The Alpha Twins; My Mates

No Take-Backs

Hayes

"I think she misses seeing you. Why aren't you meeting with her?" I asked my brother. He's been 'busy' and avoiding our mate, but Ruby definitely misses him, even if she won't admit it.

"Asia is back, and I froze. I just need time to think. Everything that happened keeps replaying in my head. It's crazy," he said, sadness clear in his expression.

"We should have banned her from the pack, as Dad wanted," I growled, feeling anger simmering in my blood.

"No, Mom would be heartbroken, Hayes. Besides, it wasn't a big deal… right?" Zylon seemed deep in thought, trying to convince himself it wasn't serious, but I could see it was weighing heavily on him.

"It was. Look at you, Zylon. Will you tell Ruby about it?" Horror spread across his face as he shook his head slowly.

"No, Hayes. I don't want to, and can we drop it?" I nodded and told him that our mate has been coming around more. I was shocked earlier in the night at the pub when she said she was accepting the bond. However, I didn't like her conditions; she didn't want to move in with us.

"Why won't she move in?" Zylon asked.

"She said we need to prove to her that we can be good mates."

"But we are great mates to her! We love her and protect her," he argued.

"Right, she's just being stubborn," I said, leaning back on the sofa. However, a smile appeared on my lips as I recalled her calling me her man. Zylon got up and poured us a drink, and I gulped it down.

"And what about her stalker? Do we have any information on them?" I asked Zylon.

"No. We reviewed the security footage at the Rothwell mansion, but there were no suspicious activities. However, there was some missing time," he explained.

"So, someone erased it. But who?"

"The security team said it could be a glitch," he said. I was worried about my mate. She trained every day and was at her strongest, but I still felt anxious. Some weirdo was out there watching her. It was time we provided her with security, which I knew she would strongly oppose, but she wouldn't have a choice. Someone needed to keep an eye on her every day when Zylon and I weren't around.

The following morning, I went to the training field. It was no surprise when I found Ruby hadn't arrived. After waiting for thirty minutes, I went over to her place and entered her bedroom to wake her up. She glared at me.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was groggy. I leaned down to kiss her lips, something that had come naturally to me. Her gaze widened, and she pressed her lips together, pushing me away.

"Morning breath," she grumbled, covering her mouth. She didn't have morning breath. What was she talking about?

"Really? I don't smell anything. Open your mouth, let me see," She opened her mouth to speak, and I captured her lips with mine, my tongue exploring her sweet mouth. She giggled into the kiss, wrapping her arms around my shoulders as she kissed me back. When I pulled away, I caressed her cheek. Her skin was so soft. It felt surreal that I was with her like this, that I was allowed to touch her and kiss her. I was scared that last night hadn't happened and that I just dreamed she accepted the bond. Oh gods, would she change her mind? She wouldn't, right?

"Last night, what you said about accepting the bond, you can't take it back—no take backs, okay?"

She chuckled but nodded, "No take backs."

"Great! Now change into gym wear. I'll wait outside," I instructed.

I was waiting in her driveway when Tate found me. "What are you doing here?" he asked, looking grumpy as hell.

"I'm here to get my mate. We're going to the training field," I was unable to hide the excitement in my voice. He groaned and ran a hand through his hair.

"She accepted you. No wonder she made that decision to stay in the pack," he murmured.

"She did," I grinned.

"Congrats."

"And you? What's been bothering you lately?" Tate had been distracted, which was unusual for him.

"Women, women, women," he sighed.

"A woman, you mean."

"No. I did something a few weeks ago, and it's consuming my whole being."

"Did you get Cindy pregnant?" I teased.

"Gods, no! No," The way he exclaimed made it sound like I had asked if he had committed a crime. "I kissed another woman, someone I shouldn't have, and now I can't stop thinking about her or that kiss. It's incredibly frustrating and annoying."

"Oh s**t, Cindy won't like that."

"No, she won't."

"And what's worse, I kissed her again last night. Me! I'm a f*****g i***t, and now everything has intensified, and I don't know what to do."

"Oh s**t. You're in a tough spot. What will you do?"

"I don't know, Hayes. I don't know. But ending things with Cindy is not on the table."

"Why not?"

"The first time I tried to break up with her a few years ago, she self-harmed and almost died. Her mental health is fragile, and I feel like I'm her anchor."

"Do you still love Cindy?" Tate and Cindy had been together for years and had been seen as THE couple for a long time. However, I noticed that Tate was now treating their relationship like a chore, something he felt obligated to be in because it was expected. He opened his mouth to answer, but then closed it again.

"I… I care for her, but…" he trailed off, stuttering. Just then, my mate walked out. My breath caught in my chest; damn, she was so sexy. My gaze lingered on every part of her. Just looking at her gave me a boner. s**t.

"You're not wearing that," I growled. Men would eye f**k her on the field, and I would have to kill my own men.

"I always wear this," she replied. She was right; she often wore shorts and sports bras, but this outfit seemed way too short. She walked past us, and I followed a step behind.

"So, will you two move in together?" Tate asked.

"She doesn't want to move in with us," I said, frowning as I glanced at her. I caught her rolling her eyes.

"For now," she added.

"Yeah, make them burn everything on their floor because…" Tate chuckled, letting his words hang in the air. I glared at my beta. Ruby shot me a fiery look.

"Tate," I said through clenched teeth.

"I'm just looking out for my sister," the bastard shrugged, grinning.

"We'll burn everything and buy everything new," I grumbled.

"Good." We resumed walking toward the training field. I was grumbling about how unfair it was that she wouldn't move in with us when Tate suggested a duel. The loser would grant the winner a wish. I instantly agreed, while she hesitated.

"Scared I'll win and you'll have to move in with me?" I taunted.

"I'm not scared of anything."

"Then let's duel,"

"There's nothing I wish from you," she breathed heavily.

"Really? Not even to know why Zylon has been MIA?" I said. She stopped walking, narrowing her beautiful gaze on me. I had her.

"Let's do it," she smirked.