The Alpha Twins and their Runaway Witch

61

Hours spent shopping through the mammoth maze like building of home goods, followed by a slow leisurely lunch in the wonderful cafeteria that was part of the shopping Colosseum. Binh encouraged her to try everything that appealed to her from the many offerings in the cafeteria. Binh's treat he insisted after allowing her to use her new pristine debit card to pay for a third of what they selected to serve as replacements to the scorched items in Binh's home. Binh having already arranged a perfectly legal and secure banking account for Ariel at a bank to protect her wealth. As well as of course allow himself easy ability to add to her fortunes and investments as needed. Or at his whim.

Ariel had been held in rapt attention as she and Binh wandered the aisles and twists of the massive building dedicated to the god of constant consumption. Then her still recovering body had been left starving by her efforts so soon after the magical healing Lumi had bestowed as a gift.

Now Ariel was more than well fed, felt like her debt to Binh was evening out, and was pleased that she had helped undo damage she had done. Her bank account was still well funded. Ariel was safe, healthy, and if she was feeling bold, she might almost be ready to say that she felt happy.

Except there was something missing as she enjoyed feeling comfortable, tired from a long walk, and well fed. Feeling so content that the girl she had been just a few months ago wouldn't believe life could ever be this nice. Everything in this one simple moment was more than Ariel would have dared dream about back then, the disappointment when the dream came to an end always hurt.

This should have felt perfect. Two people were missing. Her heart felt like it was wide open waiting to see Alex and August again. Even though she had been ignoring them all morning through her phone. Ariel was full of an awful lot of feeling she didn't have the words or understanding to explain.

She reluctantly took out her phone. Binh was busy stealing nightmares from compulsive shoppers and fraudsters with stolen credit cards. Ariel recognised the look when his demon was active easily now. Watching people without them knowing you were studying them had been a key skill in her survival when she had been with-

"None of that now," Binh said, interrupting Ariel from her dark memories. Ariel was not the only being paying close attention. He had enjoyed learning her face, the subtleties she used to try and hide her feelings and thoughts from the world around her. Binh knew her darkest days, her worst fears, he knew her better than anyone else. So well that even when her troubles came from her own thoughts, and not a nightmare he could pluck from her mind, he could still act to interrupt the thought from growing.

Ariel returned to looking at her phone. And the barrage of messages from both Alex and August individually and on their group chat together. It made her smile, just a little smile to herself. She was being thought of. Alex had basically written her a cookbook of what he wanted to make for their next meal together. Including enough dishes and sides for a ten course feast. He was a really good cook. Ariel tried to praise the meal, no matter how she tried to get her feelings into words it was like there was a wall between the part of her brain that understood language and the part that was her feelings.

Reluctantly, she finally hit send on a message, It was the best meal of my life. I would love another chance to have you cook for me. Blushing furiously the moment the message was set forth. For a moment, trying to see if there was an undo send button or option. What was done could not be undone, she switched to August's message window.

Beautiful words about how she had looked when he arrived, compliments on her hair, and makeup. Poetry about the colour of her dress. Ariel thought she had turned red after responding to Alex's messages about food. August was going make her cheeks combust his words made her feel so warm.

Binh stole a glance at Ariel as she tried to flirt through her phone with her mates. She looked positively enchanting. Cheeks rosy to match the secret flashes of red hidden in her now natural honey blond hair thanks to Kit. Her body, healthy and healed, if still a bit thin. Blue eyes sparkling as she looked at the tiny screen. Binh averted his gaze from Ariel, back to the several tempting nightmares in the large cafeteria. Giving her some time to decide what she wanted next.

Ariel didn't have any poetry in her heart, and after failing to try and type something eloquent to August to do justice for the poetic words, Ariel instead typed a simple thank you, and let August know she wanted to see him and Alex again.

After her reply to August had been sent, there was a new notification in the group chat. A rainbow icon was the name, and it was a picture of the dinner party last night. Ariel saw herself sat at the table, as Alex handed her the second plate she had eaten. They had made eye contact as she had accepted the plate from him. Binh at her side, August staring at Ariel like she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, Lumi and her partner Sebastian smiling at each other with love in their eyes, Cassi looking like modern art as she took a sip from her wine glass.

Ariel touched her finger to the screen, and an emoji reaction bubble appeared. Ariel moved to the heart. She had never seen a picture of herself this nicely done. She was at the center. She was in focus, she looked at her expression. A real smile on her lips. Everyone at the table looked so happy to be with each other. Ariel studied the picture in aw and silence for several minutes as her mind tried to make sense of what she was feeling when she looked at the simple picture.

Ariel looked at Binh. Binh stopped stealing nightmares and returned her gaze, feeling a change in her energy. "Do you-" Ariel started to ask, her own nerves uncertain and still scared to voice her desires out loud. She was getting braver though. "Do you think they would show me where they grew up?" She asked Binh. They had even more siblings, and several dads and a mom. A house where they had all grown up surrounded by love. Looking at the picture of her, with Alex and August, two of their sisters, a brother in law, and Binh all sharing a table had touched Ariel's heart to want more.

Selene was truly a master at twisting fate to her whims. Binh had to give credit where it was due. Ariel was succumbing to the draw of the mate bond with her spoiled pups faster than Binh had estimated. Though not faster than he was prepared for. Tyrone was ready to assume full control of the diner and to continue Binh's mission of helping those in need.

"I can release the ward, perhaps we can invite them to join us in the city this time? You can ask them yourself." Binh smiled, and took Ariel's hand as her knee anxiously bounced under the table. "I am certain, they would love nothing more than a chance to take you to their home." They would likely dance naked in the street for her if she asked.

Ariel considered Binh's words. "The place with the little plates of random tasty things and the name I never remember?" She asked Binh. Making him chuckle, he knew the restaurant she wanted. A menu designed by a mad man. No meals, no designations, just dozens of small plates to sample or nibble. A perfect place to meet with a relaxed atmosphere, and distractingly good food.

Nodding his head, it was an excellent place to meet and talk, "What time would you like Ariel?" Binh loved the smile that appeared each time she heard her real name. Ariel asked if four pm was too early. Binh shook his head, and took out his phone, making the arrangements for a private room. While Ariel dove into her own phone to invite the twins to meet her on her adopted home territory. Doing her best to mimic bravery at what she wanted to ask of her mates. Trusting their words and trusting Binh and Three Hours Past Midnight when they told her she could trust Alex and August. It wasn't the most solid of bases, but it was a start.