Chapter Three

Shannon POV.

I made sure to keep my head down during dinner, I couldn't look up as the two brothers were glaring at me from across the table.

"Why do you have to be mated to him, Mom!" I whined to my mother, not knowing my mind had no privacy either.

"Come on Shannon, no one will hurt you here, you're safe, right boys?" Robin reassured who sending a glare at Jules and Cole.

They didn't reply and that skyrocketed my anxiety, I sincerely hope I won't be left alone with them, that would be disastrous.

"Yes, of course alpha Robin." I replied meekly.

We carried on eating as if my safety wasn't on the line, I sincerely kept my cool to not worry my mother, but it shattered, the moment she dropped the bomb that she would be leaving me alone.

"Shannon," Robin called and I looked up, "Your mother and I will be leaving for a conference at the Ocean Howl Pack, don't worry you're safe." He must have sensed my worry enough to add that last line.

My heart dropped at the mention of being left alone with Jules and Cole. My wolf instincts were screaming at me to get out of there, but I couldn't just run away. I had to be strong and show them that I wasn't afraid. But it was hard when they were both staring at me with such intensity.

"Are you sure it's safe?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Robin nodded. "Yes, I trust Jules and Cole to take care of you while we're gone."

Jules snorted, making Cole chuckle. "Don't worry, little girl," Cole said, his eyes dark with amusement. "We'll take good care of you."

I shivered at the intensity of his gaze, feeling like prey in the presence of two predators. But I couldn't let them see my fear. "I don't need you to take care of me," I said, trying to sound defiant. "I can take care of myself and I'm not a little girl."

Robin chuckled, sending heart eyes to my mother, I resisted the urge to throw up. But, looking closely at my mother, I can tell she is a happy woman, after everything, she deserves this and I will try my best to make sure she gets the happiness she deserves even if it means staying with these two predators.

"Shannon baby, you can ask them questions too you know, they are your brothers now." I seriously wanted to glare at my mother so bad at that moment, but I couldn't when there are three alphas at the table that could point out my disrespect.

Robin supported her, "Yes, come on ask anything you want to know Shannon, I'm sure the boys would love to answer." I simply don't know why they are doing this.

I just wanted a quiet dinner and retire go the day, but I couldn't have that with all the pushing.

"Yes Shannon, ask us anything." The brothers exchanged a glance and I got even more worried.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Okay... um, what do you guys do for fun?" I asked, trying to come up with a harmless question.

Jules grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, we have all sorts of fun," he said, his voice low and suggestive. "Maybe we'll show you sometime."

My cheeks burned with embarrassment and I looked down at my plate, feeling trapped and vulnerable.

"Cole," Robin said sharply, a warning note in his voice.

Cole just shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "What? I was just answering her question."

I could feel their eyes on me, like they were analyzing me, sizing me up. I couldn't take it anymore. "Excuse me," I mumbled, pushing my chair back and rushing out of the room.

Before I could leave the table, my mother's voice stopped me, "You've barely eaten sweetie, come on sit." Her voice carried an underlying tone of threat.

I slowly sat down, took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Okay then," I said, looking between Jules and Cole. "Why do you both hate me so much?"

Jules raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Hate is a strong word, Shannon. We don't hate you, we just don't think you're good enough for our pack."

Cole leaned forward, his eyes blazing. "You're weak, little wolf. You don't belong with us."

I felt a pang of hurt at their words, but I refused to let them see it. "I may not be as strong as you two, but I have other skills that can benefit the pack."

Jules scoffed. "Like what? Cooking and cleaning?"

Before it could go on any further, Robin stepped in, "Stop at once boys, you're making her uncomfortable." I was pretty sure punishment awaited them after dinner with the look Robin passed to his sons.

"No Father, we won't stop, why do you have to get married to this stupid woman? And she has a child too, an Omega! No, I can't take this, we won't take this, you're trying to replace Mom, that is not fair!" Then the screaming began between father and sons.

I sat there, frozen in my seat, not sure what to do as the shouting match between Robin and his sons escalated. It made me feel small and insignificant like I was just a pawn in their power play. I wanted nothing more than to leave and never come back, but I couldn't leave my mother alone.

As the argument dragged on Robin emphasized to the boys how much they needed my mother now that theirs was dead.

I couldn't take it, "What about me!" I shouted, which halted their argument as all eyes fell on me, "Do you think I want to be here?" I asked looking from one boy to another.

"Then leave!" Jules spat at me and left the table immediately, their father called back for him.

"Stop there!" His alpha voice booming across the dining hall, I couldn't help but shiver. He must have noticed my reaction as he turned down his voice.

"Jules!" He called out more softly this time. He sounded like a tired father.

Robin slumped back on his chair and my mother ran to him, holding him, kissing him. I wanted that, but it's gone now.

I sighed, resisting the urge to burst into tears, "Excuse me." I swiftly got out of my seat, but a voice called back for me.

"You don't belong here," I turned to see Cole with an intense glare coming my way.

"Excuse me?" I didn't catch what he said, so I asked.

"You don't belong here and Ricky will make sure to let you know when he returns." He left.

"Ricky?" I was confused, about who this Ricky was.

Robin rubbed his forehead, "Ah yes! Ricky, my oldest son." He smiled a bit, but my eyes widened as I looked at my Mom.

"Another one of those two? Seriously? Mom!" I screamed as the tears finally spilled.

"I am out of here," I announced and ran to my room, making sure to slam the door behind me.

"Shannon!" My mother and Robin called after me, but I was seriously pissed.