Quentin

Nervous. Angry. Apprehensive. Furious.

When my mate was being challenged by that Avonaco prick, I felt a plethora of sensations. But mostly I just wanted to shift into a wolf and ravage that warrior's body, tear limb from limb. No one fucks with my mate.

Of course, I cannot do that in this scenario. It was supposedly a controlled fight. But I held myself back with difficulty from attacking that man. With some context, I can see now why calling my mate "little wolf" can be seen as condescending. Especially when he couldn't shift.

But I'm glad my mate gave it all he had in the fight. There were moments where I thought he was done for and still, he rose above the challenge. I'm actually very impressed by his fighting skills. Beck could have probably taken on me back when we were feuding.

He is much more of a worthy combatant than I had previously imagined. I'm glad that we don't fight anymore. These days all I want is to lock myself up in a room with him and complete the freaking bond. I'm aching for it, to be honest.

I already was before he accepted me as his mate, now I'm just itching for that to happen.

Speaking of which, that was the happiest day of my life so far. Though I'm not a fan of his father calling me a 'reject', if it got my mate to accept me I'll take the mistreatment. All I want, all I can think about is to be closer with Beck.

I wish I could be all blasé about it, but there is nothing else on my mind. My wolf demands it.

And our night in Dallas keeps replaying in my head on a loop. That was such great sex, I'm baffled by the fact that I was so comfortable and at ease with a boy. Hot damn! It was so good to be intimate with my mate. I want that again, I cannot lie.

And the more time we spend withholding, the more dangerous it gets. For the both of us.

Our werewolf nature is unforgiving and soon enough the both of us will be struck by rut.

Then we'll see what real violence means... *gasp*

Contrary to what most people believe about me, I'm not a violent person by nature. I know I have used my muscles to strike fear in others, I'm not proud of that particular achievement, but I actually dislike violence.

Yes, I'm the captain of my wrestling team, but that is NOT about violence. It's about a skillset and it is considered a sport; for me, it's a way of perfecting my game and staying sharp for the training with Mr. Booker.

Plus, I like my boys. My teammates. What can I say? I'm a men's man. I enjoy the brotherhood and the camaraderie among us. They are my closest friends and I'm sure I'll keep in touch with most of them even after high school.

It's late in the afternoon of December 27th. My mate has requested me and my brother to stay with him in his room to rest for the day and keep him company. Until now, we have never shared our mate in this scenario. We have never stayed with him in an intimate setting, just the three of us.

We are literally only lying together in his bed, both of us by his side on opposite ends. We are just resting and taking in our mate's scent. It's nice to have this peace and quiet with Jude. And Beck, naturally.

For the longest time, I had gotten in my head that Jude was the enemy and had to be fought, opposed, annihilated. I thought of him only as my nemesis, the one person who stands in my way of ascending to my father's position. To become the next Alpha.

I forgot to look at him as my brother. Ironically, I don't know how that's even possible since he looks just like me. Every time I look at him, it's like I'm seeing myself in a mirror. We may have different hair styles, but that's about it in terms of our difference.

Now that I have to share a mate with him, a situation neither of us saw coming - or even thought possible - it is a great opportunity for us to come together again. For us to unite in brotherhood over our mate.

If you think about it, it was actually a stroke of genius by the Goddess to pair Beck to the both of us. Not only we have to unite in brotherhood, both of us have to make nice before our mate who doesn't want to see us fighting.

Of course, there's the upcoming fight for the Alpha position. That can't be helped. But for once, it is now guaranteed that we have to fight fair and we both need to preserve the other. I mean that in the sense that it can't be a fight to the death.

It's not what our parents want. And definitely not what our mate will want. I can say that with certainty. Jude and I will have to find a way to defeat the other without being too violent. And do it shifted into wolves, in front of a large audience.

I can't wait to see how that is going to turn out... *picks up a binoculars*

"This is so nice..." - I breathed out, being caressed gently by my mate while my brother caressed his head. Honestly, despite his presence here - what could be seen as intimidating or enerving - this is the most peaceful I felt in weeks.

"I agree. I don't know why you thought you had to fight your brother for my custody. You can share me, I don't mind." - Beck spoke in a humorous tone and all three of us laughed.

"I thought my wolf would be restless to have another Alpha in the room with us but your scent is so intoxicating good for me that it can calm me through a hurricane." - I declared, honestly.

"Same." - Jude agreed with me, his hand still on our mate's long, curly hair. By the way, my mate is so gorgeous and that hair... damn, that must take a lot of shampoo to take care of. And it is an amazing set of hair. Just saying.

Beck smiled at us, contently. His mother knocked on our door, but it was not entirely closed and Beck told her to come inside. She was gobsmacked to see the three of us in peace and harmony, like proper mates.

"Dinner's ready in five. Go wash up." - She informed us with a pleased smile.

"Has dad arrived already?" - He questioned her, curious.

"No, but he's minutes away from what I gather." - She replied in a matter of fact tone.

The three of us got up and took turns using the bathroom. Viho arrived while we were washing up for dinner. We all sat by the table in the kitchen and had a nice dinner cooked by Mrs. Becker.

"I hope you had a nice day with our son because you're not taking him again to that place." - Talla spoke in a menacing tone to her mate, who gulped awkwardly.

"Honestly, I didn't think he would use his talon against my son. It was supposed to be a simple sparring session." - He explained himself, seeing that his mate was pissed about it.

"Well, back in Ruckerford Falls, when a wrestler used her talon against her teammate she was suspended from the team for a month. What have you done to this particular warrior? Have you reprimanded him?" - She argued in a fierce tone and I winced at the traumatic memory. I remember like it was yesterday when Layla's [tip of] talon slashed my face. I thought it wouldn't heal because the gash was so ugly.

"Both his hands were pierced by your son's talons. I thought that was punishment enough, don't you think?" - He retorted, frowning at her.

"NO, I DON'T THINK! What I thought was my mate wanted to spend time with his son, not to put him in front of warriors again. I thought I told you NOT to do that!" - She snarled at him, possessed by rage. Both Jude and I got uncomfortable at her outburst and ate quietly.

"Mom, it's not a big deal–"

"No, son!" - He cut him off, raising his hand for him to shush. - "Your mother is right. I shouldn't have put you in danger of being harmed, that's on me. I do apologize for what happened, I genuinely thought it was going to be a fair fight. But I have no excuse. Please forgive me, Talla. Of course that will never happen again. I'm sorry, son." - He declared, seemingly remorseful.

We're all taken aback by his act of contrition. But speaking from experience, he was right to apologize. Beck should never have been put through that, not that I'm going to say that to them. He already doesn't like me as it is... *blush*

Talla accepted his apology and so did Beck, who was shocked to hear these words coming from his dad. I'm guessing his father is not big on apologies. Good for him, I guess.

At the end of dinner, the Becker couple washed the dishes while the three of us went to the living room. It's still early, so we can watch some TV before my mate announces who he wants in his room tonight.

And the Oscar goes to...

Just kidding. It had to be Jude. I slept with him yesterday, let's be fair here. I'm fine with it, genuinely. After this afternoon, I have no complaints. Have a great night of sleep, boys.

On the morning of the 28th, Beck took his mother's car and we went sightseeing. He showed me all his favorite hangout spots growing up. There's really not much to do here, but there's ample space for a wolf run.

I'm dying to see my mate's wolf skin, so I suggested we do that in the afternoon. The weather is sunny here, despite the winter. It's a good idea to check out the creek too, to cool ourselves if we can.

There were a bunch of teenagers hanging out in an abandoned warehouse. The place looked like it should be condemned by the authorities, but the kids seemed to be at home here. There was moonshine liquor, music being played on a speaker and teenagers enjoying the winter break from school.

At first, they all spoke in a dialect I couldn't understand. Jude and I glanced at each other, looking confused by this. Beck laughed at something they said, then introduced us around the crowded but spacious room.

It was good to be around teenagers who seemed to be known by my mate. It's his people and as long as no one fights him, it's good for me.

"So, it's true then. You got mated to two Alphas." - A boy with short hair and beautiful skin complexion spoke up, glancing at me with curiosity. In fact, they all were gawking at Jude and I intensely. We blushed because of the staring.

"Yeah, I guess I'm just a hungry bottom." - Beck joked and all of us laughed out loud.

One particular girl was eye fucking me from across the room. She wasn't with the teens that Beck introduced to us, instead she was talking to two boys on another part of the roofless warehouse. It didn't take long for people to notice it too since I was dodging her attention.

"Oh, I see Lucy is ready to strike again." - One of the girls commented, rolling her eyes.

"She can strike my foot in her ass if she thinks she can approach my mate." - Beck spoke up, glaring daggers at her.

The girl known as Lucy walked up to us and didn't stop until she was right in front of me, ignoring Jude in the process.

"Hi, handsome. I'm Lucy." - She introduced herself, flirtatiously. She is a very pretty girl, but I'm mated now. I didn't come all this way here to fuck up my chances with my mate. No, thank you.

"Hi, Lucy. It's nice to meet you, I'm Quentin Atwood." - I introduced myself, mildly uncomfortable by her proximity to me and hungry eyes. And I don't mean for food.

"Atwood, as in Alpha Atwood?" - She asked, pretending she didn't already know the answer to that question. I mean, come on... *sigh*

"Yes, ma'am." - I confirmed, blushing. Meanwhile, Beck was fulminating her from the back. I was a few steps away from him and his friends, so she walked right past them to stand close to me.

"Ma'am? I'm 18 years old, Alpha. Just primed to be picked." - She batted her eyes to me.

"I'm mated." - I told her before things escalated further.

"If you're mated, where's your mark?" - She sassed me.

"We're not there yet, I'm afraid." - I explained to her, timidly.

"Well, I'm not mated yet. But I wouldn't say no to a fling with a hot boy." - She flirted unabashedly. I'm blushing to the tone of pink right about now.

Beck walked up to us and stood himself in between us, facing her with a death stare.

"What part of 'he's mated' did you not understand, Lucy? Are you that desperate to fuck? I'm sure Hank is available." - Beck stood up to her in an angry disposition. I don't know who Hank is, but from the blushing awkwardness, I'm going out on a limb here and say that he's one of the boys Beck just introduced me to. But I forgot his name since there are so many of them.

"Girl, been there. Done that. What I never had is someone like him." - She spoke, glancing at me with lust in her eyes.

"And you never will. Get the fuck away from my mate before I lose my cool!" - He growled at her with raging, glowing eyes. I can see this could blow up fast.

"OK, Lucy. Thanks for the show. It was very nice seeing you." - One of Beck's female friends physically pulled her away from us, directing her back to where she was before. Lucy didn't want to leave, obviously.

"But he's not saying no..." - She tried one more time and literally I could feel all eyes on me.

"When I said I was mated, I thought it was implied. It was nice to meet you." - I clarified, beyond uncomfortable. The girl walked Lucy away from our space, but not before she mouthed off: 'call me'.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Are mates not sacred in this pack anymore?" - Beck was baffled by this stunt. Jude was low key having a blast at my expense. He was barely holding back a giggle seeing me in hot waters.

"I think you should lock it down with your hot mate, Beck." - One of the boys commented with a devious grin, also giving me a lustful glance. Just not as blatant as Lucy's, fortunately.

"I can dislocate your jaw with one punch. Does that count as locking it down?" - Beck threatened him with glaring eyes. Uncomfortable already? Oh yeah...

"I think I'll take that beer now." - I told the boy who previously offered me one upon my arrival. He laughed at this and tossed me a cold one. Suddenly, I was feeling so parched. I'm not used to people so blatantly coveting me.

Beck didn't take his eyes off of me for the remainder of the time we were in the warehouse. We talked, we bantered, we drank - not Beck because he was driving, of course. Once Lucy took some distance - begrudgingly - from us [me], it was actually nice.

No one judged or looked at us differently just because of our background or ethnicity. In fact, they treated my brother and I better than I treated Beck when he came into our pack. I know, right?

Of course, I did catch a lustful glance or two my way from time to time, I'm not blind. But I'm not a cheater and even if I were, it would never happen here in my mate's original pack. Come on!

No, my dear mate. There is NO ONE on Goddess green Earth that is gonna get in the way of what I feel for you. I want you and you alone. As fast as possible, preferably.

I'm serious here, though. Please, mate. I need you now!

Just give it to me, I'm ready. Whichever way you want. I'm good to go.

But please make it fast. I want you close to me forever, so NO ONE would ever think to question our bond. Our mating. Our partnership. I'm right here for the taking.

https://youtu.be/rywUS-ohqeE

A|N: What happens next never happened before in my previous eight books.

It's called "Greedy". And it's about to blow the shit up!

By far the longest a mated couple took to complete the bond in any of my books.

Love,

Léo.