Her Mates (Wolf Trials Book 1)

by Tamara White

  Chapter 19

  Monique left my room in a daze not too sure what to think of my outrageous plan. When I explained to the others Rick and Jake, they were just as surprised.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me? You’re just going to win the trials and choose a mate, only to step down and pick someone else?” Pete asks incredulously.

  “I know it sounds weird, I just don’t feel I’m meant to lead our people. I’m not qualified for it. I may have learnt a lot about the packs over the last few days but not enough to lead them. Sure I could lead for a year, maybe two but I will be constantly learning about the packs.

  Look at Tim. Everyone loves and respects him. People also listen to what he has to say without being intimidated into doing it. I think he would be the best choice to lead us. He’s one of you, he’s grown up in the pack and with Laura by his side, they would make the perfect Alpha Pair,” I tell them watching as it clicks for each of them.

  “As much as I hate to admit it, but she’s right. As Alpha Queen, Dani would be constantly on display meeting the packs and their members. What happened if she slipped up? Or forgot something important? It would embarrass her in front of the packs and could lead to mutiny,” Rick says, being the voice of reason.

  “I guess I can see why you would think that but please think about it before making that decision. You can’t take it back,” Nate says, making me look at him. He obviously doesn’t want me giving a position of power to his parents, only to take it away at a later date. I meant what I said though, they are two of the most kindest, caring people I have come across in the packs. I know I haven’t met the other leaders, or temporary leaders as all of my mates are technically the Alphas but that doesn’t take away from what I see in Laura and Tim.

  “I will but I doubt I’ll change my mind. The people leading us should be qualified for the job not just me and one of you. I want to be free to choose my mates,” I say watching them all perk up when I say ‘mates.’

  “Do you mean you want more than one of us?” Jason asks, a slight note of hope in his voice.

  “I haven’t fully decided yet but I do mean more than one of you. It’s been extremely hard to think about being with only one of you. I have to focus on what’s better for each of you and myself before making that choice,” I tell them being completely honest. I want to be with all of them but I’m scared to admit how badly I want it. Even if they share well, can they share me with their friends? And what about jealousy between us? If I kiss one, do I have to kiss the others? And what will the Elders think? Will they accept my decision or force me to stay?

  For now though, I have to focus on the problem at hand, meeting Luke and his mate. Everything else can wait until the trials are over.

  “Okay well if you want to ask us anything, please don’t hesitate. We want to make this decision as easy as we can for you,” Cam says, eyes full of sincerity.

  Looking at each of them, I can see they all want to help me with anything they can. It makes my life easier knowing they’re here for me.

  “Aw as heart-warming as this is with you all talking about mating, don’t we have bigger problems to deal with? Like an evil asshole who intends to ruin everything? No offense Cam,” Rick says grinning.

  “Easy for you to say, you’ve already mated with a hot stud,” I respond enjoying them both blush.

  “Wait you guys have already mated? When? Where’s the marking? Why didn’t you tell us?!” Nate fires off question after question not giving them any time to answer. I’m still stuck on the mating mark. What is it and why has no one mentioned it before now?

  “Jeez thanks Dani, it was supposed to be a secret,” Jake says the humour in his voice betraying his stern words.

  He did say they wanted it kept secret but only because they were worried about the packs reaction. Not that I blame them. All the mates I met at the party were males and females not two males. It must be hard trying to explain to their families.

  “I never agreed, you just said you wanted it kept quiet because you didn’t think the pack would be happy for you. Look at my mates and see how happy they are for you. They don’t care that you’re men mated to each other, just that you’ve found your mate. Though I do have to ask. What’s a mating mark?”

  “No one’s told you what the mating mark is?” Mitchell asks me perplexed.

  Shaking my head no, most of the guys sigh and roll their eyes, annoyed that none of them had the foresight to explain. It must be more important than I realised to cause such irritation.

  “Well, when a mating is consummated between two wolves, they show it by marking each other with a bite during the, uh, consummation,” Jonnie says blushing slightly disturbed by the conversation. “A bite happens both in human and wolf form, leaving behind a permanent mark to show you’re mated to someone.”

  “You guys know you can just say sex, right? I’m not a virgin, I can handle hearing the word ‘sex,’” I smirk watching as they all tense.

  Rick and Jake are shaking their heads frantically but it’s too late. I guess having a mate who isn’t a virgin is a foreign concept because they all look pissed. I’ve got to say, I don’t like it.

  “Please tell me you’re joking?” Mitchell asks begging me for an answer I can’t give him. What’s the big deal? It’s not like it meant anything. It was a one-time thing that was based purely on curiosity. I’m not married to the guy.

  “Dani? Are you pulling our leg or have you really been with someone else?” Cam asks slightly agitated.

  “I’m not joking, I wouldn’t lie about something like this. How dare you judge me for something you have no clue about! Like you’re all saints!”

  Storming out of the room, I walk past so many nameless blurs that I don’t recognize anyone. I’m sure I pass by my father though because I hear him calling my name but I just keep on going.

  To say I’m pissed is an extreme understatement. How dare they treat me like that? As if I’ve done something wrong by not being a virgin. Did they expect me to be a nun?

  “Dani, slow down please,” Jake pants from behind me. Slowing down, I let him catch up to me, taking a look at my surroundings.

  I’m in the woods somewhere near a beautiful stream. It wasn’t there when I was here earlier so I must have gone further than I thought. I follow it unsure where it leads but am pleasantly surprised when we arrive at a beautiful little lake.

  “We shouldn’t be out here alone, Dani. Not with Luke being on the pack land,” Jake says nervously.

  “Sorry Jake, I just need a minute or two. Those boys infuriate me! Can you believe how they reacted?! Like I’m their property that has to be pure for them!” I screech letting out my anger.

  “Sorry Dani don’t get mad at me but I do understand why they’re upset. Mating between wolves is sacred. It’s usually assumed that the female stays pure, even if the male doesn’t. In the case that a female isn’t pure, she never talks about it, especially with her mate.

  But, I understand from your side of things too. You should talk to them though. They can’t read your mind. Unless you tell them how you feel and why it upsets you, they won’t know.”

  He makes sense and as much as I hate to admit, he’s right that I should talk to them rather than storming off. God, I feel like such a brat.

  “Alright, let’s go back. Time to make up with my mates,” I respond dreading that conversation.

  We walk in silence, me going over everything in my head while Jake seems to be off in his own world.

  We’re about a mile from the house when Jake pulls me to a stop, spinning me around to face him. I look up into his eyes as he lowers his head to mine, wondering what on earth he’s doing? If I didn’t know better I’d think he was going for a kiss but that’s just crazy.

  “I love you Dani,” he whispers before his lips touch mine. I hesitate, wondering what’s going on when he whispers against my lips, so low I barely make it out, “Don’t move. Someone’s watching us. On the count of three,” he whispers pu
lling back with a massive grin. The cheeky son of a bitch is going to get me in trouble with my mates for that. I wink at him, knowing I have to be ready for his cue.

  We talked about this strategy yesterday, if we are cornered, create a ruse, one of us shifts while the other fights human. It’s the best distraction technique we could come up with since I’m still human. And it works with all my mates too.

  On three I start running in the direction of the house leaving Jake time to shift. Hopefully I can make it in time to get some help for him. There are at least three wolves in the immediate vicinity so the only option I have is to distract them for him.

  Someone tackles me half a mile from the house and I don’t give them time to cause any damage. I swing a right hook, relishing in the sound of a grunt. Rolling to the side, I jump to my feet raising my fists when another comes flying at me with a knife. I hear grunts and growls, the tell-tale sound of a human fighting with a wolf but I can’t worry about Jake right now. There are two wolves I have to deal with in front of me.

  I kick out aiming for the stranger’s head. He dodges my kick, letting it scrape across his chest instead of his face. He lunges for me, nicking my ribs with his knife. Great I’m going to have another scar.

  I dive for him and because he isn’t expecting it, he falls back while we grapple with his knife. I stab him, watching the light leave his eyes when I hear the twig snap from behind me. Another wolf is there diving for me looking completely rabid. There’s no time for me to get up, I throw myself on my back aiming the knife up. The wolf lands on me stabbing himself with the upturned knife I’m holding. Using the force of my body, I drag the knife up until the wolf stills on me and feel the blood drench my body as his heart stops.

  Pushing the carcass off me, I get up looking around for Jake but he’s nowhere to be found. A howl rips through the woods and I bolt towards it, my wolf telling me to go faster. Jake’s hurt.

  We make it where we left him and see Jake’s wolf huddled on the ground, blood staining his beige coat. My wolf howls inside me and I echo it, releasing the rage and sorrow I feel. It sounds strangled from my human throat. I circle the area when two wolves jump from the trees trying to attack me. Wrong move assholes, my wolf is pissed. We swing around the first, stabbing him in the back before lunging at the other stabbing in his chest putting as much force as I can behind my swing. It hits his heart and he crumbles to the ground like a piece of paper.

  The other however, has backed off and shifts back to human. He’s a monster of a man that looks terrifying but I can’t be afraid when Jake needs me.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know who you were. Please put the knife down,” he says in a gravelly voice.

  “Yeah no, that’s not happening. I think I’ll hold onto it until my mates get here. Now, who are you and why did you attack us?”

  “My name’s Chase but you’ll know me as James. As for who sent me, Luke did. He tasked us with killing the imposter Alpha though I see now you are my true descendant,” he says bowing his head to me in reverence while I try not to let my jaw drop.

  He’s James?!

  “You mean to tell me you’re Chase as in Luke’s enforcer who is a coldblooded killer, but you’re also James as in the original male alpha of my bloodline. Does that sound right?” I ask completely gobsmacked. If he’s telling the truth, why would he be working with someone as evil as Luke?

  “Yes, that’s me. I can tell by the look on your face that you’re confused and I’m sorry for that. No one knows I’m still alive. I had to insert myself into the rogue packs until I knew it was time to come back. Unfortunately, Luke heard of my skills, hunted me down and threatened to kill the Rogues if I didn’t come to work for him as his enforcer. I’ve been with him for almost 10 years now.

  When Luke heard of your existence, I did too. I didn’t know for sure if you were the real thing but I believe now. I knew it was finally time for me to show myself as I truly am. No one but Malina’s descendant could take out three of us so easily when protecting one of her own. Even though I know he isn’t your mate. He’s tainted with a male wolf’s mark,” he says, disgust on his face.

  “No! You attacked my friend. You don’t get to be disgusted.” I glare at him, my hatred for him obvious. If he had of just come and asked to meet me, he would have found out I was the real deal but instead he instigated a fight that lost him three wolves. “I need to get him to my mates,” I say more to myself than him.

  “You can heal him,” he states looking up at me from his bowed position.

  “No, I can’t. He needs to shift,” I say, staring at him stupidly. No one can just ‘heal’ a silver wound. It needs to be treated by the pack.

  “If you’ve read the journal you should know by now you are not an ordinary wolf. You are much stronger. Your original gifts should have already started breaking through. Let me show you. Your mates won’t make it in time to save him,” he says getting up from his position on the ground. I position myself in front of Jake’s panting wolf when he steps towards us. He immediately backs off sensing my anger.

  “I’m sorry I’ll stay back but for his sake, you must try,” he says positioning himself back on the ground in a submissive position.

  “Okay, tell me what to do. Just stay back or I won’t hesitate to kill you just like I did with your three friends.”

  “I understand. First, you need to place your hands over his heart and think of your wolf. Bring her as far as you can in your mind without shifting.”

  I do as he says. My wolf’s right there pacing along the barrier that’s stopping her from breaking through. She wants to help but we have no idea how.

  “Now imagine a light shining from her heart. The light is filling you with strength and power, enough that you both should feel invincible. As part of her pack, she will feel a connection to the wolf at your feet. It’s her job to connect you to his wolf, once you feel it click, let go of the power,” he explains while I try not to doubt his words. If he’s tricking me, this could hurt Jake more than he already is.

  I do as James says, feeling the connection click into place and just let go. I let go of everything.

  Chapter 20

  Why is the world gray? I can’t remember, everything’s all hazy. I see Jake’s naked form in front of me and go to touch him to check for a pulse when I see a paw move to his chest. I growl, whipping around looking for the wolf only to see James cowering off to the side while my mates clamber around Jake and me.

  I step back, tripping over my legs. Wait, why do I have four legs?

  Confused, I right myself and try to ask Cam what’s going on but all that comes from my mouth is a whine. Why am I whining like a wolf? I shake my head trying to clear my ears to hear whatever it is they’re trying to say. Their lips are moving but no sound is penetrating.

  Another man walks into the clearing. He seems familiar but I’m not sure why? I watch him approach me, growling when he gets in touching distance.

  Jake’s finally conscious behind me and I back into him showing everyone if they touch him I’ll rip their hands off. Why would I rip their hands off?

  A group of four men barge into the group and one of them breaks from the others going straight for James. He whimpers and submits. I pounce into action, defending him before anyone can harm him. I growl threateningly and the man must be stupid because he goes to push me to the side but I bite him. He jerks back shouting and pointing at me, none of which I understand. My wolf however knows he’s threatening us. We drag James back next to Jake while growling threateningly. The man’s still shouting and tries stepping forward again, while my mates all stand there grinning.

  Screw this! I’ve had it with his trying to touch us. I push my dominance forward, hunching low and growling loud to make him submit. He pales and slowly lowers to the ground but you can see he’s fighting it. I keep pushing my will making him submit when I realize I’m not human. My brain has cleared enough for me to make sense of all the conflicting thoughts and images. My human
brain tells me to stop making this man submit but my wolf’s in control now. She doesn’t like anyone trying to hurt what we’re protecting.

  Now that my human mind has made sense of everything, I know just who it is submitting. It’s Cam’s father. Well there goes not doing anything to piss him off. The others are all submitting even my mates. I walk forward on shaky legs and nudge Rick and Cam, getting them to follow me to Jake. I wouldn’t trust any two people more. Besides with my other mates staying back with Luke, I know they’ll watch our back. I’m not sure how long they stay like that when submitting to a will as powerful as my own.

  Sound’s slowly filtering in and I understand what’s being said. It’s louder than it should be but I think that’s more because of my wolf hearing.

  “What the hell were you thinking letting her come out here, unprotected?!” Cam accuses, while Rick helps Jake sit up.

  “Don’t blame me for pissing off your mate! If you guys had contained your jealousy, then she wouldn’t have felt the need to run off to the middle of the woods and get attacked by four fucking wolves! Just be glad that your mate is better at defending herself than any other wolf we’ve ever seen. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for her,” he says looking over at me, gratitude in his eyes. My wolf lopes forward rubbing her head against his face. He rubs behind my ear and I purr into his hand. That feels so good!

  “What do you mean four wolves?” Cam asks slightly pale, finally absorbing the enormity of the situation.

  Four wolves attacked us in what is supposed to be pack lands and one of them was definitely one of Luke’s enforcers. Wishing I could shift back to human so I could talk, I’m surprised that it happens at just the thought.

  Everyone around me stops abruptly, leaving me confused. Do I have mud all over me or something?

  “Shit!” Cam gasps standing in front of me. He pulls his shirt off placing it over me to cover my newly naked chest.