on Ruthless and my day instantly got so

Suddenly, the door burst open, and there stood the girl who was with Evander outside. She definitely had a high rank on this pack since she had power radiating off of her. "I was just removing the bullet, then she went all Lucifer on me and burst into flames," I defended myself, staring at the unconscious alpha lying on the bed. Then I spotted the two little guys with the girl.

"No, wait, get those kids out of here," my eyebrows furrowed, wondering why she had two little cute boys with her. "Don't. They're her kids, they can help," the girl insisted. Of course, she had twins. I instantly realized that those were the kids that the rogues wanted. I stay quiet as the little boys walked closer to their mother and like magic, the fire was gone.

Well, that was totally something.

After making sure Lucali was fine, I stitched back up her shoulder and left her to heal with the kids snuggled next to her. "It looks like everything is going to be okay, she might be asleep for a while longer but she's stable and better than before," I tell the girl who I realized to be Kharis.

Kharis thanked me and we shared a hug before I finally left the room, leaving her there with Lucali.

I shrugged off the coat I had slipped into back onto the coat rack before making my way down the hallway to check on Evander. Accidentally, I'm knocked into someone's chest.

"Oh shit sorry," I mumbled, backing away from the person I just knocked into. "Crap," the familiar voice mumbled. And as I looked up, noticing his blue eyes and brown curls my eyes widened.

"Mikey?"

"Rieka, you...what are you doing here?" Mikey struggled with his words. I couldn't believe he was standing here, in front of me. "I thought you were supposed to be in Mumbai?"

Guilt flashed through his eyes. "You found the letter," he realized. I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. I still couldn't believe Mikey was standing in front of me. "Yes, I found your crappy letter," I snapped at him.

"I...I'm sorry," he worthlessly apologized. "How have you been? How are you here? Where is Iris?" I asked.

He smiles at the mention of his mate. "She's around somewhere and this pack is made up of rescued rogues who want to belong and are good people, it feels like home here," he smiles. It was difficult to hear Mikey saying this since he hated packs with a passion. At least I thought so. "Well, that's good to hear, I guess," I mumbled the last part softer. How do I reply to that?

"I'm sorry for leaving after everything Rie. I didn't mean for us to get close and then I ditched with another girl," he apologized again, this time his words hit home. "What do you mean? She's your mate," I was feeling guilty since I used Mikey as a distraction from my rejection but I would never admit that to him. Mikey would be so disappointed. "Yeah but we slept together and I...I left," he frowns.

"It doesn't matter, it's fine, She's your mate and everything was different before," I brushed him off. His eyebrows furrowed but he nodded anyway. "I have to go but can we talk later? If you're still here that is," he says, looking down the hallway I was just walking from.

"Sure just stay away from any other people okay? Just walk the other direction if you spot anyone familiar," I begged him. Confused washed over his face," what do you mean?" I sighed, looking at the ground for a second. "Evander, Jayden, and Brandon are here, don't let them see you here," I say.

"Oh yeah, sure, I'll stay away. See you later, Rieka," he began walking around me. "Bye Mikey," I sadly smiled before both of us walked away.

_♤_

Lucali woke up today.

After two days.

She's amazing. She's been through a lot with being rejected, pregnant with twins, and having to become an Alpha. I learned a little about her while we talked today and nevertheless, I was proud of her. I could tell she was willing to go extreme lengths for her twins and it's hard not to love the two cuties.

I smile at the memory of Evander playing with them yesterday. He wouldn't admit it but he definitely adores the twins.

Evander has been mostly trying to track down these rogues with the others. I've met a few people from the pack and they're all extremely nice as expected. I haven't seen Mikey or Iris since I ran into him at the hospital and I'm beginning to think he was avoiding me.

I was very cautious with Evander when it came to Mikey. I should tell him that he's here but I know he would get upset. And I can't distract him from his Alpha duties.

"What are you doing out here?" The sound of Evander coming onto the little patio we had outside our guest bedrooms brought me out of my thoughts. "Just thinking," I mumbled, taking a sip out of the teacup I was holding.

"About?" He asked, leaning against the wall next to me. "Everything," I sighed, keeping my eyes on the dark forest and stars in the distance. Evander stayed quiet but he didn't leave me alone.

"Did you ever love Iris?" I asked Evander, breaking the silence, my hands fiddling with the spoon. He raised his eyebrow at me," did you ever love Mikey?" he softly challenged.

I frowned, looking at my toes. "I loved him but I wasn't in love with him," I say softly, dragging my eyes back up to Evander. His jaw was clenched but he nodded anyway. "Same here for Iris," he says and I nod, understanding that. "Only difference is that you were using her for sex," I challenged to say.

We've never talked about our past and I didn't want to but now, with Mikey being here I had to know something. My heart was racing and clenching, everything was screaming at me not to have this conversation right now but I...

I needed to.

He shifted but I noticed the small nod. "There were no feelings involved unlike you and Mikey," he assumed.

"How are you so sure?"

"I saw the way he looked at you and I fucking hated it," he scoffed, his fists unclenching. I stay quiet, using the cup in my hand to distract me.

"Did you two ever..." he trailed off. "Yes," I finally admitted and it felt like an elephant was lifted off my chest. "I'll kill him," he angrily blurted out and my eyes widened. "No! I...It wasn't like that," I quickly say.

"What do you mean? You're mine," he growled out and I wrapped my arms around him, abandoning the cup on the patio wall. "I'm yours, when you rejected me I needed to clear my head and I was so overwhelmed and I...I went over to his apartment but that's it, I promised," I tell him, snuggling into his chest, his arms loosely around my waist.

"You better not be defending him," I hear him say as his chin rested at the top of my head. "No, it's the truth," I admitted.

_♤_

I pulled the hoodie over my head, rushing to attend to the person behind the door. My eyes widened when I noticed it was a shy looking Mikey.

"How did you find my room?" I asked, thanking the goddess that Evander wasn't around right now. "I asked around, can we go outside to talk?" He asked.

According to Evander, we were supposed to leave in a day or two, making it five or six days of staying here. So now should be the right time since Evander seems to be busy. "Okay," I agreed, stepping outside and shutting the door behind me.

We walked down the staircase and out the back exit of the packhouse. "What do we have to talk about?" I asked. He nervously looked at the grass around our shoes covered feet. "You're not going to tell William about us being here right?" He hesitantly asked.

"No, of course not," I say, my arms folding across my chest. There were a couple of people around us. Some playing, others training, and some running laps around. Relief consumed his face and his shoulders sagged. "Thank you," he softly mumbled.

Unexpectedly, I was pushed forward after someone knocked into me and I'm pushed into Mikey. His hands go around my waist to stop me from falling and my hands fall onto his chest. "Shit, I'm sorry," I blurted out, both of us pulling apart. Mikey opened his mouth to say something when the loud unexpected voice spoke.

"What the fuck is going on here!?" Evander screamed, taking my heart on a speed run.

Shit.

This is terrible.

Evander pulled me towards him, creating distance from everyone. "Get your hands off of her," Evander growled even though his hands were already off. Mikey's eyes widened and he remained silent. "Evan, he didn't do anything," The angelic voice says behind us.

My eyes widened as I see Iris approaching us, making her way next to Mikey. Evander didn't seem shocked to see her at all. Almost like he knew she was here. "He had her hands on her," Evander snapped. "Why does it matter to you? It wasn't like that, she was pushed," Mikey finally spoke up, clearing the air but Evander wasn't having it.

"Because she's my mate and I don't let any filthy hands touch what is mine," he snapped.

I look at both of them, carefully to see their reactions. Mikey stepped back, his jaw loose, brows furrowed and eyes in a state of disbelief. But Iris, she seemed guilty of something towards Mikey, she wasn't shocked or anything.

"You told her," I whispered, the fact hitting me like a slap in the face. "You told Iris," I turn to Evander, feeling hurt for some reason. "I told her the day she and Mikey left, she didn't know before that," Evander defended, reaching to hold me but I stepped away.

"You knew they were mates and you didn't tell me?" Mikey's soft voice was laced in disbelief as he stared at Iris. His eyes shifted into red anger when his head snapped towards me. "You were playing me all along?" Mikey says to me.

"No! It wasn't-" I was cut off by Evander. "Yes, she used you!" Evander growled at Mikey. "No!" I shout louder than him.

"I can't do this now, I have to go," Evander debated, walking away to the side of the house. "Evander!" I shout at him but he doesn't turn around, he doesn't flinch. "Mikey!" Iris shouts and I turn to see Mikey running into the forest.

I don't even give Iris another glance before running back into the house.

_♤_

One day later and Evander was still pissed. I was still upset so that makes two of us. We avoided each other like crazy and would always walk in the other direction when we saw each other. When he came back from the rogues, I was terrified he was hurt and I couldn't stop panicking.

Which ended up in us hugging tightly while he spun me around but when things settled down it was back to being awkward.

I didn't know anything else that happened yesterday after he stormed off to go fight the rogues. All I know was that we won, no surprise there.

I couldn't wait to go home, not saying that I didn't like it here but I craved time with my father and maybe harassing Jessie for a few.

I needed time with family right now.

"Evan, take good care of my bestie," Lucali ordered with a smile on her face. Evander chuckled but still said nothing.

"I heard that!" Kharis shouted.

"You were supposed to!" Lucali yelled back making us all laugh.

"It was so nice to meet you, thank you for having us," I hugged her tightly. The smile never moved from her face. "Same to you, it was definitely a pleasure to have you here and you can come at any time," she promised.

"Keep those kids safe alright? If you see that mate of yours in the streets give him a slap for me," I winked at her, picking up my suitcase as she laughed.

"Of course I will have a safe drive," she agreed.

"Bye!"

"Goodbye," she waved her hand as I turned around, walking to the car.

"Invite me to the wedding!" I hear Lucali shout as I shut the car door.