Torn

Chapter 18✓

Carter

It feels like he has slapped me across the face and ripped my heart from my chest all in one fell swoop. A sharp ache burrows deep into my heart and I think I'm going to be sick. They would leave me, and they wouldn't be able to control it.

I knew how easy it would be to say yes. To be theirs. I could picture how simple it would be to allow myself to fall deeply in love with them both. I could even picture the life we could have; it was like I could physically feel it deep in my bones.

Waking up to them every morning. Making food together in our kitchen. Cuddling up and watching movies on the couch. Sipping tea and sitting on our swing that sat on our ginormous wrap-around porch. Laughing at the stories we would tell each other and making love every night.

But then a dark cloud comes, casting shade over this beautiful life we could build, where one day Xander and Quinn offer to run an errand for me and meet their soul mate down an aisle of the grocery store and never come home. Because she would always matter more to them than a lowly little human woman ever could. They would love her in a way I would never be loved. I will never be good enough.

"I see," I whisper.

"Our intentions are never to hurt your feelings, sweetheart. You need to understand that we care about you so much. We are very protective. But you also need to know the truth. It's something we would never be able to control. We could be yours. We could love you with everything that we have. But if that day came when we did meet our fated mate, there would be nothing we could do." Xander says softly.

I look away, not wanting to make eye contact because I know if I saw the pity in their eyes, it would break me. I'm tired of crying and feeling weak. I need to feel strong again.

"I understand. This is a lot to process, and I need some time to think. There is a lot more at risk for me than there ever would be for either of you." I mumble.

Xander nods and Quinn looks away from me once more. I hate how I never know exactly how he feels. Xander is an open book, but unless Quinn is angry, he shuts everything out.

Suddenly, a knock sounds at the door. Quinn gets up and goes to open it, revealing a beautiful dark-haired woman. She is thin but the power that radiates off her is palpable. Her eyes immediately lock onto mine and I recognize her deep aqua orbs. This must be Quinn's mom.

She walks past Quinn without saying anything to him. Her eyes never leaving mine. I swallow nervously and watch her take a seat on the bed next to me, her hands folded delicately in her lap.

"Hello, Daughter of the Moon and Sun. I am the Luna and the Omega. I am the deliverer of half of your soul. We have been destined to meet and our stories foretold. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Her voice is like a song, but I don't understand a thing she just said to me.

"Uhm. Hello ma'am. It is a pleasure to meet you, too. My name is Carter Jones." I hold my hand out for her to shake. Her eyes drop to my outstretched hand, and she grasps it before pulling me into her arms and hugging me tightly.

"I know your name, dear. I have been waiting so long for you." She holds me close. "Please, call me Serena." She pulls away and looks deeply into my eyes.

I look back at Xander and Quinn to see they are standing at the door with their hands in their pockets. A confused look on both of their faces. Thank the Goddess I am not the only one who doesn't understand.

"Okay, Serena. I am sorry but I don't understand half of what you just said to me." I say timidly. I don't want to offend her.

Quinn snorts and mumbles how that isn't a surprise, but he sobers quickly as Serena shuts him up with a sharp look.