The Alpha Twins; My Mates

Tension

"Good evening, Alphas," I greeted, ensuring my voice was steady and my emotions kept at bay. They were silent. The atmosphere was thick with tension. With a glance, I caught Henry's eye. He seemed to find the situation amusing. "Henry, can we leave now? I could use some fresh air," He didn't wait to be told twice. The waiter rushed to us as though he had been on standby all along.

Henry paid, and as I turned to leave, a hand grabbed my elbow and sparks shot through my skin. Zylon was holding me. My heart just knew it was him, and so did my wolf. I whipped my head to him in anger, but the look on his face rendered me speechless momentarily. So raw, and sad... Very sad. His eyes were sad, too.

"Don't touch me," I muttered. I hated the slight tremble in my voice. I yanked my arm from his grasp. His hold wasn't tight.

"You're playing with fire, you know that, right?" Hayes remarked, his voice filled with a dangerous undertone.

"I like the burn," I whispered defiantly, intertwining my fingers with Henry's as we stepped out of the restaurant.

Even as we exited, I could feel their intense gaze boring into my back

The night air enveloped us as Henry and I strolled through the park, the serenity of the setting contrasting with the turmoil inside me. The moonlight filtered through the trees, creating a peaceful scene, yet I couldn't shake the sensation of being watched.

"Zylon," Henry whispered as if reading my thoughts. I fought the urge to glance back at him. I refused to give him the satisfaction of acknowledgment. Let him lurk in the shadows. I would not validate his presence.

The next morning, we stood in the driveway, saying my goodbyes to Henry and Kyle as they prepared to return to the Jade Moon Pack. I pulled them into a tight embrace, promising to see them soon.

While still in the driveway, a sleek black car pulled up. The doors opened, and my alpha mates stepped out. My heart, my foolish heart, skipped at their presence.

"Why are they here?" Beth sneered, her distaste palpable. She had never liked the alpha twins, a sentiment that only intensified when she learned they didn't want me as a mate five years ago, "Should I take off my earrings?" she seethed, moving forward. My brother caught her wrist gently, "Calm down, Holli Would, with the red hair," he teased, using his quirky nickname for her. Beth, with her sexy, voluptuous figure and long, bright layered hair falling artfully around her face, glared daggers at Tate. My brother only winked at her. The two bickered whenever they were in each other's presence.

The alpha twins stepped closer, their expressions unreadable.

"Came to make sure I leave?" Henry snickered.

"And not return," Hayes barked, his tone low and threatening. I narrowed my gaze at him, my annoyance simmering.

"I don't plan to. Why would I want to, especially when Rue is joining me in my pack?" Henry shot me a gentle smile that melted my heart, even amid the heated moment.

Hayes growled in response. "She's not transferring from this pack, ever," he asserted.

"You have no right to hold her here if she doesn't want to be here," Henry shot back. Hayes stepped forward menacingly, and beside me, Kyle readied himself, a protective stance to defend his alpha if it came to it.

"Ruby Rue is not just a mere member of this pack. She's a Rothwell and successor to her father's position," Zylon interjected calmly, though I could see his jaw ticking.

"And your mate. The Luna of the pack?" Henry asked, glancing between the two alpha males, his voice steady but challenging.

My mates fell silent.

'They can't even admit we're mates in front of my family and friends,' I thought.

"You're unable to admit your bond; hence, you have no claim to her. I will find a witch to sever your bond to her, and I will take her as my chosen mate and Luna," Henry boldly declared. His words stunned me and everyone else. That was so bold to say to another alpha about his mate.

Both Hayes and Zylon began to advance towards him, fury evident in their eyes.

"No!" I interjected, stepping between the alphas and Henry. "It's getting late. You should leave," I said gently to Henry, not wanting to witness a fight in my home.

He kissed my temple, and his fingers reached out to touch the end of my long braid, inspecting it for a heartbeat, "I'll wait for you, R3."

I watched them get in their car and leave. Beth held my hand, and we went inside the house.

Once inside the kitchen, the comforting aroma of my grandmother's famous lemon cupcakes filled the air. She was busy whipping up another batch when the three men stepped in, instantly making the spacious kitchen feel constricted. I kept my focus on Beth as she rambled on about her job and how unbearable her boss was, but my body instinctively froze when Zylon took a seat on my left and Hayes on my right.

Tate, oblivious to my distress, busied himself making tea behind the counter.

'Why are they here? I thought you weren't speaking to them,' I asked my brother via mind-linked.

'I'm still pissed at them for what they did to you. They are not here as friends but as alphas to discuss with their beta,' he replied. Before I could respond, Hayes reached for a cupcake from the tray, only for my grandmother to turn around and swat his hand with a spatula, sending him recoiling back.

"No cupcakes for you," she scolded, pointing at the brothers with a fierce glare.

"Aouch," Hayes muttered, nursing his wrist.

"Lucky I used my spatula. My original plan was to poison you and gouge out your eyes," she sneered.

In the corner of my eye, I caught Zylon's eyebrows shooting up in surprise at my grandmother's feisty spirit.

Grandmother put two more cupcakes on my plate and Beth's with a sweet smile.

"What about me?" Tate inquired, a hopeful grin plastered on his face.

"Here you go, dear," she replied, handing him four cupcakes. He beamed at her, taking a huge bite and enthusiastically kissing her cheek. Zylon attempted to take one of the cupcakes from his plate, but Tate swiftly pushed it out of his reach.

" Go eat at your place," he murmured childishly.

Exhaling softly, I stood abruptly from the barstool, my emotions overwhelming me,

' Forgive me,' I heard a low, animalistic voice say. I didn't recognize it. But from my wolf's reaction, it was probably Hayes's or Zylon's wolf.

"You smell like that goodie fucker Henry. It's rancid," Hayes murmured. My fist clenched, and I saw red. I was going to die for attacking my alpha.