Rejecting Her Twin Alphas Novel Free by Azrael Meow

Just Jitters

Amber

 “Why haven’t you eaten breakfast?” the nurse asks me.

 I look at the tray of uneaten food. My stomach is rumbling, but I have no desire to eat. I need to know why the rogues were trying to kidnap me. I am also starting to feel it is somehow connected to my mother’s death. 

 Earlier, Alpha Victor told Tyler and me that my uncle was coming with the Elite Squad, and I wanted to meet them. But I was told to remain here in the hospital. I feel fine except for a bit of pain around my wound, which is taking time to heal.

 “Amber,” Dr. Stevens steps into the room. “You need to eat something.”

 “I’m not hungry,” I huff.

 “I can hear your stomach growling,” He argues.

 I roll my eyes and fold my arms, “So?”

 “I understand you are upset about what Alpha Victor said, but you still have to eat. Eating will help your wound heal faster,” He explains.

 “It should be mostly healed anyways,” I snort.

 The doctor nods. “If you were marked, it would be healed by now.”

 I narrow my eyes at him, “That is never happening.”

 Dr. Stevens makes a noise in his throat, “Eat something, please.”

 I sigh, pick up a cold piece of toast, and bite into it. I hate to admit that it tastes good. “Mmm,” I say mockingly.

 “I’ll be back in a bit,” the doctor mumbles and walks out of the room.

 I eat the rest of the bread and pick at the omelet. I chug the orange juice and shove the food away. I then proceed to stare at the wall.

 “You can turn on the TV,” Nurse Jan steps into the room. She picks up a remote and hands it to me. 

 “Thanks,” I mutter.

 “Well, you ate something.” She smacks her lips. “I guess that will do.”

 I roll my eyes and turn on the TV, “When am I getting out of here?”

 “I don’t know,” Jan shrugs and picks up the food tray.

 I flip channels until I land on reruns of a ’90s sitcom. I barely pay it any attention while my mind is going around in circles.

 “Did you hear that Savannah Grant met her mate?” I hear one of the other nurses mention to Jan.

 “A beta or something from another pack,” Another nurse responds.

 I tune them out and watch the TV for a minute. I laugh a little at the show. Lying here in this bed is driving me nuts. 

 Half an hour goes by, and I sit up as there is a little commotion in the hall. The nurses are chattering again.

 “I guess Alpha Martin just arrived,” Nurse Jan announces as she walks by with another nurse.

 I sigh. I knew my uncle was coming but didn’t know when exactly. Neither he nor my Dad was answering their phones. I take a deep breath and lift myself off the bed. I am not hooked up to machines, so I sneak over to the counter where my clothes are. I look towards the door as I deftly slip out of the hospital gown and pick up my sweatpants. I cringe as I put them on. My stomach wound still hurts. 

 “Fuck,” I whisper. I turn away from the door to pick up the t-shirt.

 “Amber Elyse,” My Grandmother’s voice makes me jump, and I drop my shirt.

 “Grandma?” I turn to her.

 “Are you trying to leave the hospital without permission?” She tsks and shakes her head.

 Grandma laughs and steps towards me. She looks regal in her black slacks and white shirt. Her grey hair is in its usual long braid. Her blue eyes sparkle as she smiles at me. "That face,” she chuckles. “Caty made that same face whenever I caught her doing something she wasn’t supposed to.”

 I sigh and bend down to pick up my shirt and cringe from the pain. I hiss and touch the wound.

 “Go back to bed, Amber,” Grandma says in a tone I can’t argue with.

 I sigh and plod back to the bed. I sit down and watch as she picks up my shirt. 

She hands it to me and sits on the chair beside the bed. “Is my dad here too?”

 “Yes,” Grandma nods. “He and Henry are dealing with Victor and that vile Alpha Timmons,” she shudders. “The twins will be here momentarily.”

 “For what?” I narrow my eyes as I slip my shirt on.

 “So, we can talk,” Grandma smirks. 

 I shake my head and fold my arms.

 “Still not wanting to accept them?” 

 “How did you guess?” I mumble.

 “Grandmothers know these things, dear,” She pats my leg. She looks at the TV, which is playing ‘Everybody Loves Raymond.’ “I love that show,” she laughs.

 “I know you and Grandpa used to watch it all the time. It drove Regina nuts,” I mention. “Did Grandpa come too?”

 “No,” She laughs. “He is golfing with Doug.”

 “Oh, I see.” I tap my foot on the floor and fiddle with my fingers. 

 “Nervous?” Grandma asks.

 “Not really. Just anxious. I want to get out of here. I was attacked, and I need to know why,” I explain.

 “That’s why we are here,” Grandma smiles at me.

 “Did Uncle Henry bring the Squad?” I ask.

 “Just a few of them,” Grandma responds.

 I sigh, and we wait in silence. Minutes later, Tyler and Skylar walk into the room. Skylar has a sour look on his face, as usual. Tyler smiles at my grandma. 

 “It’s nice to see you again, Phyllis,” Tyler holds a hand out to her.

 “Likewise, young man,” Grandma nods.

 “Alpha Timmons left,” Tyler announces. 

 “But he left that Oliver son of a bitch behind,” Skylar grumbles. 

 “Who?” I wonder.

 “Oliver Timmons,” Tyler says. “He is the son of the beta and Savannah’s fated mate.”

 Skylar growls and folds his arms. 

 “Hey, sweetie,” My Dad appears in the doorway.

 “Dad!” I exclaim and leap off the bed. I stumble on my way to hug him and hiss from the pain.

 “Amber,” Tyler grabs me.

 “Be careful,” Dad leans down to help me up. 

 I pull myself away from Tyler and wrap my arms around my father. “I miss you, Dad.”

 He pats my back, “I miss you too, sweetie. But you are where you belong.”

 “I don’t belong here, Daddy,” I say as tears well up. “I want to go home.”

 Dad sighs and pulls away from me. He touches my cheek and looks into my eyes. “Amber, you are home.”

 “No,” I cry.

 “Amber,” Grandma speaks up. “We all need to talk.”

 “Where is Uncle Henry?” I ask my Dad.

 “He and Victor are still talking,” Dad shrugs. “They didn’t need me, so I came to see my baby girl,” He kisses my forehead. 

 “Amber.” Grandma repeats, “Come sit,” She pats the bed.

 I do as she says and look at the ground. Seeing them here has brought up so many more feelings. The bed dips as my father sits beside me. He puts an arm around me, causing Tyler to growl.

 “Really?” Dad huffs at him.

 I avoid looking at my mates even though I sense their eyes on me.

 “I know why you were attacked,” Grandma starts. “It’s the same reason you were attacked six years ago.”

 “Me?” I ask.

 “Yes, dear,” Grandma frowns. “They were after you.”

 “Your mother died protecting you,” Dad adds.

 “What?” I sputter. “Why? I am nothing special,” I say as tears well up again. “Dad?”

 He rubs my arm.

 “Amber, dear,” Grandma touches my leg. “You are no ordinary wolf. Well, none of us from the Hunt line are,” She smiles. Grandma looks at the twins, “This story pertains to you two as well.”

 “How?” Skylar hisses.

 “Patience, young man,” Grandma counters. “You see, over a hundred years ago, our last name was not Hunt,” She starts. “It was Arco.”

 “Arco? Isn’t that the last name of the last king?” Tyler blurts out.

 Grandma nods, “Dunstan Arco,” She smiles. “He was my great-grandfather.”

 My eyes go wide, “Are you saying we are royal?”

 “Yes,” She responds. “After my great-grandfather was killed and the kingdom collapsed, my grandfather fled. He ran for weeks as there were many bounty hunters after him. Eventually, he ran into a territory that happened to be the home of his fated mate. Her name was Serenity Hunt.”

 We all sit listening in rapt attention. 

 “Your grandfather took on his mate’s name?” Tyler wonders.

 “Yes, hun,” Grandma nods. “You are very astute, Tyler Brooks.”

 He shrugs, “I try.”

 I eye him for a moment and smile. He returns the smile, and we are momentarily caught up. Dad nudges me, and I look away from Tyler, who whimpers.

 “Yes, so Grandpapa took on the Hunt name, and it seems the world forgot about us,” She continues. “Until I was born,” She snorts. “Well, they didn’t notice until I shifted for the first time at ten and had an abnormally large alpha wolf.” She looks right at me. “The Arco wolves were known for their large size, especially the females.” 

 Grandma pauses as Uncle Henry, and Alpha Victor enter the room. 

 “Mom,” my uncle looks at my Grandmother. “Have you started your talk with Amber?”

 “Yes, Henry,” Grandma gives him a direct look. 

 “There is a larger room we can all go in,” Victor suggests.

 “Fine,” Grandma snorts. “We’ll continue this in a minute.”

 We all walk out of the room and into another. It’s a meeting room with a large table and plenty of chairs. I assume the staff uses it for meetings and such. There is some coffee and pastries set up in a corner. I go to fix something but the wound tinges with pain, and I whimper.

 “I’ll get you something,” Tyler smiles at me. “What would you like?”

 “Coffee with a little cream,” I respond, “And maybe one of those cherry danishes.”

 Tyler nods and walks towards the snacks.

 “He’s a good one,” Grandma smirks. She glances at Skylar, sitting beside his father, “They are both good men.”

 I snort. “Right.”

 “It’s about to all make sense, Amber,” Grandma touches my arm.

 “Would you like some coffee, Mom?” Uncle Henry offers Grandma.

 I sit down next to my Dad, and moments later, Tyler sets a coffee and a Danish in front of me. He pulls some creamer cups from his pocket.

 “I didn’t know what kind you wanted,” He sets them on the table. 

 I can’t help but smile at him as I grab the French vanilla, “Thank you.” We stare at each other momentarily until my father nudges me with a snicker. “Dad,” I nudge back.

 Tyler sits beside me.

 Once everyone is settled and has snacks, Grandma clears her throat after taking a sip of coffee. “Now, where was I?”

 “Something about large female wolves,” Skylar huffs.

 I glare at him. I don’t like it when people disrespect my Grandmother. Tyler places a hand over mine, and I calm slightly. Lilith makes a sound. She has been quiet most of the day.

 “Right,” Grandma looks at him with a neutral expression. “Anyways, Nightshade’s size gave away her royal identity,” She explains. “Nightshade is my wolf, of course.”

 “I think we got that,” Skylar drawls.

 “Skylar,” Victor gives him a look. “Shut up and listen to Phyllis.”

 Grandma laughs, “No need for that, Victor.” She sips her coffee again, “My father did his best to protect me. But there are always those after the royal wolves. They want to make sure the Arco line doesn’t rise again. My father nearly died protecting me. He was relieved when I met Norman and went to Shadow Winds. Even back then, Shadow Winds had a reputation for its battle abilities. So for a time, I was safe, and the world forgot about the Arcos again,” she continues. “Until Catherine was born. Though Nyx was not nearly as large as Nightshade, that didn’t stop the hunters from coming after us.”

 I sigh as she speaks about my mother. Dad squeezes my arm, and I can tell it’s hard for him too. I see tears sparkling in his eyes. 

 Grandma looks right at him, “I’m sorry, Flynt.”

 “I’m fine, Ma,” Dad responds to her. 

 “No, you aren’t,” Grandma smiles softly. She takes another deep breath, “Anyways, we managed to fight off the hunters for a time. Caty met Flynt and proceeded to have three wonderful children,” she smiles at me. “Regina and Dylan wound up having normal gamma wolves.”

 I shudder as I know what is next. “And then came along my freak wolf.”

 ‘I’m not a freak,’ Lilith grumbles.

 “Your wolf is not a freak,” Grandma explains. “She is a queen.”

 “Huh?” I huff.

 “Amber, the hunters came to Shadow Winds to kidnap you. Your mother died to prevent that,” Grandma looks me in the eyes while my father whimpers.

 “Dad,” I glance at him, and tears fall down his cheeks. “Why me? Why would they kidnap me?”

 “To prevent you from becoming the Queen of us all,” Grandma smiles.

 “What?” I huff.

 Grandma rises from her chair and walks toward me. “Amber Elyse Payne, you are destined to rule over the werewolves with your kings at your side,” She looks at the twins.

 “Kings?” Skylar sputters.

 “Yes, Mr. Brooks. It was foretold that the royals would rise again when the Mother of the Night was marked by the silver twins,” She smiles.

 Goosebumps rise on my arm, and I notice Tyler is touching it. 

 “You three have a destiny greater than being the Alphas and Luna of Nightstar,” Grandma explains. “Our enemies don’t want the royals to return, so that is why they tried to kidnap you.”

 “Who are our enemies?” I ask.

 “They are many,” Grandma frowns. “And I suspect they won’t stop until they succeed or-“She trails off. “Or you and the twins mark each other. Only then will your wolves achieve their true power. You will be too powerful to kidnap or kill.”

 I sigh heavily, “That’s not going to happen, Grandma.” I stand up. “I don’t matter to them,” I point at the twins. “And they don’t matter to me.” 

 “You matter to me,” Tyler yells out. “I love you, Amber.” He reaches for me.

 I shake my head and walk out of the room.

 “Amber,” My father calls to me.

 I go from walking to running. My wound aches as I run. I know I am being followed, but I need to be alone right now. I am almost outside when I run into someone and fall to the ground.

 “Why are you running?” Cal Walker asks.

 I look at him as my wound aches, and my vision blurs, “Cal?”

 He kneels beside me, “It’s okay, honey,” He touches my forehead, and I black out.

 My head feels like it’s been in a vice as I open my eyes and find myself lying on a bed in some dusty old cabin. 

 “It’s about time you woke up,” Cal smiles at me and thrusts a steaming cup at me. “This will relieve the headache.”

 “Where am I?” I ask.

 “Some place safe,” He smiles. 

 For a moment, I am taken in by his smile. Then I sense something sinister behind it. He touches my cheek, and I jump from a shock. Lilith is silent in my head. “What’s going on?”

 “Hold tight,” Cal grins. “He will be here shortly to take you home.”

 “Who?” I wonder.

 “Alpha Keith Timmons,” Cal replies.

Chapter 25 - Rejecting Her Twin Alphas Novel Free by Azrael Meow