Page 2 of Twisted Mates

“Don’t be. Xander is an adult and makes his own choices.” She tangles her fingers with mine and I give her hand a squeeze.

Warmth spreads along my side and I find Kai falling into step next to me. Unlike his twin, he’s a mess. His sandy blond hair stands in all directions and his green eyes are void of emotion. He yanks on his black tie as he keeps his attention straight ahead.

“How are you holding up?’ I ask.

His shoulders barely move when he shrugs. “I’m here.”

Without hesitation, I slide my free arm around his waist and pull him against me as we walk. He’s only a couple of inches taller than me, so I can easily lay my head against his shoulder. I probably should have asked first, but sometimes, I just act before thinking. And right now, I guess I’m just thinking with my heart.

“I’m so sorry, Kai. I just want you to know I’m here if you need me. Anything. All you have to do is ask,” I say, looking up at him, hoping he’ll talk to me but understanding completely if he doesn’t.

One side of his mouth tilts up, causing a deep dimple on the same cheek. “Dangerous words, Rush. I might try to cash in on a?—”

“Don’t you dare say another word, Malakai,” Carrington says with a playful edge to her voice.

He bumps my hip with his and winks down at me.

A cluster of butterflies swirls around in my stomach. I’ve known the Braxton twins my entire life, but it’s only recently that I’ve started seeing Kai in a different light. It’s hard to pinpoint when something changed. Maybe it was seeing him play on the basketball court or when he gave a particularly well-researched speech in history class. Then again, it could be his sage eyes that always glint with mischief or the muscles he’s developed from working out.

No. No, no, no.It doesn’t matter how hot Kai is. He’s my best friend’s brother and I would never let him cause a rift between Carrington and me. Even so, I can’t control that my thoughts go rogue once in a while and turn to him.

But not today... not now, when Carrington and Kai’s world has been flipped upside down. My job is to be here for them, make sure they know they aren’t alone. Especially after today. The death of a pack ruler will change everyone’s lives, but none of them will feel the impact of the queen’s loss like my friends will. It isn’t just the loss of their mother. It might sound dramatic, but their childhood sort of died with her. When we leave here today, their training will begin. It won’t ever be exactly as it used to be, and one day, one of them will be the new ruler. And the fate of the entire pack will fall squarely on their shoulders.

Who will it be?

Whoever finds their mate first.

ONE

Alexia

Going through the cleansing ritual isn’t a choice that most young shifters make. Most would say that it’s an outdated practice and those who partake in it are impatient or even worse... desperate. It’s too extreme for someone my age, especially in a world where constant connection is vital to a twenty-something's social life. I should be engrossed in my career and spending my weekends at bars. Shifters my age that haven’t found their mate yet are fucking around and exploring their sexuality. And I’ve done all those things. I have a job I love and have dated around. But none of that has led me to discoveringthe one. Hence the point of isolating from the rest of the world in a sterilized room inside an ancient temple for ninety days. It’s a special form of torture,andthe most effective way for a wolf shifter to find their mate.

For three months, my life has been void of color, other than my limited view of the mountains outside the small window of my modest accommodations. The priestesses that care for the moon goddess’s temple don’t speak, leaving me to listen to birds chirping in the distance and the quiet rustling of their robes asthey roam the immaculate white hallway outside my door. Never in my life have I eaten such bland food, all of it void of the spices I’m used to. All textures are smooth, and the only smell is the hint of pine that carries on the occasional breeze. I’m also more aware of my rampant thoughts than ever, and I am not good at sitting still with nothing to do—I may be twenty-five with finding a mate in mind, but my ADHD certainly hasn’t gone anywhere. But that’s kind of the point of all this, to focus my thoughts and heighten my senses, so the moment I touch the one who’s meant to be my mate I will know.

Maybe I could have given the more modern way of finding a mate a chance for a little longer. Blind dates, random hook-ups, and pure old-fashioned waiting for a chance encounter, but it all seemed like a waste of time when I know that there is one that my soul is destined for. My parents suggested the old practice of the cleansing ritual if that’s what I really wanted. It didn’t take much convincing on their part. I’ve been ready to find my mate since my youngest brother found his last summer. My parents tried to tell me there was no hurry, but I was ready to get it over with. So, I chose the quicker route—the cleansing ritual. In addition to being secluded from everyone besides this one priestess and blood family, I’ve spent months imploring the moon goddess Luna to guide my mate to the ceremony tonight, no matter where in the world they are. If all goes the way we hope, I should be able to locate them within the crowd of unmated shifters.

A light tap comes from my door before it is eased open. A blank-faced priestess walks inside with white garments draped over her arm. I dip my head in greeting, and she returns the gesture.

“Is that my dress for tonight?” I ask, my gaze raking over the mound of lace and satin. Just the sight of it has my fingertips tingling. Since I arrived at Luna’s Temple, I’ve been dressed insimple ivory linen pants that hang loosely from my hips and matching tops. I’m eager to feel the texture of the lace and the glide of the satin against my skin.

The priestess nods as she rests the dress at the end of the twin-sized bed. With a tip of her chin, she motions for me to sit at the desk in the corner of the room. I take a seat, and she sets to work on my hair, pinning and braiding until all but a few ebony strands sit at the top of my head. As I watch her work, I wonder where she learned to create such an elaborate updo. Her own hair is bound beneath a bleached head covering, just like the other priestesses, and those who go through the cleansing ritual are far and few between.

She makes her way to the dress, lifting it from the bed. While she readies it to go over my head, I remove my clothes. I’ll wear nothing beneath it, as is tradition. The one-of-a-kind gown was made by her and the others in her order especially for me. It’s believed to be divinely inspired by Luna and perfect for my body. And it is. The white lace starts high on my neck and travels down my arms until it stops at my knuckles. The satin beneath it begins at my breasts, hugging my wide hips and the swell of my soft stomach until it pools at my feet. No shoes, no jewelry, no makeup, just me in my rawest, purest form in a dress from the goddess. Despite its beauty, I can’t help but to feel a little bit ridiculous, like a virginal girl in a fairytale, setting off into the forest to meet her demise by a pack of wolves.

We step into the hallway and make our way toward the great room of the temple. The sun has set and a half-moon shines through the towering arched windows that line the outer walls. My heart drums in my chest with every step we take. I’ve always been the hopeless romantic, dreaming about how I would one day find my mate and what it would be like—would we be moon-bonded so we can shift anytime we want, or would we have asimple fated bond? Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me because every bond is a soul bond and blessed by Luna.

But this... holy shit. Knowing the moment could be just minutes away has me completely unnerved.

Thereisa chance that I could walk out of this temple mateless. The embarrassment would crush me. Then again, my mate is most likely here and waiting for me to claim them. Usually, mates are found within one’s pack; my family put out the call for unmated shifters to attend and no doubt, they will answer. Bloodlines and all that are important to shifters and the Rush family has one of the strongest, if notthestrongest in our pack. Laughable as it is to me, some might consider me a hot commodity.

I just want to find theone.

The priestess and I turn down the final corridor. It is lined with her sisters on either side, all dressed identically in their ivory robes, heads bowed and hands clasped in front of them. At the end stands my family, my three older brothers decked out in tuxedos with their mates at their sides, and my mom and dad in the center of them.

My mom’s slender lips pull into a wide grin as her warm brown eyes lock with mine. She is beautiful in a sparkling red dress with her dark hair flowing down one shoulder. The moment I’m within reach she pulls me into a hug.

Pride thickens her voice as she says, “Alexia, you look stunning.”

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