(Amaia)

Headmaster Fallon announces that Guild Leo has been chosen for Inter Guild Wars.

"Yahhhh! We did it," Alnitak cheers and is the first one to hug me. Mintaka follows, grinning ear to ear and then Kacir and Rahria join for a group hug.

"We are going to Istrale and beat them at their home ground," Rahria says with determination.

"Yes, we are. We are going to do it for Jamina." My heart constricts at the thought of her.

"Yes, we will," Mintaka whispers in my ear.

Chastain Hase; our guild captain and other seniors gather around us.

"Well done. It’s on your shoulders to bring the glory to our house and Orion."

Chastain thumps our backs and all of us nod at him.

Luthial and Cristo walk over and congratulate us along with our seniors.

"You guys deserve it." Luthial does a high five with all of us.

"We are sure the victory will be of Orion. Go guys, I will be praying for all of you every moment I am not sleeping."

We laugh at Cristo’s choice of words. The atmosphere becomes lighter and we find ourselves happy after a long time.

Ramian and his mate watch us with resentment. I know this has to be because his father has the same status as King Orion. He is part of the Elite Five Kings of the supernatural world. The guild of twins being chosen against his will results in jealousy.

"We all know why you guys were chosen. Favouritism and we don’t even have a proper Guild Master," he hisses at us and I know he is trying to undermine Saiph again.

"I think he fried your brain during one of the sessions. That’s why you are unable to comprehend the truth fully," I smugly answer him, making his face contort with anger.

"You think you are someone special because you are mated to twins and a vampire. You are a mere human..." Ramian doesn’t even get to complete his words when Rigel grabs his neck and effortlessly lifts him off his feet.

The rage that exudes from him is terrifying and it makes Ramian go all pale.

"I dare you to finish that sentence." Rigel brings him closer to his fuming face. The twins behind me chuckle and for the first time, I don’t want to stop Rigel.

"That’s enough," Saiph intervenes, pulling them apart.

If Rigel partially listens to anyone after me, it’s Saiph.

Ramian heaves a sigh of relief while Rigel watches him with blood in his eyes.

"Another word about Amaia and I won’t be responsible for what happens to him next."

The argument continues when Alnilam’s quiet voice reaches us.

"Report to my office, Guild Leo." Silently he walks away.

Stepping forward I squeeze Rigel’s arm. "Meet me later." His eyes shift towards me and mellow down.

"I will."

With a smile, I walk away with the twins.

"If only Ezran had wrung his neck before Saiph’s involvement," Alnitak snickers on my right side.

"Would have done all of us a service," Rahria answers with a snort.

"Ramian is a prick, glad Ezran sees that." Mintaka keeps his arms around my shoulder.

We arrive outside Alnilam’s office and Kacir softly knocks.

"Come in," Alnilam grants us permission to enter. All of us file in and Mintaka closes the door behind us.

Alnilam is sitting on the chair, with his hair neatly tied behind him.

Quietly, he observes us before his gaze halts on me. My heart does a stupid jump inside my chest.

"Congratulations on being chosen. All of you have been brilliant, recently."

Appreciatively we nod at him and he further informs us.

"Before leaving for Istrale, we will be having a small gathering in the palace. The king and queen have officially invited the Guild Leo to celebrate with them. So tomorrow at 7 PM."

"We will be there," Alnitak answers his brother.

"Kacir, Rahria, both of you are excused." Alnilam’s eyes drift to the three of us. "I need to speak with you."

"Thanks," Kacir respectfully says before he leaves with Rahria.

"He is going to drop a bomb on us. I can feel it," Mintaka mutters.

Once the door has been closed behind them, Alnilam fixes his attention on us.

Somehow my heartbeat has increased. When Alnilam is involved I have to be prepared for the unthinkable.

"Sit," he orders and the three of us take our seats.

"I told Mama about the situation between the six of us."

Heat rushes to my face and sweat gathers in my palms.

"You told Mama that Amaia is mated to Ezran and Saiph as well?" Alnitak asks with disbelief.

"Yes, they needed to know. They were going to find out one way or the other. So it was better to have it come from one of us than from somewhere else," he explains.

"We know but we were afraid of their reaction," Mintaka says with a sigh.

"This is our life and each one of us is free to make a decision regarding it, especially Amaia. They can give their opinion but they can’t force it on us. No more will I let that happen," he says with finality while his softened eyes find me. There is a natural sadness to them but after Jamina, they have dulled.

But it’s his words that make my heart bloom and ease. Does that mean that Alnilam is no longer in denial? That he no longer wants to reject me.

"Have you reached a final decision regarding us?" Eagerly, I question.

Alnitak crosses his fingers with mine, realising how squeezy and anxious I am feeling.

"Yes. I had been wrong Amaia. I thought I could just be your guardian and not mate. But after speaking to someone, I have come to realise it can’t be like that."

He slowly blinks and continues while I listen, holding my breath and unable to look away from his ethereal beauty.

"Once we return from Inter Guild Wars, we are going to hold a marking ceremony. And the three of us are going to mark you as our own. Our parents agree or not."