Mates?

1

"Tyran stop shaking me!" I begged.

"Well get up! You're eighteen today!" He said excitedly.

I opened my eyes to find him leaning over me, his light blue hair messy from just waking up and his light grey eyes lit up with happiness. He was grinning from ear to ear, showing off his dimples.

"We both know that you're about to die from the suspense to see if we're mates." I said.

"Maybe." Tyran said, still smiling. "Now get up before I get a bucket of cold water." He threatened, his expression deadly serious.

"Okay! I'm up!" I said, jumping up off my bed.

"Are you up to it?" He asked. "I mean... the mating thing?" He stood a couple of inches away from me.

"Of course Ty. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Okay, so, just stand there and be still."

He stood there for a second, just looking at my body, deciding something while clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. When he stopped clicking he made eye contact with me and brought his hands up to my sides. He slipped his hands under my crop top that I slept in. He placed his hands on my stomach and pulled away. His face fell immediately.

"Tyran?"

"We aren't mates. Once a female turns eighteen, if a male touches her bare skin, electricity radiates from the touch. It only happens once, but, when it happens, you'll both know... But... Nothing happened."

I understood what he was saying. I just felt bad because he seemed utterly devastated.

"Ty, it's okay. I'm sure you're mate will be incredible. Way better than me. In fact, I promise she will be." I said confidently.

"It's not me  in worried about Winter. It's you. If your mate's a vamp I don't know what I'll do."

"There are only five vampires in all existence. I will not be one of their mates... But, hypothetically, if I was, you would sit back and let them take me. I won't let you get hurt." I stated.

"I won't let them take you away from me." He said with his voice full of anger.

"Yes, you will, we all know vampires are ruthless creatures. They won't hesitate to hurt you Tyran." I said, attempting to persuade him.

"But they'll take you away. They'll do unspeakable things to you. I can't bare the thought of not waking up in the same room as you or not being able to kiss you or not ever seeing you again Winter."

"The same thing happens to all female mates with vampires as the male mate: they are brought into the vampire's pack and the vampire forces them to have their kids-"

He cut me off.

"Exactly. They'll force you to have s*x with them. You're just a toy in their eyes." Now anger was not present in his eyes. It was full-blown rage.

"But sometimes it's not forced. It's actually love." I whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.

"Winter I know you and there is no way that you could ever  love a vampire." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh just because I like a guy like you doesn't mean I can't like other types of guys?" I was now the one who was mad.

"That's not what I meant at all."

"Well... You see Tyran... Since you're not my mate one day you will find your mate and all the feelings you have for me now will be gone and placed in the past. Same for me." Anger was still very present in my voice.

"So once you go and have a one night stand with a vamp that you're so sure is your mate, you'll forget all about me?" This is the angriest I had ever seen him.

"Believe whatever you want to believe, but my mate will not  be a vampire."

"Then why am I almost completely convinced it will be?!" He was now yelling.

"I'm just going to leave. I'm not fighting with you over something that will never happen." I said and ran from the room. On my way out I passed Grant.

"Happy birthday Winter!" He said happily.

"Not right now Grant." I said, trying to brush off his words.

He grabbed my shoulders, preventing me from walking any further. His dark brown eyes made contact with my dark grey ones. His light green hair was semi draped across his eyes because he was leaning forward. A smirk was also very present on his face.

"I heard Tyran yelling. Was he giving you his form of saying 'happy eighteenth birthday'?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly joking.

"I'm not in the mood to joke with you right now Grant." I said in a sad voice.

His eyebrows scrunched together and the smirk that was once present turned into a concerned look.

"You and Tyran are fighting? What about?" His voice was full of worry.

"He's convinced since I'm not his  mate that a vampire is my mate."

Grant looked like a deer in headlights. He blinked a few times before responding.

"You two aren't mates?"

"Clearly."

"But... You two are perfect for each other. I don't understand."

"I don't either but nature obviously has someone better for him." I said, pushing Grant away from me.

I continued to walk toward the entrance of the den when Adam blocked my way, directly in front of the entrance to the den.

"I heard your fight and I'm just going to say that Tyran is right. You're exactly what a vampire is looking for."

"I didn't ask for your opinion, Alpha Adam." I snapped.

"I could make you a rogue again with the snap of my fingers, I would watch what you say." Adam warned.

Adam never really liked me much. I'm not sure why, but we all know that he would never kick me out of the pack. I'm Tyran's best friend.

"Go ahead." I said, moving inches from his face.

I felt someone pull me back.

"Back down Winter." Grant warned while pulling my shirt back and me with it.

After Adam moved, Grant let go of my shirt and I left from the entrance to the den. I heard footsteps behind me but ignored them. I quickly shifted into my wolf form and ran. My fur was completely black. I was very small. In fact, I was one of the smallest wolves in existence. I ran into the forest and ended up by the lake. I shifted back. Wolves don't shred their clothes when they shift like in the fairy tales. They just change into a wolf, when they shift back, their clothes are back on. It's quite simple, really. I sat on the edge of the dock and watched the rippling water. I felt all my worries drift away. I looked up when I felt a hand rub my back. It was Grant.

"What are you doing here?" He asked while sitting beside me.

"I just need to get away. From everyone." I said. I waited a few moments before continuing. "Do you ever feel like everyone just hates you? I mean, I know it's not true but-"

He cut me off.

"I could never hate you."

A few moments passed of silence. Not awkward silence, but comfortable silence. 

"I have a confession to make." Grant said. His words seemed rushed, like he wanted to get this over with.

"Okay, what is it?" I asked, intrigued.

"I... Um... I like you."

Now it was my turn to look like a deer in headlights. He looked down at the lake. How could I have not noticed before? Him and Tyran are always fighting over something they won't tell me. He stood up.

"I understand." He mumbled and walked away with his head down.

I jumped up and ran after him.

"Grant! Wait!" I yelled.

He stopped but didn't turn around. I ran to him and kissed him. He kissed back. He slipped his tongue in my mouth without warning. His tongue explored my mouth for a few moments before he pulled away. I felt a small shock of electricity, but ignored it.

"I thought you liked me?" I questioned.

"I do, but I'm giving you a few seconds to realize that you don't like me, but you actually are in love with my brother."

I thought about what he was saying. I did have feelings for Tyran, but after he reacted today, I don't anymore. The feelings left as fast as they came. Now, I felt the same thing for Grant. I'm not sure why I do all of a sudden... but... I do.

"I did have feelings for Tyran. Did. Past tense."

"Are you sure Winter?" Grant still looked unconvinced.

"Why don't you believe me?" I asked, devastated that he wasn't believing my words.

"I'm used to being overshadowed by Tyran. He's older, so he always got all the attention and love."

"I thought you were twins?" I questioned.

"You really thought we came out at the same time?" Grant laughed. "I wish."

"No, but I didn't think it would really be a big deal." I said, still letting everything sink in.

"According to him, two minutes is a very  big deal." Grant said, looking at the ground. A few seconds passed of silence before he spoke again. "Do you remember the night we rescued you?"

"Yeah."

"We had heard you while we were out running around. We ran to find you and I tripped over a fallen tree, placing Tyran ahead of me. He got to you first and he made sure you were okay before I could. I saw you and I thought were beautiful. Even while you were bloodied and beaten." He smiled weakly at the memory.

"That's why you two fought over who would carry me back, and you couldn't decide so both of you did."

"Then, back at the den, we fought over which room you would stay in. Adam ended up choosing, and he chose the older and 'wiser' one." Grant explained.

I kissed him once again, only this time it was soft. This time, I pulled away. There was no electricity this time. I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion.

"What?" He asked, also confused.

"When I kissed you the first time... I felt this... Electricity."

His face broke out into a smile and his eyes lit up.

"I felt that too. You know what that means right?"

I thought back to what Tyran said about the mating process:

'If a male touches her bare skin, electricity radiates from the touch.'

"It means we're mates!" I said enthusiastically.

That explains my sudden feelings for Grant instead of Tyran. Grant and I hugged while smiling.

"You never told me why you were a rogue." Grant said.

I felt the smile fall from my face. I pulled away from the hug and looked at the ground.

"My mom died from giving birth to me. My father died of an attack when I was thirteen. I was the only survivor from my pack. I escaped with the wounds you and your brother found me with. I was a rogue for about two months before you found me on the brink of death." I explained.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Grant said while running his fingers through my hair.

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. He continued to move down and his lips brushed the curve of my ear.

"I can finally do this." He said breathily as he continued his kiss down my neck. He ended up leaving two hickeys. "Why are you so cold?" He asked when he pulled away.

He was right, I was cold.

"It's getting pretty late. I guess we should get back." I said, disappointed.

"Here... take my jacket." He offered.

As he took off his black jacket I could see his perfectly toned arms in the fading sunlight. He smiled at me at handed me his jacket. I put it on and felt immediate warmth.

"Thanks." I said, crossing my arms.

"Anytime, babe." He said, cradling my face and kissing me softly. "Race ya back to the pack." He smiled. I smiled back.

"Deal."

He started running to the left and I took off running to the right. Both paths led back to the pack. We were racing in our human form. I looked over to see if I could see him and my right foot got caught on a tree stump. I fell and rolled down a hill. My right knee hit another tree stump and I heard a c***k. I screamed in pain. I continued to roll down the hill until I ended up in a ditch. Tears were streaming from my face. I couldn't move my right leg whatsoever, but I could feel the pain. I saw an outline of a person about ten feet in front of me.

"Grant?! Thank god you're here." I let out a sigh of relief.

The figure let out a dark and hollow laugh. It wasn't Grant.

"Sweetie, my name's not Grant. It's Ash."

I felt my heartbeat quicken. I was terrified.

"I swear, it's not what it looks like! I'm not a rogue! I'm part of the Night-Water pack! Please!" I yelled, pushing myself away from him with my left leg.

He started laughing again. I was so confused.

"Baby, I'm just going to take what I want and leave. No reason to freak out. I may even help you after." He started walking closer to me and I couldn't find the energy to move anymore.

"Please, I have a mate, please." I begged. "... And I'm hurt. I just wanna go home." I cried even more.

He walked over to where he was standing next to my hurt leg. He squatted down and moved up my jeans to my knee to inspect my wound. His hand brushed my skin and I felt electricity. Only this time it was much stronger than the one I felt with Grant... But I didn't feel the same feelings. I felt nothing for him. I only felt horror as he looked up at me.

"We'll talk about that here in a second." He turned back to my leg and finished rolling up my jeans. "Well, your ankle has a compound fracture, which means you can see the bone. Your knee is shattered. I'll be careful with you, I promise."

I felt my heartbeat escalate. He can do anything to me. I can't move. He stood up and walked over towards my stomach to where he could get a closer look at me. I still couldn't see him at all in the darkness.

"You're really beautiful, you know that?"

He put one leg on the other side of me and sat down on my stomach. I shut my eyes tight as the tears fell down my cheeks.

"Please. Don't." I begged while pushing his chest back as he was leaning forward.

"Listen, I'm not doing what you think. I'm simply surviving. You're just here... But I'm glad I found you because... I found my mate." He said.

I finally found the courage to scream.

"Grant!!! Help-" I tried to say before his hand covered my mouth, cutting me off.

"Look, I tried to do this the easy way."

He leaned forward again but went toward my neck. I felt two sharp, pointy objects enter my neck. They were fangs. A vampire is claiming me as his mate. I felt an overwhelming sensation of pleasure. My hands found his hair and lightly tugged it. I moaned softly in his ear. He took his fangs out of my neck and licked where hit had bitten. Then, he whispered in my ear.

"I wouldn't moan like that. Especially if I'm on top of you in the middle of a secluded forest."

"What are you gonna do about it?" I taunted.

"I can't do too much because of your leg... But when you're healed and I take you back to my pack,  I'll do anything I want to you."

The pleasure melted away as quickly as it came. It was replaced by fear. I had realized that he would steal me from my own pack. I tried to scoot away, but my right leg was stuck in a thorn bush, I felt it rip into my leg and I screamed.

"Can I please just go home?" I whined.

"I wonder what's underneath this jacket." He said, trailing his finger down the zipper and ignoring my question. "Take it off." He said innocently.

I knew I had to do what he said, he had the upper hand here. Even an Alpha couldn't beat a vampire.

"Just, please, don't hurt me." I begged as I slowly unzipped the jacket.

"Just obey me and I won't have to." He said while running his thumb along my jawline.

I managed to get the jacket fully off and hand it to him. He threw it somewhere.

"It smelled too much of male wolf, just like that shirt of yours. So, that means that comes off too."

I was done with being scared. I attempted to push him off of me. He wouldn't budge.

"Help! Somebody!" I screamed once again.

He looked furious and grabbed my knee, making me scream.

"I told you to obey me, wolf. Now, do as I say, take off your shirt."

"Please. I'll do anything." I begged.

He sighed in frustration and pulled the shirt off himself. Then he got off of me. I sighed in relief. He walked over and unbuttoned my jeans. I turned away and felt a tear run down my face. He pulled my jeans completely off. I closed my eyes and decided to go to sleep, I don't want to be awake for what's about to happen. He walked back toward me and whispered in my ear right before I fell asleep.

"Goodnight. You'll see me again soon."

*Ash's POV*

I whispered in her ear and sat on her stomach again. Truth is, I didn't want to do anything to her. I just wanted to stare at her. I only made her take off the clothes because it smelled like a male wolf, and I hate the smell of male wolves. Especially in this case when it wasn't my scent all over my mate. It was some stupid wolf. I tried to calm myself down before I did something I regretted. She really was beautiful, even when hurt. I didn't want anyone else to see her this unclothed. I took my shirt off and pulled it over her. It came down to the middle of her thigh. In response she curled into a little ball. She was definitely asleep but it was still cute. I laid down behind her and smiled. I'll stay like this until the others come and we can talk about this. As if on cue I heard Josephine behind me.

"I thought we weren't supposed to play with our food." Joey joked.

"Shut up Joey," I responded while standing up and walking over to the five others. "I didn't 'play' with her."

"Then why is she wearing your shirt?" She questioned.

"Her clothes smelled of male wolf. I made her take them off. Then she fell asleep so I put my shirt on her."

"So, let's be clear," Cole spoke from behind me while smoking his cigarette. "You made the girl strip because she smelled like a male wolf, which is probably why we heard all that screaming, because you scared the living crap out of her."

"That poor girl sounded petrified." Alee said while keeping her gaze trained on the ground.

Alee was the most innocent of all of us. She hates being what she is. Cole was probably the most perverted. We've caught him 'interacting' with his meal a couple of times. Joey and I are probably the most ruthless of all of us. We do what's best for our pack, no matter what it takes. We are the ones that usually make the final decisions. If you can't tell, she's my sister. Most people think we would make a great couple but we both prefer our lovers not related to us. Then there's Dustin, he's Alee's mate, they haven't gone public, but I'm not sure why. Dustin is probably the most timid. He doesn't talk too much. That's it, all five of us. We lead the Night-Blood pack. Which is a pack full of vampires. We provide them with blood bags while we hunt. Well... Everyone except Dustin and Alee. Alee drinks blood bags and Dustin drinks from Alee. Once you find your mate, vampire or not, you can drink from them. Alee would drink from Dustin, but it makes her sick. They just come hunting with us so they're here if we run into trouble.

"Why did you even bother to cover her up, it's not like she's completely naked, and even if she was, why not leave her?" Joey asked.

"Because, if I kept looking at her, I may turn into Cole. It was too revealing." I explained while gesturing to the chest area.

"Ooh, I wanna see!" Cole said, walking toward her.

I quickly pinned him up against a tree.

"No." I said sternly.

He looked horrified.

"Woah, what's gotten into you man?"

"She's my mate and I have to protect her."

The words were out before I could stop them. All of them looked at me wide-eyed. I let go of Cole and ran over beside her.

"I don't even know her name." I said while tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"It's official. My brother has gone psychotic." Joey said, dumbfounded.

"The doctors said you were supposed to be a guy. Sometimes I wish he was right." I said.

"Right back at ya."

I narrowed my eyes and glared at her.

"Wait..." Cole said, walking towards my mate. "You lucky bas-"

"Back up." I threatened.

"I know who she is. Her name is Winter Jones." He said while smiling.

"And I take it you've banged her?" Dustin asked.

"No." He said with a disappointed tone. "But not that I haven't imagined it." He smirked.

I punched him in the face.

"Do you guys hear that?" Alee asked.

"Hear what babe?" Dustin asked.

"The howling. There's a wolf coming." Alee responded.

We heard it again but closer, like, really close. We all piled into a small area surrounded by trees. We covered our mouths so they couldn't hear us breathing. We didn't have to wait long. Within a few minutes, a brownish-red wolf ran through the trees and seen her. The wolf ran over and started nudging her with their snout. They let out a whine and shifted. It was a guy with green hair.

"Winter wake up! Please wake up!" He was shaking her while crying. He realized that she was wearing my shirt. "God Winter, what did they do to you?" He picked her up bridal style and walked back into the trees from which he came.

"Should we go after her?" Joey asked.

"No. Let them leave. We attack their pack tomorrow if they don't let her go with us." I said coldly. 

"Great plan brother." Joey agreed.

"I guess it's a good plan. As long as they agree and we don't have to hurt anyone." Alee said.

"And I won't touch her..." Cole said. I shot him a glare. "Fine... Or hit on her."

"Better." I said.

"It's agreed. We strike at dawn tomorrow." Dustin finalized.