Page 70 of Mated By the Alphas
“Okay, the music is off, sorry,” Daisy declares like it’s some kind of accomplishment, turning around with a grin on her face. “Okay, handsome. Introduce us to your friends.”
“They’re not my friends, they’re my brothers,” Hayden corrects, gesturing to his right. “Ansley already knows Remy. This is our youngest brother, Wyatt.”
“Oh, so he’s Ansley’s mate too? You guys think she’s supposed to be a mate for the entire pack, right?” Daisy asks, sipping her drink then glancing over at me. “Ansley has been telling me all about this little arrangement.”
“I know she’s my mate as much as I know my own thoughts,” Wyatt growls, stepping past his brothers. “Ansley… I… I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure. Not until I caught your scent. But now I know. It’s exactly how my brothers described it. You were meant to be mine.”
My heart beats a little faster. I feel it too. The same pull I felt towards Hayden and Remy. It’s undeniable. He’s different from his brothers. Soft, somehow, at least it seems that way. Before I can respond, Daisy steps in front of me.
“Yeah, um, just a minute,” Daisy chirps. “See, I’ve been thinking about this since Ansley told me, and I don’t think this arrangement is very fair.”
“Daisy, don’t. This really doesn’t concern you,” I try to stop her, but it’s a pointless effort.
“If it concerns my best friend, it concerns me,” Daisy scoffs.
“It’s not about fairness,” Hayden snaps. “It’s instinct. It’s easier for Remy and me to control it because we’ve already claimed her. Wyatt hasn’t, but he will soon.”
“Just going to put a littletentativenext to that,” Daisy says, narrowing her eyes. “Ansley didn’t tell me everything, despite me begging for the juicy details, but it seems like you guys are getting everything out of this, and she’s not getting anything at all.”
“Daisy, that’s enough, seriously,” I warn.
“No, no, I’m not done,” Daisy says, holding up a finger. “Ansley’s a prize, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my best friend. You guys with your… instincts or whatever, don’t know her like I do. She deserves to be taken care of it, and I’m not just talking about the bedroom. Have any of you taken her on a date yet?”
“We’re hunting fucking vampires. Vampires that almost killed you,” Remy barks. “We don’t have time for dates.”
“I disagree. Ansley should be wined, dined, and treated like the respectable, successful, amazing woman she is. Do you know how hard it is to get a job at York Financial? They already have her managing her own portfolio. She’s special!” Daisy insists. “And let’s see… there’s five of you? Yeah, she should be going on dates every single night.”
“I think I liked you better when you were comatose,” Hayden mutters.
“Because that would make it easier for you to take advantage of my best friend?” Daisy challenges.
“Do you realize how easily Wyatt could tear you to pieces? How hard it is for him to keep his instincts under control?” Remy’s words are just shy of a yell. “You’re standing between him and his mate, which isnotwhere you want to be.”
Despite what I feel for Wyatt, and the rest of my mates, I feel a surge of protectiveness for my best friend. “Don’t threaten her,” I say, glaring at Remy. “We’ve looked after each other since we were kids. What was it you said, Hayden? Daisy is… Mitra? An honorary member of the pack?”
“She is important to you, which makes her important to us,” Hayden clarifies, turning toward my best friend. “But we care about what our mate wants, not what you want, Daisy. Ansley,would you like to go somewhere private with us? So, we can discuss this rationally?”
I do. Everything inside of me is screaming that I want to be with Wyatt. To be stripped bare and claimed by him, just like I’ve been claimed by his brothers. But I will not be made to pick sides like that.
“Daisy makes some interesting points,” I admit. “I’ve been accepting of this, because I feel the same connection, but it wouldn’t hurt anything to go on a date with Wyatt. Unless you’re too busy hunting vampires. I understand if you are.”
“No,” Wyatt says immediately. “I’d love to take you on a date.”
“See? How hard was that?” Daisy perks up. “They can go on their date, and the two of you can keep me company. What do you want to drink? I’ve got…” She glances at the array of bottles. “Well, I’ve got just about everything.”
“We made her an honorary member of the pack, and she’s already claiming our alcohol.” Remy complains, walking past me and sitting at the bar. “Whiskey.”
“Coming right up!” Daisy says, glancing at Hayden. “What about you, handsome?”
“Same,” he says, shaking his head.
“Have fun on your date,” Daisy sings, obviously pleased by her meddling.
I walk closer to Wyatt. I’m not sure if it’s easier for me than it is for them, but the pull is undeniable, just like it was with his brothers. But the way he looks at me is different. It’s not the same hunger or desire. It’s almost like curiosity, the way a child would look at the world for the very first time.
“Shall we,” he asks, offering me the crook of his arm.
“Yes, you shall!” Daisy calls out.
