Page 22 of Alpha's Twins
My brothers think they know everything and think they can tell me how to handle my own mate and my own pack. Nothing I do is ever good enough for them. It’s always been like this, ever since we were kids, ever since Dad ran the pack.
“Why can’t you be more like your brothers?” Ralph used to say, and no matter how hard I worked, how much I tried, the expectation always hung like a noose. When he died, and the packs were split, Ralph made his final judgment, and it was the same story. Callum and Tristen got the vital ports and trade, and I got the mountains. The isolation. He clearly didn’t trust me with anything more important than the forests. And maybe, he was right. I can’t even find Malik or keep Serena safe without them breathing down my neck, offering to send in their teams, their mates.
Anything, it seems, to stop me inevitably fucking up.
I shove the phone in my pocket and storm out of the office, ignoring the curious glances from a few pack members I pass on the way. I don’t owe them an explanation if they heard my raised voice on the call, and they know better than to ask for one. A couple of older wolves are talking by the main doors, but they step aside as soon as they see the look on my face. I’m grateful that I’m still in my gym gear when I hit the street, because I’m ready to explode out of my skin.
The run is easy from here. The town gives way to forest right on the edge of the square, and I take the trail that follows the stream that runs straight through town, letting the scent of pine and wet earth fill my lungs. My wolf is restless, a raw energy pulsing through me, and I push my legs harder, feeling my heart pound in time with my feet. I could shift and let my wolf run free, it would be easier. But for some reason, I want to feel the burn in my human form, the extra effort and grueling sweat of pushing through.
The trail winds down toward the valley, and the noise of the stream gets louder, rushing over rocks, drowning out everything else. I think of Serena, of the way she looked at me that night I took her virginity, her eyes wide and wanting. I wasgentle with her, almost too gentle, even though my wolf was demanding I take her hard and fast. She was so tight around me, so hot and soft, and every inch of me had to fight not just my instincts but my own fears. If I let myself go, if I gave in to what my wolf wanted, I might lose my mind. I might lose her. I never wanted anyone like that.
Even now, I want her more than I can stand. The thought of losing her, the thought of her getting hurt, makes me crazy. She’s barely even mine, and I’m acting insane, my wolf driving me more than ever. Making me do things like keep her in the house, act like an asshole to my brothers, and run out here like a man possessed. To punish myself? For what? Being right? Looking after her?
The trail gets steeper, and I push myself harder, feeling the heat rise through my muscles. I wanted to trust her, to let her have space, but the memory of finding her in out the forest, the feeling of something dark and vicious watching us, tightens like a noose around my neck. I know it was Malik. We all felt the evil in the air, like poison. What was he waiting for? Why didn’t he attack? Even with Serena’s beautiful wildflowers blooming all around us, the sense of danger was all-consuming, and for once, I was actually terrified. Like I had something tangible to lose.
I can’t let her out and risk her going back out to the forest, not until I know for sure she’s safe. Not until I know for sure I can protect her. Even if she hates me for it.
The stream is a roar beside me now, a white noise that drowns out everything but the pounding in my head, the fury in my chest, the fury in my veins, the need to prove myself. To everyone. I’m the alpha, and I’m not going to let them undermine me. I’m not going to let them tell me how to run my pack, my life.
I’m not going to let them be right.
I stop by the water, crouching low to let it run over my hands. It’s cold, biting, exactly what I need. I splash my face, shocking the heat from my skin, and drink until my throat is numb. The water’s pure here, untouched and wild, the cleanest on the island. Maybe even the world. I begrudge the way Ralph chose my territory, but I do love these mountains. I love their fierceness, their solitude.
I look up at the sheer cliffs, imagining Malik gone for good, wiped from my mountains, his threat a distant memory. Then Serena would be free to settle in here more and see the beauty of this pack, the way I do. I pull my phone out to check for messages. Nothing. She’s ignored both of the texts I sent her. The pit of anxiety in my stomach only grows, and I shove the phone back in my pocket, trying to breathe. Trying to think.
I’m not wrong, I tell myself. I’m not. I just have to hold out until Malik makes his next move. Until I can stop him. Then she’ll see. My brothers will see. Then everyone will see.
I let the stream rush over my fingers, icy and insistent. My brothers might have the ports and the people, but they don’t have this. And I’ll be damned if Malik will take any of it from me.
A voice whispers in my head, and it’s not my wolf. It feels more like my damned conscience asking, what about Serena?
Do I have Serena? I have her in theory—our packs made a deal—but do I even want to keep her? Wasn’t life simpler before I started wanting her like this?
I shake my head, splashing water on my face one last time. I’m not going to do this to myself. Not tonight. I shove my phone back in my pocket and start running again, this time toward the gym. My wolf is still restless, but I know what I need now. I know what will take the edge off.
The thought pops into my head and I make the decision fast, firing off a text to Jace as soon as I get back to the gym, my fingers still damp, leaving spots on the screen.
Meet me at the bar?I type, and his response is as fast as always—a thumbs up on the screen. I smile. When has Jace ever let me down when I’ve needed to get out of my own head?
I shower and change, letting the heat of the water wash the last of the run from my burning muscles. I should eat, but I don’t bother, my mind fixed on getting to the bar and being as distracted as possible. If Serena doesn’t want to talk to me, if she’s going to ignore me, then screw it. I’ll go out drinking and have fun instead.
I pull on a clean shirt and jeans, and although it takes me longer than I thought to get ready, I already feel lighter as I walk toward the bar, the promise of a night out with Jace soothing my frustration. My beta’s already there, leaning against the bar like he owns the place, two drinks in front of him and a third in his hand. He’s holding court with a small group of young witches, all of them pretty, but I recognize one of them in particular, and she clearly recognizes me, her eyes widening as I approach.
“Aiden,” she says, and there’s a hint of challenge in her voice, the same challenge she had the night I took her back to my place a few months ago.
“Cora,” I reply, nodding, and she smiles, slow and teasing. Her hair is the color of fire, and the way she looks at me makes me think she’d like to burn me all over again.
Jace shoots me a grin, a knowing look in his eyes. “Glad you made it,” he says, handing me a drink. “Thought maybe your mate had you on a short leash.”
I take the drink, ignoring the twist in my gut as I feel a strange mix of frustration and guilt at the thought of Serena.“Not tonight,” I say, and Cora laughs, a high, musical sound that blends with the hum of the bar.
The other witches giggle and whisper to each other, and Jace winks at them, his attention dividing easily between the three. Cora slides closer, a warmth against my side. “I’ve got just the thing to help you unwind,” she says, her lips brushing my ear like a whisper of flame. “They have a new brew that the coven has been working on. You’ll love it.”
I drink the liquid, sweet and potent, and it hits my veins like wildfire. “Strong stuff,” I say, and she laughs again, leaning into me, her presence both inviting and dangerous. My wolf stirs, interested.
“Plenty more where that came from,” she promises, and I down another, feeling the edges of the world soften, the weight of my anger and doubt lifting.
Another hour or two passes, and Jace walks around the bar and claps me on the back. “See? This is what you needed, man.”
