Three Fated Hearts by LNC

~Tia~

I ate dinner alone and was waiting for the twins in the room. They have had their blocks up, and I'm starting to get worried. I have been trying to figure out what set them off. Clearly, Adela was influencing Neal, but I don’t understand why the twins got so unsettled.

I toss my book on the nightstand and get off the bed. I guess I should check on my mom. That will distract me. I head down to the guestroom where she’s staying and softly knock on the door. I hear rustling on the other side before the click of the door opening.

Mom doesn’t say a word, she opens her arms, and I step into them. I have rarely been able to have moments like this with my mom, and I plan to soak up every second of it. We hug this way for a while before she lets me go. Mom steps aside and allows me to walk into the room. We sit on the couch, and I tell her everything that has happened since the dress shop.

Mom gets up and paces the room, looking worried. “If your sister had marked Landon..." She takes a deep breath and shakes her head. I sit back on the couch and stare off into space. I don't know what to say to any of this, and I don't know what's going on with my mates. Mom stops moving and sits next to me on the couch. She grabs my hand and holds it close. We sit on the couch together in quiet contemplation.

I place Tia on the bed and cover her with blankets. She looks so peaceful when she sleeps. I could watch her for hours, but we have work to do. I walk out of the room and quietly close the door behind me. Lincoln is leaving the guest room at the same time. We walk to our office without speaking.

I asked our dad and Mark to meet us in the office. They are seated on the couch when we walk in. Lincoln and I sit at our desks, and no one speaks for a while. “What's going on sons?” Mark and dad have no idea what happened. Mark only knows that we want the twins in the cells. Lincoln starts to update them while I stare off into space. I can’t believe I almost made Adela my chosen mate and Luna. She tried to kill her own sister. How could someone like that be Luna material? We almost lost our mate over simple jealousy.

Mark reacts first, his growl sounding throughout the room. Dad took to pacing while Lincoln was explaining everything. He stops walking and looks at us. “This is...we need to talk to Stuart.” I knew he would say that; I just couldn't yet. I can't face that man knowing what he has done to my mate and what he may have had a hand in.

“Have you found the twins yet?” Lincoln's voice has an edge, and I know they are in for it when they are found.

“No. The warriors are looking all over the territory, but neither have been seen.” I sigh and look down at my hands.

“Son, you have been quiet this entire time. What's on your mind?” I look at my dad, and the tears make it hard to see him clearly. He sighs and walks over to me. Dad grabs me into a big hug, and I let the tears fall, silently crying over what my mate has gone through at the hands of those who should have loved her.

A knock on the door causes me to clean my face and sit up quickly. Dad walks over to the chair opposite me and takes a seat. “Enter.” The door opens, and Stuart walks in. He looks around the room and puts a hard mask on his face.

“You wanted to see me..."