Surprise

The chattering all died down, and everyone turned to the alphas. Their heated gaze was on me, and I held it. Murmurs and whispers went through the room.

Zylon smiled slightly, his smile alone putting everyone at ease. He had that effect on everyone. Zylon was rational and had angel-like beauty, while Hayes was devilishly handsome. 

" Alpha Henry of Jade Moon Pack, you're here. Welcome," he said, but his words were labored. I looped my arm in Kyle's and moved closer to my friend. I noticed his gaze fell on that, and he smiled, strained as though his smiling muscles were protesting.

" Thank you, alphas, for having us in your pack," Henry said. It was the law that another alpha had to ask for permission when they visited a foreign territory. The two alpha twins eyes were void of emotions. They shook Henry's hand and Kyle. 

" You are here, hugging Ruby Rue Rothswell," Hayes snickered, glancing at me. I frowned, and his eyes flashed. 

" Yes, I am, Alpha. Rue is special to me__ to us," Henry said, and Zylon growled. He looked agitated for the first time since I've known him. 

" How special?" Zylon asked. 

" Very special?" Kyle said, his expression intrigued and confused. I had not told them the truth about my relationship with the alpha twins, so they wondered why they seemed so interested.

" How long are you in my pack, Henry? I don't want you here longer than you need to be," Hayes asked, all politeness and pleasantness gone from his face. 

" That's rude, Hayes. Is that any way to talk to your closest ally and friends?" Henry smirked. 

" You're right. Forgive my brother, he's having a rough night," Zylon admonishes the rising hostility, " Please enjoy yourselves,"

His gaze found me, and I thought he'd say something, but he turned and went to the dais I hadn't seen before. His brother followed, finally tearing his blazing gaze off me. 

" That was intense," Kyle murmured, unimpressed by my alphas. 

" They've always been intense," Henry shakes his head. 

" Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I changed the topic. I was so happy that they were here. 

" We wanted to surprise you. We know you missed us," Kyle said gently. 

"We were supposed to come last week, but we had packed business to deal with," Henry explained. I led the two to my family, and they exchanged pleasantries; having Henry and Kyle by my arm had garnered many eyes on us.

Mom stared at me, asking with her eyes what that was about with the alphas, but I shrugged innocently. The alphas stood on the dais, and without any words, all attention went to them. They gave their speech in sync. It was ... nice. They spoke eloquently and effortlessly. Even mentioning what my father meant to the pack and their lives as their godfather. 

" My brother and I, like many of us here today, wouldn't be here alive without the great warrior Archie Rothwell," Hayes said, glancing at my family and nodding. 

" He was a true hero and will be remembered as such. In addition to receiving the highest award given to any warrior in the pack today, we are building a monument to commemorate his legacy located in the heart of the pack," Zylon said. I gasped, hand on lips, and the crowd erupted into applause. I turned to face my mother, who was crying. I wrapped an arm around her and kissed her temple. 

They called me to receive my father's award, and I did, shaking both their hands. Sparks tingled on my skin, but I pretended not to feel them. 

" Thank you," I said quietly as I stood between them, facing the pack press as they took our pictures. 

" He deserved it and more. Your father was a great man and was valued in the pack," Zylon said. Both their arms wrapped around my small waist. 

" And he saved our lives," Hayes says, voice low. I was about to leave the stage when they cornered me and took me into an empty hallway. I glared at the men standing before me. It didn't help that they were hot. 

" Henry Rolands, why are you close to him?" Hayes demanded. I almost laughed at his audacity, but I didn't want to be this close to them anylonger, so I answered,

" He's my friend, and I stayed in his pack for five years, and soon he'll be my alpha," I walked away, but he grabbed my arm and shoved me into the wall, making his brother growl at him in warning.

" Alpha? He's not your alpha. I'm your fucking alpha!" he yelled, eyes glowing with anger.

" Not if I'm no longer a member of this pack. I'm getting a transfer and going to the Jade Moon for good," Their faces paled, and something like fear flashed in their eyes. They were stunned into silence briefly. 

"You're not leaving this pack, little Ruby. It is your home, your father's home," Zylon's voice calm. Why does everyone call me little? 

" Outside my father's house. This pack never felt like home to me, so I'm leaving and never coming back," I hissed. A slither of sadness crossed their handsome features. I was about to leave, but Hayes caged me with his long arms. Oh gods, why did he smell so intoxicatingly good? 

" You're not leaving. You are to take your father's position in the pack," Hayes declared, and I scoffed. 

" I don't want any position in this pack, nor __" 

" There you are. I was looking for you," Henry's smooth voice said at the end of the hallway. Hayes retreated and stood beside his brother. I smiled at Henry, who watched us intently like a hawk. I walked towards the alpha of the Jade Moon Pack, and we met halfway. He extended his hand, and I took it. Sounds of disapproval reverberated from my mates, but I didn't care.

" I need some air," I said, and he nodded, guiding me outside to the garden. We were silent for a long time. He spoke finally, " They are your mates, aren't they?" 

I couldn't accept or deny it because They had commanded me not to discuss it five years ago. He stopped walking and took my face in his warm hands. I looked into his misty eyes. 

" I love you, Rue," he confessed suddenly. I closed my eyes and laid my forehead on his chest, 

" I know," I whispered. I didn't know what I truly felt for him at the moment. I wanted him around me and loved him, but I wasn't in love with him yet. 

" You owe me a date," he said quietly.

" You can collect anytime, any day," I grinned. He kissed my forehead, his lips lingered, and I held his waist. 

" Get the fuck away from my mate!"