Page 11 of My Pucking Life

The peace is broken when Roman chooses to go ahead and continue the earlier discussion about where we all stand. “Why didn't you come to me?” he asks, his voice gravely and pained.

Runa gingerly sets down her glass of tea and meets his eyes. “I wanted to. So many times. But I couldn't be sure whether or not it was safe. I've watched your entire hockey career, and what I could of you, but I couldn't be sure you weren't just like him.”

Roman growls, but she lifts a hand to stop him. “Let's turn the tables then. If you only knew what you could see from the outside, what would you have thought? A man who was raised by this monster. Who then rises within the ranks of the military and becomes the Commander of the King's Werewolf Army. But wait, there's more. He's betrothed to the King's advisor's daughter. The same man who went with the monster to obtain the prophecy. You hold no public grudges against your father. You only recently ended the engagement with India. You tell me, Roman, what would you think?”

I already know the answer because I can completely see her perspective as someone who also came from outside their ranks. He knows too because he hangs his head and lets out a strangled, “FUCK!”

“I'm not mad at you for doing what you had to do to get through that life. I'm not mad at you at all. I just couldn't risk it. No matter how many times I've wanted to just…die…” she chokes on a fresh sob, and growls erupt around the room. “I couldn't let her sacrifice mean nothing.”

I can’t hold back anymore. I dash across the kitchen and wrap her in a hug. I don't even know if she likes hugs, but anyone who has felt those feelings alone deserves a hug. She slowly returns the hug, wrapping her arms around my upper back as she's probably five inches taller than me. Once her arms have completely wrapped around me, the dam breaks, and this strong woman shatters into pieces. I hold her tighter as she cries against me. Slowly, my amazing new family joins me, one by one, starting with Miss Tilly, who joins us with an, “Oh, my sweet dears,” while she pats our backs. Khaos and Roman come in simultaneously and crush us in a loving and comforting werewolf-sandwich-hug.

“Come on, everyone in!” Benny yells, dragging Slate and Andrei into the group hug.

The twins look apprehensive, but after a sideways glare from Roman, they also join the moment.

The men nearly immediately begin pulling away, but I have a rule when it comes to hugs. I never stop hugging first. You never know how much someone needs it. So, I continue to hold on until I feel Runa begin to pull away, and our watery eyes meet each other's. “Roman, she gets to stay, right? She's been through so much, and now you two can get to know each other.”

Roman's face softens as he smiles. “She can stay if she would like, but that's up to her and her Alpha.” He nods towards Khaos.

“Wait. Before you decide completely, there's one other thing.” Runa pulls her hands from mine to wring them together in front of her, eyes darting around the room.

I'm looking between Roman and Runa, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “What is it?”

“You don't have to tell him if you don't want to,” Dolos says, the edge in his voice startling me.

Runa shakes her head. “If I'm going to be getting to know my brother and creating a life here, I won't start it with half-truths or whatever his deal is…” She pauses, her cheeks turning pink. “The twins are my mates.”

8

That was the absolute last thing I expected to leave her mouth, but also, now everything makes sense. “Is this what the fuck's been wrong with you two lately?” I ask, turning to the twins. The twins who don't look as happy as they should about having found their fated mate.

Dolos nods, but Eris looks to draw even deeper within himself.

We're all just standing here, but no one is saying anything.

“What the hell is going on? What's wrong with you?” I nearly roar, my irritation at their strange behavior peaking.

“Nothing,” is all Eris grunts, and Dolos just shakes his head at him.

I point my finger at him. “Listen here, I don’t know what crawled up your ass, or what your problem is, but you better figure it out,” I bark.

“I can go,” Runa says lightly with Leera by her side.

“You've done nothing wrong. Do you know why they're acting like this?” I ask her, trying to remember not to growl at her for something that isn’t her fault.

Eris rises and begins to stomp out of the room, causing me to bark at him, “Sit your lousy-attitude-ass down,” and he does.

Runa nods but continues, “They've apparently got some personal stuff they need to work through, and so do I…” she trails off, but I can hear the pain of rejection in her voice.

So help me Goddess, if my own men put my sister through that kind of pain, I will maul them myself.I know they always joked about never wanting a mate, but no one ever thought they were serious. “If that's how you two are going to be, then you don't deserve—"

“It's not like that,” Dolos interrupts, now rising to his feet.

“Well, it's obviously like something, isn't it?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Until I'm sure you can appreciate her and treat her the way she deserves, Runa is off limits—"

“Roman!” Leera and my sister shout in unison, both planting their hands on their hips. It surprises them, and they stop and turn to look at each other before smiling, in turn making me smile.

---