Mated to the Alpha Twins

never have to experience that again.”

“You'll never have to want for anything, and you'll never have to live in a shithole like that again. Whatever you need, you'll have

it.” Kade continued, a look of equal sincerity on his rugged face. It was incredibly alluring, to have two strong men with a soft spot

for me. Only | got to see them like this, vulnerable and intimate.

In their emotions, | could taste the sharp tang of guilt and knew they both punished themselves for the way | was treated. |

couldn’t place a single ounce of blon their shoulders. | had kept my treatment a secret, thinking there was no one to help, no

one that cared. | even kept the whole Grace ordeal a secret. | hadn't a clue what secret world lived beneath my own, and if

anything—I regretted not speaking up sooner.

Their whirlpool of emotions had tears springing to my eyes, which | furiously blinked back. | had never been a fan of crying in

front of others, no matter how comfortable | was with said person. Crying—it made you vulnerable in a way that made me

uncomfortable.

Mistaking my sudden rush of tears, the twin’s shifted on their feet. | let out a garbled chuckle. The two of them, they didn’t know

how to handle a crying female, it made them anxious. Two towering warriors, brought to their knees over their emotional mate.

“Don't—don’t cry, sweetheart.” Kade grumbled, his dark brows knitted tightly together. | stepped into their arms, a hidden smile

on my face as | stole their warmth and scents.

“We didn’t mean to upset you.” Alec chimed in, his rough hand brushing the stray hairs back from my face.

“You didn’t upset me.” | giggled, quickly swiping at the stray tear that managed to escape my eye. Once | was sure all traces of

tears were gone from my gaze, | looked up at the two of my beautiful mates. “I'm just—really lucky to have you both. | don’t want

you blaming yourselves. None of it is your fault. | kept it a secret because | didn't think anyone could help.”

“We could've told you the truth, doll.” Alec shook his head, his lips set in determination that only madepull him closer. “We

could've told you the truth and put a stop to it all.”

“If you had toldthe truth, I still would've run. Especially if you pressuredinto going with you both.” | told the two of them

honestly, “ wasn't ready for the truth. | think—I think Garrett dida favor by telling me. | needed to decide what | wanted for

myself, and the two of you letdo that. You gavea choice. That's more than anyone else has ever done for me.”

| stayed locked in their arms until the bitter edge of their guilt faded. It would never completely vanish, that much | was certain of.

A part of them, no matter how small, would always blthemselves for how | was treated. All that mattered is that | reminded

them of the truth. They had no hand in my treatment, but they had a hand in my saving. The human life | had lived was wrought

with danger, constantly tip-toeing around Melissa and Frank, waiting for the day Frank got the upper hand. This life, while it is

just as dangerous, is beautiful. No life is perfect, but it's the flaws of the people you love who make it more authentic—who make

it worth living.

“While I'm not opposed to keeping you in our arms all day, | think you should check out the bedroom.” Alec murmured, his

chuckle tickling my ear and makingshudder. “The second part of your gift is in there.”

As | looked into his eyes, | couldn't mistake the flash of hunger that lingered in those dark orbs. That sflash was mirrored in

Kade’s eyes, but | knew they were being patient.

“Upstairs, down the hall. It's the first door on your left.” Kade chimed in, givinga gentle push. “We’ll have dinner ready by the

tyou cdown.”

“Do you two have any flaws?” | snorted, stopping halfway up the stairs. Both cocked a dark eyebrow in my direction, and my

insides fluttered at the identical smirks that formed on their faces. “Cooking and cleaning? I'm one lucky Luna.”

“Actually, we're ordering pizza.” Alec chuckled, flashinga smile that was all teeth. “We'll save the cooking for tomorrow.”

“I'm going to have to thank your mom sometime.” | snickered, poking my tongue out at the two of them. “She raised the two of

you right.”

“Please, don't.” Alec groaned. The twin’s shared an incredulous look with one another before turning back to me. “She’ll never let

us hear the end of it.”

“You might want to get up there, sweetheart. Your gift won't appreciate waiting so long.” Kade called out, waltzing into the

kitchen.

As heavy confusion settled over my face, | was given no explanation other than an innocent grin, which looked quite humorous

on Kade's face.

| wandered down the large hallways until | found the room | was looking for. As | slipped inside the bedroom, | was met with the

thick smell of cinnamon and leaves.

“Oh wow.” | cooed, murmuring to Thalia and myself. “Think we can convince them to move here?”

“You have my vote.’ Thalia shrugged, ‘Huge Forest surrounding the cabin, great for running.’

The master bedroom was a huge rectangular room with maroon walls and dark hardwood floors. The four-poster bed sat on a

raised platform with a few stairs leading up the side. Black silken sheets and pillow cases along with a furry comforter. | knew

that once | curled up in that bed, I'd be out within moments. Thankfully, the bed was larger than most, and | knew the three of us

would fit just fine. Underneath the bed was a plush, shag carpet. Against the far wall was a fully stocked bar, countless decanters

sat with crystal tops. An identical fireplace jutted out of the other wall, this one free of family photos and knickknacks.

Along the left-hand wall were a set of double doors, which | learned led to an equally immaculate bathroom. | wandered over to

the last door in the bedroom, pulling it open to stare into a walk-in closet. The closet was bigger than my bedroom at Melissa and

Frank's, fully stocked with both men’s and women’s clothing.

As | trailed my fingers along the hangers that spanned the closet, | stiffened when something rustled behind me.

Despite training for an entire week, | had yet to actually use what | had learned. I'm embarrassed to say, | failed this test.

A pair of hands grabbed at my shoulders from behind, and | whirled with an open mouth, to face Tori. The h****r-movie scream

that left my mouth was one that I'd always remember, one that would bring a horrible blush to my face.

It's not that | didn’t know how to defend myself, but I'm not strained warrior. | don’t have finely tuned instincts that tellto

a****k first and ask questions later. Besides, who really expects to get attacked in a walk-in closet? Not me, for sure.

My hand flew up to my chest as my stomach tickled with surprise. | had always hated the feeling you get when someone jumps

out at you. Too many run-ins with Frank to find the feeling amusing, but I didn’t blTori for that.

“What the h**I, Aurora!” Tori shouted; her hands raised in exasperation. Her face was a bit pink, and her fiery hair was falling out

of the ponytail she had it in. Her green and brown-flecked eyes were wide as my ear-splitting scream cto a warbled halt.

“Don’t what the h**I me!” | snapped back, still heaving from the scare. “You're the one who jumped out at me! What did you

expect?”

“I expected you to use your training! You never know when someone might try to a****k you.” Tori groaned, a hand against her

forehead. The severity of her expression quickly morphed into amusement as she threw her head back and cackled like a

wench. “I guess you can just scream at them! H**I, that would make any warrior hesitate for a moment. With that scream, you

could star in a h****r movie. S**t, I'd watch it.”

“Is this supposed to be my surprise?” | demanded when Alec and Kade sauntered into the room.

Neither one looked surprised at my outburst, though their lips twitched as they fought back a smirk. | pinched the bridge of my

nose as | looked at the three of them.

While | appreciated them trying to hide their amusement, | could feel their emotions. Alec was near-bursting with laughter, while

Kade was a bit more skilled at hiding his emotions. Neither one felt any fear at my sudden scream, which ledto believe that

Tori was my surprise after all.

“Apart from training, we've hardly had any tto just hang out.” She shrugged, stepping out of the closet before | could think

better and lock her in. She flashed a narrow-eyed look at the twin’s and crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t think it would

take you two so d**n long to send her up here. | got so bored; | was about to start trying on clothes. We're you having a three-

sor something?”

“Don’t answer that.” | snapped, just as Alec opened his mouth to speak.

“Are you angry with us, doll?” He asked instead, giving into the temptation and letting his lips morph into an amused grin.

“No.” | huffed, my eyes darting over to Tori. “Did you really have to jump out at me?”

“I wanted to see how fast your reflexes were.” She shrugged, as though it were a plausible response.

“It seems her reflexes are quite fast. At least, her voice is.” Kade commented, and | swear, my eye began to twitch. “With more

training, her first reaction will not be to scream.”

“She’s got a set of lungs on her, doesn’t she?” Tori snickered, making Alec's grin widen.

“Alright, enough of that.” | grunted, “Where’s that food you two were talking about?”

Half an hour later, the three of us were slumped on the sectional in the living room, eating our weight in pizza. Sreality

television show played quietly in the background, ignored by the four of us. The two glass doors that led to the pool out back

were open, sending in a warm summer breeze that smelled of fresh water, earth, and sweet flowers.

| still wasn’t used to the endless abyss that was now my stomach. Five slices in and | was still eyeing the pizza hungrily. Alec and

Kade each ordered two pizzas for themselves, loaded with toppings that both looked appealing and somewhat gross. Tori and |

each had our own pizza, which was proving to be just the right amount.

“Bet you twenty bucks, they won't eat two whole pizzas.” | whispered to Tori, munching on a slice of my own.

Tori paused for a moment, watching the two of them with calculating eyes.

“Mm, | think they'll eat two and then ask us for sof ours.” She snickered quietly, “Male werewolves are insatiable when it

comes to food and s*x.”

Alec and Kade’s eyes darted over toonce Tori finished speaking, and | felt a heated blush settle on my face. Clearly, they

heard the two of us. It was the mention of s*x that captured their male attention, typical.

“Such alpha-males.” | cooed, teasingly.

“You're lucky we're giving you the day with Tori.” Kade grunted, sharing a look of begrudging approval with Alec. “If not, we'd

keep you locked in that bedroom all day.”

“That sounds horrible.” Tori scolded, glaring at the twins. While copious amounts of s*x with the twin’s sounded incredible, | did

want to explore the lake and surrounding forest. Where | had thought Tori was on my side, when she opened her mouth to

continue, my jaw went a little slack. “Why would you only have s*x in the bedroom? There's a whole lake out there, and a pool

out back. Plus, there's a huge forest around us. Give her svariety!”

“You're not helping.” | muttered, sinking into the soft cushions of the couch.

Even with my feigned embarrassment, | couldn't deny the rush of warmth that blistered inside ofas | felt the twin’s

unrelenting desire. These two, they never seemed to tire of me. Every person in my life had been temporary, either because

Melissa forced us to move or because | was always that friend stuck in the background.

| used to hate that about myself, that | was so ordinary that no one foundspecial. Over the years, | simply accepted it. | didn't

need to be first in anyone's eyes, | was first in my own.

Having Alec and Kade—even Tori, it was a feeling | had never experienced before. | wasn’t shoved to the background, forgotten

about until last minute.

“Aren't I, though?” She giggled, waggling her eyebrows at me.

“You seem pretty invested in my s*x life, Tori.” | remarked, lifting my eyebrow at her.

A look of mock surprise fell on her face, and she pressed a hand against her chest.

“Oh, Aurora. You've exposed me. Now we can all be mates.” She cooed, falling back into the cushions of the couch with a

wicked grin. “Hey, my s*x life is non-existent. You have two mates—two! A girl's gotta live vicariously when she can.”

Alec and Kade exchanged equal looks of confusion and something similar to surprise. The look said, “are all girls like this?”

Regardless, it was enough for Tori and | to collapse into a fit of laughter. Two muscular Alphas, both overwhelmed by a couple of

girls.

“Alright, alright.” Tori took a few deep breaths as her cackling ceased, she flashed Alec and Kade a cheeky grin before

continuing. “We should go swimming after this! Lake or pool?”

It wasn't a hard decision. The sun was still shining, as it was only the middle of the day. There would be plenty of ttonight to

swim in the temperature-controlled pool. Tori had been little more than excited over the color changing lights and man-made

waterfall that poured into the glassy surface of the pool.

“Lake, definitely the lake.” | nodded, and judging from Tori’s widening grin, we were on the spage. “Then the pool tonight.”

“You'd think werewolves wouldn't like to swim, but we actually love it.” Tori chuckled, pushing herself off the couch with a hand on

her full stomach. “Flying on the other hand, h**I no. There’s something about being stuck in a metal box in the sky that gives me

the creeps.”

“I've never thought of it that way.” | admitted, standing from the couch as well.

| had spent nearly a quarter of my life completely unaware that | was a werewolf. | had never been on a plane before, but the

thought of going on one wasn't frightening. Sure, it was a little strange, but practical. | knew without a doubt that we weren't flying

to wherever the High Table was. Alec and Kade had been completely against the idea, convinced the plane would not make it

safely to the ground if | were on it. It was hard to believe that the High Table would simply try to k**Ioff without hearing me

out, but | trusted the twins to keepsafe.

“Are you two ready?” Tori turned towards the twin’s, her fists on her hips as she cocked an eyebrow at them.

Alec was busy stuffing another slice of pizza in his mouth, while Kade was frowning at his empty box. | knew what they were

going to ask before it even left their mouths, and | didn’t even bother to stifle my laughter.

“Can we have the rest of your pizza?” It was Kade who asked, surprisingly.

“You owetwenty bucks.” Tori snickered quietly, but the twins could easily hear this time. Both narrowed their eyes in our

direction, but said nothing further.

It was adorable, honestly. | loved how even though these two men were practically warriors, they were also very much human.

They had their flaws and shortcomings, but they weren't things to fix or look down on.

My face was beginning to ache from smiling so much, but it was a pleasant pain. The twins couldn’t feel my emotions, so | hoped

that my smile conveyed how truly happy | felt.

“Have at it.” | chuckled, linking my arm in Tori’s as we ventured upstairs in search of a bathing suit.

The twins had left my fully packed suitcase on the bed. Tori pulled out a small duffel bag from her hidden spot in the closet and

tore out an emerald green b****i. The top and bottoms had a small ruffle on them, which made them look more cute than s**y.

“I've always thought red-heads looked amazing in green.” | complimented, flashing her a grin.

“Honestly, I'm jealous of the whole two eye color thing you have going on.” Tori sighed, plopping down on the bed beside me.

“You could wear any color and it'd still look good.”

“Or it clashes with the other eye entirely.” | countered with a smirk.

| was never big into fashion, but there was nothing wrong with wanting to look your best. The twin’s mom had picked out most of

my clothing, and | found that | loved it all. | wasn’t used to the dresses and skirts, but | was willing to give them a try.

As | rifled through the suitcase, they had packed for me, my jaw went slack and my eyes narrowed.

There wasn't a single pair of shorts in the entire suitcase, nor were there any shirts. | found a single b****i, light blue in color. The

chest piece looked a bit small for my bust, and | frowned as Tori fell back on the bed and howled in laughter.

“They packed your suitcase for you, didn’t they?” She cackled, the spattering of cinnamon freckles on her cheeks rippled as she

laughed. “Oh, their good, so good.”

| yanked the baby blue b****i from the suitcase and shoved everything else back inside. The only wearable pieces of clothing in

the entire thing were a dress or two. However, there were plenty of skimpy bras and lace underwear.

“You're going to be so busy these next two days.” Tori smirked, toying with one of the lace bra’s before | tugged it out of her

hand. She fell back onto the bed with a mock groan, “Oh, the life of a Luna.”

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