The Alpha Twins Can't Have Me

Chapter 6: Unfazed

Juniper POV

The Blackthorn Pack was exactly as I envisioned it. A large white mansion-style home that was several stories high, perfect flowerbeds surrounding it, and freshly shaved grass with a white fountain in the front.

Cold and lifeless.

Boring.

"Where are the hellhounds?" I chirped as the boys gave loud exhales, sounding weary even though the trip here hadn't been overly long.

"This way," Malakai gestured, and I followed him behind the packhouse to a large structure which apparently housed quite a few hellhounds.

They were glorious. I watched with excitement as the mother's hackles rose and she glared directly at us, challenging us to touch her children.

"Don't touch her; she'll tear your hand off," Malakai began to warn.

I touched her. His mouth fell open, and he started to surge forward, but the mother did something unexpected, halting him in his tracks.

She sat on her hindquarters and nuzzled my hand, allowing me to pat her.

"She never lets anybody near her," Malakai breathed in shock, "what did you do?"

"Nothing. I just showed her I didn't pose a threat."

I moved past her and began to pat the puppies.

"Oh please, if she can do it, then so can I," I heard Draven scoff to his brother.

"I wouldn't," I warned him without turning around.

I heard a bellow of pain and glanced over my shoulder to see Draven clutching his hand, which was now bleeding profusely.

"I warned you," I said, still patting the puppies.

I sat down and let the hellhounds climb all over me, unable to hide the joy on my face.

One in particular caught my eye. He was a lot smaller than the others and a lot less rambunctious. He stayed on the edge of the enclosed room and peered at me, his tail slowly wagging.

He was the runt of the litter.

Mothers usually killed the runts within several weeks of giving birth to them.

It was instinctive. A runt would not survive for long in the wilderness, so killing them was almost like being merciful.

"That one," I pointed at the runt as the mother lay down, relaxing as her babies began to scramble back towards her, "I'll take that one."

The mother made no move to stop me as I grabbed him and stood up, holding him carefully in my arms.

I hopped out of the room and beamed at Malakai.

Draven was gone. Presumably to get medical attention.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, if he attacks you..." Malakai tried once more to change my mind.

I ignored him and headed to the house.

He rushed after me and opened the door. I stepped inside and surveyed the interior.

It was worse than outside. The walls were a sterile white, the light fittings overly bright, the floor made of marble, and expensive paintings littered the walls.

Boring paintings of balls of fruit and landscapes.

How could anybody live like this?

"I'll show you to your room."

Malakai directed me upstairs onto the highest floor and into a room at the end of the corridor.

I stepped into the middle, placed the little hellhound puppy down, and folded my arms across my chest.

"I'm not sleeping in the same room as you guys."

"You're our mate, and it's expected."

"I told you, I'm not interested in being your mate, and if you try to force me to do anything," I narrowed my eyes at him, "I'll cut your d**k off while you're sleeping."

I meant every word too.

Malakai paled instantly.

"Listen, we just want to share the same room as you. We won't try anything."

"Because I won't allow you to. Do you really think sharing a room with me and a hellhound is wise?" I pressed, and he looked at the puppy, his eyes conflicted.

"One night," he almost pleaded with me, "spend one night in this room and we'll take it from there."

"What's in it for me?"

"Um," Malaka appeared lost for words, "you get the pleasure of our company?"

I snorted.

"I already have company," I picked up the hellhound which I'd decided to call Reaper, "Reaper is infinitely preferable to the likes of you two. Better looking too." I added bluntly.

He looked offended.

Strange. I seemed to have that effect on them constantly.

They really needed to toughen up a little.

"Look, you can make any changes to the room you want," he proposed, wincing as he took in the dark furniture and linen in the room.

"Any changes?" I demanded.

"Any. We want you to feel comfortable too," Malakai sounded genuine and a little desperate.

Idiots. I can't believe they were about to let me go full on designer mode in this room.

The last time I'd attempted to change my bedroom, my mother had cried, closed her eyes, and swore it would never happen again.

Apparently my taste was not to her standards.

That room had looked like the bomb when I'd finished it, though.

It was a shame I'd left everything behind.

"What's my budget? Who's going to help me?"

"No budget, and I'll have several omegas sent up," Malaka was eager to please.

I frowned and looked at the darkening sky.

"There's not enough time to do everything. I'll do it tomorrow. In the meantime, you guys sleep on the floor," I pointed.

"The bed is big enough for three."

"I sleep sideways."

I was not apologetic in the slightest.

"We can do the same."

"I sleep fart."

I was not above being crude.

Malakai wrinkled his nose.

"I can live with that."

"I have nightmares and lash out with my fists."

"Then we'll comfort you."

"I sleepwalk."

"We'll lock the door."

"I make growling noises in my sleep."

"We sleep like logs."

"I sleep with a dagger beneath my pillow."

"Fair. You want to be safe."

Was this man for real? Could he not take a hint? Did I need to bash him over the head and knock some sense into him?

Reaper jumped onto the bed and neatly arranged himself in the centre.

"Reaper doesn't like to share. He might bite you while you're sleeping."

"Then he'll bite us."

Fuck sake.

"Anyway, get yourself acclimated to the room and then come downstairs for dinner. Bring Reaper if you must," he shot the puppy a look, "and there are new clothes in the closet already."

They worked quickly.

He walked out of the room and gently shut the door behind him.

I scowled and then walked to the closet, opening the doors and examining its contents.

Fucking dresses.

I pushed them aside and spotted several pairs of leggings and pretty blouses.

"That's better," I muttered and grabbed the first pair of comfortable clothing I could find.

I showered in the adjoining bathroom and got dressed.

The shirt irritated me. I didn't like the fabric.

I swore and pulled it off before glancing subtly at the chest of drawers in the room.

I stole a shirt from the boys. I didn't care whose it was. I only cared that it was flowy and comfortable.

It was too long, though, so I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut it shorter.

I examined myself in the mirror.

"Looking good," I said, pleased, liking the blue of the shirt against my skin.

I picked Reaper up. He gave a happy whine.

"Time to get some food in our bellies," I said cheerfully, "and maybe some alcohol to make us merry."

Reaper just nuzzled me.

I walked downstairs and then glanced around.

"Why is this place so f*****g huge. How do I find the dining room," I muttered to myself.

It was like walking through a damn maze.

At one point I debated leaving behind clues in case I lost all sense of direction.

"Whoever designed this monstrocity should be shot."

I found the dining room eventually.

I was late of course.

The twins were already seated at the table but shot to their feet the moment they laid eyes on me.

"Juniper, over here," Malakai gestured to the seat between them.

I sat at the centre of the table, away from them.

They glowered at me.

I put Reaper on my lap and studied the food intently.

"Juniper, come and sit where you belong," Draven snarled.

"I'm happy where I am. Besides," I said with nonchalance, "I can't reach the garlic mashed potatoes from there."

It was a reasonable excuse.

"Juniper so help me god," Draven exploded and then stalked around the table and began to grab me.

I bit him.

He cursed.

"Never interrupt me during a meal," I advised him as he stood there, "I'm like a gremlin when I'm hangry and right now I'm hangry."

He stomped back to his seat without another word.

I piled my plate up and snuck little tidbits of meat to Reaper.

We were both happy.

The twins were fuming though.