The Alpha Twins; My Mates

Date

I took my time getting ready, carefully applying my makeup for a soft and elegant look. I straightened my natural, wavy curls and slipped into blue jeans with a white off-the-shoulder top that exposed my belly button. To complete the ensemble, I added stiletto heels. Tonight, I was having a date with Henry. He had texted to remind me about settling a long-standing debt.

As I entered the foyer, I found Henry waiting for me. His eyes lit up to see me.

"You look gorgeous," he complimented.

'You could have worn the dress I laid out for you,' my mother mind-linked.

I shot her a playful glare, then kissed her cheek before taking Henry's warm hand and stepping into the cool evening air.

We arrived at a luxurious five-star restaurant within our pack territory. The ambiance was inviting, with soft lighting casting a golden glow and the sound of gentle laughter filling the air. We were seated at a quaint corner table with a stunning view of the bustling pack buildings through the glass façade.

Henry, ever the attentive date, ordered a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon—my absolute favorite wine. I felt a warm rush sweep across my cheeks as the waiter poured, recalling the memories of my twenty-first birthday when Henry and I had crossed beyond the boundaries of friendship. I had so much of the wine that I ended up losing my virginity to him.

His slight smirk revealed he was reminiscing about that night, too, a shared secret lingering between us.

We clinked our glasses, a soft "Cheers" passing between us before I took a sip.

"Lovely," I murmured, savoring the flavor.

"Indeed," he replied, leaning back slightly.

"When do you head back to your pack?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, are you coming with me?" His gaze held hope and desperation, but I shook my head. I couldn't join him without my alphas' permission. Crossing that line could spark a war.

"You know I can't, but I promise I'll come once I get their approval," I assured him with a smile, though it faltered at the worry etched on his features.

"They won't allow it," he said, shaking his head. My stomach twisted into knots.

Another waiter approached our table. He greeted us with a friendly smile and asked if we were ready to place our order, so we quickly placed our order.

Silence hung between Henry and me for a moment, an unspoken tension brewing. Then, he broke it cautiously. "Rue, you have to reject them."

His words crashed over me, making my heart sink.

'No!' Ria exclaimed.

Reject my mates? The very idea felt like heresy. Our wolves were bound to each other; rejecting them would mean our wolves would live forever in sorrow, or they might leave us. I couldn't do that! The consequences of rejecting mates were dire.

"I—I can't," I stuttered, my resolve wavering. As Henry reached across the table to touch my hand, a sudden shift in the atmosphere sent shivers across my skin. My wolf tore down the walls I had created between us, and she howled in happiness. I knew instantly that my mates had entered the restaurant.

I turned slowly to look. They were striding confidently into the room, their presence magnetic and striking. Their eyes instantly found mine without searching, and then their gaze simultaneously lowered to Henry and my interlocked hands. I used everything in me to peel my gaze off them as two waitresses went to them with eager smiles. I could feel their blazing eyes on me, the warring of their wolves to see me with another man—another alpha. Our bond was that strong, even though we had not completed the mating process. They were seated directly across from our table.

Cindy, Begonia, Mary, and the Gamma followed closely behind, but I noted the absence of Tate, likely sulking due to a recent fallout. The vast restaurant space suddenly felt stifling, as if the walls were closing around us.

Why did they have to be seated at a table so near ours? Henry squeezed my hand reassuringly,

'I'm good,' I nodded to assure him. The waiter came out with our food.

As delicious as it was, I couldn't enjoy it. My stomach was churning, and not in a good way. The alpha's scents overpowered my nose.

"Kyle tells me that the Red Devils are making fun of you for losing three times in a row," Henry said, attempting to divert my attention. I appreciated the effort.

"We tied in the third competition, but we could have won if you had jumped the Jade Falls with us, i***t," I replied, a playful glare crossing my face as I took a deep gulp of my wine. The shaman had insisted that a daring jump into the waterfalls—naked—would ensure our victory.

"That man wasn't a shaman, Rue. He just wanted to see you naked, and you fell for it,"

A pair of familiar growls erupted from the table beside us, drawing my attention to Hayes and Zylon. Their expressions were filled with barely contained rage. It was clear they could snap at any moment.

"You could have jumped with us, and we could have found out," I teased, relishing the banter. "Besides, it's not like you haven't seen me naked,"

Henry's face paled before a hint of color crept into his cheeks—a blush? The sound of chairs scraping against the marble floor startled us, and I looked up to see my mates standing, their movements purposeful as they approached. I felt an instinctive surge to stand and face them, my heart pounding fiercely in my chest. They froze in their tracks as we stared at each other.