The Alphas’ P**n Star Mate

My eyes widened in confusion. "Where's his twin then?" I don't remember seeing any other family at meal times, or hearing anyone talk about the previous Alpha having a twin. "He's not here anymore," Miles said softly.

"Oh," I frowned. "You mean, he left like Mick did? Or.....?"

The corners of Miles's lips lifted into a heartbreaking smile. "Pops was tough on Mick for a reason. He didn't want Mick to be unprepared for how brutal running a pack can be." I lowered myself on the bed, realizing all of a sudden why his father was the way he was, and why everyone rejoiced so much when Mick came back. Miles sat beside me, gauging my reaction. "Was he killed?"

Miles nodded. "By another Alpha. While Pops was away, another Alpha came and challenged his twin for the rights to the pack. He couldn't refuse and he couldn't contact my dad. That was the time before cell phones, and it was impossible to keep track of those ancient pagers in wolf form. His twin sent a warrior out in hopes he would get close enough to mind link pops to call him back before the fight started, but by the time he got the message, his brother was already defeated." Miles was silent for a moment. "Dante, my dad's twin, was like Mick. He wasn't born with a wolf. He could hold his own in human form from what I've heard, but he didn't stand a chance when the Alpha shifted. Pops got back in time to restore the pack, and we gained the Alpha's pack and land, but it left a lasting scar on my dad. He was determined to save Mick, since he couldn't save his brother. He didn't realize until Mick left that he was only pushing Mick away and hurting him more."

I was stunned, not expecting to hear about Alpha Dario going through such heartbreak. "Does Mick know all this? He surely wouldn't have held a grudge for so long if he knew."

"No," Miles shook his head. "I didn't even know until after Mick left. I was grieving, thinking about going out and finding my brother, and mom made pops tell me. She knew the pack couldn't lose both of us. After hearing what dad went through, I wasn't as angry with him and just held onto the hope that Mick would return one day."

I smiled softly. "You love your brother." It wasn't a question. Anyone could see the love he had for Mick.

Miles nodded. "He was the most important person in my life." He reached out and set his hand over my knee. "Until you."

The shivers from the bond and his confession made me gasp. His eyes were drawing me in, making my heart hammer in my chest. There was an energy there, stronger than before. Maybe it was his profession of love for his brother, my other mate, or maybe it was his declaration towards me, but I suddenly couldn't remember any of the reasons I had been fighting this bond.

Before I knew it, his lips were pressing against mine, and instead of stopping him, I leaned into his warmth, moaning as the tingles erupted deep inside me. His hand brushed lightly along my jaw, then settled on my neck. That was all it took for me to melt into him, pressing my body against his. His bourbon and vanilla scent was making me drunk. His lips tasted surprisingly sweet.

"Cucciola," Miles moaned, the word rolling from his lips. His tongue flicked against mine.

I whimpered, pulling him closer to taste more of his sweetness. He was tender and gentle, but I wasn't. I sucked his bottom lip, nibbling on the soft flesh. His tongue was supple, bending and molding to my demands. Cortina's hungry growling didn't help my feral needs. As I started pulling his shirt, pulling him on top of me, Cortina's desirous growls started to vibrate through me, and Miles's wolf answered her call. I gasped when I felt his hardness grind against my center.

"Sorry," he mumbled, pulling away from me. It looked like it took him a lot of willpower to do so. It took a lot of willpower from me to not pull him back down. "I'm sorry." He looked a little panicked.

"Why are you sorry?" I asked as I sat back up. He got up and paced in front of me, putting some distance between us.

"Mick's not here. I know you... you don't want to hurt him." He paused for a little bit, raking his hands through his hair anxiously.

I smiled at myself, not because I was happy he was stressed, but because he was putting me and my needs before his. I know he wanted me. He was still able to stop himself. The few small similarities I saw between him and Cameron this morning as Alphas when I was mad completely faded away. He was Miles. My sweet, gentle, kind-hearted second mate.

I stood up and stopped his pacing, placing a hand on his abdomen. He shivered from my touch, and the bond flared again. It made me feel even more empowered to say these next words.

"You're my mate too, Miles. You're my mate, and I want you." I paused, staring up into those sharp but beautiful blue eyes. "Do you want me too? As your mate, and as your Luna?"

"More than anything," he husked, his fingers digging into my waist.

I smiled, staring at his lips. "Then don't be sorry," I whispered, leaning up on my tiptoes to place a soft kiss on his lips.

He groaned, then attacked my mouth with hungry, desperate need. The wind was taken from me, and all I could breathe in was him. As we stood there kissing, a deep chuckle sounded from behind. The smell of spicy musk was beginning to mix with Miles's drunken sweet flavor. "Are you getting started without me?" Mick asked. His hands glided on my back.

Miles released my lips, resting his forehead on mine while sucking in panted breaths. I giggled, turning to look guiltily at an amused Mick.

"We were just clearing the air," I smiled, feeling acceptance and approval from Mick.

"Good," he kissed my cheek. "If it's all clear, we should go. They're waiting for us."

"Go where?" Miles asked, still not letting me go. I was literally sandwiched between the two big men, but I had no complaints. Neither did Cortina. She was purring in delight.

Mick was smiling down at me with pride, massaging my shoulders. We were lost in our own little moment for a minute, which caused him to take a while to respond to his brother. "Billy had a suggestion," Mick said. "He's setting up for it now. We're going to put on a live show for all three of them. I hope that's okay."