Charlie POV
I keep thinking about Wren. In all the time that I have known her, I have never known her to lose control of her wolf like that. And Jasmine has never snapped at me before. The look in her eyes was terrifying. I think she would have torn me to pieces if I had tried to take the twins from her.
We put the twins to bed hours ago, and we still haven't talked about what happened. Destin is already sprawled out on his side of the bed, and Wren is in the bathroom humming to herself. They both are acting like what happened isn't a problem.
When she finally emerges from the bathroom, I have had enough of the silence. "Are we going to talk about what happened?"
Wren looks at me from the corner of her eyes, but doesn't answer me. She settles herself onto the bed, tucking her feet under her. Pulling her bottom lip between her teeth, she taps Destin on his shoulder.
He doesn't look at her. "No."
"You didn't even let me ask," she pouts.
He tilts his head to the side. "You don't have to ask. The answer is still no."
She lets out a huff of frustration before getting off the bed. Her eyes swirl with those of her wolf, causing me to step back. I don't want to be on the receiving end of Jasmine's wrath. A growl rumbles in her chest, and she disappears into the closet. "I will do it myself."
Destin hops out of bed and chases her through the door. She screams wildly, and he emerges with her thrown over his shoulder. Tossing her onto the bed, he glares down at her. "I won't let you take them."
I am tempted to step between them, but I don't know what they are fighting over. "What is going on?"
Destin doesn't take his eyes off her. It is like he is afraid she will disappear into thin air. "Kitten seems to think she can steal the children from this realm and disappear."
A glimmer of hope flutters in my chest. Just like Wren and Destin, I have grown to love the twins. They are everything I thought having a child would be like. Veyra is delicate and likes to curl up on my lap while I read her stories. While Coren is wild and likes to play rough. I also can't imagine separating them, but I thought there was no other way.
I look down at Wren. Our eyes meet, and I know we are thinking the same thing. We don't need Destin to sneak the children out of the Immortal Realm. A smile stretches across her face, and she winks at me.
Destin shoots me a glare. "Not you, too."
"Can't you glamour them to look different?" I ask.
His jaw is tight. "I can, but I won't. You don't know what you are asking. We would have to flee to the farthest reaches of the Human Realm, and even then, they might find us. What if we only have a few years with them before they find us?"
"Twelve years," Wren whispers. "We just have to keep them hidden until they are eighteen."
I smile at my mate. The beautiful woman has figured it all out. "Where would we go?"
"We can't have a plan," Wren cuts me off. "If we think too much about it while in this realm, Macy might catch on."
Destin snarls. "She has already seen it. If you think otherwise, you are a fool. I wouldn't be surprised if she was already on the way here."
"Then say behind," Wren snaps at him. "Charlie and I can do this without you."
"You aren't doing anything," he shouts. "They will kill us when they find us."
Wren gets to her feet, slamming her hand against his chest. "Then I will have done everything I can to protect them. Just as a mother should. You wanted me to treat them like my own. Well, here I am. Claiming them. Either you are with us or you aren't. Once again, you have to choose between me and Macy. Which will it be?"
I step to Wren's side even though she doesn't need my support. She is stronger than she knows, and I will follow this woman to the ends of the earth. Our hands lock together in solidarity, and a look of defeat washes over Destin.
"Macy has nothing to do with my decision," he assures her.
Someone bangs on the cabin door. Wren sucks in a sharp breath, and I pull her closer to me. Destin mutters under his breath as he storms out of the bedroom. We all know who is at the door. But the question is, are they here to warn us or kill us? We are committing treason within the Immortal Realm. They would be within their rights to execute us.
Raised voices travel up the stairs. Macy and Destin are clashing, but her mates are with her. Destin will need my help. Cupping Wren's head in my hands, I kiss her deeply. Her fingers curl against my chest.
"Take the children," I whisper. "I will find you. Nothing could keep me from finding you."
She nods with tears streaming down her face. This is our chance to get them out of the Immortal Realm. A distraction is all we needed, and Macy so kindly provided us with one.
With each step I take down the stairs, I build a wall around my mind. It is a trick Destin taught me during the war. It was necessary to keep Selene from finding out too much. Now, I will use it against the woman I fought for. It is funny how things change.
Macy's mates are holding her back. Her black feathered wings are flapping wildly as she tries to break free. "You are dooming us all."
"Keep your voice down," I hiss. "The children are sleeping."
Destin is leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He is unfazed by the tantrum Macy is throwing. "I told you, Macy. I have my mates under control."
I purse my lips in disapproval, but I don't lash out. I need to make Macy think I am on Destin's side, but I also need to keep her in the house for just a few moments. Enough time for Wren to sneak out and get the children through the portal.
"Fuck you, Destin," Macy spits. "I know you. You are choosing her and her half cocked plan over the safety of two realms."
"Wow," Destin scoffs. "I think you would get farther in negotiations if you were a little nicer, but then again. Diplomacy has never been your thing."
"You aren't helping," Winston groans.
Destin cocks his head to the side. "Did you expect me to?"
Macy rips her arms from her mates. "I will be back tomorrow and I will speak with your mate."
"I look forward to it," Destin replies sarcastically.
The door slams behind them, and Destin's shoulders relax. His usually playful gaze is sullen. "Did she get away?"