Chapter 6

Kaelen's POV

Sandalwood

Vanilla

Spice

Floral

Alpha King Cassien

Alpha King Riven

Alpha Ashton.

Alpha Asher.

Two sets of twins. Four different people who ruled the werewolf kingdom.

Feared,

Respected,

And dangerous.

They were rulers who no one wanted to come across. They were born two days apart, but with their steps, one would think they were quadruplets. They came into power when it wasn't deemed convenient. Their parents died protecting their people, and we needed a ruler after their demise. With their guidance, we were able to end the war.

It wasn't peaceful, but they've been able to hold the fort long enough to prove their power. They didn't mingle.

Unmated and arrogant.

I only met them once. They were princes, spoke less, and at some point they were rumoured to be dumb.

Funny because I've heard their voices — husky, charming and seductive without putting in any effort. They were known as the formidable four. No one crossed them and went free. Merrick always wanted to have an opportunity to speak to them, but he was the lowest ranking alpha in the kingdom, and so he wasn't qualified.

I get to see them again, their scents mixed with those devilishly handsome faces of theirs made me shiver in untamed need.

I tried to look away, but I couldn't, watching as their lips moved. Every movement of theirs got my attention.

“I never thought I would be able to set my eyes on them again!” Hazel shrieked, jumping on a spot with her hands clasped on her chest and a love struck face.

Why did I want to stop her from doing that?

I took a deep breath, biting the side of my lips to keep myself from speaking.

“Were you waiting on them, my lady?” she finally asked, snapping herself out of her over excitement.

I hummed, my eyes locked on them. She looked back and forth from me to the men downstairs, still in a serious conversation. I saw the realization spread across her face.

“My lady, have you fallen in love with one of them?” she asked.

I took a moment to respond. “No, I only just met them after years. I couldn't fall for them, but...” I paused, my wolf stirring inside of me. Even though we weren't in close range, the connection was just too strong. She wanted to push through, but I held the railing even tighter.

“Mates!” I growled under my breath, my wolf slowly breaking through my resolve. I felt my body heating up, reacting to their presence, but my brows shot up.

Why weren't they reacting? They seemed normal, almost like there was nothing stirring between us.

“The moon goddess blessed you with a second chance mate,” Hazel clapped in excitement. “Tell me, is it the Alpha Kings or the Ash brothers?”

Hazel leaned in, her ears perked up, and her eyes lit in anticipation. I shook my head.

“Four of them,” I let it out.

Hazel's lips fell open as her eyes went back to the brothers and then to me.

“All four? The formidable four?” she asked with her fingers up, and eyes wide.

“How is that-” she paused, her brain working, and I fully understood.

It was common for twins to have same mates, but have two twins as my mate was something I didn't expect.

I felt my muscles weaken. The side of my lips curved up in a mocking smile.

The moon goddess sure knew how to play a game with me. I was cheated on by my mate and husband, discarded like nothing. But now I was mated to not just one, but four men who ruled the kingdom. Their words and orders could shake everyone in an instant. They didn't need someone as weak as I was. I've fallen, harder than anything. From a great general to an unmated wolf. Useless in the eyes of everyone. My wolf was barely dormant. A little use of it and I was close to being dead yet, I was mated to the strongest men as my second chance mate?

Their rejection was going to ruin me, and my chance of getting back up would be jeopardized as well. I couldn't win the hearts of the people of the Bloodhound pack, how could I win the hearts of the Blood Rose pack and the Storm pack?

It was laughable.

“What will you do? They don't seem to want it.” She sounded worried and hurt.

I nodded. Realizing one's mate at first glance was one of the strongest feeling a mate had. And my mate, having been betrayed and now blessed with another, sought that comfort that came from our mate.

Unfortunately, she didn't understand that these men could not be interested. No one knew what has kept them unmated for so long. I heard it wasn't also easy to seduce them. Most end up in shallow graves when they try. Now, from their reaction to this bond, they weren't so simple. Rejection was inevitable, and it certainly wasn't coming from me.

Fortunately, my wolf felt weakened yet again and released me from the pull of our mates' connection. I breathe out, feeling my legs weaken.

My body was a mess. It was surprising I held on for that long, wrestling with my wolf. From previous encounters, I would be on the ground, unable to move.

“My lady, why don't you go to them? They might accept you. You are a great general, after all,” Hazel urged.

“I've been off-duty for five years, Hazel. My record is tainted. Abandoning the pack at a critical moment for love, no one would want that, especially them,” I said, still holding on.

“So, what will you do? They seem close to General Sterling. You can't avoid them,” Hazel told me.

It was the truth. Avoiding them would be tricky if they visit often, but then, they can't always come over. However, if by chance that happens, there's only one thing left to do.

“I wait for their rejection,” I said, heading back to my room.