Chapter 12: Chapter 11

Lanie Less than two hours until midnight.

Funny how | didn’t think about what them not mating with me tonight would mean for my future.

I'd been so caught up in the moment, that | didn’t think about the alternative.

And now that I’ve thought about it?

Well, f uck.

| have two options right now, and both of them are awful.

Mate these two as sholes who are hot as hell and | know I'll enjoy, even thought they’re in love with someone else...

Or don’t mate them and the elders will punish all of us and I'll likely get stuck with whatever two li mp-di cked ol d-a ss guys they can dig up from their graves.

“Life. Is. Grand,” | murmur to my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror in my quarters.

After I'd stormed off from Xander’s office, I'd realized I'd made a mistake.

| had no idea where to go, how to hide.

Because the last thing | wanted to do was run into Alice in the hallways.

Thankfully, a lovely woman named Erin had found me wandering and showed me to my suite of rooms. I'd been hiding in here ever since.

When Xander and Zane wanted me, they’d know where to find me.

| stared at my auburn curls pulled up in a messy bun, my well-loved Docs, and my ripped jeans. Biker chick sheek probably wasn't the look they went for, based on Alice.

Contemplating the possibility of mating, | yanked the hair tie from my hair and shook it out, letting it fall into a curtain down my back. It reached my waist, and | refused to cut it.

| loved it long, but it tended to garner a lot of attention when | wore it down, so most people didn’t realize just how long it was.

Would Xander and Zane like it?

My stomach knotted at the image of them running their fingers through it, or it draped around them as | rode one of them...

me.

Grimacing, | hurriedly pulled it back up into a messy bun.

Asoft knock echoed through my suite and back to the bedroom.

| made my way out of the bedroom, through the front sitting area, and peered out the peephole Erin again. Whew.

“Hi” | opened the door wide and smiled.

“Hi again. | thought you might be hungry.” Erin returned my smile and lifted the tray she was carrying a bit.

“| hadn’t thought about it before, but now that you mention it, I’m starving.”

Erin walked over to the coffee table in front of the couch and set the tray down, then stood there, peering at “Have a seat with me. | could use the company, if you have a minute.” | sat down on the light gray suede couch and lifted the silver-domed lid off the plate of food.

Steak, mashed potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Perfect.

If | had to be here, at least they would feed me well.

And my rooms were pretty great.

Everything was newly updated, with sleek, modern appliances all in stainless steel, and the decor was simple and elegant, mostly black, cream, and grays. Which | loved. And whoever had decorated the room had added splashes of emerald green, deep blue, and rich purple.

| couldn't have done better if I'd designed it myself.

And, holy s hit, it was big. It was basically my own fully furnished luxury apartment.

| had no idea who'd really be visiting me here, but | was glad to have a separate living space from the bedroom instead of just having a bedroom and bathroom.

And the bathroom? Yeah, I’d be indulging in that big soaking pool, complete v with jets.

“How are you holding up?” Erin pushed a stand of straight black hair behind her ear. The chic cropped cut looked amazing on her and had me thinking for a millisecond that something along those lines might be fun to try.

“I'm...” | paused, not entirely sure how to answer. “I’m here. That's about all | know right now.”

Erin nodded. “I can completely understand that. When | was first mated to Gavin and Stephen, it was terrifying. | had no idea what to expect in general. And then having to live in this place on top of it? Yeah.”

“To be honest, | have no freaking idea what I’m doing.” | sighed, picked up a fork, and pushed my mashed potatoes around on my plate. “How is this all supposed to work? Like, everyone saw what happened today. I’m simultaneously terrified they are going to walk in here to complete the mating, and desperately want it to happen.”

Girl you and everyone else who's ever been mated.” Erin laughed, then reached over and placed a comforting Ziyou hand on my knee. “I know you're in a different situation than most, given the whole Alice situation, but it could be worse. You could be the one mated to Gregory and Lucas.”

Erin and | shuddered at the same time.

“| know. Trust me.” | set my fork down, my appetite gone. “I do feel for Alice. Really. | just wish | didn’t have to be stuck in the middle of this. | think what Xander and Zane are doing is commendable. Those two shouldn’t ever be mated to anyone else, ever. And | can’t imagine being in her shoes, but...”

Erin looked at me sympathetically when | trailed off. “But now you’re the meat in a s hit sandwich.”

An unexpected giggle burst forth. “Yes! Exactly.”

“| know it might not seem like it, but I’ve gotten to know Xander and Zane. They’re not as scary as they’re coming off today. | can promise you, they'll make a decision that will protect you both. You can count on that. Trust them.”

| was about ask her for more information when a heavy fist pounded on the door.

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