I stood nervously in front of Kat’s house the next day, my stomach tied in knots. Even though it seemed like she had forgiven me, I knew I had caused a rift between us. Leaving had been my choice, but I couldn’t erase the pain I had caused in my absence. Just as I had the right to leave, Kat had every right to be upset.
Crawling into bed with Ethan and Kieran the previous night, they both assured me of their unwavering support, no matter what I decided to tell Kat. With my permission, Ethan and Kieran had shared my situation with their Betas, who were currently gathering more information about white wolves.
We all understood the risks of revealing the full truth to Kat, but I wanted to trust her, to go the extra mile for our friendship.
As I waited for Kat to answer the door, each passing second intensified the knot in my stomach. Clenching my teeth, I resisted the urge to flee. I reminded myself that this world wasn’t new; it had been here all along, hidden under my nose. Despite my fears, I knew I belonged here. I could feel my heart sing in this pack, and I felt at home in this town, surrounded by these people who had become my family.
Kat opened the door with a wry smile, surprise lighting up her eyes. Instead of probing for her emotions, I let them wash over me: surprise, suspicion, and a hint of happiness. It was becoming easier for me to sense others’ emotions now that I had learned not to force my ability.
“Come on in,” Kat murmured, holding the door open for me. “Want something to drink? Mom made some sweet tea.”
“Sure,” I nodded, following her into the kitchen.
We stood in comfortable silence as Kat fetched a large pitcher of tea from the fridge. Her fiery hair was pulled back in a bun, with a few strands escaping around her face. We walked up to her bedroom, and I settled on the edge of her bed, where I had sat many times before.
“Alright, spill,” Kat said, pursing her lips. “What happened when you left? You said you were almost taken. Who were they? Why?”
Taking a long sip of the sweet tea, I let it soothe my throat as I gathered my thoughts. Now that I was here, the words caught in my throat. Kat’s guarded expression cut deep, and I felt the weight of my guilt.
“I’ll start with when I left. I made it to a small town and got a job at a local bakery, which I loved. One night, on my way home, three men attacked me. They were different, Ethan and Kieran later told me they were werewolves like us. Silver-my wolf-sensed Ethan and Kieran nearby, so we shifted. It hurt like hell, but I didn’t stick around long enough for anyone to explain that part,” I grimaced, bracing myself for Kat’s reaction. “I managed to escape, and I ran, but not before they saw I was a white wolf. I ended up at a woman’s house who helped me realize a few things-I was wrong to leave. She was also a white wolf, the last one until I came along. Ethan and Kieran found me shortly after, following my scent. They told me the truth-they didn’t force me to come back. They asked what I wanted, and I chose to stay with them.”
I shifted uncomfortably as Kat fell silent. Tracing my fingers along the glass, I felt the condensation dampen my fingertips. Unable to bear the silence any longer, I let Kat’s emotions wash over me. The wariness faded, along with the initial anger from my departure. Surprise washed over me, sharp and clear like a lemon.
“You… you’re a white wolf?” Kat nodded to herself, as if affirming the words. “Um, are you sure?”
“I’m pretty sure,” I chuckled softly, feeling her acceptance in her eyes.
“And you’re trusting me with this. I mean, I assume Ethan and Kieran told you what a white wolf is, and you know the risks if anyone else finds out,” Kat murmured, fixing me with an intense stare.
“They did, but I trust you,” I replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. “And I think they trust you too. They told me to do what I felt was right, so I did.”
“You know I wouldn’t tell anyone, right?” Kat asked, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“I know you wouldn’t,” I smiled softly in return. “I wouldn’t have told you if I thought otherwise.”
“So, you’re really back,” Kat exhaled, a wide grin spreading across her face. “I was going to ask, but I guess it’s pretty obvious. You know Ethan and Kieran are your mates.”
“Yeah, I figured that part out,” I chuckled, pausing as a pang of emotion washed over me. I missed them, I realized. Even though they were with their Betas now and would pick me up later, I missed the two of them. It seemed that no matter how much time I spent with them, it was never enough. Each minute in their presence deepened my feelings for them, emotions I had never felt for anyone else.
“Did they mark you?” Kat asked in a low voice, her eyes scanning my face and neck intently. “I mean, I’m not sure how it works with two mates. Do you have two marks?”
“Wait, what?” I frowned, caught off guard. “Mark me?”
“They didn’t mention it, did they?” Kat scoffed, a few fiery strands of hair escaping her bun as she shook her head. “They probably didn’t want to pressure you into anything, especially after everything that’s happened.”
“Explain?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m only telling you because the look on your face concerns me,” Kat laughed. “I’d hate for you to go off on Ethan and Kieran after accepting them so quickly. On second thought, that might be entertaining to watch.”
“Kat!” I groaned. “Just tell me.”
“Your wolf didn’t mention it?” She asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Silver can be unhelpful when she wants to be,” I snickered.
“‘You returned to the pack and accepted them as your mates,’ Silver huffed, rolling her eyes at me. ‘The last thing I wanted was to chase you off again. You never listen.'”
“Well, essentially, Ethan and Kieran would bite you,” Kat explained, pointing to the spot where my shoulder and neck meet. A strange sensation fluttered through me, sending tingles all the way down to my toes. “I’m not sure how it works with two mates, but that’s the gist of it. Mom said it hurts a lot, but it’s worth it. The wound heals, leaving a beautiful mark that’s unique to the couple. It basically tells other unmated wolves to back off.”
“Do I have to mark them?” I asked uncertainly. “How would I do that? I’m not even sure how I shifted in the first place, and I can’t imagine biting Ethan and Kieran in my wolf form-my mouth would fit around their entire neck.”
“You don’t have to be in wolf form to do it,” Kat reassured me.
I watched in silence as Kat grinned mischievously.
My jaw dropped when her teeth elongated, her canines growing into those of a wolf. It looked comical, those large teeth in her small mouth. She reverted to normal, her teeth returning to their usual size.
“How do I do that?” I asked eagerly.
Though unfamiliar with werewolf customs, I understood that marking was significant. While Silver encouraged me to mark Ethan and Kieran, I hesitated. It was another step in our unusual relationship. Yet, the idea of everyone knowing Ethan and Kieran were mine, and vice versa, was enticing. Still, I wanted to be sure before committing to anything. Though we hadn’t defined our relationship, I suspected that being mates surpassed the usual boyfriend-girlfriend arrangement.
“And then comes the fun part,” Kat chuckled. “After marking each other, you complete the mating process. That part should be interesting for you, having two mates and all.”
“Complete the mating process?” I frowned, suspicion dawning on me as amusement filled Kat.
“Not pleasant?” Kat snorted. “Oh, it’ll be pleasant, alright.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” I sighed.
“You mean you’ve never-oh, I see,” Kat nodded to herself, smirking at my discomfort. “Completing the mating process solidifies the bond between mates. First, you mark each other, then you… well, sleep together.”
“Sleep together,” I repeated, swallowing hard as the realization hit me.