The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
Chapter 16

My back to the door, I leaned against it hoping that this thin wooden door could keep out Cora and her words that came after me.

Her words didn't hurt me as they should, she put me down, called me names, belittled everything about me, but all I could think about was Ajax and how consistently everyone had called him a monster. How many times have I been warned about Ajax?

How many times has he been called a monster?

Even Jeremy said that there is some truth to it.

What did I get myself into?

On top of all of that, I still had to pee and there was no way I was going to be cornered by Cora again. My eyes flicked to the bathroom with Ajax still inside.

Maybe I should just sneak in? Or maybe ask nicely that I'm about to make a puddle on his floor if he doesn't let me in?

The latter seems more plausible. My hand hovers over the door to knock but it creeks open and at first I see nothing except mist until it subsides, revealing the Alpha in the shower. Naked.

And soaping himself.

The glass shower hid nothing from me, absolutely nothing. I watched the rain like drops fall on his skin, sliding down every curve, every slope, until it fell to the floor. His body is dangerously taut and muscular, imposing his strength without even meaning to. A work of art, coiled for battle with beauty mixed into it.

I trembled from just looking at him.

He must have heard me come in because he turned and I was given even more to look at; his powerful arms huge and muscular, his wide broad shoulders, his chest thick and strong... dipping down to his deep v-shaped cut that trailed even lower to his- Large wasn't even the word for it.

Colossal.

If that.

My heart jolted in my chest.

Between his strong legs, he was colossal with veins and clear contours. Apparently, like all of him, he was monstrous and I had to bite my lips to keep from making a sound as I stared.

He looks at me with hooded eyes, the look alone burning me deep inside. It was very difficult to breathe and he made it even harder by walking towards me, the water still running behind him.

My legs were stiff as I backed away, but he just took more steps forward. I felt like a prey animal, running away from my hunter. Cornered, my back was pressed against the wall and he caught me before I could do anything about it.

He doesn't touch me, but it's almost like he does with how close he is, his arms on either side of my head.

"Hello, my little mate." He says darkly, making me shiver all over again. "Have you come to join me?"

I couldn't breathe.

Ajax is so tempting... so inviting.

It was hard to think clearly.

He leans closer, still not touching me, but his warmth surrounded me. "June,"

My name rolls from his tongue like it was meant to be said by him and only him. It was the devil's silken voice. The kind that dripped with sin which is laced with temptation that I could taste. The ensnaring way he spoke pulled me to him and, like a little bird, I fell. Hard. "Ajax," I whispered, breathless, but it was more air than sound. More gasp than words.

But he heard it nonetheless and now he does touch me, pressing his forehead to mine. "Hmmm,"

I could feel his breath on my face, cool and minty and a hint of him. It only made me even warmer... heat pooling. "I have to pee."

The words blurted out of me so casually, so quickly that the Alpha pulled back slightly to look at me better. His lips twitched into a smile then, before chuckling. The sound is sincere and quite addicting, but again left the feeling that this man hardly ever laughs. "Of course, my apologies, my little mate. Let me just,"

I watch him tug a towel off one of the hooks, and continue to watch him as he dries himself. It was more sensual than it should be but I couldn't look away. He didn't seem real.

Ajax ties the towel around his waist, low on his waist, very, very low and smiles. "All yours."

The Alpha closes the shower before stepping out of the bathroom. He looks at me right as he's leaving, his amber eyes dark and meaningful.

And then I was alone.

It was hard to keep up with the emotions that plagued my heart. One moment I'm scared of him, doubting us, doubting being chosen, and then the next I am burning for him... burning for more. I barely knew him.

He barely knew me.

But it was like a firework every time he was near.

I quickly relieved myself and was not prepared for the sight before me when I left the bathroom.

The Alpha was on his balcony, the white curtains blowing around him. He wore another buttoned top, but left it unbuttoned, his chest bare as he ate an apple while staring outside. He looked like a painting.

A beautiful painting that wasn't allowed to be touched.

As I walked closer, I saw him watching the other attendees get into their cars to head for their respective homes. It seems the festivities are officially over, marking the end of this year's Assembly.

He doesn't turn when I join him, but I do notice how intently he was watching a particular car and it's passenger. I squinted, trying to get a better look and nearly sank to my knees when I saw it was Cora. She was standing beside a shiny long black car while looking back at him.

They stared at each other, longing in Cora's eyes.

Something bitter stirred in my stomach.

Was he already reconsidering?

Did he want her instead?

I knew this was too good to be true.

He would leave.

Just like everyone else.

"What did she say to you?" He suddenly asks, breaking me out of my thoughts. "She spoke to you."

My lips parted in surprise, my earlier thoughts melting away. "How did you-?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that she spoke to you and that made you unhappy." The Alpha says tightly, his eyes completely black with rage. "What did she do? Did she threaten you? Tell me so I can kill her before she leaves."

A moment ago, I thought he was ready to leave me for her. I didn't expect this. I thought about lying, of keeping what transpired between Cora and I to myself, because he looked like he was ready to throw himself off this balcony to kill her for me. But, if I was the one asking him for something, I would also want to know the truth. "She... she offered me a car full of money."

He faced me then, dark eyes burning a hole in my soul. "To leave me?"

I don't answer. Saying it out loud seemed blasphemous. Being offered money to leave Ajax felt that much more disgusting and I am thoroughly ashamed.

"And you didn't take it?" The Alpha sounded surprised, the darkness in his eyes fading into the beautiful amber. "You could have fed your entire pack for years to come."

"Maybe I'm selfish," I say with a shrug. Because it could have saved lives. So many lives.

"Then be selfish." He came close, his hand on either side of my face. "Be selfish when it comes to me."

It wasn't a hard ask.

Ajax takes my hand and presses his lips on my knuckles. "After we return home, you may speak with Jeremy to arrange the visit to the farm pack."

I drew back, a little confused. "What?"

He smiles and brushes my hair back. "To see your father and, if you want, to have a celebration in your pack."

"We can go?" I said, hopeful. "Visit?"

"You and I can go and do whatever you want, June." And he meant it. I could feel that he meant it. "Just say the word and I will provide."

I couldn't help but bow, feeling giddy and most of all grateful. No mate gives this much. "Thank you, Alpha."

The Alpha of monsters pulls me up, taking me out of my low bow and making me stare into his eyes... as if equals. "Call me by my name, my little mate. Always by my name."

It was hard to hold his piercing gaze. It felt as though I would melt. "Okay, Ajax."

His eyes lighten at the mention of his name and a hunger there starts to show. "Let's go home."

He takes my hand in his, bringing me close until we're pressed together. It was intimate... like how mates are, but it was more.

It was real.

It was genuine.

As if we've known each other our whole lives.

My hands tightened around his and I couldn't help but smile.

Let this work. I whispered to myself. Please let this work.

Before leaving the room, Ajax takes the bolt of silk from the bed where he had carefully placed it, handling the silk like it's the most important thing, and tugs me out the door.

There's a big change from the Ajax that's alone with me to the Ajax that the world sees because outside those doors, he is the Alpha. The monster, as many call him. I watched my Ajax turn into the Alpha by how his exterior hardened, the dark glint in his eyes returning and the watchful... ever distrustful gaze that made me shiver.

I wonder then what his story is.

How he became this Alpha that everyone fears.

From what I heard, rumors range from a bastard of the city pack's Alpha to a random rogue. It doesn't really matter which, he's impressive either way.

The halls were almost empty as we walked through them, everyone having left for their homes already. I remember our Alpha saying that the mansion is closed immediately after the Assembly and won't be opened until next year. Violators apparently would be charged heavily and thus he demanded that we all gather quickly at the exit because we could not afford a single second more.

But Ajax doesn't hurry.

He takes his time without worry.

I felt nervous suddenly, leaving this all behind. I've never been further than this mansion and I know the nameless pack lives in the mountains. Far and unreachable.

I wonder if it truly is hard to live there. People say it's desolate with the weather harsh and unforgiving, which makes it impossible to be stormed by any other pack. I was told only the strongest survive there, the environment an entirely different battle on its own. But I suppose I have experience in that.

Outside the very same entrance I went into upon my arrival at the Assembly, I saw the nameless pack members flocking. They were a huge group, a number my old Alpha could never afford.

I looked around, remembering the first time I saw this place. The tent was gone, so was the woman with her papers. In its place were men and women carrying heavy looking bags, grinning at each other. They're all hulking figures, the men and the women, their past battles etched across their arms proudly. Like their Alpha, they all looked dangerous and ready for anything.

They immediately quieted at the sight of their Alpha, straightening and bowing their heads in submission. He wordlessly waves them away.

Try as they might to hide it, I felt their heavy stares following me. None of them dared speak but they didn't have to. I know they questioned their Alpha's choice just as much as I did.

It made no sense.

But he has trained them well, not a single one of them uttering a word and bowing their heads in my direction as well. I see a few that I recognized- from my time with Jeremy and I know they recognize me too.

Just as I'm thinking about him, Jeremy emerges from the crowd. Nothing has changed. He is still ethereal with his beauty. Tall, blonde hair and those baby blue eyes. Still... Jeremy.

Pretty boy, they called him.

It was so fitting.

He stood out in this group. Rough looking as he is, there was still that glamour in him that I doubt he will be able to take away.

They looked like a group of strays when put together, all different looking, but the good kind. The kind that will never stop fighting, the kind that is stronger than everyone because they worked for it, the kind that one admires for their determination. I understood then that they were survivors too.

Jeremy doesn't acknowledge me again. He doesn't even glance in my direction, his eyes solely on his Alpha. "Shall we leave this hellhole, Alpha?"

It wasn't a hellhole for me. I wanted to say but never did. Because of you.

Jeremy made this place a good memory for me. Not even romantically, but good memories to have because, instead of feeling like an outsider, I felt like I was living a fairytale with him. From the lake, to the hallways we walked, the chocolates we ate and the smiles we shared...

Do you even remember, Jeremy? Or was it nothing to you?

I shake these horrible thoughts out of me.

Ajax just nods towards Jeremy, tugging me gently forward, his other hand still holding the silk.

It was just a second, half a second even, but I saw Jeremy's blue eyes flicker to the silk, his eyes darkening before it was gone. He leads the way, walking to the garage where cars are parked until I realize it wasn't just a really long garage but a runway. For an airplane.

I have never actually seen an airplane, so when I do, my lips part in surprise. It looked like a metallic bird or a weird winged missile. I must have paled because the hand holding mine squeezes a little.

"It's safe." The Alpha whispers quietly in my ear, his lips grazing my skin. "I'm here."

"You can save me from this metallic thing?" I joked, smiling up at him.

"I can save you from anything." He says, sounding so sure about this. "Nothing will get to you."

"They have to go through you first?" I teased, knowing no one would even attempt an altercation with him.

His honeyed eyes called to me. "Exactly."

I couldn't help but laugh a little, holding him tighter as we walked to the plane. I was still anxious about the plane ride and our destination, my stomach cramping nervously as proof. My traitorous eyes flickered towards Jeremy only to replace that he was already staring. Already watching.

His brows were furrowed, eyes swimming with emotion before turning back again like he wasn't just looking.

The inside of the plane is exactly what it looks like in my imagination. Cramped, lots of seats and tiny windows to look out on. There were a few luxuries like food and drink, a carpet, but overall the plane was practical. Nothing too fancy.

The Alpha guides me to a flight of stairs, bringing us to our own separate compartment. There's more leg room and comfortable looking seats. A few others joined us here, including Jeremy, who made sure to steer stir clear of me. It still stings a little to see how things have changed in only a day.

But I didn't say a word about it.

Ajax leads me to a window seat and helps me buckle the seatbelt. It looked more complicated than it really was but he just smacked the two ends together and it was all set.

He excused himself quickly to speak with his people and as I watched them, I felt so small amongst them. They were all these powerful werewolves in both stature and confidence. They filled every inch of the plane with their aura and I was just proud to be there. In our pack, we always looked so small. Even our Alpha. Or maybe we're just hungry and malnourished. Either way, we were never like them.

"It's going to take a while, there's quite a bit of things to load." I heard Jeremy say to the group. "A few of what we stole from the city pack..."

They trail off, voices lowering.

"They're not happy with what happened in the Games." One of the men whispered quietly. "Alpha, you took Konstantin's chosen mate and made a fool of their spoiled golden child. When you said you wanted to use the Games against them you really meant it." "Let them be upset." Ajax answers in his low baritone. "We want them mad."

Something inside me turned.

He wants the city pack mad?

He was trying to use the Games? The Assembly?

How?

My head spun. Is that- is that the only reason he chose me? He saw Konstantin claim me, touch my silk and happily plucked me from him... to spite the Beta? To ruin the Assembly?

That can't be, right?

Was I only just another pawn in their games?

It just can't be.

A laugh goes through their group. "It certainly did the job, Alpha. You weren't planning to come as well. Good thing you went and stomped all over them by taking her."

My heart stills.

My throat dries.

And I think I might actually cry, but the plane started to move. Helplessly, I looked out the window watching all I have ever known disappear in clouds.