Echoing through Alessio's head are self-deprecating insults - telling him he isn't good enough.
Crowned as the Alpha of half of Birchwood Forest, he discerns himself as weak and unfit to rule over those obligated to submit to him due to the vicious...
Aleskei blinked rapidly and cocked his head at the wolf narrowing his eyes at him. The wolf's coat was washed with gray and white. A blend of subdued, contrasting colors on a blank canvas. His fur was irrevocably beautiful and Aleskei's snout curled up into a smile.
Malik, Messiah's wolf's, golden eyes shone with an indescribable emotion. Fearfully, he stumbled back and stares at Aleskei. Aleskei whines lowly at the distance between them, but due to the discomfort written on Malik's face, he refuses to move. Instead, he watches him, confused.
Battling against his Alpha instincts, Aleskei lowers his head and shows submission to his mate, for fear that he'd hurt him. Malik's eyes widen at the Alpha backing down.
Checkmate, Aleskei smirks inwardly. Even if Malik was his mate, his shock amused him. But he can't blame him. Alphas refuse to submit and most of the time, that includes their mates as well.
Even though Aleskei would never hurt his mate, some wolves mated to Alphas aren't as lucky and the faded, claw marks decorating Lukas' smoky grey fur prove that statement. Lukas was an Iota from his pack. A mixture of compassionate and ambitious, the relatively, small wolf didn't deserve the cruel mate the Moon gave him.
The thought of his mate's beautiful fur adorned with blush-colored scars emitted a deep growl from his muzzle. Malik tilted his head to the side cutely, as his mate's golden eyes glowed, and Aleskei fought every instinct ordering him to pounce on him and claim him.
"Malik," a breezy voice floated into Aleskei's ears. When the dark skinned girl ruffled his coat, Aleskei growled lowly, his eyes flashing with anger. A small smile formed on her face. "Who are you?" Aleskei didn't respond. His glare didn't fall, either. Instead, he held his arctic stare. "Can you shift?" Now, she was crouching in front of him, her fingers warily reaching out to stroke his fur.
Rolling his eyes, he allowed Alessio to regain control of their body. "Sorry about that," he replied smoothly. "He's difficult to say the least." In response, Xena laughed lightly. Malik nuzzled into Alessio's arm to stake his claim. Even though he trusted Xena wholly, she was closer to Alessio than he'd like. Alessio arched an eyebrow at the wolf and gently sifted his hand into his soft fur. The action trailed sparks down his arm and a smile graced his face.
What the hell are you doing?! Messiah demanded lowly. Malik jumped back in surprise at the low growl in Messiah's voice. He'd never growled at him before. Concerned, Alessio retracted his hand. At the loss of contact, Malik whined softly and desperately tried to lean into Alessio's touch again, but his eyes returned to their olive green color. Messiah sat in Malik's place, his stare directed at his newfound mate icy.
Despite the scent of rainwater and coconut that coaxed him to touch him, he growled at the Alpha, his teeth bared into a snarl.
Did he growl? He just growled at us, Alessio, Aleskei gritted out. Aleskei resisted the urge to elongate his own fangs and remind Messiah who's the Alpha. Regardless of the behavior of his mate, he's his mate, nonetheless. He'd scare him away and chance his rejection if he slammed him unto the dirt floor.
"Look, I'm sorry if I hurt you, Messiah. I'm sorry if touching your fur crossed a line. I thought that's what your wolf wanted. Can you tell me his name? Aleskei would love to hear his name." His hands were held up in surrender.
Messiah ignored the slight purr Malik emitted at the heartfelt words. "His name is Malik," he says.
"Well, he's beautiful." He grins lazily at him, his chocolate eyes shining. In his ribcage Messiah's heart raced, but he slipped on an unamused smile.
"Whatever," he scoffed.
"Oh by the way," Alessio pipes up. "I'm inviting you two to a party tomorrow night."
Fuck no.
"We'll be there," Xena replies and gives him a soft smile. Messiah shoots her a menacing glare, but she flashes him her middle finger in response.
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
In the dimly lit living room, Messiah watches the photos flash across the screen. With a fluffy, white blanket draped over her legs, Xena sits beside him on the maroon, leather couch, her head held up by her elbow. The photos were of them as pups. Their faces drawn with wide smiles, teeth showcased, while they held up their finger paintings. Long, dark curls fell down Xena's back like a waterfall and her warm, brown eyes shone. Unruly, onyx curls dipped into his olive eyes. Ebony shadows waltzed across his face dotted with freckles.
His mom, Carmine, wrapped her slender arms, covered with loose, sweater sleeves, around Messiah's shoulders from behind the couch. Trayvon, his father, falsely smiled at his mate who gazed lovingly at him. Hurt flashed in her eyes, but other than that, she wasn't phased. She knew Trayvon couldn't fall in love with her. For him, it was impossible. Sure, he cared about her, but he can't be in love with her.
Because his parents were chosen mates, they weren't able to love each other. Well, at least Trayvon couldn't love her. He was rejected by his mate, an Alpha, more than a decade prior due to his internalized homophobia and was severely brokenhearted as a result. Carmine, however, never met her mate and she convinced herself that she loved her husband, but in truth, she forced herself to love him. In reality, the pair were co-parents acting on mere routine, sleeping in different beds, and loving Messiah as if their lives depended on it.
Hey loves! How did you feel about this chapter? Do you like the dynamic between Trayvon and Carmine. How do you think it parallels between Messiah and Alessio's dynamic? Do you like Malik or Aleskei better?
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
