Ch. 5

Cole’s POV

Without discussing it, Cole and Garrett pulled back from each other.

There was so much to think about and so much to do.

Luka and Markus tried mind linking with questions, but Cole wouldn’t answer and was sure Garrett was also brushing them off. They’d see soon enough.

“We found her!” He beamed to his wolf.

His wolf nodded sagely. “She’s hurt.”

Cole paled as he and their group began walking - then running - back to the spot where Sam hid their mate.

For years, there had been speculation.

The twins were so different.

It was fairly normal for identical twins to share fated mates - but with fraternal twins, it was always more uncertain.

Even whether or not Cole would prove to be a true Alpha had been in question - one of the reasons he got away with so much as a child - he was born second.

But during the Alpha ceremony, the goddess had shown her light on them both, making it clear they were both fated to be the Alphas of their pack - something they’d always believed privately - so it made sense, in the same way, that they would share a fated mate, as well.

Different, yes - but the same underneath everything else - two halves of a whole.

Cole looked at Garrett and wondered how he felt about it - and why he’d been able to sense her first.

But he didn’t have time to ask.

There she was - her back to a tree whilst a naked Sam tried to explain to her that she was safe.

A roar ripped from Cole’s lips, shocking him as well as everyone else - except Garrett.

“Move away from her, Sam,” Garrett demanded, darkly.

Sam paled as he looked at his Alphas, quickly backing away.

“I was just - “

“I know what you were just. But we’re not fucking rational right now, so change back into your damn wolf and get away from our mate!” Cole snapped, knowing full well that Sam meant no harm and still barely able to keep his wolf from coming forward and absolutely thrashing him.

But that’s when he noticed the terror in her deep blue eyes, the way she shrank against the tree and gasped at his words.

Cole fell to his knees, angry that he didn’t have any clothes with him - and he felt his brother do the same.

He lowered his voice and his wolf whimpered, as he looked at her “hey there. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re safe now. You’re on our packlands. The rogues that were chasing you are dead now.”

“D-dead?”

Cole’s heart nearly broke.

“Goddess, her voice,” he thought.

“Yes, love,” Garrett answered her. “You don’t need to be afraid. We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“Wh-why did you kill them?” she asked, her voice gaining a bit of strength as she spoke. “Because they were rogues?”

“No,” Cole answered. “We wouldn’t kill anyone for being a rogue. They were after you. They attacked our Gamma Sam to try to get to you. We had to keep you safe.”

A look crossed her face that Cole couldn’t quite place.

“Why?” she asked, cocking her head and grimacing.

“Where are you hurt?” Garrett asked harshly.

The woman flinched, and Garrett whimpered. Cole glanced at him, mildly amused.

“Love, forgive us,” Garrett started again. “Our wolves are having a bit of a hard time seeing our mate covered in blood and so scared of us.”

“Your - mate…” she hesitated.

Cole’s stomach dropped.

“Do you not know us?”

“I - I’m sorry. My - my wolf - she’s there; I can feel her, but… she’s never come forward. I - can’t talk to her or - it’s not that I don’t believe you, but -“ she faltered.

Garrett whined.

“Can we - please - get you to our pack doctors? And then we can talk about this some more? Maybe they can help with her, too.”

The woman looked at them, frankly. Calculating. Her shyness seeming to come and go.

She nodded once and grimaced again.

Cole’s wolf growled, careful not to let the sound escape his lips.

“We’ll shift, and you can ride one of us if you’re comfortable with that. It will be faster.”

“A-alright. You… you should probably know. I know you said you wouldn’t kill anyone just for being one but - I’ve been a rogue since I was born.”

Garrett and Cole both cocked their heads, earning a nervous giggle that made them both grin.

“Odd.” Garrett started.

“You don’t smell like one,” Cole finished.