Triplet Alphas Gifted Luna novel Chapter 21

Ch 21 Devastated

Alaric was sitting at Thea’s desk, staring into space.

Kai was sitting on the floor, leaning against her bed. He had a black eye, swollen nose, busted lip. His knuckles were a bloody mess. So were his clothes.

Conri was on Thea’s bed clutching her pillows, breathing in her scent, and sobbing.

They all turned and looked at her, pain in their eyes.

“What happened?” Thea said, worry in her voice. She thought maybe there had been a rogue attack and someone died.

Conri jumped off the bed, ran to her, spilled onto his knees, and hugged her as tight as he could. “ Please don’t leave us,” he sobbed. “Please. I’1l be better.”

“What? I’m not going anywhere. What’s going on?” She put her hands around him, trying to comfort him. She couldn’t remember ever seeing him cry. He was impulsive and wild, but he wasn’t acrier. °

Kai wouldn’t talk. It was like the fight had left him. ‘

“We didn’t handle today very well,” Alaric said. His voice was full of pain. It hurt Thea to hear it. She could tell he was doing his duty because he always would, but he sounded like it was killing him.

“What happened?” Thea said.

“You left us,” Conri said. She could barely make out his words through his sobs.

She knelt down and held him. “What are you talking about, Con? I’m right here.”

Alaric stood up and walked to the door. “I’m glad you’ re back safe,” he said.

“Ric?”

He left. Thea turned to Conri.

“You’re a mess, Con. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up,” she said. She coaxed him to the bathroom while he clung to her. She got his clothes off and him into the shower. She washed him, then held him.

He kept whispering, “Please don’t leave,” between sobs until he eventually calmed under her touch.

“Tell me what’s wrong, Con.”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re not.”

“You’re mine, Thea. I need you.”

“I need you too, Con.”
“Do you want to be with other people?”

“No! Con, I want to be with you forever. I missed you today. I couldn’t wait to come home and be with you.”

He nuzzled into her neck. “I missed you so much. My heart hurt with you so far away. It drove me crazy thinking you were going to kiss her. It wasn’t jealousy. I was afraid you would like it and leave us.”

“Con, I’ll never leave you, and I didn’t kiss her. I thought about it since you guys wanted me to, but the thought made me sick. I missed you guys too much. I don’t want to be with anyone else.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The longer and further away I got from you guys, the more it hurt. The more I] wanted to come back and be with you. I love you, Conri.” It was the first time she had said it.

He took her face in his hands. “I love you more.” She smiled. “All this because I was gone for a few hours?”

“It wasn’t just a few hours. You don’t believe we’re mates. We know Misty wants you. You have no reason not to date other people.”

“Except for one big reason. I don’t want to date anyone else,” Thea said.

Conri buried his face in her neck. “My dad was right. We’re weak without you.”

“He didn’t say you were weak. He said you’re stronger around me.”

“I felt weak. I felt empty. Like my chest was a gaping hole.”

“ve never seen you cry, Con.”

“I’ve never had a good enough reason to cry,” he said. “I can’t bear the thought of not having you. I wouldn’t want to live.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Thea said. “I need you alive and with me, okay?” She ran her hand through his hair. “Con, are you okay?”

“I’m better than I was. I still miss you.”

She squeezed him. “1’ll hold you until you don’t.” “Then you’ll be holding me forever.”

“I’m okay with that,” Thea said.

“Me too.” He nuzzled against her.

“Before we start forever, I need to check on Kaiand get Alaric back.”

“I know.”

“Will you be okay without me for a bit?” Thea said.

“I won’t stop you from living your life,” Kai said.
“I won’t fight with you anymore. I’1l be better, I promise. You deserve to be happy.”