Page 57 of Their Scarred Mate
In vain, the windows were stubbornly closed, the curtains drawn, and only silence came from the house next door.
Evelyn had tried to go there but was met with the same silence.They could feel her heartbeat inside, so at least they knew she hadn’t attempted against her life again, but they were walking on eggshells with the need to see her.
Their wolves were howling daily inside their heads, and on the few attempts they’d made to let them run free, no matter how far away they went, they always ended up in her backyard.Their animal minds were confused but at least knew now not to enter her house; last time, they had almost lost her.So even in animal form they kept some sort of distance.
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Freya was neither sleeping, nor eating.She was as pale and withdrawn as she was when she first arrived.Her clothes hung too loosely from her body as if they were on a hanger, but words kept playing on repeat in her mind.Lily also had suffered, and she also wasn’t aware of shifters before Lewis, and she’d found her happiness.And Evelyn ...Evelyn had told her half-truths, but she was certain the gist of it was real.
And the twins ...when had they lied to her?Again, half-truths yes, but lying?She remembered all the times they asked for permission before touching her.Even when they were touching her, they were always worried where her mind was at, and if she was still with them.They knew about her scars and didn’t care.They were always worried, and in their way, taking care of her.
Lewis was never like that.He stormed into her world bringing death, pain, and destruction; with him, she was nothing but a vessel.But with the twins?She remembered all the lopsided smiles Ciaran gave her, the way Declan pushed her ...but always to her advantage, to help her.
Tanya was right about one thing; she had almost learned to live again, thanks to them...
Night had fallen, but Freya was once again in the dark, on the same sofa she had camped out on since returning from the hospital.Her bed remained undisturbed since the last time she’d slept there, and she only got up from the sofa to go to the bathroom, drink some water, and make herself some tea.
She looked outside.With the curtains drawn she couldn’t see anything, but she was certain they were around.If they were half the way Tanya had described them, they couldn’t be very far.She was almost certain she could feel their eyes on her, despite being cooped up in her house.
With a sigh, she carefully got up.The lack of proper nutrition made her feel dizzy, but her body was already used to privations and she ignored it.With slow steps she approached the backyard door and opened it.
The night was chilly, and she felt goosebumps arise.She couldn’t see, it was pitch black.But somehow, she knew they were near.
“You’re there aren’t you?”she whispered.
A rustling in the bushes, an indistinct sound, and then a hesitant voice answered, “Yes, angel.”Ciaran.
“We’re here, little one.”Declan.
Of course they were.Where else?
“You were told to keep the distance.”
“Which is why we aren’t there, with you in our arms.We were never told we couldn’t be near the barbecue, contemplating your backyard door.”
“You’re stretching you’re Alpha’s orders quite a bit, aren’t you?”she said drily.
“You’re worth it.”
There was such obvious sincerity in their voice that she almost smiled.Almost.It faded as soon as it appeared, and she felt her courage decreasing when her body started to shiver.
“You’re cold.Can we enter?You’ll catch your death out here.”
“We promise we mean you no harm, angel.”
“No ...not yet,” she whispered, closing her eyes.“If I asked you to leave, would you?”
“To leave permanently?Never!”
“To leave and return tomorrow?Reluctantly.”
“I’m so tired...Tired of everything...”
“Share the burden, angel...”
“Let us carry it for you...”
Was it her impression or were their voices nearer?She still couldn’t see an inch in front of her nose, but she could swear their voices seemed closer.
