Page 5 of Twisted Mates

I blanch at Clayton’s statement but the way he says it also irks me. It doesn’t matter that I come from a bloodline that isstronger than his. Or that I could have one day held a high rank in our pack without mating with Kai. He will never let me forget that I’m beneath his royal children. I’m just a subject of the kingdom he has ruled for the past ten years.

Even though the only reason he’s king regent is because of Olivia. If it weren’t for her, he’d be just another wolf in the pack. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but he acts like he’s so much better than everyone else.

But I know I can’t blurt out what I really want to say, so I just smile brightly and link my arm through Kai’s. “I’m proud to become a member of your family. Just as I’m proud to welcome Kai into mine.”

“I’m glad you feel that way because you will be joining us in the Mount Selene chateau starting tonight. The house is the perfect setting to solidify your bond, and we will take care of everything for you so that you can spend the next couple of weeks concentrating on each other.”

I go stiff and Kai must notice because he places his hand over my fingers that grip his robe. He brushes his thumb over my knuckles until I loosen my grip on him.

The thought of my life being upended never truly occurred to me. I knew my mate and I would have to consummate our relationship to solidify our bond, but I never dove deeper than that. Most mates have a courting period before they make big life changes, but I guess that’s not the case when the future king is your mate. But hell, Kai and I haven’t said two words to each other and I’m already moving in.

I look to my mother and father, almost expecting one of them to protest, to claim they aren’t quite ready for me to leave the nest yet, but they’re just standing there with goofy smiles on their faces. “Sounds good,” my dad says, clapping Clayton on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s get a drink.”

My mom grins and squeezes my arm before following my father and Clayton to the open bar, leaving Kai and I alone. Well, as alone as we can be in a ballroom full of people staring at us.

“This was... unexpected,” I finally say, breaking the silence between us.

Kai huffs out a laugh as we walk toward the table in the center of the room right at the edge of the dance floor that’s meant for us. “That’s the understatement of the year.”

“I don’t know what I thought would happen tonight, but it wasn’t this. I mean...” I glance up at him as he pulls out my chair and then sits in the seat next to me. “It’s just a surprise, that’s all.”

He turns toward me, and his green eyes bore into mine. “Have you ever, I don’t know,feltany type of way about me before tonight?”

My cheeks flame and I feel heat creeping up my chest. I suddenly want to rip this lace from my neck so I can breathe better, but instead, I just lift my shoulders in the tiniest shrug. “Well, I—I mean, you—”For fuck’s sake, Alexia.

His lips tilt up in a crooked smile, and I roll my eyes, shoving him playfully. “What? Clearly, I have my answer,” he teases. “You don’t have to go on.”

“Stop it. You’re good-looking, Malakai. You know it, I know it, everyone knows it. So have I ever thought about you being attractive? Yes. Did I maybe have a crush on you for a minute? Possibly. But this? Being yourmate? No. Absolutely not. This is wild.” I raise one eyebrow. “Wait. Haveyouever thought aboutme?”

He runs his fingers through his dark blond hair and shakes his head. “There was a time when we were younger that I might have had a little thing for you. But you were Care’s friend before you were mine and I’d never mess things up between you guys. So, I suppose this is a surprise to both of us.”

I fold my hands on the tabletop and lean into him saying, “Thisiskind of weird, isn’t it?”

“It could be worse.”

“It could.”

I let that thought sink in and calm my frayed nerves. I won’t have to learn all the things that make my mate tick or feel uncomfortable as I slowly reveal myself to him layer by layer. He’s seen me without makeup and with my hair an utter disaster. He knows I can kill a package of cookies all by myself when I’m upset. Not much about me will be a surprise revelation.

Our food is brought to us right then, saving us from the pain of discussing this further. The scent of roasted chicken and seasoned potatoes have my stomach growling. Both of us waste no time eating, and we’re almost finished when the DJ cuts the music and announces that it’s time for the moment everyone’s been waiting for. I kind of thought that was me choosing my mate, but maybe I missed a chapter in the playbook.

When the words “traditional first dance” come out of his mouth, I tuck my lips between my teeth and glance at Kai.

“I forgot about this part. Do we have to do some kind of choreography because I amsonot prepared,” I whisper.

Kai shakes his head. “We’re going to do the good ol’ ‘hands on hips and shoulders and sway move.’”

“Thank Luna,” I mutter as he pulls my chair out for me, and we make our way to the middle of the dance floor. The first notes of a romantic ballad play through the speakers, a song I recognize. At least the music doesn’t suck. But when Kai rests his hands on my waist and pulls me toward him, I realize the whole room is staring at us. What, are they just going to watch us for four whole minutes like a bunch of creeps?

“Lex, now’s when you put your arms around my neck,” he murmurs, a grin playing at his lips.

“Damn, sorry,” I say, doing as he says, leaving no more than a couple inches between us in my hurry to not look like a fool in front of the pack.

Oops. That’s probably too close. Oh well. Too late now.

Shifter traditions are abundant. Everything from a preteen’s first shift to their final breath is accompanied by pomp and circumstance. Life is something we never take for granted and celebrate in every way we can. The first dance of mates is meant to symbolize our souls becoming one, falling into rhythm and showing that we intend to always consider our partners no matter where life takes us. It’s a beautiful concept and one I’ve dreamed about since I was a young girl.

As we spin around the dance floor, I catch sight of a figure in the back of the room. He stands with his muscular arms folded over his chest and his blue eyes are narrowed on us. I would be intimidated by him if I didn’t know who he was.

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