Selfish Love

I Belong To. . .

(A/N just wanted to let you know that we're back to Serena's side of the story. Enjoy!)

The smile that I had when I left Caleb's room has mysteriously vanished. Gabe barging in and looking at me like that keeps creeping back into my mind.

For a second, he looked soft. Just for a second, and maybe it was my drowsiness but I could've sworn I saw it. Then he looked at me like I had done some dirty deed, which confused me. Like, what was that look for?

Shit. He must have thought that Caleb and I slept together. Well, I mean we did, but slept slept together. I groan and put my head in my hands. Why do I even care what Gabe thinks? Looking around, I think that the throne is in the hallway on my left and surprisingly I'm right.

I walk in and see Ryan, pacing. I'm pretty sure he's pulling out some of his hair right now, until I cough awkwardly. Ryan jumps and has a glare fixated on his face, until he sees it's me. Then his face shows regret and something that sort of resembles compassion. Ryan rushes towards me and crushes me in a bear hug that I uncomfortably return.

"Why did you leave me?" Ryan whimpers into my hair.

I feel some kind of strange feeling in my stomach. Don't get any ideas, it wasn't love, but it wasn't good either. It borderlines disgust and I feel guilty for feeling disgusted in the slightest. All Ryan's done today is protect me, so I have no right to feel anything other than grateful.

I push him back a tad and I'm released from the hug. His face looks confused, like he doesn't understand my need for a little bit of space.

"I'm sorry. It's just that. . ." I trail off, unsure of how to put my feelings kindly. The last thing I want to do is hurt him.

"It's okay, you can just say it." Ryan says roughly, like he had to throw the words out.

"It's just that I-I don't love you." The words are acid to Ryan, almost like I've physically hurt him.

"Are you r-rejecting me?" Ryan's voice comes out like a sob, and I can't bear it.

"No, it's just that right now I don't feel the connection. I'm sorry, maybe I will just give it some time." I reassure Ryan, but secretly I hope I'm wrong. That the bond doesn't come in time, because I don't want it.

Ryan's eyes suddenly go cold and he stands up straight, collecting himself.

"So where were you this whole time? And where is my brother?" Ryan's voice is no longer kind or caring, it's almost like he's talking to any old person that he doesn't care about.

"I went where I pleased. And your twin is likely sparring with Caleb right now."I say, annoyed that he asked me where I was like I couldn't handle myself.

Ryan leaves the throne room quickly, not even motioning for me to follow, nor uttering a word. I roll my eyes, how could I have felt sympathy for the dude when all he was gonna do was treat me like dirt?

It's just a front. You hurt him.

I hate how the little voice in my head is always right. I follow Ryan, jogging to catch up with him. I barely catch a glimpse of him going into a room, so I go in as well when I reach it.

I see Gabe on the floor, held down by a grinning Caleb. I feel bile rising in my throat and I turn into Ryan, not caring that he was cold and would likely push me off him. I just couldn't watch Caleb do that to Gabe and enjoy it. It wasn't right. It was twisted and sick.

Ryan actually turned his body so that I couldn't see, which made relief pour through me.

"Serena?" I hear Caleb ask, and then there's a grunt, and I hear more fighting.

I squeeze my eyes shut tighter and grip Ryan's shirt.

"Don't you dare touch her!" I hear a yell, and I jump. I open my eyes and look around, wondering what I had missed.

Gabe was standing beside Caleb and he looked at his twin furiously.

"Why not, brother? She belongs to me." Ryan's voice is gloating and I push him away from me, definitely not amused.

"Serena doesn't belong to you. She's my mate." Gabe sneers and my eyes go wide. Ryan was faking the whole mate thing the whole time?

Damn, that boy should be an actor. Ryan's eyebrows are raised high up on his face, and I wonder if it's possible that they'll disappear into his hair line.

I thought of butting in and saying that I wasn't property, and that no one owned me but first I wanted to hear what Gabe and Ryan had to say.

"Stop screwing around, Gabe. Serena is my mate, not yours. Shifters sharing a mate hasn't happened in over a century." Ryan said, clearly angry.

"Well, then I guess we're making history. But like I said she's not yours. Quite the contrary, she's mine." Gabe said calmly and Ryan hissed. Even I had my hands balled into fists at my side.

That's it, I can't take it anymore. No more talking about me like I'm not here. No more talking about me like I'm some kind of property up for sale.

"That's it. Will both of you pull your heads out of your ass? I don't belong to either of you, so you can get over yourselves. Also, don't talk about me like I'm not here, did you guys even think of asking me for my opinion?" I huff and Caleb's grinning ear to ear, almost proud.

Both brothers stare at me, for once at a loss for words.

"Caleb can you get me home? I'd rather not get lost again." I say, not even waiting for a response. I turned on my heel and walked out of the room.

Caleb walked along side me and as we finally exited the palace Caleb said,

"You could always belong to me." With a wink, he had earned himself a glare and hard shove.

Caleb chuckled as we walked past cars and motorcycles. Somehow I found myself grinning with him.

This dude is impossible to stay mad at.