Three Fated Hearts by LNC novel Chapter 23

~Lincoln~

I walk to the sitting room and plop down on the couch. I lean forward with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. I don’t have the energy for this right now. I really just want to find my mate and snuggle up to her. She has been through an ordeal, and I just want some time with her where she isn’t trying to fight for her life or heal from injuries.

The couch dips next to me, and I can feel Aida’s body heat next to me. I feel her hand on my thigh, but I push it away. I sit up and lean my head back on the back of the couch. “You have five minutes, Aida. I suggest you don’t waste it.” I can feel Aida’s upper body closer to mine, and I figure she has leaned back close to me.

“I….I miss you, Lincoln. I know you miss me too. We had a good thing and I know you are just appeasing Landon by accepting Portia.” I sigh internally. I knew this would be bad, but experiencing it is something else. “You know I love you and I know you love me too. Don’t fight it……we are meant to be.” This is ridiculous, I swear.

“Aida, you have to stop.” I sit up and scoot away from her so I can look at her. “Yes we have had something since high school and at one point, I planned to make you my chosen. I know that I said that I didn’t want my fated, but that was never really true. I’ve always wanted my fated mate, I was just scared.” Aida opens her mouth like she wants to speak, but I shake my head to stop her. I get a mindlink before I can respond.

Linc, you had better finish up with Aida. Tia needs you right now. I need to wrap this up and get to mate.

“I need you to hear me right now. I….I never fell in love with you, not like you were with me. I always thought that I’d fall for you one day. I…..I’m sorry, but it’s true.” The tears are building in her eyes. “I’ve found my fated mate and…..and I want her. I want her more than I want to be the Alpha of this pack. I know that hurts you, especially since she is your sister, but that wasn’t my doing. The Goddess has paired your sister with my brother, and me and I’m thankful.” I stand up and take a few steps away from the couch. “I’m truly sorry, Aida, but this is just how things are.” Aida starts to sob behind me, but I find the strength not to look back. I continue out of the room and up the stairs.

It doesn’t take me long to reach Landon’s room. When I open the door, I see Tia on the bed, asleep. Landon is next to her, stroking her hand. They aren’t cuddled up together, and I hope that isn’t a bad sign. Landon looks at me as I walk closer to the bed. He gives me a look of frustration which makes my stomach turn.

You smell like Aida.

She was sitting next to me on the couch. What’s wrong with Tia? You said she needed me. I start to take my clothes off and grab some of Landon’s to change into. I don’t want to smell too much like Aida. Landon gets up from the bed and stops in front of me. He puts a hand on my shoulder and walks out of the room. I’m not quite sure how I should feel; Landon is acting weirdly.

I sit on the bed next to Tia’s head and just look at her face. I love watching her sleep. She looks so peaceful and sweet. I reach out and stroke her cheek, the sparks erupting between us. Tia moves a bit and moans. I swear I love every sound that she makes. She squirms some more and opens her eyes, her light brown eyes staring into mine. I smile at her, but she doesn’t return it. Oh s**t! What’s wrong?

“Hey, beautiful.”

“You were with my sister.” The way she says this is more of an accusation than just making a statement. I hope she didn’t read anything into me talking to Aida.

“Uh, yeah. She asked me for five minutes.” Tia closes her eyes and sighs while moving her face away from my hand. This is really not looking good.

“First you let her hang all over you in the kitchen and then you go off alone with her.” WTF?! I never expected this attitude from Tia. I wonder where it’s coming from. She has to know that she is the only woman I care about.