As Alec exits the room, I am totally exhausted. The simple thought of not seeing him for a few days is tough to swallow, even if I was the one coming up with this plan, as I realized it would be problematic to stay in the pack and not be lured to him. The need to bear his mark is more and more complicated to contain.

I lock the door, which I do only when I'm angry, to make things more realistic. I lie on the couch, the phone he gave me against my chest as if it would comfort me, which does not work a little.

I close my eyes for time to go by faster, and it works well as I quickly fall asleep.

I suddenly jump off the couch as I hear my door close.

"I did not want to scare you. Brought you some food as you did not show up for dinner," Elijah says as he proceeds to my desk to turn on the speakers and takes his phone to play some music. Then he goes to my bed and sits against the head, putting a tray of food. He points at the other side of the bed for me to come next to him.

"How are you? Alec was nervous about not seeing you, and you did not respond through the mind-link or his texts," Eli continues.

I take the phone and notice that it is turned mute. Stupid me. I check on the five texts I got from Alec.

Mister Wolf -

Are you Ok, little wolf?

Mister Wolf -

Liv, why don't you answer the mind-link? Is there a problem?

Mister Wolf -

I sent brownie scent to knock at your door. She said you did not answer, but she could not enter the room. Do we have to break through your door?

Mister Wolf -

Why are you not down there? I swear I'm gonna come and fuck the whole thing.

Mister Wolf -

Can you fucking answer someone?

"Shit!" I scream. That's when I remember the door was closed.

"How did you get there?" I ask my brother.

"The same I had always come into your room when you locked it. You really need to close the window in your bathroom. You did not even notice me when I entered, unlocked the door, opened it, took the tray I left outside, and only reacted when I closed it. Are you sure you're a super wolf?" he says, chuckling. I punch his shoulder.

"Do you want Selene and me to show you?" I say as I frown.

"Nope, I'm here to make sure you dine. You need energy for," he says, pointing at my belly.

"Thanks, Eli. You should go to see Julie. I'm fine," I say to my brother.

"No way. I'm staying with my heartbroken sister for the night. I don't care if you did not really lose your mate. For the rest of the world, you did, and so I'm staying here," he whispers in my ear.

"Plus, you will soon leave. I don't want to miss a chance to be with you while I can. This rogue thing took a lot of my time, and I'm sorry. So tonight, it's just the two of us," he continues before he clutches one of the cherries in a bowl.

"Thank you, Eli. I love you," I answer before I take my phone.

Before I can start to type a message, Elijah stops me and shows me his head.

"He's on patrol for the night," he says with a blink.

Hey, Alec. I'm sorry, I fell asleep a while after you left. I'm fine, you can relax.

I mind-link my prince as I notice the knot in my guts. That must be Alec's panic.

Thanks, Moon-Goddess. You scared the shit out of me, Olivia. Don't ever do that again, or I swear I'll get mad. How are you?

He mind-linkly screams at me.

I'm okay. I miss you, but I'm gonna survive it. Eli spends the night with me. He told me you were on patrol. Is everything fine?

I ask him, as I find it curious he goes on patrol during the night.

Yes, I could not sleep, so I am on patrol with some of my men. As Elijah is with you, I'll let Eva and Joey sleep, so they are good tomorrow. Mind-link Jackson or me if you need anything: he told me he succeeded in doing it with you. You're amazing, little wolf, but you are only mine.

I laugh as I catch the possessiveness in his words. Damn, I'm gonna have a great time after this thing ends. I am sure of it.

Just fantasizing about Alec and me together makes my body crave for him.

"Hormones alert," Eli says as he puts his hand on his nose as if he smelled something awful.

Realizing that my twin smells my need for Alec makes me deeply uncomfortable. Nevertheless, it's an excellent way to end all my excitement, and I throw one pillow at him.

"Hey, you are the nasty girl. Hide yourself, horny girl," He says, throwing the pillow back at me.

Mindlink me too, if you need anything. And be careful. I can't lose you. We can't lose you. I love you more than anything, Alec.

I reply to my mate before putting some popcorn into my mouth, some tears wetting my eyes.

I love you, little wolf. Take care of yourself. I can't lose you either. I'd rather be dead than without you.

Alec answers before he goes back to his patrol.

"Don't cry. You will be fine. We will make sure you are fine, and as soon as possible, sis'," Eli says before he kisses my forehead. He gets up, turns off the music, and returns, jumping to his former place. Then, he grabs the remote controller to turn on the TV and starts a movie.

"Twilight? Really?" I almost chock as I swallow popcorn, surprised by his pick.

"A little voice informed me you did not finish the first one, and that you tortured him with that, adding that if I accepted to sacrifice myself to watch the others, I would be granted some medal of honor or something like that," Eli adds with a smirk.

I want to reply, but I realize he took his part in making this night less terrible for me.

I take my phone and text my mate a quick 'Thanks, big bad wolf.' So he will know I know.

During the entire nighttime, Eli and I do not speak out loud. Instead, we use our still existing bond and mind link to ensure we won't be overheard.

Around midnight, as we are about to begin movie number three, we hear some footsteps on my floor.

Do you sniff that?

Eli asks me. He does not need my reply as Selene booms for me.

She will not sleep here, right?

I ask him as anger matures in me. He moves and then forces me to sit between his legs. I rest on his chest.

Ignore her. She assumably will be a nightmare tomorrow, but you don't care. You know where he is. And these two little pups in your belly will show the world how quickly he got fond of you, his one and only mate.

Eli wraps his arms around me.

If people who did not know us entered this room, they would probably think we were some eccentric brother and sister. But that's always been like that, even after Eli and Julie met and claimed each other. We had some nights together, only the two of us. Our special bond needed it.

We all need someone that someone who gets you like no one else. For my all existence, Eli has been this someone.

Even if Eli is definitely not Alec, his presence is still genuinely soothing. And it will always be.

I suddenly capture one of his hands and put it on my belly. A hefty kick hits his hand.

Is that what I think it is? How?

Eli shouts in my head.

They've been doing it since yesterday. Alec was the only other one to experience it, but you're not anybody. So I hope they will be as close as we are, as having you as my twin is the third best thing I've ever had.

I mentally answer him. As I say that, I can perceive his surprise.

Third?

He asks, playing the outraged alpha.

Alec is my mate, so he is the first one. Next are our babies. Then, you. But if you want the truth, I think I would be crazy if I lost any of you.

I wait for a moment before I continue, not taking care of the movie anymore.

You know, I still consider you as my person, my half in a spiritual way. It's different from Alec, of course. It's like I need you in my life to be who I am. Without you, I would not be the silver wolf. Don't ask me why. That's just an impression.

Alec, it's something different. It's like I had some hole that even you could not fill. He makes me complete, emotionally and physically. He's my mate, so I suppose you feel the same about Julie.

To be honest, Liv, I've always wondered why our bond was so strong. Arvin and Allison can't mind-link each other. I asked Arvin a few years ago during training. I did not tell you because I found no answer. So I guess I understand you. Julie is the most essential part of my world, but you are another one that I can't lose either. We'll find a way to never lose that, I promise you. I know deep down that you and I will always have that special thing.

That's all he says before he puts his hands back around me and kisses my forehead. Then we go back to our movie.

At least for some minutes, as I quickly fall asleep. I suppose Alec will have to watch the three last films in the end.

Some rays of sunlight crash on my face as I understand that I'm moved in my bed. I groan before I feel two lips on my forehead. As I breathe the air, I identify my brother's scent.

"Sorry, Liv. I have to go. Alec is in my office, waiting for me. Everything is ready if you want to get up and if you're sure you want to keep on with your plan," Eli murmurs in my ear.

I open my eyes and turn in front of him.

"Can you?" I start, but he stops me before I finish, putting another kiss on my forehead.

"I will, Liv. Keep your phone with you. Jackson is ready to come up if needed. Be careful. I love you, sis'." He finally moves to my door and gets out of the room.

I wait a few minutes before I get out of bed and shower quickly. I put my hair in a ponytail before I promptly go to my closet to put on black jeans, a white shirt, comfortable underwear, and sneakers. I take a deep breath and finally walk out of my room to Alec's room. That was not part of my plan as I did not expect Amber to spend the night here, but in the end, only a few things went according to the program, so...

Before I push the door, which is slightly opened, I can smell Alec's odor in the room, but I also catch this awful scent. Amber's. I push on the door and enter the room. Once again, it will not be hard to play the devastated she-wolf as her fragrance is genuinely annoying, not to say infuriating me.

"What the fuck?" I scream out loud. I come closer to the bed, and there they are. A dress and underwear. Definitely not mine, and indeed Amber's. This bitch really planned her whole thing perfectly.

"Are you..." I can't finish my wonderful 'fucking kidding me monologue' as the door of the bathroom opens. Amber gets out, wrapped in a towel. A mocking mask is plastered on her face.

"Oh, you're here, Olivia," she says with an overplayed innocent yet I-am-victorious tone. I can't stop myself from turning furious. I know it is all lies, but damn, this woman makes me crazy. I jerk on her, catching her neck and pushing her against the wall. My whole body explodes with irritation.

"What the hell are you doing here?" These are not words. These are growls. My nails turning into claws. My brother said, 'if I want to keep on with the plan,' and just seeing her makes me consider I don't want to stick to the plan anymore.

"This time, he won't be here to protect you, filthy bitch," I scream sharply.

Liv? What's going on?

This is Eli's voice.

I'm sorry, Eli, but I must get rid of her.

My whole body is consumed with rage. Yet, as my claws enter Amber's skin, joy fills me.

Jackson is here before I can get rid of her grin. He takes my hand off her neck.

"Easy, Princess. You don't want to hurt her. This is just the bond." He is trying to deal with me as carefully as he can.

Think about the plan, Princess. I'll ask her the questions if it can help you chill out.

"Seems Alec realized you were no princess, Olivia, and that I was a better one," she says, holding her neck where my hand left its mark. That's the only mark you will get, stupid lycan. That's what I would like to shout at her, but I have to restrain this urge.

"He sends his puppy Beta to deal with you." Jackson growls at her.

"What did you say?" I ask her.

"He loves me. He has always loved me, and I've been the one making him scream with pleasure for the last decades. You were only some toy to him." My eyes fill with tears as she says that.

That's not the toy thing.

That's how she says she was the one with him for decades. I am aware of that. I did not need a reminder.

"Liv. Do not listen to her, please," Jackson begs before leaving me some space as I start to pace. I feel my wolf wants to come out, but I contain her. I face Amber, my eyes filling with tears.

"I love him. We're mates. He can't leave. We are meant to be." I sob as I say that. I have to leave my mate with this crazy bitch. I don't think she realizes that these tears are from anger, and Selene, trying to break free, is not helping.

"I told him from the start it would end this way. But he thought you were the one. He really considered it. Anyway, you lasted less than I predicted..." she says with a sadistic voice. Yet, her eyes are shining with triumph. If only she could see the truth.

Jackson puts his hand on my shoulder and tries to speak to me.

Time to go, Princess. Eva already took your bag, and Sam prepared your bucket for the drive.

As he says that, I push him out of my way and leave the room. I return to my room to clutch my phone, a small purse with some money, and my charger.

I slam my door as I get out, Amber grinning at me as she stands by Alec's door.

When I reach the third floor, Alec and Elijah are with Jackson, near my brother's office.

Elijah looks at me with sad eyes when Jackson shows concern.

Alec is staring at me with a blank face. When I look behind me, Amber gets down the stairs to join Alec.

I catch her calling Alec 'baby' wish makes me sore. I rush to reach our underground parking lot.

Do I genuinely have the resilience to get out of here without ending the Amber issue?