Page 4 of Alpha’s Twins (Alpha Kings Island #3)

I lean against the rail on the back deck of my bedroom and look out into the forest beyond, trying hard to ignore the sheer number of people milling around my home and in the yard beneath me.

My brothers always made fun of me for building the largest home, teasing me over my desire to have the flashiest of them.

I never cared what they thought, and right now, I’m glad it’s so big so I can ignore everyone.

My head is still sore from the bar last night.

Typically, shifters aren’t particularly affected by alcohol, but the witches mix special batches of moonshine-style liquor that hits the spot.

I sure love the way those witches like to party, and when Jace pointed out it was practically my bachelor party, things took a turn.

While it was fun at the time, I now have a house full of people ahead of tomorrow's mating ceremony, including my brothers and their families, and all the judgments that come with them.

I could see the look of disappointment on my brothers' faces when I opened the door this morning, looking worse for wear. Jace was still crashed out on the sofa, and Emily, Tristen’s mate, had to chase a couple of her fellow witches out of my bedroom.

I don’t see why everyone’s so upset. The mating ceremony is just part of a trade deal and alliance.

There are no feelings involved, no delicate sensibilities to protect, and no reason I can’t still have fun.

I love my brothers’ mates, but even Emily and Ava looked unimpressed, all agreeing it’s not the best start. Whatever that means.

In all honesty, I couldn’t care less.

The only thing on my mind right now is that my house being full of people and the damn ceremony taking up two whole days means two days my patrols aren’t out searching for Malik.

The more I’m told to just relax and enjoy the festivities, the more the knot in my stomach twists.

The longer we go with no sightings of him since the final battle, the more everyone’s guard seems to drop—but not mine. He’s still here, I’m sure of it.

This alliance with Nolan ensures our sea borders and freight connections with the mainland, something I don’t take lightly, despite my territory only having one small harbor to the north.

I’m more than willing to do what is necessary for the island as a whole, but that doesn’t mean I appreciate being told what to do.

And right now, I’d rather be fucking those witches or out on patrol than stuck here playing host to my brothers and every other shifter who thinks they’re going to watch me take a mate and give up my freedom.

No chance. I might be taking a mate, and this weekend might be slowing down my patrols, but the moment this is over, it’s business as usual—in every respect.

A knock at my bedroom door draws my attention, and I signal for whomever it is to enter.

Turning, I see Jace strolling in, looking decidedly better than I feel.

He’s holding a tall glass filled with an amber liquid, which he holds out to me with a wicked grin.

“Got to love the witches,” he laughs. “Emily mixed up a hangover cure for that supernatural brew from last night. Looks like you could do with it too, you look green.”

I grimace as I take the glass, not wanting to admit how hard I hit that witch’s brew last night, and knock back the sweet liquid.

A magical warmth immediately spreads throughout my body, and I feel the remnants of last night's excess begin to disappear almost straight away. As my head clears, thanks to Emily, I briefly regret being short with my brother’s mates earlier.

I also probably have a couple of witches to apologize to next time I run into them at the bar after they were run out of here earlier.

I wouldn’t like to get on the witches’ shit list.

Jace nods to the glass as I put it down, “Great stuff, isn’t it? I’m trying to talk her into mixing us a batch for the next time we decide to drink like devils.” Then, chuckling, he adds, “If your mate lets you out again, of course.”

I scoff, shaking my head as I pull on a clean shirt. “Don’t start that again. I heard enough last night and this morning. Nothing's changing.”

“If you say so,” Jace continues as we make our way downstairs to face the festivities I’ve been avoiding.

Personally, I think everyone just wants an excuse for a party after all the stress with Malik.

I don’t blame them—after all, I love a party.

I just wish it weren’t in my house. The sooner this is all over, the better.

I’ll get my mate settled, finalize the alliance, wrap up the weekend, and get back to my regular patrols.

If I’d thought my brothers or betas would give up their nonstop game of teasing me over taking a mate as the day wore on, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The mood only becomes more raucous as the cookout goes on well into the evening, and Jace returns from settling Nolan, my new mate, and their party into one of the large guest cabins on the edge of town.

Everyone’s keen to know what she’s like; I pretend not to care, but of course I do.

I may have no intention of being faithful, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want an attractive mate I can have some fun with.

Frustratingly, Jace didn’t even see her; he just hung out with Nolan and his betas for a bit, making sure they were comfortable, and went over the plans for tomorrow.

I don’t want to make it appear as if I’m bothered, because it will just set them all off again, so I pretend not to care and throw some more steaks on the fire.

It’s going to be a long damn night, and I suddenly wish those witches had left some more of their brew.

As the evening wears on, I struggle to ignore the restlessness building inside me.

My mind keeps drifting back to the forest, the mountains beyond, and the way my wolf is riding me to keep searching for Malik.

He feels relentless at times, torn up by the knowledge that everyone thinks Malik’s been hiding in my territory, and I didn’t stop him.

Eventually, people start drifting off, especially as the pups begin to tire, and I’m able to slip away and change into my running gear. I tell myself I’m not going far and don’t need to shift, I’m just heading out for a jog to clear my head. I just don’t want any company.

So instead of going through the house, I step out onto the balcony, and the scent of pine and earth immediately fills my lungs.

Climbing down the steel and wood frame, my feet hit the ground, and I slip into the trees, weaving through the ancient roots and branches until I hit one of the pack's well-worn trails. It was never about clearing my head; it was about needing to feel like I’m doing something, being the alpha I should be, and protecting my pack.

Normally, I would run with some betas, at least Jace.

But deep down, I know they don’t get it; they’re not under the same pressure.

I suspect they think I’m being irrational about Malik, even if they don’t want to say it.

And to be fair, part of me hopes they’re right, but for tonight, the only thing that will calm my mind is being out here and feeling the peace in my territory for myself.

My wolf feels edgy as I pick up my pace, heading away from the town.

He can sense our guests in the cabin not far from here.

Instinctively, he seems to search for our new mate, but there are too many conflicting scents to pick up an individual female.

I take the low trail that leads away from the town and weaves through the valley, passing through a ravine before dipping toward the sea.

My plan is to run the ravine and scan the mountains on either side before returning to the house, but as I turn into the valley, I pick up the distinct scent of a stranger moving along one of the parallel trails—a female.

My wolf is immediately on high alert—of course, he is.

I smirk at the thought, but the alpha in me is more concerned about who this unknown is.

We had so many problems with rogues during Malik’s reign of terror, but they have been defeated, and our defenses are secure.

This is unlikely to be a direct threat, especially as my wolf is clearly only picking up one scent, but who is it?

Someone from Nolan’s entourage? Surely, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to have someone snooping around.

They are welcome guests, but, as with all pack interactions, there are protocols in place.

One of which is to definitely not snoop on another’s territory.

Whoever it is isn’t moving very quickly, and clearly hasn’t shifted, so I don’t bother either.

Instead, I creep through the trees silently, closing in on my prey.

I can feel her heart racing. Her senses are clearly not as good as mine.

As I spot her ahead, her dark brown hair shines under the moonlight, and she spins one way and then the other.

She knows I’m out here, but she doesn’t know where.

Cutting across the path, I move lightly through the tree line until I can see her better.

She’s surprisingly small for a shifter, though from her scent, I know she is one.

Short but curvy. Most shifters are athletically built, but she looks soft and cute.

As she turns slightly, I get a perfect view of her figure and the sight of her full breasts straining against the fabric of the thin dress she’s wearing sends a shockwave straight to my cock. Cute and sexy—my favorite.

Her fear is palpable now, and it almost seems cruel to drag this out, but I’m enjoying myself more than I probably should.

Besides, every time I try to get closer, the trees seem to grow thicker instead of thinning out, so I move around them again.

I don’t remember this trail being so dense.

Any suspicion that she’s out here snooping vanishes as I take in the flimsy dress and unsuitable shoes she’s wearing.

The pale blue fabric strains over her breasts, shows off a small waist before skimming full hips.

She must be one of the shortest shifters I’ve ever seen, but rather than looking weak, she seems resilient, pushing on through the forest even though fear is rolling off her in waves.

Perhaps she’s trying to escape Nolan, I chuckle to myself.

Despite his charm, he’s always struck me as a bit of an insufferable prick, so I wouldn’t blame her.

But on the other hand, I can’t have any drama upsetting this new alliance.

She’s almost at the ravine now, clearly unsure of which way to go, which confirms she’s not from the island.

She stops to assess her surroundings, and as she casts a worried glance behind her, I make out full pink lips and her flushed cheeks.

Malik isn’t even on my mind now as my wolf’s entire focus is on the woman in front of me.

The damn trees seem to grow before my very eyes, distorting my path, but I’ve had enough.

I want to see what my prey is up to tonight.

In one movement, I sweep aside the leaves and vines, stepping out onto the trail a few feet from the woman. She spins around to face me, and for a moment, I think she’s going to actually faint. The blood drains from her face, and she takes a step back.

“P-please don’t hurt me,” she stammers, and as I step closer, I’m amazed at how small she is next to me, my alpha frame dwarfing her. Her curves, though…they look even more tempting up close.

My wolf feels ravenous, and she must see something in my eyes, because she looks like she’s about to run. I raise a hand. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I soothe, “I was just out for a run. You shouldn’t be out here. Part of Nolan’s pack?”

She looks unsure for a moment, but then nods, almost reluctantly. Definitely running from Nolan, then. Interesting.

“Nolan is my guest. Whatever you’re doing out here, I’m going to have to take you back,” I tell her, and her eyes go wide as if she’s just realizing I’m the alpha. She glances around as if she’s considering running, which would be ridiculous. “How did you get out?”

She seems to weigh my question before answering. “I climbed out the window,” she finally admits.

I chuckle at the thought of someone so short scaling a building.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll take you back, but if you can get back in the window, I won’t tell anyone about this.

Okay? If you need some help, you'll talk to the witches at the ceremony tomorrow; I’m pretty sure they’d love to put a hex on Nolan, anyway. ”

Her eyes flicker to mine, and after the briefest of pauses, she laughs, really laughs.

Her heart is still racing, but despite the ridiculousness of her situation, the genuine humor on her face disarms me for a moment, and I simply watch, entranced.

As the beautiful sound fades, she levels me with a suddenly sad stare. “You won’t let me run?” she asks.

I shake my head, “Not unless you give me a good reason right now? There’s a lot riding on this alliance.”

She seems to consider what I said for a moment before shaking her head.

My wolf huffs with disappointment; for some reason, he wants the chase with this one.

I think he wants a lot more than the chase.

Unusually for me, I feel like an absolute bastard as I take her back and watch her climb through the window, watching the way the flimsy dress rides up and makes my cock ache.

Something feels so off about all this, but I can’t blow up the alliance.

I make a mental note to have Nolan’s group checked out tomorrow before they head back, in case she’s lying and is in danger.

More than anything, sending her back before I could find out more about her just feels like a disappointment.