Fated To Three, And I Broke Them All

Verity:

”I’m sorry. Come again?” Jaguar asked.

Theodore stayed quiet, his gaze fixed on me.

His expression barely changed, but something in his eyes tightened.

”No, really. Why would I pick either of you after you just accused me of playing you both? If that’s what you think of me, then why would you even want to be with someone like me?”

I let out a short breath.

”No. You embarrassed me. You made me feel ashamed of myself, so I’m not choosing anyone. At least, not either of you.”

The color drained from their faces so quickly that, for a second, they looked as though someone had sucked the life right out of them.

”I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but Verity, you were supposed to tell us that we were both flirting with you.”

Jaguar’s tone had changed. The accusation was still there, but the sharpness had faded.

”Why would I? To me, you were both just potential suitors. That was something the two of you should’ve discussed with each other. I thought you were close enough as brothers to tell each other when you liked someone, especially if you wanted to pursue her.”

As I explained myself, I noticed Theodore finally reacting.

His shoulders stiffened, tension slowly settling into his posture.

”But we didn’t know anything,” he said. ”I thought I was the only one pursuing you, so in my head, it was fine. But you knew we were both after you.”

Just like Jaguar, Theodore had lowered his voice.

They were choosing every word carefully now, walking on eggshells around me.

”Sorry, Theodore, but I couldn’t exactly walk up to Jaguar and confidently tell him that his brother liked me when I wasn’t even sure myself. Everything escalated over the last few days. I barely had time to understand what was happening, let alone sit down and have this conversation.”

Then I turned toward Jaguar.

”And you? How was I supposed to make such a big claim about you to Theodore? If I told him you were flirting with me, it could’ve sounded like you were making me uncomfortable. If I told him you liked me, that would’ve been an even bigger assumption.”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

”The last time I thought you liked me, you turned around and started dating your ex. That was your responsibility.”

I growled the words, pointing at both of them while carefully twisting everything in my favor.

And somehow, despite how ridiculous parts of my argument sounded even to me, I managed to make them pause and think.

They were actually considering my explanations.

”So... what happens now?” Theodore asked.

There it was again.

The same question, except neither of them sounded demanding anymore.

Their voices had softened considerably.

”I already gave you my answer. Nothing happens now.”

Their expressions shifted, but I kept going.

”Everything has gone completely wrong. I was already dreading the idea of sitting both of you down and explaining that you’d each claimed to like me and that I enjoyed spending time with both of you. But now that we’re mates...” I shook my head. ”I don’t know. I think it’ll become too complicated.”

The cold wind carried parts of my words away.

Both brothers had gone red around the cheeks. Whether it was from the cold, anger, or something else, I couldn’t tell.

”I’m going home.”

I turned and started walking.

Footsteps followed quietly behind me.

Neither of them argued anymore.

For now, we had somehow managed to discuss almost everything except the most important question: how was it even possible for an omega like me to feel a mate bond with two powerful alpha kings?

Considering my background, I was almost certain I would turn out to be an omega.

That only made the situation even more questionable.

When we finally reached the road, I moved to pass their car instead of getting inside.

I barely made it a step before both of them rushed ahead of me.

Jaguar pulled open one door while Theodore opened the other.

I stopped short, looking from one brother to the other.

They were already putting me under pressure to choose.

I stared at both of them, stunned, before gathering up my gown and walking past the guards.

”Where are you going?” Theodore called after me. ”You’re not seriously planning to walk all the way back to the mansion in those heels and that tight gown.”

I kept moving.

A second later, hurried footsteps came after me.

”Verity, what are you doing?” Jaguar asked. ”Why are you doing this to us?”

For once, there was no anger in his voice.

It was almost as if they were already coming to terms with the possibility that it might not be just one of them anymore.

Both brothers hurried to catch up.

Jaguar fell into step beside me, his entire body angled in my direction, while Theodore moved a few paces ahead and started walking backward so he could keep facing me.

”Well, I’m not dealing with all this pressure,” I complained.

I pressed a hand to my forehead as though I might pass out, because apparently my wolf had decided to scare me again without actually triggering the transition.

The moment I put on that little act, both of them fell silent and sprang into action.

”Are you okay?”

Jaguar reached for me immediately, one hand catching my arm before sliding around my back to steady me.

Theodore grabbed my elbows, his hold firm but unexpectedly gentle.

”I don’t know. It’s just...” I let out a tired breath. ”Oh, goodness. I feel exhausted.”

At this point, the argument had dragged on for far too long, and I was starting to grow both irritated and bored.

We didn’t have to sort everything out in a single night.

I needed to get away from them.

More than that, I needed time to process the fact that I had apparently been mated to two men who were not only incredibly powerful, but who also have been connected to whatever had happened to my brother.

”Well then, let’s get in the car and take you home,” Jaguar said softly, trying to reassure me. ”We’re not going to force you to choose between us. Not right now.”

”Yeah. We promise,” Theodore added.

I looked up at them and found the same gentle expression on both their faces.

After a moment, I gave in.

I agreed to ride back with them.