Page 3 of Alpha's Twins
“No, it doesn’t,” I reply, snapping out of my reverie. “I’m not going to the island. My store, my plants. I have a life here.”
Nolan shakes his head and steps closer. His alpha aura suddenly feels crushing. “Not one that’s worth more than this deal.”
“Why me?” I ask quietly.
“When push comes to shove, you’re the only one I can spare. Flowers or not.” He shrugs. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
I nod blankly, and he simply turns his back and walks away. The plants towering around me all seem to dip slightly, leaning in toward me like a canopy of solidarity. And that is how Hannah finds me, in the center of a collapsing display. She tries to comfort me as the reality of how unimportant I am to the pack sinks in, the knowledge that I am completely dispensable. However, even she can’t argue with the truth.
Chapter 2 - Aiden
I lean against the rail on the back deck of my bedroom and look out into the forest beyond, trying hard to ignore the sheer number of people milling around my home and in the yard beneath me. My brothers always made fun of me for building the largest home, teasing me over my desire to have the flashiest of them. I never cared what they thought, and right now, I’m glad it’s so big so I can ignore everyone.
My head is still sore from the bar last night. Typically, shifters aren’t particularly affected by alcohol, but the witches mix special batches of moonshine-style liquor that hits the spot. I sure love the way those witches like to party, and when Jace pointed out it was practically my bachelor party, things took a turn.
While it was fun at the time, I now have a house full of people ahead of tomorrow's mating ceremony, including my brothers and their families, and all the judgments that come with them. I could see the look of disappointment on my brothers' faces when I opened the door this morning, looking worse for wear. Jace was still crashed out on the sofa, and Emily, Tristen’s mate, had to chase a couple of her fellow witches out of my bedroom.
I don’t see why everyone’s so upset. The mating ceremony is just part of a trade deal and alliance. There are no feelings involved, no delicate sensibilities to protect, and no reason I can’t still have fun. I love my brothers’ mates, but even Emily and Ava looked unimpressed, all agreeing it’snot the best start.Whatever that means.
In all honesty, I couldn’t care less.
The only thing on my mind right now is that my house being full of people and the damn ceremony taking up two whole days means two days my patrols aren’t out searching for Malik. The more I’m told to just relax and enjoy the festivities, the more the knot in my stomach twists. The longer we go with no sightings of him since the final battle, the more everyone’s guard seems to drop—but not mine. He’s still here, I’m sure of it.
This alliance with Nolan ensures our sea borders and freight connections with the mainland, something I don’t take lightly, despite my territory only having one small harbor to the north. I’m more than willing to do what is necessary for the island as a whole, but that doesn’t mean I appreciate being told what to do. And right now, I’d rather be fucking those witches or out on patrol than stuck here playing host to my brothers and every other shifter who thinks they’re going to watch me take a mate and give up my freedom.
No chance. I might be taking a mate, and this weekend might be slowing down my patrols, but the moment this is over, it’s business as usual—in every respect.
A knock at my bedroom door draws my attention, and I signal for whomever it is to enter. Turning, I see Jace strolling in, looking decidedly better than I feel. He’s holding a tall glass filled with an amber liquid, which he holds out to me with a wicked grin. “Got to love the witches,” he laughs. “Emily mixed up a hangover cure for that supernatural brew from last night. Looks like you could do with it too, you look green.”
I grimace as I take the glass, not wanting to admit how hard I hit that witch’s brew last night, and knock back the sweet liquid. A magical warmth immediately spreads throughout my body, and I feel the remnants of last night's excess begin to disappear almost straight away. As my head clears, thanks to Emily, I briefly regret being short with my brother’s matesearlier. I also probably have a couple of witches to apologize to next time I run into them at the bar after they were run out of here earlier.
I wouldn’t like to get on the witches’ shit list.
Jace nods to the glass as I put it down, “Great stuff, isn’t it? I’m trying to talk her into mixing us a batch for the next time we decide to drink like devils.” Then, chuckling, he adds, “If your mate lets you out again, of course.”
I scoff, shaking my head as I pull on a clean shirt. “Don’t start that again. I heard enough last night and this morning. Nothing's changing.”
“If you say so,” Jace continues as we make our way downstairs to face the festivities I’ve been avoiding.
Personally, I think everyone just wants an excuse for a party after all the stress with Malik. I don’t blame them—after all, I love a party. I just wish it weren’t in my house. The sooner this is all over, the better. I’ll get my mate settled, finalize the alliance, wrap up the weekend, and get back to my regular patrols.
If I’d thought my brothers or betas would give up their nonstop game of teasing me over taking a mate as the day wore on, I couldn’t have been more wrong. The mood only becomes more raucous as the cookout goes on well into the evening, and Jace returns from settling Nolan, my new mate, and their party into one of the large guest cabins on the edge of town.
Everyone’s keen to know what she’s like; I pretend not to care, but of course I do. I may have no intention of being faithful, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want an attractive mate I can have some fun with. Frustratingly, Jace didn’t even see her; he just hung out with Nolan and his betas for a bit, making sure they were comfortable, and went over the plans for tomorrow. I don’twant to make it appear as if I’m bothered, because it will just set them all off again, so I pretend not to care and throw some more steaks on the fire.
It’s going to be a long damn night, and I suddenly wish those witches had left some more of their brew.
As the evening wears on, I struggle to ignore the restlessness building inside me. My mind keeps drifting back to the forest, the mountains beyond, and the way my wolf is riding me to keep searching for Malik. He feels relentless at times, torn up by the knowledge that everyone thinks Malik’s been hiding in my territory, and I didn’t stop him.
Eventually, people start drifting off, especially as the pups begin to tire, and I’m able to slip away and change into my running gear. I tell myself I’m not going far and don’t need to shift, I’m just heading out for a jog to clear my head. I just don’t want any company.
So instead of going through the house, I step out onto the balcony, and the scent of pine and earth immediately fills my lungs. Climbing down the steel and wood frame, my feet hit the ground, and I slip into the trees, weaving through the ancient roots and branches until I hit one of the pack's well-worn trails. It was never about clearing my head; it was about needing to feel like I’m doing something, being the alpha I should be, and protecting my pack.
Normally, I would run with some betas, at least Jace. But deep down, I know they don’t get it; they’re not under the same pressure. I suspect they think I’m being irrational about Malik, even if they don’t want to say it. And to be fair, part of me hopes they’re right, but for tonight, the only thing that will calm my mind is being out here and feeling the peace in my territory for myself.
My wolf feels edgy as I pick up my pace, heading away from the town. He can sense our guests in the cabin not far from here. Instinctively, he seems to search for our new mate, but there are too many conflicting scents to pick up an individual female. I take the low trail that leads away from the town and weaves through the valley, passing through a ravine before dipping toward the sea. My plan is to run the ravine and scan the mountains on either side before returning to the house, but as I turn into the valley, I pick up the distinct scent of a stranger moving along one of the parallel trails—a female.
My wolf is immediately on high alert—of course, he is. I smirk at the thought, but the alpha in me is more concerned about who this unknown is. We had so many problems with rogues during Malik’s reign of terror, but they have been defeated, and our defenses are secure. This is unlikely to be a direct threat, especially as my wolf is clearly only picking up one scent, but who is it? Someone from Nolan’s entourage? Surely, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to have someone snooping around. They are welcome guests, but, as with all pack interactions, there are protocols in place. One of which is to definitely not snoop on another’s territory.
