My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate Chapter 266

Dahlia’s POV

By the time dinner plates were cleared away and dessert was just about to be served, I felt like I had shared every detail of my life from the past twenty-one years. Caden had mentioned my mother’s passing in passing, but the twins quickly shifted the conversation, clearly sensing my discomfort through our bond. I had talked so much, I didn’t even realize how much water I’d been drinking just to keep my throat from drying out. Now, my bladder felt like it was about to explode.

“Alphas, Luna, would you excuse me for just a moment? I need to find the ladies’ room,” I said as I stood up.

“Of course, darling! But no need for titles—call us Mom and Dad, or use our first names if you prefer,” Lilith said warmly.

I offered her a small smile before turning away. I genuinely needed to pee, but more than that, I needed a break from the conversation.

As I entered the bathroom, I noticed a pretty brunette she-wolf standing at the sink, fixing her makeup. I gave her a polite nod, but she didn’t return it—just went back to what she was doing.

“So, how was your trip?” she asked, clearly talking to someone behind the stall doors.

I barely paid her any mind at first—my urgency to pee was far more pressing—but the moment I heard the response, my blood ran cold. That voice. I knew it too well. I’d spent the last week and a half trying and failing to avoid it.

Rowena.

“It was amazing!” she chirped in that irritating, nasal tone of hers. I rolled my eyes. At least she hadn’t been around to get on my nerves recently. But her next words sliced through me like a blade.

“It was so great spending alone time with Liam. It’s a shame Logan couldn’t come, but he did us a favor distracting that clingy bitch for us. The sex was amazing, as always—though it’s even better when both of them are involved.”

I froze. I wanted to move, to bolt from the room before I heard more, but my legs were rooted to the spot. Her earlier entrance with a suitcase made perfect, sickening sense now.

“Ooh! Juicy! I need details—spill!” the brunette urged.

My mind screamed for me to leave. Run. Escape. But I couldn’t move. Blue growled inside my head, feral and ready to tear the stall door off its hinges and shred Rowena where she stood. But I couldn’t let her. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break over this.

So I sat in silence, hidden behind the stall door, and listened as my world came crashing down around me.

“It was perfect,” Rowena gushed. “Liam took me to this upscale restaurant—so romantic. We were supposed to go dancing after, but he couldn’t wait. Took me back to the hotel and made love to me all night long.”

“That sounds incredible!” the brunette cooed. “But why are they keeping that girl around? Why not make you Luna already?”

Rowena’s disgust bled into her voice. “Ugh, something about an alliance and inter-pack relations. I don’t know. But they promised it won’t be much longer. If I’m going to be Luna, I guess I’ll have to put up with some crap now and then.”

Their voices faded as they exited the room. I remained still, forcing myself to breathe, to think, to not fall apart. When I could finally move, I emerged from the stall, washed my hands quickly, and made my way back to the dining room—determined not to break. Not yet.

“There you are, Angel!” Liam said with a smile as I approached. “We were about to send out a search party.”

“Sorry! There was a line,” I lied smoothly, refusing to let the tears in my eyes fall. “I’m not feeling too great all of a sudden. I think I’ll skip dessert and head to bed. It was truly lovely meeting you both.”

I offered a polite smile to their parents, made my excuses, and turned to leave. I didn’t stop when I heard Logan call after me. I couldn’t. One more second looking at either of them and I’d shatter completely. And I would not give them that power.

Blue whimpered inside my head, her heart breaking in tandem with mine. She didn’t want to believe what we’d heard.

“She has to be lying!” she insisted. “Fang and Ghost love us! So do Liam and Logan! They’d never do that!”

“I know this is hard, Blue. It’s hard for me too,” I whispered back to her. “But she didn’t know we were there. She had no reason to lie.”

With nothing to argue back, Blue slunk to the furthest corner of my mind, curling up and sobbing. Her grief fueled my own, and I barely made it into my room before the dam finally broke. Sobs racked my chest, but I kept moving—locking the bathroom door behind me as I stripped down and turned on the shower.

They’d probably come looking for me. I knew them. I expected them to barge into my room, but maybe—just maybe—they’d respect my privacy enough not to force their way into the bathroom.

I sank onto the shower floor, letting the hot water mask the tears as they poured freely. At some point, I could sense their presence through the bond—distress, concern—but no one knocked.

That surprised me. Until I reminded myself that it was all just an act. They didn’t really care that I was upset. They were probably just worried about what it might mean for their precious alliance.

That thought hardened something in me.

I was angry. Angry that they’d used me. Angry they’d taken advantage of the mate bond. Angry they’d lied. But more than anything, I was angry with myself.

How could I be so naïve? I should have known better than to trust the bond. But I’d let myself fall. After a year of loneliness, I let myself believe I could be happy. That I could be loved. Stupid, stupid girl.

Finnian should’ve taught me better. But apparently, I needed this one last betrayal to really learn my lesson.

I couldn’t let them see me fall apart. I couldn’t let them win. But I also couldn’t face them right now. I needed a plan.

I already had one, in fact. I’d promised to meet Silas and some friends tomorrow night. Originally, I was going to invite my mates and ride with them. Not anymore.

After drying off and wrapping a towel around my hair, I dug my phone from the pocket of my discarded dress and texted Silas, asking if he could pick me up. He responded right away with a time.

I’d also promised Theron I’d help out at the clinic tomorrow, so I’d wake up early and spend the day there. That would keep my mind busy until it was time to go out.

Isolde—my best friend—would be at the gathering tomorrow night too. I’d stay at her place for a few days, at least until I was ready to face my father. I could always send someone to collect my things.

With a plan forming in my mind, I sent one final text to Logan and Liam: I need space. I want to sleep alone tonight.

My body felt heavy—too heavy—but I managed to drag myself to the bed.

“It’s just your ego that’s hurt. It’s not like you loved them,” I whispered to myself.

And despite the empty space beside me, I was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.