2 - We Can Play Too

~Cadence’s Point of View~

“This can’t be possible. This cannot happen to me. Not right now,” I said, talking to the wall.

That was only the two hundredth time I’d repeated that phrase. I’d been up all night, losing my shit. After my utterly humiliating slip of the tongue in front of both Keller brothers it was apparent my actual mission was fucked.

They both crowded me and I couldn’t breathe. I ended up storming away, like a pathetic female. I’d never live it down.

“Reporter dies of sheer mortification, now here’s a look at the newest panda at the zoo.”

I’d have my ten seconds of hell and the world would move on just as quickly. I made a face, seeing the sun was now up. I thought they might come after me, that certainly would have been worse. I couldn’t face them. But how long could I dodge it all? 

I already knew that answer, I couldn’t. I had three weeks until the next full moon. It wasn’t nearly long enough. Their wolves would find me, there was no running. I wasn’t raised in their pack, but if I wanted to work at the Howler and live here permanently, I’d have to join. They were the closest pack to the city, and any wolf had to report to Alpha Keller. But I knew good and damn well if my mates were Alphas there's no way they would let me live off the property.

*You’re the Luna. What’s the pack’s name here,* my wolf said, butting in.

“Ohh fuck off Fan, how did I know you’d be obsessing,” I said, out loud to the wall. 

I didn’t want to think it. Thinking it meant willing it into my existence. I can’t cook, I barely clean. My life is school and one night stands. School and fuck buddies. School and being damn good at my job. I couldn’t be more opposite the domestic little she-wolf my mother was, and the idea of it made me itchy.

I wanted to have a good time and do my work. I wanted recognition for my uncanny ability to not only get the best scoops and have the most awesome stories, but to be damn good in bed.

The entire night no other male or female even so much as crossed my mind. I couldn’t think of another in lust. I was ruined, by two males I hadn’t even yet touched. I hadn’t even kissed. This was bad. I needed to find the closest warm body and make some very bad decisions.

*You know I’ve never liked you being so promiscuous. Fanny would never,* my wolf fussed.

I made a face just for her. I still couldn’t believe I had a wolf named Fanny. I made the mistake of telling ONE … ONE person after my first shift at 17 and the whole pack knew right away. You can just imagine the teasing.

We fight about this literally ALL the time. How did I end up with a wolf that is a damn goody two shoes? Traditional, I am NOT.

I finally dragged my pathetic ass out of bed and got a shower. I didn’t feel any better.

*Who has four hands and can give our body what it needs? Our maaaaates,* my wolf said, practically singing. 

I flipped her off in the mirror as I finished my make-up. My hair still needed to be tamed but coffee was more important. I put it up in a loose clip for the moment.

The warm dark nectar in my mug wasn’t even enough to soothe this ache. The ache I still most definitely had between my legs. The reason all the hairs on my body were still at full attention.

Two fucking mates. Goddess help me!

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

I shook my head, certain it was my neighbor. She was too damn cheery for her own good, likely trying to get me to breakfast in the dining hall. It wasn’t the morning to come at me like a cheerleader. I tolerated her because she had connections and all in all she wasn't bad if I was desperate for some level of conversation or friendship.

“Not today Valerie,” I said, opening the door. 

My jaw fell open on its own, any control over my bodily functions was gone. There stood the double vision I had tried so damn hard to forget. Both looked fresh and well rested. No sign at all that either had lost sleep or been bothered whatsoever. Unlike me, the walking dead come to life.

“You look like nothing but delicious trouble,” a male said, licking his lips.

I glared hard at him, then at his reflection. Shit! I couldn’t tell them apart!

“Trouble looks like your middle name, well both of you,” I said, crossing my arms.

One of them had a large bag of food and my stomach rumbled, betraying me at the smell of pancakes and bacon. Were they being thoughtful or was it an excuse to barge in here?

“Maybe it was, but it seems that all changed a few hours ago when our mate walked away from us, like we had the plague,” one said.

I made a fist, annoyed. I didn’t like that I couldn’t tell them apart and I was certain they were enjoying it. They pushed their way in and all I could do was move out of the way. Within a minute they had all the food out and one of them began going through my cabinets.

“Don't you have other girls to keep your beds warm,” I shouted, for no particular reason.

Other than the fact I was too keyed up. I’d spent all night wondering what they had under their clothes. Wondering what it would be like to have them both. Feel them both at once. I’d had my share of threesomes, but I’d never had two males at once. Maybe I should have.

“Not anymore,” they both said at the same time.

They were going to be monogamous? The INFAMOUS Keller brothers? That’s laughable. Utter bullshit.

*You will be too, I forbid you to be with anyone else,* my wolf said, matter of fact.

That put me on edge. I still had some damn good years on these thighs and I wasn't ready to yield my lifestyle. I grunted and yanked open a drawer. I frantically searched for a marker and when I finally found one I smiled in triumph as if it were my biggest accomplishment.

“Reporter finds a writing utensil, we’ll be back after this word from our sponsor.”

I moved in front of the first male that was close and used my whole frame to make him stand still. He was beyond amused and unsure what to do with his hands since I was in his space.

“Which one are you and don’t lie to me,” I demanded, wagging the marker in his face.

He gave me a shit eating grin that just affirmed my suspicions. I was certain they got off tricking people. Their scents were too similar, both a deep woodsy musk. One a little more intense than the other. That one I was certain was Weston.

*I’ll more than know them apart once we’re marked,* my wolf insisted.

*You just shut up! You’re not helping,* I fussed.

“You’re Lenox,” I said, when he didn’t respond and just shoved some food in his mouth. 

I snatched his hand and felt the sparks, the electricity that everyone goes on about between mates. It stopped me and took my breath away in a manner I’d never experienced. I stared at my hand on his as if it were the first time I’d even seen hands. My heart raced and I felt my body heat up. It was just like all the bullshit stereotypes you hear about with mates.

“Damn baby,” he just said, staring at our semi-joined fingers.

I let go of a hard breath and flipped his hand over, then promptly drew a large “L” on it. 

I smiled with my victory, which was lame and I knew it. I couldn’t help myself. He stared at his hand as if I’d written in some ancient language he couldn’t understand.

“My turn to get marked,” Weston said, grabbing my hips. 

His breath trailed over my neck, making my whole body instantly weak. If it was this intense already I can’t even begin to think about … more. I closed my eyes for a moment and inhaled them both, I needed things to stop, I needed…

*We need less clothes, for once! It’s my turn to call the shots,* my wolf insisted. 

She flashed images of bare skin through my mind, nails on skin. The sounds of moaning and sexual gratification that I so enjoyed.

My eyes snapped open and Weston was now inches from my face. I pulled myself together, grabbed his hand and wrote the giant “W” on it. 

“There, now I can eat,” I said, grabbing a plate and helping myself.

“Do you prefer Cade or Cadence,” Weston asked, as he watched my every move.

I cringed, nobody called me Cadence unless I was in trouble. They wanted to bait me, for me to ask how they knew my name. I wouldn’t give them that. I was certain they knew how to ask around about me. How else do you explain them finding my apartment when it’s not even in my name?

“I prefer Luna,” Lenox said, licking his lips.

I fell onto a bar stool at the kitchen island and stabbed at the pancake like it did me wrong. I never ate straight carbs but right now I could care less. Surely the hamster running in my brain would help burn it off.

“I prefer to stay an independent career oriented woman, who stands on her own two feet. A woman with accomplishments that don’t include being barefoot and knocked up in front of a damn stove,” I snapped.

The guys looked at each other and shrugged. I was certain they were mind-linking. I hated that everyone from my old pack was too far away for that. Not that I had much in common with any of those backwoods yahoos.

I really needed to find out just what all they had learned about me. Had they heard about my sex life? My reputation? Women especially always promise to keep pillow talk private but they’re full of shit.

“All right. You want to go back to your life as if nothing happened? We can do that. I, Lenox James Keller, future Alpha of the Moon Bay pack hereby--”

“No!! No no no! Don’t do that,” I squealed, jumping off my chair and covering his mouth.

My wolf let out a hard breath, and if she had pearls she’d be clutching them.

*Pull shit like that again Cadence and I'll put your ass in heat,* Fanny snarled, nearly out of breath.

I mentally flipped her off. Ohh she better damn well NOT!

“Called it,” Weston said, laughing.

A warm tongue licked my hand and I quickly pulled it away, humiliated. These assholes already knew exactly how to play me. And it was two against one.

*Four against two! Let’s find out their wolves names,* Fanny said, wagging her tail.