon’s grief so much more. He never went to search for his second chance. He barely leaves the pack grounds, and I think it’s because parts of his heart never fully healed.

“Your father is coming any minute,” Mom tells us with a smile before she turns her attention fully towards Henry and Elodie.

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