Chapter 11

POV: Mia

The elevator ride up to their penthouse felt endless. My body was still humming from the adrenaline, from fear, from the way Theo and Xander had appeared out of nowhere, saving me. Now, standing between them in the glass-walled space of their apartment, I felt a different kind of tension coiling inside me.

The place was massive—modern, sleek, but still warm. The city lights spilled into the living room, reflecting off the marble floors and dark leather furniture. It smelled like them—woodsy, masculine, something deep and heady that made my breath catch.

“Sit,” Xander said, his voice smooth and controlled, always in command. “I’ll make you some tea.”

Tea. Such a simple thing, yet the way he said it made my chest ache. He was always the calculating one, the one who thought ahead. I nodded, whispering, “Thank you.”

The second he disappeared into the kitchen, Theo grabbed my wrist, gently but firmly, pulling me toward the couch. Before I could react, he sank onto it and pulled me into his lap.

“Theo—”

“Shhh, just let me hold you,” he murmured, his arms caging around me. His warmth wrapped around me, strong and solid, and I melted into him before I could stop myself. My face rested against his shoulder, my fingers instinctively clutching the fabric of his shirt. His scent, darker and wilder than Xander’s, curled around me, soothing and electrifying all at once.

His fingers traced slow, idle patterns on my skin, making me shiver. The adrenaline was fading, but the ache inside me only grew. I wasn’t sure what I needed more—comfort or something else entirely.

“Missed you,” he murmured under his breath, so soft I almost didn’t hear it. But I did. And it made something inside me break.

I pulled back, just enough to look into his face. His deep blue eyes, always burning, searched mine. The space between us shrank. I wanted to kiss him. God, I wanted to kiss him so badly it hurt.

“Tea,” Xander’s voice cut through the moment.

I turned, heart pounding. He stood there, a steaming mug in his hand, his gaze flicking between me and Theo. Something unreadable flickered in his eyes before he moved toward us, settling onto the couch beside Theo.

I thought about moving off Theo’s lap, but his arms tightened around me, keeping me there. Xander didn’t comment. Instead, he set the mug down for me and took my legs, lifting them onto his lap as if it was the most natural thing in the world. His hand, warm and steady, started tracing lazy circles on my calf.

I swallowed hard. The weight of their attention pressed down on me, making my pulse stutter. I wrapped my hands around the mug, more for something to do than for warmth.

“Do you… do you guys not think this is weird?” I finally asked, my voice quiet. “Me being here, like this. With both of you.”

Theo huffed a small laugh against my neck, his lips grazing my skin. “It’s only weird if you want it to be.”

Xander smirked, his thumb stroking over my ankle. “Mia, we like you. A lot. Enough that if we had to, we’d fight over you.” His voice dropped, rich with meaning. “But we’d rather not have to.”

I inhaled sharply. My grip tightened around the mug. The room felt too warm, their presence wrapping around me like a slow, consuming fire.

Theo leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “We’re both willing to share, if that’s what it takes to have you.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. The words, the way he said them, sent a rush of heat through my veins. I took another sip of tea, trying to steady myself, but my hands were shaking.

Xander’s hand drifted higher up my thigh, his touch featherlight. “What do you want, Mia?” His voice was low, coaxing, unraveling me piece by piece.

What do I want? I didn’t know anymore. Or maybe I did, and I’d just been too scared to admit it.

Theo took the mug from my trembling hands, setting it on the table. His fingers brushed my jaw, tilting my face toward his. His eyes, deep and burning, searched mine. He didn’t rush. He was giving me a choice.

I stopped thinking. Stopped trying to pick between them. Stopped pretending I didn’t crave them both.

I leaned in.

Theo met me halfway, his lips crashing against mine, hot and demanding. The second our mouths met, a needy sound escaped me. He groaned, gripping my waist, pulling me deeper into him.

And then I felt Xander. His lips, soft but firm, brushed over the curve of my shoulder. His hand slid up my thigh, his touch sending shivers through me. I gasped against Theo’s mouth, my body arching instinctively.

This was insane. This was too much.

But it felt so right.

Xander’s lips traced up my neck, and my head tilted back, giving him more access. Theo’s hands slid under my dre, his palms hot against my bare skin. I whimpered, my body tightening, aching.

I was lost. Lost between them. Lost in them.

The alcohol could be helping, but right now, I didn’t care.

And for the first time, I let myself be.

I felt lost in them, yet at the same time, I had never felt more like I was exactly where I was meant to be. Like my entire life had been leading up to this—like I had been made for this.

For them.

Theo’s hands gripped my waist, his touch firm, possessive, like he was afraid to let go, while Xander cupped my face, his fingers tracing my jaw before tilting my chin up to capture my lips in a searing kiss. It was too much. And not enough. I wanted more. I needed more.

Somewhere in the haze of their hands and mouths, I realized I was on my back, sprawled out on the massive couch, with each of them on either side of me—Theo to my left, Xander to my right. My dress was nothing but a puddle of fabric at my waist, my skin burning from the intensity of their touches. Every barrier between us felt unbearable, like it was keeping me from something vital, something I had always craved without knowing it.

Theo’s breath was hot against my ear as he murmured, “You’re too perfect.” The reverence in his voice sent a shiver down my spine, right before he claimed my lips in a kiss that stole the very air from my lungs.

At the same time, Xander trailed kisses along my jaw, down my neck, until he found the delicate spot where my shoulder met my throat. He lingered there, sucking, then biting down just enough to make me gasp, the sharp pleasure sinking deep into my bones. My fingers buried themselves in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more.

Xander’s lips traveled lower, his hands moving behind me to unclasp my bra. The moment it slipped from my body, both of them paused. Their heated gazes roamed over me, those piercing blue eyes making me feel like the most precious thing in the world.

Xander was the first to speak, his voice rough with restraint. “You’re stunning.”

Theo let out a low, approving growl before both of them leaned down at the same time, each taking one of my hardened nipples into their mouths. The simultaneous sensation of their warm lips and tongues sent a surge of pleasure through me, making my back arch against the couch. They weren’t rushing. They weren’t just touching me. They were worshipping me, like nothing else in the world mattered but this.

A whimper slipped from my lips before I could stop it, and Theo smirked against my skin. His hands skimmed down my stomach, teasing the edge of my panties before slowly peeling them down my thighs. The hunger in his gaze sent heat pooling low in my belly.

“I’m so wet for both of you,” I confessed, my voice raw, breathless. It was the truth. I couldn’t hold back around them. Didn’t want to.

Theo groaned, his fingers gripping my thighs as he settled between them. He shot Xander a look, something smug and challenging. “You’ve already tasted her. It’s my turn.”

Before I could process his words, his mouth was on me.

I gasped, my hands flying to his hair as his tongue flicked over my clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure through my entire body. At the same time, Xander kissed me, swallowing my moans as his hands explored my body, one rolling my nipple between his fingers while his mouth claimed the other. I was drowning in them, in the overwhelming sensations, the pleasure curling tight in my core.

Theo groaned against me, the vibrations making me tremble. Then I felt the first press of his finger inside me, slow, deliberate. He lifted his head just enough to rasp, “God, you’re so tight.”

Xander’s teeth grazed my sensitive skin as he murmured, “I can’t wait to feel her.”

My body clenched at his words, a fresh wave of arousal flooding me. Theo curled his fingers just right, hitting a spot so sensitive it had me crying out, my thighs shaking. My orgasm slammed into me, raw and intense, leaving me gasping for air. But they didn’t stop. They didn’t give me a chance to recover. Theo kept working his tongue against me, relentless, while Xander held me in place, whispering praises against my skin.

A second orgasm tore through me, then a third, and just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, they switched places.

Theo’s lips found mine, stealing my breath, his tongue sweeping into my mouth to let me taste myself on him, while Xander settled between my thighs, his touch both reverent and possessive. The first stroke of his tongue made my entire body jerk, the overstimulation driving me higher, pushing me closer to the edge again.

Theo kissed a path down my neck, my collarbone, his hands cradling my breasts as he took one hardened peak into his mouth. The combination was too much. The pleasure built and built until it shattered, my body convulsing as another orgasm ripped through me.

When I finally came back down, I was trembling, breathless, my skin flushed and damp. They didn’t leave me. Instead, they both wrapped themselves around me, each on one side, cocooning me in their warmth.

I let out a shaky breath, my voice barely above a whisper. “Something that feels this good can’t be wrong… right?”

Theo kissed my temple, Xander traced lazy circles on my thigh, and together, they answered in unison. “Right.”

Sleep pulled me under, my body spent and blissfully sated, surrounded by their warmth, their presence, their devotion. And just before I drifted off, I swore I could feel them smiling against my skin.

Chapter 12

POV : Mia

The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow over the penthouse. I stirred, feeling the weight of a warm arm draped over my waist and another across my stomach. The steady rise and fall of their breathing surrounded me, their heat sinking into my skin. For a moment, I just lay there, wrapped in the quiet comfort of their presence, a lazy smile curling my lips.

Theo shifted first, his grip tightening slightly before he let out a deep, sleepy groan. “Morning, trouble,” he murmured against my hair before pressing a lazy kiss to my temple. His voice was thick with sleep, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

I turned my head just in time for Xander to tilt my chin towards him, his blue eyes heavy with warmth. “Morning, Mia,” he whispered before his lips brushed mine in a soft, lingering kiss, a stark contrast to the way he’d wrecked me last night.

Heat crept up my neck, a mix of memories and embarrassment flooding me. “Morning,” I murmured, suddenly aware that I was wearing nothing but one of their oversized shirts. I wasn’t even sure whose. It smelled like both of them—clean spice and something distinctly masculine.

Theo smirked as he propped himself up on one elbow. “How are you feeling?”

I bit my lip, avoiding his gaze. “I’m… fine.”

Xander raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Are you sore?”

I exhaled, pressing my face into the pillow for a second before admitting, “A little. But in a good way.”

Theo chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my thigh. “That’s what we like to hear.”

I sat up slightly, glancing between them. “Not to be ungrateful or anything, but…” I hesitated, licking my lips. “You didn’t—uh—”

They both chuckled, making my stomach twist in nervous excitement. Xander leaned in, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Of course, we wanted to, Mia. But the last thing we want is to overwhelm you. We’re taking things slow.”

I blinked. “Slow? You made me come four times.”

Theo laughed outright, deep and rich, his hand smoothing up my bare thigh. “Oh, so she was counting.”

Xander smirked, tilting his head. “That just means we need to do better next time.”

I gasped, smacking his arm lightly, but I couldn’t hide the way my breath hitched at the implication. “You two are impossible.”

Theo grinned, sitting up and stretching, the muscles in his back shifting under his tanned skin. “Come on, trouble. We made you breakfast.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You two cook?”

Xander slid out of bed smoothly, holding out a hand to me. “You sound surprised.”

I let him pull me up, the oversized shirt falling to mid-thigh as I padded after them to the kitchen. The penthouse was just as stunning in the daylight—modern, sleek, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. The smell of coffee and something sweet filled the air.

Theo was already by the stove, flipping what looked like pancakes while shirtless. Xander moved behind me, his hands settling on my hips before pressing a soft kiss to my shoulder. “Sit,” he murmured, pulling out a stool for me.

I slid onto it, watching them move around the kitchen so easily. “This is… weirdly domestic.”

Theo shot me a grin over his shoulder. “We can be many things, Mia. You’ll see.”

I bit my lip, warmth blooming in my chest. Maybe I already was.

“Do you like pancakes?”Theo asked while he and his brother moved like a dance in the kitchen,.

“Yes, I love it, but just for the record, donust are my favorites,” I said smirking.

“Noted,”Theo said while started flipping the pancakes in the air.

Xander placed a plate in front of me, a perfectly stacked pile of pancakes. “Eat up. Theo has a class in a bit, and I’m driving you home.”

I blinked. “Wait, you go to campus? Like, a normal student?”

Theo smirked, biting into a piece of bacon. “Shocking, right?”

Xander chuckled. “Come on, Mia. Eat. You’ll need your energy.”

The way he said it made heat pool low in my stomach again, and I had a feeling they were nowhere near done with me. And maybe, just maybe, I didn’t want them to be.

The sunlight streamed through the blinds as I stepped into the apartment, kicking off my shoes and stretching my sore limbs. I had barely made it three steps before Karen turned from where she was perched on the couch, a mischievous grin already in place.

“Well, well, well,” she sang, setting down her coffee. “Look who decided to come home.”

I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face. “Don’t start.”

“Oh, I am absolutely starting,” she shot back. “Mia, it’s past ten in the morning. You, my dear, have never stayed out all night for as long as I’ve known you. And I have known you for a very, very long time.”

She crossed her arms, looking way too pleased with herself. “Sooo? Are you going to tell me where you were, or am I going to have to make wildly inappropriate assumptions?”

I hesitated for a split second too long. Karen gasped. “No way. You were at the twins’ penthouse, weren’t you?”

I covered my face with my hands, my skin burning. “I hate you.”

“You love me,” she countered easily. “But oh my god, Mia, you’re glowing.”

I scoffed, but she wasn’t wrong. There was a warmth in my chest I couldn’t quite shake, a lingering sense of being wanted. Cherished. Like last night had shifted something inside me, something right, good, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever be the same again.

Karen saw right through me. “Oh, babe,” she sighed, softer this time. “I’ve never seen you like this. And I don’t hate it.”

I bit my lip. “They’re… different.”

Karen arched a brow. “You mean because there’s two of them?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, I mean—” I hesitated. “I mean they’re good to me.”

She smiled knowingly but didn’t push. Instead, she nudged me toward my room. “Go get cleaned up. I want details later.”

By lunchtime, I was sitting outside on campus, picking at my sandwich when my phone buzzed.

Theo: Turn around.

I frowned, glancing over my shoulder just as Theo plopped down beside me, his intense blue eyes locked onto mine.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, stealing half my sandwich before I could react.

“Hey—!” I swatted at him, but he just grinned, already taking a bite. “I was literally eating that.”

He shrugged. “Now I’m eating it.”

I huffed, but his teasing smirk had me smiling despite myself. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you adore me,” he said, leaning in to press a quick, soft kiss to my lips. It was casual, effortless, and yet it sent a shiver through me.

I barely had time to process it before he pulled back, his grin widening. “See you later, little fox.” And just like that, he was gone, leaving me completely and utterly flustered.

The rest of the day was a game. My phone kept lighting up with messages from them, each one distinctly them.

Xander: Studying hard, sweetheart? Or just thinking about us?

Theo: Bet I could make you forget what you were studying in two minutes flat.

Xander: I give him one minute.

I bit my lip, my cheeks burning, but I couldn’t wipe the stupid smile off my face.

Then, a final message.

Xander: Movie night. Our place. Say yes.

I hesitated for only a second before typing back: Yes.

I was counting the seconds to 7 pm when I should be at their place.

By the time I arrived at the penthouse that evening, excitement buzzed beneath my skin.

The door opened before I could knock, revealing Theo with his ever-present smirk. “Right on time.”

Xander appeared behind him, looking amused. “We were starting to think you’d gotten cold feet.”

“Not a chance,” I said, stepping inside. The scent of popcorn filled the air, and a cozy setup awaited me on the couch—a pile of blankets and an assortment of snacks.

Theo flopped onto the couch, patting the space between them. “Come here, little fox.”

I slid between them, warmth surrounding me instantly. Xander handed me a bowl of popcorn, his fingers brushing against mine. “Comfy?”

I nodded, heart racing as the movie started. But I already knew—I wouldn’t be paying much attention to the screen.

Not when they were right here, and I was exactly where I wanted to be.

Chapter 13

POV: Mia

The movie played in the background, but I wasn’t really paying attention. I was too comfortable, too wrapped in warmth. The twins had me nestled between them on the couch, a cozy nest of blankets, pillows, and their body heat. We’d been like this for over an hour—watching, snacking, sipping wine. It felt easy. It felt right. I let myself sink into it, enjoying their quiet presence as much as I did their intensity.

Theo had gone to grab more wine at some point, leaving me and Xander in the quiet glow of the screen. When he came back, he handed me a glass, his fingers grazing mine deliberately, sending a warm buzz down my arm. I took a slow sip, trying not to let my thoughts spiral into the dangerous territory of what it meant to be here like this—with both of them. Wanting both of them.

The room had settled into a comfortable haze. The wine, their warmth, the weight of the evening—it all made me feel pleasantly light, like I was floating. My eyes stayed on the screen, but then I felt it.

A slow, deliberate touch.

Xander’s hand, warm and steady, resting on my thigh under the blanket. His fingers barely moved, but the heat of his palm sent a shiver up my spine. I didn’t move, didn’t react, but my heart started a slow, heavy beat in my chest. He wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were still locked on the movie, as if nothing was happening. As if he wasn’t slowly, torturously dragging his fingertips along the sensitive skin of my inner thigh.

I swallowed, shifting slightly, but that only made things worse—his touch followed, a whisper of pressure just under the hem of my dress. My breath hitched, but I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. He wasn’t even looking at me.

Oh, so this was a game.

Fine.

I turned my attention back to the movie, pretending—pretending that my pulse wasn’t thundering, that my skin wasn’t burning under his touch. But then his fingers moved higher. Just the lightest, teasing brush over my panties, and I had to fight a gasp.

He was still pretending to watch the movie.

I bit my lip hard, trying not to shift too obviously. But when his finger traced a single, devastatingly slow line over the damp fabric, I couldn’t stop my body’s reaction. My thighs pressed together instinctively, and I felt, rather than saw, his smirk.

Then, his finger slipped beneath the fabric. A single stroke against my wetness, and my entire body tensed.

I turned my head slightly, trying to catch his gaze, but he was still so infuriatingly composed, eyes locked on the screen as if he wasn’t driving me insane under this blanket. As if he wasn’t slowly circling my clit with maddening precision.

I parted my lips, but before I could speak, I felt another shift beside me.

Theo.

I’d been so focused on Xander’s teasing that I hadn’t realized Theo was watching me—not the movie. I turned my head, and there he was, eyes dark, heavy with hunger.

“You’re terrible at pretending,” he murmured, voice rough with amusement and something much deeper.

I swallowed hard, breathless. “I—I don’t know what you mean.”

Theo smirked, leaning in close, his breath hot against my ear. “Liar.”

His lips brushed the shell of my ear, then lower, down to my neck, where he pressed a slow, open-mouthed kiss. My body shivered under the double assault—Xander’s hand still teasing between my legs, and Theo’s mouth exploring the sensitive skin of my throat.

Then Xander pushed a finger inside me, and I gasped, arching against them both.

“Shh,” Xander murmured, finally looking at me. “You don’t want to wake the neighbors.”

His smirk was pure sin, but I barely had time to glare before he captured my mouth with his. Slow and deep, his tongue stroking mine, distracting me from the way his fingers curled inside me, finding that devastating spot that sent pleasure shooting through my core.

Theo took advantage of my distraction, slipping my dress over my head. The cool air hit my skin for only a moment before his mouth replaced it—hot, wet, worshipping. His tongue flicked over one nipple, then the other, his hands squeezing my waist as if he needed to ground himself.

“She’s perfect,” Theo murmured against my skin, his voice reverent.

“She is,” Xander agreed, pressing another kiss to my lips before shifting lower. He tugged my panties down in one smooth motion, and then he was between my thighs, his breath ghosting over my already oversensitive skin.

“I think she likes being teased,” Xander mused, placing a feather-light kiss on my inner thigh.

“She does,” Theo murmured, brushing his fingers over my stomach, barely skimming my skin. “But we should make her lose count again.”

I barely had time to comprehend what he meant before Xander’s mouth was on me, tongue tracing slow, lazy circles over my clit. My hips bucked, but Theo held me still, kissing a path up my stomach, over my ribs, his touch a whisper against my flushed skin.

“Oh, God,” I gasped, gripping the couch cushions.

Xander hummed in approval, the vibrations sending a shockwave through my core. And then Theo’s fingers joined the mix, tracing over my breasts, my stomach, my thighs—barely touching, just enough to drive me insane.

“Relax, beauty,” Xander murmured, his voice like silk against my skin. “Let us take care of you.”

And I did.

I let go.

I shattered.

And they didn’t stop.

They made me come again and again until I was a complete mess.

I woke up surrounded by warmth, my body comfortably pressed between two firm, solid forms. The scent of them—of clean skin, a hint of musk, and something purely Theo and Xander—was enough to make me sink deeper into the comfort of their arms. I blinked against the soft morning light, feeling the steady rise and fall of Theo’s chest behind me while Xander’s fingers lazily traced patterns over my hip.

“Morning, little fox,” Theo murmured, his voice thick with sleep. His hand moved, splaying possessively over my stomach, tugging me even closer against his bare chest.

I hummed, still drowsy but entirely aware of the way their bodies pressed against me. “Morning,” I whispered.

Xander, still lying on his side facing me, leaned in, brushing his lips over mine in a lazy, unhurried kiss. “Sleep well, beauty?”

I nodded, but a soft sound escaped me when Theo nuzzled into my neck, his lips ghosting over my pulse. “I feel like I didn’t even move all night,” I admitted.

“You didn’t,” Xander teased, smirking as his fingers brushed up my thigh. “You were so tired. Wonder why.”

Heat flooded my face, and I shoved at his chest lightly. “Shut up.”

Theo chuckled, his voice still husky. “Adorable when you get shy,” he murmured before pressing a lingering kiss to my shoulder. “Come on. We’re making you breakfast.”

They shifted around me, leaving me feeling cold for a second before Theo scooped me up effortlessly, pulling a surprised yelp from me. “Hey!” I protested, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck as he carried me into the kitchen.

He smirked. “You’re too slow. We’re starving.”

Xander was already at the stove, cracking eggs into a pan, while Theo deposited me onto the kitchen counter, wedging himself between my legs before I could even think about moving. His hands were firm on my hips, thumbs rubbing slow circles into my skin where his shirt barely covered my thighs.

“You look good in my shirt,” he mused, voice lower now, his fingers skimming beneath the fabric teasingly.

“I don’t know whose shirt it is,” I admitted, tilting my head as I looked between them. “It was the closest thing I could grab.”

Xander turned from the stove, eyes darkening as they raked over me. “That just means we’ll have to see which one looks best on you,” he said, smirking as he stepped closer.

My stomach flipped at the heat in their gazes. “You two are ridiculous.”

“You love it,” Theo countered before kissing me deeply, stealing my breath with the way his mouth moved against mine. His hands slid to my thighs, squeezing, just as Xander pressed a kiss to my shoulder, his hands brushing my sides.

I was completely surrounded, utterly consumed.

And then, just as suddenly, they pulled away, leaving me dizzy and gasping as Theo handed me a plate of eggs and toast. “Eat,” he said, grinning at my flustered expression. “You’re gonna need the energy.”

Xander leaned against the counter, smirking. “We’re taking you to dinner tonight.”

I raised a brow. “Oh?”

Theo nodded, stealing a piece of bacon from my plate. “Dress nice, little fox.”

Xander’s gaze was knowing, his smirk full of mischief. “We’ll be thinking about you all day.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that tugged at my lips. “You two are insufferable.”

“You love that too,” Theo shot back before pulling me off the counter and pressing one last kiss to my lips before letting me go.

I laughed, shaking my head as I finished breakfast and got ready for the day. But as I went to class, then to the gym, my phone kept buzzing with texts.

Xander: I think you should wear red tonight.

Theo: Or black. Red would drive me crazy. But black… black would ruin me.

Xander: He’s being dramatic.

Theo: She should know what she does to us.

Xander: Oh, she does.

I bit my lip, heat creeping over my skin as I typed back.

Mia: I don’t know. Maybe I should just wear jeans and a hoodie.

Theo: Don’t. You. Dare.

I giggled to myself, shaking my head. Anticipation curled in my stomach. Tonight was going to be interesting.

Chapter 14

POV: Mia

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the deep red dress that hugged my curves like it was made just for me. The silky fabric draped over my body, accentuating everything in the best way possible. My light brown hair, with its natural blonde highlights, cascaded in soft waves down my shoulders, and my green eyes looked even brighter with the way I had done my makeup—smoky yet refined, just enough to make them pop.

Behind me, Karen leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirking. “You know, for someone who kept saying she wasn’t sure about them, you sure as hell are putting in the effort tonight.”

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. “I just want to look nice.”

“Mia, you’re glowing. Like, actually glowing. I’ve never seen you like this.” She stepped closer, tilting her head as she examined me. “You’re completely smitten, aren’t you?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. Because, damn it, she was right. Instead, I sighed and turned back to the mirror, brushing a hand down the fabric of my dress. “They just… make me feel different. Good different.”

Karen grinned, nudging me playfully. “Well, I love this for you. And for me, because I get to witness all the juicy details later.”

Before I could retort, my phone buzzed. A text from Xander: We’re outside, Queen.

And right below it, one from Theo: Hope you’re ready, little fox. We’ve been dying to see you.

My stomach flipped, excitement bubbling in my chest. I grabbed my clutch, shot Karen a look that said don’t say anything, and made my way downstairs.

Outside, parked right by the curb, was an expensive, sleek black car that looked straight out of a billionaire’s dream. The twins stepped out, both dressed in tailored suits that made them look like they had walked right out of a damn fantasy. Xander’s dark blue suit was smooth, classic, the ring always wear glinting on his hand. Theo, in a black button-up with the top undone, looked effortlessly dangerous.

The moment their eyes landed on me, their gazes darkened in unison.

“Fuck,” Theo murmured under his breath, his eyes dragging over me like he was memorizing every inch. “You’re a vision, Mia.”

Xander stepped closer, taking my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. “Absolutely breathtaking.”

My face heated, but I didn’t look away. “You two clean up pretty well yourselves.”

Theo smirked, leaning in slightly. “Oh, we can be even better than this. But for now, let’s get going. We have something special planned.”

The ride was smooth, the anticipation humming between us as we made our way to the location. When we arrived, I stepped out of the car and looked up—

A rooftop.

A beautifully set table under the stars, with soft string lights illuminating the space. The city skyline stretched around us, a breathtaking view that made my heart clench. A personal chef stood by, ready to prepare the meal just for us. It wasn’t just a dinner. It was an experience.

“This is… incredible,” I whispered, turning to them. “You did all this for me?”

Xander smiled. “Of course we did.”

Theo pulled out my chair, guiding me to sit. “We wanted to make tonight special. Because you’re special.”

The dinner was filled with laughter, teasing, and deep conversation. They made sure my glass was never empty, the wine rich and smooth, pairing perfectly with the food. At one point, I leaned back, taking it all in, feeling something warm settle in my chest.

“This place,” Xander said after a moment, his voice softer now. “It’s important to us. Our father, Liam, brought our mother, Vanessa, here once. It was the night she fell in love with him again.”

I blinked, looking between them. “Again?”

Theo nodded. “It’s a long story, but she lost her memories of him once. He had to win her back. And this place… it meant something to them. So we wanted to share it with you.”

My throat tightened, emotion swelling inside me. “That’s… really beautiful.”

Xander reached over, brushing his fingers against my hand. “We don’t expect anything, Mia. We just want you to know how much you mean to us.”

Theo leaned in, his lips ghosting over my jaw before murmuring, “And how much we want you.”

A shiver ran down my spine, and before I could respond, Xander tilted my chin toward him, capturing my lips in a slow, deep kiss. Theo pressed against my side, his lips finding my neck, and suddenly, the rooftop wasn’t just romantic—it was charged, electric.

I was drowning in them, in their touch, in their warmth. And for the first time, I wasn’t scared of it.

I wanted it. I wanted them.

The ride back to the penthouse was thick with anticipation. The city lights flickered past, casting golden hues across the tinted windows, but all I could focus on was the way Theo’s hand rested on my thigh, the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric of my dress. My skin tingled beneath his touch, every nerve ending alive with expectation. Xander sat beside me, his fingers grazing over my knuckles in a silent promise, his touch featherlight but charged with something undeniable.

The elevator ride up was unbearable. My pulse pounded in my ears, and every stolen glance between us was thick with meaning.

The elevator ride to the penthouse was thick with anticipation, my pulse hammering in my ears. Every stolen glance, every lingering touch from tonight burned in my skin, replaying in my mind like a fever dream. I wanted them—both of them. And I didn’t want to wait anymore.

As the elevator doors slid open, my breath was unsteady. “I want you both,” I whispered, my voice barely louder than a breath, but the weight of my words hung between us like a live wire.

Theo and Xander exchanged glances, their eyes darkening, their bodies going rigid as if they had to confirm between themselves that they’d heard me right. But I didn’t waver. Instead, I stepped forward, making my way to the door, the silent invitation hanging in the air. They opened it for me, and as I crossed the threshold, Theo’s voice came low and rough behind me.

“You have no idea what you do to us, little fox.”

Xander stepped closer, his breath warm against my neck. “You’re really, really sure about this? Because we’ve been holding back for a long time, beauty.” His voice was hoarse, filled with something that sent a delicious shiver down my spine. “And once we have you, we won’t stop.”

I turned to face them, my chest rising and falling with the weight of my desire. I wasn’t more sure of anything in my life. Smirking, I nodded.

The moment the door clicked shut behind us, Theo’s mouth crashed onto mine, his kiss consuming, devouring. Xander was behind me, his lips finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder, his teeth grazing my skin just enough to make my breath hitch. Heat spiraled through me as their hands roamed, fingers tracing fire over my dress.

“You have no idea how long we’ve waited for this,” Xander murmured, his voice raw.

I believed him—it was in the way they touched me, the barely restrained hunger in their movements. Theo lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bedroom with Xander trailing behind us. As soon as my feet touched the floor, they moved in sync, peeling the straps of my dress down my shoulders, agonizingly slow, like they wanted to memorize every inch of revealed skin. When the fabric pooled at my feet, their gazes darkened with something feral, as if seeing me bare never lost its effect on them.

Chapter 15

POV: Mia

Xander pressed against my back, his mouth tracing a slow, teasing path down my neck. Theo was in front of me, capturing my lips again, his kiss deep and all-consuming. Their hands were everywhere—my waist, my thighs, the curve of my ass—learning me, savoring me.

Then Theo began kissing his way down my body, his lips trailing over my collarbone, the curve of my breasts, my stomach. My breath hitched as he knelt before me, fingers hooking into my panties and sliding them down. He pressed a kiss to my hipbone before lifting one of my legs over his shoulder, his lips dangerously close to where I needed him most.

Xander held me steady, his arms wrapped around my torso, his fingers teasing my nipples while Theo’s tongue flicked against my clit. A gasp tore from my lips as pleasure struck like lightning, my back arching against Xander’s chest. My fingers tangled in Theo’s hair as he worked me with precision, with worship. Xander’s voice was molten in my ear.

“Look at you, my queen. Falling apart for us.”

I trembled in their hold, pleasure mounting, spiraling higher and higher until I shattered, moaning between them, my body weightless. If Xander hadn’t been holding me up, I would have collapsed.

Theo wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, smirking. “Still keeping count?”

I let out a breathless laugh, my body still thrumming. “I think I lost track already.”

“Good,” Xander murmured, lifting me in his arms and placing me gently on the bed. My eyes roamed over them, both still frustratingly clothed.

“Your clothes. Off. Now.”

They smirked, eyes burning as they peeled away their jackets, their shirts, their pants. I watched as muscles flexed and rippled, as the hunger in their eyes matched my own. They climbed onto the bed, each of them on either side of me, and I reached for them, wrapping my hands around their lengths. They groaned, their bodies tense under my touch, their pleasure tangible in the air between us.

Then a bold idea took root, heat rushing through me. I turned, positioning myself on all fours, facing Theo while pressing my ass against Xander. They understood immediately, a low, primal sound rumbling from Theo’s chest.

“You both,” I whispered, voice dripping with need. “At the same time.”

I took Theo in my mouth, his deep, guttural groan making my core tighten with anticipation. His hands found my hair, guiding me, but not forcing. Just feeling. Just savoring.

Behind me, I felt Xander’s hands grip my hips, his length teasing at my entrance, spreading wetness, waiting. “Are you sure, my queen?” His voice was thick, strained.

I answered by pushing back against him, taking him in slowly, inch by inch, until he filled me completely. His fingers dug into my hips as he exhaled a shuddered breath.

“Fuck, she’s so tight,” Xander groaned, his voice drenched in raw desire.

“Don’t tell me,” Theo hissed, his voice strained. “Her mouth is fucking heaven.”

A rush of power surged through me, knowing I was the reason for their unraveling. Xander thrust into me, slow at first, matching the rhythm of my movements on Theo. It was a perfect, sinful harmony. A symphony of pleasure.

We moved together, every moan, every gasp blending into the night. Xander’s fingers found my clit, sending electric pulses through me as Theo groaned my name, his grip tightening.

“Oh, baby girl, you have no idea what you do to me,” Xander muttered, his voice laced with restraint.

The pleasure built, climbing higher, the intensity making me tremble. I felt Theo tense, his release spilling into my mouth, his groans deep and raw. Xander followed seconds later, pushing deep, filling me as he buried his face against my back, moaning my name like a prayer.

My own release shattered through me, leaving me gasping, shaking between them. Pleasure crashed over me in waves, overwhelming and consuming, until I collapsed against the sheets, utterly spent.

Breathless, tangled together, I lay there, realizing something deep in my chest—

This wasn’t just inevitable.

This was right.

I woke up to warmth surrounding me. Not just physical warmth, but something deeper, something that settled into my bones and made me feel weightless, as if I had finally exhaled after holding my breath for too long.

Theo was on one side, his arm heavy over my waist, his face buried in my hair. Xander was on the other, one leg tangled over mine, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my hip. Their touch, possessive even in sleep, sent a shiver of contentment through me. My body ached in the best way, a reminder of the night before—a blur of heat, pleasure, and whispered confessions.

A soft chuckle rumbled behind me. “Good morning, little fox.” Theo’s voice was thick with sleep, his lips brushing against the nape of my neck.

Xander pressed a kiss to my temple, his breath warm against my skin. “Good morning, my queen.”

I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by the intensity of them, of this. This wasn’t just about the sex—it was about them, the way they touched me, the way they saw me, the way they held me, as if I were something precious. Something theirs.

My fingers trailed over Xander’s hand on my hip, catching on something cool and solid. His ring. I had seen it before, but I had never really looked at it. Lifting his hand closer to my face, I traced the intricate details. A wolf, carved in exquisite detail, its fangs set with two small red stones—rubies. The craftsmanship was stunning, but something about it felt familiar.

“This ring,” I murmured, turning it between my fingers. “It’s beautiful.”

Xander hummed in agreement. “It’s the Nightfang family ring. My father gave it to me. I’ve always worn it.”

Theo snorted. “Yeah, because I don’t care about stuff like that.”

I smiled, but my attention was still locked on the ring. My heart gave an odd little skip in my chest. “It looks like one my grandmother has.”

Xander’s fingers stilled against my skin. “What?”

“The design is different, though,” I continued, oblivious to the way the air in the room had shifted. “Instead of a wolf, her has a moon and a flower. But the shape, the engravings… they’re almost identical.”

Silence.

The kind that made my stomach tighten, that made my instincts prickle with unease. I glanced up, catching the way Theo and Xander exchanged a look over my head. It was quick, but loaded with something I couldn’t quite name. A flicker of recognition, of tension, of something deeper.

Xander was the first to recover, his usual cool expression smoothing over his face, but his fingers against my hip had gone still. Theo, however, was harder to read. His grip on my waist tightened, and his jaw clenched as if he was trying to stop himself from saying something.

I frowned. “What? Why are you guys acting weird?”

Theo exhaled sharply, running a hand through his already-messy hair. “It’s nothing, little fox. Just… surprising.”

Xander’s gaze was locked on the ring in my hand. When he spoke, his voice was quieter than before. “Your grandmother has it?”

I nodded slowly. “Yeah… She always told me it was special.”

The tension thickened, wrapping around us like an invisible force. I didn’t understand why. But something told me this wasn’t nothing.

And from the way the twins were looking at me now, I wasn’t sure I was ready to find out what it was.

Theo was holding me too tightly, as if afraid I’d slip away, while Xander lay stiff beside me, his usual controlled composure cracking at the edges.

Theo was clinging to me like I might disappear, his grip firm and warm, his face buried in my hair. Xander sat at the edge of the bed, running a hand through his dark hair, his sharp blue eyes troubled. They were never like this—at least, not both of them at the same time.

My stomach twisted with unease.

Xander exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “We should see the ring.”

Theo’s grip on me tightened. “Shut up, Xander. Stop talking. We don’t want her to be scared.”

That, of course, made my pulse spike. “Scared of what?” My voice came out smaller than I wanted.

Theo just clenched his jaw, avoiding my eyes. Xander sighed and sat up, his movements slow, deliberate. “We running out of time. We have, what? Two days? Three at most?” He glanced at Theo for confirmation.

Theo shook his head. “She’s not in love with us yet. We need more time. I can’t lose her.”

In love?

Lose me? My heart pounded. “What the hell is going on? What do you mean, ‘running out of time’?” My voice trembled now, frustration and fear coiling in my chest.

Xander inhaled deeply, moving to kneel in front of me. He pulled off his ring and held it up between his fingers.

“This is our family ring. It’s from a specific dynasty, tied to our bloodline.” His voice was steady, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. “If your grandmother has a ring that looks like this… it means something. It means you might be tied to the same place we are.”

I blinked at him, processing his words. My mind jumped to the most logical explanation. “Wait—you think we’re from the same country or something? Like, some old bloodline thing?”

Theo and Xander exchanged a look, one so full of meaning it made my skin prickle. They were holding something back.

Xander cleared his throat. “Mia… can we see the ring? Just to be sure.”

I hesitated before answering, my voice slow. “I don’t have it with me. It’s at my grandmother’s house.”

Everything in the room stilled.

“Your grandmother is alive?” Theo’s voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

“Yeah… she is all the family I have. My parents died in a car accident when I was a kid, my grandmother raised me since then…” My pulse picked up again. “I mean, she’s older, but she’s fine. I visit her when I can. She lives in another state.”

Chapter 16

POV: Mia

Theo and Xander were completely rigid, as if someone had just dropped ice down their spines. Then Xander took my hands, his grip firm but gentle. “Mia, we need to talk to her.”

“What? Why?”

“Trust us,” he said, voice softer now. “We never lied to you. We just… we need to talk to her. We need answers.”

I looked between them, my heart pounding. Something was seriously wrong here. But as much as my instincts screamed at me to question everything, there was an undeniable truth in my gut—I felt safe with them. They wouldn’t hurt me. Whatever this was, I had to see it through.

“Okay,” I murmured. “I’ll call her.”

Theo exhaled like he’d been holding his breath forever. Xander squeezed my hand.

I reached for my phone, dialing my grandmother’s number. As soon as she picked up, I told her I was coming to visit. I didn’t mention the twins. Didn’t even know what I’d say. When I hung up, Xander was already pulling out his own phone, making arrangements.

“We’ll take the jet,” he said firmly.

“Jet? We can just drive—”

“No,” Theo cut in. “We don’t have time.”

It turned out my grandmother, Astoria Lunacaster, lived in another state, which meant we needed to travel. Normally, I’d just drive, but the twins were clearly in a rush. Without hesitation, Xander arranged for a private jet.

Everything moved quickly. I packed a small bag, and we stopped by my apartment so I could grab some more things. Karen gave me a suspicious look as I tossed clothes into a duffel.

“You’re introducing them to your grandmother?” she asked, arms crossed.

“Not like that,” I muttered. “I just… I haven’t seen her in a while. Since college started, I haven’t had the time, and—”

“And now you suddenly do?” Karen raised an eyebrow. “Mia, you barely leave their side. Are they okay with you going?”

“They’re coming with me.”

Karen’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s—”

“Not a big deal,” I cut in quickly. “Look, I’ll be back after the weekend. It’s fine.”

Karen didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push it.

I finished packing, and before long, the twins had me on a plane. The entire flight, Theo kept his arms around me, holding me close, like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go. Xander was calmer, but his hand never left mine. The warmth of their touch should have settled my nerves, but I was still on edge. They were being too careful, too gentle—like I might shatter.

I didn’t understand any of this, but I trusted them. And that had to be enough.

When we landed, a sleek black car was waiting for us.

The twins wasted no time, getting us on the road straight to my grandmother’s house. I barely had time to take in the scenery before I found myself sandwiched between them again—Theo’s arm around my shoulders, Xander’s fingers tracing lazy circles on my thigh.

It was almost too much. Their closeness, their warmth. It felt like they were trying to keep me grounded, but I could sense the desperation beneath it. Like they couldn’t let me go.

By the time we pulled up to my grandmother’s house, my heart was racing. Not just from nerves, but from the weight of everything left unsaid.

I had no idea what was waiting for me inside, but I knew one thing for certain.

Everything was about to change.

The drive to my grandmother’s house felt longer than it should have. Maybe it was just me, or maybe it was the way the twins had gone eerily quiet. Theo, who had been holding onto me the entire time, suddenly seemed stiff, his fingers twitching slightly against my waist. Xander kept running a hand through his hair, something I’d noticed he only did when he was nervous. Their tension was palpable, wrapping around us like an invisible force.

I turned to face them, stopping just before we reached the porch. My fingers slid into theirs, squeezing gently, grounding them. “Hey,” I said softly, looking between them. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I can see you’re struggling. And… I just want you to know, I want to help.”

Xander’s breath hitched, his intense blue eyes locking onto mine as if trying to memorize every word. Theo swallowed thickly, his grip tightening on my hand like he was afraid I’d disappear. I exhaled slowly and continued. “I never felt like this before. The way I feel when I’m with you. And I know I’ve been fighting it, struggling with what it means, but… you’ve been good to me. And I don’t know why, but I want you to feel what I feel. My life is better since you came into it. I want yours to be better since I’m in it too.”

Theo’s throat bobbed, his eyes burning with something deep, something I wasn’t sure he even understood. He looked away briefly, blinking rapidly like he was holding back an emotion too big to contain. Xander, on the other hand, brought my hand to his lips, brushing a slow, reverent kiss over my knuckles before pressing his nose against them, inhaling softly.

“We appreciate you, Mia,” he murmured. His voice was steady, but I could feel the weight behind his words.

Theo didn’t speak. He simply pulled me against his chest and held me tight, pressing a lingering kiss to my forehead, his fingers tangling in my hair.

The moment settled between us, warm despite the crisp air. But eventually, I had to break it. “Okay,” I whispered, “but just so you know, I’m introducing you as my friends. I don’t want to scare her.”

They both chuckled, and the heaviness in their expressions lifted, even if only slightly. “Fair enough,” Xander agreed.

I turned toward the door and knocked twice. Within moments, it opened to reveal a beautiful older woman with soft silver hair, deep, kind eyes, and a warm smile that made my heart swell.

“Mia, my little girl,” she breathed, her arms opening wide before she pulled me into a crushing hug. “You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

She cupped my face in her warm hands, kissing my cheeks, my forehead, and then my nose, the way she always had when I was little. The love in her eyes made my chest ache—I’d missed her more than I’d realized.

But when she finally looked past me, her expression shifted so suddenly it sent a chill down my spine. Her smile faltered. The color drained from her face.

Her entire body went still.

My heart thumped. “Grandma?” I whispered, panic creeping into my voice. “What’s wrong?”

She exhaled sharply, her hands trembling as she clasped them together. “Nothing, kid. They just look like…” She hesitated, her gaze darting between Theo and Xander, her breath coming in uneven pants. “An old friend.”

“I once had a friend from the place I came from, and these two handsome men remember him so much,” my grandmother continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “His name was Liam.”

My stomach dropped. I could feel it, the tension, the shift in the world around us.

Theo and Xander both stiffened, their knuckles turning white. Their breathing was shallow, their eyes wide with something I didn’t understand.

Because I remembered what they had told me before.

Their father’s name was Liam.

The world around me seemed to shrink, my pulse pounding in my ears.

My grandmother knew their father.

And somehow, I knew—this was only the beginning.

Chapter 17

POV: Mia

The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. My grandmother’s face was pale, her hands trembling slightly as she stared at Theo and Xander like she had just seen a ghost.

The twins weren’t any better. I could see it in the way their bodies locked up, their breathing turned shallow, and their usual confidence evaporated into thin air.

I swallowed hard, trying to make sense of what had just happened. “Wait… your father’s name isn’t Liam?” I turned to them, hoping for some kind of explanation.

But before they could answer, my grandmother shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s not possible, sweetheart. We’re not talking about the same man.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine. “What?”

She exhaled shakily, like she was fighting to believe her own words. “My old friend… Liam… he came from another…” She trailed off, her lips pressing together like she wasn’t sure if she should say it.

And then, Theo and Xander finished her sentence for her, their voices eerily in sync.

“World.”

My heart stuttered in my chest. I whipped my head between them, my pulse hammering in my ears.

My grandmother looked like she might faint. “Come inside,” she finally said, stepping aside to let us through.

I barely registered walking into the house, my feet moving on instinct. I was still trying to wrap my mind around what had just been said. Because it couldn’t be true. None of it could be true. And yet… I knew, deep down, that it was.

The twins followed close behind me, their presence like a warm shield against the storm raging in my mind.

We sat down in her cozy living room, the scent of old books and lavender surrounding us. My grandmother took my hands in hers, smoothing her thumbs over my knuckles like she used to when I was little and had nightmares.

She looked into my eyes, serious and warm. “Mia, sweetheart, what I’m about to tell you is going to sound impossible. But I need you to trust me.”

I nodded, unable to form words, because I already knew. Whatever she was about to say would change everything.

She inhaled deeply. “I wasn’t born here, Mia. I was born in a different world. A world where magic is real.”

The air left my lungs in a shaky breath.

She squeezed my hands. “I am a wizard. And I came from a very important pack… The Nightfang Pack.”

My head snapped toward the twins, whose expressions had hardened, their blue eyes practically glowing.

My grandmother hesitated. “Your last name…” she said softly.

Xander gave a slow nod. “Nightfang.”

The room felt too small, too charged with something I couldn’t name. My grandmother’s expression was unreadable, but the way she kept staring at Theo and Xander, the way her fingers tightened around mine, made my heart pound faster.

“The world I come from isn’t like this one, Mia,” she finally said, her voice gentle but firm. “It’s a place where magic is woven into the very fabric of life. Where werewolves, witches, and other supernatural beings live among their own kind. I wasn’t born here. I was sent here.”

I frowned, my brain scrambling to make sense of what she was saying. “But… you said you’re a wizard?”

She nodded. “Yes, a wizard from a very powerful family. The Lunacasters. And there was a prophecy.”

Theo and Xander tensed beside me, and I could feel the heat of their bodies like a protective barrier around me. My grandmother continued, her tone growing heavier.

“The prophecy spoke of twins who would change the world. They were destined to lead, to alter the course of the magical realm forever. They would be bound to a mate who would hold the key to their strength. The prophecy was absolute. The twins would be born under the Nightfang name.”

I swallowed hard, a shiver creeping down my spine. “Wait…” I turned slowly, looking at Theo and Xander, whose faces had gone rigid. “You don’t mean these twins? They’re the ones from the prophecy?”

My grandmother didn’t answer. Instead, she pressed on.

“There was a witch,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Nyxara. She knew of the prophecy and didn’t want it to be fulfilled. She wanted to claim that power for herself. So she did everything in her power to stop it. There was a rumor, a powerful vision, that said the Lunacaster family would be bound to the Nightfang family through fate. That one of our own would become the mate of the Alpha’s heirs.”

Theo and Xander stiffened, their hands twitching against mine.

“Mia…” Xander murmured, but I turned to my grandmother instead, my stomach twisting in knots.

“What is a mate?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

The twins shared a look before Xander answered, his voice steady but soft. “A mate is the person the Moon chooses for you. The Moon is like a god in our world—our guiding force. A mate is your fated partner. The one made only for you.”

Theo’s fingers brushed against mine. “You feel it the moment you meet them. It’s a pull, a connection unlike anything else. It’s not just physical—it’s in your soul. You can’t stay apart.”

The air left my lungs. The dots connected all at once, like a thunderclap in my brain.

I stared at them, my voice barely above a whisper. “What are you saying?”

Theo exhaled, his blue eyes burning into mine, raw and unguarded.

“You are our mate.”

The words hit me like a tidal wave, pulling me under, drowning me in something I wasn’t ready to name.

Chapter 18

POV: Mia

My world tilted as I tried to process what they had just said.

“You are our mate.”

The words echoed in my head, over and over, like a song stuck on repeat. My heart pounded so hard I thought they might hear it. My hands trembled slightly as I turned to my grandmother, looking for some kind of explanation, some sort of escape from the intensity of what was happening.

Instead, she sighed, the weight of something much larger than me settling in her eyes.

“Nyxara sent me to the human world because she thought that someone from the Lunacaster bloodline would be mated to Liam Nightfang,” she said, her voice calm but heavy. “She slaughtered the rest of my family, but she couldn’t kill me.”

A chill ran through me. “She couldn’t kill you? Why?”

Xander’s voice was steady, but there was something cold and dangerous beneath it. “Because you were tied to a prophecy, protected by the moon itself. She couldn’t touch you.”

Theo exhaled sharply, his jaw tight. “Just like she couldn’t kill our mother. Instead, she sent her here with no memory of who she was, stripped of everything. She had no idea about the mate bond. She didn’t even know she wasn’t human.” He ran a hand through his already-messy hair, his frustration evident. “Our father had to make her fall in love with him again. She had no memory of their bond, of their past. He waited fifteen years for her, and when he got her, she was sent here; he got her back, and they conceived us here. The mate bond is created in the creation of life; that’s why our mate bond was made in this world, with you.”

I swallowed hard. They had told me this before, but hearing it now, with the weight of everything else pressing down, it felt different. It felt real.

“The mate bond is sacred to us,” Theo continued, his voice quieter now, but no less intense. “It’s everything. A connection stronger than anything else. Every wolf waits for the day of the Moon Ball, hoping to find their mate. When I didn’t feel that pull after midnight…” His throat worked as he swallowed. “I almost lost myself. I thought something was wrong with me. That I was broken. That I would end up waiting forever, like our father did.”

Xander nodded. “But Aaleric, an elder wizard, felt it. Felt our mate bond in the human world. Because we were conceived here, our bond to you—our fate—was tied here as well.”

My grandmother inhaled sharply. “So you came here to find her.”

Xander turned to me then, his blue eyes piercing mine with an intensity that stole my breath. “Aaleric, send us close to where our mate would be, and we just found ourselves walking into a college party and…The moment we saw you, Mia, we knew. The pull, the gravity of it—it was overwhelming. Like the universe had finally righted itself.”

Theo reached for my hand, his warmth searing against my cold fingers. “I felt it like fire in my veins. I looked at you and I knew—you were the one we had been searching for. The one meant for us.”

I stared at them, at the raw emotions etched into their faces, at the undeniable certainty in their voices.

“Mia,” my grandmother said softly, smoothing my hair and cupping my face in her warm hands. “I know this is a lot. I know this is overwhelming. But everything they are telling you… It’s true.”

I opened my mouth, but I had no idea what to say. How to make sense of any of this? It was too much, too big, too impossible.

But when I looked at them, at the way their gazes burned for me, at the way they held themselves so carefully in my presence, as if afraid I would run, I realized something deep inside me was shifting.

I was scared.

But I wasn’t sure I wanted to run.

My hands shook as I wrapped them around the warm mug of tea my grandmother had placed in front of me. The fragrant steam curled into the air, a mixture of lavender and chamomile, but it did nothing to settle the chaos inside me. My thoughts raced too fast to catch, slipping through my fingers like water.

I had a grandmother from another world. She was a wizard. A prophecy had shaped my entire existence before I was even born. And the two men sitting across from me—intense, breathtaking, overwhelming—weren’t just some strangers who had turned my world upside down. They were my fated mates.

I let out a shaky breath and pressed my fingers to my temples. “I just… I need a second,” I whispered, my voice barely holding together.

Astoria, my grandmother, gave me a soft smile filled with endless patience. “Of course, my love. Take your time.” She reached across the table, brushing her fingers over my knuckles before squeezing my hand gently. “I know this is a lot. More than anyone should be expected to process all at once.”

I nodded, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak again. My throat was tight, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might shatter through my ribs.

Theo shifted in his seat, his jaw clenched, his hands fisting on his thighs. He looked like he wanted to say something, maybe to reach for me, but he held himself back. Xander, beside him, was still as a statue, but his eyes—those sharp, assessing eyes—never left me.

“We’re not going to rush you,” Xander said, his voice smooth but cautious, as if he were walking a tightrope. “We don’t expect you to just accept all of this right away.”

Theo exhaled roughly, running a hand through his hair. “We just… We want you to know that we’re here. For you. However you need us to be.”

A lump formed in my throat. They were trying so hard to contain themselves, to not let their emotions overwhelm me. But I could feel them. Their presence was so strong, so intense, it was like a current pressing against my skin, pulling me toward them even as my mind screamed at me to step back.

My grandmother sighed, her expression unreadable as she studied me. “Mia, I know this must feel impossible. But you have always been strong. And no matter what you choose to do with this knowledge, you will remain strong.”

Her words settled over me like a blanket, grounding me. I stared into my tea, watching the ripples spread across the surface. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Then don’t start just yet,” she said simply. “Just breathe.”

I did. I took a slow, deep breath, the scent of tea and something else—something distinctly them—filling my lungs. It didn’t fix everything, but for a moment, it was enough to keep me from breaking apart.

Xander leaned forward slightly, his sharp blue eyes scanning my face as if measuring how much more I could take. “Maybe we should go for a walk. Give you some time with your grandmother.”

Theo stiffened beside me. “I don’t want to leave her.”

I swallowed, a strange warmth filling my chest at the protectiveness in his voice.

Xander glanced at him. “We won’t be long. We’ll grab some donuts and a latte for Mia.”

My favorites.

I exhaled, my heart swelling despite the storm of emotions still raging inside me. They were always like this—attentive, thoughtful in ways that left me shaken.

Theo’s jaw tensed, clearly torn. “If you need us, we’re just a call away.”

I could feel the hesitation between them. They didn’t want to overwhelm me, but something raw flickered in their gazes, something unspoken and magnetic that neither of us knew how to navigate yet.

For a moment, they just stood there. Should they touch me? Kiss me? Just walk away? I could feel it in the air, the battle they fought between holding back and giving in. And I felt it too.

So, I made the decision for all of us.

I stood, reaching for them both. My hands curled around Xander’s forearm first, then Theo’s. Their bodies stiffened, breath halting as I rose on my toes and kissed Xander’s lips—soft, lingering. Then I turned to Theo, brushing my lips over his lips too, feeling the sharp intake of breath against my skin.

It wasn’t just a goodbye.

It was a see you soon.

And they knew it too.

The way their bodies tensed, the way their hands ghosted over me before pulling back—it was surrender. And restraint. All in one breath.

They left with one last lingering look, shutting the door behind them, leaving me with my grandmother. The silence settled, thick but not uncomfortable.

Astoria’s wise gaze softened as she studied me. “They’re good men.”

I exhaled shakily, sinking back onto the couch. “Yeah,” I whispered. “They are.”

She smiled knowingly, passing me the still-warm cup of tea. “Drink up, sweetheart. You’re going to need it.”

Chapter 19

POV: Mia

The silence between us was warm, filled with the gentle sounds of the night outside and the faint aroma of lavender and chamomile lingering in the air. My grandmother sat across from me, her wise eyes studying me with a tenderness I hadn’t realized I needed. She reached out, placing her hand over mine, her touch warm and grounding.

“I always wanted to tell you,” she murmured, her voice carrying the weight of years of secrets. “But how could I? I live in a world where magic isn’t real, where people would call me crazy for speaking of such things. And for a long time, I convinced myself it didn’t matter anymore.”

I swallowed, feeling the enormity of what she was saying. “You tried to go back?” I asked softly.

She nodded, her gaze distant. “Many times. But there was no way. And I thought… I thought that part of my life was over. I never expected to see anyone from that world again.”

I clutched my mug, the warmth of the tea seeping into my palms. “But you knew them? The Nightfangs?”

She smiled faintly. “Yes, and they are good wolves, Mia. Their family has always been strong, and proud, but most of all, they care deeply for their people, their pack. I have no doubt that those boys, your twins, are no different.”

I blinked at the term. “Wolves… You mean, like, werewolves?”

She chuckled. “Yes, but not the kind you hear about in stories. They are human in many ways, but their souls are tied to wolves. They shift into giant wolves, powerful and majestic, and they live by the laws of the moon.”

I exhaled, trying to wrap my head around it all. “And I’m… connected to them.”

Her expression softened. “Yes, sweetheart. You are their mate.”

The word sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of awe and fear. “They told me it was fate. That they were meant for me. But… how is that even possible? How can I belong to both of them?”

She squeezed my hand. “Because they are twins. Identical twins, bound by blood, by soul. The moon chose one mate for them both. It happens rarely, but it is not unheard of. And you, my love, were always meant to be theirs.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “I struggled with it, you know? The idea of there being two of them. But even before I saw them, I felt something. I felt them.”

Her smile deepened, pride shining in her gaze. “That is the mate bond, Mia. It calls to you, even before your mind can make sense of it. It is not just about love; it is about destiny. And I know it may feel overwhelming, but if the moon has willed this, then there is a reason.”

I bit my lip, staring down at my tea. “And if I fight it?”

“Then it will hurt,” she admitted gently. “For all of you. But fate is not a cage, Mia. It is a path. You still have the choice to walk it or turn away. Just remember—those boys have crossed worlds to find you. They have risked everything, afraid that they would never get this chance…”

Tears pricked my eyes, emotion swelling in my chest. “I don’t know what to do, Grandma. I don’t know how to be part of this world.”

She reached up, smoothing a hand over my hair, the way she had when I was little. “You don’t have to figure it all out tonight, sweetheart. Just take it one step at a time. And no matter what you choose, I will always be here for you.”

I exhaled, leaning into her touch. The weight of everything still pressed down on me, but for the first time since this all started, I didn’t feel so alone.

The scent of warm lattes and fresh donuts filled the air as the twins returned, setting the paper bag and drink tray on the small kitchen table. I hadn’t realized how much I needed something simple, something grounding, until the sweet aroma hit me.

Theo slid into the chair across from me, his usual smirk subdued, while Xander sat beside him, hands wrapped around his coffee. The tension from our earlier conversation still clung to the room, but for now, we could at least pretend to be normal people, sharing a meal.

“So,” I started, my voice steadier than I expected. “Are you actually wolves?”

Theo let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. “Not exactly. We’re not animals, Mia. We have wolves inside us—part of our souls.”

Xander nodded. “We can feel them, hear their instincts, their emotions. They’re us, and we’re them. When we shift, it’s not like turning into something different. It’s just another form, another part of who we are.”

I stared at them, trying to wrap my mind around it. “But here, in the human world…?”

Theo shrugged. “They’re just instincts. Feelings. But they’re still there.”

That was… a lot. My fingers traced the rim of my coffee cup, my mind tumbling through a hundred questions. Then something clicked. “That’s why you both laughed when I told you I love dogs. And why the dogs at the shelter acted like that around Xander.”

Xander smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Because they recognize what we are. Especially me—an Alpha.”

The word hit me differently this time. “You’re not just wolves. You’re Alphas.”

Theo nodded. “Yeah. Back home, we’re… well, we’re kind of like kings. Our pack is huge, one of the strongest. Our parents are leading it for now, but we’re preparing to take over.”

“And if you come with us,” Xander said carefully, “you’ll be our Luna. Like a queen.”

My chest tightened. A Luna. A queen. It sounded so foreign, so impossible. “And if I go there… what happens to me?”

Astoria, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke. “You’re a Lunacaster, Mia. Your blood is magical. In the magical world, that magic will awaken. You could even learn to cast spells, just like I once did.”

That alone was enough to make my head spin, but then she added, “But you’re also their mate. And wolves need to mark their mates. When a magical being is marked by a werewolf, they become a wolf, too.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. “I’d become a werewolf?”

The twins were silent. The weight of everything pressed down on me. “And if I stay?”

Theo visibly stiffened. Xander’s grip on his coffee tightened. They didn’t want to talk about it, but Astoria answered for them. “If you stay, the mate bond will be broken. You’ll never see them again.”

A heavy silence followed. The air was thick, suffocating. My throat tightened. “How much time do I have?”

Theo exhaled slowly. “Three days.”

Three days.

That was it. That was all the time I had to decide whether I would leave everything I had ever known behind, or stay and never see them again. The finality of it made my stomach drop.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned to my grandmother. “I guess this is goodbye, then.”

She hugged me tightly, her warmth offering the only sense of comfort I had left. “Whatever you choose, Mia, I will always love you. And I will always be proud of you.”

The car ride back to the airport was quiet. The space between us, once electric with tension and something unspoken, now felt distant, unfamiliar. None of us knew what to say.

I needed to think. I needed to breathe. And I only had three days to figure out what the hell I was going to do.

Chapter 20

POV: Mia

The twins walked me up to my apartment in heavy silence. The weight of the past twenty-four hours pressed down on us—the unspoken words, the longing, the desperation. When we reached my door, Xander was the first to break the silence.

“We’ll give you space to think,” he said, voice calm and composed, but I saw the tightness in his jaw, the way his hands clenched at his sides. He was forcing himself to be rational, to not demand an answer right away.

Theo, on the other hand, was anything but composed. His expression was raw, his eyes stormy, his fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to reach for me.

I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “Thank you,” I murmured. I didn’t even know what I was thanking them for—their patience, their understanding, their sheer existence in my life now.

Xander exhaled slowly, nodding once, but Theo hesitated. He took one step forward, then stopped himself. The intensity in his gaze made my chest ache. Finally, after what felt like a battle with himself, he muttered, “Goodnight, little fox.”

I bit the inside of my cheek and opened the door, stepping inside and closing it behind me. As soon as I did, the silence swallowed me whole.

I barely slept.

My mind spun with everything—my grandmother, the prophecy, the twins, their world. The thought of never seeing them again felt like a knife twisting in my gut, but the idea of leaving everything I knew behind was just as terrifying. When I did finally drift off, I dreamt of vast forests bathed in moonlight, of wolves howling in the distance, of warmth and power wrapping around me like an unseen force. It felt like something was calling me.

When I woke, the sun was already climbing in the sky, though it did nothing to ease the heaviness pressing down on my chest. I dragged myself to the kitchen, rubbing my eyes, and started making some coffee. Just as I took a sip, I heard a sound outside my door.

A shuffle. A sigh.

Frowning, I set my mug down and walked over, unlocking the door. When I opened it, I gasped.

Theo was sitting there, leaned against the wall outside my door, his arms crossed, head tilted back. His eyes blinked open at the noise, and the moment they met mine, something in me cracked wide open.

“Theo?” I whispered.

He ran a hand through his messy hair and let out a deep sigh. “Couldn’t sleep far from you.” His voice was rough, thick with exhaustion. “Had to make sure you were safe.”

My throat tightened. “Theo, you—you stayed out here all night?”

He nodded like it was nothing. “You needed space. I told Xander I’d give it to you.” His lips quirked into a tired smirk. “But I never said I’d be far.”

Something warm and overwhelming swelled inside me. He had been here, just outside my door, keeping watch, because he couldn’t bear to be away.

“You could have called me,” I said, my voice softer now. “I would’ve let you in. You could’ve at least slept on the couch.”

Theo chuckled, and the sound was almost hoarse. “That would’ve been worse. If I saw you, smelled you, I wouldn’t have been able to leave.” His voice dipped lower, rougher.

My breath caught.

I knew, then, with absolute certainty, that Theo wasn’t just someone who loved through words or grand gestures. He loved through presence, through touch, through being near. He needed proximity, and last night had probably been agony for him.

Without thinking, I reached for his hand. The moment my fingers brushed against his, he exhaled deeply, like some invisible weight had just lifted off of him.

“Come inside,” I said softly.

Theo stared at me for a long moment, then nodded. He let me pull him up, let me guide him into the apartment. And even though the weight of my decision still loomed over us, for now, just for a moment, I wasn’t alone in it.

I leaned against the counter, staring into my coffee as Theo sat across from me. The apartment felt quiet, almost too quiet, after everything that had happened. He was watching me, his stormy blue eyes sharp yet weary, waiting.

“I dreamt about it,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Theo’s gaze flickered with interest. “About what?”

“Your world,” I said, wrapping my hands around my mug. “The forests, the moonlight, the feeling of something calling me. It felt so real.”

Theo exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as if restraining himself from saying something. “Because it is real, Mia. It’s in your blood. You feel it because you belong there.”

His words made my chest tighten. Did I? Or was this just the mate bond pulling me in, clouding my judgment? Before I could say anything, Karen’s bedroom door creaked open.

She appeared in the hallway, still groggy, her hair a mess. When her eyes landed on Theo sitting at the kitchen table, she stopped abruptly, blinking in confusion. “Oh. It’s you.” She squinted, looking between us. “Which one are you?”

Theo smirked, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Theo.”

Karen hummed, stepping farther into the kitchen. She grabbed a mug from the cabinet but kept glancing at us. “The tension in this room is insane,” she muttered. “Are we pretending it’s nothing?”

“Because it is nothing,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly. I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince.

Theo didn’t argue, but the look he gave me was unreadable. Instead, he stood, stretching as he ran a hand through his already-messy dark hair. “I should go.”

His voice was rough, reluctant. I could feel his hesitation, the way he lingered. He didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want him to leave either.

Theo shifted slightly, his hands curling into fists at his sides. I realized then how much he was holding back. He wanted to touch me, to hold me, but he wouldn’t unless I let him.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “It’s okay,” I murmured, stepping forward.

His eyes darkened with something deep and unreadable before he let out a slow breath and pulled me into a hug. The moment his arms wrapped around me, I felt his entire body relax, as if he had been waiting for this. His warmth surrounded me, grounding me, and I realized just how much I had missed them—missed him.

He exhaled into my hair, his voice barely a whisper. “Thank you.”

Then, just as quickly as he embraced me, he pulled away. He gave me one last lingering look before walking to the door. I watched him go, my chest tightening with something too overwhelming to name.

After he left, I sat at my desk, staring blankly at my laptop screen, trying to focus on finishing my paper. But my mind kept drifting, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before I sighed and slumped back in my chair.

I missed them.

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I missed Xander. I missed Theo. I missed their presence, the way they filled every space with their intensity and warmth. It wasn’t just the bond—I wanted them here, with me.

Before I could overthink it, I grabbed my phone and sent a message to Xander.

Mia: I need help.

It took seconds for my phone to vibrate.

Xander: Is this the space you wanted, beauty?

I closed my eyes, guilt twisting in my stomach. But before I could reply, another message came.

Xander: Because if it is, I’ll respect it. But if not, tell me. Because I fucking miss you.

A sharp breath left my lips. My fingers trembled as I typed back, my heart pounding.

Mia: I miss you too.

And with that, I finally admitted to myself that no matter what I chose, I could never pretend that I didn’t need them.