The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
Chapter 52

Ajax

My hands were wrapped around the neck of a man trying to scout the ruins of the city pack. He was from another pack, trying to see what was left of the wreckage... if there was anything to take and steal, learning of what remained to inform the greedy packs who lingered a little too close. He did not think I would be there, his wide horrified eyes staring at me with surprise. I made quick work of his partner, ripping his head off of his shoulders and leaving him rolling on the ground.

"Go back to your pack and tell them what happened." I said in a voice devoid of emotion. My hands tight around his neck, my claws digging into his throat, I take pleasure in seeing his eyes turn red, nearly exploding out of their sockets. "Bring your friend with you." This was the fifth man I've caught entering the city pack. We routinely checked the perimeter, making sure no one came close. There was a fortune buried under all this and with plans for rebuilding the city underway, it gathered even more attention for greedy neighboring- enemy packs.

There was a surprising number of survivors from the living shields that wanted to stay in the city. Mostly because everyone they know was already de a I and because living here is what they're used to now.

I tossed the man to the ground, right on top of the decapitated head, and made sure his face landed on it.

He let out a choked scream, crawling away from me with his hands on his face.

I hovered over him until all he could see was me. I had all the intention of killing him. My wolf was thirsty for blood and d e a t h but a voice so sweet entered my mind then, shocking me out of my thoughts. 'Ajax, My mate's voice whispered into my mind.

I quickly straightened, putting my foot down against the man's chest to keep him there. 'Yes, my little mate?'

There was a pause like she already knew what I was doing. 'Are you busy?'

I glanced down at the man choking to death with the weight of my foot on his chest. 'Not at all. I'm never too busy for my mate. What is it?'

She definitely knew what I was doing, but as always, my mate is always supportive and doesn't say anything about it. 'Konstantin has some very important news he wants to tell us and he wants you to be there when he says it.

'And Jeremy?' I asked, wondering if my Beta would show himself. For months he's been on the farm lands, lending a hand in the rehabilitation and making sure none of our forced volunteers- captured city pack members- made any trouble. 'He's on his way.' June says and I can almost see her smile. 'I'll see you after you tie the body to a tree?'

I cracked a smile. Ah. She did know. 'Yes, my little mate.'

'Don't be too long.' Her voice fades, making me want to hear more of it.

The man under my food begins to shake, choking and turning a strange shade of purple. With June in my mind and my body wanting nothing more than to see her immediately, I took the decapitated head and shoved it into the man's arms. "Leave before you lose your head as well."

He didn't need to be told twice, stumbling up to his feet and running as fast as he could. He tripped several times and if June hadn't been waiting for me, I really would have removed his head from his body. Just for s hits and giggles.

But because I was in such a good mood, I let him go, but not before letting him watch as I dragged the foot of his friend to the tree by the borders and tied him there with the rest of the bodies that made most turn away. Dusting my hands off of blood and dirt, I double check if the man with the head is long gone before I decide to go home to my beautiful awaiting mate.

I make sure a few of my warriors are still stationed around the perimeter, scanning the area to ensure that whatever is left of the city pack is guarded until we decide on what to do, though I've already had an idea about what we should do. It was actually June's idea that she said to me fleetingly before falling asleep. I pondered on that as I boarded the plane and flew back home.

The plane flew over the city pack, the once glimmering city turned to ash and rubble. It was a black hole in the otherwise green land, but there were some parts that survived the war, a couple of buildings here and there, all occupied by survivors that had no where else to go.

Most of the city is still closed off, Konstantin keeping an eye out for any that try to take the spoils of war from the buried chaos. He knew where everything was, the wealth that could feed billions, and until a decision was made he would keep everything hidden. Soon, the buildings disappear from sight and there is only woodland as far as the eyes can see. Hours and hours go by until, finally, I catch the sight of mountain tops and thick clouds hiding our home from the world.

The sight of home, of a place I can call home, relaxes me. And though I know my mark doesn't have the same connection with what June and Jeremy had before, my body and my heart know she's close, that she is waiting for me. It was a feeling deep inside me and when the plane finally landed and I saw her by the clearing, I couldn't help but smile, the immense joy that she invoked in me was instant.

I didn't wait for the plane to stop, running towards her quickly. June is laughing as she sees me bolting, wrapping her in an embrace quickly.

She lets out a short breath as I seize her in my arms and when I pepper her with kisses, she sighs happily. "Missed me?"

I didn't have to think about it. "Always."

"You we're only gone for half the day." June grins, her eyes bright and bubbly. She was extra happy today and I couldn't help but share her enthusiasm.

Shrugging, I led her towards the house. "Regardless. I will miss you in a minute."

"Keep your hands PG, bear." She swatted, exploring my hands. "They're already waiting for us as it is."

I hummed, enjoying her reddening cheeks. "They can wait a little longer."

"Everyone's here! Perfect." Larissa shouts from the front of the house and I can't help but groan quietly as June shoots me a devilish smile.

Of course.

As if on cue, Jeremy and Konstantin appear behind Larissa, smiling widely at us. "Welcome back, Alpha!"

They were all too happy for my liking and I ignored them all, taking June by the waist and bringing them to my study which has now become everyone's workplace. Everyone managed to squeeze their tables that were supposed to be in the pack house- where they're supposed to do work- into my own personal study, piles and piles of their messy paperwork everywhere.

Konstantin, in particular, is a mess. He left things everywhere. There were so many empty plates and containers of weird drinks all around. Some have made it to my own table and as much as I would like to comment, there just really wasn't any point. He'll remove it and by the next hour another will take its place.

We all circle around my table, hovering over maps... like we always do and Konstantin takes the lead.

He clapped his hands to get our attention, gesturing to the calendar the side. "It's nearly been a year since everything happened and the Games are fast approaching."

June's eyes widened. "I didn't even notice."

"I didn't notice as well until I received mail from the surviving elders in the mansion." Konstantin put a piece of paper down, it was on this thick paper that smelled of d e a d roses. "They're asking for plans-"

"Because without the city pack, they have no one to get orders from." Jeremy finishes for him. "And they're looking to Ajax for guidance."

I glanced at my mate, studying her face. She reads like an open book and I know that she's excited about this. "What do you think about it, June?"

She smiles up at me, happy to get her opinion out. "I think the Games should continue. It was made for werewolves to meet their mates and fall in love. For most of us, it worked pretty well and there are a lot of success stories."

"But?" I offered, knowing there was a but.

"But if we do continue it, there has to be changes. A lot of changes. We need to abolish dowries, remove anything financial for both the girls and the boys. And mostly to give the girls a choice. I don't know. Maybe we can even remove ranks and names altogether, make it so they're blind and only have their emotions to guide them."

Larissa leapt at the idea. "I think that's perfect. The only bad side of the Games is the injustice for the girls and of course, for the boys that have gold diggers on their backs. There should be new rules where people don't know each other. No one is allowed to talk about their rank or birthright. No more blood ranking."

Konstantin was quick to frown, playfully pouting at us. "That takes off all the good things about me."

"Which is the exact reason why we're doing it." Larissa shoots back. "What do you think, Alpha? Jeremy?"

Jeremy nods, deep in thought. "I think going in blind and removing all the financial responsibilities for both the girls and the boys is a good idea."

They all turned to me expectantly and I inclined my head towards June. "Whatever she wants."

In truth, I think it's the right way to do it as well. For so long it's about ranking, about who's the more powerful one, the richest, making it a business deal instead of what it's supposed to be... never what it was intended for.

For the Games are about replaceing a partner for life without the worry of wealth, rank and power.

"I'll arrange the meeting with the elders." I told them, ready for the meeting to end so I could be with June. "Now, if there's nothing else—"

"Actually," Konstantin interrupted sheepishly. "I didn't just call the meeting to discuss the Games."

Jeremy blows out a breath. "I haven't showered in three weeks. Please hurry. June has been inching away from me by the second."

June scrunches her nose up. "Your hair is black. You're a blonde."

"It's the lake." He grumbles, brushing his blackened hair and trying to shake off the dirt on it.

"Anyway," Konstantin coughed, stepping forward and glancing at Larissa expectantly. They take each other's hands and a squeal leaves June's lips. "If there's going to be the Games again, Larissa and I would like to join so we can officially be mates."

When June said Konstantin had an announcement, I did not know what he was going to tell us, but I wasn't surprised that this was it. Their 'budding romance', as June so happily tells me, is all my mate squeals and chatters on about. It is all she ever talked about these last couple of months.

June had been suspecting and observing closely, tugging Jeremy along as they gossiped. She was always so invested in Konstantin and Larissa, noticing the little touches they would give each other and the quiet whispers. I didn't really mind them too much. Mostly I'm glad because Konstantin finally stopped ogling at June and Larissa has stopped trying to take June from me every few seconds of the day. "Congratulations." I said over June's screaming and jumping. "This is great."

And it was great.

They've found comfort in each other and I know it hasn't been easy after everything that's happened. I was genuinely happy that they had each other. Jeremy claps Konstantin in the back, wrapping him in a tight choke. "I didn't think you had it in you. Larissa is totally going to whip you into shape." And she was.

Konstantin needed someone to keep him straight, to keep him to a goal, and Larissa, who is tough and fearless, would surely do that for him.

Plus, it will be perfect since they will be able to watch over the new and improved Games. They would be the first mates to ever come out of this and I think that's somewhat poetic. Larissa and June are quick to leave the study, excitedly talking about everything and anything with Konstantin following behind, grumbling that he's not 'that soft' when it comes to Larissa. We all know he is.

He's in love and that was good.

Jeremy lingers, awkwardly staring at nothing. He moves from side to side, shifting his weight and playing with his hands and then his hair.

When I could barely focus on my work because of how distracting he was, I decided to break the silence. "What is it?"

He was red in the face, caught in his act. "We didn't get to talk about what happened before. I've honestly been avoiding it."

I lean back into my chair, papers forgotten. "Before?"

"When... I lied to you about June," He says quietly. It's been almost a year since the last Games where June and Jeremy were so happily in love and were destined mates, but he's right. We never addressed it.

We always avoided the topic whenever it was close, either by some fake meeting or by some travel that took us away.

It was time.

"You've never lied to me before." It did hurt me. I asked and asked, and asked, driving myself crazy thinking that I was seeing things and that guilt. It just ate away at me. June was supposed to be his and I took her and suddenly they were fated. And he lied. He kept it from me. "You've always been honest to me until June came. I could always trust you and you were my family when I had none. Years and years of partnership, of having this unbreakable kinship and that's changed... all because of her."

"All because of her." Jeremy doesn't bother to hide it. He doesn't bother to tell me otherwise because it was true and I know that even if he doesn't say anything or do anything, he still loves her. More than anyone.

"I did feel guilty, Jeremy." I admitted with a flinch. "You two were happy until I came."

The first of Jeremy's emotions surfaces, the hidden anger and regret. "Ever since I have known you, you have always told me that mates and this traditional bullshit is all a lie but you meet her and it's like you have forgotten everything else."

"I suppose we've both changed." I whispered, staring at his blue eyes. "And I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." Jeremy blew out a shaky breath. "What now?"

Things started to align for us and I knew what to do. "We change. We move on. You can't be my Beta anymore."

Jeremy falls back, his back hitting the wall. He was near tears, his eyes wide and red. "No... Ajax, I'm your Beta. I've always been your Beta. I would sacrifice everything just to be your Beta."

I shook my head, standing up from my seat. "I want you to be the next city pack Alpha."

His quivering lips parted. "What?"

"There's no one I would rather rule beside than you." I took him by the shoulders. "And soon, every Alpha in the entire world would want to pillage what's left of the city but you're from there. You grew up there. And by blood, you're the next one to take it after June. It's yours. Make something of that place. Make it a pack that isn't filled with hate or corruption."

He stares at me, eyes searching mine. "I thought you were going to leave it to rot."

I gave him a small smile. "I suppose you have June to thank for that. She reminded me that we aren't just Alpha and Beta. We're brothers and I want what's best for you too."

Jeremy tried to hide his excitement but his worry was what shined through. "You'll be okay?"

"It would be different without you, but it's time." It was difficult to tell him this because it would be different without his presence always nearby. We were partners and we knew each other best. I have relied on him more than I thought possible. Not having that will have a big impact on me. "You're stronger and better. You have a kinder heart and what's more fitting for you to have the biggest and wealthiest?"

He stumbles back, leaning against the wall. "I don't know what to do..."

"You do it." I insisted, proud of my brother because he has grown a lot and I have no doubt that he will be a great Alpha. "You prove to everyone that the city pack isn't all bad, that there are handsome pretty boys that can save it."

He cringes, tongue out in distaste. "Stop. I hate that name."

"And you will take Konstantin and Larissa because they're driving me mad. Look at this place." I gestured to my cramped office and to the mess Konstantin left. "But also I think you need them. Konstantin loves the city and he will help you get it back together again. The right way."

Jeremy suddenly embraced me tightly. "I'm sorry. I know what I did hurt you. I never meant to."

No words I could ever say felt like it would be the right one, I patted him on the back and hoped that was enough.

We spent another hour in my office, discussing the details of how it would all work. Shannon would take his place as Beta and Konstantin would be his. He would only take an eighth of the wealth that was left to rebuild what they could and leave the rest for healing of the world. By the end of it, I felt renewed and excited about his new life, but I was also saddened because it meant his new life didn't have me.

I replace June in her office adjacent to mine. I was ready to tell her everything and finally rest for the night, but as I sit down beside her and she faces me, I replace myself feeling hesitant because I know that look on her face. She was about to tell me something and I started to worry.

My mate has obviously been waiting for me and for her to disregard her books with an untouched meal means something bad.

"Tell me, June." I whispered, swallowing hard. "Have I upset you? I promise those scouts need to be dealt with that way. They were trespassing when I specifically said not to and they were challenging me-"

"I'm pregnant." She says, cutting me off from my explanation.

It took several moments for this to set in and by the time I managed to say something it had probably been minutes. "What?"

June smiled, taking my hands in hers and bringing them to her flat stomach. "You're going to be a father, Ajax. It's only been two months, so you can't feel anything yet but that's your child inside me."

I didn't know that I could be happier. Because I am happy with June, the happiest I've ever been in my entire life, but knowing this... I replace as if my heart has doubled in size and I can't help but gasp and mumble and just take June in my arms whispering words that I don't even know what I was saying.

All I know is that I'm happy and I feel like I might burst.

And as I press kisses all over my mate, I replace myself shaking and feeling thankful for the life I have and knowing that I will guard this happiness with my life.

"I love you," I whispered over and over and over. "I love you."