Rendered

Chapter 11

Kenny's POV

It had been five long years since I last laid eyes on the Nene twins, Tiny and Tony. Back then, they were inseparable, always by each other's side. Tony, well, he was known for his impulsive nature. He never hesitated to act, often without giving it much thought. In his world, whatever he decided became the ultimate truth. It was both fascinating and worrisome. Tiny, on the other hand, was the epitome of calculation. She possessed a sharp mind, always analyzing every situation with precision. Like a goddess, she radiated beauty and grace. But beneath that exterior, there was a fierce determination that she fearlessly displayed. She had a way of asserting herself without hesitation, never afraid to stand up for what she believed in. Yet, in moments that demanded humility, she knew exactly how to play her cards right.

The Nene pack was renowned for two things: the extraordinary beauty of its women and the fertile grounds they inhabited. Nestled within their land was a prosperous gold mine, making them the leading exporters of this precious metal. Tiny, the enigmatic twin, and I managed to maintain a semblance of contact, albeit solely through phone conversations. Our discussions revolved solely around business matters, leaving no room for personal connection. As one of the major investors in their mining venture, our ties remained rooted in financial interests. Returning to this place once more stirred up a whirlwind of memories, both pleasant and regrettable. Some recollections evoked a sense of nostalgia that I wished I could forever leave in the depths of the past. On the other hand, there were instances that I found utterly unacceptable, moments I yearned to erase from existence.

We passed through the imposing gate of the Nene pack and made our way towards the pack house. Standing outside were Tiny and a man whom I presumed to be Carlos, patiently awaiting our arrival. Nuzo and I stepped out of the car after parking it near the entrance. "Welcome, Ken! It's wonderful to see you again," Tiny exclaimed, embracing me warmly. I returned the hug, greeting her and Carlos. "It's great to be back. This is Nuzo, my Beta. Nuzo, meet Tiny, the Alpha's twin sister, and Carlos, her cousin," I introduced them. "I am now the Gamma, and Tiny has become the Beta," Carlos proudly announced. "Oh, Tiny, you've certainly shattered all the rules known to mankind," I teased, a playful smile on my face. Tiny kept her hand around my waist and guided us inside the house. "You know me, Ken. Out of everyone, you should have expected it. You know I always get what I want," Tiny responded with a mischievous wink. "I always pictured you as an Alpha, but being a Beta suits you just fine," I interjected. Tiny burst into laughter, "Hahaha, I forgot how much of a jokester you are. I suppose it's been so long, hasn't it? Five years?" she asked. "Indeed, it has. But you still look as ravishing as ever. With your looks alone, you could win a battle without lifting a finger," I joked. Tiny didn't take offense; instead, she played along. "I would play the role of a damsel in distress. While they're all distracted, we strike," Tiny said, a sly smile on her face. "I know your fighting skills are top-notch. I bet you've become ten times stronger now," I commented. "You bet I have, Ken," Tiny replied confidently. "We've prepared your rooms for you. You mentioned staying for three days, right?" Tiny inquired. I smiled at her before responding, "Yes, we did, although we've already made arrangements at a hotel." Tiny shook her head in disagreement. "Nonsense! I won't allow you to sleep in a hotel when you have a home here," she insisted, determination in her eyes.

Throughout the conversation, it seemed like Carlos and Nuzo had been unintentionally excluded. Realizing this, I turned to them to say something but Tiny was not done talking. "By the way Ken, Tony will be back tomorrow. He had to attend a business meeting. But his mate, Luna Rachel, is here. You'll meet her during dinner." Tiny and I led the way up the stairs to the second floor, where the rooms were located. The first door after the stairs was designated for Nuzo, while I was assigned a larger room at the far end of the hallway. After dropping off our bags, we reconvened in the sitting room.

Tiny instructed Carlos to take Nuzo for a walk around the pack to show him the surroundings. Meanwhile, Tiny and I remained in the room, catching up on lost time. A woman entered the room, bringing us refreshments and a light snack. It seemed like an excessive amount of food for just the four of us. As we sat and enjoyed the refreshments, Tiny brought up the topic of finding a mate. "So, after all these years, you're still searching for your mate?" she inquired curiously. I took a moment to collect my thoughts before responding, "I had stopped actively searching and instead focused on growing my pack and businesses. I must say, I've done a remarkable job in that regard. However, the elders and my mother are eager for me to produce an heir. Instead of marrying just anyone, I wanted to make an effort to find my true mate. If I don't find her, then I'll consider marrying whomever they choose."

Tiny's eyes seemed to drift off for a moment as she contemplated my words. Then, with a determined glint in her eyes, she said, "I am unmated. I lost my mate two years ago in a rogue attack. If you're searching for a mate who can be your equal, I'm here." Her offer took me by surprise, and I couldn't help but consider the possibility. "If I don't find my true mate, I will definitely take your offer into serious consideration. But in that case, your brother will have to manage without you," I responded, a playful tone in my voice. We both burst into laughter, enjoying the lighthearted moment.

"So, what did we miss?" Carlos asked as he settled down next to Tiny, and Nuzo took a seat next to me. I paused for a moment, trying to gauge the right way to respond. Tiny took the lead, her voice filled with delight as she shared our conversation. "Well, I was just telling Ken that if he fails to find his mate, I'll gladly step in as his Luna. We would make a strong and beautiful couple, don't you think so, Nuzo?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Nuzo, taken aback by the sudden question, almost choked on his food before composing himself and responding, "Yes, of course! You two would make a marvelous couple." His answer seemed hesitant, as if he was still trying to process the situation.

Carlos, with a playful glint in his eyes, directed his comment towards Tiny, saying, "I bet you're secretly praying that Ken doesn't find his mate so you can continue what you started back then." Tiny burst into laughter and confidently replied, "I always get what I want. I'll overcome any obstacle in my way." She then turned her gaze towards me and continued, "Ken knows that all too well. Just like my family, he had to find out the hard way." Carlos and I exchanged awkward glances, not quite knowing how to respond. Feeling the tension in the air, Nuzo spoke up, trying to lighten the mood. "So, Tiny, when exactly did this infatuation with Kenneth start? How old were you?" he inquired, directing the question at Tiny. She took a moment before answering, "The crush started when I was a teenager. I overheard my father and uncles talking about Kenneth's strength and power as a young Alpha. They showered him with praises and spoke of how fortunate the girl who becomes his mate would be. My father held on to the hope that it would be me." She trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken. Nuzo, sensing the unease, asked innocently, "What happened that's making everyone uncomfortable?" The room fell silent, and for a moment, I hoped that Tiny wouldn't delve any further into the topic.

“I meet Ken when I was 13, at first site I wanted him. He did not spare me his time nor even looked at me. However, he played swords with Tony. So, I learned to fight so he could notice me. When he came to visit again I was 15. I could not wait to show him my fighting skills. I pulled him from the sitting room to come play swords with me. My mom scolded me that a lady does not behave that way, man find it repulsive. But Ken said its ok, he did not mind. We went to play sword fighting. He commented me on how good I was, but Tony had to come and disturb us. That evening I saw Ken entertaining a girl. I realized that fighting skills were not enough. So, I asked the lady who attended me to teach me about men and what they love. She did.” Tiny paused and took a sip of the drink and then continued. “When Ken came to visit the 3rd time, I was 16 years. Instead of trying to get his attention I decided to surprise him with breakfast in the morning. I tried to kiss him, but he stopped me and told me I was too young. I must focus on enjoying being a teenager instead of wasting time on older men and that I will have many years of being an adult”

At this point I wished Tiny could stop talking, so I pretended to be tired. “I am tired, I think I will go rest before dinner,” I stated. Tiny shut me up and told me I was lying, I just don’t want her to stop tell the story. She continued anyways. “That evening I spiked his drink, showed up to his room and gave him the time of his life. I believe I was the last person you exchanged bodily fluid with?” Tiny asked with a mischievous voice. “If not, then I am pretty sure I was your best. No one has matched up to me,” she stated with confidence. I stood up and left. I did not want to have this stupid conversation. Sure, I messed up by sleeping with a 16-year-old at 24 years, but I did not need her broadcasting it to the whole world like it was a victory. I will have to talk to her about it tomorrow. Nuzo is the best I have ever had in bed.

Later that night, Tiny paid a visit to my room, seeking a conversation. As soon as she entered, I made it clear to her that I didn't appreciate her sharing such personal matters without my consent. I reminded her that I am an Alpha first and foremost, and I value my privacy and personal boundaries. She quickly realized her mistake and apologized sincerely, promising that she would never overstep her boundaries again. After our conversation, we decided to unwind and share a moment of relaxation. We poured ourselves two glasses of whisky and stepped out onto the balcony, enjoying the cool night breeze. We chatted about lighter topics, catching up on life and reminiscing about old times. As the clock struck 11 pm, Tiny bid me goodnight, giving me a peck on the cheek before leaving my room. It was a simple, friendly interaction, and we both understood the importance of maintaining a respectful distance.