CHAPTER 3 Chosen Mate
1180 Words
Elara POV
Zeke is acting weird. He is barely touching me when normally he would spin me around, hugging me as tightly as he possibly can. I can't help but feel a little disappointed for not receiving the warm welcome I was expecting from him, but that is okay. I have two other brothers to torment.
I drop my legs from around Zeke and see Zeus and Zane standing with their arms crossed over their chests. Neither one looks excited to see me. Pushing my bottom lip out in a ridiculous pout, I widen my eyes and turn on the waterworks.
"Why aren't you three happy to see me?" I whine. "I have missed you."
The triplets share a look, and I know they are talking to each other through the mind link. I stop my foot on the ground and huff loudly, gaining their attention.
"Come on," I say, grabbing Zeus by the hand. "There is someone I want you to meet."
Zeus looks down at our joined hands, and a blush rushes across his cheeks. Ignoring his weirdness, I drag the triplets to the front door, where Kevin is waiting.
Kevin's purple eyes narrow as his eyes land on Zeus and I's hands. He doesn't look pleased to see me holding another man's hand, so I drop it immediately. Zeus grumbles something under his breath and cracks his knuckles.
I swallow hard. I never imagined it would be this hard to introduce a guy to the triplets. They have always been protective, but I never expected this.
I grab Kevin's hand, and it feels weird in my hand now. Before, it made me feel safe; tonight, it just feels wrong. I push aside the awkward feelings and inch myself closer to Kevin.
"Guys," I smile tentatively. "This is Kevin. He is my…"
"I am her chosen mate," Kevin interrupts me.
My mouth drops open in shock. Kevin and I had discussed telling my family we were dating but never discussed telling them he was my chosen mate. The triplets are staring at me. Their dark eyes bore into my soul, waiting for me to confirm or deny this.
I link my arm to Kevin's, lay my head on his shoulder, and smile. I try to act normal, but I know I am showing too much teeth. My smile is all wrong, and the triplets are picking up on it. They know me better than anyone.
Finally, Zane steps forward and looks Kevin up and down. He wouldn't have been my first choice to approach Kevin, but here we go.
Zane sniffs the air around Kevin before taking a step back. "You aren't an Omega."
Kevin stiffens at my size. "I am not. I am the son of the Beta of the Amethyst Pack."
"You have a fated mate," Zeus butts in. "What are you doing with my Princess?"
I c**k my head to the side and give Zeus a weird look. He has never referred to me as his Princess before. I don't understand why they are all acting so weird.
"I have yet to find my fated mate," Kevin explains. "When I met Elara, I knew the Moon Goddess had other plans for me."
"Bullshit," Zane groans. "You thought she would be an easy lay because she is an Omega."
"Zane," I hiss in embarrassment.
"No," Zane growls in my direction. "Does he know the truth? You were raised to know your worth. Elara won't open her legs for just anyone."
Kevin chuckles, and I can feel my face beginning to heat. I scan the room, looking for an exit, but everyone else is otherwise engaged. I try not to look Zane in the eyes, but looking Zeus and Zeke in the eyes is much worse. They instantly know what I have done.
I focus my eyes on my shoes and try to ignore the rest of the conversation. But there is no more conversation, and my ears ring from the silence. I peek up from the ground, and all four men are looking at me.
"You didn't," Zeus says as he runs his fingers through his dark hair.
I swallow my nerves, "I don't think now is the time for this conversation."
Zane is the first to storm off and Zeus follows quickly behind him. Biting on the inside of my lip, I look into Zeke's eyes. He is disappointed in me, but he also looks hurt.
Kevin wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me away from Zeke. "Come on," he says loudly. "Let's tell your parents the big news."
I glance over my shoulder at Zeke, and something inside me calls to him. I had hoped that Kevin would want me to be his chosen mate, but this all feels too rushed.
I halt in my steps, and Kevin looks down at me. His lips are set into a hard line, and he looks pissed.
"You know they are like my brothers," I say quietly. "They are just looking out for me."
"Adopted brothers," Kevin corrects me. "And I don't like the way they were looking at you."
I grit my teeth together and fake smile. "You sound jealous."
"How can I be jealous? You are already mine," Kevin laughs.
My father and mother approach us, and I wipe the fake smile off my face. My mother embraces me and holds me close, but my father hangs back and watches the situation carefully.
"Alpha Owen," Kevin says brightly. "You are just the man I was looking for."
Dad steps forward and shakes Kevin's hand, but he doesn't return his greeting. Kevin doesn't seem to notice the awkwardness in the room and continues to talk.
"I would like to take Elara as my chosen mate," Kevin states simply.
My mother covers her mouth with her hand and gasps, but the tears in her eyes are not ones of joy. Dad shuffles awkwardly and clears his throat to speak, but he doesn't get the chance.
Kevin pushes me to the side with his arm and lifts his nose into the air. A growl rumbles in his chest, and his eyes dart to the stairs. Emery is walking down the stairs, and everything moves in slow motion.
"Mate," he growls.
He and Emery meet eyes, and they rush to one another.
Pushing people out of the way, Kevin darts through the crowd. He meets Emery at the bottom of the stairs, and they start making out. Kevin is pulling at her clothes as if he intends to mark her in the middle of my party.
My chest feels heavy, and it is hard to breathe. I try to remember my breathing techniques, but I can't take my eyes off them. I gave myself to Kevin because he told me he loved me. He told me he would choose me over his fated mate. I was a fool. My shoulders are rising and falling quickly when Mom places her hand on my shoulder.
I look away and see that everyone at the party is looking at me.
- Writer
