They Took Turns Pretending to Be My Mate Chapter 12

They Took Turns Pretending to Be My Mate Chapter 12

The three wolves were soon locked in a vicious fight, with the two black wolves attacking Sam from either

side.

Despite his size, the long chase and the injury to his forepaw had slowed him considerably.

My hands and feet were still bound, leaving me helpless as Kane and Kyle attacked him, one from the front

and the other from behind.

Lola was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, calling Sam’s name over and over.

Hearing her anguished cries, Sam turned toward us in concern.

The moment he became distracted, Kane slammed a paw down on Sam’s injured forepaw.

A pained growl tore from the white wolf’s throat. His massive body went rigid for a moment before sinking

heavily into the snow, his breathing growing labored.

“Enough!”

I finally managed to wear through the ropes after working at them for the entire ride.

I stumbled out of the truck and threw myself in front of Sam.

The two black wolves froze. I stared at them and spoke slowly, emphasizing every word.

“Go on.”

“Why did you stop?”

“If either of you hurts him again, I will never forgive you.”

“Ever.”

“Ella!”

Kane stared at me in disbelief.

I only stepped farther back, shielding Sam more firmly.

Even Lola jumped out of the truck and hurried in front of me.

She was terrified, but she still copied me, spreading her little arms as her voice trembled.

“Don’t hurt Sam.”

“And don’t hurt Mom…”

The fear in the pup’s eyes stopped both wolves cold.

Kyle was especially shaken.

His lips trembled, but he could not say a word.

He had spent far more time with Lola than Kane had.

Kyle had been the one who placed most of the keepsakes in that wooden box, one by one.

Of the twins, he had been the first one Lola had ever accepted as family.

He had dreamed of the day he could stand before her as himself and hear her call him Dad, instead of being

loved only under Kane’s name.

But one wrong step had led to another.

Everything between them had begun with a lie.

Even now, Lola did not know his real name.

Kane hurried forward.

“Ella, how long have you even known this white wolf?”

“How can you…”

“How can you protect another male right in front of me?”

The words caught in his throat.

He stared at Sam, who lay behind me struggling to breathe, his eyes filled with hurt and bitter jealousy.

I took a deep breath and said it plainly.

“He isn’t a stranger.”

“I’m going to seal the mate bond with him.”

All three wolves stared at me in disbelief.

Kane looked agitated and tried to speak, but Kyle held him back.

Kyle remained silent for a long time before saying quietly, “Let it go, Kane.”

There was no coming back from this.

They had truly lost the she-wolf and pup they loved.

“What do you mean, let it go?”

“I won’t-”

Kane knocked Kyle’s hand away, but before he could finish, Kyle seized him and hauled him onto the truck

behind them.

Our eyes met across the distance.

Kyle’s gaze slowly shifted from my face to Lola’s.

Despair, confusion, and regret churned endlessly in his eyes.

In the end, all that remained was a bleak smile.

“I’m sorry, Ella.”

“I’m sorry, Lola.”

I followed Sam back to Northreach.

Lola had fallen asleep against my shoulder.

Sam barely spoke the entire way. He kept his head down as he walked, occasionally stealing a glance at me before quickly looking away.

At last, he seemed unable to hold the question back any longer.

“B-back there…”

“What you s-said…”

He was stammering again.

I smiled helplessly and covered Lola’s eyes with one hand.

Then I leaned over and gently kissed Sam on the cheek.

His breath caught.

I drew back and looked into his wide, icy blue eyes.

“That’s what I meant.”

“Do you understand now?”

Sam stood rooted to the spot.

After a long moment, a deep flush spread from the tips of his ears all the way down his neck.

He opened his mouth, but only an incoherent sound came out.

Finally, he jerked his face away and fixed his gaze on the distant snowcapped mountains.

Lola stirred in my arms and mumbled sleepily, “Mom, are we there yet?”

“Almost

I lowered my head and kissed her forehead.

Then I glanced at the white wolf beside me, whose ears were still red as he pretended to study the sky, and continued walking.

Sam’s hurried footsteps sounded behind me as he rushed to catch up.

After a while, the wind carried his quiet promise to my ears.

“I won’t make you regret this.”

The snow in Northreach melted.

Tiny flecks of green appeared on the branches.

Maybe I really could spend the rest of my life here in peace.