The Alpha Twins Can't Have Me

Chapter 9: Stubborn

Malakai POV

It's heaven, and it's hell being this close to her. I can smell her intoxicating scent and feel the warmth of her body through her blanket as I cuddle next to her. The floor is hard and slightly cold, but I don't care. I'll take any chance I can to get close to my mate, even if I have to suffer.

I'm already half in love with her. She's not like the other girls who constantly throw themselves at my brother and me. She's genuine. Sincere. Kinder than any other girl I've seen, and there's a wildness about her that only intrigues me rather than repels me.

She's perfect.

I pull her closer to my chest and listen to the soft breathing sounds as she sleeps soundly.

I can't help but stroke her hair.

So silky, so soft, and so dark, like midnight.

It was beautiful, just like the rest of her.

"You're getting soft, Malakai," Draven spoke from behind me on the bed, "it's not a good look on you."

So he hadn't slept either yet. The pain was gone from his voice and was now colder, his mind fixated on his thoughts that he began to say out loud.

"As opposed to being hot-tempered?" I didn't even look over my shoulder at him, knowing I had hit a nerve.

"She's clearly not going to accept being mates with us. Maybe it would be better to reject her and find a chosen mate that's more accommodating," Draven growled.

He was cold as ice. Unmoved, unlike before when Juniper had confessed her innermost fears to us. I wanted to smack him for being so damn idiotic.

I wouldn't even entertain the idea of rejecting Juniper, and he already knew it. I didn't want another mate; I wanted Juniper. I wanted the girl who kept life interesting, who refused to bow to societal norms and kept me guessing what she might do next.

"Reject her if you want to," my voice was firm, "but I won't, Draven. Find a gold digger who only wants to be Luna as your mate if you want to, but I'm staying faithful to our fated mate."

"I could make Liana my chosen mate," Draven hissed, "at least she's willing."

I knew he was lashing out, but it still pissed me off.

"Juniper is willing, just not wanting to be taken for granted. You've always discarded girls like rubbish, Draven. Now that one is standing her ground and demanding respect, you can't take it, can you? You're too used to being in charge and in control," I answered. "It angers you that you have to put effort into this relationship."

"It angers me that she's so frustratingly ignorant of how the mate bond is supposed to work," he snapped. "The moon goddess has clearly made a mistake this time. She's too wild to be Luna."

"That's your opinion. I would rather have the girl who is honest and sincere than one who lies and manipulates to get what she wants. Liana isn't as innocent as you think she is, Draven. She's always had designs on you."

My voice was filled with disgust. I might have grown up with Liana, but I wasn't oblivious to her manipulations like Draven was.

Juniper rolled slightly in her sleep, and we both went silent for a second.

Thankfully, she stayed asleep.

"I'm not naive, Malakai. I know that Liana has feelings for me. I just haven't acted on it. Truth be told, I'm not sure I want to," he admitted. "I just feel like Juniper is never going to accept us and agree to become Luna. I'm also afraid she's going to hurt herself by being so reckless all the time."

"She's used to being alone," I defended her. "Her own mother couldn't wait to get rid of her. She doesn't know anything else, Draven."

"Then we teach her," Draven proposed.

"No," my voice went dark, "I won't change Juniper when she's perfect as she is."

"Fine, don't. But I will make sure she's protected from our enemies and from harming herself," he growled, "and whatever else is necessary."

"What are you planning to do?"

"She'll be heavily guarded everywhere she goes. Two men at all times. " I need peace of mind that she's not going to end up dead in a ditch somewhere because she tried to pet the wrong animal or something," he exhaled. "You must have noticed there's something different about her." Just look at Reaper. What kind of hellhound readily accepts a shifter so easily? He's tame as a puppy. You don't find that unusual?"

"It is unusual, but that's what makes Juniper special," I growled, "it doesn't necessarily make it wrong."

"No, but there's something there. Something we're not seeing. I think there's more to Juniper than meets the eye."

I looked down at the sleeping girl whose face was completely innocent as she slept.

"You're paranoid, Draven. You've always seen conspiracies and betrayal everywhere."

"It's what's kept us alive until now," he snarled, "one of us has to be cautious and untrusting."

He settled back on the bed, yawning wildly.

"Go to sleep, Draven. Reconsider what you're proposing in the morning. Guarding Juniper like that, restricting her privacy, is only going to push her further away."

I tried to warn him, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"Maybe," he said nonchalantly, "or maybe it will teach her how a future Luna is expected to behave."

"You're making a big mistake, Draven, and I don't think I can help you when the consequences come calling."

"I'm not afraid to put my foot down, Malakai; that's where we differ. You're so busy trying to get in her good graces, you've forgotten all about pack responsibilities and being a leader."

"It's been one day," I growled, "stop acting like I'm being led astray."

"We spent several days in her pack. Listen to me, Malakai; being softhearted with her is only going to end with you being taken for a ride."

"I don't believe that," I whispered, eyeing Juniper lovingly. "I don't believe that at all. I wish you could see what's right in front of you, Draven, instead of being so suspicious. Come and lie down with us," my voice went thick, "come and cuddle our mate. Forget about everything but how it feels being close to her."

For a moment I thought he would refuse. I thought he would stick to his guns and continue to be stubborn. I thought he would object and turn his back on Juniper and me.

I just wanted him to look at Juniper and really see her. I wanted him to feel the bond up close and realize how wrong he was.

To my surprise, Draven let out an exclamation and climbed out, padding over to us, blanket in hand.

He surveyed the balcony and sighed, gently pushing his way onto Juniper's other side. I watched as he inhaled her scent and then carefully spread the blanket to cover her, his eyes lingering on her neck, looking at her nape longingly.

Despite everything, he wanted to mark her. I could feel it. I had the same desire, the same desperation to do the same, but I also knew how wrong it would be to do that against her will.

Draven let out a contented sigh. The anger and the coldness he had been exhibiting vanished instantly.

"She's so delicate," he murmured.

"She's fiery. Have you forgotten how she dealt with Liana?" I asked, fighting back my laughter.

He snorted.

"She certainly has a way with words. I've never seen Liana so angry before."

"See," I said softly, looking into his eyes, "you care about Juniper more than you want to admit."

He put a protective arm over her and settled against her.

"I don't know how to do this, Malakai," he confessed, looking vulnerable, "I don't know how to do relationships. I don't know how to pursue a girl without sleeping with her and casting her aside."

"Neither do I. Face it, Draven, neither of us has that kind of experience with girls. We do the best we can, we figure out what Juniper wants, and we adjust."

"What if we get her killed? You know we have enemies out there. You know they'll find out she's our weakness. After our parents," his voice choked, "I'm not about to let that happen again."

"You can't change the past, Draven," I whispered.

"No, but I can protect what's ours, and I can make sure the past never repeats itself."

We closed our eyes, but before I fell asleep, I saw Draven kiss Juniper softly on the forehead and murmur something indistinguishable in her ear.

He wasn't as unaffected as he claimed to be.

I just hoped he could fully open his heart and let Juniper in.

But Draven had always remained stubborn, and naturally he changed back to his normal character the next day.