Page 13 of Twisted Mates

Would my brother’s mate?—

My hand snaps away from my dick like it’s shocked me. “No, no, no, you asshole. No!” I harshly admonish myself and turn the knob on the wall to cold.

Disgusted with myself and my wandering thoughts, I finish my shower and step out onto the bathmat. Pulling the towel off the rack, I squeeze the excess water out of the ends of my hair before drying my body and wrapping the blue terry cloth around my waist.

I reach over onto the shelf where I always set my pajama pants. But I didn’t bring them. I didn’t bring any clothes because I was sulking and pissed off. I just stormed in here like a petulant teenager and now I’ve got to go back to my bedroom like this. I take a deep breath and grab the door handle. Normally, I wouldn’t care. But after what just went down in that shower... let’s just hope I don’t see?—

“Oh,” Alexia chirps, nearly running into me as I step into the hallway. “He—Hello. Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

Those fucking chocolate eyes. I can tell she’s trying to keep them on my face, but she’s having areallyhard time. Her gaze moves along my collarbones, soaking up the ornate scrolling that trails over my shoulders and frames the tops of the colorless sleeves that adorn each of my arms. Scenes of wolves and trees and the moon peeking over the mountains. But she lingers the longest on the family crest inked over my heart that my mother adopted to represent her rule—a familiar image to our people.

I dip my head until my face is in Alexia’s line of sight. “See something you like, little wolf?”

Her cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink, but she recovers quickly, not breaking eye contact with me. “Yeah, actually, I do. I love your tattoos. They’re gorgeous. I only have one, but I’ve always wanted to get more,” she rattles, but I’m focused on four words:I only have one.

What is it? Where is it? The need to know is too much, and I feel a little ridiculous for being so curious.

Keeping my bearings, I say, “I’m glad you approve. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for others. It’s been made clear to me that they’re ‘trashy and not becoming of a prince.’”

“It wasn’t your mother who said that,” she states with so much conviction, like the two sat down and discussed the artistry of them before her passing.

“No. My mother was always fascinated with each piece I added to my body. She never felt it was her place to tell another what to do with themselves. As long as they lived by the shifter code of caring for our land and people, she considered them worthy of her respect.”

Alexia gives me a soft smile. “That’s why we all loved her. She was the best queen we could have ever asked for.” She swallows and I watch her throat for far longer than I should. “I have a question.”

My eyes snap back to her face. “Yeah?”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I probably shouldn’t even ask. It’s not any of my?—”

My lips turn up into a smirk. “Alexia, you’re rambling. Ask your question.”

She shifts from foot to foot and looks down at the carpet and back up at me before she says in a quiet voice, "You told Kai and Carrington that now isn’t the time to talk about it, but the reason you gave was that Kai needs to focus on me. ButIreally want to know.” She takes a breath, and I know what’s coming. “You loved your mom. Iknowyou did. Why didn’t you come to her funeral?”

I look away from her and shake my head. “Isn’t that the million-dollar question? The queen’s selfish oldest son dips out on his mom’s funeral.” I bring my attention back to her and put on the mask of indifference that has served me well in the past. “No disrespect, Alexia, but I’m not having this conversation with you either. Your life is set for a new course, and you don’t needme adding what could be roadblocks for you. The journey you have before you won’t be an easy one. Keep focused on nothing but Kai.”

Her eyebrows scrunch together, and I want nothing more than to reach out and smooth away the worry line forming between them. But of course, that’s not possible. So I just cross my arms over my bare chest and make myself look even more closed off.

When she speaks, I’m shocked to hear her voice come out shaky and thick, almost like she’s on the verge of tears. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have asked. That’s none of my business.” She gives me a tight smile as she steps around me toward Kai’s room. “I’ll see you later?”

I look back at her retreating form and my mouth opens, but I hold the words back. The best thing I can do is keep things civil between us and keep her at a distance. Nothing good can come out of her finding some comfort in me. Not when I’m already on the verge of crossing a dangerous line, and that would be a fatal mistake when she is set to be the future queen.

FIVE

Alexia

One of my favorite things about myself is that I feel everything so deeply. That I love with all my heart, find even the smallest things so hilarious, or even cry at those Christmas commercials about pick-up trucks. But at times like this, Ihateit. I hate that my brain takes even the slightest rejection and fixates on it, making me feel like I’ve done or said the dumbest or most horrible thing in human or shifter history. Eventually, whether it be later that day or longer, I’ll get through it and realize it wasn’t the end of the world, but in this moment, itcrushesme.

And while most people wouldn’t see what just happened with Xander as a rejection, especially because he wasn’t rude or mean, I do. I meant it when I said that he didn’t have to tell me, because I don’t ever want to push him or anyone else to do anything they don’t want to do. But something about the way he said it.

No disrespect, Alexia, but I’m not having this conversation with you either.

With you.

Alexia.

That hurt.

I flop down on Kai’s bed and stare at the ceiling, clasping my hands on my belly, and I’m so focused on my thoughts that I don’t even hear the door open and shut.

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