Three Alphas, Three Mates

Chapter 28 - Drawing Straws

Author's Note - Another song for the imaginary playlist, "Wet - It's All in Vain (Audio)" :D That's all. I hope you enjoy the chapter~

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I sit up as best as I can on the bed. I want this to be as professional as possible. This is serious, and I want them to know that. "Alright, let's get one thing straight. We're gonna settle this foolishness right here, right now, once and for all." I look at each one of the brothers around me in the nurse's office. They don't say anything, so I continue. "If you have something else important to do, or somewhere else to be, it's just gonna have to wait." Of course I'm talking to Aiden at the moment.

I risk a glance at him and then the other two. Still, they don't interrupt. It's sad that I'm just waiting for them to. I clear my throat. "Clearly feelings are getting hurt and everyone's got something to say, but we're gonna have to try to handle this diplomatically. Keep your emotions and comments to yourself if they're unproductive."

"And this would be?" Aiden asks finally like I knew he would.

It takes everything in me not to go against my own words. Did I say diplomatically? "That." I point at him. "That's exactly what I'm talking about. That attitude. Carson's temper."

"What?" Carson asks, startled that his name's being dragged into this.

I keep talking. "Axel's inability to be honest."

Axel raises an eyebrow.

I give him a look. "We need to talk seriously about what's going on between all of us, and in order for that to happen, I don't want you lying, Axel. Even if you think it's what I want to hear. I want you to be brutally honest."

I turn to Carson. "No growling or yelling. Period. I'm not saying not to say how you feel. Just try to listen to what everyone else is saying too, including your brothers."

Carson opens his mouth to protest.

I don't give him the chance to. I look at Aiden. I sigh and starw at the guy standing as far away from me as possible. "Just don't."

He glares right back at me. There's a million things I could say, but what's the point?

I put my emotions on hold for just a second, so I can peacefully say what I have to. "On multiple occasions I've been accused by both Aiden and Carson of not knowing what I want. Being confusing. Being a liar." I look between the two of them. "And now I've got Axel saying I'm unfair."

"I didn't really mean it like that—" he starts.

I don't stop for a second. I look at him directly. "I'd like to make it clear that, that's not true. I never made promises to anyone, and as far as I'm concerned, I'm single right now. Therefore there's no way I could've been unfaithful to anyone or lead anybody on."

From the corner of my eyes, I can see that it's taking a lot in Carson not to react to that. His jaw looks tight. His eyes narrow. I don't really care.

I look him dead in the eyes. Lord knows he's the one who most needs to hear this so he can get out of his feelings. "I get that you guys are werewolves or whatever, and you're alphas so you were probably born and raised with the mindset of ruling and mates and imprints and insta-love and blah blah blah." I wave my arms around. "But I wasn't. I've just been thrown into this without any idea of what's going on. And I've been expected to play this role of luna that I'm just not ready for."

"I said that you could take it slow," Axel says. "You didn't have to start learning about the town if it was overwhelming."

"I didn't have any choice." My voice raises. "I've been chased through the forest by killer wolves, glared at around every corner by creepy townspeople, and left to fear for my life both from external enemies and internal ones too. This is crazy." I breath for what feels like the first time in awhile. You don't know how good it feels to just admit that. To finally say how I've been feeling since this whole thing started. I mean, I'm literally scared shitless and I'm tired of pretending like this is any kind of normal. It's not.