One Wolf, Two Kings

Chapter 2

I finish setting the table with all of the place settings just as I hear the kitchen timer go off on the oven. I pull out the prime rib roast from the oven and set them on the counter to rest a bit before I cut them. I placed all the side dishes on the table and got some wine out from the cellar, along with a few beers and sodas.

By the time I finish setting the side dishes on the table along with all the different drinks, the prime rib roast is ready for me to slice them. That way, they are easier to serve. After slicing it all up evenly, I put the serving platters on the table.

I looked up at the clock and it was just in time for dinner. I heard the doorbell ring and went to answer it. I pulled open the door and bowed my head.

“Welcome Alpha Austin, Gamma Spencer.” I greet them first. “And welcome to you as well Ava, Harper, and Nate.” I greet the others behind them.

Ava is Alpha Austin’s younger sister and she is as kind as her brother and will turn 18 a couple of days after my birthday. Harper is Gamma Specer’s little sister and treats me just like my little sister does.

Nate Foster is a warrior in our pack and he is my boyfriend. He is 20 and still without a mate. We have been dating for the last year and a half. He is a complete gentleman. Even though I know he wants more, we have mostly held hands and kissed.

I am saving my first time for my mate. I do love Nate and care for his feelings and I honestly hope that we are mates when I turn 18, but I can not bring myself to sleep with anyone that is not my mate. Nate respects my feelings and does not force the issue of s*x on me.

We all sit down at the table with Alpha Austin at the head of the table and my father at the other end. I am sitting between Nate and Carlos. Carlos always keeps an eye on Nate when he is around. I brush it off as his own brotherly impulse. He never says anything, just watches closely when Nate and I are together. Everyone made their plates and began to eat.

“Mmmm. The food is delicious, Emma. What did you use to season the roast with?” Ava asked. I smiled at her.

“It was a homemade marinade I made with some beef stock, soy sauce, and some herbs from the pack gardens your mother started up a few years ago.” I said.

“Wow, your skills could rival some of the chefs at those fancy restaurants we sometimes visit for business meetings.” Gamma Spencer commented. I smiled at his comment.

“Oh, please.” Carletta's voice filled the room. Everyone turned to look at her. “Gamma Spencer, you don’t have to be polite to her and lie like that.” She said with a smirk on her face. “I mean, her food is edible at best, but to compare her to a professional chef is an insult to the chefs.” She continued.

“I totally agree.” Harper chimed in.

Everyone became silent. Alpha Austin, Gamma Spencer, Ava, and Nate were all glaring at Carletta. They never liked how my younger sister belittled me as the eldest child and how my parents never discipline her actions, but no pack laws have been broken. I was never physically abused by any of them, so there was nothing they could do. I mean, yes it hurts that they take her word over mine every time, but they have never laid a hand on me. Plus it is not like the alpha can control my parent’s bad habit of favoritism when it comes to their children.

“Settle down, baby girl. At least it is edible and we do not waste food in this house.” Father said, as he continued to eat and ignore the glares Carletta was receiving. Carletta huffed in irritation before she continued to eat.

The rest of the dinner was a bit stressful as the only conversation was when father was talking to the alpha and gamma about the pack business.

After dinner was done, As I cleared the table and collected all of the dishes, Alpha Austin, Ava, and Gamma Spencer got up and were prepared to leave to head home. Harper wanted to stay and hang out with Carletta though she actually wanted to stay and flirt with Nate right in front of me.

Whenever Nate and I are together, Harper makes it clear she wants him. I feel like Carletta wants Nate too, but she would only want to take him from me. Since he is one of the few good things I have in my life. Carletta has made it her personal mission to try and make me feel alone in this pack. She tries to take everything from me.

Gamma Spencer forces his little sister to go home with him. Leaving Nate being the only guest left in our house.

“Oh Nate, are you hanging out with Carlos and Carletta for a movie night?” My mother asks.

“No ma’am. I am going to help Emma clean up after dinner. Then she and I are going to take a nice evening stroll through the gardens.” He said with a smile, before shooting me a wink.

I felt my cheeks warm up as he got up and grabbed a bunch of dishes that were still on the table. As Nate and I walk into the kitchen together. I heard Carletta growl as she glared at us. She was always pissed off whenever she didn’t get her way.

An hour later…

Nate and I finished cleaning up after dinner and are now walking through the gardens of the pack house, hand in hand.

“Emma.” Nate called out. I looked up into his deep brown eyes. His shaggy blonde hair blew around his face in the soft breeze.

“Yes, Nate?” I answered. I felt him squeeze my hand a little tighter.

“If neither of us finds our mates from now until your 21st birthday… Um… would you be my chosen mate?” He asked with a slight blush. I could feel my cheeks heat up as well. I was so happy he was being considerate to ask before my birthday, but I know we both would be a bit sad if we were not mates when I turned 18 next month.

“Nate… You know I love you, but we both have to be careful.” I tell him with a heavy heart.

“I know.” He said.

“I just feel so happy when we are together, that right now if I could I would make you mine.” He said, looking me in the eyes. I felt captive in his gaze. Nate then pulled me into a tight hug.

“I just wanted to ask before you started looking for your true mate. I love you and care about your happiness.” He said. I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“I know, and I love and care for you as well. That is why I hope you are blessed with a wonderful mate if I am not the lucky she wolf that gets you.” I told him honestly.

We both know there is the chance that we are not mates, and we promised to always be great friends and part ways on good terms. We know it will hurt a little bit, mostly for the one that does not find their mate, but we also know that no one could ever bring us true happiness like our true mate would. I was so touched that he wanted to ask me before I came of age and started to look for my true mate.

We pulled apart and continued our walk. I was unable to give him a definite answer right now. Nate drops me back off at home with a soft peck on my lips before heading off to his house.

I enter the house and head up the stairs to my little room. I strip down into my underwear, because I always get too hot when I sleep, and crawl into bed. I lay down and look up at the moon from my window and think about what Nate had asked me earlier.

Chosen mates work like fated mates, but only after we have marked and mated each other with our alpha’s blessing. Alpha Austin has made it known throughout the pack that he is not opposed to anyone taking someone as a chosen mate, unlike other alphas, but he made the condition that we have to at least make a good attempt to find our true mates before taking a chosen mate.

Though I have heard some stories about some people leaving their chosen mates for their true mate if they meet them after claiming another. That is the one thing that honestly scares me.

I closed my eyes to sleep and wondered… Would the feelings that Nate and I have for each other be enough to overcome a bond made by the moon goddess?