CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

Bastion's POV

She... She gave up on me.

I hurt her too much. She broke our bond.

I lay still, staring at the concrete ceiling, my face void of emotion and my hands folded neatly on my chest. It felt strange. I spent twenty-four years of my life without a mate, but now that I was back to being mateless, I felt incomplete. Empty. Meaningless.

I didn't tell Annalise about the bond breaking, but I couldn't hide the pain. She thought Aria must've been close to death, so she went longer to seal the deal.

Of course, I knew she hadn't died. The pain of that was much worse.

It still hurt like a bitch knowing that Aria rejected her love for me, though. Did she just do it to stop the pain? Or did she really stop loving me?

It didn't matter anymore. I was stuck in this damn prison with no hope of getting out. Nothing I'd considered had been plausible without hurting someone innocent, and I wasn't willing to do that. Aria wouldn't want me to do that.

I hoped the babies were still okay. I hoped I could still hold them, be in their life, even without being mates with Aria. But if they were Rory's... What purpose would I have in their lives? They truly wouldn't be mine anymore. I would have no claim to them at all.

I clutched at my aching chest. I was so tired. I couldn't keep doing this. The whole reason I had remained so strong was because of my mate and my babies, but now both of those were burning before my eyes.

Dorian hadn't stopped whimpering since the connection broke, and I could no longer mind-link Aria.

It was hopeless. I was alone.

The soft beep of the scanner outside sounded, but I didn't bother looking up. I wasn't hungry. Maybe I could just starve myself. Maybe they would leave me to rot like the other wolves in here.

I felt a slight nudge in my ribs, startling me from my self-pity. The weak human girl was standing over me, attempting to hand me the tray. What the hell? She usually just left it on the edge of the bed.

I gripped it, but noticed her hands were trembling. Something was up. I furrowed my brow at her, but she said nothing.

Instead, she nodded to the tray and took her leave faster than normal.

When I glanced at the tray, though, I noticed a small piece of paper tucked beneath the glass of water. "What's that?" I set the tray beside myself so I could open it.

"Count to one hundred twenty, then exit the room. The elevator will be called. Two rights, one left. Our twins are here."

"One, two, three, four..." I immediately began to count, my body shaking like a leaf at the last sentence.

My twins are here. My twins! But it's too soon. How has she already given birth?

I stood from the bed. "Twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight..."

I couldn't go out there like this. I was still naked. I ripped the sheet from the bed, extending my claws just enough to tear out a piece of the fabric, which I then fastened to my waist. I looked like a tribal man, but it was the best I could do.

"One hundred three, one hundred four..."

By now I had noticed the heavy steel door being held slightly ajar by a secondary tray.

Who was she? How did she get ahold of our kingdom, and why?

It didn't matter right now. Right now, I had to prepare myself to run. My body was weak, malnourished, and I hadn't been able to work out in a month, but I couldn't miss my chance to escape. I would give it my damn all.

"One hundred twenty."

Go!

I threw open the door. Two rights, one left.

The outcries of wolves surrounded me once again, and I promised myself that I would come back to free them someday, but I couldn't now. I had to meet my babies.

I had no idea where I was going, but my first bet would be to leave this building.

I called the elevator, breathing a sigh of relief when I saw it was empty, before pressing the button labeled 'L' for lobby.

Maybe I could head out of the city. I could find a place to transform and run as fast as possible to the desert. But who would find me? I didn't trust returning to the ARIA since that's where all this started in the first place.

My nerves were starting to get the better of me as I waited for the elevator to hit that last level. Then, the doors opened. I was immediately blinded by the bright sunlight spilling through the front windows. I had gotten used to the darkness of my cell.

Keep moving, damn it!

I ran as fast as I could, my heart finally beating again once I crossed through the double glass doors.

The sun was setting over the horizon, and it was fucking freezing with just the thin sheet on me. That's when I saw it: an absolutely beautiful black and blue Bugatti parked just across the busy street.

The passenger door popped open, and I darted to it, dodging traffic along the way. Rory. Thank fuck, it's Rory.

I threw myself into the expensive leather seat, barely getting the door shut before the tires were squealing us into traffic. My chest was heaving so bad I was worried I might pass out. I was safe. I was finally safe.

I laughed humorlessly, covering my face as joyous tears started falling.

"You look like shit," Rory whispered, making me laugh harder.

"How?" Was all I managed to spit out. He shrugged, glancing quickly at my probably sunken features.

"The girl. She came to us this morning. Lucky for you, the Sire and his wife are both hosting a gala right now. Otherwise, I don't know how the hell we would've gotten you out of there."

I wiped at my eyes.

"Shit. Wait, the twins!" I jumped in my seat, turning to face Rory who had a slight grin on his face. "No way. They're really here?!"

"Shh, don't shout. You're gonna bust my eardrums." He winced, moving a hand to his ear. "But yes, they're here."

I sank back in my seat.

Our babies. I get to meet our babies.

"Are they...?" I asked, hoping he would get my question. He smirked.

"They're all of ours," he assured me. A raspy chuckle escaped me. So, a surprise then.

I licked my lips, hoping to moisten them. I never cared how pathetic I looked while I was locked away, but now, I didn't want to appear weak for Rory. I wanted to feel worthy to stand beside him as his fellow King. I straightened my back.

"She still loves you." What? My head darted to Aria's royal so fast it hurt.

"What did you just say?"

He sighed, picking up his speed down the interstate as we neared the Opalescent mansion. "She still loves you, Bastion."

My eyes fell to my lap. "So you know that our bond was broken," I stated rather than asked.

"Yeah. I was there when she did it. She was dying. And the babies would've died too if she hadn't broken it. It was hell for her to do. She didn't want to."

"How do you know she still loves me, though?" He laughed, pulling my attention back to him.

"Are you kidding? She's been so eager for you to meet the twins. Nothing has changed for her. The first thing she did after having them was snuggle up in the bed with your pillow. She misses you. And... She doesn't know I've gotten you back yet."

Everything he said to me warmed me, filling the emptiness that had been torturing me since that morning.

She loved me. Missed me. Holy shit, she didn't even know!

We parked in front of the mansion, and I immediately sniffed for her. There she was. My love. My baby.

I went to open the door, but Rory put one hand on my shoulder.

"Perhaps you should put on some clothes first." He gestured to the center console where a t-shirt, underwear, and sweats had been neatly folded.

"Right." I moved as quickly as I could, throwing them on with such haste that I almost got my shirt backward. Then I pushed the door open and rushed up the steps to my girl.

I passed by many onlookers whose jaws were on the floor, but I paid them no mind. I had a goal.

As soon as I reached our chamber, I stopped.

There were two new smells in there. Two new people. Wait...

"What the hell...?"

Rory's deep chuckle sounded from behind me. "Figure it out?One werewolf. One vampire. Come on, what are you waiting for? Come meet our children." He stepped around me, pushing open the oak door, and I saw them.

Two little bundles side by side in a bassinet along with my Aria, fast asleep with them. She looked so thin and frail. I wasn't sure who to hold first.

"Let her sleep for now," Rory whispered. She must not have gotten much lately. I smiled at her as I passed the bed.

Rory was right; she was holding onto my pillow with a steel grip.

I wanted to smother her in kisses, but she needed rest, and I needed to meet the twins.

They were so tiny.

I peeked over the edge with fascination and awe. Our son was swaddled in a light blue blanket and was fast asleep with his little mouth slightly agape. He had blonde hair like Rory, along with his facial features. He was perfect.

That meant that our daughter was mine. Ha. What an irony.

I had claimed I wanted two boys, but the Moon Goddess blessed me with a girl instead.

She was sleeping as well, but her little brow was furrowed. Her pink blanket was a little less snug and orderly, and she had my dark brown hair. She had the prettiest little face and the poutiest little lips.

Shit, I really would need to fend off boys. She was beautiful, just like her mom.

"I recommend you start with James," Rory whispered. "He's a little less cranky."

He lifted him gently, stepping around the bassinet to place him in my arms. The kid was light. He couldn't have weighed more than five pounds. I was worried I'd crush him if I wasn't careful. My heart nearly melted when he snuggled into me, though.

My son. James.

Fatigue was starting to hit me like a train, and I knew I would need to sleep soon, so I handed him back, waiting for him to hand me my baby girl.

He did, and I was amazed to see a small smile form on her tiny little lips.

"Damn. I knew she needed you. She's been raising hell for the nurses all day." He laughed halfheartedly.

She needed me?

I moved a finger up to poke her button nose, and she squirmed.

"What's her name?" I finally asked.

He shrugged.

"Haven't named her yet. We wanted to wait for you."

I thought for a moment before looking back at my sweet angel.

"I like Lilly. It suits her."

Rory blinked rapidly before a slow grin spread on his face.

"Lilly, then. Princess Lilly Davis. Prince James Bennet."

Perfect.

I yawned, making Rory laugh. He held his arms out to lay her back down.

"Why don't you get some sleep? I'll join you both in a couple of hours."

I nodded, stretching my arms high above my head. How the hell was I going to wrestle my pillow away? I ended up worrying over nothing since, as soon as I climbed in under the covers, Aria abandoned my pillow, latching onto me with all her might.

I chuckled, raking my fingers through her hair while breathing in her heavenly scent. So sweet.

I smiled, kissing her forehead and allowing the overwhelming peace to carry me to sleep. I was home.