The pond was calm and peaceful and the smell of rain lingered in the air, though I couldn’t see a cloud in the sky above us. Time passed and we sat in quiet content. When we spoke, the conversations ranged from favorite books to most useless skills, which was an interesting topic to say the least. The minutes seemed to slip by unnoticed when Tyler checked his phone and grumbled to himself, "Shit... I missed a briefing." "Oh shit... You gonna be in trouble?" I grimaced. "Hopefully not. Worth it if I am though," he replied with a mischievous smirk. I gave him a shy smile, a little flattered by the implication that I was worth getting in trouble for. "But we should probably start heading back. I'm supposed to be meeting up with Jess soon," he explained pulling himself to his feet and offering me his hand. I took it, eager to feel the warm buzz between us. He never let it go as we headed back toward the park, chatting about everything and nothing. When we finally made it back to
Tyler: I did it 😁 What do you want to do later? I woke up to 2 messages from Tyler. I'd texted him the night before, just letting him know that I was thinking of him and I hoped things were going okay. He hadn't replied by the time I went to sleep, but in all fairness, he was busy with something pretty serious. To see his messages this morning filled me with a sense of relief, especially when he confirmed that he'd broken up with his girlfriend. I saw that message had come through last night, but I must have fallen asleep just before. Me: Hope it went ok. It's rainy today 😞 Maybe we could watch a movie or something? The weather did put a bit of a damper on the day. Don't get me wrong, I loved the rain, but I was a bit stumped for ideas on what to do here. Seconds later I heard my message tone. Tyler: Great idea. I'll come pick you up in an hour. We can watch movies and chill at my place. Me: Perfect. See you soon. I hit panic stations. 1 HOUR?! I had over committed and
I stalked out the front door, my prior embarrassment dissipating to make way for irritation and annoyance. I saw his car parked just outside the garden gate and huffed, stomping my way toward it just as the first tiny raindrops began to fall from the sky. "Wait!" Tyler called, hurrying after me. I halted, my jaw clenched as I waited for him, the drizzle becoming more persistent. "I'm sorry," he apologized, taking my hand in his as he stopped in front of me. "I know you're mad. I'm sorry I was early. I didn't mean to embarrass you or anything, I was just excited to see you. I kinda hoped you might be ready," he explained, his self awareness taking me by surprise. He was excited to see me? How could I be mad about that? I sighed and rolled my eyes, not wanting to let him off the hook completely just yet, but in my heart, I'd already forgiven him ten times over. "I'm sorry," he repeated sincerely. "I'll make it up to you," he assured me. "How? Will you be watching movies in a towe
His words hung in the air, thick with implication and the weight of unspoken truths. The instant he said them, I knew it was true. The pull I'd felt this time hadn't been for Tyler, it had been for this other guy, his twin brother. "You never said you were twins?" I whispered, looking up at Tyler with surprise as I tried to wrap my head around this turn of events. "I didn't think to. I guess it's common knowledge around here, but I suppose I didn't really consider that you're not from around here. But wait... you're his mate?" he asked, needing me to clarify the life-altering fact I had simply glossed over. I wasn't sure what to say. It felt like we were in a Mexican Standoff, each of us shifting our gaze from one to the other, waiting for someone to say something. When I didn't reply, he looked to his brother for answers. "Ryder?" "Yeah, she's my mate," he said, his tone firm and unapologetic. "Kate?" Tyler said, looking back to me for confirmation. He didn't look angry or up
Tyler and Ryder remained under the awning, watching as we drove away. "What happened, honey?" Aunt Mara asked, her tone filled with worry and concern. I kept it together a moment longer, waiting until we were out on the street before I let go. I sobbed. It was as if I had sprung a leak the way the tears simply flowed from my eyes. "Honey? What's going on?! Did they hurt you?!" Aunt Mara pressed, obviously concerned now that I'd been the victim of some terrible act or something. I had to set the record straight. I couldn't have her thinking my mate... Wait, correction, my MATES were complete and utter reprobates. "No," I managed to choke out. "Nothing like that," I tried to assure her, but I'm pretty sure that the delivery was unconvincing. "Then why are you crying like this? What happened, Katelyn?" she urged desperately. I tried to take a deep breath, but it caught in my throat. I pressed on regardless, knowing that I needed to give her an explanation. "They're... They're bot
Ryder picked me up. He arrived in a huge black Hummer that probably would have blocked out the sun had there been any. I ran through the rain, clutching Tyler's jacket to me for warmth. I'd brought it with me to return it, but to be honest, it was also bringing me some level of comfort and I wasn't really sure how I was going to part with it. "If you'd waited two seconds I would have brought the umbrella," Ryder said, gesturing to the black umbrella he had in his hand as he sat in the driver's seat. "I'm fine, it wasn't so bad," I lied, trying to downplay the fact that I'd just run through what felt like a fucking tsunami and was absolutely soaked. I pulled my hood back and shook out my damp hair before I slumped against the seat. "So what have you guys decided?" I asked, giving Ryder a searching look as he pulled away. "We can all discuss it together when we're back at the house," he said firmly, clearly not wanting to divulge any of the details without his brother. I sighed, r
"Why would I be jealous?" he asked seriously. "Does the mate bond feel less for me than it does for Tyler?" he asked, searching my face for answers."No," I replied honestly, pursing my lips and seeing his point."Exactly. If you feel the same way about both of us, then I've got nothing to be jealous of. I think it would probably come down to schedules and availability... Which means you'll probably be stuck with me a lot of the time, anyway," Ryder said with a mischievous grin."What do you mean?" I asked, uncertain why I'd be stuck with him more often."My schedule is pretty hectic," Tyler revealed, his shoulders slumping as he said it. It was obvious the guy was under immense pressure.I took a deep breath and considered the proposal for a minute. I leaned forward, resting my head in my hands and groaning. Then I sat up again and regarded them both."I dunno guys. It's cool that you'll be okay with it, but I don't know that I can get it through my head that it's not like some massi
Wrong...It started well enough. The boys led me to an enormous entertainment room where Tyler already had snacks, blankets, and pillows set out, probably in anticipation of our earlier failed 'date'. The TV was huge and the surround sound really made the experience super immersive. I was eager to just lay back and chill, allowing my brain a break from worrying about my current problems.I was huddled beneath a soft, fuzzy purple blanket and we were watching a comedy, something funny and lighthearted and not serious at all. Probably Tyler's attempt to ease any tension between the three of us. Within 15 minutes though, I had Tyler's hand in mine, our fingers gently stroking and caressing one another, the sensation soothing and calming. On my other side, I suddenly had Ryder's hand on my thigh, and it was wandering ever higher and higher, though the movement was so subtle and slow that it was almost imperceptible.Tyler's touch was calming while Ryder's fingers felt exciting and thrilli
(Katelyn's POV)I stared at the closed door for a moment after Helen left, my mind spinning with her story. The fact that she’d been stuck with The Council since she was young and basically groomed to serve them and their needs felt like a slap in the face. If I didn’t fight back, that could be me. Or worse, it could be my baby.A slow, burning anger churned in my stomach and I exhaled through my nose in an attempt to calm myself. The last thing I needed right now was another telekinetic meltdown in the middle of the fucking Council headquarters.Ryder and Tyler hovered close by. Tyler reached out and gently touched my arm, his gaze flicking to the door Helen had just exited through.“You okay?” he asked, the concern clear in his voice.I shook my head as I tried to bite the anger back. “She's stuck here. She literally doesn’t have anywhere else to go. And that’s exactly what The Council wants... for me... for others like me. Forced into compliance and cooperation because they leave u
(Katelyn's POV)We stepped out of the council chamber and into the hallway, the doors clicking shut behind us. My head felt dizzy, like I'd been spinning around and around in circles and now that I'd come to a stop, the world didn't seem to get the memo and continued to turn beneath my feet.An attendant, who’d been waiting nearby, nodded her head respectfully and began walking without a word, clearly intending for us to follow her.The place was surprisingly quiet for being so large. There was no echo of footsteps against the polished floors, no hum of distant chatter. I guessed it was the thick curtains and the huge framed paintings that were to blame. Absorbing all the sounds and swallowing them whole, leaving the space dead.Ryder and Tyler flanked me just the same as before, but the tension in their shoulders seemed to have eased somewhat. Still, they were silent as we walked, as if any sound we made might disturb the hush that hung low and oppressive over our heads.We followed
(Katelyn's POV)I felt a little more confident once I knew that not every single person in this enormous room was out to get me. A man's voice, rough with age, spoke next from somewhere in the second row. I had to tip my head a bit to pinpoint him because of the angle and the unusual acoustics. He was tall and lean, with silvery hair pulled into a low ponytail, and when he lifted his hand to speak, his knuckles stood out like ridges. “Your powers, Kate...” He paused, as if to confirm I wouldn’t mind the nickname. “May I call you Kate?” But he didn’t actually wait for an answer. “Your powers are obviously unusual. Have you met any others with abilities similar to your own?”I hesitated. It felt like a trick question. Was I supposed to know about Helen? Or was her existence and her tie to The Council supposed to be some kind of secret?Without thinking, my gaze briefly flicked toward her, but she said nothing and her face remained completely neutral.Obviously that didn't help at all,
(Katelyn's POV)The doors swung open with a soft thud, revealing an amphitheater-style room with rows and rows of older men and women watching us from elevated seats.They were all Elders, each face lined with years of experience... decades, maybe even fucking centuries for all I knew. Here they sat, their faces stern and composed.It was almost surreal. There were about fifty of them, I might guess. Fifty people who were basically going to determine my future on my behalf.Can't say I liked the sound of that at all.Tyler, Ryder, and I stood at the center of the space, where a single wooden chair awaited me. Just one. Obviously they hadn't anticipated that I'd be bringing an entourage.My heart clenched in my chest and I swallowed hard, hoping I wouldn’t choke on my own nerves.In the front row, I spotted Helen, Roderick, and, much to my disappointment, Simon. Helen nodded and gave me a small smile in greeting, while Roderick kept his expression neutral, though I could see his eyes s
(Katelyn's POV)The cab pulled up outside a weathered, ivy-clad building on a quiet street in New Haven, Connecticut. From the outside, it looked like an old academic institute. Just the type of place someone might come to pore over dusty manuscripts or discuss obscure theories with professors who wore tweed jackets. But I knew better.This was The Council’s headquarters, masquerading as the “Institute for Cultural Anthropology” to the human world. I'd heard about it, but I never thought I would actually get to see it in the flesh.My stomach churned as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. The air was crisp, carrying a hint of autumn even though it wasn’t quite the season yet.Behind me, Tyler and Ryder followed closely, their postures tense and alert, flanking me like a pair of protective bodyguards. It was an odd comfort, knowing I wasn’t walking into this alone. But the weight of what lay ahead pressed down on me like a lead blanket.“Looks normal enough,” Ryder muttered, eyeing the st
(Katelyn's POV)"You're okay," Tyler whispered over and over again, but I wasn't sure whether he was talking to me or to himself.“What the fuck was that, Kate?!” Ryder's voice demanded.I shook my head, against Tyler's chest, still trying to come to terms with where I was and what was going on here."I... I just..." I tried to reply, but my voice was weak and hoarse.Tyler kissed the top of my head, his own breathing uneven as he gently stroked my hair, still holding me against him in a death grip. "Sshhh... Sshhh..." he hushed me, shaking his head as he rocked me back and forth."Never again. Never a-fucking-gain. Okay? You're never doing that again, Katelyn," Ryder's voice was sharp and firm, leaving no room for argument or debate. "Never again..." he repeated, sounding more exhausted now.It took a few minutes for me to regain my bearings as Tyler continued to whisper soft reassurances in my ear, rocking me back and forth against his chest like a child.I heard the sound of footst
(Katelyn's POV)The airplane’s engines droned softly as I stared out the window, the world below reduced to quilted patches of green and brown earth divided by winding roads.New Haven, Connecticut... The Council Headquarters. We were still a few hours away, but the gravity of what awaited me felt like a noose around my neck.I adjusted my seatbelt for what felt like the hundredth time and closed my eyes, leaning back into my seat and letting my thoughts drift back over the last two days at home. The two days I’d spent trying, and failing, to harness my telekinesis. The two days that had left me feeling more exhausted, more frustrated, and more anxious than before.I’d wanted so badly to figure it all out before I faced The Council. I’d tried everything I could think of. At first, I tried to recreate the conditions of those emotional surges, thinking maybe I could trick my mind into somehow flipping that internal switch. I thought about arguments. About fear. About sadness. But nothin
(Katelyn's POV)The next day started off like any other, but with the new weight and responsibility of pregnancy pressing down on me. I'd made a call to Dr Connors's offices to try and get a better idea of how far along I was and we managed to gauge that I was about three weeks in. She said they would be able to confirm by checking measurements and all that stuff at my first scan, but for now, I was three weeks in. Three out of forty. It somehow felt like too much and not enough at the same time.Shortly after the call, Alpha David's voice called from upstairs. My blood went cold and the twins and I exchanged worried glances."Jesus, do you think he overheard that?" I asked, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.Tyler shook his head. "I doubt it..." but still, he looked as concerned as I felt.The fact that David had bothered to call us upstairs personally, rather than sending Tyler a message like he usually did, didn’t escape me. This time, he’d taken the effort to personally
(Katelyn's POV)Ryder's hand lingered on my stomach for a moment, but then he sighed and dropped it."So... What do we do now? I mean, I guess this thing is happening. Do we have to start picking names and shit?" he asked, his eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.I shook my head. "I don't really know. Can't say this has ever happened to me before. I don't even know how far along I am... I kinda freaked out and left the doctor's office before she got to tell me..." I admitted."Well, you should probably find out," Tyler suggested, slipping his hand into mine and giving it a squeeze. "A timeline might be helpful here."I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll try get hold of the doctor's office tomorrow to see if she can give me more details. She said something about an OBGYN. I think she gave me a referral or something. Maybe Jen knows more of the details. My brain was all over the place," I explained, feeling a little stupid for not paying more attention to something so fucking