Page 99 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

“What did you say to him?” Cassiopeia asks Callum, her eyes flashing golden when she takes in his strong features.

“I told him I couldn’t take the beta position because I have a feeling my calling is elsewhere.”

“You have good instincts,” Cassiopeia says proudly.

“I need to,” he says with a smirk. “Or I couldn’t keep up with my werecat princess.”

“It’s unusual for a werecat to be mated to a werewolf,” Cassiopeia says. “But it seems we are breaking all restrictions recently. Lycans are keeping my aunt safe, werewolves are helping me save my pride, and a werewolf is my mate.”

“Congratulations.” Elise jumps forward to squeeze Cassiopeia’s hands.

“So, being fated to another species is quite unusual?” Dalila asks curiously.

“No.” I shake my head. “Not necessarily. Of course, it is more common to have a werewolf mate as a werewolf, but lycans and werewolves are more and more fated with each other, and quite a few wolves are mated to witches. So, while it isn’t usual, it’s not rare either. Not anymore.”

“I think previously, there weren’t many cross-species matings because the Goddess knew it would end in a disaster for those involved. There were dark times in which the mate bond was frowned upon, but now that our civilization progresses, and more and more werewolves are open-minded and return to respecting the mate bond, the Goddess branches out too,” Callum says. “At least that’s how I see it.”

“There is still so much to learn,” Dalila mutters. “I wasn’t even aware that there is such a vast difference between werewolves and lycans.”

“Werewolves were and are more rankist than lycans,” Ezra says, sighing a bit. “My father is just another example of it. Lycans always respected the mate bond. It’s very unusual for a lycan to reject their mate.” He winks at Dalila. “Even if she is a human.”

Dalila chuckles and leans against me.

“The unusual part is that our goddess,” Cassiopeia starts to explain. “The werecat’s goddess isn’t the same as the wolves’ goddess. I’m not sure how Selene, the moon goddess of the wolves and lycans, and Bastet, our moon goddess, work these bonds out. Unlike witches and humans, we cats feel the mate bond too and have a destined partner. I imagine these two goddesses would need to sit together and discuss mate affairs.” She chuckles a bit. “But no one really understands the deities, and it’s better that way, I think.” She pauses. “I would like to introduce everyone to my pride now if that’s alright with you, Alpha Ezra, Luna Giselle?”

“Of course.” Giselle smiles. “I will come with you and greet everyone officially. Ezra already met them.”

“I will go back to work,” Ezra agrees. “I hope you all stay for lunch?”

“We’d love to,” I say.

He nods, retreating to the pack house while his mate takes over. Callum, Giselle, and Cassiopeia lead us through the pack grounds. It’s not a big pack, but not a really small one, either. They are a bit hidden behind lush forests and mountains surrounding them, which is probably why Uncle Elden decided this would be a good place to hide the pride.

The pride is currently situated in a few beautiful guest houses close to the forest, a bit secluded from the actual pack so they can keep to themselves. It’s a small group, probably around a hundred werecats. They greet Cassiopeia politely but also with joy. She seems to be well-liked. Most of them are scooting closer when they notice Callum at her side.

An elderly woman pushes through and grabs Cassiopeia’s hands. “My dear.” She smiles with tears in her eyes. “You protected us all, and now you were blessed with such a kind mate. He was the one to accommodate us here.”

“Is that so?” Cassiopeia looks at Callum with a curious smile.

He looks a bit flustered. “Well, someone had to make sure they were all settled well.” He rubs over his head. “I felt a weird pull to them, so I decided to make sure your people were all settled.”

“They are going to be your people, too.” Cassiopeia chuckles.

“Right.” He nods with a smile.

“Your aunt would be so happy.” The older woman fusses over Cassiopeia like she is her grandmother.

Cassiopeia waves at us, signaling for us to come closer. “This is Zahra. She is our elder, and she was friends with my grandmother.”

“Best friends.” Zahra smiles. Her face is wrinkly, and her body skinny. There are signs of age all over her, but her eyes are sharp and awake. “It’s a pleasure to meet Cassiopeia’s friends,” she says. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Her eyes glide over us before halting at Dalila. “You—” She lets go of Cassiopeia’s hand, walking closer to us. “You… here?”

Dalila blinks in confusion. “I… do we know each other?”

Zahra keeps staring at her as if seeing a ghost. “Nephthys,” she finally whispers.

Dalila and I exchange a gaze.

Who is she talking about?

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