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Chapter 285
~Tempest’s POV~
There was tension in the air, thick enough to choke as Koda’s growl echoed through the clearing.
His rage was understandable, while Ryland’s calm deanour only heightened the contrast.
"Koda," I started, but he cut off.
"You’re asking to share you with him? Tempest, we’re mates! The Moon Goddess chose us for each other. You’re mine. This shouldn’t even be a question!"
To my surprise, Ryland scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he stepped forward. "And yet, she slept with , Koda. That has to an sothing. Don’t act like the bond you share is the only thing that matters. Her heart is involved, too. You must know that counts."
Koda’s eyes flashed angrily, and his fists clenched at his sides. "You think just because you’ve been playing the charming second option that it makes you more deserving of her?"
"Second option?" Ryland snapped his calm exterior cracking. This was a side I hadn’t seen in him before. "She ca to . She wanted , Koda. Just like I wanted her."
"Lies. You must have seduced her. She was going to cut off loose ends. That’s what you are."
Ryland may not have been a beta, but he was a warrior of Ivory Crescent Pack. He could face off any beta and still survive though a few injuries.
"Don’t you dare act like I forced her into anything."
Their words were like a bomb waiting to go off. My chest tightened, my heart pounding as I looked between them.
"I slept with both of you," I said, my voice shaking but loud enough to cut through their argunt.
Both n froze, their eyes snapping to mine. While Koda expressionw asn’t oen of shock, Ryland was wide with shock.
"What?" Ryland questioned.
I swallowed hard, tears brimming in my eyes. "I slept with both of you recently. With you, Koda, when I visited your pack. And with you, Ryland, before that. On both occasions, I went in thinking I’d end it—thinking I could choose. But I couldn’t."
Koda’s face hardened, his jaw tightening as he stepped back. "So, what? You thought you could just bounce between us until you figured it out?"
"That’s not what I—" I began, but Ryland cut off.
"No, Koda," Ryland snapped. "She’s struggling because she loves us both. Don’t make this harder for her."
"Oh, I see," Koda said bitterly, his eyes narrowing. "You’re playing the ’understanding’ card now, aren’t you? Acting all considerate so she’ll think you’re the better choice."
Ryland’s fists clenched, but he held his ground. "I don’t need to play any cards. I love her, and I want her to be happy. That’s all."
Their words were like daggers, each one cutting deeper into my heart. The guilt, the pain, the overwhelming weight of it all—it was too much.
"Stop!" I yelled, my voice breaking as I stepped between them. "Just stop!"
They both fell silent, their gazes locked on as I fought to steady my breathing. Tis wasn;tr what my mother ant, I believe but now, I had made things worse.
"I know I’ve made a ss of things," I said and my voice trembled. "I know this isn’t fair to either of you. But do you think it’s easy for ? Do you think I wanted this? To love two n who an alot to and feel like I’m tearing us all apart?"
Koda’s expression softened slightly, but the tension in his body didn’t ease. "Then choose," he said quietly. "If you love us both, then make a choice."
Ryland nodded, his eyes filled with pain but also understanding. "He’s right, Tempest. You need to choose. I’ll accept your decision, no matter what it is."
"Of course you will," Koda said bitterly, his eyes filled with hatred for Ryland. "Always playing the saint, aren’t you, Ryland?"
"That’s enough!" I shouted. "This isn’t about who’s more deserving or who’s playing what role. This is about . My heart. And the truth is, I can’t choose."
Koda’s eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You have to, Tempest. This isn’t sustainable. You can’t have both of us."
"Why not?" I challenged, my voice breaking. "Why can’t I? Why does love have to be a choice between one person and another? Why can’t it be shared? Why can’t I have both of you, if you both make happy?"
Koda shook his head, his voice tight with disbelief. "Because that’s not how this works. That’s not how we’re built, Tempest. I can’t share you."
I turned to Ryland, my heart aching as I searched his face for an answer. To my surprise, I found warmth there, a flicker of acceptance in his eyes.
"As long as I get to be with you," he said softly, "you know my answer. I’ll agree to whatever makes you happy."
Koda stared at him, his face a mask of disbelief. "You’re insane," he muttered.
"No, Koda," I said, stepping closer to him. "He’s not insane. He loves enough to try, even if it’s not what he wants. And I’m asking you to try, too. Because I can’t lose either of you."
Koda’s jaw tightened, and he looked away, his hands shaking. "I don’t know if I can do this, Tempest. I don’t know if I can share you. And also place yourself in my shoes. Would you be okay if I go for soone else too, like your sister, Aira?"
The truth hurt and once more I was transported back to the day we found out we were mates and how pained I was.
That was the day my intimate paths crossed with Ryland.
I sighed, shutting my eyes and after so seconds, I reopened them.
"I understand," I said. "And if that’s your decision, I’ll accept it. But I’m sorry, I won’t be able to choose between you. I won’t. Because any choice I make will leave broken."
I took a deep breath, the tears streaming down my face as I looked between them. "I’m giving you both ti to think. Two days. I’ll be at my apartnt in the city. If either of you can accept as I am, then co to . If not, then I’ll let you both go."
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, my heart shattering with every step.
For the first ti, I felt truly alone. And for the first ti, I realised that no matter what happened, soone was going to get hurt.
"And truthfully, you ssed up big ti," Sumr cooed internally.
"Then so shall it be that I lost."
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