From The Ashes

Chapter Twenty

My body was shaking and my mind was racing. It wasn't possible to have two mates. The Moon Goddess wouldn't allow it.

The males would tear each other apart over the female. I wasn't willing to let that happen to either of them. 

Valen and Von turned to each other and growled menacingly, their eyes flashing colors to show that their wolves were just below the surface.

I could hear Artemis and King Ruben running to get to us now. I had to do something, and fast. 

"Stop it!" I cried out. Their heads whipped in my direction, teeth still bared. I could see them watching each other from the corner of their eyes. 

"Don't I get a say in this?" I asked.

They stopped for a moment, but my heart was still beating fast. Before I could utter another word, they were both running at me.

My eyes widened and a scream was building in my throat. I could protect myself, sure, but I didn't want to hurt them. Especially when I knew one of them was my mate. I closed my eyes and braced myself. 

I felt one body whizz past me, while another collided with me so hard that we fell to the ground.

The moment his touch met mine, tingles shot through my skin and my face reddened. I let out an audible gasp and opened my eyes.

Tears pooled and began to run as his icy blue eyes swirled with emotion. I took a moment to compose myself, as he lifted off of me and held out his hand to help me up.

I accepted his offer and felt the tingles once again. I smiled when I realized that he did, too. I took a step back and looked at the man before me. 

Valen was my mate. 

Sienna was howling with pure joy in my head, and by the looks of it, Orion was just as ecstatic. Valen took a step forward and took my hand in his. 

"Not what you expected, huh?" he asked me in a husky voice.

I could tell this was a loaded question. He must have really thought it would be his brother. I looked back into his eyes. 

"It's not," I began. His face fell slightly. "It's more."

He smiled at me, and cupped gently cupped my face. I wasn't used to this. The Valen I was used to was rough, never caring what another person thought.

But this Valen, my mate, he was handling me with so much care and emotion that you could feel it pouring out of every inch of him. 

"Do I still get to give you your first kiss?" His voice sounded breathy and strained.

I knew I would sound the same if I tried to answer, so I simply nodded my head. 

He leaned in slowly, looking into my eyes the whole time. Just before our lips touched, he paused. 

"Are you sure?"

My heart exploded at the question. It was so pure, and I was so happy that he was double checking with me, because he knew how much this meant to me. I nodded again. He pressed his lips to mine. 

The kiss was soft at first; tender, and full of longing. Quickly, though, it became heated.

His lips became harder on mine, his breathing more ragged. Passion was beginning to overwhelm me. He parted my lips with his, silently asking for entrance. I gave it willingly and felt his velvety tongue glide against mine. 

Just as quickly as it had started though, it was over, as King Ruben cleared his throat. 

"It seems we have two matches to celebrate tonight."