Ch. 06

NARRATIVE POV “What’s weighing on your heavy mind, brother?” Tyson broke the silence. He’s carefully watched his brother since they left the Cherry Ridge pack. He wasn’t overly surprised by his brother's change in demeanour on the drive away. Anyone observing would think that Miles was sad and heartbroken that his true mate wasn’t available to see him off, but she never was—not unless it was part of a group setting and Hilary needed to maintain a public front. Anyone outside the family and his Luna would think that Miles and Hilary had a loving and happy mate-bond, but it was anything but. Hilary was a character. It was the best way to put it. Despite the Cherry Ridge pack being nearly a three-day drive from the Fisher Brooks pack, Hilary made regular trips back home. She spent much of her time visiting her family and her original pack, or shopping on Miles' dime. Hilary was Miles’ true mate. It perplexed the entire Roberts family, but they weren’t ones to question the Goddess. You must follow the path before you and trust that everything has a purpose. That was how they were raised and how the twins led, side by side. Hilary rarely helps the Fisher Brooks pack; she has every excuse readily available, but you wouldn’t hear the Roberts family complain. She was toxic in everything she did, but as traditionalists, the Roberts family did not support rejecting true mates. “She looked stunning, didn’t she?” Miles finally spoke. It was the first thing he’d said in the last hour of driving. Tyson didn’t need to ask who his twin brother meant; he and his wolf, Demon, already knew the answer. The young lady Miles wished he had gotten as his true mate instead. Tia. Miles had been in love with her since he broke through the facade she put up for the world. He saw her ease in his presence, and it was the first time he’d ever seen a smile on the notorious Ice Queen's face. It was small, but even Tyson recognized the difference in the Bratty daughter whenever she was near Miles. No one makes Tia smile. She was too cold, too distant, too guarded, in Tyson's opinion, but Miles was convinced she was different underneath it all. One thing Tyson was sure of was that it was clear things were not welcoming for Tia within her own pack, but there was little he or his lovestruck brother could do about it. Especially with Miles mated to the ever wicked, Hilary. That was the real Ice Queen; the problem was, no one even realized it. Neither of the brothers knew why Tia was the way she was in public, but it made their trio moments more valuable. She was different when it was just the three of them or when Sarah was visiting. Tyson, although he didn't see through the facade as easily as his brother or mate, also knew that Sarah seemed to understand on a female level. That was the thing about his Luna: she kept her promises and other people's secrets. So when it was just the two of them, and Tyson tried to understand better what they saw in the bratty girl, he was always met with the same line. "It's not my story to tell." “She did. She always does.” Tyson smirked over at his brother. Though mated, Miles couldn’t shake his pull towards Tia. She felt like —his. He couldn’t explain it, but it was magnetic. It wasn’t the same as the true mate bond. No, he understood that Hilary was assigned to him, but at times, even his wolf, Bane, seemed confused. “I can’t believe she went behind Tia’s back and changed the theme to silver.” Tyson shook his head. This caused Miles to scoff and hiss through his teeth. “You can’t? It sounds exactly like something my ever-so-thoughtful mate would do. Remember Sarah and her baby shower.” Miles' reminder flashed back to Sarah’s disappointed expression when the entire Henry family arrived for Tyson and Sarah's baby shower, excluding Tia. Hilary deliberately withheld the invite. Sarah was heartbroken at first when she thought that Tia had chosen not to come, as the Henry family suggested. Then came Sarah’s wrath once she learned that Tia wasn’t invited, as Hilary assured her she would be. It was calculated and heartless. Sarah banned Hilary from her presence for a month, which created discord between Miles and Hilary, as well as their mate bond. The packhouse became a minefield of triggers for either woman to snap. The omegas felt uneasy. Miles groaned again, throwing his head back with his eyes closed. “She is too perfect to be tossed away to that loser Delta. Why would they do that? She could have a mate out there.” It pained Miles to think about Tia leaving his presence and finding someone else, but again, what could he do about it? “I agree. The Raven Peak pack was a bunch of barbarians with more testosterone than brains. They’ve been pressing on the Slaughtered Lamb pack for years. Idiots! You don’t f***k with Alpha Beast or his Luna, Carissa. They’d sooner slit your throat than tolerate an insult to their pack.” Tyson tisked at the thought. “You know, if Tia is wolfless, she will likely be rejected by her true mate.” Miles snapped his head up and looked heatedly at his twin brother. “Your point?” “All I am saying is, you could—” Miles stopped his brother before he could finish. “I would never want to insult her with the suggestion. Tia isn’t a mistress, she is a Queen! She deserves to be presented as such, and I would never ask something like that of her. No, if she is rejected, then we will help her find someone deserving.” Miles was unyielding on the matter. Sarah suggested the same consideration, but agreed that Tia deserves to be in the light and not hidden like she has been her entire life. Tyson raised his hands in surrender. “I agree, but I also know that you are the only one who penetrates her armour, and I hate seeing you like this every time we leave that pack. I think nothing but great things of Tia, but that is only because we have managed to navigate through those landmines planted around her to keep everyone at bay. Not many people care to look past the walls.” “Don’t talk about her like that, Ty.” Miles clenched his teeth and balled his fists by his side. “Like what? I am pointing out a fact. She’s guarded—heavily guarded. She isn’t as guarded around us, that's all.” “Let’s just move on.” “Alright.” Tyson sighs as the car falls silent again. “So, do you think the Raven Peak pack will uphold their agreement?” “No,” Miles answered, his expression pulling back as he watched the scenery pass by as the car approached the Fisher Brooks' pack house. Standing out there to greet them was the always-smiling Luna Sarah, her assigned warrior guard standing close and on point. The SUV was barely put into park before Tyson was outside it, rushing to meet his awaiting mate. “I’ll get the bags then?” Miles called out in annoyance. He paused and watched his brother and mate embrace one another lovingly. There was so much warmth between his twin and their Luna that Miles couldn’t help but stare in envy. That was how mates were supposed to be. That was how others were whenever they returned from missions or headed out. Hilary wasn’t a warm mate unless there was an audience. “Son,” The deep voice that neither of the Roberts twins could ever forget, called from behind him. Their parents stood regal yet warm. Miles saw the flash of sympathy in their mother's eyes as she caught him staring in wonder at what Tyson and Sarah had. “Welcome home, son.” Constance Roberts approached and gently cupped Miles' face. “We missed you both deeply.” “Hey, mum.” Of the twins, Miles gravitated more toward their mother. Tyson was the eldest twin brother by an hour, so he inherited the pack. Miles had no problems accepting the Beta role, especially since there were no Beta heirs to contend with. As a twin, it has always been his role to support his brother. Even as young pups, Tyson was taking charge, and Miles was the supportive right-hand man. “How was it?” Constance looked around after pulling back for the hug. “I noticed Hilary hadn’t returned again. How long will she be away this time?” “Now, sweetheart.” Frank gave his meddling mate a knowing glance. “Let them sort out their hiccups.” “What?” Constance looked around with an expression of innocence. “I was just making an observation, is all.” “Yeah, where is sister-in-law dearest? Did she find her one hundred dalmations from which to make her fashion wares?” The insult was loud and intentional. Sarah was brilliant with her barbs aimed at Hillary. “Hello to you, too, Sarah. I’ve missed you. Oh, how was the drive back? Exhausting.” Miles bantered back, extracting a dramatic eye-roll from Sarah as he collected the two bags from the back of the black SUV. “Fine!” Sarah sulked. “I want to see pictures of everything!” Sarah announced, and Constance joined in the excitement. “Seconded!” Constance clapped, leading the group inside. Miles trailed behind; he shook his head a few times as a piercing pain coursed through his body. Miles reached out for the handrail, only to miss it in time. “Miles!” Constance cried out, glancing back in time to see her son falling backwards. “Miles!” Tyson parroted his mother's concerned cries. Tyson rushed and collected his brother's slumped and unconscious body. “Miles, wake up. Please, brother, don’t do this to me!”