Mates?

11

*Winter's POV*

Ash led us down a hallway of extra rooms. I could tell Declan was eager to find out about his sister, but he wanted to ask in a way where Ash wouldn't suspect anything.

"I heard there's a pet here, Dylan McKay, I have been told she's a great lay." Declan stated with the fakest smile anyone could manage.

I could tell Declan was disgusted by his statement but hid it well.

"Yes, there is, I personally have no clue and I don't really want to know, but if you are interested, you'll have to talk to her Master; Liam." Ash informed. "If you want to know more about her, ask my sister, Joey. She is quite close friends with her. Tell her I sent you."

"Thank you." Declan smiled.

"You'll be staying here." Ash directed and pointed to the last door in the hallway.

Declan smiled warmly and entered his room. I turned to Ash.

"Thank you, really. I apologize for what happened-"

"There's nothing for you to apologize for. I was the one in the wrong. I tried to control you and that's not how mates should treat each other. So, Winter, I am so, so, sorry for everything I did to you and I don't expect you to forgive me." Ash atoned.

I smiled at his apology and looked down at the ground.

"Ash, I accept your apology, but I have some bad news..." I sighed. He grinned his 1000 watt smile, totally ignoring the part about the bad news. "I got the mark off. I had... relations with an Alpha." I confessed.

"I know, and I don't care. It hurt me terribly but I understood why you did it."

Wow, Ash is like a completely different person. This is the side of him that I could fall in love with.

"So, has anything interesting really happened lately?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Cole and Joey started going out and the pet Declan was asking about had her first shift into a werewolf." Ash explained.

"Interesting..." I grinned, glad I'm caught up on the village news.

Ash stared off into space for a few moments, obviously mind-linking someone, before turning toward me.

"We have to go to dinner. We're already late." Ash said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck, obviously embarrassed.

"How will Declan eat?" I interrogated out of concern for the young boy.

"There's a kitchen he has free access to 24/7." Ash laughed. "You act like I'd starve him."

"It's just, ever since I found him all alone in that forest without a pack, I've taken him under my wing. He's like my pup." I explained with confidence.

I mean, I'm not completely lying. I did find him in a forest, all alone. Well, until Xav showed up. We walked to the dining room in silence the rest of the way, which wasn't that long.

*Dylan's POV*

I watched out the window and smiled as Winter came up to the front of the castle. Her scent was a little different, like something was added. From Liam's tiny house, I could see the onlookers watching, amazed at her return. But wait, Who is that behind her? I stared at him and sniffed the air to see if I could catch the scent from anywhere. My face broke out in a huge, beaming grin when I made the connection.

"It's Declan! He's finally found us, after all those years!" My wolf, Storm yipped in happiness.

I almost started to cry before Liam snapped me back into reality.

"Why are you looking at him like that?! You're mine and no one else can touch you. Don't even think about leaving me, even if you find your mate." Liam shouted at me.

I didn't dare look him in the eyes. He's been tough on me ever since Queen Joey rejected his advances. I haven't been on a run with my wolf in days and I feel as though I'm suffocating in this minuscule excuse for a home.

"I-I apologize, Master, I just thought I knew him from somewhere." I lied through my teeth.

I've always been a great liar, well as long as I've been with Liam I have been. I get in severe trouble if I tell the truth most of the time, only because he doesn't approve of what I think about. I do know that if I lie, bad consequences happen. Terribly bad consequences. Consequences that leave me with scars.

"Go clean the dishes and learn your place." He demanded while walking off to the bedroom.

I did the few dishes in the sink by hand, like always. I made sure everything else was clean and tidy before asking once more to go on a run.

"Are you done yet?" Liam asked while walking back in.

"Yes, Master. The dishes are clean, the floor is mopped, and the laundry is done. May I please go for a run now?" I begged.

"No. Especially not after that incident with that boy." Liam stated sternly while crossing his arms.

"Please Master. I'll do anything. I can't stay here cooped up inside anymore." I sobbed, feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

Liam frowned.

"I'll let you go on runs whenever you want, under one condition;" He started and I beamed. "Before you go, you have to pleasure me." He smirked.

"That makes three times a day AT THE LEAST! Once at night, Once in the morning, and whenever he feels like it in between, plus before a run." Storm complained inside my head.

"I know, but he uses us anyway. It's worth it." I replied.

"Thank you so much, Master!" I exclaimed while jumping a little.

After I did whatever he wanted, I bolted out the door, happy to finally be outside. I bolted toward the surrounding forest, jumping and shifting midair into my wolf.

Storm had an all grey coat except for the ears, which were blacker than midnight. I ran in circles for a while, enjoying finally running free.

Sometime later, I just started roaming around, trying to find some extra food since I'm not fed much. When I slowed my run to a walk, I could feel the pain in my legs.

I sighed and limped my way through the forest. Liam had been too rough again. Well, he's too rough all the time.

I was about to give up looking for food and go back to Liam's when I saw a strawberry garden in front of a den. I decided that as long as I was stealthy, everything would work out.

Hoping the owner wasn't home, I nibbled on the strawberries and enjoyed their amazing taste. I thought I was being stealthy, but obviously not enough when a guy with green hair started talking to me.

"Hey little one, you hungry?" He cooed.

I looked up at him cautiously and melted when I saw his chocolatey brown eyes. He smiled softly and sat down beside me. He petted my fur and I felt tingles, and it felt good, like really good. He looked surprised for a second, but soon broke out into a huge smile.

"I've been given a true mate." He whispered to where I barely picked it up.

My mate? He's my mate? I thought I had to wait until I was eighteen to find my mate. I flashed him a wolfy smile, showing him I was happy.

"You look like just a pup." He mused. I nodded my head and rested it on his lap. He nodded in recognition. "My name is Grant."

I found myself repeating his name in my head over and over again. I went to stretch out my legs, forgetting the pain. I let out a sharp yelp when I did so, remembering why I hadn't done it before. Grant jumped and leaned over to look at my legs. He went to touch them and I shook my head vigorously. Someone touching it will make it worse.

"Is my little mate hurt?" He whimpered, concerned for my well-being.

I nudged my head further into his lap. He pulled out a loaf of bread and sat it down in front of us.

"For you, my little mate." Grant spoke while admiring my wolf.

I ate the loaf of bread and felt full for the first time in years. The portions Liam lets me eat keep getting smaller and smaller. After I ate the loaf of bread, I stretched up and licked Grant's cheek.

He giggled like a two-year-old, but kissed the side of my muzzle in response. I noticed that the sun had already set and that I better head back to Liam's before I get into big trouble for being outside alone at night. I looked at Grant one last time before turning to leave.

"Wait! Before you go, will I see you again?" He asked hopefully. I nodded my head slowly, making sure he detected my face in the fading light. I heard him sigh happily and whisper, "Goodbye for now, little mate."

With hearing his goodbye, I bolted into the forest, trying desperately to make it back to his house before all light disappeared from outside. I ran and ran, trying to get back to the village before the savage rogues came out.

I followed the smell of vampires and a hint of werewolves. I bounded straight for camp and I could see the lights from the lanterns and house lights. When I thought I made it back, I was tackled by a rogue. I could tell by the smell that they were barbaric.

They pinned me easily due to my size and lack of experience in fighting. I pushed back with my paws, trying to get them off of me. I completely failed and I could feel the rogue's nails penetrating my fur. I let out a painful howl, hoping someone heard my plea for help.

They pulled their head back, ready to gouge their teeth into my neck when the massive weight was magically pulled off of me. I tried to run, but I found out that I could hardly stand. The wounds along with the aching in my legs made it practically impossible to walk.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my attacker... and my savior. The rogue laid on the ground, lifelessly. A reddish-brown wolf stalked over to me and nudged me with their nose, trying to get me to walk. I yelped, trying to tell the wolf I couldn't walk.

The wolf shifted and I spotted that green hair... it was Grant! He had followed me to ensure my safety. He picked me up in his muscled arms, smiling down at me.

"Everything is going to be okay. Which house is yours?" He encouraged.

I pointed my paw at Liam's house. Grant ran me over there and instead of knocking, he kicked the door, making a loud noise to alert Liam. I watched his green hair move as he kicked the door, it was truly majestic. Liam swung the door open and looked down at me with fear in his eyes.

"What happened to her?" He asked while taking me out of Grant's hands.

I whined because his finger dug into one of the holes in my fur.

"Easy with her. Some rogue attacked her, but I saved her before they could kill her." Grant informed.

"We need to get her to the pack infirmary." Liam rushed, running outside barefoot to the pack infirmary with his super speed.

*Ash's POV*

She's so much more comfortable than she first was here. She's making jokes with everyone and being so casual about her interactions with the Alpha.

"Then he just explained how 'planting his seed in me' took the mark away." She explained while laughing.

"He literally said he planted his seed in you?" Joey questioned, easily amused by Winter's story.

"Yes, yes, he did. I mean who says that? Couldn't he have put it another way?" Winter replied.

"Winter, he could've have put it in you in many other ways. Just ask Joey." Cole shrugged casually.

Joey picked up her steak knife and stabbed Cole through the hand and into the table. Cole just rolled his eyes at her playfully.

"Joey! That's Mahogany!" Dustin exclaimed.

We all laughed at his "Hunger Games" reference and gave him a high five for the humor. Well, all except for Winter who has never watched a movie.

"Okay, guys, Winter and I are going to head to bed." I announced while standing up.

Winter said her goodbyes and followed me out of the dining hall door. When we got to my room, I turned to her.

"You can sleep in here and I'll take the guest bedroom for however long you like." I smiled.

"Are you sure?" She questioned.

"Positive. I only care about what makes you comfortable." I said truthfully.

She gave me a grateful smile and hugged me. I hugged back and laid my head in the crook of her neck. She pushed me away harshly and ran into my bathroom. I followed her and held her hair back as he vomited into the toilet. I whispered soothing phrases in her ear. After she was done, she relaxed against my chest.

"Winter, when you had s*x, were you in heat?" I asked worriedly.

Something had been off about her scent since she got back. I had thought it was just male wolf, but this is much stronger.

"Yeah, why does it matter?" She asked with anxiety seeping in her tone.

I sighed and for the first time since my mom died, I cried. I made sure to stay silent because even though Winter is my mate, I'm just not ready for her to see me this vulnerable.

"If a female wolf has s*x during their first heat, they almost always become pregnant. I sensed something off with your scent, but I thought it was just the masculine scent of a Werewolf... but now, I know better." I explained while my tears dripped down onto Winter's shirt.

"So what are you saying?" Her voice wavered, like she was about to sob like I am.

"You're pregnant, Winter."