CHAPTER 661: 661-MY CRAZY AND FISHY MATES

Helanie:

"Emmet is running away from his responsibilities," Maximus complained as he followed Norman and me outside. We needed some fresh air, and I still hadn’t decided what to do about Altan needing my help.

"Or maybe it’s something else entirely," I said, and the two of them stopped to give me a look.

"He told me he’s not in love with her anymore," I stated, the two of them now standing in front of me, shoulder to shoulder, watching me with such intense expressions that for a moment, I forgot what I was going to say.

"When did he tell you that?" Maximus asked, instantly folding his arms across his chest.

"When I was in his room," I replied. "He told me he wants me, not her."

Norman immediately started shaking his head in disagreement, which surprised me a bit since they had told me I could be with all my mates.

For someone who’s never felt a mate bond with more than one person, it might look like I’m just being greedy, but it’s more than that. It’s the feeling of being incomplete that made me realize I need to be with all my mates.

"Azura is back for him. He should focus on her now," Norman grunted, almost oddly. I had never seen him so grouchy with his brothers before.

"Norman, how do you know she came back for him? Maybe the Moon Goddess gave her a second chance just for herself. Her life isn’t only about Emmet," I argued. But the more I did, the more aggressive Norman became, shaking his head.

"Besides, I don’t think we should force him to be with her. And I’m not saying this just because I want to be with him. He shouldn’t be reminded every two seconds that she’s back for him. That’ll make him stay with her out of pressure, and that wouldn’t be right," I continued, while Maximus looked away and Norman narrowed his eyes at me. They were not understanding my point.

"He’s a grown man. He can make those choices himself. But I’m telling you to stay away from him. I don’t want you near his room again, Helanie," my heart skipped a beat at Norman’s stern command.

"Wait a minute, you’re asking me to stay away from my mate after you all agreed I should be shared?" I had to ask because I was genuinely confused.

"You marked him, helped him. But that’s it. I think it’s getting too crowded now," Norman complained, and my jaw nearly hit the floor.

"A marked mate staying away from her mate is painful in itself, but the fact that you guys are deciding which mate I should be with and which I shouldn’t be with is surprising to me," I retorted. While Norman looked away, Maximus stepped in to lead the conversation.

"Helanie, Emmet has his lover back. Whether he says you’re the one he wants or not, we all know how much he loved her. He must be feeling guilty, or maybe it’s the mark on his neck that’s making him believe he wants you more. I’d suggest you don’t come between them," he said.

I had no idea they were hiding all of this in their hearts.

Now I was lost.

Were they right? Was it the mark that was affecting him? Was I really stealing him from Azura?

"Don’t think too much. I think you should join the academy again so your mind can focus on something else," Norman said.

I took a deep breath to make a decision for myself.

"I’ll go help out Altan. Those kids don’t deserve a life full of fear and hesitation," I said, and as I made the decision, I saw the disappointed looks on my mates’ faces.

"You know Emmet is going too, right?" Maximus asked, like he was judging me.

"I know, Maximus. And I don’t think he’s off-limits anymore," I replied firmly, not wanting to keep going with this conversation.

"Where are you going? I thought we were heading out to watch the sunrise," Norman called after me. But I waved my hand to let him know I wouldn’t be joining them, especially now that I understood why they were taking me out in the first place. They wanted me away from Emmet. And their reason? They didn’t want me to ’steal’ him from someone who had literally returned from the dead for him.

I heard them coming after me as I faced Emmet again in the living room. He was sitting on the couch with his arms stretched out and his head resting back when he suddenly jolted awake.

His eyes landed on me, and he sat up straighter.

"I’ve marked my leave from the academy for the visit to the Vicious Banes Pack. I’ll take care of things, don’t worry," he said, informing me directly. I kept watching his face, remembering what his brothers had said about him.

"What about Azura? Who will take care of her?" I asked. I didn’t understand if a mate mark was supposed to make someone forget everyone else.

There’s no way that could be true. So why were Norman and Maximus so against the idea of Emmet and me being together?

"Can you please mark my leave too? I’ll be going with you to the pack myself," I said, making my decision. And just then, the brothers arrived behind me.

"Really? You want to come too?" Emmet asked, with a strange look of curiosity in his eyes.

"I will come along," Norman added, and I turned to stare him down.

"But didn’t you say Altan should handle things on his own?" I asked, and he sighed. It was as if he was only trying to come so that he could keep an eye on me.

"Someone has to stay here and handle the academy classes. It’s better if just Emmet and I go," he said.

But I knew exactly what I was doing. I needed to figure out for myself what was really going on between Azura and Emmet. And for that, I needed to hear it from Emmet, without a third party in my ear.