Mated to the Alpha Twins

“Marcus Novak says there's been a breach in the hotel security, and that one or more intruders may be in the building. It's quite

clearly a coverup, disguising the fact that his captive has now been rescued.” Garrett told Kade and I, his eyes flitting over to

where Alec lay. “While I'll never be fond of my daughter being in danger, | realize she was not given these abilities to live out an

ordinary life. | expect you to protect her at all costs, but | am-relieved to see that your brother is alive.”

| could feel how those words physically pained him, but once they were spoken, the smallest flicker of respect ignited in Kade’s

eyes.

“Aurora.”

It felt like months since | had heard his voice, and every muscle in my body reacted at the sound. | pivoted, tuning so fast that |

nearly stumbled into the coffee table. My knee’s hit the plush carpet, and my hands cup to hold the sides of his face. His

stubble brushed my palms, and his eyes fluttered as he mumbled my nagain, and again.

“He’s going to be awake soon.” | told everyone in the room, not bothering to turn my eyes away from Alec. His brows were

furrowed, but relaxed as | trailed my fingers through his hair. “We can’t leave—not yet.”

“The final meeting’s been moved up, Aurora.” Julian said, frowning when | whipped my head around to stare at him. “We've got

only twenty minutes to arrive before we're counted as late.”

“He’s getting everyone together, possibly trying to flush us out.” Kade grimaced, giving his unconscious brother a long look. His

voice was hard and flat, “I's not safe to leave him here. Not when Marcus can send a squad of men to cand take him back.”

There was another knock at the door that captured everyone's attention. Whoever was at the other end knocked once, then

twice, then continued in a rapid succession of taps that sounded almost like a song.

“Expecting someone?” Garrett asked, narrowing his eyes at the source of annoyance on the other end of the door. He walked

over to the peephole and glanced out before turning to Kade and | with a look of confusion on his face. “It's a girl, her hair is—is

purple?”

“It's Ava! Let her in.” | snorted at Garrett's comment turned question.

As soon as Garrett unlocked the door, Ava cstorming in. Her tangled headphones skidded across the carpet as she

practically ran inside. After brushing several purple strands of hair from her forehead, she cocked an eyebrow at all of us.

“Um, hello. Were you trying to getcaught? ” Ava scoffed, placing her black painted nails against her chest. “Seriously, I'm the

one doing you a favor. I'm not the one who wants to play baby sitter to a kidnapped Alpha with a narcotics addiction. Consider

that next tyou keepwaiting in the hall for eons.”

“There is so much to unpack with that.” Tori sighed, sitting down on the couch beside Alec's slumbering form.

“You know this wolf?” Garrett asked a bit snidely, giving Ava a look that she returned in triple.

“Duh, she knows me. She wouldn't have letin if she didn’t.” Ava sighed, rolling her eyes before glancing down at Alec. “So-is

he gonna be all comatose all day, or am | gonna have someone to talk to?”

“What-what are you talking about, Ava?” | asked, utterly clueless as to what she was talking about.

“What do you mean, what am | talking about?” She retorted, clearly in a bit of a mood today. “Zayne asked if | could baby sit your

beefy mate while he’s drugged up, so that you could go figure out whether or not the witless five are going to let you live past

sundown.”

“He never told us that.” | frowned, turning towards Kade. “Did he send us a note?”

“Not that | or any of the guards have received.” He replied, looking just as troubled as I.

“Take that up with him the next tyou guys meet, but I'm here now. Letdo what | chere to do.” Ava insisted, already

beginning to untangle her seemingly indestructible headphones. “Besides, it’s not like you couldn't use the help.”

“Is there a reason you're particularly snarky today?” Tori asked, just as bold as Ava. There was no malice in Tori’s eyes, just

partially amused curiosity.

“All of the employees are busy with this stupid meeting.” She began with a huff. Her eyes widened a bit as she registered what

she said. “Not that your life isn’t important or anything—but do they really have to vote on it? Either way, Zayne failed to mention

there would be no one escortingthrough the employee areas and up to your suite. So, | was stuck hiding under a food cart

until they droppedoff at this floor. Do you know what's in the bottom of a food cart? Food. Old, disgusting food.”

“There’s a shower and spare clothes if you wanted to wash up.” | offered, grateful for Zayne’s help even if | refused to trust the

cowardly man.

“I'm sorry-but are you sure you trust her to watch Alec?” The twin’s mom asked, rightfully worried about her son.

Ava turned and looked at me, clearly waiting for my answer. | didn't exactly trust Ava, and I think she knew that, but she would

also gain nothing by harming Kade. Our kind were being enslaved, used as weapons for cruel Alpha’s with severe superiority

complexes. They could sit behind their walls and watch atop their thrones as wars are fought and won with the blood of the

many. Even though we didn’t trust one another; we knew without a doubt, that we were both on the sside.

“She’ll keep him safe.” | promised their mom, hoping she could see the confidence in my eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, all of us apart from Ava and Alec, left for our final meeting with the High Table.

| had left Alec a note, pinned to the coffee table by a bottle of water.

Alec,

| wish so badly that | could be there when you finally woke up. Things have been a mess without you, and when they finally calm

down, the three of us are taking stoff. | need to get past the fear of losing you, just as I'm sure you also have a few

things to work through.

It's best that you stay in the room while we're suffering through the final meeting. Ava is an ally, she’s safe to be around. Marcus

already knows you've been sprung, but not by who. Today's the big day they debate whether or not I'm too dangerous to live, like

a rabid animal.

No matter the outcof today’s meeting—we will cback for you right after the meeting.

Always yours,

Aurora

The only thing | had learned from my twithin such close proximity to our species government was that we desperately

needed a new one. | still had mixed feelings about Jaspar Fox, and Brayton Cliff was still a mystery as well. | knew without a

doubt that Marcus Novak and Sebastian Sable both needed to go—along with their illegal operations.

From the looks of the court-like room we stood in, you could tell something was wrong. While the search hadn't been publicly

announced, there were sof us able to figure out those kinds of things. The twin’s parents had been the first to know about

the lockdown, from a friend in the witness stands.

One by one, each member of the High Table walked to the raised platform and sat at their respective seats. The growing crowd

of witnesses sat in rows around the circumference of the room, grouped in their own respective packs and families.

The number of witnesses had nearly doubled overnight, leaving the small sectioned off area’s overflowing with people. | had

been jostled and bumped into at least thirty separate times, though most cowered away once they realized it was me.

Marcus Novak sat at the very center, as the head of the High Table. His suit was slate grey this time, just a few shades darker

than his son’s. Zayne sat in his own closed off area, with a minimum of four guards at his side. He looked a bit miserable if | were

being honest, but that was the usual expression on his face.

“Welcto the conclusion of this incredible debate that will affect our world for generations to come. We are constantly making

history; with every decision and choice we make. We have debated much on this matter, both during these meetings and behind

closed doors. The five of us are confident that today will bring all of us, and Ms. Aurora, the conclusion we need.” Marcus Novak

stood, greeting the crowd with a wide sweep of his hand. His smile was charming and charismatic, every bit the bachelor instead

of the blood-thirsty wolf. “We will pick up from yesterday by calling Aurora to the stand. Here she will review the terms of our

offers and make any refusals or demands she sees fit. Together, we will assess her standing in our world and determine what

course of action will propel us into a safe future where our kind continues to thrive.”

This time, 1 did roll my eyes as sof the witnesses went into heart-wrenching applauses, with watery eyes to top things off. |

couldn’t understand how a room full of werewolves could fail to see the biggest threat in the room; Marcus Novak.

| approached the stand and waited in silence as a moderator went over the details of each agreement with the High Table

members. Sebastian Sable offerednothing apart from a slithery smirk that made my insides turn. Nico Deville claimed his

father had still not returned, but actually said that he had contacted him and refused to form any ties with our packs. Jaspar Fox

senta wink at that, one so quick | had nearly missed it.

Silence enveloped the room as it was my turn to speak-to save or condemn myself.

| could save myself by agreeing to Marcus's terms, to signing my freedom and will away to serve another. One who would take

and take until | too was drained, devoid of a soul like the ones | had fed on.

| had planned what | wanted to say, and told no one. Kade was the only one who knew what | had chosen, and not because we

could read one another's thoughts. We still offered one another privacy, but Kade, Alec, and | were equals. | wouldn't make a

huge decision like this without the trust of one or both.

“1, and those | trust have reviewed your offers extensively. | am humbled by the opportunities you've presented my way.” | stated

loudly, keeping my face and eyes neutral as they remained locked on Marcus. | squared my shoulders, and felt my voice take on

a new tone. It sounded layered in a way it wasn't before, interwoven with authority and confidence that seemed much too mature

for my young years. “It is within my own best interest that | refuse all three of your offers. | might not be familiar to our customs

and ways, but | do know that all life holds value. No white wolf, regardless of status should be forced to prove their right to live.

Given toat birth, | am Luna of not one, but three packs. No one, can withhold that title from me.”

The room was silent for a few seconds before erupting in chaos. Words were screamed on all sides, slurs and praises. There

were scheeringon, tellingto destroy and rebuild the High Table. Others calleda treasonous b***h, amongst

other colorful things.

During all of the commotion—I noticed something.

A small woman, dainty and fragile in stature, approached Marcus Novak. Her onyx hair was long and straight, plastered to her

head. She moved slowly, meekly towards him. He lowered himself as she whispered in his ear, and never once did his facial

expression change as he listened to her words. What was worse—I| swore | could feel just a flicker of carnal happiness inside his

cold, stagnant heart.

The commotion continued, and Marcus did nothing to stop it. My eyes flickered to Jaspar, who was watching Marcus with a

guarded look on his face. Marcus motioned to one of the guards and said three words that sent things spiraling down.

| could not hear the words he spoke, but could asswhat they meant when the four guards surrounding Zayne Novak surged

forward and placed silver clasps around his wrists.

My mouth opened, but no sound cout. Zayne didn’t thrash, nor fight against his father’s men. His ice-coated eyes stared out

just past me, to the red-head with flaming hair and eyes of moss colored agony.

Most of the witnesses were blind to what was happening, whipped up into a frenzy of my doing. Zayne was dragged from the

room by the four guards who had been protecting him, the silver clasps around his wrists the only indicator that they had new

orders.

“Now-let us compose ourselves, yes?” Marcus Novak said to the crowd, his smile full and renewed. He was ignoring what had

just happened, even though there were few in the room who had seen the truth. The golden-haired couple were two who had

noticed what just happened, and stared at Marcus with identical accusatory glares. “We must respect Ms. Aurora’s decision, and

excuse her lack of manners with our system. | do believe now might be the tto discuss things further, and vote on the

outcof our future.”

The five High Table members then retreated to a private room where they would continue discussing my right to live.

“What-I don’t understand.” Tori stammered, taking a few steps towards the door Zayne had been dragged through.

“I understand you want to go after them, but you can’t.” | told her, grabbing her shoulders with firm hands. “They don’t know who

you are—they can’t know, and Marcus can't either. He will use you to get to Zayne, he'll use you to control him.”

“What do you think is going to happen to him? ” She asked quietly, a mess of emotions swirling within her. Even rejected and

angry, she couldnt not care about him.

“I don’t know, Tori.” | answered honestly, feeling my chest tighten as | made her a promise, | hoped | wouldn't live to regret. “If

there's anything we can do to help him-we will try.”

Minutes melted into one another until nearly half an hour passed. All eyes were alert as the High Table members filtered back to

their respective seats, with Marcus at the helm.

As Marcus stood, there was a glint in his eye that seemed just a tad smug. It sends a sour feeling rushing through me, letting me

know something was wrong.

“New information has recently cto light, which we have included in the decision of our final vote.” Marcus began, his pale

eyes flickering down to where | stood at the stand. There was nothing short of cold, cruel, triumph in his eyes. “It is unknown to

many that a band of treasonous white wolves escaped my borders recently. These wolves are powerful and dangerous,

murderers of the absolute worst variety. | have kept them alive as merely a tribute to their unique abilities, as it would be a

shto snuff out a life so incredible. As many of you know, | pride myself on the security of my pack and its borders. | now

have evidence that these white wolves were not working alone. Aurora and those she surrounds herself with, staged a coup to

rescue these prisoners, ‘This information was crucial in deciding our course of action for the foreseeable future.”

The room did not erupt into chaos this time. There were no hurling insults or praises, screaming at the pack sitting closest to you

that their opinions and beliefs were wrong. There was only silence, and that thick foreboding where you know everything is going

to h**I.

Marcus didn’t miss a beat. Sympathy flashed in his eyes, and his voice deepened until it was almost sorry. This was the last thing

he wanted to do, his tone said.

“I have given this much thought. It is not often in a High Table member's life to make such an important, history-altering decision.

With my full confidence, | do believe it’s best if Ms. Aurora were taken into the custody of the High Table. Her abilities are simply

too dangerous to unleash on our fragile world. Should she develop into a soul-eater, it would be safest for those under our

protection if Aurora remains beneath our wing. We absolutely cannot allow instability within our communities, it is the poison that

will crumble our castles and ultimately, put an end to our species.” Marcus said loudly to the room. His calculating eyes were still

locked on mine when he said, “Guards, bring her to me.”

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