Mates

Warning: 18+

The story contains mature languages, violence, sexual depictions including multiple partners and attempted sexual assaults that may be triggering for some readers.

This is my first attempt at writing a novel. This story is told by several characters point of view but they are listed, so hopefully that will help clear up confusion. All feedbacks are appreciated. Thank you and I hope you enjoy.

Alexandria POV

It’s been three days since I came upon my fated mate’s unconscious form drifting down the river. Colton, one of my Betas, and I rescued him, assessed his condition, and then hurried him back to my territory, where my doctors began treatment. He arrived with a large bruise on his head, water in his lungs, and numerous cuts and bruises. Thankfully, there were no broken bones.

While the cuts and bruises are healing and fading, he still has not awakened. As far as my doctors, Jane Brown and Samuel Anderson, can tell, there is no damage to his brain. They have been hopeful that he would regain consciousness any day now, yet, he remains unresponsive.

We were able to identify him at least: Alpha Lyon of the BlackMoon pack. He was one of the three triplet Alphas who ran the largest and wealthiest pack in the area. His face was plastered all over community news and the internet, making his identity, easy to figure out.

His brothers were coming today. Was I thrilled to hear about the status and wealth of my fated mate? Not at all. Honestly, I would have preferred someone lower in the status hierarchy. Things would have been much simpler if our mates hadn’t been an Alphas.

My twin, Angelica, was excited and couldn’t wait to meet our other mates. She's been waiting a long time to finally find them. Three years is quite a long time when most find their fated mates days after their first shift at age eighteen. I, on the other hand, was too busy running my pack. Still, Salem, my wolf, had been longing for her mates since I first shifted. She awakened too early to save those we loved. Having multiple mates and being Alphas posed quite a complication for me.

I was an Alpha with duties and responsibilities here. Would they be able to accept that, and how would this arrangement work? I thought. Salem, my wolf, assured me they would want us, but I still questioned how it would function. We can't leave our people to follow our mates. I told Salem. At this, she fell silent, drifting further back into my mind in irritation. I seemed to be ruining her excitement.

I wished I could just enjoy my time with my mates, like Angel would be able to. We were twin siblings living very different lives. I carried all the responsibilities while Angel was able to enjoy the pleasures of life. I chose this path, I had no complaints. Most outsiders didn’t realize that Angel and I were fraternal twins.

I decided not to mention mates to the BlackMoon Alphas, keeping it simple and only informing them that their Alpha had been found—injured but alive. There was just too much to explain over the phone. They will find out soon enough anyway, as it was impossible to hide the fact that their mates were here. At least I would be able to explain everything when they arrived.

Hours before they were due, I suddenly found myself, for the first time since I pulled him out of the water, alone with my unconscious mate. At first, I paced beside him, too restless to sit. He drew me in like a moth to a flame, and before I realized it, I was standing at his side, staring at his unconscious form.

Touch him, Salem whined in my head. He was a beautiful specimen—six feet four inches tall with a tan body built like a god. His black hair was long enough to show off its natural waves, framing a high forehead adorned with thick brows, thick eyelashes, a sharp nose, and full lips.

I found myself gently running a finger over his muscular arm, enjoying the sparks of our contact, which made Salem purr with pleasure. To my surprise, his arm tensed at my touch. I looked up into his face and was met by blazing blue eyes shining with recognition. “Mate,” he whispered. I was lost in his gaze before I felt him pull me down for a kiss, and Salem screamed her happy agreement.

It was a quick peck of our lips meeting before I felt his hold loosen as he fell back into unconsciousness. I quickly straightened and mind-linked Dr. Brown. I stepped away as she rushed through the door, toward her patient. She tossed a flurry of questions at me while examining him and the machines surrounding him.

I answered her as best as I could. It was good that he was finally waking. She asked that I maintain physical contact with him. I sighed and turned my attention back to him as she walked out. My hand felt small in his much larger one. His hands were rough from work, just like mine. My wolf daydreamed in my head, distracting me. I lectured her; we had no time for daydreaming. I needed to focus on more pressing matters.

I mind-linked my twin Betas to double-check everything, from meals to room preparations. I realized I was nervous. Not all Alphas preferred strong mates. Some desired sweet and obedient partners whom they could rule over and protect. Alphas were dominant creatures, naturally arrogant and temperamental. They want us! I know they will. Salem insisted stubbornly.

I wasn’t Luna material. I had never trained for it and hadn't thought I would need to be. There had been no one to guide me in that role except Angel. Since she didn’t play much of a role around here, I wasn’t sure if she would be a good example. At least Angel had gone through Luna training.

From what I had observed, Luna’s were protected and guarded, typically gentle creatures who mothered the pack. Angel chose not to be Luna of my pack, and I hadn’t forced her into it. We didn’t know what mate we would be blessed with. We assumed our mates would join our pack. Things would have been much simpler if our mates weren’t Alphas. You already mentioned that, Salem said with annoyance. It bears repeating, I snapped back at her. I sighed, we usually got along much better than this.

My pack, though not the largest or wealthiest, was strong. We were one of the few packs with female warriors, giving us a greater presence in the warrior count. From what I had gathered, BlackMoon ran their pack very differently than I did, and I wasn’t sure if that would pose an issue for the triple Alphas. There was so much to consider and discuss, I thought wearily.

To maintain my standing in a male-dominated world, I gained a reputation for being ruthless and seductive. I didn’t mind the rumors; in fact, I relied on them to keep my pack safe. After two dead Alpha, along with a few dead Beta challengers in my three years of leadership, my reputation was well established. Only Betas and Alphas could challenge another Alpha, but there had to be a valid reason. They deserved their fate for challenging us, Salem growled, echoing my thoughts.

Sometimes, more than one Alpha is born into a family. Most packs follow the firstborn Alpha male rule unless the current ruling Alpha decided otherwise. With no other heirs fit to lead, I allowed my father to groom me as his successor. When my father passed away shortly after I took the Alpha position, I had to fight his Beta, who believed he deserved to rule.

My people trusted me to lead because this was my home. They helped raise me, and we had thrived in the three years since I assumed leadership. Not all born Alpha females rule territories. My father ensured I was prepared for what to expect when I took this path, conditioning not just my body but my mind also. We understood the risks of what we were stepping into. I reminded her.

Suddenly, Angel burst into the room, breathless with excitement. Blake mind-linked me about the arrivals of the BlackMoon pack, effectively interrupting my thoughts with Salem. I shook off my nervousness and gave my excited twin a quick hug, demanding that she calm down. My two Betas took their places behind me as I walked out to greet our guests.