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When I nodded in response they both sat down, close next to each other and William instantly claimed a spot on Annerly's thigh with his large hand.

Oh yes.

They weretogether.

Why was that so freaking hot?

"So..." I said, trying to break through the awkward silence that just seemed to stretch and stretch and stretch between us.

"I guess you want to know what we've been doing the last couple of years, because we're sure as hell curious about you." William started up.

"Uh. Yeah. You don'tsmellmated, so I guess you haven't found another Omega?"

Annerly cringed, and William moved to pull him closer, wrapping his arm around the Beta's shoulders.

Worry and confusion filled me at Annerly's expression. What was there to cringe about? Why did he need to be soothed by his Alpha?

And why the fuckity fuck wasn't I jealous of him for being cuddled by my Alpha?

Not your Alpha, Christa!

I cleared my throat to push away the unwanted thoughts. "Uh... so what happened after I ran?" This time, I cringed at the harsh words.

"You were right to run," Annerly said gently. "We know what your stepmother put you through. We don't blame you, considering your history."

I stared at them. "You don't?" Confusion filled me at Annerly's calm words.

"No, little one," William soothed with that damn sweet pet name again. "We don't blame you, but we do wish you'd given us just a few minutes because after you ran, we kind of fell apart."

Annerly looked up at his Alpha before sitting forward and holding out his hand to me in offer. I could see the hope in his expression, and something inside me wished to answer it, so I grabbed his hand, interlacing our fingers.

"When we met you the first time, we weren't ready for you. To be honest, Omega, I'm not sure we're ready for you now, but we want to be. Our pack is fractured, but we hope you will still give us a chance. Give us a chance and help us rebuild it."

Well.

What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?

Chapter 8

Drew

Inearly dropped the paint brush I was holding when my phone buzzed in my back pocket. The screen lit up with Annerly's name, and I didn't even think before answering.

"Well?" I asked, breath caught somewhere between my ribs and my throat.

Annerly's voice was calm, measured. Typical Doc. But even he couldn't hide the weight of what he told me.

"She said yes, Drew. You and Anton can come to Mystery Falls. She's open to the idea of being courted... under a few conditions."

My knees went weak. I leaned against the stool I used while painting, unsure of my footing. "Holy shit. You're for real? Of course you're for real. You're Doc. Just. Holy shit."

I held my hand over the phone and called out. "Yo! Anton! Come here." And then into the phone I said, "I'm just waiting for Anton, okay. Give me a second."

While I waited for my twin to make his way to the sunroom where I'd been painting away my frustration, I stared at the canvas in front of me.

It was Cindy... or well I guess Christa. As I'd seen her that night in her server outfit, with all of that crazy hair surrounding her.

Anton came storming into the sunroom, his eyes large. "What? Did they call? Is she okay?"