Her Mates by Tamara White
Five
Smirking down at Cam, I’m proud to see how shocked he is. His chest rumbles with the beginning of laughter before bursting out in a joyous sound. The boys join in and help me off him, and then I see the girls over by the side of the bleachers watching us with malice.
“Jeez, why won’t they leave me alone?” I mutter, hoping one of them can give me an answer. The last thing I expect is for Nate’s wolf to let out a growl so vicious, the girls scream and scatter.
“What was that for?” Pete inquires, glancing at him, clearly confused.
“Melanie has been trying to force me to mate with her for a week. And now she’s trying to bully Dani. I’m getting sick of it,” he answers, shrugging. “If she keeps this shit up, I’m gonna have to mention something to Dad.”
Cam pulls a shirt out of his bag and throws it on before stuffing his jersey into his duffle. While he’s turned, I get a glimpse of scars covering his back, leaving me to wonder what the hell happened to him. Wolves heal almost instantly, unless it’s a wound from silver, so whatever it was must have been terrible to leave scars so horrifying.
“Dude, aren’t you going to at least shower first? You literally just finished football practice and then sparred with me. You’ve got to stink something fierce,” I chide, wrinkling my nose as if I can smell him from here. He doesn’t smell too bad considering, but it’s basic hygiene. Besides, if he goes the whole day without showering it will get foul.
“Well, love, if you’re my mate, then you better get used to it.”
What a smart ass. If we become mates, then I’ll be making his stinky ass take a shower, or at least spray on deodorant. I mean, come on, I can’t shift, but I can still smell him.
“Fine, do what you want, just don’t blame me if I spray you down with a hose before I let you in my home. I don’t want the scent of sweaty wolf lingering on the couch cushions,” I reply smartly. I toss my hair over my shoulder before picking up my bag and heading off to the library.
Everyone is supposed to use free period for studying, but if this school is anything like the last one, then everyone will be in there talking with each other. At least I can get some peace and quiet. Well, that’s what I think until I run straight into Mr. Parks.
“Oh, shit! I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” he apologizes.
I rub my chest where he elbowed me, laughing when he blushes. He’s pretty adorable for a teacher’s assistant. It makes me wonder how he can be my mate if he’s old enough to be running one of my classes. I’ll have to ask Dad if it’s usually restricted to a certain age, or if any wolf can be a mate in the running for the Alpha Pair.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Parks, I’m fine. Hey, can you tell me how far away the library is? I’m supposed to be there for study period,” I explain when he raises his eyebrow in question.
“Sure, I can take you. I never have a class during this period so it’s no problem,” he offers, as if he knew I was going to ask if he was busy. Creepy. Maybe he can read minds?
“So, how are you enjoying your day?” he inquires, breaking the silence as we walk.
“It’s okay, I guess. Finding out you have six mates in a matter of two days is a little overwhelming, but knocking five of them on their asses was worth it.”
He laughs, a delicious tenor filled with joy that makes me smile. It’s such an addicting sound that it startles me when he abruptly stops.
“Wait, you said six and you didn’t knock me on my ass, so who was the sixth?”
“Oh, yeah, I don’t know him too well. He arrived on the field late while the boys were training. His name is Cam.”
“Seriously?” he asks me, shocked.
“Yeah, why?”
“You don’t know, do you? Then again, I doubt you’ve had time for anyone to explain.” He pauses, rubbing his temples to stave off what I imagine is the start of a headache. Well, it’s what I do when I feel one coming on.
“Somehow, you have managed to not only find one mate in this pack, but you have managed to attract all the eligible males. Not only that, we’re all in line for alpha roles. My father’s an alpha, Nate’s father is the alpha of this pack, Pete’s dad was also an alpha until he was killed. He won’t be alpha until his eighteenth birthday, though, but he’s technically in charge.
“Jonnie’s mom, Mitchell’s step-mother, is ruling their pack while they learn how to take over. Cam is also next in line for alpha, technically. Not that it will ever happen. It’s quite remarkable, really, how one girl can come here and be all of our mates. I wonder why that is,” he muses to himself.
If they are all alphas, or destined to be, does that mean them being in the running is something more than coincidence? I mean, really, what are the odds? And what does he mean by “technically” Cam’s an heir? It’s leaving me with more questions than I can count.
I stay silent as we arrive at the library doors, refusing to voice my questions. I don’t know what to say to him other than goodbye, but it feels too lame.
“So,” I start, staring at the floor, trying to think of something cool to say. I don’t know why, but Mr. Parks makes me nervous. It’s a combination of fear from getting to know my teacher versus the excitement of getting to know my mate.
“Dani, you know I won’t push you, right? I know I’m not what a young girl like you must want in a mate, but I’m only nineteen. I promise, if my being your teacher is too weird, then I’ll back off. You can trust me.”
I look up when I hear the sincerity in his voice, seeing compassion in his eyes. Wow, he really means it. He would stand down if his position got in the way of being my mate.
“Honestly, I’m pretty impressed you’re a teacher so young but yes, it’s the main reason for my hesitation. I’m not sure what the school here is like, but the other schools I’ve been to have frowned on student-teacher relationships. How will I get to know you if I can’t spend time with you without fear of getting backlash from the school?” I question him sadly.
He seems like a nice guy, and I feel horrible for considering cutting him out of the running before anything happens, but I would hate for him to lose his job over something silly like striving to be my mate, especially when I have five others already vying for my attention. Plus, who knows how many more will show up?
“You see, that right there makes me want to know you even more. Not many women in our pack would think about that kind of consequence for me, but you honestly care about the effect it will have on me and my job. However, you don’t have to worry about that because the alpha is also the principal of our school. So even if someone suspected something, he could shut it down before it got out,” he assures me, stepping closer. I force myself not to move.
Being so close, I smell his unique scent and swoon. He smells like freshly fallen rain, crisp and clean. He catches me as my legs turn to jelly and leans me against the wall, pressing up against me. I can’t help but stare into his eyes. They were hazel earlier, but right now they are the amber of his wolf.
“What’s your name? It can’t just be Mr. Parks?” I ask breathlessly.
He smirks, making me lightheaded. The stubble on his face brings out his eyes. It makes him so handsome that all I want to do is reach up and press my lips against his.
His wolf is humming, causing mine to hum in response. I’ve never felt like this—so alive that I feel as if I’m burning up inside.
“My name’s Jason,” he murmurs, before pressing his lips against mine, making me sigh and sink into his body.
It’s a light touch of lips until his wolf growls, causing a gasp to slip free. He uses the break in my lips to plunge his tongue in to tangle with my own. Wow! Being kissed like this is amazing!
It feels like it lasts forever until the sound of a slamming door forces us apart.
“I know she’s your mate, but damn! Can’t believe you got a kiss first. Thought for sure it would be me,” Pete teases, sauntering out of the library and watching us with an amused smirk on his face.
I don’t know why he’s not acting jealous, but I’m relieved. I already feel horrible for kissing one of them when I shouldn’t be crossing those lines. It will make things much harder if I develop feelings for one who doesn’t make it through the trials.
I leave the library and take a quick trip to the bathroom—effectively ditching Pete in the process—before going to my locker. After being caught making out with Mr. Parks, I hid in the corner of the library while Pete pestered me. The others were absent from the library, so it was just me trying to catch up on schoolwork while Pete annoyed the hell out of me.
I blow out a breath, thankful for a short reprieve from his pestering as I begin to exchange books. Sadly, that reprieve doesn’t last long as Nate sidles up next to me.
“So, anything you want to tell us?” Nate inquires, leaning against the locker beside mine with a smirk on his face.
Damn, I should have known Pete wouldn’t keep his mouth shut, and he worked fast. I glare at him when he saunters up and stands next to Nate.
“Come on, Dani, if you’re handing out kisses, why can’t I get one?” Pete whines, while I try my best to tune him out. I guess he thought he might get a chance if he told the others.
“Look, I’m sorry I kissed one of you. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. I won’t be kissing anyone else,” I inform Pete just as the others join us.
Cam stops, staring at Pete before turning to me. “You kissed him?”
I sigh when Pete starts cracking up. He thinks this situation is hilarious. I’ll show him.
“Oh no, I didn’t kiss Pete. I kissed Jason. I was explaining it was a spur-of-the-moment thing, but now that I’m thinking about it, I might make an exception for Nate. Definitely Jonnie, maybe even Mitchell. Hell, I’m feeling generous, so I might even make an exception for you,” I say with a grin.
Pete straightens, falling backwards and clutching at his chest. We all burst into laughter as he moves back to the group, flushing slightly. “You wouldn’t,” he challenges, narrowing his eyes.
“No, I wouldn’t. Because like I said, it just happened. One moment we were talking, the next kissing. I didn’t plan for it to happen and it’s not fair to the rest of you. So, no, I won’t be kissing anyone anymore. I’m sorry I kissed Jason,” I tell them all sincerely.
Pete cocks his head to the side, confused. “You’re really bothered by this, aren’t you?”
I don’t know why it’s so hard for him to believe that it bothers me, but it really does. Then again, if a man had multiple female mates, he would be over the moon.
“Yes, it bothers me.”
I don’t explain why, hoping maybe after Dad talks to them they will understand why this is so hard for me. I couldn’t imagine this scenario happening the opposite way. If I had friends and we were all mates to one wolf, then I would back down and let my friends have him. I wouldn’t be able to share. If I loved him enough, maybe it would be worth it, but I would always wonder if he loved one of them more than me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. Any other girl in the pack would jump at the chance to have all of us as mates, but you…you’re different. Have to admit, it’s refreshing,” Pete comments as I finish loading my backpack and hitch it up on my shoulder.
I notice all the guys watching me with a speculative gleam in their eyes. Uncomfortable and unsure what to say, I blurt, “Gotta get to class, see you guys after school?” I high tail it down the corridor to my next class without waiting for a response.
The last class of the day flew by. It was uneventful with no interruptions from my mates, thank God. If they were in every class, I’d start to get sick of them. Luckily, the last class also provides a buffer, so I’ll look forward to seeing them again after school if we make this a daily habit.
When I arrive at my locker, the guys are all gathered there, talking about school, sports, and other things I tune out while making a final swap at my locker for the day. The guys all greet me before going back to their discussion. I make sure I have everything I need for my homework, zip my bag, and shut my locker. Ready to go, I turn to face them, and Pete casually slings an arm around my shoulders.
I sigh, trying not to sink into his body. The scent of mint is really strong when I’m close. I love that they each have such a unique smell.
“Why do you guys smell so good?” I murmur, breathing deeply and memorizing their scents.
They stop talking immediately, silence descending on our group, as they all stare at me with confused expressions.
I don’t even care if I sound like a lovestruck fool, their scents are amazing—mint, pine, citrus, and both brothers smell like sandalwood and cinnamon. Jonnie is more cinnamon with a light sandalwood scent, whereas Mitchell’s is mainly sandalwood with a touch of cinnamon.
“What do you mean?” Mitchell asks, moving closer to me and watching my face intently.
“Well, Pete smells like mint, Nate smells like orange or some other kind of citrus. Jonnie smells strongly of cinnamon with a slight whiff of sandalwood. You’re predominantly sandalwood with a soft cinnamon undertone. Jason smells like fresh rain, and Cam smells like pine,” I explain, adjusting my backpack so it sits more comfortably.
I wait for a reply but see the guys all frozen in shock, their jaws hanging open. I frown, uncertain why they’re looking at me like that. Surely they know what they smell like?
“What?” I question after the silence becomes too much.
“Sorry, I just didn’t think that was possible. Dani, those scents are our alpha bloodline. No one is supposed to be able to smell that until we’ve mated. Yes, you’re technically our mate, however, until you’ve actually mated with one of us you shouldn’t be able to scent us like that. That’s really strange…” Cam trails off, exchanging glances with the others.
“Huh, that is weird,” I agree, starting to shuffle away from them.
I don’t know why I can smell each of them, but I guess it’s just another thing to add to the long list of questions I have for my father.
When they turn to talk to each other about yet another mystery surrounding me, I spin around and speed walk out the door, ready to get out of here when they won’t notice so I can process.
Walking home gives me time to think about everything that’s happened in the past six hours.
I’ve met five more of my mates. I’ve given them all a beat down—well, all except Jason, and to be fair, I’m not sure I want to. Then there’s the scent thing where I can smell each of their individual alpha bloodline scents without being mated to them. I’ve made enemies with the female wolves at school already—it doesn’t help that my wolf and I are dominant, so I’m sure that will come back to bite me in the ass.
Then there’s tonight. Each of my mates will be meeting my father. I should probably do something for dinner, but I suck at cooking. Maybe I should just order in.
A green charger pulls up beside me, and Jonnie asks, “Hey, good looking, need a ride?” His voice startles me, basically scaring the crap out of me and making me jump. Bastard.
Mitchell is in the passenger seat laughing. I wonder where the others are.
“No, it’s okay. I only live ten minutes away. Thank you though,” I tell them sincerely.
“Dani, get in. As your mates, it’s our job to make sure you get home. If I let you walk and something happened to you, the others would never let me live it down.”
I sigh, debating my options before I get in the back seat, knowing if I refuse, he will probably drive beside me until I get home. Each of my mates seem to have a stubborn streak, and while Jonnie seems to be the easygoing one, I think he would be just as stubborn if I pushed him.
“Thanks,” I say, clipping in my seat belt.
We arrive at my house quickly without so much as another word. Then again, the car ride was too short for talking anyway.
“See you later, Dani,” Mitchell and Jonnie call before driving away.
Watching them leave has me thinking again. Why do my mates have to be so attractive?
