Alpha's Twins Chapter 46

"What?"

The word came out flat, like I'd been slapped. I just stared at him.

"Yeah, that's what he wants," he said, like it was no big deal.

I shook my head. "I can't stay there."

He glanced toward my hotel room. "What's so great about a hotel anyway? You've seen how nice our pack house is."

I raised an eyebrow. So that's what this was about—he knew I was Adrian's ex-wife.

Of course all his officers knew their Alpha's personal business. Hell, everyone knew thanks to social media.

"Call Alpha Lucas," I said. "I need to talk to him."

He pulled out his phone without missing a beat and dialed. Then he handed it over.

I pressed the phone to my ear and waited.

"Uncle, I can't stay there," I said when Lucas picked up.

"Natalia, why not? We already talked about this."

"But Uncle, how can I live in the pack house?"

"You're our guest. Let us show you some proper hospitality."

I sighed, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I had no idea what to do.

"Okay, I'm coming," I finally said.

I handed the phone back to Julian. After he talked to Lucas for a minute, he said, "Alright, I'm bringing her over now."

I checked out of the hotel and followed Julian outside. I called my driver to let him know I was switching locations. When he offered to drive me, I told him someone was already picking me up.

Julian opened the passenger door for me, and I slid in. He got behind the wheel and started the engine.

I sat in silence, watching the road roll by through the windshield.

Julian didn't say anything either as he drove.

Then something occurred to me. I turned to him. "Does your Alpha live at the pack house?"

Adrian and I had been married for two years, but he never stayed there unless his father summoned us for family dinners. We had our own place—Adrian's mansion. I couldn't imagine him living at the pack house now.

Though maybe things had changed over the years.

"No. He mostly stays at his company's corporate apartment."

Relief washed over me. If he didn't live there, I wouldn't have to see him.

The drive took about an hour. When we pulled into the pack grounds, memories started flooding back—all the times I'd come here before.

The car stopped at the main entrance, and Julian got out first.

He came around to open my door and help me out.

"Thanks," I said as I stepped onto the driveway. He gestured toward the pack house.

Walking toward those imposing front doors, my heart started racing. The massive building sat right at the edge of the thick forest, looking like it was keeping secrets. Every stone seemed to whisper with memories—some sweet, some bitter.

Coming back here wasn't easy, even temporarily. But when Adrian's father asked—my former father-in-law—I couldn't say no. His health problems and the respect I still had for him pushed me forward, even though my emotions were all over the place.

The moment I stepped inside, warmth surrounded me—nothing like the cold dread I'd been expecting.

Grace, Adrian's mother, spotted me right away and walked over.

"Thank you for agreeing to stay."

Her eyes held a mix of joy and sadness.

"We just got back ourselves. Lucas is upstairs resting. Have you eaten? Let's have dinner together."

"Sounds good."

She called over a maid to show me to my room. The maid's face changed when she saw me—clearly, she recognized me.

I followed her upstairs. She stopped at a door and opened it.

"The mistress had us prepare this room for you."

I walked in and couldn't believe how beautiful it was.

The walls were painted in soft, calming colors that seemed to glow. There was a faint lavender scent that made all the day's stress melt away. The plush carpet felt amazing under my tired feet.

"Beautiful room," I told her.

"We've put some clothes in the closet for you. You can change if you'd like."

I checked out the huge walk-in closet and nodded.

Grace was incredible. She'd organized everything in just a few hours!

After the maid left, I closed the door and went to the closet. I picked out a loose, comfortable cotton dress for dinner.

Once I'd changed, I headed downstairs to meet Lucas and Grace in the dining room.

The staff told me where to find them, and I joined them at the table.

They were thrilled that I'd decided to stay for a few days. I had no idea they still cared about me so much after all these years.

After dinner, the three of us settled on the couches in the living room. We talked about what was happening with the Crystal Blood Pack lately.

So much had changed over the past few years.

We were deep in conversation when night fell around the pack house.

Then footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"The Alpha's back," a maid rushed over to tell Lucas.

I looked toward the entrance.

Adrian walked through the front door and immediately froze, like he'd caught a scent. His face twisted into a grimace.

His eyes went straight to me, his eyebrows slowly rising—clearly, he hadn't expected to find me here.

Those sharp, intense eyes locked onto mine instantly, and I felt something stir in my wolf.

I took a deep breath and looked away, making it clear that I didn't feel the mate bond anymore.