Mates?

10

*THIS CHAPTER IS IMPORTANT*

*Winter's POV*

"What is this place?" I asked, looking around at the large area where grass had once grown, but has now turned into a tan color, signaling it had been dead for some time now.

"It's somewhere you used to know and love." He stated vaguely.

I sighed frustratingly.

"I'm done with this. Just tell me who you are and where we are." I demanded.

He smirked and chuckled a little.

"Easy, firecracker. Or do you prefer little wolf?" He said teasingly.

I shook my head. Xavier was the only one who called me firecracker and dad was the only one to call me little wolf. How he knows this information about me is something I want to know.

"Don't call me that." I growled.

His smirk deepened, along with his tone of laughter as he shook his head.

"You didn't have a problem with it five years ago." Alpha X implied.

"I didn't know you five years ago." I rolled my eyes.

I sat down on a tree stump and put my face in my hands, defeated.

"Why don't you just tell me who you are? What are you so worried about?" I barked, trying to not get too worked up from being impatient.

When I looked up from my hands, his face had fallen and he was looking down at his shoes.

"You're going to hate me and regret everything if I tell you." He said sadly.

I felt bad for pushing him to tell me. I stood up and grabbed his hand.

"There's more of a chance for me to tolerate you if you tell me who you are." I attempted to persuade him.

"Can I have one last kiss?" He asked glumly.

Usually, that statement would have come playfully with a smirk, but instead, the frown stayed prominent on his face.

"Why not?"

He leaned down and softly pressed his lips against mine. My eyes fluttered closed, getting lost in the sweet kiss. When he pulled away, he looked a little panicky, but spoke anyway.

"My name is..." He looked back and forth between both of my eyes. "Xavier Nicholas Talbot."

(Pronounced "Zavier")

Then I saw it. The resemblance. The way he carries himself. The way he talks. The sweet wolf I once knew and loved. I shook my head and my eyes filled with tears.

"No. He- He's dead. You can't be him." I stuttered, backing away a little.

"Winter, it's really me. I was never dead. I'm sorry I had to lie to you." He stepped closer to me, taking my hands in his.

This can't be him. Xavier died. Xavier was killed for treason. Xavier wouldn't let me feel like that for no reason.

"If you're really Xavier, tell me something no one else would know." I challenged, knowing this imposter couldn't do it.

"I know why you can't talk to your wolf." He started. He continued when my expression didn't change. "You lost your necklace when they burned our pack. Your wolf's spirit is in the necklace." He smirked knowingly.

I shook my head frantically.

"Y-You died." I stammered, attempting to come up with a viable reason for him to know that while coming back to my previous remark.

"I thought you were dead too. Guess we were both wrong." He spoke solemnly.

I took a few seconds to take in who he was and that my first best friend had never been killed. He had been alive this whole time! I swiftly wrapped my arms around him, letting my happy tears fall.

"I missed you, Xav." I cried.

"I missed you too. I spent years blaming myself for your death because I faked my own..." He trailed off, slowly becoming detached.

"Xav, it was common knowledge that I was a survivor. The only one." I doubted.

"Where were you?"

"Pack Night-Water." I shrugged.

He growled lowly and I took a step back from him.

"That Alpha caused the death of one of my witches about a week ago." He mumbled. "He needed a spell to undo the mate bond. He said an unworthy woman had claimed the heart of one of his brothers."

It felt like someone had just dropped a thousand-pound weight on me. I was in pack Night-Water about a week ago. Grant and I were mates about a week ago. Adam hated me a week ago. Well, guess I know why I'm mates with Ash instead of Grant.

"H-He's the reason Ash is my mate. If the which didn't unlink us, nature wouldn't have re-paired us." I mumbled while it sunk in.

"Winter, I'm sorry. You can always use the power of rejection." He whispered.

"You do realize I'm marked, right Xav?" I snapped.

"Not anymore." Xavier smirked.

I gave him a questionable look.

"What do you mean?"

"The only way a mark can be removed is by another Alpha." He started huskily. I raised my eyebrow, urging him to continue. "I had... interactions with you, but you already know that. When I... planted my seed in you, it removed the mark because I was claiming my dominance over you." He explained.

I jumped up and gave him a loving hug.

"I'm forever grateful for you, Xav." He hugged me back reluctantly. "Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

He pulled away and gave me a sad look.

"Winter, I have a plan for something and you're the only one who can help me with it." Xavier let out.

"What is it?" I asked, eager to help.

"We aren't the only survivors from our pack. Declan was also part of it. He's the only one I could sneak out with me. I tried to convince your dad to let me take you but deep down I knew he wouldn't let me. God, he would be so proud of you Winter." Xav informed me.

"Why? All I've done is get myself into trouble." I asked because he was confusing me.

"Winter, you survived as a rogue and you escaped from a highly guarded vampire camp. Your dad would be so proud of your bravery and courage." He complimented.

I felt my self-esteem shoot up and I felt better about everything.

"Thanks." I blushed slightly but changed the subject back. "What were you saying about more survivors?"

His face turned back serious.

"The pack who massacred ours stole all the girls and some boys under the age of 18. It is believed that Declan's sister is among those survivors. We also have some information that suggests they're being held as slaves." Xavier explained professionally.

I thought about it for a moment and a lightbulb switched on inside my head.

"The pets! The pets are the survivors!" I exclaimed.

Xavier looked extremely worried.

"They're being held as pets?" Xavier quavered sadly and ran a hand threw his hair worriedly.

We heard a rustling in the trees and we both jumped and got ready to shift. Before we could though, Declan burst through the trees.

"Is there a pet by the name of Dylan? That's my sister." He asked hopefully.

I shook my head sadly.

"I don't know any of their names." I lamented.

Xavier looked annoyed.

"Declan, were you following us the whole time?" Xavier asked sternly.

"Yes, Alpha." Declan replied, ashamed and with his head down.

"You do realize that's a huge invasion of privacy, correct?" Xavier scolded.

"I'm sorry Alpha, I just wanted to find out about my sister." Declan apologized. "I'm the only family she has left."

"Don't be so hard on him, Xav. If I recall correctly, you used to do the same thing at our old pack and you didn't even have a reason to." I accused.

He smiled warmly at the memory.

"I apologize Declan. I guess I was a little too harsh on you. Just please don't do this again." Xavier spoke sweetly.

A few moments passed of silence before I got back on topic.

"What exactly are you thinking I can help with?" I asked.

"Well, I was hoping that you could go back to Ash and tell him you have except his many apologies that I know he has given you and ask him to free the pets from the kindness of his heart, but that probably won't happen so then you can try to team up with Cole and Joey because they were the only ones against having pets legal in the territory." Xavier explained his plan.

"Alpha, wouldn't it be useful to have someone on the inside that's able to give you feedback? Winter isn't part of the pack yet and she doesn't have a mind link with you like I do." Declan offered.

"You're right, I'll get someone to go with her." Xavier agreed.

"What about me?" Declan suggested.

"No. It's too dangerous." Xav immediately answered.

"Think about it. Her mate is more likely to let a small child come in than a grown man. Especially with his mate. Plus, no one will suspect anything because I'm just an innocent child." Declan added, looking innocent and making stupid and hilarious childlike facial expressions.

"He's not wrong." I agreed. "Plus, telling people I took him in after his pack kicked him out is more believable than anything we could come up with for someone older."

Xavier sighed and looked at Declan.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked reluctantly.

"Yes." Declan responded almost just as quickly as the words left Xavier's mouth.

"Alright, we leave now." Xavier finalized.

*Joey's POV*

"How are we going to tell the others?" I asked Cole while trying to ignore the searing pain from the mark.

"Just tell them. When they ask about the bite, explain what happened. Explain that I claimed you." He shrugged.

"We're not even together. We were only having s*x so I could stay alive. You had no right to claim me." I pouted, feeling trapped.

Cole took my hands in his and looked into my eyes.

"Joey, you are the most amazing and beautiful girl I've ever met. I want to be with you, forever." Cole smiled.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe that's not what I want?" I countered.

His face fell and I felt even worse.

"Will you let me make it up to you?" Cole pleaded.

I hesitantly nodded my head and Cole smirked. He pushed me back on the bed and started kissing my neck.

"Cole, why don't we go eat instead?" I inquired, scared of his motives.

"But you said that you wanted to-"

"Well, I'm hungry now." I snapped.

He pulled back and frowned.

"You're scared of me, aren't you Joey?" Cole pouted. I didn't answer and just sat there, trying to think of a response. "Your silence says a lot." He mumbled and stood up.

"You didn't have to claim me. I can stand up for myself." I declared.

"Just like the way I easily claimed you?" He smirked. "Joey, I don't want you to get hurt."

Tell me he did not just say that. That foolish mongrel. I jumped up, ignoring the pain in my neck.

"Get out." I ordered, clenching my jaw.

"Joey, please-"

"Shut up and get out. You made me trust you after years of me grieving my mate's death. You said you wouldn't hurt me and you did. You're a liar, and I don't congregate with liars." I barked, trying to hold back my tears. "You made me feel something I haven't felt in years. Love. I loved you, Cole. I fell for you because you made me believe that I could finally have a stable relationship. Then, you took it all away because you couldn't control yourself. God, you're like a c*m stain. Annoying and useless." I scolded.

He was crying and I tried not to show him how much I cared.

"Joey I love you too. I always have and I always-"

"Don't start with me beetlehead. If you loved me, you wouldn't have hurt me." I insulted, my lip quivering a little at the end. "Now get out before I leave and never come back." I threatened.

I still wanted to help the pets, and I will once I find Winter Jones. I don't need Cole to do this. I can accomplish freeing the pets with help from Winter. She knows the most about rebelling.

"I can't leave you Joey. You're newly marked and vulnerable." He countered.

"I don't care. Vulnerability isn't new to me. I'm used to being used. Even by my own brother. Even by my own father. Even by you." I spat out as though the words were poison.

Using his lightning-fast speed, before I could realize what was happening, I was thrown on the bed with Cole on top of me. He had both of my wrists in one hand and the other held my chin back into the pillows so I couldn't head-butt him. He also had his legs wrapped around mine in a leg lock. His eyes had gone completely black again.

"I never used you, Joey. I always thought of your feelings as well and took them into consideration before an action. I hope you can understand that I need to stay with you. I need to help you feel comfortable in this new situation." He begged. I shook my head no and tried to get him off of me. "Stop resisting me! I don't want to have to calm you down myself but if it comes to it, I will." Cole hissed.

I thrashed my body around to the best of my ability, hoping that it would work. He sighed and put his head close to my mark. I could feel his hot breath on the surrounding skin and I whimpered. He smirked because he knew how he was affecting me. His grip on my jaw loosened enough to where I was able to speak.

"Cole." I moaned quietly.

"Yes, baby?" He teased.

"What if I mark you as well?" I asked breathily. "So everyone knows you're not available either." I reasoned.

"Joey, you know marking is strictly a dominance thing." Cole sighed and kissed my collar bone.

I sighed and gave in to his antics. I kissed him hard with want and lust. It didn't take long for him to catch on. He smirked into the kiss and let go of my wrists. I had gotten my chin loose from his grip by myself. I do love Cole. I just don't want to admit it. In this moment, my vampire side decided to take over and share my real feelings.

"I love you, Cole, I always have and I always will because you're one of the only people who has treated me right."

*Ash's POV*

"King Ash, Queen Winter has come back! She wants to talk to you!" My head guard reported.

"Have your men send her up here right away!" I ordered with a beaming smile.

I had been working hard to fix myself ever since Winter left me. I had been awaiting the day she returned so I could show her my improvement. I have learned to control my vampire side much better now. I hope she'll stay with me, even though there is a slim chance that she will.

I sent out search teams every day looking for her. I loved her, even though it didn't seem like I do from my actions, I really do. This is the first time I've experienced true love since I was little.

I know she isn't a virgin anymore because I felt the pain when she lost it. That was the worst pain I've ever felt. It was like I was being burned alive. I understand why she did it, I'm just mad at myself that I was stupid enough to make her want to leave in the first place.

The door to my office opened and I saw her. I saw Winter. Her dark blue hair was tousled and messed up and she was dressed in a large shirt. At her side was a young boy. I could tell he was a werewolf from his scent. Winter's scent had been buried underneath a vile Alpha wolf scent. She had bruises all over her, which were probably obtained from running.

"I'm sorry. I was an i***t. I want to make it up to you." I apologized.

She just smiled weakly and looked over to the boy that was with her.

"Ash, this is Declan. Declan, this is Ash." She introduced. "If I am going to stay here, Declan is as well." She stated.

"That's no problem. Anything for you." I rushed out.

"It's good to see you again." She smiled wholeheartedly.

My face lit up. She actually wanted to see me! I ran over and wrapped my arms around her. I love her.