Deadly Nightshade MXMXM

XXIV

As the days turned into weeks, the bond between Azrael and the twins deepened in ways that left him both unnerved and exhilarated.

The initial distance between them had given way to a closeness that was almost suffocating in its intensity.
Their presence filled the empty spaces in his life, binding them together in a way that was as inevitable as it was terrifying.

Their routine became something Azrael both craved and feared. The silence that had once been cold and distant was now heavy with unspoken emotion, the quiet moments between them charged with a tension that made his heart race. The twins were still men of few words, but their actions spoke volumes. A touch on the arm that lingered too long, a shared meal where the air crackled with an intensity that neither of them would acknowledge, but both could feel.

Azrael found himself drawn to them in ways he couldn't fully understand. It wasn't just the mate bond  it was something , more primal.

It was a need that gnawed at him, pulling him closer to them, even as the rational part of his mind screamed at him to keep his distance. But the pull was too strong, the connection too deep, and he found himself giving in to it, letting the bond between them wrap tighter around his soul.

The break was coming, a brief respite from the relentless brutality of the academy. Students were packing up, preparing to leave, but Azrael had no place to go.

He had resigned himself to spending the break alone, sinking further into the darkness that had become his constant companion.

The twins had been called away, summoned back to their pack, and the news hit Azrael like a physical blow.

It was only then that he realized how much he had come to rely on their presence, how much he had come to need them. The thought of them leaving him behind, of being without them, filled him with a pain that was almost unbearable.

He tried to play it off, to mask the hurt with indifference, but the twins saw through him. They always did. They didn't ask him to come with them; they demanded it, their words laced with a possessiveness that sent a shiver down his spine.

"You're coming with us," Kieran had said, his tone leaving no room for argument. It wasn't a request—it was an order, one that brooked no refusal.

Azrael scoffed, trying to play it coy, trying to pretend that he didn't care. "And why would I do that?" he asked, his voice laced with false bravado. "I'm not some pet you can just drag along."

Lucian's response was even more direct, his dark eyes boring into Azrael's with an intensity that made his breath catch. "You're ours," he said, his voice low and commanding. "Our mate. Our future Luna. You belong with us."

The words hit Azrael like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of his lungs. He had always known, deep down, that they were his mates, but hearing it said aloud, in such stark, undeniable terms, made it real in a way it hadn't been before. The mate bond was no longer something he could ignore, something he could push aside. It was there, thrumming under his skin, binding him to them in ways he couldn't escape.

But even as the bond pulled him towards them, a part of him resisted. He wasn't ready to give in, to surrender to the bond and the role they were demanding he play. He didn't want to be their Luna, their mate, not if it meant losing himself in the process. But the twins didn't seem to care about his resistance; they were used to getting what they wanted, and right now, what they wanted was him.

"You belong with us, Azrael," Kieran's voice was firm, brooking no argument. "You're coming. End of discussion."

Lucian echoed his brother's sentiment with a nod, his eyes dark and serious. "You don't have a choice."

Before Azrael could protest, Kieran and Lucian were on either side of him, gripping his arms with firm hands. Their hold was unyielding, their strength undeniable. Without another word, they began to steer him out of the room, down the hallway, and towards the transport that would take them back to their pack lands.

Panic surged through Azrael as he realized what was happening. "Wait! I don't even have any clothes packed!" he protested, trying to dig his heels in, but the twins didn't slow down.

Kieran rolled his eyes, his expression a mixture of impatience and amusement. "You'll get what you need when we get there," he said dismissively.

Azrael tried to twist out of their grip, but Lucian's hand tightened around his arm, his silence more commanding than any words could have been. There was no point in arguing, no point in resisting. The twins had made up their minds, and there was nothing Azrael could do to change it.

As they reached the transport, a sleek black vehicle waiting at the entrance to the academy, Azrael felt a sense of inevitability wash over him. The door opened with a soft hiss, and the twins practically lifted him inside, settling him between them with an air of finality.

The door closed behind them, sealing Azrael in with the two alphas who had now fully claimed him. The vehicle started moving, and as the academy receded into the distance, Azrael's heart pounded in his chest. He was leaving behind everything he knew, everything that had defined him for so long. And yet, despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped him, there was also a strange sense of relief.

He was theirs now, and there was no going back.

The journey to their pack lands was long and grueling, the road winding through dense forests and over treacherous mountains. The air grew colder as they climbed higher, the landscape growing more rugged and wild. The trees stood tall and ancient, their branches heavy with snow, and the wind howled through the valleys like a living thing.

As they neared their destination, Azrael could feel the power of their pack resonating through the land. It was a place of strength and dominance, a kingdom in its own right. The pack lands were vast, stretching as far as the eye could see, with mountains that towered over the landscape like silent sentinels. The pack house itself was a fortress, built from stone and timber, with high walls and heavy gates that spoke of both protection and power.

The twins led him through the gates and into the heart of their territory. The pack members they passed bowed their heads in respect, their eyes lingering on Azrael with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. He could feel their gazes on him, assessing him, judging him, but he kept his head held high, refusing to show any sign of weakness.

Inside the pack house, the atmosphere was even more intense. The air was thick with the scent of dominance and control, the walls echoing with the sounds of the pack going about their business. Azrael could feel the weight of the place pressing down on him, but he refused to be cowed. He was here now, and he would prove that he was more than just a weak omega.

The twins brought him to their private quarters, a large, dimly lit room filled with dark wood and rich fabrics. The windows looked out over the mountains, offering a view that was both breathtaking and foreboding. Azrael could feel the bond between them thrumming with energy, stronger now than it had ever been before.

Kieran turned to him, his expression unreadable. "You're home now," he said, his voice low and commanding. "This is where you belong."

Azrael met his gaze, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the weight of their expectations, the intensity of their need for him to accept his place by their side. It was overwhelming, but it was also exhilarating.

Lucian stepped closer, his hand reaching out to touch Azrael's arm. The gesture was subtle, but the meaning behind it was clear. They were claiming him, staking their claim on him in a way that left no room for doubt.