Chapter 2 - The Mates

Jasmine stared at Aaron, sitting next to her at the small table they had found in the corner, away from everyone. She couldn't believe this man was her mate. She had so many questions, but all she could do was stare while he stroked her hand.

"Jasmine, I probably know more about you than you do about me. I know that you're a hybrid witch and werewolf. I know your dad is the Alpha of this pack, and you have a twin sister. Is that all about right?"

Aaron had heard the stories of the hybrid witch Kaleigh and her mate, who had defeated the worst black magic witches in the world. When his pack received an invite to come to the twin's ball, he couldn't resist meeting them for himself. He never expected one of them would be his mate.

As he looked at Jasmine, his throat had a knot in it. She was incredible, and he was already falling for her. He wanted to take her to his pack and introduce her to everyone, but he didn't think that was a good idea. It was probably better to spend a little time with her first.

Besides, he saw her dad watching them like a hawk, and he wouldn't be too happy if he ran off with his daughter minutes after meeting. Aaron raised Jasmine's hand to his lips and kissed it. He wanted to kiss her beautiful mouth, but too many people were around.

"Uh, yes, that's all correct, Aaron. I also have two brothers who are both werewolves. My oldest brother, who is thirteen, will eventually be Alpha. My sister and I neither wanted that title when our dad asked." Jasmine's heart fluttered in her chest from his kiss on her hand. It made the sparks around them more intense.

"You both turned it down? Why wouldn't you want to be Alpha?" Aaron was shocked. Most wolves, male or female, jumped at the chance to be Alpha.

"No, we both said once we found our mates we would go to their packs. I wouldn't want to make you choose between your pack and me. Where is your pack, Aaron?"

Aaron was nervous to tell her because it was pretty far away. He had traveled a long way to meet her. He feared she wouldn't want to be that far from her family.

"My pack is the Fallen Eagle Pack, and we are located in Montana. I'm the Alpha, so that makes you my Luna. Our pack is pretty large but not as big as White Raven. Due to our location, many other shifters have joined us, including werebears and werecats."

Jasmine stared at him with her mouth open. He was from Montana, and she would be his Luna? Montana seemed so far away to her. She started giggling with excitement.

"Your pack is in Montana? That's perfect. I was hoping you would live somewhere other than around here. Are you sure your pack will be okay with me as your Luna? I'm a witch." Jasmine felt a glimmer of worry that they would not accept her.

"Are you kidding? We have all heard what your mom and dad did to those witches. Everyone will worship the ground you walk on when they meet you."

Aaron felt his heart swell with pride. He knew his pack would love her. They were unique with a mixture of everyone, and she would just add to their strength. He was excited to get her home and make her his Luna.

Jasmine leaned over and threw her arms around Aaron's neck. She hugged him as she laughed with joy. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. With this close contact and her scent flying around him, his wolf Jax was panting in excitement. Aaron was about to kiss her when he heard someone clear their throat next to them.

When he looked up, he saw Jasmine's dad standing there looking at them. Aaron felt a moment of fear as he could not read what was in the Alpha's eyes. As he tried to think of something to say, he heard someone else speak.

"Jasmine, are you going to introduce us to your mate?" Aaron looked over and saw Jasmine's mother, Kaleigh. She looked like she could be Jasmine's slightly older sister. The only difference was that her skin was creamy white while Jasmine was a beautiful golden tan.

"Mom, dad, this is my mate, Aaron. He is Alpha of the Fallen Eagle Pack." Jasmine was almost squealing with excitement. Kaleigh could barely hold back her laughter as she looked at the handsome young man staring at her and Dominick. He looked terrified.

"It's nice to meet you, Aaron. My name is Kaleigh, I'm Luna of White Raven, and this is my mate Dominick who is Alpha. Where is Fallen Eagle located?" Kaleigh took Dominick's hand in hers, knowing he wasn't happy. He wanted to keep both of their daughters with them forever.

"We're in Montana, Luna." Aaron finally found his manners and his voice as he stood up. He reached his hand out to the Luna first, who shook it with a smile. He reached out to the Alpha, who was still glaring at him. Dominick finally gave in and shook Aaron's hand.

Dominick wanted to let the young man know that he better not hurt his daughter, but he could tell he understood just from the look he gave him. Dominick almost smiled. Aaron didn't back down when he stared at him but instead met his gaze.

"Alpha Aaron, do you have a problem staying here for a few days so you two can get to know each other before you take my daughter away?" Aaron knew he was being tested, and he smiled.

"No, Alpha, I don't mind. My Beta is here with me. Can he stay as well? His name is Titus."
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Brandie sat with Titus on the bench in the garden, and they were just looking at each other, holding hands. She felt so calm in his presence with his scent floating around her.

Titus' heart was pounding in his chest so loud he was surprised Brandie couldn't hear it. His mate was so beautiful that he kept squeezing her hand to make sure she was real. He was just a Beta. Titus didn't think he deserved a strong mate like her.

When Aaron had convinced him to come to the twin's ball, he did it only to support his best friend. Titus never thought he would find his mate. He reached over and rubbed his hand on Brandie's soft cheek, and she leaned into his touch. His wolf Axel was rolling around in his head with happiness.

"Titus, tell me about your pack." When Brandie spoke, he almost jumped. Her soft voice flowed over him like honey.

"I'm the Beta of the Fallen Eagle Pack. We have a large pack of werewolves, but we also have werebears and werecats. Our pack is in Montana." Titus was worried that she wouldn't want to go so far away. To his surprise, she softly smiled at him.

"Montana is far from here. What made you come all this way for our birthday?" Brandie asked him shyly while thinking how grateful she was that he came.

"My Alpha wanted to come and meet the famous Alpha and Luna who defeated the black magic witches. Your parent's story has traveled through all the packs Brandie, and we knew their daughters also had to be unique. I almost didn't come because I don't like crowds, but I'm really glad I did." Titus smiled at his mate and continued holding her hand.

"I'm glad you did, too, Titus. How old are you?"

"I'm twenty-one." Brandie smiled brightly at him taking his breath away.

"You're the best birthday present a girl could ask for, Titus." Brandie threw herself into his arms, and he held her close. She fit so perfectly he could have held her like that forever.

"Brandie, are you out here?" Brandie heard her sister's voice, and she smiled. Jasmine had been right. They both had found their mates.

"Titus, are you ready to go meet my family?" Titus preferred to stay with her alone but knew they would probably not be happy with that.

"Yes. I guess I have kept you to myself for too long already." He stood up and reached his hand out for her to take. Brandie took it happily and walked with him toward the packhouse.

When they were close enough to see the people on the porch, Brandie saw Jasmine with her mate and their parents. She was excited for them all to meet Titus. To her surprise, Titus and Jasmine's mate started laughing when they saw each other. Brandie looked at him in confusion.

"Brandie, you're never going to believe this. It looks like your sister is mates with my Alpha." Brandie stared at Titus in shock. Jasmine is his Alpha's mate? That meant she and her sister would still be together. Jasmine ran over to Brandie, holding Aaron's hand and laughing.

"Brandie, we get to live together." Jasmine let go of Aaron's hand as she flung herself at Brandie. They both laughed happily while Aaron and Titus grinned from ear to ear, watching the sisters.

Kaleigh and Dominick watched the scene from the porch. Even though Dominick was unhappy about his daughters leaving, he was glad they would be together. Kaleigh smiled at their daughter's laughter and their mate's expressions. Seeing the young people so happy was good for the heart.

No one noticed that someone else was also watching and noting where the twins would be going. The person crept through the forest, careful not to make a sound. They had used a scent blocker so none of the shifters would smell them. The figure chuckled to itself. The time was coming when these shifters would be put down for good.