#7 The Twins of Satin Moon

Hunter

“Things going well in here, princess?” I asked Maizey, even though I had overheard everything. I wanted Archer and Maizey to bond but I didn’t trust him enough to leave him alone with our mate.

“Just fine.” She smiled at me and then at my brother.

“What’s that on your face?” I said to Archer, honestly not recognizing his expression. Maizey looked at Archer in concern but he just huffed at my sarcasm, “Seriously. I don’t recognize that thing.” I waved my hand over his mouth.

“His smile?” Maizey laughed, catching on.

“Shall we all go to dinner together?” I suggested.

Maizey nodded, although she looked tired. I started to regret my suggestion, but Archer was already out the door, clearly wanting to spend more time with our mate. I sighed and followed behind Maizey.

I sat at the head of the table with Maizey on my right and Archer next to her. Frannie had pulled out a smorgasbord of leftovers from the last few days and prepared us an excellent last minute feast. The awkward tension was clearly present in the dining room. The sound of forks scraping against the ceramic plates was all that broke up the silence. Eventually, Archer cleared his throat. Maizey looked sideways at him with a nervous expression.

“You have two brothers.” He said, not phrasing it as a question. I groaned internally at his gruff tone.

“I do. Nicky and Matt. They are 5 and 9 years older than me.” Maizey answered quietly.

“That’s nice.” Archer nodded and I resisted the urge to ram my palm into my forehead.

Maizey cleared her throat, feeling awkward. She picked up her napkin and politely dabbed at her mouth. Archer’s eyes narrowed on her hand. At first, I didn’t know what he was looking at. Then, I realized.

Archer grabbed her hand, making Maizey gasp and drop the cloth napkin.

“What is this?” Archer asked in a low voice, pointing at her scar with his thumb.

Maizey’s eyes were wide and her entire body was frozen. I resisted the urge to intervene. I knew I needed to let them work out their interactions together, but I hated the idea of Maizey looking so frazzled. But, I did notice that she wasn’t afraid. I told myself I would stay silent unless she became scared.

“My….Paul did that to me.” She mumbled.

Archer’s eyes darkened and I readied myself to jump in between them. Instead, his eyes returned to green again and he relaxed his grip. He started running his thumb soothingly over her wrist, settling it back down on the table.

“I’m sorry he hurt you. I should have been there.” Archer grumbled and I felt my mouth pop open in shock.

“I was just a kid. You didn’t even know me.” Maizey shook her head, seeming to be in just as much shock as me.

“That’s not an excuse.” Archer responded stubbornly. Maizey pressed her lips together.

“Not knowing me isn’t an excuse for not helping me?” She asked. Archer grunted in response. “That’s ridiculous.” Maizey giggled and his eyes snapped towards her face.

“Well, I know you now.” He snapped and I knew that was his way of telling her he would protect her from now on. I watched her expression, trying to determine if she could read between the lines. She understood me and my ramblings, so I figured she could decipher Archer’s, too.

“So you do.” She smiled.

“There are more scars, aren’t there?” Archer’s tone lowered again. Maizey nodded but said nothing further.

Archer looked around the room like he was trying to find something to talk about. He pulled over the bowl of fruit salad and offered Maizey some. I started to protest, knowing there were strawberries in there. But, Maizey spoke first,

“I’m allergic to strawberries.” She shrugged.

Archer looked angrily at the bowl. He stood up from his chair, loudly screeching it across the hard floor. He stomped over to the trash can and threw the entire bowl away. I realized this must’ve been how I looked on Maizey and I’s first date.

He wasn’t done yet. He yelled for Frannie who scurried into the room with a flustered expression.

“Yes, Alpha?” She eyed the bowl in the trash can curiously.

“I want strawberries banned from this house! The Luna is allergic.” He demanded. Frannie’s eyes went wide.

“Oh my, yes of course!” Frannie agreed quickly before waddling away.

Archer walked back over to the table and casually sat down again. Maizey was gawking at him and I was holding back a fit of laughter.

“And I thought Hunter was dramatic.” She said under her breath.

“What was that?” Archer asked, leaning forward.

“Nothing!” Maizey quickly lied. “I’m really tired. It’s been a long day.” She cleverly changed the subject.

“Of course you are, princess.” I smiled, standing up from my chair and helping her up. I kissed her temple and gave her a hug, “I’ll walk you to your room.” I said over top of her head. I pulled away and kept her close to my side. Before she let me walk her to the steps, she turned to look at Archer.

“Archer,” She said, wiggling out from my arms and walking over towards my brother. He stood up and watched her carefully, “Are you staying here?” She asked.

“If my brother allows it.” Archer looked at me and I nodded.

“Of course, this is your home.” I answered quickly.

“Good, I’ll see you tomorrow then?” She posed her comment as a question. Archer smiled again,

“Yes you will.” Archer nodded stiffly. Maizey took his hand and squeezed it before walking back over to me. I grinned at her as I took her hand and led her up the steps.

Once inside her room, she kissed me deeply.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, too.” She leveled me with her mouth watering eyes.

“Always, baby.” God damn this little thing had us both wrapped around her finger already. “I love you, princess.” I said before leaving her bedroom.

I nearly ran right into Archer. He was standing outside her bedroom door, probably listening in and making sure she made it safely to bed.

“How did she do that?” Archer asked as we walked away from her door.

“Do what?” I chuckled.

“Wrap me around her finger in less than a day.” He echoed my own thoughts.

“She’s enchanting, I told you. Aren’t we lucky that she’s ours?” I smacked Archer on the back. I had to admit, it felt great to have him home and in good spirits.

“I’m going to screw it up, Hunter.” Archer’s eyes looked pained.

“Then don’t.” I shrugged and Archer groaned at me.

“Critical advice, thank you, brother.”

“I mean, just be you. She’s pretty good at loving even the damaged parts of us.” I assured him, “Why don’t we go to my office and discuss some details.” I said, leading the way to my office on the ground floor.

“I told your guys to stop calling me Alpha, but they wouldn’t.” Archer sighed, seeming worried that I would be offended by that.

“You are an Alpha, Archer, and an Alpha of this pack.” I said and Archer looked surprised.

“I gave that position up.” He said.

“Yes, to go to the Warrior pack and be a warrior. Rumor has it that Alpha Sal wants you to take over for him.” I said.

“That was true but I guess not anymore. I can’t live in the werewolf realm and be away from her. I’ll have to stay here, if you’ll let me.” Archer said, afraid that I was going to say no.

“First off, you are always welcomed here, this will always be your home, brother. Yes, I want you to stay and be with our mate, it’s how it’s supposed to be. And, if you’re going to stay, then you’re going to be the Alpha again.” I said, surprising Archer.

“You want to both be Alpha?” If Archer gasped, he would’ve gasped.

“That’s how it was always supposed to be.” I replied stubbornly.

“I meant what I said all those years ago, Hunter, I’m not Alpha material. I’m not diplomatic, patient, or docile. I belong in the arena or on the battlefield.” Archer looked conflicted.

“Well, you can’t just come here and be a warrior or a guard. You’re my twin and of Alpha blood. That’ll never work.” I said. Archer seemed to get an idea then.

“Maybe there’s another option. A couple of decades ago, when Alpha Sal had just taken over, he sent one of his best warriors to a particularly strong pack in Maine. He had the warrior turn the pack into another Warrior pack, training Alphas specifically. That pack has trained some of the most ruthless, cold blooded, and strongest Alphas in the nation. Alphas who have led packs to victory. Alphas like Crescent Moon pack’s Alpha who helped end the Council ten years ago. Maybe I can do the same thing here. Start a Warrior pack on Satin Moon’s territory, in conjunction with your pack.” Archer suggested, looking excited.

“If you can get Alpha Sal’s approval, then, yes, go for it.” I agreed.

I just wanted Archer to be happy, sustained, and home. I knew that with him home, Maizey would feel the most complete. Without one of her mates, part of her would feel empty, whether she was a werewolf or not.