Chapter Seventy One

*Keothi*


“Someone’s coming.” I said, outloud.
I was a bit on edge. Ariya and I hadn’t swapped before and someone was coming. If it wasn’t Ivan we might be in trouble.
*If it’s not Ivan you’ll have to repeat everything I say, Keo.* Ariya said.
*I forget that you all can hear my every thought. This is weird.* I told her.
I heard the other 3 giggle in the background as the door opened. Ivan walked in but it wasn’t Ivan. It was Justin. I growled internally, trying not to run after him. We knew the difference between Ivan and Justin. Ivan’s hair would change and as Ariya said, he would flash his wolf eyes at her. But Justin’s hair didn’t have the white tips that Ivan’s had and he didn’t know about being a wolf so he couldn’t use Ivan’s parlor trick.
*Easy, Keo. Give it a second. If someone was nearby he wouldn't say anything at first. His hair will change when they’re far enough away.* Ariya told me.
Justin looked at me and held up the bag he had in his hand, “Food.”
*Don’t you dare. That’s mine.* Ariya growled at me.
I couldn’t help it, I burst out laughing. If that was one thing that Ariya would fight me for it was food. We both loved food but only one of us wasn’t getting a whole lot of it. I knew Ivan was doing the best he could but I knew going from eating normally to not eating a whole lot was difficult for her.
*Keo! You’re laughing in front of Justin, not Ivan! Control yourself!* Drake scolded me.
I stopped laughing and looked at Justin. Justin cocked his head at me, clearly confused. It was no longer Justin though. His hair had changed and his white tips came back. Ivan was back and standing in front of me. I let out a sigh of relief as he flashed his wolf eyes at me. I couldn’t help but stare as I watched his hair change and the white tips come back. It was kind of cool to see his hair change. Now I know why Ariya was so mesmerized.
Ivan appeared to be glaring at me but I could tell the difference between his glare and his thoughtful face. His mind was running a mile a minute. He could tell something was off but he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Interesting. Maybe he wouldn’t know when Ariya and I switched places. Ivan’s wolf eyes glowed as he worked through the problem.
“I wasn’t gone that long, was I?” Ivan asked.
“I mean it was a little while.” I told him.
“You guys figured it out already?”
My jaw hit the floor. I stared at Ivan completely unsure of how he did it. Everytime. WIthout fail. This man was the only one that always knew when it wasn’t Ariya.
*I told you, he’s mated to her. He’ll always know if it’s her.* Caleb laughed.
“How did you know?” I asked Ivan.
Ivan smirked, “Because I know when it’s Ari. I’m guessing it’s Keo in front of me right?”
I gaped at him, “Yeah. But still. It shouldn’t take you all of 2 milliseconds to figure it out.”
Ivan laughed, “You’re not getting this food then. Sorry but Ari will kill me. She’s hungry.”
I laughed harder, “Why do you think I started laughing shortly after you walked in. I literally was told ‘Don’t you dare. That’s mine.’ in a growl.”
Ivan laughed with me, “That’s definitely Ari. To answer your confusion from earlier, it’s because it’s all of you. Drake and Caleb gave you away.”
“What?” I asked, more confused than before.
“You’re all there, right?”
“Yes.”
*He can smell the difference. He said there’s only a slight difference with you and I, but Drake and Caleb are completely different. Because you and I are twins it’s a little harder for him to tell but he said there’s a slight difference.* Ariya told me.
“That’s how I can tell. Drake and Caleb gave you away. I can smell them in the background. If it was just you and Ari, you might have fooled me.” Ivan told me.
“Fool you, how?” I asked.
“I can sense that Ari is there. I wasn’t completely sure who was in control at first because of it. It’s a lot harder to tell than before.” Ivan explained.
*Told you.* Ariya laughed.
“I really can’t wait for you to be in on the mind links, Ivan. It’s no fun with one of you always out of the conversation.” I told him.
“We promised that we would wait to bond until we remember what it means to bond.” Ivan said.
“It’s not that complicated.” I told him.
*It is, Keo. It’s different for a wolf who is bonding when they find their mate.* Caleb said.
“Something is telling me it is different. I just don’t know what yet. So we’re waiting to get those memories back.” Ivan said.
“What if you don’t have that memory?” I asked.
“I do. I feel it. I just don’t remember it yet.” Ivan said.
“Speaking of feeling, I don’t actually feel anything. I haven’t felt anything since I took over. Ari, am I not fully connected or something?” I asked.
*I don’t know. Probably not if you can’t feel anything. Try thinking of what the metal feels like on your wrists. The smell of the food. That might finish the connection.* Ariya said.
I held my hands out like Ariya did and then took a deep breath. Ivan watched me curiously. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on sensations around me. As the metal on my wrists started to feel real, I realized all of my senses were hitting me at once. A raw hunger burned in my throat. My eyes flew open and my hands went to my head. I fell to the ground and Ivan rushed over concerned. He was worried about Ariya. Even though he knew I was in control at the moment he still felt it was Ariya. I growled trying to maintain control.
*Oh no. Shoot. Keo! Switch back with me!* Ariya shouted desperately.
I growled as my lip curled above my canines. My canines forced their way out, forming into fangs. I was hungry. Not just hungry, I was starving. I wanted…needed blood. I looked at Ivan as I bared my fangs at him. I wanted it. Now.