verb ~ be in a state of uncertainty between two conflicting options

I found Pollux first. Molly nor Leo was here yet, so I assumed they were still in the packhouse. Pollux turned to me first, his lean body a stand out compared to the taller men lingering around. He had his hands buried into his jean pockets; a borrowed outfit I'm sure.

He quirked an eyebrow at me, casting a glance over my shoulder. "Trouble in paradise?"

I huffed, standing next to him with crossed arms. "I wouldn't say it's paradise..."

"What's wrong?" He wondered.

I sighed, looking at my twin with mixed emotions. He studied my face, a frown covering his own. He seemed to lean closer to me as he waited for me to answer.

"He's just..."I began, but paused, not wanting others to hear too much. "Overly protective."

Pollux snorted and I grumbled at him. "You could say that. Alpha male exhibit A."

"Not helping."

He dropped his smirk to study me once more. Eventually, he slid his hand out of his pocket and moved closer to wrap it around my shoulders. I froze at the contact, not used to Pollux being so embracing. When I didn't move away, he pulled me in close, enveloping me into his arms. I hesitated, before accepting the warming hug. I felt the weird sibling bond buzz between us, connecting us in a flash of warmth.

"That's not all that's on your mind." He mumbled, my head against his shoulder.

Pollux was a mere couple of inches taller, so it was rather comforting to embrace someone that wasn't huge in both directions. I sighed into him, taking in his sweeter smell. I gently pushed into his mind, waiting for him to accept my thoughts as I chose to speak to him privately.

I'm having some weird dreams...visions, I guess. I mumbled.

About what? He wondered, his arms tightening around me.

Mother dying. I saw a lot more...speech, this time around. I explained. And I can't shift the feeling something bad is to happen.

He grumbled, nuzzling his head into the side of mine. I have been having the same feelings. It comes and goes, though, something is coming.

I don't know who to trust... I breathed.

He sighed and I imagined him looking over at the people behind me. The hug wasn't awkward, despite the length of it. I rather enjoyed being in my twin's arms, I felt safe and calm. It was weird. Someone I shared a womb with, the first few years of my life with, to then grow up without... And yet, it felt so natural. Familiar.

We keep our guards up. Collect information. He spoke softly. Dion has been on edge the moment he heard about the vampire attack at the kingdom. We are glad you are okay.

Thanks. I mumbled. If it wasn't for Cyrus... I don't know if I would be infected or not.

Pollux shook his head gently. What did they say about it? That you'd turn?

I shrugged, eventually pulling my head from his shoulder. Phoenix wasn't sure. Nobody turned.

He leaned away also, a concentrated frown on his face. It is believed to be a myth, that vampires can control their venom. But it's more of a...coven thing.

Coven thing?

He nodded, looking to the nearby wolves briefly who paid us no mind. Some covens have the lower members remove their venomous glands. It's a way to control the population. Any newborn, bloodsucker can go on a turning or killing spree, so to take the venom away lowers the turning rate. Control the masses.

Surely they would want more numbers. They seem to be power-hungry. I wondered.

Pollux shrugged. I cannot say for them, but what if someone was to turn a weaker, younger or elderly person? Wouldn't be a very strong fighter now, would it?

I hummed, deep in thought. How do you know of this?

I travelled a lot, once I shifted. Plus, Gaia would tell me things of her past, make them into bedtime stories when I was younger. He chuckled. The old woman would play them off as stories,  but they always had a purpose. Everything she ever told me, taught me, was to play in my favour.

I flinched when the intrusion of my dream hit my mind; of Gaia being unable to directly interfere.

I understand that... In this vision, Pollux, she was there earlier than before. Mother...asked her to take care of us, but she said she couldn't interfere with my fate, nor mother's intentionally. Mother was bitten and turning, and she pleaded with Gaia to end her life. So Gaia set the forest on fire and took you away. There were talks of...erasing our memories...

Pollux's eyes were wide as he watched the flashes of images in my mind. His hands were on my elbows and tightened each time he saw something triggering.

It sounds very plausible. I don't remember much, being too young but I do remember what mother looked like when she was alive. Then it's empty until my childhood with Gaia and Raven. He sighed.

I remember nothing before the age of ten or maybe twelve. I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

Pollux smiled sadly. That could be Gaia, or that could be something else. Only one way to find out.

I paused, realising where he was coming from.

Pollux...

Yes? He wondered, raising an eyebrow with interest.

Can we trust her?

He cocked his head. What do you mean?

Gaia. Raven. I don't know... I feel...strange. Why would she keep this from you? From us? Mother saved us, then she died. Gaia has kept things from us, she never even told you about me. Raven appeared in my room earlier, just teleported there. How did she do that? The house is spelled.

His eyes widened before narrowing as he hummed. I suppose I can understand your suspicion... I was raised by Gaia, Raven was... always powerful... Do you believe that somehow Gaia is involved in all of this?

I shrugged. I don't know... As I said, I don't know who to trust. I am receiving so many mixed signals from so many people.

You need to clear your mind.

I know, I know. I breathed. I was speaking to Phoenix about going to visit Cyrus or Aila.

Aila? He asked. I know of that name.

She was apparently friends of the family. I nodded.

He hummed. You will have to speak to your mate about it.

I sighed, sneaking a glance over my shoulder to where I could sense Phoenix. He was standing facing the fire, whiskey glass in his hand, leaning on one leg more than the other with his arms crossed over his chest. He was talking to a couple beside him, laughing at something they said. Cast in the orange hues of the fire against the darkness of the evening, he looked ethereal. The fire lit up his eyes, dancing with colour against the sharpness of his face. They were so vibrant, so beautiful...

He must've felt my gaze because his brilliant eyes turned to me. With half a smile still on his face, his lips closed into a smaller one when we locked eyes. I swallowed before turning back to my twin. Pollux was smirking at me, looking back at my mate. I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms in an attempt to comfort myself.

I'm sure, whatever he did, was not meant to upset you.

I huffed. You'd think that, but it has.

Perhaps he thought it didn't...

He commanded Sean to stay away from me, Pollux.

He winced. Ouch, tough one.

Yeah. I sighed. I'm torn.

Why?

I can understand why he did it. It's in his nature to feel protective But Sean is one of my best friends, and he has a mate now so it's not like anything is going on. I told Sean that it never would when he used to get...comfortable.

Pollux chuckled, eyes lighting with mischief. Like sleeping on your bed?

I winced this time, avoiding eye contact. I was lonely, and most of the time I fell asleep before the movie even ended. I did not know that he was so stubborn as to not leave.

Did he get under the covers and everything? He teased.

I rolled my eyes, shoving him playfully which caused him to laugh.

"No, he slept sideways along the bottom," I spoke aloud.

He laughed again. "Okay, sure thing."

I couldn't help but smile at his infectious laughter. "He was there for me when I felt lonely. I had no one when I came here, Pollux. I left an entire pack, an entire life, to come here. Then Phoenix gave me the cold shoulder, and I grew attached to Sean. I don't think I would've been too willing to continue if it wasn't for him."

He smiled gently. "But he overstepped his grounds."

"How so?" I wondered, curious.

"He was to look after you, not make a move." He chuckled.

I grimaced but nodded. "True... That's why I'm torn. I understand how Phoenix was feeling, but he did it behind my back and has made him not get involved with me so much anymore."

"I get it." Pollux nodded. "So talk to him about it. I don't think he can last another minute stood over there like a lost puppy."

I turned to look over my shoulder again to seek Phoenix, only this time he was alone. I sighed, observing the closed-off approach he held. He lifted his glass to his lips, downing the rest of his whiskey without a second thought. I sighed; I hated arguments, spectating so many of them in my life made me realise how petty they could be.

"Okay, fine." I breathed before turning back around.

Only to find this time I was alone. I frowned, utterly confused at the lack of my twin. He was right next to me, snickering about Phoenix. Where could he have gone?

"He's getting something to eat."

I tensed at the voice, slowly turning myself around to gaze up at the large form behind me.

"I'd say he and Charlie will give the buffet a ninety percent chance of not lasting an hour." Phoenix chuckled, looking to the buffet where the two men were grabbing plates.

A small smile graced my lips and I nodded in agreement as I saw Calida lingering behind the two. "I say ninety-nine."

His head darted down to me, his eyes burning into the side of my face. "I'm sorry."

I looked up to him, drinking in the way his beauty seemed to glow in the damn dark. Did he ever look at me like this? Or was I just a slave to his every being?

"I shouldn't have stopped you seeing your friends." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just...irritated by how close you two were...are...I shouldn't have done it. I know that now, but I'm just ..."

"Protective? Stubborn? Temperamental?" I teased.

His eyes lit up with a smirk. "All of the above."

"Glad you see that." I grinned.

He wasted no time in grabbing me and pulling me into his chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my head into his chest. The rumble of his chest had me snuggling deeper into him, comforted by his soothing sounds. I could never stay too mad at him; I was drawn to him as he was me. Mistakes were made; our past was a large factor in that.

"Just... talk to me next time, okay?" I asked, pulling away to look at his face.

He leaned down to place a kiss upon my nose. "I promise."

"Good. Or I may have to ignore you for a day again."

His eyes widened, remembering the last time I did that. "Let's not."

I laughed at him, kissing his chest through his shirt. "Come on, let's go get something to eat before the buffet really is destroyed."

He chuckled, moving away to take my hand. "I'm the Alpha. I can cut in."

•••

Hey everyone, I forgot to upload this yesterday think my brain got confused with the days because in uploaded Tuesday 😂

wc: 2028

Question of the Day:
What do you think is gonna happen next?? I got a good couple chapters coming haha

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