Talia has known her mates for the last three and a half years, but she's avoided finalizing their mating. By the grace of the Night Mother, Talia hasn't had to face her mates while she's been in heat...until now. It's Christmas Eve, and everyone is celebrating their new matings at the Alphas' holiday gathering. The time has come for Talia's mates to claim what is theirs. But, can they convince Talia her reservations about mating are unfounded?
CONTENT ADVISORY: This short story is intended for readers already familiar with the Werewolf U series. To those not familiar, it may seem confusing and/or abrupt.
Talia stopped to take a calming breath, cursing her state silently. It was the day before Christmas and her traitor body chose now to go into heat.
It's not bad enough that I'm halfway through my final year of uni and am dreading the duties of my job to come instead of looking forward to them like everyone else. It's not bad enough that it seems everyone is settled with their mates, while I'm still unsettled. It's not bad enough that I don't know what I am. Now this?
A questioning yelp brought her head up, and she scowled at Lawrence, one of her two Husky companions. As if she agreed with Talia's annoyance, Gracie nipped at her mate, then huffed. Lawrence licked at Gracie's face, and she begrudgingly returned the gesture.
Mate. Gracie had it lucky. One female. One male. Not multiple mates to deal with. No animal-human instinct confusion. No loathsome duties to perform for the majority of her life.
Talia, on the other hand, had all three. In abundance. She was a cross-bred human-wolf, but she further had been born to a life of duty and had two horny males waiting for her inside the house. Two horny males, who won't hesitate once they scent I'm in heat.
If only I was so sure. About anything.
She silenced the errant voice that proclaimed she didn't want them to hesitate. She wanted Evan and Eric to pounce, lick, suck, and fuck her into a pup or two.
If only it were that easy. If only there were no feelings involved.
Stop it! Wishing doesn't change things.
So far, she'd been lucky. Talia had known from the first time she laid eyes on the brothers that she wanted to sink her teeth deep. She'd managed to avoid being in the same place with them when she was in heat for three and a half years.
Time has run out.
That fact didn't speed her toward the house. Talia ambled along, considering how best to approach her mates. She wasted time, taking out the long, dangling diamond earrings that matched the pins in her hair.
She considered throwing them toward the woods, then tucked them into her coat pocket instead. I hate these things, but there's no cause to waste them that way.
If I hate them, why do I wear them?
It was a nonsensical question. Josephine sets my jewelry out with my clothing, and I wear them. Like everything else in her life, it was expected. She dressed the part, accessorized to her role, and played the 'pampered princess' to the hilt. Her teeth sprouted at her irritation with that fact, and Talia forced them back.
You're a princess. Always keep your composure.
Her thoughts returned to her mates. They don't have to be a duty. I want them.
But I'm a duty to them.
Am I?
As if in answer, they exited the house together and made a beeline for her, intent as she hadn't seen them since the first night they spent together, loving in her suite at school. The sight left her weak in the knees.
Talia stiffened her spine and planted her feet. I am the primary Alpha daughter. I run from no man and no wolf.
