Chapter 3 Not One But Two Mates

• "Oh brother, I smell the excitement already." Geri chuckled as he pushed the flap of their tent open and stepped in, his arms wide as if embracing the very air.
• "Excitement for what? For some pussy, I presume," Amarok muttered from where he sat, legs stretched out, sharpening his blade in calm, measured strokes.
• Geri laughed loud. "Oh, come on, Amarok. Quit spoiling the fun. I know you need some fresh kitty to make you feel warm and alive.”
• Amarok groaned. Geri could be a fucking pain in the ass. But he was his pain. His little brother. The only one who truly got him. The only person he had left since their parents died. In the darkest days, they’d had each other.
• "Did you see the looks on their faces when we docked?" Geri said, still grinning. "Like we were some fucking movie stars."
• “When you’re dressed like one, of course people are meant to stare,” came a familiar voice from outside.
• Their uncle stepped into the tent with a half-smile and a commanding air.
• "Uncle! You’re here." Geri grinned and went to give him a one-armed hug.
• "Yes, Geri, I am here. Now quit talking about fresh pussies and come along—you might meet your mate, who knows?" Macon said, brushing dust off his fur-lined robe.
• Amarok growled under his breath at the man’s words. Macon, his father’s brother, was the reason they were here in the first place. Old fool. Always dragging them into what he called civilized interaction. This was their first appearance at the Crent Festival. The Frost Pack hadn’t shown up in years- hell, ever.
• They were whispers to the world. Legends. No one knew where they lived. They didn’t mingle. Didn’t trade. They were warriors carved from ice and blood, existing far from the noise of modern packs.
• Amarok was only fourteen and Geri ten when they lost their parents in a brutal war that nearly erased their bloodline.
• Their training became survival. Amarok had taken the Alpha position at fifteen, young and wild and angry.
• And now, here they were. Playing dress-up at a damn festival.
• “It’s been over ten years since we were due for our mates, and you believe we’ll find them here?” Amarok asked, his frown deepening.
• Macon stared at him, voice calm. “When was the last time you left home and mingled?”
• Amarok didn’t answer.
• “So what? You think your mate will fall from the sky into your arms?” Macon scoffed. “You don’t invite anyone into our home. You don’t go out. So here we are—with high hopes that the goddess grants you mercy and finally gives us a Luna.”
• And with that, Macon turned and walked out, leaving silence in his wake.
• "You don’t really expect to find your mate here, do you?" Amarok turned to Geri, raising a brow.
• “Come on, brother,” Geri smirked, “the old man simply wants what’s best for you.”
• Amarok’s glare darkened. “For me? What about you?”
• Geri laughed, walking backwards. “You’re the Alpha. You need to bring a Luna home. Me? I’m free to do as I please.”
• And just like that, he was gone, probably off sniffing out some drunk she-wolf with loose hips.
• Amarok exhaled, dragging a palm over his face.
• *Later That Night*
• Dusk had fully claimed the island, and the Crent Festival lit up like fireflies in a summer storm. Bonfires blazed. Laughter echoed across the open fields. Groups gathered under glowing lanterns, singing and dancing, drunk on ale and moonlight.
• Taylor and Vera had found themselves surrounded by werewolves from the Nightshade Pack. Someone handed them drinks. They were dancing now, twirling, laughing, losing their minds in the moment.
• Tara sat a little apart, legs crossed, watching them. Her arms were folded, but her eyes held something warmer. She didn’t dance. But she was here for them. And that was enough.
• The music roared louder, and suddenly the air shifted.
• A man pushed through the circle, the paint across his face like that of a Viking warrior. His shoulders were broad, his steps heavy.
• From the patterns on his leather vest and the markings across his chest, it was clear—he was Frost Pack.
• The man walked straight to Taylor.
• Without a word, he grabbed her waist.
• Tara stiffened.
• "Hey!" Taylor laughed awkwardly. "Who—"
• "I like you," the man slurred, his eyes dark and unfocused. "You’re pretty... I wanna fuck you."
• Vera shoved at his arm. “She said no,”
• He didn’t like that. His head snapped toward her, and before anyone could react—he pushed her. Hard.
• Vera hit the dirt with a grunt, her drink splashing across her top.
• The other girls gasped. Some stepped back. The few boys there were nothing but frightened teens—no one dared move.
• Tara stood slowly.
• Something inside her snapped.
• She walked straight to him, shoved her body between him and her sisters. She bent, pulled Vera to her feet, then grabbed Taylor’s wrist. “Back to the tent. Party’s over.”
• The man snarled. "You're going nowhere!"
• But they kept walking.
• That was when it happened.
• He grabbed Tara’s hair and yanked.
• She fell backward, hitting the ground hard, her head spinning.
• “How dare you touch my sister!” Taylor screamed, raising her hand to slap him.
• He caught her arm mid-air and shoved her back.
• Taylor went flying. She crashed hard onto the dirt, crying out.
• Silence. Not one person moved.
• Tara’s hands dug into the dirt. Enough. She stood.
• Slowly. Like a storm building from still air.
• "You really wanna get beaten, huh?" Her voice was cold, and calm.
• The man barked a laugh. “I'll beat your ass, pussy. Or maybe I’ll fuck both holes!”
• He lunged. But she was ready.
• She ducked, his fist cutting the air.
• She slammed her elbow into his gut.
• He grunted. She spun, driving her foot into his knee. It cracked and he howled.
• He tried to grab her again but she gripped his arm, twisted it behind his back, and slammed him into the ground.
• Then her fists rained down. One. Two. Three. Four.
• Blood sprayed from his nose. Another punch, and he went limp.
• Silence. The man didn’t move.
• Tara stood, chest heaving. Her knuckles red. Her hair scattered.
• She reached down, pulled Taylor to her feet. Vera was shaking.
• Taylor spat in the unconscious man’s face and cheers erupted from the crowd.
• Someone clapped behind them.
• A man stepped forward, tall, broad-shouldered, with braids in his hair and steel in his gaze. Frost Pack.
• More men came and dragged the unconscious bastard away.
• Tara stepped in front of her sisters.
• "He came looking for trouble," she said flatly.
• The man nodded. "I witnessed everything. And all I can say is… well done. You fight well. Who taught you?"
• Before she could answer, Vera snapped, “You were here all along and watched your man assault us?!”
• The man raised a brow. “If I had stepped in, she wouldn’t have proved what she just did. But you’re right. I’m sorry for his behavior. He won’t be walking for weeks.”
• Tara gave him a slow nod, then turned and dragged her sisters toward the tent.
• But just before they got there, Taylor’s legs buckled.
• She collapsed.
• “Taylor!” Tara caught her.
• “I’ll take her,” Vera said quickly, steadying her. “You go find Dad and Stone.”
• Tara nodded and turned.
• Tara had no idea how far she’d gone.
• She meant to find her father. Or Stone. She really did. But somewhere between leaving the crowd and stepping into the trees, her feet seemed to carry her on their own. The sounds of music and laughter faded behind her, swallowed by the quiet of the forest.
• The air was cooler here. Still. Only the faint rustle of leaves followed her steps.
• Something about this place felt strange… like she wasn’t supposed to be here, yet couldn’t turn back. Her heart was racing, and she couldn’t explain why. Maybe it was the night. Or the fight. Or the one glass of drink still messing with her head.
• Then she stopped walking.
• Something in the air changed.
• A scent drifted to her, sharp, rich, and wild. She didn’t know how to describe it. It wasn’t perfume, or firewood, or even wolf. It was… something else. Something that sank deep into her chest and made her whole body go still.
• Her feet moved again, slow and quiet, pushing through low branches and thick trees. She should’ve turned around. She knew that. But something pulled her forward like a string tied to her soul.
• She stepped into a small clearing, and froze.
• Her breath caught in her throat.
• In front of her were two men. Naked
• They were standing behind a girl, her body bent over as they both moved into her. Slow and rough, like they didn’t care who was watching.
• Tara’s chest rose and fell fast. She couldn’t breathe.
• She meant to look away. But she didn’t. Couldn’t.
• And then, They looked up. Straight at her.
• Both of them. Their eyes locked on hers like they’d known she was there all along.
• One had eyes like ice and gold. The other’s were dark, almost glowing in the shadows. And as soon as their gaze hit hers, something inside her snapped.
• Her whole body shuddered.
• And a voice… not hers… not quite human… whispered deep inside her:
• “Mates.”
• She stumbled back a step, lips parting as her heart kicked hard against her chest. Her skin was hot, her legs weak, and that scent, their scent—was everywhere now. She could feel it sinking into her blood.
• She didn’t understand.
• How?
• Why now?
• She didn’t even have her wolf yet. How could this be happening?
• But her body knew. Her soul knew. It screamed it.
• Two.
• Not one.
• Two mates.
• Her stomach turned. The sight of them with that girl twisted something inside her. It felt like a slap, like a sharp stone thrown at her heart. She staggered back again, hand over her mouth.
• She turned—and ran.
• Branches scratched her arms. Thorns tugged her clothes. But she didn’t stop. She didn’t dare. That pull was still there, but fear had taken over now.
• She didn’t stop until her legs gave out.
• She dropped beside a tree, fell to her knees, and threw up everything in her stomach.
• Her hands shook as she wiped her mouth. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe right. Her heart wouldn’t slow down.
• Tara leaned forward, arms around her stomach.
• What was happening to her?
• How could she know?
• How could she feel it?
• Mates? Both of them?
• But she wasn’t ready. She didn’t want this. Not like that. Not with them buried in another girl like she meant nothing.
• Tears burned behind her eyes, but she blinked them away.
• Her world had just turned upside down.
• And somehow, deep down, she knew nothing would be the same again.