chapter 21

I only make it a few steps before I’m tackled to the floor by the guy with piercing orange eyes, his muscular frame pinning me to the floor and ensuring I can’t move. I tried to struggle, to thrash my body and break free, But it was no use he was too strong, much stronger than myself. I screamed, frustrated and afraid, the power within me surging forward, shattering the windows of the hallway and causing the men to gasp in shock.

“get off me!” I cried, once again trying to break free.

Yet, the new arrival who thought I was his mate, wouldn’t let me go, would even allow me to turn around as he adjusted his hold on me, calm and collected whilst I was freaking out. I didn’t mean to shatter the windows, I just wanted to get away from them, I couldn’t hand having four mates, I was barley coping with two.

“Alexander get off her.” Dean ordered in a sharp tone.

“I’ll let her go when she calms down and explains herself.” He counters, not letting me go.

“I don’t want four mates.” I cried, sobbing into the wooden floor. “I never knew I wanted one, but four? I can’t do it.”

“What is she talking about?” The one who I assumed was Matthew frowned, stepping closer to me. “Alexander and I are your mate.”

“So are they!” I shouted, starting to lose my temper once more. “Go ahead! Ask them!”

“Shush, calm down baby, you are ok.” Alexander said, trying to sooth me as he used one of his hands to stroke my hair.

“Is this true?” Asked Matthew, to which Dean and Sane nodded. “It can’t be, I’ve never heard of anyone having that many fated partners before.”

“But you both feel the bond?” Zane asks them, his frown deep and cold.

“I do, she smells of chocolate and roses.” Matthew smiled, turning to look down at me where I was pinned to the floor.

“I know for certain she is mine.” I felt Alexander nod, “To me she smells of honeycomb and freshly cut grass.”

“Can I get up please?” I whisper, my arms beginning to hurt as well as my chest.

“Are you going to run from us?” Dean snaps, clearly annoyed at me. “I wouldn’t let you leave if you tried, we have to sort this out.”

I frown, “I won’t run.”

“You can let her up Alex.” Zane called from somewhere close to the kitchen, “we can all discuss this calmly over some coffee.”

Alexander let’s go of me, carefully standing up and offering me his hand, i shakily allow him to help me up and follow the others into the kitchen, my mind racing. How could I have more than one partner, before I came here I'd never even wanted one, but now I have 4. how would this even work? wolves are territorial and very protective of their partners, surely that I'll not be up to share? I couldn't imagine them sharing food, let alone the red wolf.

I wanted to voice all my worries, but the words seemed to escape me, I didn't know where to begin as I sat down in the seat at the table, watching as they all followed, each one wanting to be close to me. I just couldn't understand why this was happening, why me? I had never been anything special my whole life now suddenly I was fated red wolf meant for greatness.

“I don’t understand.” I whisper, my voice low and unsure. “How can this be possible?”

“No one knows why the moon goddess chooses what she does, but we cannot disregard her blessing, none of us.” Zane says, the first to speak up and the others ponder what to say. “We have to make this work, none of us will want to let her go.”

I sigh, “how could this ever work?”

“Taking turns would be a start, we’ll have to make some sort of schedule as to who gets to be alone with her.” Dean says slowly, though I can tell he’s less than happy.

“I see you haven’t marked her yet.” Says Alexander, his tone dry. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No, nothing like that.” Zane says in their defence. “She’s had a troubled past and we were giving her time to adjust.”

“A troubled past?” Repeated Matthew, a scowl ruining his handsome face.

“Yes, I was a slave to the warlock named Balthazar.” I say lowly, my voice littered with shame. “It’s all I had known my entire life until I escaped two days ago.”

Alexander growls deeply, “did he know you were the red wolf?”

I nod, “I believe so, he never let me shift in front of anyone else, he kept me separate. Wanted me to have children with him.”

“Is he looking for you?” Matthew asks, his voice on the verge of a snarl.

“I don’t know for sure, but I suspect he will be.” I shrug, “I guess I was one of his biggest assets.”

“He will never harm you again.” Zane promised.

“Agreed.” Said Alexander and Matthew.

“We will not allow him to ever hurt you.” Dean also promised, and suddenly I felt loads better.