Fated To Three, Betrayed By All… Until She Rose.-Chapter 86: One with Zevran.

Kael.

I felt like I was about to die. Like I’d just been thrown off a moving bus without any form of protection, warning or some sort.

My ears rang as I glared straight at Leilani who still had a smug smile on her pale face. But I knew... goddess I knew that I couldn’t even fault her for this.

I knew that my brothers and I deserved every bit of what she was doing to us... and more.

She had every right to pull this contract right from under our noses... every right to wish to not work with us. As a matter of fact, as soon as I saw her walk through that door, I instantly knew that this would fall through.

And I was right.

Caelum growled; "You’re allowing your personal grievances with us to cloud your judgement, and that just goes to show that you’re not good at what you do!"

Oh, the stupid dunce.

I facepalmed myself just as Leilani spun around slowly, her eyes the coldest I’ve ever seen before as she regarded Caelum with cold irritation.

She seethed; "If this so-called personal grievance with you has something to do with you posing a threat to my life... and almost succeeding in murdering me once, then yes, I should let it cloud my judgement. Maybe I should’ve also made sure that you’re in jail right now, not standing in front of me and spewing thrash."

I reeled as if struck. Everyone gasped as if not believing their eyes. And Caelum... his eyes darkened, his face contorting into an expression that was so dark, I already knew the kind of thoughts brewing at the back of his head.

But he wasn’t my issue right now.

Leilani was.

I hated that even now, the way her wild silver hair cascaded down her back in waves, stopping just below her tiny waist, made me weak in the knees. I hated that I wanted to fist my hands in it... to pull at it. To tug at it while I worshiped her body until my name fell off her lips like silent prayers.

Goddess, I hated that I found her attractive, and beautiful... and smart. I hated that I wanted her despite everything.

Despite the fact that she almost ruined our lives... despite the videos of her jumping from one male’s dick to another that we all saw. Despite the fact that I knew how she used to be the pack’s whore... I wanted her.

Leilani made to leave the room but just as she turned away, Chalice rushed after her. The latter dropped to her knees, tears falling down her eyes as she cried; "Please sister. Please I’m so sorry I talked back at you, but I need this job. I need to learn from you and your team. I promise to be good!"

Her cries made everyone freeze, including Leilani, who looked as though that was the last thing she’d expected to hear from Chalice.

She took a small step back, her brows furrowing as she looked down at her twin. "Chalice, no." She whispered quietly but I heard her. I was sure everyone did too.

Deep down, I hoped that this would thaw her frozen heart. That for once, she would be good to her sister who has always been nothing but kind to her. But the moment I saw her frown and the way her bottom lip tugged downward, I instantly realized why it was Chalice we chose from the onset and not her.

My face fell.

"Leilani please..."

"No. So rise to your feet, Ms Blackthorne."

Those words felt like a blow to my guts. My chest tightened when Chalice’s tears fell more frequently now. She wiped them with the back of her hand, her lips trembling as she murmured; "Please, I’ll learn. I’ll do better."

With that, she grabbed Leilani’s blouse with trembling hands, tears spilling out of her eyes as she continued to plead. "Just give me this one chance please. If I mess up, throw me out!"

I wanted to speak. Goddess, I wanted to put an end to this madness. I was tired of seeing Chalice humiliate herself like this simply because of a spot at Frostclaw when she could easily work with us. Leilani’s stance didn’t change. Her hands on Leilani’s clothes didn’t loosen either, until...

Snap.

It ripped.

Silence settled between us. And just like that, Leilani’s eyes darkened with rage. One minute, she was trying to break free from Chalice and in the next, her hand was connecting so hard against Chalice’s face.

"Leilani!" Beta Blackthorne yelled.

"Arghhh!"

"You bitch! Can’t you see that it was a mistake?! You know that Chalice didn’t mean to do that!" Their mother growled, but Leilani was too enraged to listen.

Her eyes snagged on Chalice for a moment too long, and then she spat; "When next you do something like this, trust me, I’ll hurt you so badly, you’ll regret being born. I’m done letting you walk all over me. I’m done allowing you to hurt me over and over again. If you try this shit again, I’ll cut off your fingers and serve it on a platter to your lovely family and mates."

Everyone gasped. Even Gavin, who like Caelum would’ve been quick to attack Leilani, didn’t move. His eyes seemed conflicted. He glanced at Chalice then back at the other twin, and then sighing, he walked over to help Chalice up.

"Leilani, you’ve gone too far." He muttered softly. "We all know that Chalice never meant to do that."

"Oh really?" She snarled. "Are you certain that she didn’t mean to do that? Because last time I checked, she does things like this and acts like she doesn’t mean it. Right Chalice?"

Chalice looked away with tears streaming down her face but she did not refute that. That was strange.

"Chalice?"

"I really didn’t mean to. I’d never—"

"Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought you’d say, Candy!" Leilani growled, and I swear to the holy motherfucking goddess, as soon as she said that, Chalice froze.

Every drop of tears on her face ceased to fall.

Her face went chalk white, her lips ashen and a small barely visible tremor ran up her body.

And then, my brows furrowed further when Leilani smiled at her sister. She drawled; "Your tactics are going out of style, sister. Everyone already thinks that I bully you, so if you continue, I’ll have no choice but to bully you for real." And with that, she turned away and left.

Leaving me reeling in shock and confusion.

Something didn’t add up.

Something wasn’t adding up.

Leilani’s words... her emotions felt very raw. She sounded too broken... too true, it tugged at something in my chest.

And I know I should go to console Chalice. I know I should try to make her feel better. But for the first time in my life, I was one with Zevran on this matter.

I didn’t move. Not even an inch. I only watched Leilani walk out quietly, her image plaguing my mind as conflicting thoughts raced through my head.

When I turned to Zevran, he had the same expression on his face. And I knew... I instantly knew that we had the same thoughts.