Marked by the Alphas

On my eighteenth birthday, I thought I would finally complete the mating bond with my mate. But that day, I was met with the most brutal betrayal of my life. - By pack law, I had to be assigned a new mate by the Elders. But why… why were the ones chosen for me the Alphas of the pack? And why were there two of them? Axel and Kane — twin Alphas, the most powerful wolves in the pack, admired and respected by all. But none of that mattered. What mattered was that everyone knew they already had a mate. Yet because of me, they were forced to take me as their new mate. Everything happened so fast. I was ignored, rejected, even hated by the two Alphas. From then on, my life became a living hell. Will anything ever change? The mate bond cannot be broken. Through pain and growth, I—Elara—slowly become a true Luna. And in the end, I discover… my mates are not just the two of them. Chapter 1 Elara POV On my eighteenth birthday, Mason, the rogue Alpha I'd followed since childhood, marked me for the first time. I thought it meant he was finally ready to accept me as his mate, the one he would spend his life with. I floated through the entire night on a cloud of bliss, convinced my six-year-long love had finally culminated in a fairy-tale ending. That is, until the next afternoon, when I approached the underground club where he and his bikers often gathered and overheard their conversation. "Wow, Mason, you 'marked' little Elara already?" a voice said. My face flushed crimson. I was about to slip away when Mason's careless voice, laced with that unique lupine arrogance, cut through the air. "Of course not. Her wolf is weak—it is said that her dead father was a stupid human!" He paused, and I could almost hear his dismissive shrug. "My target is always Alice. She's a pureblood, and she knows a lot of secrets about those damn Alpha twin heirs. Only someone like Alice, with her pure bloodline, can help me return to the Constantine pack and shed this rogue wolf identity." His biker friends laughed loudly, and his next sentence shattered my last hope. "Hell, even an Omega shows more passion than Elara does. Someone silly like her? Perfect for practice, to work on the skills of soothing a mate." His words strike my soul like a lightning bolt. Despite the blazing afternoon sun, I feel thrown into an icy abyss. After a brief pause, the conversation in the club resumes. "Future Alpha, indeed. Even a pretty girl like Elara is just a training tool." Mason laughs, the sound devoid of warmth. "It's not exactly a loss. Having such an intimate connection with Alpha bloodline is an honor most lowly wolves would kill for." My mind goes blank. Mason is just a bastard Alpha who is exiled from some pack. But I've never looked down on him, not once, even in the countless nights I've comforted him and praised him. And yet, here he is, reducing me to something beneath contempt. Someone immediately chimes in. "You're right. She's nothing compared to a pureblood like Alice, who radiates pure power…" Mason cuts him off. "It is the full moon, the mood is right that night… and honestly, she seems like she is about to combust with how much she is holding back. Her scent is practically drowning me…" His tone holds an embarrassing note of pity. A few of them chuckle knowingly, their words turning cruder. "Who knew quiet little Elara had such a… wild side?" "Tsk, tsk, Mason's charm is just too potent. When the offering comes to you so willingly, why refuse?" "She's been trailing after Mason like a lost puppy for years. She probably gets exactly what she'd been dreaming of." Their raucous laughter feels like a physical blow. I bite my lip until I taste blood, my fists clench so tightly my nails dig half-moons into my palms. It takes every ounce of my strength just to stay upright. Footsteps echo from the end of the hall. Jolted back to reality, I flee in a panic, ducking into the nearest restroom stall. Tears of heartbreak and humiliation pour out. Mason's words, each one a barbed whip, lash relentlessly through my mind. Had I not heard it myself, I could never believe the boy who had been so intimate with me last night is the same person as this cold, calculating strategist. So, it seems, a wolf can perform such an intimate marking without love. Even at their most passionate, they can still coldly utter the cruelest lies. The more I cry, the worse I feel, but I don't dare sob aloud. I can only muffle the sounds, my body trembling uncontrollably in the confined space. I don't know how long I hide there before my phone vibrates. It is a text from Mason. [Head back on your own. Tonight's the biker's gathering. No outsiders allowed.] It is always the same—he never once introduces me to his friends. I don't reply. Another message follows. [And don't go telling anyone about last night. You know my bloodline can only be carried by a pureblood. Be good.] Reading those words feels like a cold hand squeezing my heart. Last night, he held me close through the dark hours, his hands gentle, and left a temporary mark on the side of my neck—nothing more, though I'd been trembling, willing to give him everything. Exhausted, just before he falls asleep holding me, he specifically whispers in my ear, "It was your first marking. I didn't control my strength well. Get some rest." Back then, I mistook the marking for his unique way of claiming me, a quiet promise of forever. Now… the truth feels like a bucket of ice water, shocking me awake. I pinch the already bruised skin of my palm, forcing the tears to stop. I splash cold water on my face, fix my appearance, and walk out of the restroom. I let myself into my apartment and lock the door behind me. The moment it clicks shut, all my strength leaves me. I slump onto the carpet, my eyes empty. Ever since Mason moved next door to our community, I've been like a small animal drawn to the Alpha's scent, naively trailing behind him for ten years. I never imagined a world without him in it. But from now on, the door to his world is closed to me. I am utterly alone. Outside the window, lights flicker on one by one, and eventually, most go dark again. I don't know how long I sit there, lost in a daze, until my best friend Mindy video-calls. Mason never lets me tell anyone about our relationship. He always says we have to wait until he defeats the Constantine Alpha twin heirs and truly becomes the Alpha before he can give me the happiness I want. I obediently protect this fragile connection. Mindy had once caught him in my bedroom—she is one of the few who knows about my feelings for Mason. Mindy is dressed hot. "Elara! Why aren't you with Mason? I'm at a bar, and guess who I just see?" Her expression is furious, but she lowers her voice as she quietly rotates the phone's camera. The screen reveals a dimly lit corner of the party, where Mason and Alice are sitting close together. Alice wears a cropped top and a tight leather skirt, her curves highlighted, exuding a wild, confident beauty. They seem enveloped in an invisible force field, completely isolated from the crowd around them. A suffocating pain grips my chest. Mason's so-called motorcycle club gathering this afternoon had been a lie. He is chasing her, so he just wants me to stay far away. Alice is playing a game and draws the "male to display strength" challenge by doing push-ups over her. Predictably, Mason immediately steps up, his eyes gleaming with that raw desire male wolves have to show off. The crowd erupts in cheers. Alice, blushing with feigned shyness, lays back on the couch. Mason positions himself above her, his movements fluid and powerful as he knocks out several dozen push-ups, his muscle lines taut under the dim light. He maintains a careful distance, avoiding actually touching her. Until the last one, where his arms give way slightly, and he lowers himself, gently pressing against her. The screams around them are almost deafening. Both Mason and Alice's faces flush deeper red. Amid the wild cheering, Mason lowers his head and kisses Alice deeply. It is a long, possessive French kiss that lasts a full three minutes before they break apart. For those three minutes, I stare unblinkingly at the screen, feeling my heart being torn wide open, letting in nothing but cold, empty air. I want to cry, but I have no tears left after this afternoon. All that remains is a dry, aching pain. "Phew, Elara, did you see that? That's Alice! Who doesn't know she's the Alpha twins' little sex toy? Mason's gone crazy! How dare he touch the twins' woman!" Mindy keeps ranting, "I've been saying Mason's not a good guy!" Mindy says, sighing as she walks out of the booth into a quieter corner. Her tone turns serious. "Elara, don't hate me for being harsh. But if I didn't make you see it with your own eyes, you'd never let go." My throat is so dry and tight my voice comes out raspy. "Yeah. I don't blame you." I only blame myself for foolishly indulging in fantasies and finding a thousand excuses for Mason's indifference. "I just can't stand Mason! He knows how you feel and yet he lets you get close, feeds on your emotional energy, watches you sink deeper and deeper! "Now you finally see the truth! You deserve better! Don't let him keep you chained until you lose yourself completely…" "That won't happen, Mindy," I interrupt, a newfound steel in my voice I don't recognize. "I won't give him the chance again." To sever all doubt, I open the laptop in front of her and send the breakup text without hesitation. "Go to hell, you cheating asshole! We're done!" Mindy practically cheers with excitement right away. She'd always wanted me away from Mason's sphere of influence. After I hit send, the screen goes quiet. The finality of those words settles over me like ash. "It's done," I whisper. But my hands won't stop shaking. "Mindy…" my voice softens. "You know what's coming," I say. The words taste like rust. "Mating season starts in a few days. And now I—" My throat closes. "I have no one. No mate, no claim, nothing. Mason's temporary mark will fade soon, and then I'm just… unbonded. Which means I have to register for the allotment." The partner allocation. Every wolf who reaches maturity without a chosen mate is entered into it. The elders pair you off—matched by bloodline, by strength, by whatever cold calculus they use. You don't get to choose. You're chosen for. I always thought I'd be safe from it. I thought I'd have Mason. I almost laugh at how stupid that sounds now. "I spent six years making sure I'd never have to stand in that line," I say, my voice cracking. "And in a few days I'll be standing in it with all the leftover wolves, waiting for some stranger to be handed to me like a parcel." The tears I thought I'd run dry threaten to return. I press the heels of my hands against my eyes. Mindy is quiet for a moment. Then— "Hey. No. Don't you dare cry over this." Her tone is fierce, but underneath it is something gentle. "Listen to me, Elara. The allocation isn't a punishment. You've just been telling yourself it was, because you were too busy worshipping that arrogant prick next door." I huff out something that isn't quite a laugh. "I mean it," she presses on. "Half the good males in this territory go through the allocation. You think every mate-bond starts with some grand fairy-tale chase? Plenty of them start with two strangers who got matched and decided to build something real. That's better than what you had—chasing a man who marked you one night and chased another girl the next morning." The reminder stings, but she isn't wrong. "You might get someone kind," she says, quieter now. "Someone who actually sees you. Someone who'd never leave you crying in a bathroom stall while he kisses another girl at a party. You deserve that, Elara. Maybe the allocation is how you finally get it." I stare at the dark window, at my own reflection wavering in the glass—pale, hollow-eyed, but still upright. "Maybe," I whisper. It's the first thing all day that hasn't felt like a lie. As for me, I once promised Mason we'd go to Stillwood together, where his mother's pack had settled long ago. Even though I fear going to a new territory alone, it had always been the only place I felt I could belong. Now, I have no reason to go to Stillwood. The mere thought of humbly clinging to the fringes of Mason's pack makes me despise myself to my core. All I want now is to escape, to run somewhere far from the overwhelming pressure of his presence. Chapter 2 Elara POV On the day of the pairing ceremony, I've used strong purification salt to scrub away the last of Mason's scent. His temporary mark faded days ago, but I keep washing until even the memory of it is gone from my skin. After that night, Mason first texted me, asking me to explain things, but after two calls, he never reached out again. The nightly "goodnight" messages that lasted for six years come to an abrupt halt. Six years, and all he can give me are two phone calls. Maybe this is for the best. Mindy comes over every day to comfort me, telling me that everything will pass and that someone better is waiting for me. "The mating ceremony isn't as scary as you think," she pushes me into the walk-in closet. "The elders can pair you with someone amazing. The Alpha will be there, and maybe…" "Joking! Those twins already have their chosen mate, Alice. I want a partner with whom we love each other." "You see it, don't you? Alice betrays them. Honestly, Alice hooks up with your boyfriend, and now you should snatch her mate! Then those two idiots will have to call you Luna!" "Alphas are way out of my league, don't tease me. Just finding me a normal mate would be enough!" I shrug, no longer believing in any fairy tales. I pick a long, black silk off-shoulder dress that shows off my cleavage. Mindy styles my long, auburn hair into a wave of curls down my back, and I finish my outfit with heels and golden jewellery. I look at myself in the mirror and congratulate myself for looking calm and collected. There are no signs of tears or the excruciating pain that pulses through me. Nobody looks at me and sees the pathetic girl with a broken heart. "Oh, Goddess," Mindy gushes as she looks at me. "You're gorgeous." "So are you," I say, and mean it. Her pink dress not only complements her skin; it also reflects her compassionate and bubbly personality. Her blue eyes sparkle, and not a hair is out of place in her pixie-style haircut. Together, we walk to the car for the short drive to the courtyard where the ceremony will be hosted. It's truly ironic. I always look forward to this day, imagining that Mason and I will make eternal vows to each other. Yet now, it has become the worst day of my life. I once approached the ceremony with confidence and dreams, but now, all I feel is anxiety and uncertainty. The closer we get to the courtyard, the more nervous I get. We are going to be paraded in pretty dresses for men to drool over until we are handed out like candy. And it could be anyone — from a neighbouring pack or guys I go to school with who have also just turned eighteen to old men who can only get it up with the help of a little blue pill. No one knows how the elders decide who is mated with whom. You just show up, smile and suck it up when your name is called. The only way out is death. But not for the men. Oh, no, the lucky bastards simply return to the next ceremony and receive a new mate. After all, the purpose is to rebuild the clans after the Great War. So, basically, we she-wolves become nothing but incubators. We enter the courtyard, and Mindy keeps up a steady stream of chatter to fill the silence. I reply absentmindedly as we join the other she-wolves near the stage. Babies are the last thing on my mind. All I feel is dread and an aching pain where my heart used to be. That's when I notice the Alpha twins have arrived. They share the same striking blue eyes and the most alluring bodies, chosen as the sexiest in all of Constantine. Kane's hair is wilder, black curls gleaming under the light. Axel's demeanor is more reserved, his brown hair neatly styled. Their overwhelming Alpha presence has the entire courtyard holding its breath. Mindy nudges my shoulder, her eyes flicking to their tight, controlled crotches. "Huge, huh?" Better than Mason. I think to myself silently. Just then, someone bumps into me from behind. I turn around to see Alice, dressed in a revealing low-cut top, strutting arrogantly past me. "Little mutt," I hear her mutter under her breath. "Tonight, I'll let you bitch know who the best mate really is." My fists clench, and I want to shout at her, but just then, the head elder, Anton, takes his place on the stage. The crowd erupts into a murmur of excitement. That woman—who has been with my ex—walks proudly to join the twins. Elder Anton lectures on honour, hope, and reproduction, but I am too caught up in my misery to care. "Elara Montgomery!" My name echoes over the courtyard, and all the she-wolves look at me. "Pay attention," Mindy whispers urgently. "He called your name, get on stage." Oh, shit. Why do I have to be first? I take a deep breath and walk onto the stage with wobbly legs. I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this. The mantra repeats and pulses through me as I stand next to elder Anton. "Elara Montgomery," his raspy voice reaches my ears. This is it, my moment of damnation. "It is my pleasure to announce that you have been mated to the Alpha Twins, Kane and Axel." Wait, what? I was angry and humiliated when Alice told me she and I would be competing tonight, but I never anticipated this. I came here to get a mate, and now I have two?! This is ludicrous. Besides, everyone knows they are both completely head over heels for Alice. Apparently, everyone but the elders who are in charge of the matches. "You're joking, right?" I whisper, leaning closer to elder Anton. "I'm not known for my sense of humour," he hisses, grabbing my forearm roughly, and I grind my teeth to hide my disgust when his bony fingertips dig into my flesh. "Go," he growls, shoving me forward. My first instinct is to argue, but I bite it back when I remember where I am. Everyone is watching. Defying an elder is not only a death wish; it would also bring shame to my family, and I have a little sister to think about. My actions could easily result in her getting a crappy match when it is her turn. I swallow my pride and turn to face Alphas Kane and Axel, who are sitting on the other side of the stage. I do my best to keep my head high as I take slow, steady steps toward them. They stare at me with a mixture of pain and anger on their faces, their mouths contorted in snarls. Their wolves shine behind their eyes, glaring at me. Kane's hand grips the armrest tightly, a flash of gold flickering in his eyes, as if he could snap the wood in half. They look terrifying, and all I want is to run as far away as possible. I make it across the stage and stand in front of them, bowing my head slightly as I wait for them to speak, to tell me what to do. Because… they own me now. Alphas Kane and Axel do not take their eyes off me. And I wish I could tell what they are thinking. Sure, I know they are not happy about this. They want Alice—damn Alice. But am I really that repulsive? Their negative energy radiates off them toward the crowd, and I can feel more and more people looking at me with disdain and disappointment. Wow, they surely know how to make a girl feel special and wanted. "Elder Anton," Alpha Kane stands up, and I bet he is the tallest person I have ever seen. His wolf begins to emerge, anger rolling off him in waves. "Clearly, you've made a mistake." "I assure you, we have not, Alpha Kane." Anton lifts his chin, his pointy nose tilted like a pig sniffing for food. Alpha Kane glares at Elder Anton with disgust, and I gasp in shock when he pushes me aside and walks toward Anton. Kane towers over Anton, and he takes a cautious step backwards. "Sir… Alpha…the choice has been decided," Anton clears his throat. "Once it has been written, it cannot be undone." "Anything can be undone," Kane growls, clenching his fists. Wait… undone? What does that mean? Will I be tossed back into the pool of she-wolves and be assigned to a new mate? This sucks. I cross my arms and bite my quivering bottom lip to stop the tears. Abandoned twice in a week. I have never felt so unloved and undesired as at this moment. Chapter 3 Kane POV I look from Anton to Alice. Tears are streaming down her beautiful face, and her blue eyes are screaming at me in agony. My heart speeds up, and I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and comfort her. I want to tell her everything will be okay. Instead, I turn my gaze to Axel and open our special mind link that only twins can share. “Go to her,” I urge him. Within seconds, he is by her side, holding her and whispering words of reassurance. My heart painfully cramps when I look at them. Axel and I have shared everything since we were babies. It is no surprise that we share a love for the same woman. That was supposed to be our future. My brother, Alice, and I, against the world, raising our pups and the next Alpha of the Constantine Clan. I look at our designated mate. What was her name again? Oh, yes, Elara. How can the elders assign her to us? Yes she is beautiful, I mean, that gorgeous cinnamon hair and the curvy body wrapped tightly in the dress... My wolf was pacing in my mind, going wild from the first moment I saw Elara, this foolish wolf almost dragged me to pounce! Okay, I admit she's attractive, but no, we promised Alice she should have our protection. The more I think about it, the angrier I get, and I turn to Anton, allowing my wolf to show its claws. “You,” I point a finger at Anton. “You will undo this.” “But …” “Find a way,” I command, cutting off his protest. Anton’s wolf flashes in his eyes, along with something else I cannot place. But before I can figure it out, he looks at the crowd and then backs down. If he were in wolf form, his tail would have been tucked between his legs. “Please, Alpha,” Anton whispers urgently, and I can sense his fear. “Can we finish the mating ceremony and discuss this privately afterwards?” My first instinct is to decline loudly, but I take a deep breath to calm myself. I am vaguely aware of the crowd murmuring about what is going to happen. But if I want my way, I will need the elders on my side. “Finish the mating ceremony,” I hiss, my anger seething below the surface. “Now.” Ignoring Anton and the crowd, I return to my seat. Axel and I make eye contact across the crowd, and I can see we are sharing the same internal struggle. “Stay with her,” I mind link Axel, looking at Alice and not taking my eyes off her. “And I swear to the goddess, if he calls her to mate with someone, I’ll have his head.” The fact that Alice was twenty-one and had not been mated yet was not lost on anyone. Alice had been treated horribly by many others in the pack for it, but I worked hard to sway the elders to put it off. Alice belongs to us, nobody else. The crowd settles down as Elder Anton takes his place at the podium. “Next up.” Anton cleared his throat, looking everywhere but at me and Axel. “Alice Fabine. Mated to Gregory Bjorn and Lucas Spindler.” What the fuck? Gregory and Lucas? The mate-killing monsters? Axel POV It is like a bomb explosion when Anton calls out Alice’s name. Kane is practically levitating in his chair, fighting his anger, and Alice is trembling in my arms, sobbing. That motherfucker! I will kill him. There was no way in hell that I could stand there and watch as she walked over to Gregory and Lucas. Especially since it was Gregory and Lucas, they will tear her apart. Alice would be their third mate in just over a year. Their first mate had been assigned to them the previous Fall, and she had mysteriously disappeared barely two months into their mating. Knowing Gregory and Lucas since we were kids, we had our suspicions that her disappearance was not as mysterious as they claimed. But the Elders ruled that there was no evidence of foul play and that Mary simply ran away. They never even bothered looking for her. No foul play, my ass! Mary has been seen with bruises on her body by multiple people. The Elders were either lazy or did not want a scandal. At the Spring ceremony, they had been assigned a she-wolf whose mate had just passed away in a car accident. Most thought it was too soon for her to mate someone else, but the Elders had thought it best for her to be mated right away, claiming that new love would help her heal. She lasted three months before she was found dead in the woods behind Gregory and Lucas’s cabin. The Elders ruled it a suicide, blaming it on her depression and grief. When Kane and I visited the scene in the forest, we knew that was a lie. She was left-handed, yet the gun was in her right hand. I will never forget the smugness on Greg and Luke’s faces, shrugging when we asked them what happened. A blind man could see that was not a suicide, but the Elders stuck to their story, because they did not want to admit they fucked up by giving those animals a mate. And now they are giving them another mate … again! What the fuck! My entire body is vibrating with anger. I want to jump onto that stage and tear him limb from limb. Kane and I will declare that this whole mating process is done. That our pack will go our own way and do things the way we see fit. Fuck everyone else. She does not deserve to endure this. I want to comfort her and assure her that everything will be okay. “Don’t cry,” I whisper, kissing the top of her head. It breaks my heart that she is so upset. “Kane and I will fix this. You heard Elder Anton, we’re going to talk about this once the ceremony is over.” “Alice, you must go to your assigned mates.” Elder Anton’s voice is slimy, and my fangs drop. So, help me, goddess, I will tear this man apart. Elder or no elder. “I can’t,” Alice sobs, clinging tighter to me. “What in the fuck are we supposed to do?” I project to Kane. “Just… Fuck.” He growls. Kane and I look at each other, our anger growing with every second. The angrier we become, the more restless the crowd grows. Anton looks from Anton to me, concern in his eyes, and I take a deep breath. There is a reason why alphas must stay in constant control. Anything we feel will be sent out to the rest of the pack, and if they do not have a tight rein on their emotions, they will act upon it. Right now, every wolf from the Constantine Clan is seething with anger, all because of Kane and me. “We must calm down, brother,” I warn him. “Before this ceremony turns into a bloodbath.” “Wouldn’t it be fun if they ripped the elders apart?” Kane jokes, taking a deep, calming breath. “Maybe,” I smirk. “But the aftermath is going to be a bitch to handle, and who has time for that?” Kane nods, and we close our eyes. We concentrate on our breathing until our emotions calm down enough for the crowd to settle. I open my eyes and look at Anton. His hands are shaking, but he smiles, relieved at me. “Miss Montgomery, please join your mates so we can continue the ceremony.” Anton addresses Elara — this red-haired girl pouts, fiery-tempered yet seemingly kissable. I begin imagining that mouth moaning my name. Damn, my penis almost immediately get hard. Shit, I actually start imagining those lips screaming my name, those eyes crying because of my thrusts. Chapter 4 Elara POV I stand around indecisively when Axel and Kane walk to Elder Anton at the end of the ceremony. I watch as the three whisper, but their body language screams anger. What am I supposed to do now? People are still glancing curiously at us. I can feel their eyes on me, and it is fucking humiliating to be openly discarded as second choice. “We could trade her for Alice.” Axel’s words float towards me, and my stomach dives. I am not a cow to be traded for a handful of magic beans. “Fuck no,” Kane hisses in disgust. “No one deserves to be with Greg and Lucas.” “You’re right, I know,” Axel sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I don’t want to place Elara in harm’s way. But we cannot let Alice go home with those monsters.” Kane shifts his weight, looking at the pack members still standing around. Silently, I pray that whatever he decides to do will not upset the elders and make things more difficult. The elders had been given ultimate power, saying that the Alphas' egos, heated tempers, and rash decisions led to the Great War. The idea was that the elders were older, wiser, and more even-tempered since they did not have Alpha blood flowing through their veins. So, while Kane and Axel might be upset about today and the elders’ decision, they did not have any control over it and could not go against them. The only thing Kane and Axel had control over was the day-to-day leading of the pack. “Elara,” Kane barks, and I jump in fright, staring at him wide-eyed. “Come with us.” My heart beats like a drum as I slowly walk towards them. Honestly, if I had a choice, I would be running for the hills. I am petrified of the unknown. Kane and Axel’s eyes roam over me, and I can swear they are mind-linking, because they look at each other, then at me, and then out into the distance. What the hell? I will not allow them to intimidate me, I decide determinately, pulling my shoulders back and staring at them. Axel nods once, and Kane walks toward the people still in the town square. Axel follows, indicating with a jerk of his head that I should come, too. “Members of Constantine.” Kane addresses the crowd, his voice booming. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned towards him. “Until a thorough investigation has been conducted, and we can conclusively determine that a new mate will be safe in their care, Gregory Bjorn and Lucas Spindler are hereby forbidden from claiming a new mate.” Kane POV The crowd gawks at me as if I had lost my mind, but they are either too scared or too polite to say anything. Not that I give a rat’s ass - I must protect Alice at all costs, and this is my only recourse. “This is absurd!” Greg bursts through the crowd, rage shining in his eyes as he meets my gaze. Luke is not far behind, his hand wrapped around Alice’s wrist, dragging her behind him. The aggressive manner he handles her aggravates me, and I let loose a low growl. “You have no right,” Luke protests, but immediately lets go of Alice. “I’m well within my rights to protect a member of this pack from possible harm,” I cross my arms over my chest and widen my legs. “And I’m well within my right to open an investigation into members of the pack.” “What are you going to do with our mate?” Greg spits the words. “The elders gave her to us. She’s ours.” “She’ll be kept safe,” Axel cuts in. “With us.” “No fucking way!” Luke yells. “You will not take our mate away from us. Especially since we all know your history with her.” Alice stands on her tiptoes, peering around Luke’s shoulder, her eyes filled with gratitude. I will not let harm come to her, and I will figure out a way to make her ours. “Alpha Kane,” Anton steps forward and stands in front of the crowd. “This is completely unacceptable.” “Pack protection is not within the Elders’ power,” I smirk. “It’s at my discretion, and I’m simply doing what I must to protect a valuable member of our pack. Certainly, the elders will understand the need to protect one of our viable she-wolves.” “This is not about that, and you know it,” Anton’s nostrils flare with anger. “You’re playing with fire, Alpha Kane.” “Oh, really,” I raise my eyebrows. “Tell that to the two mates they already had. You’ve been handing out multiple mates this ceremony like candy, and now you want to squander a she-wolf on them. It doesn’t matter what you think this is about. Until you can find a law that negates my ruling, it stands. Gregory and Lucas will not be mated to anyone until our investigation is complete, and that’s final.” Anton glares at me in silence, and I know he is trying to figure out his next move, but there is none. Not right now, anyway. I am sure he will find something, but it will not be today, and that is enough for now. We do what an Alpha should—protect our pack members from being hurt. I glance at Alice; she looks relieved. But somehow, I’m more eager to see how Elara will respond. Then I notice how upset she is, and it almost makes me want to hug her and comfort her. But I restrain myself, forcing back that crazy, reckless urge. Chapter 5 Elara POV No. Fucking. Way. Rage, embarrassment, and denial rush through my veins. This cannot be happening. First, I catch that slut with Mason, and now she is coming home with us. Show me one person who would be happy with this arrangement. Other than Alice. She is smitten like a kitten, holding Kane’s hand. A hand brushes across my arm, and I look over to see Mindy standing beside me. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispers, smiling at me. “I know this is wild, and I’m sure you’re confused, but it’s all going to be okay.” “Mindy,” I throw my arms around her. Guilt consumes me when I realise I have not even noticed who she is mated to. “I’m so sorry, I’m so caught up in my own shit that I didn’t even consider what you’re going through.” “It’s okay,” she smiles. “Your drama is way more than mine. Especially since it’s Alice.” “Right,” I gasp, throwing my hands in the air. “At least you get it. I mean, look at her. All smiling and stuff while she knows I know she’s been cheating. She hasn’t had a single worry that I might tell, because they’re all like ‘we love you’ and stuff.” I cut off my tirade and take a deep breath. “But enough about me,” I smile. “Who’s your mate?” “Not mate,” she smiles mischievously. “Mates. I also got two. Monroe Glade and Maxim Fulton.” “That’s so great,” I exclaim, my heart leaping with joy. Monroe and Maxim were two of the High Guards for Kane and Axel. They live in the same house as the Alpha twins, in a different wing of the huge mansion. “You and I will see each other every day. Are you happy with your match?” “They’re good, kind men,” she nods. “I’m a little nervous for tonight, but very pleased.” “They’re sexy as hell,” she whispers mischievously. “I have to go now, but I’ll see you as soon as I can.” We hold on to each other a minute longer before she steps back and walks to the two huge men standing behind her, staring at her with possessiveness and heat in their eyes. I sigh sadly as I look at my mates. I wish they looked at me the way Mindy’s mates looked at her. However, my “mates” are currently cooing over Alice, comforting her and stroking her hair. Fucking great. I am doomed to share a life with two men who cannot spare me the time of day. Suddenly, my future seems lonely and miserable. I bite back a growl of frustration. If only I could shift and run. Far away from here and this whole catastrophe. Kane and Axel simultaneously lift their heads and look at me, and I meet their stares. There is so much coldness between us that I can practically feel the temperature drop. “Nice,” my voice drips with sarcasm, and I cross my arms in front of my chest. “I see you finally realised that I’m still here.” Kane’s nostrils flare, Axel grinds his teeth, and I sigh inwardly. Alice smirks at me, and it takes every inch of self-control not to shift and slice her open. As satisfying as it sounds, I am mated to the Alphas and will act accordingly. It is time for me to stop being some snivelling wisp of a girl and act like the woman I am. “Your compassion for a fellow she-wolf is heartwarming,” I say sweetly, masking my discontent. “And while I appreciate your concern, might I ask what your plans are for your actual mate?” Axel POV I look at Kane, and I am pretty sure he is about to blow a gasket. Nobody speaks to him like that … well, except for me. But that is different. I am his brother, he is only five minutes older than I, and I have said worse. I open my mouth to snap at her, but Elara’s scent wraps around me, and I lose my train of thought. I have never experienced a scent like this before, and my nose - and my wolf - do not know what to do with it. The scent hits me. Her red hair practically glows, just as fiery as her temper. Clearly, her seduction works. By the look of confusion on Kane’s face, he is in the same boat. Alice tenses and wrinkles her nose. So, she smells it, too. “She’s not coming with us, is she?” Alice looks up at Kane and bats her eyelashes. A move that melts him every time and has him bending to her every whim. In the beginning, that move worked on me as well. But after a while, I saw it for the tactic it was. She does that every time she wants something from us. And one of us had to be immune to it to keep a clear head. “I’m afraid there’s no other choice, love.” Kane sighs, shaking his head. “But I’m going to be your mate,” she whines. “I know,” Kane runs the back of his fingers down Alice’s cheek in a soothing gesture. “But we’ve rocked the boat enough today. Be patient with us.” I look over at Elara, and the expression on her face is priceless. It is a mixture of what-the-fuck-am-I-looking-at and amusement, and I grin before I can stop myself. I have to admit that she's adorable, and even those little freckles are quite special. “Is there something amusing, Axel?” Kane asks. “Something amusing?” I chuckle. “You mean other than this whole situation?” “I don’t find any of this amusing at all,” Alice sniffs. She looks at Kane and turns her shoulder to me. “Can we go home?” “She always lacked a sense of humour,” my wolf, Blade, huffs. “Hush, Blade,” I reply. “She’s just upset.” I sigh inwardly and shut him out. Lately, Alice annoys him with the tiniest thing. I tend to ignore him. Most people claim their wolves are insightful and know the deepest parts of them, but that is not the case with Blade. He is judgmental, never happy, and he hates practically everything and everyone other than Kane and his wolf, Gibson. Heaven knows what my life would have been like if I listened to Blade. I would be a virgin, for sure. “Let’s get back to the house,” I suggest. “We can discuss everything there.” “Agreed,” Kane pulls Alice against his side and leads the way. “Seriously?” Elara plants her hands on her hips, gaping at Kane and Alice as they walk away. Something inside me breaks a little. As much as I want Alice and not Elara, I cannot imagine being in her shoes right now. It strikes me how archaic and patriarchal the elders’ rules are. But then I remember … it was the women who had started the Great War. Many records of that war have become somewhat blurred. All I know is that now, at this moment, the aftermath of that war has pushed this auburn-haired girl towards me. Her small mouth opened and closed, asking what plans we had for her. To be honest, I didn't really catch what she was saying. That little mouth seemed magical, rosy, and kissable. Then I heard Kane said, "We have to sleep together tonight." Chapter 6 Elara POV “You want me to what?!” I gape at my mates. Surely, I heard wrong. We are standing in their magnificent office, but the luxury of first edition books and stylish interior is lost on me. “We have to sleep together tonight,” Kane repeats. “Are you kidding me?” I throw my hands hopelessly in the air. “Is Alice going to be joining us?” My mates stare at me with clenched jaws and crossed arms. They are like two copies in different colours. Black and white and sepia. Kane’s hair is black like the night, making his blue eyes more prominent. Axel has the same eyes, but his hair is a light brown. Dear goddess, they are sexy. I want nothing more than to sleep with them tonight – and every other night. But not like this, not under these circumstances. Not while Alice is looming over us. No way I am going to submit to these drop-dead gorgeous men just to be tossed aside like dirty laundry when they have their way, and she becomes their mate. “Elara,” Kane’s voice is low and dangerous. And there it is - the Alpha voice. “No,” I cut him off furiously. “You will not use your Alpha voice on me to get me into bed with you. Not happening. You can use that shit on Alice when you get the Elders to mate her to you, but not on me.” Kane narrows his eyes, and Axel raises his eyebrows. I know I overstepped because nobody gets to talk to Alphas like this. It does not matter what your status is, but I do not care. A movement at the door catches my eye, and I see Alice peeking around the corner into the study. Conniving little bitch, I look at her and hold her gaze. Her curious expression shifts to anger, and her eyes darken as her wolf emerges to the surface. Well, fuck her. If she wants to eavesdrop, let her. She can stand right beside Kane and Axel, but I will not be silenced. “I’m not sleeping with you and look like a fool after you’ve hoisted me off and mated Alice,” I continue. “Not happening. I have more self-respect than that.” “If we don’t complete the mating, then we will have broken our laws, and …” “And if we break the law, it’ll make it harder for you to protect Alice,” I cut Kane off. “Yeah, I get it. But that’s your problem, not mine. I’m happy to sit around and not be mated.” If I were not fighting for my dignity, I would have found Kane’s facial expressions amusing. The rage and power radiating off him were sexier than anything I have ever witnessed, and to my dismay, I feel my panties becoming damp. My wolf is in heat in a big way for these two. I heard how people talked about being in heat, but I had no idea what they meant … until now. The lust and desire puddling inside me is all-consuming, and everything inside me is fighting the urge to drop to all fours and rub up against them. Nope. I cannot allow that to happen. I refuse to be anyone’s sloppy seconds. “Elara, please be reasonable.” Axel steps towards me. “You know as well as we do that there are certain … uh, expectations that must be met. For everyone’s sake, for the sake of the pack. I know it feels a bit awkward right now, but please trust us. It’ll be okay.” “Trust you?” I laugh humorlessly. “After you ignored and humiliated me in front of everyone at the ceremony.” “It’s not …” “Oh, please,” I cut off Axel’s protest, rolling my eyes. “Don’t patronise me. Let me guess. You’ll be sure to make it really good for me. Give me an orgasm or two, and everything will be fine, right?” “Axel,” Kane growls, and it is almost a cliché how much his chest is heaving in anger. “I swear to the goddess, …” “Oh, now we’re swearing,” I sneer. “That’s …” “Shut up!” Axel snaps, silencing all of us. “For fuck’s sake, just shut up.” Axel POV Elara and Kane stare at me in silence. Watching these two bicker back and forth became irksome, and I snapped. “This argument isn’t helping,” I say firmly. “We all know the score. If Kane and I don’t mate with you tonight, we will fail to uphold the laws set forth by the Elders. The very same laws we threw in Anton’s face to stop another she-wolf from dying.” “I’m not doing it,” Elara shrugs nonchalantly, but I do not miss the hesitation in her eyes. “Then you’ll be re-mated,” I reply sternly. “And we would never receive another mate. Wolves who didn’t mate with their she-wolves were held in contempt. After all, if men and women were allowed to refuse a mating by not mating, the whole system would fall apart. Therefore, punishments had to be dealt out for those who didn’t comply.” “You saw Anton’s demeanour tonight,” Kane adds. “He’s a bastard, and if you’re to be remated… well, let’s just say they’ll mate you to the worst pair they could find. Even worse than Greg and Luke.” Elara pales and slumps into the nearest chair. I cannot help but feel sorry for her. Threatening any she-wolf with Greg and Luke would be terrifying. Elara crosses her legs, and her scent hits me right between the eyes. “Holy shit,” I mind-link Kane, looking at him. “She’s in heat.” “Fuck me,” he replies. “No wonder I’m so horny.” Chapter 7 Axel POV The scents in the room are overpowering. Full of lust and desire. I scrub my hand over my face, turn around, and walk to the window. I stare at the grounds, town, and the forest. The forest I so desperately want to escape into right now. This whole situation is impossible on a multitude of levels, and I have no idea how to even begin fixing it. I want to mate with Alice, and not Elara. But I do not want Elara to end up with monsters like Greg and Luke. “Elara,” I sigh, and turn to face her. “We must make the best of the situation. Either we compromise and work together, or we all lose. There is no golden midway. Mate with us or take your chances with the Elders. There’s no other alternative.” “I … I need a bathroom,” she stutters, standing up. “Which way?” “Down the hall, second door to the right,” Kane directs. “If we mate with Elara tonight, what the fuck will happen to Alice?” I mind-link Kane. “And how would we mate Alice later if we are forced to mate Elara tonight?” Kane POV Axel’s questions echo in my head as I watch Elara leave the office. Those are good questions. “There might be something,” I mutter when an idea hits me. I walk to the bookshelf and pick out the massive book of pack laws. I put it on my desk and quickly page through it until I find what I am looking for. “This,” I point at the page, and Axel leans over to get a better look. “No,” Axel looks at me wide-eyed, shaking his head. “Don’t even think it.” “It could work,” I say urgently as the glimmer of hope grows. “No, bro,” Axel snorts. “Shit is complicated enough without doing that. And we can’t guarantee that the elders will assign Alice to us as a second mate.” “We can find a way to force their hand,” I argue. “Surely there must be something we’ve overlooked when it comes to second mates. We haven’t gone over those laws as closely …” “And we’re not going to, Kane,” he cuts me off. “You’re playing with fire even thinking about that.” “Am I, though?” I raise my eyebrows, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “Yes, you are,” his voice raises an octave. “Listen,” he inhales deeply and calms his voice. “There’s no way Elara will go for that. Not in a million years. And she’s a feisty one. She could cause trouble for us if we don’t handle her correctly.” I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and get a glimpse of Elara’s scent that is still lingering in the room. Her sweet, sweet, in-heat scent … No! I reprimand myself, shaking my head to get rid of the thoughts. “It doesn’t matter if she goes for it,” I continue. “She has no choice. If she refuses, she’ll be mated to …. to … hell, I don’t know. They’ll find the oldest, grossest pair for her. You can believe that.” “Kane, this isn’t like you.” he bends over the desk, flipping page after page, scanning through the tiny words, looking for a needle in a haystack. “There’s nothing else,” I sigh, taking a seat, as sadness fills my heart. “But this isn’t right,” Axel mutters. “We can’t let Alice go to them,” my voice is filled with despair. “And we can’t let her end up with someone worse, Axel.” “I know,” he sighs, sitting down. “Dammit, you’re right. As much as I want to play by the rules and keep everyone happy, we can’t.” “Alice is our chosen mate,” I smile sadly. “We must do whatever we can to protect her. Even if it meant taking on some collateral damage in the process.” “We’ll give Elara a good life,” Axel nods. “We’ll find a way to make her happy. Once she has a pup or two, they’ll keep her busy. And, hell, if she wants to keep someone on the side, that’s okay, too.” Axel starts looking through the tome again, his finger running over the words line by line, looking for mentions of second mates. “Whatever we must do, we will,” Axel says adamantly, closing the book. Chapter 8 Elara POV Anxiously, I enter the bathroom and lock the door. I open the tap and splash cold water on my wrists. I reach for the paper towels, wet them, and rub the back of my neck. I close the tap, placing my hands on the counter as I inhale deeply and close my eyes. I was so caught up in the day’s events that I did not consider how my future would be if I refused to mate with them tonight. And now … well, fuck. I have two options, and both are awful. Either I mate with these two assholes who are hot as hell, or I take my chances with another match. Choosing the twins sounds easy. They are hot as hell, and I am sure it will be an enjoyable experience, but they are in love with someone else. They will never be completely devoted to me. The alternative could go either way. But if today was any indication of my luck and future, I will get stuck with whatever limp-dicked old-ass guy they can dig up from their graves. “Life. Is. Grand,” I murmur to my reflection in the mirror, my green eyes dark with concern. I stare at my auburn hair curling over my shoulders and down my back to my waist. I love my long hair, but will Kane and Axel like it? My stomach dives at the image of them running their fingers through the curls or draping around them as I ride one of them … whoa, now I am getting ahead of myself. I look at my watch, and it is less than two hours until midnight, and I have no idea where to go or where to hide. I do not want to return to the office because I do not have an answer for them, but the last thing I want is to roam the hallways and run into Alice. With limited options, I leave the bathroom and accidentally bump into a woman. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I apologise, reaching for her arms to stop us both from falling. “It’s okay,” she chuckles, and looks at me intensely. “You’re Elara, right? The alphas’ mate.” “I guess so,” I shrug. “Yes, I’m Elara,” I say quickly when she looks at me confused. I cannot expect her to understand our drama. “Pleased to meet you, I’m Erin,” she smiles. “Axel asked me to find you and take you to your room. They’re still busy in the office.” “Thank you,” I nod politely, and follow her. Finally, a place where I can hide. “How are you holding up?” Erin pushes a stand of straight black hair behind her ear. The chic cropped cut looked amazing on her. “I’m…” I pause, not entirely sure how to answer. “I’m here. That’s about all I know right now.” “I get that,” Erin nods. “When I was mated, it was terrifying. I had no idea what to expect, and then having to live in this place on top of it? Yeah.” She opens a door, and I follow her inside. Holy shit! Everything is newly updated, with sleek, modern appliances all in stainless steel, and the decor is simple and elegant. It is mostly black, cream, and grey, which I love. Whoever decorated the room added splashes of emerald green, deep blue, and rich purple. I could not have done it better if I designed it myself. Mesmerised, I inspect the rooms. Wow, it is big. I basically have my own fully furnished luxury apartment with a bedroom, living room and bathroom. “I get what you’re saying,” I laugh nervously. “This is something else. The bath is the size of a pool, complete with jets.” “It’s overwhelming, but you’ll get used to it,” Erin smiles. “Honestly, I have no freaking idea what I’m doing,” I sigh, taking a seat on the luxurious couch in the living room. “How is this supposed to work? Like, everyone saw what happened today. I’m simultaneously terrified they are going to walk in here to complete the mating and desperately want it to happen.” “Girl, you and everyone else who’s ever been mated.” Erin laughs softly. “I know you’re in a different situation than most, given the whole Alice situation, but it could be worse. You could be the one mated to Gregory and Lucas.” We look at each other and shudder simultaneously before we burst out laughing. “I’m sorry for Alice. I don’t care who you are, nobody deserves Greg and Luke,” I roll my eyes. “I just wish I didn’t have to be stuck in the middle. I think what Kane and Axel are doing is commendable. And I can’t imagine being in her shoes, but …” “But now you’re the meat in a shit sandwich,” Erin says sympathetically when I trail off. “Yes!” I exclaim. “Exactly.” “I know it might not seem like it, but Kane and Axel aren’t as scary as they look,” she smiles. “I’ve got to know them, and I promise you, they’ll make a decision that will protect you both. You can count on that. Trust them.” “Trust,” I snort. “The only thing I ever got from trusting a person was pain and humiliation.” “The key to trust is to know whom to trust,” Erin smiles before she leaves. Kane POV My head is spinning, and my eyes are burning. It feels like an eternity since Axel and I started looking at the bylaws, and we are still not close to a solution. I have no idea what we are going to do, but if we do not mate with Elara tonight, we will not have a choice anymore. And I do not do well with choices. I know for certain I expected to have my way when it came to Alice. We bided our time and waited … and waited … for four mating ceremonies after we started sleeping with her when she turned eighteen. I sighed somewhat wistfully. “I know,” Axel looks at me with the same despair I feel. “Remember when we first saw her?” “I do,” I smile nostalgically. “The fucking pigtails and ice cream cone,” Axel chuckles. “She knew what she wanted and how to get it.” It is forbidden for anyone, no matter their age, to sleep with a she-wolf until she is eighteen, and then she is mated. But sometimes, there was a bit of a grace period, depending on when their birthdays were. Alice had six months of freedom before she was mated, and she decided that those six months would be spent with us. She made her move, and we were toast, panting after her with our tongues hanging out. We have been inseparable since. Most Alphas chose their mates, although it was a bit of an unspoken rule. If an Alpha were pretty set on a particular she-wolf, it was more than likely that the elders would assign that woman to them. After all, it was beneficial for them to have a happy Alpha. So, what in the fuck happened with us and Alice? “Kane,” Axel calls, and I snap out of my thoughts. “Look at this,” he taps his finger on a notation below one of the laws. “How did we miss that?” I mumble. “It’s a bit harsh,” Axel replies. “But is the only way to get what we want.” We look at each other, nod and stand up. Chapter 9 Kane POV Erin leaves Elara’s quarters just as Axel and I approach. She nods in our direction and walks away. I crack my neck and enter Elara’s quarters, and Axel shuts the door behind him, clicking the lock into place. As if anyone would dare disturb us. Instead of standing as a sign of respect, Elara leans back onto the couch, crossing one knee over the other, and folds her arms across her chest. Her mouth is pulled into a line of determination as she glares at us. The urge to turn her over my knee and redden her ass for her disrespect was a monster racing through my veins. A very lustful monster … which shocks me. Where did that image, that desire, come from? I return her scowl and shove the thought away. “It’s time to mate,” I say brusquely, still irritated with her disrespectful demeanour. “Wow,” Elara makes a show of looking at the clock on the wall on the other side of the living room. “You’ve allotted me a whole forty-five minutes for mating.” She un-crosses and re-crosses her legs, and I get a fresh whiff of her scent, sending my wolf into a frenzy of excitement. Slowly and deliberately, she looks me up and down. “Then again, we probably only need a few minutes.” “Oh, well,” she leans forward and unties her golden sandals. “Let’s get this over with.” I open my mouth to snap at her, but before I can form any words, Axel is in my head. “Leave it alone, Kane,” he hisses urgently. “Let’s just get this done and do what we need to do so we can proceed tomorrow.” I release my breath slowly, he is right. We must do this and move forward, there is no time for anything else. I stalk through the living room towards the bedroom, unbuckling my belt. When I reach the threshold, I stop and turn to look back at Elara, yanking my belt out of the loops for show. “Well, come on then,” I smirk. I turn away and walk into the bedroom, shedding my shoes, pants, and shirt before standing at the foot of the bed in my boxer briefs, waiting. Staring through the doorway, I see Axel smirking and walking toward the bedroom, shedding his own clothes as he makes his way to the bedroom. Elara finishes untying her shoes and kicks them off before rising from the couch and sulking her way in here. When she reaches the door and sees Axel and me, both half-hard and in our boxer briefs, she hesitates, and her eyes widen. The pulse in her neck beats rapidly, and she swallows before making eye contact. We know the effect we have on women, and I did not expect it to be any different with her, but I am still pleased by her reaction. Elara is feisty, and she has already insulted me. Now, she must eat her words. “Like what you see?” I spread my arms out, flexing my stomach muscles. She lifts her chin, narrowing her eyes before she slips her long, black dress off her shoulders, and it puddles around her feet on the floor. “I can ask the same thing,” she glares at me, stepping over the dress, and my mouth turns dry. Axel POV Holy shit, I did not expect that. She is beautiful. No, that would be an insult to her. Beautiful does not do her justice. She is breathtakingly exquisite. I am unsure what I was expecting. I have eyes – she has a pretty face, and the black dress showed promise of a beautiful body, but this! There is something about all that flawless porcelain skin and those perfect, full breasts in a simple black, lacy bra that made me speechless. Would her nipples be as pale as her skin? Or would they be darker, like strawberries or raspberries? Suddenly, I cannot wait to find out. I have been dreading mating with her, dreading what we had to do, but now … now I want nothing more than to do her. I reach down and adjust my cock, which is now fully and painfully hard. From the corner of my eye, I see Kane reach down to do the same, and I look at him. When his eyes meet mine, they are glassy with arousal, and I nod. Good. We are on the same page. And if Elara’s scent was any indication, so is she. Her scent fills the room and wraps around us, heightening our desire. My wolf, Blade, is pawing at the inside of me, eager to taste Elara, and I am sure Kane’s wolf, Hunter, is doing the same. “You only want her because she’s in heat and you’ve never been with a woman in heat before,” I scold Blade, but his only response is a low growl. Hell, if I know what that even means. My legs develop a mind of their own, and suddenly, I am in front of Elara, my hand gently cupping her chin. Her skin is delicately smooth under my touch, arousing me even more. “Before we start,” my voice is hoarse with desire. “Kane and I must know if you’ve been with anyone before.” “Ex … excuse me?” She steps backwards, her face flushed with surprise. “Um, what does that even matter? How is that any of your business?” Her reaction speaks volumes, and I smile softly. Kane walks and stands beside me, stroking the back of his fingers down her arm. Instantly, she is covered in goosebumps, and I develop an overwhelming urge to count them … with my tongue. “Because,” Kane’s voice is thick with lust as he strokes up and down her arm, over her shoulder, neck and finally grasping the back of her head. “If you haven’t been with anyone before, Axel and I will proceed a little differently.” A soft frown nestles between her perfectly shaped eyebrows, and she looks at us with slight bewilderment, telling us everything we need to know.