Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts

Undeniable Connection

Jade Nightshade

"Do I really have to go?" I muttered, slumping back into the chair as I stared at my mother. "Is my presence really needed at this party?"

My mother’s eyebrow arched, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Stop being childish, Jade. You’re the acting Alpha now. This party is important, and you know it. We’re not just welcoming any warrior. We’re welcoming the strongest warrior in our ranks—someone who was once your best friend.”

I groaned, running my hands through my hair in frustration. “Darius may have been my best friend once, but that was a long time ago. He won’t care if I’m there.”

My mother sighed, folding her arms. “How do you think he’ll feel if you don’t show up? You, the acting Alpha, skipping out on his welcome party? Think about it.”

I hesitated, knowing she was right. The thought of seeing Darius again after so many years was strange, but it wasn’t just about him. This was my introduction to the pack as acting Alpha. I needed to be there, no matter how much I dreaded it.

“Fine,” I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. “But I’m not going to enjoy it.”

“Good.” My mother’s voice softened as she came to stand behind me, her fingers lightly brushing my shoulders. “You’ve been avoiding these events for too long, Jade. This isn’t just about Darius. You’re the acting Alpha now, and people need to see you that way. The pack needs to know that you’re ready to lead. Besides,” she added with a sly smile, "there will be other Alphas’ sons there, potential mates. You can’t avoid that forever.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not looking for a mate, Mom.”

She chuckled. “Well, maybe one of them will surprise you. You never know.”

I snorted, standing up and letting the omega at my side finish adjusting my dress. “Speaking of surprises, who’s going to be my acting Beta?”

My mother’s face lit up with amusement. “Oh, don’t worry, darling. I would never let that... man, Rowon, near you again. We’ll find someone worthy.”

At the mention of Rowon, a growl rumbled in my chest, my hands curling into fists. "Good. I want my Beta to be a woman."

My mother raised her eyebrows, her lips curving into a teasing smile. “A woman Beta, is it? Well, I’ll make sure we conduct a thorough search. We’ll find the best lady for the job.”

I nodded, feeling a slight relief as the omega finished applying the last touches of makeup. I stood and smoothed the dress over my hips, feeling the weight of responsibility settling over me again.

As we walked out of my room, my mother’s arm looped through mine. “Your father just mindlinked me,” she said, glancing at me with a smile. “We’re late, as usual.”

I sighed, but my lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “Of course, we are.”

We took a shortcut through the back of the house, the evening air cool against my skin as we moved toward the large garden where the celebration was already in full swing. The sound of laughter and music floated on the wind, but I was too distracted by my mother’s voice in my ear.

“Before I let you go,” she whispered, “what about that gift your father gave to you and Rowon as a future wedding gift? What are you planning to do with it?”

I stiffened, my heart clenching at the memory of the carved wooden box with the house key inside—presented by my father—that had been a wedding gift for me and Rowon. “I’ll leave it to him,” I said quietly, trying to keep the bitterness from my voice. “It’s my wedding gift to him, Kassandra, and their future children.”

I could never step my precious foot back into that house so they could as well have it. It was an expensive gift... sadly, I know.

My mother’s eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting as if to protest. Luckily for me, before she could say anything else, my father appeared, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.

“May I have my wife for the evening?” he asked, his voice warm but firm as he glanced at me with a knowing smile. “Go on, Jade. You’ll find your own partner tonight. There are plenty of men here, all better than the last bastard you were with.”

A soft chuckle left my chest, though the words still stung. “I doubt it,” I muttered under my breath.

As I faced the crowd, a strange anticipation stirred in my chest. My eyes scanned the crowd, watching people laugh and enjoy themselves, their carefree smiles mocking my internal feelings.

I didn’t want to be here, but duty called. I had to make an appearance and act like the Alpha I was supposed to be. Still, despite myself, my gaze kept darting around the garden, involuntarily searching for someone. Someone I wasn’t even sure I wanted to see.

Suddenly, movement caught my eye—a man in a striking red suit, his hair dyed the same garish shade. He walked with an air of arrogance, glaring at anyone who dared cross his path, and I instantly felt his presence, his Alpha aura thick in the air. But it wasn’t strength I felt from him—it was entitlement. The kind of spoiled Alpha son who thought the world should bow at his feet.

He stopped in front of me, his smirk making my skin crawl. “You’ll make the perfect wife for me,” he announced without preamble, his eyes roaming over me in a way that made me want to rip his throat out. “From the looks of you, you’ll be strong enough to carry my pups.”

I felt a surge of anger course through me, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “Excuse me?”

He sneered, leaning closer as if he could intimidate me with his size. “Oh, don’t pretend to act all high and mighty. Everyone knows your father is desperate to find a man for you, someone to take over as Alpha. He threw this little party as an excuse to find you a husband, so stop this proud act and be thankful you’re getting a man like me.”

My blood boiled at his words, heat rushing to my cheeks as I fought the urge to snap his neck right there. “I’d rather die than marry someone like you.”

His eyes darkened, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile. “You better watch that tongue of yours. Your father can’t wait to marry you off, and I’m your best chance. You should be grateful—”

I was about to react when a hand gripped his shoulder firmly, stopping him mid-sentence. Both of our heads snapped up, and my breath caught in my throat.

The man standing behind him was tall, his hand effortlessly holding the arrogant Alpha son in place like he was nothing more than a ragdoll. His dark, curly hair framed his sharp features, and his muscles were impossible to miss even beneath his fitted black suit. His scent hit me before I could fully process what was happening—earthy and intoxicating, like fresh pine and a hint of spice. I couldn’t breathe for a second.

“Manners,” the man said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “That’s not how you win a lady’s heart.”

The arrogant red-suited Alpha tried to scowl, but the stranger’s grip tightened, making him wince. “And everyone here knows you’re the desperate one. Isn’t that why you left your pack and came all this way? Hoping to try your luck and win her heart so your father would finally accept a bastard like you?”

The red-suited Alpha’s face paled, and he bowed his head in shame, the arrogance draining from him in an instant. He muttered something under his breath before scurrying away into the crowd as fast as he could.

I stood there, stunned, my mind trying to catch up with what had just happened. Slowly, I turned my gaze back to the man who had defended me, and my heart stuttered.

He wasn’t the little boy I remembered—he had grown into a man. His jaw was strong, his eyes piercing, and full of depth I hadn’t seen in years. He was breathtaking.

My wolf stirred within me, pacing, howling.

Then I heard it. One word.

Mate.

I blinked severely, hoping I wasn't dreaming or hearing wrong, as the air between us felt thick and charged. He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Jade,” he murmured, his voice softening as his gaze took me in. “You’ve become... incredible.” His eyes flickered over my face, as though he was memorizing every detail. “More beautiful than I ever imagined.”

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest, and my throat tightened.

“Darius?” I whispered, barely able to get the word out or believe what was happening.

He smiled—that familiar smile I hadn’t seen in so long. It felt like my heart slowly settled back into place. He was back, but he wasn’t the boy I once knew. He was stronger, more powerful, and the connection between us was undeniable.

He was my mate, and for the first time, I understood why Rowon had cheated—because, in his place, I would have too.