Twice Tempted: Between Two Alphas (Mia and Cameron) novel Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

It’s dark outside, so I’m not sure how much time has passed.

I’m surprised I was able to sleep, but in the long hours while I lay constrained on the gurney, waiting, I guess the overwhelming stress finally pushed my body to shut down.

A small mercy, I suppose.

“The moon is rising,” Dr. Lee says.

Hmm, it’s early in the night then. When I try to sit up, I find my restraints gone. The guards are still here. I don’t see Morgan.

Christian and Liam enter the hospital room. They head over to Cameron first. They pat his hand and whisper hellos to him, encouraging him to wake up and see his family.

I should’ve told Cameron about his kids.

When we were in that ‘other’ space, I should’ve said something.

It’s just one more regret in what’s adding up to be so many.

“It’s time, Mia,” Dr. Lee tells me. “They have convened the Elders.”

A trial then.

Funny, how this pack could rally so hard to save Cameron, even while they conspire to punish me.

Liam helps me to my feet. He hands me clean clothes and I automatically accept them before moving toward the bathroom in the corner of the hospital ward. They wait for me to change.

I never did get that shower.

Or a chance to eat.

It’s been one day since I’ve returned to my pack. And already, I’m about to be cast out again–or worse.

I’m hungry and tired and just so…sad.

Nala help me.

She growls and paces, pouring her energy into me.

It’s not a lot, but it is enough.

My kids…

They’re so empathic and Aaron is so proud. He’ll never get over the betrayal of his pack banishing his mother. And Jacelyn, my little angel, she’ll be devastated to lose me.

At least, I hope that exile will be the worst of it.

I’m connected to Cameron in some way and surely that must count for something.

Killing me might kill Cameron, and that’s the one saving grace I cling to.

Nala whimpers.

I’m seconds away from breaking down. I can’t do that. Crying or showing weakness will be perceived as guilt.

I need to be strong. To voice my truth and to appeal to their sense of justice.

I have been punished enough for treacheries that I had no part of.

They lead me out of the building and past the rows of houses.

There isn’t much time. I pause and glance at Liam. “I need to see my children.”

Liam sighs. “Yeah.”

“Liam…” Christian narrows his eyes, and I know they’re talking mind to mind. The way pack does.

The way I no longer can, since I’m not pack. Not family.

“They’re going to kill us for this,” Christian says, but he’s already relenting. “We have to be fast, okay?”

I blink away useless tears and hurry to my father’s house.

There I see my children playing games with him, and again I wonder what I ever did that made my dad not love me. He seems so happy with them. He was never like that with me.

“Mommy!” Aaron sees me and jumps from his chair to rush into my arms.