Mated to the Alpha Twins novel Chapter 34

Grace had let me leave the classroom without any hassle. Her murderous and slightly unhinged demeanor faded as soon as I told her the truth. She even had the audacity to chat with me, asking about my plans once I had left.

What frightened me more than her bold threat against Tori was the way she changed with the flip of a switch. I gave rushed, one worded answer in a hurry to leave the classroom.

I had just enough time to mask the fear and disgust on my face before Tori found me in the halls. She had already grabbed what she needed from her locker, wandering around in search of me. Her face contorted in confusion as she saw the heat fill my cheeks. Understanding flashed in her eyes as they traveled down my neck. Without a doubt, she was thinking of Alec and Kade.

I sat quietly as Tori drove the two of us to the restaurant. We both ran in, grabbing our checks from the manager on duty.

“I’m still waiting for that explanation y’know.” Tori’s orange eyebrow lifted as she shot me a stern look.

My stomach flipped and a chill spread over my skin. I had promised Tori explanations for a lot of things, explanations I couldn’t give.

I had planned to leave a note for her when I left, one explaining what Grace had done to me. Grace’s threat against Tori made me question whether that was the right decision or not. While Tori could handle herself, Grace was incapable of thinking clearly. It was just another thing I would need to think on.

While I wanted nothing to happen to Tori, it was eating me alive that Grace would get away with this. She had successfully chased me out of town, not that I hadn’t been planning it regardless.

I couldn’t see what telling Tori would hurt. I would explain everything to her, giving her ample warning what Grace was capable of. I could only hope she kept the information to herself, keeping her safe from Grace.

“I’ll give it to you.” I coughed uncomfortably, “I’ll call you tonight.”

I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to tell Tori what happened over the phone. My voice cracked and weakened any time I tried to speak about it. Bile would rise in my throat when I thought about my swollen and busted face.

“I’m holding you to that.” Tori’s lips were pressed together tightly. “I’ll call you around eight, Mom’s having a dinner party with our neighbors.”

“That sounds—fun.” I forced a lopsided grin to my face, ignoring the pinpricks of guilt that settled under my skin.

“You’re more than welcome to join.” Tori chuckled, giving me a playful eyeroll. “It’ll be more eventful than what you’re doing tonight.”

“You’re right about that.” I laughed hollowly.

‘You’re going to hurt people when you leave, Aurora.’ Thalia murmured in my mind, ‘Tori’s one of those people.’

‘People have done nothing but hurt me.’ I grimaced, ‘I deserve more than this—than living in fear with people I hardly know.’

‘You’ll come back to them, Aurora.’ Thalia murmured, her voice growing silent. ‘I know you will.’

I knew exactly who ‘them’ were. Alec and Kade’s faces flashed into mind, the feel of them still lingered on my skin.

Tori and I stopped by one of the banks in town. The two of us cashed our checks. I placed my wad of money deep in my bookbag, eager to add it to what I had saved up. Taking money from Grace had been an offer I hadn’t anticipated, but had no qualms refusing. Taking any form of help from Grace filled me with a sick sense of disgust.

Tori dropped me off at Garrett’s house before heading to her own. She shot me one last stern glance, concern flickering in her eyes. I mustered up my strength and gave her a bright smile. Tori hadn’t asked about our shift at work tomorrow, and I hadn’t mentioned whether I’d be there. Come tomorrow, everyone important would know the news.

Garrett was there the minute I stepped into the house. His crisp suit irritated me, as did his dark slicked back hair. His aura of poise and superiority grated away at my nerves. If only everyone knew the insanity that was hidden beneath his glamorized façade.

“I would like for you to attend dinner with us.” Garrett cleared his throat, his mismatched eyes staring down at me.

For a moment, I wondered if people thought the same thing when looking into my eyes. My eyes were an exact replica of Garrett’s. One eye was a light blue, lighter than the sea or sky. The other eye was a rich brown, hints of honey and gold thrown into the mix. The sight was hypnotizing, both eyes bright and unique in their own way.

“Dinner.” I wasn’t asking a question, yet the word fell from my lips regardless. The last thing I wanted to do was eat dinner with his family. His wife and daughter clearly hated me.

As if reading the contempt in my eyes, Garrett shifted to the other foot. “They will learn to accept you, Aurora but you must make an effort.”

“I need to make an effort?” I scoffed. I hadn’t tried due to the clear distaste his wife and daughter had for me. How could I make an effort when the two of them refused?

“I understand they can be—difficult, but this is as new to them as it is to you.” Garrett frowned, compassion filling his eyes as he spoke of his wife. “After dinner, there is something I would like to show you.”

I frowned, hoping it wouldn’t be another fairytale. Garrett clearly noticed the reluctance on my face but chose not to comment. I had no choice but to indulge him. Come the end of the night, I would be gone.