The Alpha Twins fated Mate

Memories

The memory came back like a punch to the gut, sharper than any blade, heavier than any blow I had ever taken in training.

Norah.

I had been only twenty, still waiting for my first shift, still dreaming of the day my wolf would surface. Norah had been one of my dearest friends since childhood. She was bright, funny, so full of life. We had grown up together with Oliver, Michael, Beth, and Romy, a pack within the pack. When she found her mate, Peter, we celebrated with her. We believed, naively, that it was the beginning of her happily ever after.

But happiness never came.

The day I went to see her, I knew something was wrong. She had grown quiet, too quiet. Her laughter—once bubbling and contagious—had dulled into a faint smile. Every time I pressed her, she insisted she was fine. But I knew her. I knew better.

"I remembered biking to that house on the outskirts of the forest, the one Peter owned. No close neighbors. No one to hear. The windows had no curtains, light spilling out, and through it I saw them. At first I flushed, embarrassed by the intimacy, but then—my blood ran cold.

Norah was crying.

Her face was wet with tears, twisted in pain while Peter moved against her as if her agony meant nothing. When he finished, he tossed her onto the floor like she was trash. She curled into a ball, her body trembling, while he struck her again and again.

My instincts screamed at me to help. I was a trained fighter, quick on my feet, my father had made sure of that. I wasn’t weak. I wasn’t helpless. So I burst inside, yelling for him to stop.

I should have been able to protect her. I should have been strong enough.

But the moment Peter turned to me, I realized something was wrong. His eyes were wild, dilated, his strength far beyond what was natural. He grabbed me by the hair before I could dodge, yanking my head back so sharply I cried out. Then came the first blow—so hard it rattled my skull.

I fought. Moon above, I fought. I kicked, clawed, tried every maneuver I had ever learned, but it was useless. He was impossibly strong. Not just stronger than me—stronger than any wolf should be.

Later, they told me about the drugs in his system, stimulants that fueled aggression, that twisted his wolf. At the time, all I knew was that I couldn’t win. He struck me again and again, laughing while he did it. I remember the copper taste of blood in my mouth, my vision blurring, the sound of Norah whimpering.

And then… her eyes found mine.

Even beaten, even broken, she smiled at me. A small, tragic smile. Her lips formed a single word. Thank you.

And then everything went black.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital, my father at my side. He had come with the Alpha, but it had been too late. Norah was gone. Beaten to death by the man fated to love her.

Peter was imprisoned, but he escaped. That was five years ago, and no one has seen him since."

The weight of it all came crashing back, stealing the air from my lungs. I trembled violently where I sat, unable to stop the shaking.

Strong arms tightened around me—Leon’s arms. His chest pressed to my back, solid, steady, grounding me. His scent wrapped around me like a shield. “You’re safe now, Anna,” he murmured, his voice low, as if speaking too loudly might shatter me.

Jason shifted closer on the sofa, his thigh pressing against mine. His hand covered my leg, firm, possessive, as though he could anchor me in place. His other hand reached for mine, prying my fingers apart so he could lace them with his.

I hadn’t realized how desperately I craved their touch until I had it. The trembling slowed, the air returning to my lungs in ragged gulps.

“I should have been stronger,” I whispered hoarsely. “I trained my whole life. I knew how to fight. But he was… he was too strong. Unnatural. Like something had taken over him. If I had been able to stop him—”

“Don’t,” Leon cut in, his tone firm but gentle. His hands framed my shoulders, squeezing softly before sliding down my arms in a soothing stroke. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for what that monster did. You fought for her. You fought harder than anyone could have. You stood between your friend and death itself, Anna. That is who you are.”

Jason let out a growl that vibrated through the floor. His eyes were darker, stormier than I had ever seen them. “To lay a hand on a mate… to kill her…” His chest heaved, fury radiating off him in waves. He tightened his grip on my hand, almost painfully, but I welcomed it. His need to touch me was as strong as mine to be touched. “I swear to you, Anna. You will never know that kind of pain again. Not while we live. I would rip apart anyone who dared to look at you wrong.”

My throat tightened, a sob rising before I could stop it. Leon shifted then, tugging me gently but firmly into his lap. I went without protest, curling against him like I had always belonged there. His arms circled me, his warmth surrounding me completely. Jason leaned closer, brushing his knuckles over my cheek, then sliding his fingers into my hair, stroking softly.

The mate bond pulsed between us, strong and undeniable. Every touch ignited sparks across my skin, every breath I took in their presence filled me with heat.

“Anna,” Leon whispered, tilting my chin so I had no choice but to meet his gaze. His eyes softened, filled with something raw and unguarded. “I would never hurt you. Neither of us would. You are ours to protect, to cherish. That is all I want. To take care of you. To see you smile again.”

Jason’s voice was rough, edged with something primal. “You are ours, Anna. Nothing will change that. Not fear, not doubt. We will wait as long as you need, but you will never doubt that you belong with us.”

Their words sank into me, burrowing deep, easing a weight I hadn’t even realized I still carried. I had feared, for so long, that if I trusted again, I would end up like Norah. Broken. Betrayed. Destroyed.

But Leon’s embrace was steady, unyielding, and Jason’s touch was fierce, protective. Their emotions weren’t hidden—they poured from them, flooding into me through the bond.

And for the first time in years, I believed it.

The heat between us swelled, building with every passing second. Leon’s thumb traced the curve of my cheek, lingering at the corner of my mouth. His breath brushed against my lips as he whispered, “May I kiss you?”

My heart stuttered, then raced wildly. “Yes,” I breathed, while unable to take my eyes of him.

His lips captured mine in a kiss that was both tender and searing. The world fell away, replaced by the taste of him, the strength of his hands cupping my face, the steady thrum of the bond weaving tighter.

Jason’s hand never left me, his touch at my waist, his presence pressing close. I felt them both, surrounding me, consuming me. The heat grew until it burned, until it threatened to swallow me whole.

It was too much.

I pulled back, breathless, pressing trembling fingers on Leon’s chest to stop him. “I—I can’t,” I whispered. My voice shook, but the truth had to come out. “I’m not ready. I’ve never… I’m still a virgin.”

For a heartbeat, silence hung between us.

Then Leon kissed my fingers, his eyes soft and full of reverence. “Then we wait,” he murmured. “As long as it takes.”

Jason’s hand pressed firmer against my side, his lips brushing the top of my head. “You’re worth waiting for, Anna. Don’t ever doubt that.”

Tears burned my eyes again, but this time they weren’t from pain or fear. They were from relief. From hope.

I drew in a shaky breath, lifting my gaze to meet theirs. “I’m… I want to try it. With both of you. The bond is too strong to deny.”

Leon’s expression broke open with pure joy, and Jason’s answering grin was sharp, almost feral.

“You’re giving us a chance?” Leon asked, his voice thick with emotion.

I nodded, nervous but certain. “Yes.”

Jason’s next words made me laugh through the tears. “So… when are you moving in?”

“Jason!” Leon groaned, shoving his brother lightly.

But the moment felt lighter, brighter. For the first time since Norah’s death, I felt like maybe—just maybe—the bond wouldn’t destroy me. Maybe it would heal me.

Maybe, with them, I could finally be whole again.

Their touch grounded me, their words soothed me—yet deep inside, I couldn’t shake the gnawing certainty that our story was only just beginning… and that it wouldn’t be gentle.