(Amaia) 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

I leave Rigel’s room once he is asleep and shut his door quietly so his sleep won’t be disturbed.

Standing outside his room, wearing his clothes where the shirt falls to my knees and the trousers are rolled up, I take a deep, deep breath.

I love Rigel, but he drains me, and today’s events are going to have consequences when I am not running on adrenaline and really sit down to think.

For now, I have to face Alnilam again and tell him what happened. He is going to find out from the Werewolf Council or Saiph either way, because he put Tarian there and Rigel kidnapped and killed him.

A shudder runs through me at the thought. I will never be able to get the image of Tarian’s remains in Rigel’s hands and all that blood on his face from my mind.

Slowly, I make my way to Alnilam’s office with a heavy, burdened heart. Every word he has said in the morning comes rushing back and I try not to choke on my emotions.

The door to his office is slightly open today, just an inch.

Standing outside I raise my hand to knock when Jamina’s voice makes me halt in my tracks. She is inside, speaking to Alnilam.

"How can you make such a decision? What happened to respecting the mate bond?" She questions him in a soft voice.

"Haven’t you met my father, Jamina? You of all people should understand this, and yet you continue to argue," Alnilam’s enraged voice filters through, making my heart tremble.

"I am asking you to think before making a life-changing decision. The one you might end up regretting ten years from now," she answers in a trembling voice

"Don’t talk about regrets. It feels like you are the one having regrets, not me," he accuses her again in a frustrated voice. While her voice remains soft, Alnilam appears outraged and I know it’s his guilt.

"You are not being fair, Alnilam..."

Why does it feel invasive? Like being the reason for two people who are so much in love to be fighting.

Any energy that had remained in my body drains and I almost faint from mental torture and exertion. I haven’t even eaten breakfast and whatever I had last night came tumbling out when Rigel showed me those bones.

Without knocking, I step back and leave. Deep down, I know my relationship is fucked, not only with Alnilam but with twins too. They haven’t said much since finding out that Saiph is also my mate but I fear their parents wouldn’t approve of someone who is also mated to their guard and a vampire no one knows anything about.

I walk without a destination in mind, a million thoughts swirling until I find myself outside a door. With a heavy heart, I slowly knock and hope that I am not disturbing them because I need a break from my mates.

The door is opened by Kacir and a surprise passes over his face.

"Amaia! Is everything alright?" He asks with concern.

Bless his heart, he is always so gentle and worrisome when it comes to me.

Usually, I don’t want to bother him and Rahria because they are restarting their relationship and need all the time.

"No!" I quietly say, trying to stop the shaking of my body.

Rahria pokes her head from the side of his lanky shoulder and watches me with worries decorating her forehead.

Without asking any questions, she grabs my wrist and pulls me inside.

"Come, let’s have a chat." I go willingly.

Kacir observes me with anxious eyes as Rahria takes me towards her bed and sits me down.

"Kac! Water," she tells Kacir and sits down beside me.

I clasp my hands together to stop them from shaking.

Rahria sharply observes me while Kacir fetches me water. With trembling hands, I accept, and Kacir’s forehead creases in trepidation.

I take a small gulp of water.

"Why are you shaking? What happened?" Hurt laces his voice while Rahria gives him a look and answers on my behalf.

"She is overwhelmed, surrounded by all those brutes. They did something, didn’t they?"

Slowly, I nod before burying my face in my hands and breaking down.

Kacir’s calming presence instantly shrouds me, as he hugs me sideways and I place my head on his shoulder.

I hiccup and hold onto him. "It’s alright, we are here for you."

Slowly, he rubs my head while Rahria thumps my back.

"Yes, tell me which one hurt you, and I will go and teach him a lesson except that vampire, sorry, he scares me to death," Rahria dramatically says.

With tears, I smile as both of them stay beside me, making small jokes.

I stay quiet, not wanting to discuss every macabre and ugly detail of what’s happening in my life and they don’t push me to talk about what’s happening. I am thankful to them.

"Can I crash here for a few hours?" I apologetically ask.

"Of course, no brute is walking through that door. Take my bed," Rahria offers, signalling to Kacir. He nods and gets up.

"Rest, no one will disturb you. Replenish your energy." They only think I have three mates, wait till they find out I have five but that’s a discussion for another time. Wrapped up in Rigel’s clothes, I lay down and Rahria covers me with a blanket. Kacir draws the curtain and picks up the candle from the table near me, taking it away.

Shutting my mind and every link off, I close my eyes and slowly drift into sleep, leaving my worries behind.

I don’t know how long I sleep but no one wakes me up, my eyes open and it’s dark in the room, only a night candle burns.

I find Rahria and Kacir, playing chess, sitting at the table. I try to speak but sleep takes me again.

Finally, someone’s soft touch wakes me up. My eyes still feel so heavy when I order them to open and the familiar face comes into view.

"Hey! Sorry, I had to wake you up but we have a situation," Alnitak’s handsome face and apologetic voice make me slowly sit up. There is an underlying urgency.

An angry Rahria is standing behind him.

"I tried but he was insistent. He needs to take you away."

I smile at her. "Thank you for letting me crash."

"Anytime."

Alnitak scoops me up in his strong arms and before I know it he is carrying me out of the room.