The Wolf Twins' Royal Mates

Chapter 4 MATE!!!(part three)

Chapter 4

Emmett

Her floral scent was all-consuming, delectable, smelling just like my mother’s garden but stronger, more mouthwatering.

In general, I would have preferred to have met my mate in a more presentable state than a lust-fueled craze but once Ren sensed her, I suddenly shifted back to myself just in time to go barreling into the goddess on the trail before me.

She made a small “Mmph” noise when I grabbed her, but she made no move to push me off of her. I clutched at her for what felt like forever but also not long enough.

She gently put her palms flat on my chest, sending even more electric shocks through me, and pushed lightly. I pulled back, but I caught both of her hands in mine, unable to break our physical contact.

“Hey,” she said dazedly, searching my face with her gorgeous green eyes. She looked confused, probably because she didn’t recognize me as a member of her pack. Her eyes alighted on my admittedly hardening d**k. She blushed bright red, averting her gaze, looking like the most adorable creature in the world.

I was honestly paying my nakedness very little attention. Wolves are generally used to it since we all end up nude after we shift back to our human form, and it’s not like I had any clothes to put on anyway.

I couldn’t keep an unbridled grin off my face, all of the stress of protecting Lorelei fading for the first time since Bane’s first attack.

I caressed her face and she leaned into my hand, humming softly. I needed to know her name, I needed to know everything about her. She was perfect. I ran my hands along every part of her body that I could reach, and she let me.

“Who—who are you?” she asked softly, her eyes drawn back to my face.

“Uh—” Everything came back to me at once, Lorelei, my mission, the danger. I could physically feel the bliss draining, twisting, turning into nausea sitting heavy in my gut.

Could I trust her? Could I tell her?

She’s our mate¸ Ren snapped, his first coherent thought since he caught a whiff of her.

I ached to spill everything, give her every part of me, but Bane’s spies could be anywhere. Being my mate didn’t preclude her from working for Bane. Being my mate didn’t mean she wouldn’t put Lorelei in danger.

Oh, for goddess’ sake, she’s a member of Thunderflood, Ren growled. There’s no f*****g way she’s a spy.

Still . . . Duty came before everything else. It would be so selfish of me to put my own happiness ahead of Lorelei’s safety.

The dazed look in my mate’s eyes faded as she realized I was hesitating.

She squinted at me, “Are—are you a rogue?” She didn't seem scared, even though rogues usually elicited fear in pack wolves.

I needed to say something. I’d yet to speak a word to her but, to be fair, I hadn’t been coherent in my crazed state. Maybe if she thought I was a rogue, then she wouldn't ask many more questions.

I cleared my throat, trying to guage her reaction to the prospect, “What if I was?”

She shrugged, “Then you can join Thunderflood as my mate.”

I winced, “I—I can’t join Thunderflood.”

“Why not?” She seemed defensive, “I know we're a small pack, but we're really open and accepting, and I'm sure you'll love it here once you get used to it—”

“No!” I cut her off sharply. I couldn't join Thunderflood, but more than that, I couldn't listen to her dream of a normal future with me when that would never be possible as long as Lorelei was in danger.

Ren growled at me loudly.

“What?” she pulled back, wrenching her hands out of mine, all her softness turning to anger. “What do you mean?”

Ren was whimpering at the loss of contact, and, honestly, so was I. The look of indignation mixed with hurt on her face was a blow to my chest.

I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s not safe right now—I’ve got a duty to protect—” I cut myself off. Even saying that was too much. “I just—you have to believe me, I want to but I just can’t.” I held my hands up helplessly, trying to convey how sorry I was.

“But I’m your mate?” she said it like a question, like she couldn’t believe what I was saying. “I could help . . .” she trailed off as she saw the resolve on my face. She looked so broken-hearted that I had to look away from her for the first time since we met.

“You can't,” I said firmly, “Not with this.” No way was I putting her in danger.

She ground her teeth. “Whatever it is, is it so important that you can’t even tell me your name?” she demanded, raising an eyebrow.

Lorelei and I had been using pseudonyms in Thunderflood, Lena for her and Elliot for me. I could tell her that, but lying to my mate about my name felt even worse than keeping it secret.

“Yes,” I said sharply, shrugging, still trying to convey in my expression how sorry I was. It’s not like I’m rejecting her, I just needed her to understand that I put duty before all else. It’s not personal. I could feel myself getting angry at her hurt. She was supposed to be my mate, shouldn’t that mean she would understand duty?

“Are you going to reject me, then?” she asked bitterly and Ren howled so loudly, so bone-chillingly, that I involuntarily let out a whine.

“Of course not!” I stepped forward, grabbing her shoulders again. She was wearing a tank top and shocks of pleasure spiked up my arms from where we touched. I gently rubbed her skin with my thumbs, unable to help myself.

She didn’t push me away. I think she was enjoying the sensation just as much as I was.

I tried to give her a smile. “What’s your name?”

Her face changed immediately, turning hard. She jerked away as if my touch was suddenly abhorrent.

Ren whined again.

“Azalea,” she snapped, “Azalea LaFleur.”

A flower. My little flower.

“I’m a member of Thunderflood, and you obviously are not,” she crossed her arms over her chest, taking another step back. “I’m sure it will be easy to find me when you decide to quit being an asshole.” She turned on her heel and started running back down the path in the direction we’d come.

Ren urged me to follow her, apologize, kiss her, mark her, anything.

Sorry, Ren, I said, turning in the opposite direction to finish my perimeter, in human form this time because I didn’t trust Ren not to chase her.

At least I’m not an asshole, Ren retorted. I told Ivy my name.

I sighed through my nose, Ivy is her wolf, I take it.

Yes, Ren confirmed smugly, She’s glorious.

So is Azalea, I found myself grinning at the feel of her name, even in my thoughts.

And that’s what you’re denying her. Ren reminded me.

Did you tell Ivy— I started, suddenly worried.

Of course not, Ren barked. I probably should have, but I don’t undermine you like that. There’s no danger in her knowing my name since almost no one knows it. If you don’t make up with her soon, though, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.

I pursed my lips at that, but honestly, I wasn’t sure how long I could hold out either. I was already missing her. The cool air had softened my d**k, but even the thought of her scent, of her body in my arms, sent me stirring again.

Holy s**t, this screwed up all the plans.