Chapter 240
Clementine:
“It’s fine, son. They’re your friends. Don’t act like that,” his mother finally snapped at Yorick, reminding him it wasn’t a big deal and that they were okay with it.
I thought maybe after that he’d act right, but he only shook his head in disbelief.
“You guys can stay in my room then. No need to wander around,” he hissed, sounding bitter.
I stared at him for a moment before heading toward the door again.
“It’s alright. I’ll wait in the car. It’s in the shelter, right?” I asked Haiden, who gave me a nod but then began to follow me.
As I started to walk away, his mother rushed over, almost stopping me at the door.
“It’s okay, please. We don’t want to upset a guest. Yorick, apologize,” his mother said, turning to her son and shocking me with their reversed behavior. She had no problem with me, so what the hell was wrong with him now?
“It’s okay. You don’t have to go, I guess,” Yorick muttered bitterly. “Anyway, you guys can wait in my room,” he added.
Still, in that spoiled mood, I didn’t want to go into his room. But his mother insisted so much that I finally gave in.
At the same time, Troy and Haiden mentioned there was a small hut in the backyard, and said it would be fine if we left the cabin and stayed there for a while. They added that they wanted to burn off energy by splitting wood under the shelter so they could keep the fire running.
I noticed the fire in the cabin had burned out, and neither of his parents seemed concerned about it, so we had to take matters into our own hands.
“Okay, don’t tire yourselves out too much. I’m preparing a great feast. We’ll have dinner together,” Lady Rimi said as she walked away, letting us out to the backyard.
Once we reached the hut and the open shelter, I saw Troy, Haiden, and Yorick grab an axe to split the wood. I wanted to help, but not that desperately.
The moment we were alone with Yorick, Haiden immediately started to bombard him about his behavior.
“You’re such an asshole.” As soon as Haiden said that, Yorick grunted, stopping his axe mid-air.
“Well, I didn’t do it because I have a problem with Clementine,” he said quickly. He even looked at me, but I looked away.
“Come on, Clementine, I didn’t want to upset you. It’s just that my parents aren’t as sweet as they seem. They plan things ahead, and that’s why p>
I cut him off with a hand gesture.
“Stop making excuses. It’s fine. I don’t care,” I hissed.
“See? She’s just taking her anger out on me without even listening,” Yorick said, hands on his waist as he dropped the axe to the ground.
“Fine, explain. Explain why you were so reluctant to let me stay here,” I demanded, arms crossed and tapping my foot.
He stared at me for a while, then said, “Well, because my body’s going into heat and my mate doesn’t give a damn about it!” he finally snapped, raising his voice.
I noticed Troy and Haiden slowly lowering their axes as they turned toward me.
“He’s not wrong. We’re feeling it too,” Haiden admitted, while Troy scratched his neck, avoiding my eyes.
“Well, it’s not my fault you’re all horny all the time,” I complained, raising my voice and stomping my foot.
But really, I was just trying to avoid their gaze. It was awkward, the three of them were watching me like they’d eat me alive.
“No, seriously, when are you going to pick one of us?” Yorick demanded, bringing up the topic I hadn’t discussed with the others before.
I’d told them I needed time, but I could tell now they wanted to bring it up again.
“I don’t get it either. What do you want? Do you not ever want your mate at all? None of us?” Troy complained too, joining Yorick with his grunting and huffing.
“Tell us,” they insisted. At this point, I had to give them some kind of answer.
“Well, there is no future.” As soon as I said that, Troy raised his hand to silence me.
“You think we don’t know that? But we’re still alive, and we have time. We can be together as much as we can. We don’t have to act like we’re dead when we’re not,” he argued.
He wasn’t wrong, and I knew that too. Then I took a deep breath and finally revealed the truth.
“Well, there are three of you, and I don’t know which one to go with, okay?” I snapped, turning my face away stubbornly, scratching my arms as I secretly pinched myself.
“Oh,” Haiden muttered, finally realizing it wasn’t that easy for me.
“Maybe go with the one who’s hurt you less,” Yorick suggested, and I turned to look at him.
“Wait, or maybe go with the one you’ve also hurt unintentionally,” Troy added.
“Or go with the one your father hurt,” Haiden cut in, spreading his arms wide to push the other two away.
“See? This is why I can’t decide,” I groaned, stomping my foot again.
“Okay, wait—how about you pick the one you actually feel for?” Yorick murmured, his body showing slight tension.
“Who do you like?” Troy pressed, latching onto Yorick’s suggestion. I started biting my nail.
“Tell us,” Haiden insisted.
The weather was so bad I could barely hear them. We had to shout just to talk.
“I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know,” I sighed, dropping my hands at my sides.
“Or is there anyone you like even a little? Do you even like us at all?” Yorick asked, watching me, his eyes widening with anticipation.
When I stayed silent, he stepped back and scoffed.
“You know what? I need a run,” he muttered.
I noticed the shift in his body, the veins popping under his skin. I knew he was about to shift soon, but the weather was so bad I didn’t want him going out like that.
He didn’t listen and sprinted away. We all turned away from the cabin, watching Yorick disappear into the storm.
“I’ll go join him,” Haiden said and started running after him along with Troy. I stood there frozen, staring at them.
“Ugh, I like all of you—all of my mates,” I groaned. But it was too late. They were gone.
Or maybe I was just too scared for them to hear me.
I sighed, and as soon as I turned around, I saw Lady Rimi standing behind me, holding a tray full of food. Her eyes were wide as saucers, staring right at me.
And all I could think was-did she hear me confess that I have three mates?