Chapter 80: Chapter 80

“It seems we’ve returned just in time to fully enjoy,” Ethan commented with an animated and excited tone. Liam remained in his place, his eyes showing a dreamy expression, momentarily forgetting Aly’s presence.

“Men,” Aly whispered with a soft chuckle, while the twin brothers seemed oblivious to her playful remark. She agilely dove underwater and brushed the wet strands away from her forehead.

Both Liam and Ethan needed a brief moment to regain their composure; the tension in their swim trunks betrayed their interest. That cold shower had a comical effect on me, and I found myself silently laughing.

The twins made me feel mature and attractive, as if I weren’t the inexperienced young woman I used to be. They accepted me as I was, giving me an unparalleled confidence. I slid along the pool’s edge, keeping my gaze locked on theirs as I retrieved my forgotten bikini top.

“We’re learning more about you, dear,” Ethan joked. “In such a hurry to shed your clothes. Make sure we never intoxicate you.”

The twins didn’t focus on my bare chest; they saw the situation as a whole. It wasn’t merely the sight of my breasts that excited them, but the fact that those breasts belonged to me. This perception infused a possessive tone into my thoughts, filling me with a gentle satisfaction.

“You chose this bikini for me. It’s not my fault if the top ended up a bit snug, Ethan,” I retorted, adding a hint of sarcasm to my voice, just in case. It was amusing and enticing how this slight attitude seemed to further excite the twins.

Ethan’s eyes darkened, and Liam’s smile stirred something within me. “Hmm, we should have called her a kitten, if your friend wasn’t here. Small things usually hide sharp claws,” Liam whispered with a chuckle, turning his head to the side as he watched me put on the bikini top.

“If your friend weren’t present, I’d say you should just forget about the top and bottom altogether,” Ethan countered in his characteristic husky tone, pushing strands of hair away from his face in a gesture that tensed his muscles.

“Let’s not start with the seductive words, Alpha,” Aly exclaimed from the pool’s edge. She climbed up and sat down, glaring at the twins with a look that seemed ready to kill. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh at the scene. Though perhaps not the most charming laughter, it exuded an undeniable sense of freedom and happiness.

I had never felt so liberated before. I had finally left behind the worries that had plagued my mind for years. For once, I could act my age, and I wanted to savor every moment before the inevitable catastrophe unfolded.

Aly looked like an imposing queen on her throne, sitting at the pool’s edge as she observed my two dominant alphas. A pool queen, I thought to myself with a soft laugh.

“What are you thinking?” Liam joked, raising an eyebrow toward Aly. He wore that fiery look that characterizes most incredibly attractive men, and I was completely hypnotized by him. The way his dark eyes caught the sunlight, revealing shades between milk and dark chocolate, stirred something in my chest that fluttered. If I didn’t trust my self-control so much, I would have sworn that a drool thread escaped from my chin.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” Aly snorted, keeping her composure. She held Liam’s gaze before continuing.

“That might work with your lovestruck partner, but not with me. You won’t get me out of this pool so you can get dirty with Sussan. Your regrets are your own.”

“Show them, Aly. They won’t get anything from me!” I laughed, sticking my tongue out at both Liam and Ethan. Ethan gave me a look that made me clench my legs. For my own safety, I decided to keep talking.

“Well, at least not for now.”

“Wow, you’re just as naughty as they are,” Aly smiled, leaning forward and diving into the pool. She was far enough away to not get the full splash, but I felt a light mist spray my face.

I turned to Liam and Ethan, who were looking at me with identical expressions of interest and amusement. Their eyebrows raised, their lips curved, and their deep eyes followed every movement of my chest as I breathed.

“Are you really not going to give us anything?” Ethan pondered, then smoothly discarded his shirt. It was a fluid motion that drew my eyes to the muscles outlining his abdomen and chest. Liam did the same, and standing side by side, they looked like fallen twins, as if they had been sent to steal my breath away. They possessed warrior-like bodies, powerful and muscular, marked with scars they had earned in battle. Liam had always been slightly leaner than Ethan, who seemed to accumulate muscles in an unmatched way. It was a subtle difference, barely noticeable to most, but I noticed it. I was aware of every detail about the twins.

“Did I say no, for now?” I pleaded, though my voice sounded fragile like a question. They knew I wouldn’t be able to resist them. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. The attraction I felt toward them was overwhelming, all-consuming. Feeling their emotions only intensified that connection. It was hard to separate their feelings from mine. I could sense their emotional states as if they were my own, and they often ended up being just that. It was challenging not to catch irritation when someone was in a bad mood, just as it was difficult not to feel anger when someone was furious.

Little by little, I began to distance myself from the intense emotions of others, but the twins were an exception. Our connection was too strong, and separating from them was magically complicated. To be honest, I didn’t mind in the least. I enjoyed knowing how they felt, and for the most part, we were usually in sync. Their joy was my joy, and vice versa.

I didn’t have a chance to say anything more as Ethan launched himself into the pool with surprising speed. I could barely scream and step back before the cold pool water splashed me. The faint scent of chlorine hung in the air, mixed with Ethan’s dampness. A masculine scent with a touch of a rich, musky cologne. It fit perfectly with his strong and serene personality.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist as Ethan submerged himself underwater. With his hair plastered to his forehead and cheeks, I let out a shriek as he lifted me in his arms. The air around us was laden with humidity, the cool, cold water, and Ethan’s chest radiated comforting warmth. He dispelled the cold of the water, replacing it with something dark and carnal. That something was a promise.

“Control that attitude, darling,” scolded Ethan with a soft laugh in my ear. A shiver ran down my spine as I was pressed against his chest, my heart beating almost painfully. Ethan caught the shiver and smiled slowly. When he spoke, his sharp, white fangs barely peeked out.

“You talk big for someone who can’t even stand to be touched without soaking their swimsuit.”

“Are you sure we won’t get anything from you?” Liam murmured near my ear, causing me to startle and almost scream.

“Did I startle you, darling?” He had moved so silently that I hadn’t even noticed. Well, I would have noticed if I hadn’t been absorbed in the endless abyss that was Ethan. The water barely stirred around him, completely undisturbed. It was something I hadn’t really noticed before in Ethan. I had only seen him act like this in battle once, and it wasn’t something I wished to repeat. Had he always been this quiet, this stealthy?

“Have you always been this quiet?” I asked, furrowing my brow at his confident expression.

“Haven’t you noticed yet?” Liam taunted, one hand resting on his muscular chest. His lips curved into a charming smile. His teeth were perfect, just like his brothers’, and his sharp fangs stood out in my attention.

“I’ll have to work even harder on being even more… discreet.”

“Don’t start sneaking up on me now,” I huffed, trying to dissipate the intense s****l tension that was clearly taking its course between the three of us.

I caught glimpses of Aly’s emotions floating somewhere in the expanse of the pool, and I was relieved to sense that they were all positive. I hoped my earlier promise had helped soothe some of those intense emotions. I didn’t blame her for those feelings, and I never would. I understood why she felt that way, and I knew there was nothing wrong with it. I simply longed for her other half, desired her more than anything else. This only made me appreciate even more what I had with Liam and Ethan. I knew this bond couldn’t be replicated, couldn’t be replaced by anyone else. It just wasn’t meant to belong to one person; it was destined for two.

Aly granted us a few more minutes before intervening, pointing out that we were about to shed our clothes and carry out what would surely be a very interesting act. While she was partly mistaken, her words still had an effect. My face was constantly flushed, which would surely last the rest of the night. Don’t get me wrong, I could have brushed against Liam and Ethan at least fifty times before I was satisfied with their intense gazes and barely concealed growls.

Finally, Liam and Ethan ventured into the kitchen, causing Aly and me to salivate at the intoxicating aroma of cooked meat, marinara sauce, and vegetables. The two of us were lounging by the pool on extremely comfortable lounge chairs. Aly had a thin layer of sunscreen on, while I pretended to work on a tan. I had gotten quite sunburned, but over time, I acquired at least two shades of tan. I pondered the healing effects of werewolves on sunburns when Liam and Ethan returned with two plates of food. Not only had they both cooked, but the food they brought was absolutely delicious. It was undoubtedly a gift from their mother, who had learned most of her Italian recipes from her husband’s mother.

Aly let out an audible sound of pleasure when she bit into a generous slice of garlic bread and put on an exaggerated performance, clutching her chest and asking for another portion. I couldn’t blame her; she could probably eat until she was full. I simply pushed my plate away when I was satisfied and content. I made a mental note to thank their mother later and ask her for some cooking lessons.

We headed back indoors just as the sun began to sink behind the trees.

The scent of chlorine hung in the air of the living room, but I was starting to feel comfortable with that aroma. From that moment on, I would associate memories of freedom and happiness with the slight tingle of chlorine.

Nestled on the couch between the twins, a bowl of popcorn in my lap, I couldn’t imagine a place I’d rather be. The blanket that covered the three of us enveloped us in a warm embrace, infused with the musky scent of the twins. Liam’s scent had a spicier undertone, in perfect harmony with his personality.

Aly had turned herself into a human burrito, watching the horror movie on the big screen with wide-open eyes. She had devoured a bag and a half of popcorn and was still going strong. However, I wasn’t one to judge; the twins and I were also feasting, feeding our appetites as werewolves.

After three movies and laughing until my face hurt, Aly finally ventured to head to bed. She was leaving in the morning and procrastinating packing until the last minute before the High Council meeting. I didn’t blame her; I had barely touched my suitcase or the closet full of clothes. An uneasy feeling churned in my stomach, foreboding that this little cabin would be the last time I would truly feel safe, completely immune.

An hour later, the twins and I ventured to the pool. The humidity had increased throughout the day, and just a few minutes outside had my face glistening with sweat. The water was warmer than usual, having been under the blazing sun for hours. I slipped into the water and sighed as the coolness of the liquid caressed my skin. The twins followed me, Liam as quiet as ever.

We swam separately for a while, floating and gazing at the stars shining above us. Although we could be apart for a time, we always came back together, united once more.

My back rested against Ethan’s chest as I held Liam’s face between my hands. His lips were soft, with a hint of popcorn saltiness, but they tasted delicious in his k**s. His wet hair was silky smooth under my fingers, and when I tugged at his hair, he let out a soft growl. Ethan’s hands traveled up my arms and settled on my shoulders. I shivered as his lips found the hollow of my throat, eliciting an involuntary sigh.

Liam withdrew from my lips, but he didn’t pull away. His gaze was tender, and his emotions spoke louder than his words. He loved me, no matter how much time had passed since we first met. It might have been only a few months in human terms, but that… that meant everything. Our bond understood what we were to each other, and few humans were fortunate enough to experience such a connection.

Ethan’s emotions mirrored those of his brother, and I longed for the moment when I could express the same to him. Both of them knew, the twins. They were aware that I loved them, even though they couldn’t taste that sweetness like I could. They couldn’t feel my emotions in the same way, but they still knew.

“There’s something we wanted to talk about, darling,” Ethan murmured in a husky voice as his lips continued to descend down my neck. I tried to focus on his words, but they lazily floated in my mind as I fell once again under his spell. His progress halted right at the hollow of my throat, his tongue pressing against the spot that made my legs tremble. He effortlessly captured me, preventing my slow descent into the cool waters of the pool. The sparks that ignited when they touched me, Liam and Ethan, surged through my body like lightning, all radiating from that place on my neck.

“I don’t think I heard a word you said, brother,” Liam chuckled softly, his dark eyes framed by his onyx-black lashes.