CHAPTER 1: Mates

Kylie

"Are you sure you don't want to return home before midnight?" Lucas exhaled before this fist was thrown at my face.

I lifted my right arm and blocked his punch with my palm. As soon as I got a grasp of his bulge and hefty fist, I shoved it away and extended my other arm to hit him.

"My birthday was nothing special. I'd rather stay here to train."

Beads of sweat rolled down my forehead, but I was too preoccupied to even wipe them. Fighting for me was a piece of cake but it was kind of harder with Lucas because he was our late Alpha's son.

The motivation to be good enough as their Beta was the only thing that kept me going.

"I'd like to say you were looking forward to being the Pack's Beta rather than meeting your mate," Lucas laughed.

That's a truth I won't deny.

His balled-up fist landed on the left side of my jaw, which caused my face to wince with a slight hint of pain. I was ready to hit him back when both his hands were abruptly raised into the air as an indication of surrender.

Staring into his face covered with sweat and his head continuously shaking, we both burst out laughing.

I know he didn't mean to hurt me, and it was nothing but a pure accident.

My shoulders were both slumped, and my eyelids were getting heavier. I was indeed tired of training for the entire day, but this would be my last day of training anyway, so I might as well enjoy every bit of it.

"Logan will be here for your next training session," he mumbled before filling his mouth with water.

Wiping a white towel over his face, he glanced at his wristwatch.

"I'm ten minutes ahead, but who cares? Happy birthday, Beta Kylie." Lucas' brows wiggled, teasing me by addressing me as his Beta. He granted a tap on my shoulder before he pointed out the exit.

After I was left alone, I decided to sit on the bench while waiting for Alpha Logan to arrive.

It was already pitch black outside the training hall. Only the dim lights around the Packhouse gave luminosity to my sight.

"Shall we start?"

My shoulders vibrated as I gasped in shock at the sudden baritone yet hoarse voice that rang behind me.

"Alpha," I called, hastily leaving my seat to turn around and bow my head.

Unlike Lucas, his twin, Logan was more intimidating. With his stone-like face and his cold Alpha demeanor, nobody was entitled to have a casual chat with him. His aura screams respect and high recognition.

His hands were positioned while his feet were in place, ready to fight. I did the same, though my attention was drifting to something else.

My heart was suddenly racing as if I was nervous. I've never felt nervous with any of my training before.

Logan extended his right arm until his fist bumped into mine. Within only a blink of a second, I felt volts of electricity rushing through me with his skin touching mine.

I forced myself to focus on the fight. I can't lose right now and make him think I don't deserve the place I worked hard for.

A few seconds had passed, and he had yet to throw me any attack. His sharp eyes were peering at me beneath his long and thick lashes with a hint of a devilish smirk painted on his lips.

Realizing he had no intention of initiating the attack, I was the one who started. Firm and quick, I stretched out my arm with my tightly clenched fist.

I had already calculated my fist to land on his left cheek and as his initial response, I knew he would block it. But that's not what happened.

Logan's rough palm grips my wrist as he tugs at me. I was caught off guard and that made me just lifelessly follow his pull.

My chest banged against his hard and toned chest before I was twisted into the air. And the next thing I knew, my back was pressed into his chiseled body.

With him this close, my body began to hyperventilate until I felt his heavy breath brushing against my nape. My breathing became rapid with a sudden intensity, and my knees wobbled.

"A-Alpha?"

His arms that were wrapped around my waist got tighter.

"What about Logan?" he playfully chuckled, making me lose my sanity.

I've never come to see nor hear him like this. Never in my entire existence, regardless of being by his side throughout our childhood, have I come to have him this close.

In a swift motion, he lifted me with his hands on my waist and pinned me to the nearest wall. Parting my legs apart as he pushed himself, leaving no space between us.

He looked down and took out a wristwatch that was inside his pocket.

"Two minutes more," Logan mumbled.

"No," I immediately responded, shaking my head.

With confusion and denial consuming me, I forced myself to face the man with my head held up high. But it didn't last long as he towered over me with a playful smirk on his reddish lips. Nonetheless, I seemed to betray myself as the urge to kiss him sank in.

"I-I'm just mistaken," I whispered, holding onto his shoulders as I gently pushed him away from me.

He's my Alpha. This is impossible, though my wolf's saying otherwise.

"No, you're not mistaken, Kylie." His brows furrowed, dampening his bottom lip with saliva.

"I waited and let you take your time until you turned eighteen. Don't you think two years was enough torture for me?"

I couldn't help but firmly bite my lower lip to prevent myself from saying a word when I felt the tip of his nose hit my skin.

"Hmm?" And I was completely lost when he sniffed my neck.

I know this shouldn't be. He's my Alpha, and I am just a mere she-wolf who will be his Beta. But just like a normal werewolf, I lost my thoughts and was driven by the mate bond.

His gentle touches make me feel like I am some porcelain vase that'll break any minute. And I never felt that good in my entire life.

Without any hint of hesitation, I gave in.

---

I was awakened by the bright rays of the sun coming from the window of the room. As soon as I opened my heavy eyes, pictures from last night were still imprinted on my head.

Was it just a dream?

I immediately sat down and even got confused to find myself wearing a plain oversized white shirt which was definitely not mine. I hopped off the mattress, and my aching core confirmed what happened last night between me and Alpha Logan was real.

With the walls painted gray and with a few baby pictures of them hanging on the wall, I knew Logan had taken me into his room.

Just thinking of him made my wolf jump in glee and excitement. The need to see him fills me, so I quickly got myself ready and made my way out to see him.

I stepped outside and noticed everyone seemed to be busy with something. I continued to wander down the grand stairs hoping to see Logan, but I instead came across his twin.

"Hey, Kylie," he warmly greeted, smiling widely.

"Good morning, Alpha Lucas."

Being identical twin brothers. They look exactly the same, the only difference is that Lucas has a small mole on the bridge of his nose.

"I am wondering if you know where Logan is?" I added, fidgeting.

"Logan? No, I don't know," he laughs, shrugging.

"I mean, Alpha Logan," I nervously chuckled back, realizing that I had just addressed Logan with his name.

Lucas raised his brows before pointing out his index finger behind me. Looking back, I saw Logan walking towards me.

An automatic smile formed on my lips as my eyes locked with him. I felt a slight ache in my chest as I got nothing but a cold glance in return. My smile slowly faded when he turned away and attended to the wooden double doors instead of coming to me.

Before I could question it, Logan opened the door and two women went in with a couple of bodyguards behind them.

And to my surprise, I knew those women. They are the twin Luna of our neighboring Pack.

I froze in my place when one of them reached Logan and kissed him on his cheek while his hands immediately snuck into her waist, gently pulling her towards him.

What the hell is going on here?!