Wanted By Two Alphas

Aria I had stood every year—every birthday—in this spot, waiting, believing that this time things would be different. This time I would find a mate, something that’s actually mine. The pack members were here because of Beta Rafael not me, their chatters filled the yard of our house, melding with the clinking of their glasses. I balled the fabric of the dress into my fist, a tightness coiled in my chest. My birthday celebration was almost coming to an end, yet there was no alluring scent or magnetic pull that would lead me to my fated mate. My gaze shifted to Alicia, who seemed to be enjoying my birthday more than me. And in no time she appeared before me. “No need, this birthday would end up like the rest. Alone and mateless,” she said, a sinister smile etching on her lips. Belying the nervousness knotting my stomach, I raised my chin. “This year will be different.” My voice was firm, even as I battled to believe my own words. Alicia arched a brow, feigning sympathy. “Oh, poor wolf, you can’t accept that you were just destined to be alone,” she stated. My jaw clenched. “You don’t have a mate either.” Alicia snorted, one so sharp it cut the air between us. “We aren’t the same. I rejected them because I already have someone. But you…,” she drawled, and her eyes raked over me. “You have never found one.” She leaned closer. “Even the moon goddess has abandoned you.” With those words, she swung around and left. Heat burned in my chest, and I wished I could smack her face for all the hurtful words she had made me swallow in the past years. But I couldn’t repay Beta Rafael’s kindness by hitting his daughter It wasn’t just the cruel word that tightened my stomach, but the truth in her words. I didn’t belong to anyone. I had never had anything that was mine. My father was a rogue, and my mother had abandoned me, leaving me to suffer the cruel stigmatisation of being related to him. Beta Rafael took me in, raised me as his own—at least as much as he did his daughter, Alicia. However, Alicia made sure I never forgot the truth. That he wasn’t my father and he would never be, and I would always be the daughter of a rogue. I exhaled. A useless attempt to shake off the effect of her words. I glanced around once more, searching for him, and I did. His tall figure made it so easy to find him no matter how crowded the room was. Talon’s ever-penetrating blue eyes that complemented his raven hair, his sharp nose, and his chiselled jaw only made him stand out more, giving him an ethereal feel. I had prayed to the moon goddess, morning and night, hoping she made Talon my mate. He was the Alpha’s son. The one person who made my heart pound and my breath halt. When I was in his arms, he was kind and his presence was warm. But the second it was over, he was the opposite—distant and cold. And still, it was better than nothing. The party passed in a blur, each second bringing us closer to the end of my once again uneventful birthday. My insides had clenched, and a bitter taste had filled my mouth. The acrid taste of disappointment. I should have been used to it, but I never was. Drowning in my pain, something hit me. The scent. A strong scent of pine and cedarwood. My legs moved on their own, and my heart thundered in my chest. Was this the smell of my mate? It had to be. Or else it wouldn’t be so magnetic—hypnotic. I wove my way through, occasionally bumping into other people. The scent had already clogged my senses, and not even a sorry slipped out of my lips. Front of the house, the scent was stronger now. More potent. I drew closer, and then my eyes fell on Talon’s tall figure, his blue eyes still highlighted even in the darkness around us. His breath came out ragged and his eyes darkened, it was obvious Talon could feel it too—the mate bond. This was it. Finally, the moon goddess had answered my prayers. A light feeling burnt in my chest. Talon was mine, and I was his. As I stepped forward, the pounds of my excited heart slipped into my ears. My hand clammed, reaching for him. The smile on my lips faltered, breaking into a thin line as Talon inched back. He didn’t reach out, nor did he smile. His eyes darkened further—Anger? Disgust? I still couldn’t tell. Then his eyes flickered away. To her. To Alicia, who stood behind me. When Talon’s gaze hardened, I knew what was coming. “I’m sorry we have to reject each other.” His voice came out, firm. Unbothered. I had always done my best never to cry before Alicia, to never let her enjoy the sight of my pain. But tonight, the dam broke, and tears sprinted down my face, burning the wet path it left on my face. “Talon.” My voice, without shame, cracked. “But…you…we…” My words tangled as I tried to make sense of what was happening. Was I a fool mistaking our time together for something more? “Why are you rejecting me?” I managed to force out words muffled by the pain in my throat. “Isn’t it obvious?” Alicia sauntered forward. “Because he has me.” She slid her arms around Talon’s waist. “But why? I am his mate, and you are…” I continued. “I always knew you had no brain cells.” Alicia rolled her eyes. “So let me do the math for you. You’re the daughter of a rogue, a lowlife, and I am the daughter of a Beta.” I swung my gaze to Talon, my breaths heavy with desperation. “Talon, please think...” “There is nothing to think about. You were just an experience and nothing more. You knew that. I knew that.” His words hit the air, heavy. “Let’s end this disgraceful situation.” Disgrace…that was all I was to him. “I, Talon Fletcher, reject you as my mate.” There wasn’t anything I could do now. He didn’t want me. I straightened my spine. “I, Aria Garrison, reject you as my mate.” Blue, my wolf, whimpered as a sharp pain rippled through us. I clenched my jaw and bore it. I had already fooled myself enough for tonight. With a victorious smile, Alicia pulled Talon away, leaving me with the cold, stale air. Our bond, or what was left of it, still whispered he was mine. But how could he be when he had picked Alicia? Just when I thought it was all over and I was nothing again, another voice broke silence. A male’s voice. Deep and warm. “A beautiful girl shouldn’t cry on her birthday.” As soon as my eyes fell on the man, I froze and my face turned pale.