Chapter 6

The way Thane and Eren stared at each other made me think that I should have been worried about their discussion...

But I didn't understand a damn thing!

Everything I was listening to was unfamiliar. Clans and mate bonds and all these rules. It was giving me a headache.

Eren pushed himself off the couch and started pacing. "It's the only logical plan."

"Really?" Thane deadpanned. "In what world have three clan leaders taken a single mate? Do you even understand what that entails? Our entire souls will be bound to one woman. Forever."

I blinked. That part I understood.

He pointed at me. "If they kill her, we die too. Don't you think other clans hearing we share a mate would make them strike us?"

"So what?" Eren asked darkly. "They were already going to anyway. Not sure if you've been keeping up with clan news, but the hyenas are not gathering allies for a tea party. They're planning something, and it's big."

"So involving Wren into this is your solution?"

"She's already involved." He said. "Plus, she has better chances of surviving with three mates instead of one. In any case, Julien is a valuable asset. He has the power of a single clan alone."

"That's if he even considers this. He has no reason to risk his life like that."

Eren scratched his chin. "I think he'll agree. Something in my gut tells me he will."

I frowned, completely tired of the conversation I was listening to.

"Does anyone care about my opinion about this?" I asked angrily. They both snapped out of their bubble and looked at me in surprise. "You're both going on about permanent soul bonds as if we didn't meet a couple of hours ago. And why the hell do you all want to kill each other over everything? So what if Thane helped me? I was in danger!"

Eren shook his head. "Everything is to protect the delicate balance between us shifters. Limiting the number of humans who know about us and ensuring that clans are equally measured in strength protects that. One disturbance and the world will go to shit."

He stepped closer to me, his hand reaching to gently touch my cheek. I held myself from recoiling. "You being here is disturbing the balance. Killing you is the better option."

His eyes searched mine for a reaction. "But I reckon you're too pretty to die anyways."

"So you'd rather be permanently tied to me? Wouldn't you rather mate with a woman you love?"

Eren looked at me like I had just said the most absurd thing in the world. "Love? Goodness, you've watched far too many fairytale stories. Love isn't real."

My shoulders dropped. "What?" I asked softly. He gently stroked my chin.

"Shifters don't feel love, little one. Our hearts only serve to pump blood. Nothing more or less. Us mating with you is just a business transaction. We'll all benefit in a way."

He looked at Thane. "He'll finally stop spending his days alone and have a real clan.

His eyes returned to me. "You will be alive and safe. Living a luxurious life, which I reckon is how you were raised."

He hummed. "I imagine Julien will get a little bit more entertainment in his life with you in it. Perhaps he'll stop sleeping all the time."

"And I? Well, I'll have two shifters who measure me in strength permanently by my side because of you. With Julien and Eren, we'll be a force."

His face softened at my reaction. "But don't be sad, little one. We know how to make humans happy. You'll feel whatever emotion you desire, including love."

My eyes watered, and I stepped back from him. He let me go without question, and I turned away.

"Wren." Thane called me. I ignored him and headed toward the stairs.

"I need a minute," I said, rushing up the stairs. I made my way to my room, closing the door and pressing my back against it. I sighed.

I mean, I didn't expect this to be some sort of love story, but woah. That was horrible to hear.

My lips pursed. I believed in love, and I believed that one day I would meet someone and fall in love with them. I wanted to. Finding out that may never happen was heartbreaking.

But I won't experience it anyways. If I refuse this, I die... and Thane may die with me. Either way, love doesn't exist in that equation.

Still. Did I want to spend years of my life as some mate to emotionally unavailable half-humans? Did I want to bear a mark on my body that says I am theirs, but only for business?

I laid down, pressing my head against a pillow. Could I live a life with no love? Not any form of it at all?

Not even a mother's love.

No. No life was worth living if it would be like that.

A knock on the door interupted my thoughts, and I looked back. "Come in." I said quietly.

The handle shook as it was pulled downward, and Thane peeked his head into the room and stepped in right after, closing it behind him softly. He walked to stand next to the bed.

"Eren is gone," he announced. "May I sit down?"

Good. He was way too negative for my liking.

I patted the empty spot next to me and sat up, giving him space to sit at the edge of the bed. His brows were furrowed. This was obviously stressing him as much as it was stressing me.

"I'm really sorry." I said softly. "Your life was probably so peaceful before I came. Now I'm just uprooting that peace."

He didn't respond, and my body slumped.

"I didn't know there would be so many rules and so many problems. If I knew... I would have let those hyenas have me."

"You don't mean that." He shook his head.

"I really do." I sighed. "The last thing I want is to cause anyone trouble. Especially of this magnitude. I mean, God, a forced mate bond? It's just unethical."

Thane looked at me. "I suppose it is when you put it like that, but that doesn't mean it's your fault. Its our rules that force us to make choices like these."

I looked at him carefully. He was so nice. Even after that horrible conversation with Eren, he still wanted to talk to me and protect me. Even if his entire life would change.

"I'm refusing this offer," I said with finality. He looked at me with wide eyes. "I know I'll die, but I really think it's the better choice. It's better for you and me. You don't have to be allies with that guy, and I don't have to be in a loveless polyandrous relationship for the rest of my life."

"Loveless?" He asked softly. "You really believe what Eren said?"

"I do," I said with no hesitation. "After everything I've heard about shifters so far, I would be crazy not to. No offense."

"I know, but—"

"Please don't try and convince me, Thane." I said to him. I placed my hand on his arm and smiled as best as I could. "You are such a kind man. Nothing like those hyenas or that tiger. You deserve to continue living a peaceful life. Honestly, Mum would be angry at me if I disturbed it."

He didn't argue with that, but he wasn't happy with my answer either. I turned away from him.

"I'd like to take a final nap before... I die," I said slowly. That sounded dark.

Thane didn't speak on that either, choosing to stand and walk to the door. He opened it and stepped out, but before he closed it, he spoke softly

"Some of us believe in love too, you know."

He closed the door softly.

I shut my eyes, my hands sliding under my pillow. Underneath it, I felt the coldness of the tooth necklace touch my hand.

My hand tightened around it.

Don't you dare change your mind, Wren.