Our rooms at Ironfur were nice. My room even had a beautiful view of the lake. Papa’s room was across the hall, so he had a view of the drive and wooded area of the narrow island. He didn’t seem to mind. The two other rank-blooded females flanked my room. Séréna has kept to herself, probably in her best interest. I have a feeling she’d be a pain in my ass while I’m here—the other female, April seemed polite enough. The male, Gamma Heir Emmett, was another story.
“Beta Zoe, may I have a moment?” Emmett paused, fist raised to knock when I opened my bedroom door.
In a few years, he might be cute. He has potential, but he’s still young. Or he looks young. I could be wrong, and he’s closer to my age than I believe, but I doubt it. I’m generally good at guessing someone’s age, and he still has a baby face like he’s not old enough to have been shaving for long.
And he’s also a blonde, which I don’t hold someone’s hair color against them. I don’t go for blondes. Blonde males make me think of Papa and Alexander. It’s not something to get anyone’s engine revving.
“What did you need?” I asked as I stepped into the hall.
“We are on our way to a meeting with Alpha Finn, so please make it quick,” I explained, nodding behind Emmett to where Papa had stepped out of his room.
“Did you need something, Emmett?” Papa asked, making the young male jump.
“Oh… hello, Beta Damon… sir.” Emmett bowed his head.
‘Zoe, why is the barely old enough to have shifted male all jumpy? Tell me you aren’t his mate or something.’ Papa asked in our link.
‘First, ew. Second, you’re the Beta to an infamous Alpha who wouldn’t be jumpy?’ I rolled my eyes.
“So, what was it you wanted, Emmett?” I asked, already starting to walk away.
Emmett hurried to catch up as he realized I was serious and that he needed to make it fast.
“Will you be attending the ball tonight?” Emmett asked.
“It would be rude if I didn’t. I am an unmated female, and for all I know, my mate will be there.” I shrugged.
“Unless you are my daughter’s mate and awkwardly beating about the bush, which she’s already said you aren’t her mate, I suggest keeping whatever it is to yourself.” Papa sighed as he opened the front doors for me.
“Oh, right. Well, I was hoping maybe even though we aren’t mates, you’d dance with me tonight.” Emmett nervously said what he wanted.
“Not to be offensive, but not thank you. I’m only interested in finding a mate, and if he isn’t there, I’ll likely only stay long enough to be respectful before leaving.” I let him down as gently as I could.
He at least didn’t make a fool of himself. He stayed inside the packhouse and watched as Papa and I crossed to the Alpha house for our meeting. I have a rule about males who are younger than me. That rule is that they are a no-go unless they are my mate. Which Emmett was certainly not.
Our meeting with Alpha Finn and his Beta Clarence went well. It wasn’t all that different from all the other meetings we’ve had since we started traveling nine months ago. I was all boring politics discussing the benefits of an alliance. Papa and I discussed what the three Sicilian packs brought to the table, while Finn and Clarence did the same for Ironfur. After the meeting, I was whisked away by Luna Lorna to get ready for the ball.
I will give her credit. She at least has taste. I was surprised she had something ready for me, but she explained that they made a dress and got my measurements from my Luna since they knew I’d be here. Of course, Katrina was in on this and kept it from me. I won’t complain. I’m all for adding a new stunning gown to my wardrobe.
The skirt was flowy, soft pink chiffon, with a deep v-fitted bodice with thin straps that looked like vines. The straps and bodice were covered with pink flowers cascading down the skirt, thinning out as you reached the bottom. And when I say deep v, I mean the v went down to my belly button. I handled doing my hair and makeup to go with the soft pinks of the dress.
The only problem with the dress was that I had to bundle up under a jacket and hold the skirt up to avoid getting it wet in the snow. Papa opted to stay in his room. When I left, he was on a video call with Mama, and I didn’t want to know what they would do while no one was around. I accept that my parents have an active sex life. I don’t want to think about it or know the details.
I had to travel by car with Emmett, April, and Séréna around a segment of the lake to the large hall that would be the ball’s location. Like the packhouse, it was a lovely venue—the rustic exterior fit perfectly in the wooded surroundings. Inside, the heat had been turned up to counter the cold and make the decorations feel more fitting.
André would love this. It truly felt like you’d walk into the essence of spring. Flowers were everywhere, and with the soft fairy lights strung up, it felt like you’d walked into some fairy gathering to celebrate spring. I suppose that was the effect Luna Lorna wanted.
“Allow me, Beta Zoe.” A voice I didn’t recognize but a familiar accent offered.
I furrowed my brow and glanced over my shoulder at the male, who smiled as he took my coat. He wasn’t someone from Nebrodi. While we aren’t as small a pack these days as Ironfur, I know everyone. But he is from one of the Sicilian packs. He wasn’t from Incubi. He looked around my age, and I knew every Incubi male near my age. I slept with several of them. That only leaves Madonie.
“Thank you….” I arched my brow, indicating he should fill in the blank.
“Primo Albricci, of Madonie.” He smiled.
Objectively, he’s an attractive man. Checking the boxes for what I generally look for physically in a male. The only problem was he wasn’t my mate. His scent did nothing for me or my wolf, and I felt nothing when his fingers brushed my shoulders. If I hadn’t promised to abstain from sex unless, with my mate for this trip, I’d give him a whirl.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. There are several of us from the three great packs of Sicily here. We had been looking forward to the arrival of our Betas.” Primo continued as he handed my coat to someone.
“I do not see my Beta. Where is Beta Alexander?” He asked as he looked around for my brother.
Why did he want to know where my brother was? Did he have pack business to discuss? Or is my gaydar super off, and I’m the wrong Petridis he wants to fuck? Either way, I don’t plan to tell him my brother’s exact whereabouts or the reason.
“Alexander did not join us in Ironfur. I’m sorry you missed taking your shot at him. But as a member of his pack, you should know he doesn’t swing that way.” I smiled.
Even if I’m right and he’s not interested in Alexander sexually, putting Primo on the spot like that was amusing. His brown eyes went wide, and his face paled at the suggestion he was sexually interested in my brother.
“No… that’s not why I was asking.” He shook his head.
“I very much am heterosexual. And if I were going to take a chance on hooking up with a Petridis Beta, it would be you. Especially in that dress.” He winked as his eyes traveled down the open v of my dress.
“Flattered, but we both know we aren’t mates. And while on this diplomatic trip, the only male I’m willing to entertain will be my mate.” I smiled tightly.
This interaction all felt off. Primo’s flirting felt forced. If his reaction to the implication he was gay weren’t so genuine, I’d think he was simply in the closet. So, why is he trying if he’s not actually into me? I don’t care. It’s not my problem unless he makes it my problem. He better not make it my problem because it won’t end well for him.
‘Speaking of mate.’ Viatrix sat up at attention as a scent invaded my senses.
I didn’t even say anything to Primo as I started to walk away, following the alluring scent of nag champa and sandalwood entwined with drifting smoke and exotic vanilla. I’d gotten a few steps into the massive hall when a second hit filtered in, competing equally with the first. It was similar but still unique. This second scent that had every cell in my body buzzing was like flames in a massive stone fireplace, drifting wood smoke and gentle vanilla.
Why were there two scents? No one’s scent should get this reaction from me but my mate’s. And there’s no way I’d have two. I’m not Katrina. There’s nothing special about me to warrant more than one mate. Yet both scents had my body buzzing and Viatrix inching forward, eager to find the sources with a repeated mantra of ‘mates’ in her thoughts.
Nope. I cannot deal with this. I’ve spent years looking for my mate, and now there are two of them in the same place. I’ve had my share of threesomes, but that was just sex. This was too much to deal with. And Viatrix was going nuts in my head. I needed air. I didn’t care how cold it was outside. Anything was better than being inside with their scents overwhelming me.
I took a deep breath of the cold air as I stepped outside.
‘What are you doing out here? Our MATES are inside! Go back inside!’ Viatrix insisted.
‘I need a breather. There must be a mistake.’ I shook my head, dismissing the idea of two mates.
‘I would have thought you’d be all about this. That’s two for one.’ Viatrix corrected me.
Our internal argument was tabled when the scents hit me again, stronger than before, and I heard two deep, gravelly voices growl ‘mate’ behind me. I closed my eyes and silently prayed to the Goddess for mercy. I turned to find two massive males stuck in the French doors that, for any other two males, would have been plenty of room to let both through. It’d be funnier if the reality of who these two men were didn’t hit me so hard.
I recognized their faces. They were in all the family pictures hung in the Alpha house. Alpha Finn’s younger twin brothers, Gunnar and Henrik Kilbourn. Physically, they checked all my boxes. Tall, dark hair, dark eyes, muscular, and handsome. Even under their tailed black suits, I could tell they were built like mountains. The only difference between them and a statue is their flesh.
Okay, so their looks had certain parts of me taking notice. And maybe the whole two-mates thing won’t be a big deal since they are twins. Sharing a mate with a brother rather than a stranger must be easier. Right?
“What do you think you’re doing, Henrik?” Gunnar grunted as he tried to get past his twin.
“I’m trying to go meet my mate. But your bulky ass is getting in my way.” Henrik grunted, and the two finally freed themselves of the doorway at the cost of tearing their suit jackets.
So much for that idea of twins being better about sharing. This was not going to go well. I’ve seen twins fight. I’ve witnessed Katrina and André get into it over a guy. Usually, the debate was settled by learning the guy’s sexuality. There was that one time when the guy was bi and suggested they have a threesome. He was sent to the hospital with a broken nose and two black eyes when they punched him at the same time.
“She’s not yours. She’s mine. Go back inside to Mom.” Gunnar snorted.
I groaned as the two grabbed the other’s jacket, ready to start fighting not only over me, a woman they hadn’t met, but in front of me. To some females, the idea of men fighting over them would be hot. That’s not me. To me, it’s a total turn-off. I’m not some prize a winner gets. I like a protective man, but this isn’t being protective of me. This is childish and territorial.
“Excuse me, toddlers.” I clapped my hands, treating them like I would, Gwen and Christina fighting over a toy.
“I am standing right here and this…” I gestured to them. “Is one hundred percent a turn-off. I only involve myself with grown-ass men. So, sort your shit out and talk to me when you can act your age.” I rolled my eyes and shoved between them, heading for the open doors.
I thought tonight would be a bust, like every mate ball I’ve attended, but worse. Why worse? Because while I didn’t expect to find my mate if Lorna wasn’t watching me like a hawk and cockblocking me, I’d at least have someone to fuck tonight lined up. I love my sister-in-law as much as I love my actual sisters, but I don’t like it when anyone interferes in my sex life. It could be worse. I could be stuck with Mom like Henrik. I had managed to escape my sister initially by telling her I smelled something. She took that to mean I’d scented my mate and let me go searching for her. I smelled something. It was the smell of roast duck coming from the kitchen. I truly smelled my mate when I was about to duck into the kitchen for a snack. That rich amber, soothing sandalwood and vanilla musk scent had me veering away from the kitchen and making a beeline for the deck. I was in my own world. I’m sure I stepped on a few feet and pushed my way between couples. I didn’t care. I was a wolf on a
Ahhh, sweet silence. My shoulders relaxed as the pair of beefcakes turned into magnetite statues. It’s not my usual choice, but it was fitting, given I’m in Ironfur. Magnetite is an iron-rich stone, after all. I took a moment to appreciate their faces now that they weren’t fighting or speaking. The Goddess may be testing my patience with these two, but physically, she chose well. I slowly walked around the statues, admiring their physiques. As I noted their firm glutes, I thought of my cousin. André would certainly approve of their bodies. Though I imagine he and his sister Katrina would agree their personalities left something to be desired. ‘That is a bit harsh. You don’t know them. And you certainly cannot hold that they have slept around against them. Do you want me to list off every male you’ve slept with?’ Viatrix said. ‘Who said anything about holding their promiscuous past against them? I don’t care how many women they’ve fucked. They better not care how many men I’ve been w
Being a statue was a weird experience. It didn’t hurt. It was just weird. It was like being in my headspace with Pollux but with no escape or connection to the world beyond it. I’m not ashamed to admit it freaked me out when I couldn’t sense anything or anyone but my wolf. It was easy to realize this was my mate’s doing, and I’d only hoped she did the same to my brother. He was, after all, the one that made her angry. I was a mostly innocent bystander. And if he hadn’t decided to get involved in trying to claim her as his, neither of us would’ve been made statues. And worse yet, even after that experience, he still acted like she was his mate. If I hadn’t still been recovering from being turned to stone, I’d have called him out on it then and there. ‘You learned nothing from your time out.’ Pollux rolled his eyes. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ I asked as I followed Gunnar upstairs in defeat after Zoe left. ‘What did she say before she left?’ Pollux asked. ‘That she was staying i
I was physically and certainly mentally exhausted when my head hit my pillow. I should have fallen straight to sleep, yet, like always, I couldn’t. This whole trip has been nothing but restless sleep. I wanted to be in my bed, house, and territory. I wanted to be where the sights, sounds, and smells were familiar again. I wanted to go home, now probably more than ever. I didn’t think this was how finding my mate would go. Beyond only expecting to find one mate, I hadn’t ever thought I’d be so annoyed at my mate and his utter lack of consideration and respect for me that I’d use my gift against him. I did feel bad about turning Gunnar and Henrik to stone, or a part of me did. I know it was unfair of me, and I should have just walked away if I didn’t want an argument. ‘Instead, you lost your temper and turned them to stone.’ Viatrix helpfully interjected. ‘They may not have truly deserved it, but they needed a time out, and I needed some peace and quiet. I’d like peace and quiet, whi
I was ready to explain what I could about the situation. I didn’t know Primo’s agenda, but I could at least explain who he was and how he was connected to me. I assumed the reason the twins were here instead of their rooms was obvious to Finn. I wasn’t sure if he’d told his other ranked members that his brothers had found their mate. A good Alpha would have informed them in case there was trouble. “The third is our missing Madonie male.” A female announced as she approached us from the docks, stopping me from going into my explanation. “Holly? Who made you get out of bed for this bullshit?” Clarence asked. “Holly? As in the Holly of Bloodmoon?” I asked as I looked at the woman I’d never met. She visibly shivered when I said Bloodmoon. I grimaced as I realized that probably wasn’t the best reference. She lost her mate and moved here to get away from those memories. “My apologies. I shouldn’t have referenced you in such a manner. We’ve heard good things about you from Darren, Isis,
I barely know my mate, and while part of me already loves her because of the bond, this turning me to stone shit is getting OLD. I was perfectly justified in beating the crap out of little shit. He came here looking for my mate and had the fucking balls to ask to be invited into her room. Like fucking hell, I was going to let that fly. Yet, as Henrik and I were freed, I didn’t see that asshole anywhere. Did he get out of being stoned? I would lose my shit if he didn't get turned to stone too. That would not be fair. We’re supposed to be her mates. We’re the ones who should’ve gotten out of getting turned to stone. Finn, Clarence, Zoe, and her dad were the only people standing around. I could see footprints in the snow and smell Holly and that asshole’s fading scent. So, he’d been here and taken away. Why was he getting special fucking treatment? I don’t care that he’s a visiting wolf. He crossed a line with our mate and should face the consequences. ‘Look at you admitting she’s
First, they disrespected me by calling me ‘woman’ at the ball. Then, they were still in denial that they were both my mates and tried to get me to stay the night with one of them. After that, they snuck over here and attacked Primo, who was stupid and unaware that I had found my mates. Then, they had the balls to suggest and test my ability to defend myself. What was I going to do with these two? ‘I could think of a few things.’ Viatrix practically purred. She hadn’t liked that I’d used force against Henrik, but she also couldn’t fault me. They were the ones who underestimated me and, therefore, her. So, a lesson was necessary. I am beyond men who think that because I’m a woman and smaller than them, I’m weak. I am NOT weak, damn it. ‘It wasn’t a rhetorical question. I could think of several things to do, to and with them. But none of those will happen while things remain unsettled between us.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘Don’t get too wrapped up with your mates. You still need to call you
You’d think after thirty years of being Gunnar’s twin, I’d have learned not to do the stupid shit he tells me to. Pollux told me testing our mate’s skills was a bad idea. I should have listened to him and not Gunnar. Instead, I listened to my brother and got my ass kicked more efficiently than Holly’s ever kicked my ass in training. It was hot. It hurt like hell, but it was hot. Not many women I know could take me down like that. It doesn’t change that I owe my brother some additional pain. Let’s see how he likes getting a kick to the balls, his foot stomped, an elbow to the stomach, and landing hard on his back. That could wait. And apparently, so could getting more answers from our mate. I’d have protested that having a conversation was more important than her figuring out what time it was in Sicily, but this phone call was to get that pick out of my territory. That is something I’m all about. I want him far the fuck away from Zoe. I’m glad he’s not from her pack, which means there