The first council member spoke again, “Well, often twin werewolves or lycans will have the same mate.” Cain let out a frustrated sigh, “Yes, we know that and you all know that does not apply here.” The council member nodded but said nothing. Then a voice rang out from behind us, “What does it matter? You’ve felt the mate bond in her. She is your mate. And Beta Cain, you should be grateful she has been found.” We turn to the voice, a man with graying hair, a couple streaks of chestnut brown that seemed to refuse to give into his age. He approached me, his hands held behind his back and got uncomfortably close and looked down at me, “Oh…those eyes. Councilmember Issac was not wrong about her exotic nature.” He moved around the room and made his way to the empty seat, “Councilmember Killian, how kind of you to finally join us.” He seemed more casual than the others, even in how he sat in his seat.

He crossed his arms and leaned forward on the desk before him, “Why question the gift the goddess has given you both. Beta Cain, you lost your mate before you truly had time with her. King Tobias, you are about a hundred and ten years behind on finding your mate.” A hundred and ten!?! How old was Tobias? How old was Cain? Killian continued, “And as far as the fact that she is both your mate…you two will just have to work out how to share her because as lycans you need her.” Share? I shifted my weight on my feet and crossed my arms. I was beginning to notice something and it was starting to make me mad. 

Not one of them has spoken directly to me. They had all been talking as if I wasn’t even in the room, telling Cain and Tobais what they thought they should do with me. They either didn’t care or had no interest in how I felt about any of this. Their only concern was Cain and Tobais and what they did with me. Like I was an object. I don’t know the exact benefits of a mate for Lycans but whatever they were that seemed to be more what the council was concerned about rather than the people involved in this confused trio of Alpha, Beta, and human, 

“Whatever you choose, you two should do the ceremony or ceremonies tonight.” Okay that’s it! I pushed myself in front of Cain and Tobias, “Alright! I’ve had enough of all you jerks treating me like I’m not here or just an object to be discussed! None of you seemed concerned about how Cain or Tobias feel about this let alone how I feel about any of this! Has it possibly occurred to ANY of you…” I glanced at Cain and Tobias, “Or even you two, that maybe I might want none of this!?!” I looked back at the stunned council members, “What if I say no!?! Does that really not matter here?” The council members looked almost offended though I wasn’t sure if it was because of what I said or if it was because I had the audacity to speak to them as I had or at all for that matter. The only council member who didn’t look at me with an appalled expression was Killian who looked more surprised.

The surprised look faded into a smile, “Well…I think I can see why the goddess must have picked her for you Alpha.” My lips parted, stunned before I glared at him, “Are you kidding me!?! Still!?!” He chuckled. He was really pissing me off. He held his hands up in surrender to me, “Put the claws away kitten. I hear you.” He leaned forward and laced his fingers together as he folded his hands in front of him, “Now, why would you, Miss Luna, not want to be the Alpha and Beta’s mate?” My brows pulled together. Was it really so ridiculous for me not to want to be a part of any of this? 

“First off my name is not Luna, it's Lily Murphy. Secondly, why does it seem so odd that I would not want to be their mate? Not only is Alpha Tobias’ position very important but there are a lot of reasons that come into play here.” I looked at the other council members, “As some of you happily pointed out. I am human…weak by your standards. I also have my own life and goals I’ve set for myself. Not to mention the fact that there are two of them and one of me. How is one person supposed to give them the love they would deserve and need?” I paused as I felt a twinge in my gut, “That is a lot to ask of someone.” I noticed a few eyebrows raised at my words, “Do you not feel the mate bond?” I turned to the scarred council member who had first spoken, “W-well, I don’t know about that. There’s a strange feeling in my skin when they touch me.” He leaned forward, “When they both touch you?” I nodded, “Do you get an odd feeling that tells you to look and find their eyes on you?” What? Was that really part of it? I nod slowly.

“Murphy?” I looked at Council Member Killian again and nodded, “You’re Anthony Mahon’s niece?” I nod again. What does that have to do with anything? He smiled, “A willful kitten connected to an asset.” Seriously? Yes, my uncle was a good and talented person but is he what places value on me in their eyes? I shook my head, “Is that all that matters to you people? My value to you?” I held my hands up, “You know what? I don’t even want any of this anyway. You ego driven jerks aren’t providing anything helpful towards why we’re here in the first place and have proven that everything revolves around you anyway. I’m out. I’m done. Goodbye.” I turned on my heel and headed out the door. A chaos of male voices rising from back in the room behind me. 

I went straight to my room and pulled out my suitcase and started packing my stuff. The afternoon was still a couple of hours away but getting ready too early was never a bad thing. I picked my phone up and unplugged it from its charger. I had two texts from Uncle Anthony about breakfast but I didn’t reply to him. Instead I messaged Abby, ‘I know I said afternoon but can we go as soon as however long it takes you to pack?’ She replied right away, ‘Where have you been? What’s going on?’ I replied just as quickly, ‘I’ll tell you about it once we’re on the road.’ There was a long pause before she finally replied, ‘Okay, I’ll be ready to go in five minutes…I’d already packed. Uncle Anthony and Aunt Lynelle said they’ll see you at the car.’ I sigh in relief, ‘Thank you.’ I changed out of my pajamas into a red t-shirt and jeans and folded Cain’s shirt and set it on the bed next to my suitcase. I rushed to pack my things and did a once over of the room to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I grabbed my suitcase and left heading for the car park. 

There, Uncle Anthony, Aunt Lynelle, and Abby were all leaning against her car waiting. Uncle Anthony took my suitcase from me and put it in the trunk. Aunt Lynelle handed me a bag, “I packed up your breakfast for you.” She then gave me a hug before Uncle Anthony swept in and hugged me, “Thank you so much guys. We had a lot of fun. I’m so sorry to have cut things short.” They nodded and I saw Aunt Lynelle’s eyes jump to Abby then back to me, “Hopefully everything is alright honey.” Another hug from both of them and Abby and I jumped in the car. Abby rolled down the window and Uncle Anthony leaned in, “Let us know you guys made it back safely okay?” We both nodded, “Okay.” Abby threw the car in reverse and backed out of the parking spot. They waved at us again before she put the car in drive and we headed down the long driveway heading for the main road back to normal civilization.