One Ember, Two Hearts

CHAPTER #6: MATE!

FLYNN P.O.V.

"I’m going to c*m, Flynn!” Rose screams out as I thrust harder into her.

“Not yet!” I growl at her.

I jerk her hair back, causing her to moan louder, the sound reverberating through my entire body. My heart races in tandem with our bodies, lost in this moment that feels like both an end and a beginning.

I feel her p***y clenching around me, her body is beginning to tremble, overwhelmed with the sensations. Just as she’s about to cross that threshold, I explode inside her, the tension I held for days finally released in a rush of primal ecstasy. She collapses on the bed next to me as I toss the used condom into the trash.

I stretch out, inhaling deeply as I revel in the bliss of release. The air is thick and electric, both of us panting heavily as sweat glistens on our bodies. Rose lays her head on my chest, her fingers trailing across my chest hair as we catch our breath.

“It’s been too long for that.” She says, a satisfied smile spreading across her face, her doe-like eyes sparkling in the dim light of our dorm room.

“I know.” I reply, feeling the weight of final exams lift off my shoulders, if only for a moment. “But I had to study for finals.” She sighs, her annoyance evident.

“I don’t know why. You’re the smartest in your classes.” I roll my eyes, though my heart swells a bit at her belief in my intelligence.

“Because I study, Rose. That’s why I have the highest grades.” Her fingers are gentle, almost soothing, trailing up and down my chest.

“You’re the next alpha of the largest pack in North America. You won’t need any of that stuff.” She says, her voice soft. I wish she'd understand, I have responsibilities, duties that far exceed mere schoolwork.

With a quarter of a million pack members depending on me, I can’t afford to slack. The weight of leadership presses on my shoulders, mingling with the flickering joy of our intimacy moments before. It’s exhilarating yet burdensome.

“What do you want to do when we get back home? We only have three days before we go on the cruise.” She asks, playing with a strand of my hair, effectively grounding me.

“My dad wants to sit down with me to discuss something,” I say, briefly glancing at the ceiling. “I have a feeling it’s going to be about a full moon ball.” At the mention of this, her expression shifts from soft pleasure to outright anger.

“Why is he going to do that?! I’m your mate!” She exclaims, sitting up, her tone almost frantic as her brows knit together.

“Rose, you know the rules. In order for me to become alpha, I have to be married to my true mate.” The gravity of those words hangs in the air like a storm cloud. I see the tears swell in her eyes, her face flushed with horror. I can’t stand the sight, but can’t back away from the truth either. “I’m going to tell him that it’s time for that law to be changed. I choose you, Rose!” Just like that, a wave of excitement electrifies her features. She squeals, wrapping her arms around me, kissing my face in a storm of joy and relief.

“I love you, Flynn!” She breathes, her joy infectious as I smile and hold her tighter, wanting to absorb her happiness into my very soul.

“I love you too, Rose.”

Before our conversation can delve deeper, the sudden chime from her phone breaks the moment, a message from one of her girlfriends. Rose jumps up, checking the notification, and lets out a squeal reminiscent of an excited child on Christmas morning.

“Oh my God, Flynn! You won’t believe this!” Her excitement nearly forces me to sit up and take notice, but I’m still trying to catch my breath.

“What now?”

"Oh my goddess! Lavender and Lilly are in town right now! They want to go shopping!" Rose says as she bounces into the room, her eyes alight with excitement. She looks at me with those puppy-dog eyes, and despite the weight of heartache pressing down on my chest, I couldn’t help but smile.

"The card is in my wallet." I let out a dramatic sigh.

She squeals in delight, showering my face with kisses before darting off to get dressed. I lay back on the bed, feeling a mix of affection for Rose and a profound ache for what I felt was missing from my life. It gnaws at me relentlessly, reminding me of my solitude amid the buzzing life of my pack, even as the future Alpha of one of the largest packs in North America.

At twenty-five, I should be planning for a family, surrounded by my mate, running wild with kids, much like my peers. Instead, here I was, wrapping myself in a façade of joy when I felt hollow, unfulfilled without my true mate by my side. I glance across the room at the framed photos of pack members with their families, their smiles shining brightly, contrasting sharply with the lonely reality I faced.

Wolves find their mates because they need that bond. It completes their soul and amplifies their power, and with power comes responsibility. As a future Alpha, I am expected to stand alongside a Luna, a mate who would complement my strengths and fortify my position. It has been the tradition since the founding of our pack, and breaking it feels like the world is sitting on my shoulders.

I stare at the ceiling, my heart heavy. Rose is sweet, she loves me fiercely, and I care for her deeply. But every time I look into her bright eyes, I am reminded of what I lack. Perhaps the moon goddess is erratic, testing me to see how long I can endure the yearning for someone who should have been mine.

"I’ll be back in a few hours!" Rose calls from the bathroom, her voice pulling me from my thoughts. She emerges, her hair perfectly styled and her face glowing with anticipation. After giving me one last kiss, she rushes to my desk to retrieve my credit card, a perk of being the alpha's son.

“Make sure you get Quinn and Deegon for dinner later! I really think they might find their chosen mates with Lavender and Lilly.” She adds, her excitement palpable.

“Sure.” I reply, though a lump forms in my throat as I watch her prepare to head out. As soon as she disappears through the door, my phone rings.

“Hey, Dad.” I answer, trying to sound cheerful.

“Hey there, kiddo! How's it going?”

“I passed my finals.” I can hear his pride through the phone, and it makes me feel a little lighter.

“That’s my boy! I'm so proud of you! I can’t wait to see you on spring break.”

“Thanks, Dad. I can’t wait either.” His optimism is infectious, momentarily lifting the darkness that looms over me.

“Only a couple more months, kiddo! Then you’ll be home and running the pack. Do you have everything for your trip?”

“Yep, we leave in the morning for the plane.”

“Call me immediately when you land.” I sigh, a hint of reluctance in my voice.

“I will, Dad, I promise.”

“Well, I have to go. Just wanted to check in. I'll meet you out there the last three days, okay? I’m hoping to have a big surprise for you.” I can’t stand surprises.

“What is it?”

“You’ll see, kiddo. You’ll see. Love you, son.”

“Love you too, Dad.” I say softly as the call ends.

Alone now in my apartment, the emptiness feels more heart rending than ever. I wandered to the window, looking out. The sun is setting, casting a golden glow, illuminating the mountains in the distance. How I longed for the kind of light that truly filled the void in my heart, a mate who was mine, with whom I could share this life.

A knock on the door jolts me from my thoughts. Quinn and Deegon enter my room. Immediately, they close their eyes, turning away.

"Bro! Will you cover that thing up?! No one here wants to see that!" Quinn says as they are grossed out. I laugh.

"I actually love watching him. The ladies really love him." I put on my jeans. "I'm covered!"

We all go and sit on the couches. I'm curious as to why they are here. I study them, trying to figure out what is wrong with them.

"Alright! What's going on?" I ask breaking the awkward silence.

"We're worried about doing this whole surprise visit to your dad. There has to be a reason he's kept us all away." Quinn says with worry lacing his words.

"I think we should tell your dad." Deegon adds in.

"No." I say annoyed, but I understand their reasoning. You two ready to head to dinner later?”

“Yeah, we’re all set. Lavender and Lilly are quite the catch, huh?” Deegon nudged Quinn.

“Maybe you should find a way to impress them!” I shot back, hoping to distract myself from my own broken heart.

As we chatted, a thought crosses my mind. I would give anything to have Rose’s joy be mine. The shopping trip felt like a Band-Aid over a deep wound, but it was life, I reminded myself. Love was complicated, with layers and instincts that led us down paths we never anticipated.

The evening air is crisp when Rose returned, still buzzing with excitement about shopping with the girls. She spun in her new dress, laughter spilling from her lips as she describes their adventures.

“Did you find anything intriguing?” I asked, not entirely focused but wanting to share in her happiness.

“Lavender picked out a few things for her upcoming birthday party. We’re planning a big celebration, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

“I’ll make sure to keep my schedule clear then.” I promise, wishing I could appreciate her excitement more.

“Good!” She leans in to give me a quick kiss, her warmth comforting in contrast to the chill running through me.

That night, as we settled into the club, I watched the flickering candles illuminate the table. Laughter flowed, and I felt momentarily swept up in the moment. I glanced over at Rose, her joy infectious.

Yet, lurking beneath the surface is that persistent heartache, that undeniable longing for what I will never have. As the evening wore on, I find myself watching Quinn and Deegon interact with Lavender and Lilly.

Maybe the moon goddess wasn’t done with me just yet. But amidst my internal struggle, I felt grateful to have Rose and her undying enthusiasm by my side, if only to remind me of what love could look like.

When Rose and I made it to the apartment, she passes out on the couch. I sit in the chair looking at her. My mind thinking about tomorrow.

My dad is going to get one hell of a surprise when we show up there tomorrow. It has been seven long years since I have been home. For some inexplicable reason, Dad has kept me away at school all this time. Even during breaks, he'd whisked me off on elaborate trips that felt more like punishment than adventure.

This year, though, is going to be different. Sure, I had planned on going on the cruise with my friends, plus Rose and her two companions, but that didn’t start until next week. I am determined to show up at my dad’s place for a surprise that will knock him off his feet.

But each time I think about home, my mind drifts to Ember. I remember the little girl when we first meet. Ever since then I have thought about her. I'm more curious as to what she has grown up to.

This puts more guilt in me. She murdered my mother. I'm suppose to hate her. Yet I have always felt the urge to protect her. I couldn't watch as they beat and tortured her. I wanted to rip everyone's head off that laid a hand on her, even my own father.

I need to find the answers to these questions about Ember. I just don't know who to ask. Everyone in my pack hates Ember.

Early the next morning, Rose and I loaded our gear into my extended cab Dodge Ram while the others funneled their belongings into Deegon’s SUV. It was only a nine-hour drive to the pack, but I felt like the weight of the years bearing down on me like a heavy storm cloud.

As I flew down the highway, I noticed Rose engrossed in her phone, snapping selfies as she scrolled through social media. I roll my eyes, slapping a hand on the steering wheel to keep time with the music blaring from the speakers. Impatience drummed through me until I hit a pothole, throwing Rose off balance.

“Will you slow it down?!” She yells, quickly fumbling to catch her bouncing phone. “I want to get back to see my parents in one living piece!”

With every little stop along the way, the inevitable bathroom breaks, the snacks, and the reprise of Rose’s selfies, it took us twelve long hours to finally arrive at the gates. Mark Jackson, the ever-dedicated head of perimeter security. He knows every person in and out of the pack. He greeted us with a raised eyebrow.

“Hey, Mark.” I roll down my window, the familiar scent of home wafting in.

“What are you doing here? Your dad said that you wouldn’t be back for two more months.” His tone is light, but there is concern in the creases of his brow.

“I’m here to surprise him. My friends and I are going to hang out for a week before heading out on the cruise.”

“Your dad doesn’t like surprises.” He cautions, half-smiling.

“Yeah, but I don’t think he’ll be mad at this one.” I lean back, feeling a rush of excitement fraught with nerves.

“Good luck, kid.” Mark waves us through. I can see the faint shimmer of the pack border ahead.

The moment I crossed that threshold, everything inside me altered. My wolf, Hades, awakes, leaping and prancing in my mind, urging control.

What the hell is wrong with you, Hades?

I can smell her! She’s here!

Who’s here?!

MATE! OUR MATE IS HERE!

The realization hits me like a bolt of lightning. I feel the blood rush from my head. I blinked hard, desperately trying to focus on the road.

Who could it be?

The anticipation is treacherous, spiraling around me like thick smoke as I pull up to the pack house. The familiar sight of it struck me with nostalgia. Vines intertwined in a brilliant display around the porch and tulips danced in the wind, sending bursts of color across the yard.

“Let’s make this memorable!” Rose leaned over, nudging me.

I straightened my back, smoothed my hair, and took a deep breath. Fear and excitement mingled within me as I stepped out of the truck. I hear the rattle of the doorknob, and my heart leaps. Dad steps outside, eyes widening as they land on me.

“What the...” He looks like he is about to have a coronary. A smile soon creeps across his face, lines of surprise etching into his features. “You’re home!” He rushes forward, wrapping me in a bear hug that nearly lifted me off my feet.

“Surprise!” I mumble, letting out a laugh.

Suddenly the most delicious scent hit me like a ton of bricks. All I can smell is strawberries and chocolate. I break free from my dad in search for the scent. Suddenly my heart plummets.

I approach my mate feeling dread seep into my bones. Chains are wrapped around her, binding her to the frozen Earth. Her body barely breathing.

She looks like a ghost, pale and shrouded in bruises, as if each mark told its own sorrowful story. The scent of decay clung to her skin, a truth I couldn’t bear to digest. I tore the chains from the pole, my hands trembling as I lift her into my arms. She feels so light. She is nothing more than skin draped over bones, a puppet with its strings cut.

“Hang on! I’m getting you help!” I race to the pack hospital.

Hades urging me forward as if his strength lent me wings. Each step echoes desperation. My heart pounds like a war drum. Bursting through the hospital doors, panic fills me like wild surges of electricity.

“HELP!” I scream, my voice raw. Staff members stare at us as if witnessing a ghost. “WHY ARE NONE OF YOU HELPING US?!”

“Because she is a slave.” The man with the name tag that reads Dr. Phillip Lupe says not knowing how to react. At that moment, a fire ignites within me, burning hot and fierce.

“SHE IS MY MATE!”

In an instant, the atmosphere shifts, and they rushed toward us, taking her from my arms with a sudden intensity. I follow them into the trauma room like a shadow, refusing to let anything stop me. A nurse tries to block my way, but when Hades roars to life within me. Growls escapes my throat, making her step aside.

The sight that met me is horrifying. They cut away her tattered clothes, revealing the full extent of her suffering. I can hardly breathe. The pit in my stomach churned violently as I want to scream out, to make it all stop.

I glance at the monitor; the readings are a death sentence. The heart rate is only registering fifty beats per minute, and when I saw the blood pressure reading, sixty over ninety, I feel bile rise in my throat.

The door flew open, as my father burst in, followed closely by Rose, Lavender, and Lilly. They all wore expressions straddling confusion and concern, but nothing could compare to the turmoil thundering inside me.

“What the hell is going on here?!” My father snaps. His eyes narrowing upon seeing the medical staff.

“She’s my mate, Father!” I growl, the weight of my words crashing down on the room.

“YOU'RE NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE! THAT IS MY BRIDE!” His voice ricocheted off the walls, echoing through my very bones.

Something in me snaps. I storm up to him, a pulse of raw instinct flowing through my veins as I punch him square in the face, feeling the shock pass through my entire being as he flies backward, knocking over medical carts and staff in his wake. No one had ever push me this far before.

But my satisfaction is short-lived. The heart monitor’s steady rhythm turned into an urgent beeping. My heart sank as fear gripped me.

“No! No!” I scream rushing back to her.

Doctors rush to her side as Lupe shouts commands. The nurses pump her with medications, prepping the crash cart. My body is paralyzed. Each shock they deliver tears my heart apart.

Please, let her live!

There, surrounded by chaos, I feel Hades's rage. He roars out within me. The pulse of her life proved to be too weak, but at the last moment, against the odds, her heart sprang back to life.

With sheer will, they stabilized her. The chaotic rhythm of life surged around us. The pulse beeps, and the whisper of hope overcoming despair. A sliver of relief washes over me. Lupe turns toward me, his expression grave.

“We’re taking her up to ICU!” He says, urgency dancing in his voice as we begin to move toward the elevator.

“What’s her chance?” I manage to choke out, feeling the walls close in around me.

“I honestly don’t know. She’s so malnourished, her body is on the brink. We’ll start IV vitamins and nutrients when we reach the second floor, but…” He hesitates, the weight of his words almost unbearable. “There is a very high chance that she will die.”

As the elevator doors slid closed, I stand there in a silence heavy as a mountain. My mate, my soul, is fighting for her life. All I can do is hope. Hope that love can bridge the distance between us, that it is powerful enough to heal the wounds inflicted upon her. As I clung to that hope, I realized that my battle had only just begun.

There isn't enough room in the elevator for me. I bolt for the stairs but Rose stops me. I growl at her as I can feel Hades mere inches of coming out.

“Flynn, what’s happening?!” Rose’s frantic voice jolts me out of my spiraling thoughts.

The sight of Rose's looming figure in front of me feels like a sudden storm, my plans derailing before I can even grasp them. I try to sidestep her, my heart racing against the tide.

“I found my mate! Now let me go to her!” Desperation punctuating my plea, but the fury on Rose’s face is palpable.

“I AM YOUR MATE!” Her words lash out.

She strikes me hard. The slap came swiftly, and I momentarily felt the anger swell within me. But I refuse to retaliate. It is against every fiber of my being to raise my hand against a woman, but more than that, all I can think about is my mate.

“She is your mother’s killer!” My father's enraged voice comes from behind me. I turn looking at him in pure horror. "That is Ember! You need to reject her!"

Even as I ran through every memory of that horrible day, all I can see is the still body of Ember, the enigmatic woman who had brought a new color to my indifferent world. I couldn’t face that truth, not while the very life of my mate hung in the balance.

I turn shoving Rose aside with enough force to propel me up the stairs, her cries fading as I sprint further away. Each agonizing step feels heavier, my resolve tested by the fear that I would come too late. As I reached the ICU, and all I can hear are alarms screaming more than the words ever could. I'm frozen in pure horror as I stand outside her room door. Lupe turns to me.

“GET IN HERE IF YOU WANT HER TO LIVE!” Lupe’s voice rings out like a beacon in the storm.

I practically throw myself into the room, and there she was, Ember, my mate. Her mouth slightly parted, her skin is as pale as the sheets that covered her slender form. The monitors flashed chaotic patterns, alarms beeping rhythmically to the deadly cadence of her vanishing heart. They are shocking her. Each jolt echoes in my own chest like a countdown to despair.

One of the nurses swept in, an unyielding spirit cutting through the panic, and hands me a chair. I immediately clutch Ember's hand, hoping our bond can reach her and bring her back to life, back to me. The beeping muted, and finally, with a surge of hope, I feel the spark of the mate bond against my palm. My heart relieved.

“She’s stable!” A nurse calls out, her voice breaking into my daze.

Just as I settle into the reality of hope, my father storms into the room, followed by Rose. I brace myself for the inevitable confrontation, rage simmering in his features. A little piece of me had hoped he would see reason.

“Flynn, I need you to step away from her!” He says, his voice deceptively calm.

“No!” I retorted ferociously. “She is my mate! I plan to protect her!” His glare hardens.

“She killed your mother!”

“Right now, I don’t care!” All I want is for Ember to open her eyes again.

“Reject her now, Flynn! You have a beautiful chosen mate here! She will be a great Luna for our pack!” I turn away, unwilling to hear any longer. I needed to focus on Ember. Nothing else matters. “Your choice will lead to ruin!” I still won't give in to his command. He storms away.

Rose, who stands there helplessly, tears streaming down her cheeks, finally fled from the room in a fit of sobs. I don’t blame her. Love can be cruel sometimes, but my heart is bound to Ember, a tether formed in the depths of the universe.

Gazing down at the still form before me. I can feel Hades howl sadly in my mind. He shares my grief, for he too recognized the weight of our bond, the vital connection meant to fuel both our souls.

“Please, Ember.” I whisper, feeling that familiar stifling pressure build within my chest. “Fight! Come back to me!” As the tears began to roll down my cheeks, I cling tighter to her hand.

My heart weighs heavy. Here is the person who murdered my mother and at the same time is my mate. I don't want to reject her but how can she ever be Luna. Plus if I'm suppose to reject her then why is my dad wanting her as a bride.

Don’t you dare reject her! She is our gift! The Moon Goddess has deemed it so! I don't believe it Flynn! She is our mate!

She is my mother's murderer! The courts proved it! Father is right! We should reject her!

DON'T YOU f*****g DO IT! I SWEAR I'LL NEVER SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN!

What should we do Hades?! The pack won't accept her!

Who gives a f**k about this pack?! She is our gift from the Moon Goddess! They will either get over it or we leave the pack! Besides she was thirteen years old when your mother died! How the hell can a thirteen year old girl stab someone twenty times?!

Torn between rage and heartbreak, I lean my forehead against Ember’s small, still hand, nothing mattered more than the fragile being lying before me. I love her.

The silence in the room is soon replaced by the sounds of the hospital carrying on even though my world is in utter chaos. I watch the monitors. It is the only thing I care to watch. Each beep and buzz filling my heart with hope.

Please live Ember! I swear that we will get to the bottom of all this!