One Wolf, Two Kings

Chapter 5

Emma’s POV

I can not believe it. Tomorrow is the night I have been waiting for. It is my 18th birthday. I will hopefully get my wolf and complete my first shift all in one go. I have prayed to the moon goddess every night for a wolf of my own. I truly want a friend to share all my secrets too.

Most of my pack are too scared of upsetting Carletta to be my friend openly. If they do become more friendly to me and hang out with me in public, then my dear sweet little sister will then use our father’s position as the beta to scare them off. It has worked on most of the pack. All except for Alpha Austin, his sister Ava, Gamma Spencer, and my boyfriend Nate.

I feel a little bad as I have not been seeing much of Nate as normal. I have been helping Alpha Austin set up a birthday surprise for Ava. Since I am usually left to my own devices after my work at home is done, Alpha Austin thought I would be perfect to help plan something special for his little sister. I envy Ava for having a brother that cares so much for her. I know Carlos’ wolf cares for me, but Carlos is a lot harder to read.

I shake my head and finish the last details of the party plans I have come up with. ‘Now all I need to do is show these to Alpha Austin, and then tomorrow, I can get started on the decorations while Ava goes with her parents for the day.’ I thought to myself as I picked up the papers off my desk.

Another pang of jealousy hits my heart at the thought. My mother and father have not done anything to celebrate my birthday since I was five years old. I once again shake the thought.

‘Stop it. Stop it. Stop it… I can not be so negative about this. I love my family.’ I scolded myself.

I open the front door and let out a small squeak of surprise. Nate was there with his hand up as he was about to knock. Within a few seconds, he recovers from his shock as a smile breaks out on his gorgeous face.

“Oh, Emma! I am so glad you are home. I was wondering if you wanted to join me for lunch today?” He asked. I smile at him. He is so adorable.

“I would love to, Nate, but unfortunately I have to meet Alpha Austin about something very important.” I told him. Nate’s smile fades instantly and is replaced with a pout.

“If it is so important, then how come the beta or gamma are not handling it?” He asked, crossing his arms.

“Aww, don’t be jealous, babe. Alpha Austin asked me to do this task personally.” I tell him. Nate huffs and storms off. I worry a little bit. I hope he understands that he is still the one man I love more than anything… Even if we are not true mates, he will always be my first love. If I could tell him, I would… but only Alpha Austin, his parents, and I know about Ava’s birthday surprise.

Gamma Spencer can’t keep news like this to himself to save his life. He ruined the surprise last year with his big mouth. It came out of him as if he was a human wasted on liquor. That was how loose his lips were. Though it is so weird how when it comes to pack secrets, Gamma Spencer is like a fricking safe… all locked up with the key thrown away.

Though when it comes to doing something good for someone else, he can’t help but be overly excited about it and then it slips out. With this being Ava’s 18th birthday, so she will be shifting for the first time, Alpha Austin wanted this surprise to be perfect.

I quickly dash over to the pack house. Maybe if I hurry up and get these plans finalized today, then I could maybe make a picnic dinner to share with Nate later tonight. I smile to myself as I run a little faster.

Though I guess my mind was too focused on Nate, that I missed a step in front of the pack house and was about to eat concrete. I closed my eyes and waited for the pain.

“Hey! Watch out!” I heard a deep voice yell out.

My face landed on something hard, but it was softer than the concrete step. I heard a thud and someone grunted as strong arms wrapped around my slender frame. When everything finally started to feel like it was standing still again. I took a peek with one eye open and looked up.

Alpha Austin’s face was only a few inches from mine. My face heated up so quickly that I started to get a bit dizzy. I probably looked like one of those cartoon characters with a tomato red face and blush lines across my cheeks.

“I am s-s-so sorry, Alpha.” I stuttered as I tried to sit up. That was when I realized that I was straddling his lap. Argh… please allow the earth to open and swallow me whole.

“Hahaha. Emma, your face is so red that you could stop traffic.” Alpha Austin laughed as he stood to his feet with me still in his arms. He set me down gently and looked me over.

“I am glad I was able to catch you. I doubt Nate would forgive me if I let you get all scratched up.” He said with his normal kind smile.

“Thank you for your consideration, Alpha.” I said with a shy smile. Alpha Austin took a step back from me, giving me some personal space.

“So what had you all worked up that you almost got hurt tripping over your own feet?” He asked.

“Oh… it is about that.” I said, handing him the yellow envelope I had in my arms. At first, he looked confused, but within a second it hit him.

“Oh! Have you finished it already?! You truly are amazing, Emma. Let's go to my office and finalize the details.” He said with a big smile on his face. I returned his smile and followed him into the pack house.

Once in his office, he locked the door. Gamma Spencer and Ava both have the bad habit of just walking into Alpha Austin’s office without knocking.

“So here is what I have come up with, Alpha. Once you pick out what you like for the party, I can decorate the hall tonight.” I said. He c****d his head to the side in confusion.

“Why tonight? We still have three days until her birthday.” He said. I nodded. “I know, but I want to spend tomorrow and the days after with Nate. Because of this big secret party planning, I have not had much time with him and I would love to make it up to him.” I explained. Alpha Austin nodded in understanding.

“Ah, I see. I am sorry if this has put some strain on your relationship.” He said with a sad look. I shook my head and hands in front of me.

“Oh no. It is not that big of a deal, but I guess you could say that it was a good starting point for us.” I told him.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well, we may not be together all the time since I am turning 18 tomorrow. Nate and I agreed that if we were not true mates, then I would take the next couple of years to have a chance at finding my true mate.” I said. Alpha Austin was just nodding along.

“If I do not find my true mate by the time I turn 21, Nate has already asked me to be his chosen mate… but if either of us finds our true mate, we promised to part on good terms and remain good friends.” I said with a smile. Alpha Austin scratches his chin as he thinks.

“I am glad that you are taking the time to try and find your true mate, Emma. Not that I am against you taking a chosen mate, but I hear that nothing beats the kind of bond that you have with your true goddess given mate.” He says. I can see the loneliness in his eyes.

“I know what you are saying, Alpha. I have the lingering fear that the love I feel for Nate would never be stronger than any mate bond made by a goddess. I would hate it if Nate comes to regret giving up on his mate because of me.” I said honestly.

I mean what if he meets his true mate after he has already marked me as his? We would then have to go to the alpha king for him to break our bond before either of us could be with another. Otherwise, we would feel the pain of betrayal just like a true mate would.

Alpha Austin nods. “Well, that can only be decided between the two of you. Who knows… there is a chance that the two of you may be true mates, but only time will tell. Now let's hurry with this meeting and then you can decorate the ballroom tonight and then have the rest of the week off to spend with Nate.” Alpha Austin says with a smile. I smile at him as well and open the envelope and pull out the party plans I have come up with.

An hour later we both agreed on one of the design plans. Then Alpha Austin and I both headed to the mall to get everything we needed. He thought if we both did it together then we would be done twice as fast. He left his alpha duties to my father and Gamma Spencer for the rest of the day.

“Hey Austin, look at this one. I think it is super cute!” I called out to him. Since we were around humans, I had to drop his alpha title when we spoke. I was looking at some adorable looking hair clips. He came up next to me and looked over my shoulder.

“You are right. Do you think Ava would like one?” He asks. I looked at them and thought about which one would suit Ava. She is a strong warrior, so nothing flashy and girly is really her style. My eyes then land on a silver crescent moon shaped one with light purple butterflies on it. They look as if they are flying around, and purple is Ava’s favorite color. I picked it up and showed it to Alpha Austin.

“I think this one would be best for Ava. She could wear it when she goes out with her mate or for future formal events.” I suggest. Alpha Austin looks at it and agrees with a smile.

“I think it would suit her perfectly. She does like purple and I have noticed her spending a lot more time in the butterfly garden drawing on her days off.” He said, taking the clip from me and going to pay for it.

I looked down and saw a black and silver hair clip. It was a black heart with silver wings. Though the wings looked like they were from a dragon or gargoyle. I will be honest that things like fairy and demon magic have always interested me, but that is a hobby I keep to myself.

I feel drawn to the style of the clip… Almost as if it is reminding me of something, but I come out of my trance when I feel someone touching my hair. I look up and Alpha Austin is putting something in my hair.

“There you go. I think it looks really nice with your red and gold curls.” He said with a big smile. I looked into the sample mirror and saw that he had put the same black heart with silver wings into my hair.

“Oh, um thank you Austin. That is very sweet of you.” I said with a big smile, though I know I am blushing. He smiles back.

“Consider it an early birthday present.” He said.

I am so happy. I never ask Nate or Ava for anything, because I don't want them to think I am their friend to get things… So this clip is the first present I have gotten since I was five. I forgot myself for a moment and hugged Alpha Austin in front of everyone in the store.

“Oh, thank you so much, Austin. I love it.” I said. Alpha Austin smiles and hugs me back before patting me on the head.

“You know I have always thought of you as my second little sister, Emma. I just don’t do much out of people getting the wrong idea.” he says honestly as we continue to shop for everything we need.

“Oh, I know. You, Carlos, and Spencer all have your own little fan clubs. I mean, if Harper, Carletta, and Ava were not related, then I am sure the girls in the pack would lose their minds about them being around you guys.” I told him honestly.

It was ridiculous how easily rumors start in our pack. You would think creatures with super hearing would learn to actually listen before things got out of hand. There was one time that pack members thought that Carlos and Harper were dating simply because Harper would hang out with Carletta and Carletta had Carlos around.

Carlos made it perfectly clear that he and Harper were not an item. I honestly think that he hates her for one reason or another. I mean, he even sometimes looks like he doesn’t like Carletta all that much and they are twins.

Alpha Austin and I finished our shopping and headed back to the pack house. We locked ourselves in the largest ballroom and got to decorating. As I hung the purple and silver streamers all around the walls and columns, Alpha Austin had ordered a bunch of violet flowers and white lilies to be delivered on the morning of the party. That way they are as fresh as possible. Then he started blowing up purple and silver balloons that we will stick to the walls. The ones that need the helium tank so they float around will be done the more of the party when the flowers are to be set up.

It was looking to be a very nice party set up indeed. I also put together a playlist of all of Ava’s favorite songs that can be hooked up to the speaker system in the room. After a couple of hours, Alpha Austin and I finished setting everything up so far.

“There… now all that is left to do is to pick up the food, cake, flowers, and helium tanks the morning of the party.” I said, as we left the ballroom. Alpha Austin locked it all up so no one could get inside until the day of the party.

“Thank you so much for your help today again. If you never get hired at Moon Beam, then you could honestly start your own party planning business.” He said as he ruffled my hair.

I laughed and then looked down at my wristwatch. It was 11 pm. I could still head over to Nate’s house and ring in the morning of my birthday with him.

“Alpha Austin, may I use the kitchen to make a snack for Nate and me to share as we ring in my birthday?” I asked. Alpha Austin smiles warmly at me.

“Of course, Emma. I hope you have a good night, and a happy birthday tomorrow.” He said with a wave as he walked to the elevator to go to his floor.

I quietly head to the kitchen and look around to see what I can throw together. I found some thick cut bacon in the fridge, so I made some quick work and whipped up some BLT sandwiches. I also got some strawberries and whipped cream for dessert. I then pack up the food and tidy up the kitchen before leaving the pack house.

I run as fast as I can to Nate’s house. Hoping he will still be awake. It only takes about ten minutes to get to Nate’s from the pack house. With it being late I gently knocked on the door, but after a few minutes, no one answered.

I tried the door handle and found that it was unlocked. ‘That means that Nate is home.’ I thought to myself. Nate only locks his doors when he is leaving his house. I go inside and set up the food on a tray.

He may be in bed asleep, but I am sure he will love this surprise. I smile to myself as I pick up the tray and head over to his room.

Everything is dead silent, but for some reason, something in the pit of my stomach is telling me to turn around. I gently turn the handle to his bedroom and quietly open the door. There was a small lamp on the bedside table.

I froze in the doorway. My hands trembled as tears filled my eyes. My heart was breaking. Nate, my boyfriend, was naked and asleep next to the one person that hates me more than life itself… a very naked Carletta.