I awoke to voices speaking adamantly to each other. Both are voices that I recognized and they were whispering to not wake me up. The familiar smell of Invictus wrapped around me quickly and all my senses began to heighten but I urged my heart rate to slow as I eavesdropped.

"You have no right!" Invictus's angrily growled out.

"I didn't realize she was yours. She's a pretty little thing." A voice I recognized as Akoni came.

"Stay away from her." Invictus threatened lowly. I heard a few shuffling before they spoke up again.

"Why? Are you going to mark her? Make her yours?" Akoni asked.

"That is none of your business." Invictus retorted.

"It is because if you aren't going to mark her that means she's fr-"I heard shuffling again followed by grunts.

"Don't forget, Invictus. You have Elena to keep you warm in bed. You have no need for-"Another punch and grunts following.

Elena? Was that the woman from earlier? Jealousy roared through me again.

"Stay away from her, Akoni. I don't need you meddling in my business." Invictus warned him.

"I'll see about it." Akoni taunted.

Who was he to order people to stay away from me? If I want to make friends, I should be allowed to. I shouldn't have to only wait on him. He was being completely unfair.

I pretended to slowly shift in bed to let them know I was waking up. My breathing picked up and I fluttered my eyes open to look around the room.

It was just as fine and elegant as the palace. The room was huge with white marble flooring and walls. Elegant paintings hung from the walls and a big fireplace was across the bed. At the edge of the bed stood the two twins staring at me intently as I looked around the room. Akoni looked cheek was pink and I assumed it was from the punches Invictus gave him.

"And the princess is awake." Akoni teased which earned himself a glare from Invictus.

"Whose room am I in?" I asked.

"Mine." Invictus replied immediately. His face was still dark with anger.

My eyes moved between them both. Now that they are side by side I can see there was a slight difference. Invictus was about two inches taller than Akoni. Akoni was a little more slender than Invictus but they both were muscularly built.

Invictus moved to the left side of the bed where he put his hand out for me to take. I sniffed in distaste as the image of him kissing the blondie earlier appeared in my mind. Deciding against needing his help in getting out of bed, I slipped out on the opposite end. Akoni moved to stand on that side as he waited for me.

"Now that you are over your initial shock, maybe we can go downstairs." Akoni said with a smile. Invictus growled angrily behind me again. I huffed and placed my hand in Akoni's awaiting hand.

In a flash I saw Invictus disappeared from us and out the door. A part of me was saddened that he had left but the rebellious part of me didn't give a care if he did. I wanted to burn him alive for treating me like a weakling. As if I wasn't worthy enough to be his mate and for him to kiss another woman in front of me.

Akoni placed his other hand over my hand as he led me down the stairs. "Come. It is almost time for breakfast. You slept the whole night through."

"It must be from the plane and the time zone." I replied back dryly. I didn't feel the familiar spark I did with Invictus but I did feel comfortable around Akoni. He was more laid back.

When he led me into the dining hall, I saw that his parents, Invictus, and the familiar crew I came with were all sitting there including the blondie who was plastered to Invictus's side.

Akoni led me to sit opposite of Invictus. His mother stopped mid-air with her fork as she watched us carefully. After a moment, she sat her fork down with her knife and looked at me.

"How are you feeling, darling?" She asked.

"I am feeling fine now. Sorry for fainting yesterday." I replied.

"It is fine. Akoni caught you just in time." She winked and pointed her finger at her other son.

I turned to Akoni with surprise. He grinned and nudged me. "You can thank me later in private."

Caden sputtered out his orange juice and Marc had to slap him in the back a couple of times. Caden picked up his napkin and dabbed at his nose and mouth before giving us an apologetic smile. Ron and Max snickered silently as they ate their breakfast.

"Akoni, do you really want me to kill you?" Invictus growled. "I will have no problem doing it even if you are my twin."

I frowned and sat my fork down. "I have something to say."

Everyone turned to look at me. Invictus glared at me. Blondie threw me a death stare. Akoni and his parents looked at me with interest. The rest of the crew looked just about to laugh as they looked at me with amusement.

"Go on, child." Simon urged.

"I-I just want to say..." I went blank. Everyone was staring at me and it was making me feel nervous.

Invictus's lips curled into a smile and it made my heart skip a beat.

No way!

I can't let him get to me.

I turned back to look at my plate.

"I just want to say that I don't appreciate the fact that you talk in circles around me. If there is something you want to say, I would appreciate it if you told me directly. I might be human but I can handle the truth." When I finished I looked up to Simon and his wife.

"Of course, child. We will never hide anything from you."

"Thank you." I whispered appreciatively back.

"Are you sure you can handle the truth?" Invictus asked as he raised an eyebrow. I turned to face him fully; my chin rose up in the air in rebelliousness.

"Of course I can." I retorted.

"Then why did you faint twice since I met you? Not to mention you were having a panic-"I picked up my fork and threw it at him to which he caught it in his hand before it could.

Curse him and his lycan speed.

"Table manners, little moon." He lowly spoke.

I wanted to throw him a string of curse words and then stomp my foot in a tantrum and possibly throw a few good punches at his smiling hotness but I bit the inside of my cheek and inhaled deeply to calm my anger.

"Invictus." The blondie next to him purred as her hand came out to caress his chest.

"Elena, I told you already. Stop." Invictus's hands came up to grab the blondie whom I now know was Elena,  and pushed her away from him.

"Why must you be like this?" Elena pouted her red lips out. Invictus rolled his eyes and in turn Marc and Caden did as well. Max moved closer to Elena.

"You know, Elena, if you really need a really good f-"

"Table manners!" The queen slapped her hand on the table. Everyone shut up, even Elena pulled back and sat straight up.

Akoni moved to grab a couple slices of cantaloupe before placing them on my plate. I thanked him before poking at a piece to eat only to have it quickly knocked out of my hands. I frowned as it landed on the ground. I turned to glare at who it was.

Invictus stood next to me and in one swift movement removed his brother from his seat. He grabbed my plate of food and moved it aside as he placed a new plate in front of me. I sat there a little speechless. A blush formed on my cheeks as I felt like a child each time Invictus treated me this way. I turned to look and saw his mother nodded with approval. Akoni moved over to sit on the other side of me.

I moved to go grab myself some cantaloupe to eat and ate silently. I have decided that I was going to remain quiet and finish my food. I was halfway through finishing some scramble eggs when Invictus's mom spoke up.

"Darling, if you have time, I would like to get to know you. Would you spend an hour with me? We can go shopping." She asked.

"Shopping?" I repeated.

"Yes. I am sure you are in need of some new clothes." She said as she looked at my attire.

She was right. I did need some clothes. Invictus took me out of my home without allowing me to pack. I nodded and thanked her. I am glad she offered, I wanted to get away from Invictus and this craziness for a while.