Of Rogues & Royals

Cautious

GENEVIEVE POV

My husband, Ryker, called for our pack to join us and we made our way to the training pitch. It was tradition for the entire pack to witness the shifting of future officers. With the twins being royalty, the Royal Beta, Cornelius, tried to convince us to do it publicly at our palace in the Capital, but the boys were adamant they were here at home. No doubt hoping they would be mated with Ainsli and wanting to be as close to her as possible.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from this saucy little witch, Janessa. I couldn’t tell if I was just being an overprotective mother and only wanting the absolute best for my eldest children…but something just didn’t seem right. I would never admit to my mates, but I did search her. And I didn’t feel love, connection, and fire between her and my boys….it was all attraction and lust. It just didn’t feel like the mate bond.

Jacob, my King, tore my eyes away from her as we walked toward the training fields.

“My Queen, ma séduisante reine…. What is troubling you?” He ran his nose over my jawline and whispered in my ear. “The boys have found their mate. And yet you do not seem thrilled. You seem…. wary.” I noticed the witch’s interest peak, her eyes darting over her shoulder even though she was several paces ahead of us between the twins- and it instantly put me on alert.

“Oh, I’m absolutely fine, My Love. Just emotional from the big day. I know they are thrilled.” Her long lashes fluttered over her interesting eyes and her emotions settled into a sense of relief. She returned her attention to the twins and continued to dote on them.

I don’t know if I trust her…. I linked my mates privately. Something seems off.

Mama wolf protecting her pups… Ryker teased.

No, I feel it too. Watch them. The bond isn’t strong. Jacob was being sly. He was testing us to see if we also picked up on it and to see if she reacted. I’ll be curious to see how their wolves react.

I see it now. Ryker seethed. It’s as if they are bewitched.

We can’t interfere.. Jacob warned. If the bond is true, and we are challenging them, the boys could do something drastic.

Our boys? React dramatically? Never… Ryker teased again. We all knew our twins were the definition of dramatic.

No, you’re right. Even if something is amiss, it’s important for them to figure this out on their own. They would never forgive us if we didn’t treat them like the adults they are now. And who knows, maybe we are just looking too far into this. She is a witch after all, maybe the bond is different. Jacob was definitely suspicious, but hopeful. I could feel the conflicting emotions radiating through him.

No. I felt Alina and Raphael when their mate bond snapped into place. And again with Arista and Alpha King Magnus. It has nothing to do with her being a witch. Arista wasn’t here tonight, but Janessa said she was here on her invitation. I plan on reaching out to see if she has any information on our new daughter-in-law.

Arista and former Alpha King Magnus are on holiday at the Kelpie pack. Perhaps we should question her when they return?

We’ll see…. No one f.ucks with my family. This girl better pray to the Goddess that she is the twins’ true fated mate. If not, I would have no mercy on her soul. And neither would my mother. Yet, the fact that my mother hasn’t intervened gave me a strange sense of doubt. What was happening here?

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JANESSA POV

My mates each kissed the backs of my hands as they stepped into the middle of the training field. I adjusted my dress so that the fabric pooled around my feet and held my arms behind my back. I was so uncomfortable in this new atmosphere. The wolves of the pack surrounded us, and I honestly didn’t quite know how to behave. I’d never truly interacted with species outside of my own. I was so nervous I was going to screw something up unintentionally.

But Goddess, these men were delicious. Their muscles rippled under their suits, and I was practically salivating watching them peel off their clothing under the fluorescent lights. Who looks sexy under fluorescents? I meant what I said. I was very excited to handle the two of them. When my mother insisted that I attend tonight, I was hesitant. But I knew that it was for the best. My destiny was driving me here. And now my kind had the chance to step into a position of power.

The bond was itching to be complete. Their little touches were driving me wild and I couldn’t wait to get them alone. I needed to complete the process. An inner drive in me was aching for their teeth in my neck. I wanted nothing more than to be surrounded in s*x by the Alpha Princes.

I knew very little about the first shift for wolves. But my mates had their eyes locked solely on me as they stood in their briefs in all their glory before me. Colby’s were black and stretched over his massive thigh muscles, I could easily make out the large package they hid, and I couldn’t help but stare momentarily, biting my lip in need. Cody was watching my every reaction. I could tell he was hesitant. I needed to show him just how much I wanted him. I raked my eyes over him, and I could almost see him shift in his need for me, too. I couldn’t help but lick my lips, wanting nothing more than to peel his light gray briefs off and see what magic he would share with me later.

I had no idea what to do as I saw their wolves start to take control. The sickening sound of bones cracking made me want to vomit. But the boys turned toward each other, leaning their heads into each other and trusting each other with support. I held my gasps behind my hands and tried to watch, but I was often wincing away. The Luna Queen stood directly across from me, on the other side of her sons. She watched with intensity as her mates circled their boys and the Alpha King and Pack Alpha shouted words of instruction and motivation. But I swear Queen Genevieve’s attention kept darting back to me and its sheer weight made me almost falter in intimidation.

So I kept my focus trained on my mates. I didn’t understand this tradition, but I didn’t want to mess this up.

When they finally shifted fully into their wolves, I sucked in a relieved but terrified breath. They were massive. And how would they respond to me?

They walked as one. Each mirroring the other. Colby’s wolf was as black as tar, sucking all the light into his dark, rich, dense fur. Cody’s wolf had a silvery ash grey silken fur that seemed to move like water. Yet both wolves were similar. They each had sparkling gold eyes. Just like their human forms, their wolves were identical save for the color. They approached their parents, bowing respectively to the King, Queen, and Alpha. Their parents shifted into their wolf forms and now I felt extremely vulnerable. I watched as the twins exchanged nuzzles with each of their parents individually. A younger female in her human form, I’m assuming the Princess, ran up and hugged around their necks, too young to shift.

Alpha King Jacob was also a midnight black wolf. He was massive and towered over everyone and everything in the field. His aura was so heavy that the entire space filled with his power, and you immediately responded, regardless of your species. His aqua eyes glowed with that power and every being in attendance took a knee, myself included. His mate nuzzled into him. The Queen’s wolf was also very large, but she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her fur was almost iridescent. It shone with silvers and golds of every shade and she sparkled under the bright lights. Alpha Ryker, her other mate, took her other side and nipped at her playfully. He resembled Cody with the beautiful ashy gray color, but his eyes were a powerful ice blue, like his human form, that could make any woman’s knees buckle. He rivaled the King in size, but the gut-wrenching power wasn’t there. He was still ridiculously intimidating, his fangs were the length of a typical spellbook, and they shined menacingly as he smiled his wolfy grin watching his sons in their true forms. This family was power defined, and I was securing my spot in the center of it.

When the two wolves turned their attention towards me, I wanted to vomit all over again. But I held strong, keeping my desire for them burning brightly in my eyes. I couldn’t cower now.

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COLBY POV

If Jarek was confused before shifting, he was even more puzzled now. He kept his eyes glued on Janessa- determining whether she was mate or enemy. He sniffed lightly, breathing in her scent and trying to judge his own reaction. I watched him carefully from the depths of our mind. I couldn’t help but pace back and forth uneasily. I’d wanted my mate the moment I had learned of the phenomenon. I’d wanted what my parents had since I was old enough to understand. But now that she was here, right in my grasp, I was hesitating. Why am I hesitating?

Every movement I had in my human form tonight was calculated. I wanted to be more open about my feelings for her. The second she stepped forward, every muscle in my body was craving to feel her pressed up against me. But every move I made, Jarek yanked me back. So I was going slow, taking this easy until we could figure out exactly what was going on.

Ranger and Jarek circled her, taking in every nuance of her body in her gown. She was beautiful. She was thin and quite tall, but her breasts were larger. She had a demure sense about her, but then she looked at me with those strange purple eyes and it was like the thoughts in my brain turned to mud. I could see Ranger’s eyes were darting to mine. He wanted to talk. We needed to run and put some space in between us, so we could figure things out fully.

On the other end of the training pitch, I could hear the rogue stranger coaxing Ainsli through her shift process. Thatcher and Rosalind were quite vocal as well, but let her mate take the lead. I couldn’t wait to understand more about that situation. Not long after, a beautiful red wolf stood where Ainsli had stood moments before. Athena. As her Alphas, we waited patiently for her. Our Beta wolf trotted up and bowed in respect. All four Alpha wolves - Jericho, Crash, Jarek, and Ranger all bowed back to her. Not long after, her mate’s wolf joined at her side. He was a big, bushy chestnut brown male. He was still rogue, but he was in control. Curious.

We nodded to our parents and our fathers took to each of our sides. Both Jarek and Ranger nodded to Janessa, and we ran off the training field and out into the open pack lands. It was tradition to run the pack perimeter after first shifts. I could sense our mother shifting back to stay with our new mate. I turned to thank her as we took off into the night.

Before we could even step foot outside the pitch, Cody opened a link.

Dude, is she really our mate?

What do you mean? Of course, she is. Don’t you feel the bond? I knew what he meant, but I needed to believe this.

I do, but it’s… different. It feels strange.

Maybe that’s just how it is. We don’t have anything to compare it to. Shouldn’t we just trust our grandmother? She is the f*****g Moon Goddess.

Ranger's gravelly voice interrupted our thoughts. But what if she isn’t who Glamma blessed us with?

I agree. Something feels strange. Even my own wolf wasn't with me. Jarek was my hesitancy.

Is that why you won’t let me touch her? What if what’s wrong is that we aren’t acting on the bond? I chastised Jarek.

I felt my brother tense. You could be right.

You respond to her scent right? Feel the sparks?

Yes, but the only emotion she has for us is lust. Just like any other damn she-wolf we’ve crossed paths with. Shouldn’t she feel more? Shouldn’t I feel more than that?

Maybe it’s because she doesn’t know us. She is a witch after all. Maybe we just have to learn to love.

Ranger was still fighting. I don’t know. The bond should be the living representation of that love. It shouldn’t have to be earned or built.

Jarek warned, We need to be cautious. She could be here to hurt the family.

I'd had enough of this. STOP. She is our mate. We need to be more respectful. I think once we mate and mark her, everything will fall into place.



I don’t think we should do that without observing her first, Brother. Cody and I never disagreed on something this big. It was causing a fire of fury to raise in my chest. I was having trouble containing it.

No. You three are ridiculous. I’m taking her home to lock this in. Jarek, you WILL let me touch our mate. I’ll show you this is how things are supposed to be. Even if you reject her, Cody- I’ll accept her as mine.

Ranger came sliding to a stop in front of Jarek, cutting him off.

Cody's voice rang true in my mind. I love you, Brother. Nothing will come between us. But I think we just need to treat this situation sensitively. She is new to this world, too. She is uncomfortable and finding her way. We can’t rush her.

Wolves of our pack dashed past us, letting out barks and quips in respect as they flew by in blurs of fur, teeth, and fluffy tails.

Jarek tried to bring me off my ledge. Our brother is right, Col. We have to go slow and just ease into it. She isn’t Ainsli. We’ve accepted that. But we have to make sure we aren’t just trying to fill that void because a woman has entered our lives and claims to be our mate. We can’t let our guard down because we are emotionally raw.

I dropped my head into my hands, standing in the quiet and dark corner of my own mind. They were right. But I didn’t want to wait a second longer. It already felt too long. I wanted to start my own life. I know what Pop said. I should count myself lucky that I’ve found her right away and do everything possible to make this perfect. But I was so damn determined to do this. I wanted to do the right thing for the pack. For the kingdom. For me.

We finished our round of the pack territory. I took a minute to really appreciate my new form. My wolf’s long and powerful legs tore across the open land with ease. The crunch of earth under my paws was invigorating. My larger lungs sucking in the cold night air and energizing every fiber of my being. My brother’s wolf ran in tandem with mine. Our movements matching and making me feel more connected to him than ever.

It wasn’t often that we didn’t see completely eye to eye on something. So, I think that’s why this business with Janessa was irking me. I took it personally. I would try to do as my wolf asked and take it slow, but I was not exactly in that right mindset. Everything in my being was drawn to her and I wanted to make her mine as fast as possible.