Seven Mates

The Seventh Scent.

Why me? I wasn’t important—just a worker trying to survive. Did they mistake me for someone else? I looked up..., and my heart nearly stopped.

One of them smiled, stood up with a calm wave of his hand, and a chair appeared behind him out of thin air. He sat down smoothly, crossing one leg over the other as he adjusted his suit.

Alphas with magic? Wait—magic was banned 200 years ago.

Then one of them, appearing before me, leaned forward and smiled.

“You’re finally awake. From your face, I can tell you recognize me, Rieka. Or has your memory failed you?”

“How do you know my name?” I asked, heart pounding. I recognized them? How?

“That’s such a stupid question. You know who I am, and I can take your life whenever I want.”

Werewolves aren’t allowed to use magic anymore. Two hundred years ago, it destroyed too many clans—it became forbidden. So why were they using it like it meant nothing? Unless… Then it hit me. No way. I recognized them. I’d seen them on TV. Heard people whisper their names like they were legends. There was something about them. Something that made them feel ancient. Not just old… timeless. Like they’d existed long before the clans, the laws, and the wars. Before the world even remembered what fear truly was.

The Seven.

The most powerful Alphas in the Red Lycan Pack. Untouchable. Unbeatable. Worshipped like gods. They controlled the elements, had powers even Lycans and ancient vampires feared. They could bring fire from the sky, crack the mountains, and some say they could even bring back the dead. Nobody messed with The Seven and lived.

And now... I was right in front of them.

They were staring at me, and my wolf was going crazy. My eyes changed color, my claws pushed out, my fangs grew longer. My body was reacting—defending itself. Tears welled up in my eyes.

No... no, no, no.

This couldn’t be happening. They can’t be…

“What do you want?” I asked sharply, turning my eyes away from them. I knew how dangerous they were.

My mates. All six of them? It didn’t feel real. It seemed impossible. He could have anything he wanted.

He was Lyall—Alpha of the Red Lycan Pack. His long red hair draped over his shoulders, and a silver ring pierced his nose, connected by a thin chain to his ear. His eyes were a deep, glowing red. He was strong, his pale skin stretched over defined muscles. His voice was calm, but carried weight. And his scent… it was strangely captivating. Still, I wouldn’t let them claim me. Not by them. Not by anyone.

Why does my life have to end up this way? I didn't ask for any of this.

“Look me in the eye, Rieka,” he said. His red eyes burned. “We’re all your mates. From now on, you’ll do as we say. No questions.”

“Never,” I snapped, filled with rage. But my wolf ignored me.

She was thrilled, howling in excitement. She didn’t care what I wanted. She didn’t care that I hated fated mates with every part of me.

“You really think you can refuse the seven of us?” Lyall laughed. “You can’t. And it would take nothing for me to suck the life out of you and leave you dead on the ground.”

Seven? What?

I looked around. Only six of them were in the room. But I could smell seven. The scent of the seventh was here. Where was he? I didn’t care. Seven mates. Not one. Seven. What the hell was I? A machine? A toy? I’m not here for anyone’s pleasure. I’m not some mindless doll they can play with. How do I get out of here?

“Do your worst,” I hissed. “I don’t give a damn who you are. f**k the Moon Goddess! Was she drunk or high when she chose seven mates for me? You must be insane to think I’ll accept you after kidnapping me like this. You want me to obey? This is abuse! This is against my rights.”

“You’re not human, Rieka. You have no rights. You’re a hybrid,” he corrected.

“I don’t care,” I growled. “Let me go. I have work to do. I don’t sit around like you.”

“You won’t be working anymore. We’ll provide everything you need.”

“You don’t have the right to decide my life,” I snapped.

Lyall smiled. “We need you, Rieka. And in return, we’ll let your parents go. Your sister too.”

My heart dropped.

“My... parents?” My voice cracked. Stomach twisted. Cold sweat ran down my spine.

With a snap of his fingers, they appeared. My parents and Ylva.

Tied up.

Ropes around their wrists. Tape on their mouths. Hanging from poles. Below them, a hole in the ground opened, filled with fire. They were crying. Pleading with their eyes.

“You… You took them…” I couldn’t breathe.

“We’re the Alphas of this city,” Lyall said darkly, moving to them. “If you don’t listen, we’ll kill them. You’ll get to watch them burn. Like meat on a stick.”

He flashed in front of me, the air from his movement brushing past my face. He grabbed my chin, his claws digging into my skin. He wasn’t joking. They were like meat on a stick.

“Think carefully,” Lyall whispered. “No one’s coming. Scream all you want. You’re all alone.”

“We should just kill her already,” Olcan muttered. “I don’t play games with mates. If she’s not willing, I’ll end her.”

Olcan. The third one. Another hybrid. Known for controlling others like puppets. I glared at Lyall.

“I dare you. Kill them,” I said coldly.

Everyone froze.

“If you don’t, you’ll regret it. Do whatever you want. Kill me. Kill them. I don’t care. They were never actual parents to me. If you really knew me, you’d know that.”

Lyall’s eyes narrowed. “You’re even more stupid than I thought.” Then he slapped me. Hard.

“KILL YOURSELF,” he commanded.

My whole body locked. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.

“RAISE YOUR HAND.”

My hand rose on its own from the chains, coming down my arms. I couldn’t stop it.

He stepped forward and shoved a dagger into my trembling hand.

“Now go. Walk to them. Slice them open. Let their blood pour. Eat their flesh. Drink their souls.”

No. No. What was this?

I was a hybrid. They weren’t supposed to control me. Why couldn’t I stop my hands?

“It’s useless,” Lyall said. “I’m one of your mates. You’ll obey. The more you fight it, the more it kills you.”

I was shaking. My heart pounded. Skin was shifted. Furs grew on my skin. My claws stretched out.

“I thought you wanted them dead,” Lyall whispered in my ear. “They hurt you, didn’t they? This is your chance. No more pain. Just kill them.”

“Stop it,” I gasped, crying out. My arm was on fire. It burned like lava was inside me.

“KILL THEM, and I’ll stop the pain. Refuse, and I’ll cut off your hand myself.”

Olcan stepped in, laughing.

“I’ll eat her hand,” he said. “Let’s see what hybrid flesh tastes like.” He leaned in, sniffing me like a wild beast.

“You monsters!” I screamed. “Let me go!”