Chapter 3

“Shift back,” the warrior commanded, his tone low and menacing. He wanted his mate in his arms. The omega whimpered, curling slightly to cover herself.

With an angry huff, he spun his twin around, giving her a moment of privacy. The instant he sensed she had turned, he knelt before her, eyes blazing.

Anastasia clutched her shirt to cover herself. The alpha studied her intently, reaching a hand to brush her silver hair. She flinched. The other twin appeared beside her, wrapping his arms protectively around her and burying his face in her neck. Despite the fear, Anastasia felt a strange sense of safety, and instinctively bared her neck, as her wolf instincts demanded in front of the alphas.

The warrior’s hands trailed over her face, face intense and possessive. The other alpha scooped her onto his lap. Anastasia squealed, still partially unclothed, the shirt barely covering her chest. The alpha’s sudden affection ignited a flicker of warmth within her, a small ember of hope that perhaps everything would be okay.

The warmth was gentle but enough to make her hesitant to move; she was still too cold to fully embrace it. Yet the way her wolf self was comforted reassured her she was safe.

“She looks perfect,” the alpha murmured, his voice low, making Anastasia flush. She glanced away. Despite his stern expression, the words were sincere.

“We found her—our mate,” the leader continued.

“Eight years,” the other alpha hummed. “We’ve waited for you for eight years. Now that you are finally here, I understand. Perfection cannot be rushed, and there is no omega like you.”

“Perfect,” the warrior echoed, burying his face in her scent before nipping at her neck. Anastasia gasped, arching her back at the sensation. The alpha holding her in his lap mirrored the action, drawing her close. Love, acceptance, and completion flooded her senses—just two weeks after being presented, she was finally with her mates.

“We need to end the ceremony,” the leader said after a while. Anastasia, still dazed from their scenting, rested her head on the alpha’s shoulder, eyes closing. She heard the warrior growl.

“I refuse to let her go,” he declared, hands gripping her waist possessively, tighter than before.

The leader huffed. “Possessive mutt. Fine, I’ll take her then.”

Anastasia was gently passed to the other alpha, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. She adjusted her top shyly, aware of his hands brushing too close.

“Take off your robe, Leo,” the alpha commanded. “I will not walk her through the halls so exposed. She is for our eyes only.”

A warm, larger cloth covered her, scented with the alphas. Anastasia drew it up to her chin, content, as he escorted her through the palace, eyes never leaving her face. She avoided his gaze.

This alpha felt rougher, more flustered, while his twin was calmer. Despite her clear preference for one of them, both made her feel safe. Her wolf self was at ease, and that was enough for her to relax. Her skin didn’t prick at their touch—a sign she was ready to allow the interaction to continue.

They laid her gently on a bed saturated with their scent. She had to fight the urge to roll in it; it was intoxicating. Pulling the robe up to her lips, she sat cross-legged, anxious. Would they mate that night? She was not ready.

One alpha left to give orders to the maids, returning to sit across from her. A beta brought clothing; the alpha growled possessively, snatching it and slamming the door. Anastasia flinched; the warrior noticed. He placed the clothes beside her, then returned to his seat, eyes fixed on her.

“Could you… not?” she asked nervously, gathering the garments. The alpha huffed, moving to the room’s end, gazing out the window. His attitude was frustrating, but she continued dressing.

The top tied around her waist, pants flowing—both soft cream and expensive. Her hair shimmered under the light. She admired herself briefly before the other alpha re-entered. She gasped, quickly recovering and looking down. The alphas tensed briefly, ensuring she was okay before relaxing.

“We’ve waited so long for you,” the leader said, eyes trailing over her body. “Seeing you now makes it worth it.”

“Indeed,” the warrior replied, moving beside his brother. Anastasia returned to the bed, staring at the floor.

The twins exchanged a glance—telepathic, a silent conversation. They nodded, then turned back to her, their gazes full of desire.

They moved to opposite sides of the bed, shedding top layers to reveal sculpted chests. Anastasia froze, unsure how to proceed. Both were devastatingly handsome, tall and muscular, each scarred in ways that only accentuated their strength.

The leader gestured for her to approach. With shaky legs, she crawled forward and knelt near them. They carefully lifted her between them, hands sliding to her waist and chest, noses brushing her scent glands, drinking in her scent like it was their lifeblood.

She felt calm, secure—her mates’ presence comforting her completely.

“There is so much we want to know about you,” the leader murmured, breath hot on her neck, “and probably you as well. All we know are each other’s names.”