Accepting My Twin Mates

4 months later

Badru

I brushed the final layer of spiced maple glaze over the roast goose and slid it back into the oven. The remaining sides, baking away or simmering on the stovetop, were on track to be ready for noon. With three fewer people to cook for on Winter Solstice, we'd be having an early feast with plenty of leftovers.

Once I set the timer for the next check to prevent any burned food, I rejoined my family, stepping over the back of the circular couch and down into the conversation pit to sit by the roaring enclosed fire. Evie wanted our first Winter Solstice together to be at our private lodge on Crystal Mountain. Since what should have been our first Solstice was stolen from us, being able to experience it for the first time together with our son more than made up for the loss.

AS I sat, Astennu was just hanging up on our mother, and I called my farewells to her over the speaker.

“I take it her flight's cancelled?" I asked, seeing as I wasn't concentrating much while bustling over dinner.

Our mother moved to Toronto just over two months ago, taking Isaac with her. She had started her work with the rogue outreach centre and was loving it so far. A year ago, if anyone had told me that my mother would be working with rogues, I would have assumed they were high, drunk or both. While she said she was settling into her new life, I knew it was a brave face; she missed home, she missed us and she missed her grandson.

“Yeah,” my brother sighed, though neither of us was surprised. “Flights should be back to normal tomorrow, but there's no guarantee!”

I gazed out of the window at the blurring mass of white that eclipsed the mountainous landscape. The blizzard had hit a day earlier than expected and with stronger winds than forecasted, though it was nothing our lodge couldn't handle. We had a whole stockpile of firewood in the garage, a generator and enough food to keep a family of Alphas fed for a month. We had already checked in with the ski village a few miles further up the mountain to ensure they were safe too.

“My dad and Lucy said they'll wait until tomorrow and see if the road is passable” Evie typed on her phone with one hand and burped Luka with the other.

I took our pup, now that he was fed and less grumpy, and slung his burp cloth over my shoulder.

“Do you think we should just tell her we know what her surprise is?" I patted Luka's back until he gave a tiny hiccup.

Evie took the burp cloth and wiped our son's mouth. “Don't you dare put your big foot in your bigger mouth.”

“Atiny yet angry and pregnant she-wolf, or Badru;” Astennu chuckled. “I know who I'd put my money on”

“I think Konstantin would actually kill me if I fought Lucy.”

“Well, keep this” Evie pecked my lips, sending myself and Baniti into a swirling teenage boy daze. (“Closed. And don't anyone mention the mechanics of how it happened. I've heard enough from Catalina as it is")

I didn't hear anything mate said after her kiss; Baniti swooned.

If had to guess, she asked when the Solstice spread would be ready.

“Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes," I mumbled through my dreamy fog.

“That's not even close to what I said.” She shook her head and stood. “But that's just enough time for you two to open your gifts.”

“Now?” Astennu called after her. “You don’t wanna wait till after?”

“Absolutely not” she yelled from the bedroom down the hall, hurrying back as quickly as her fluffy slipper socks would allow. “I've been sitting on this for a month.”

My brother and I were each handed a thin, wrapped present. It didn't hold its shape, flopping like a piece of folded fabric. “Here, I'l take him so he can play with his new fluffy blanket Evie said in a sing-song voice, taking Luka and tickling his cheeks with his present: a black sherpa fleece blanket with a blue-eyed wolf hood.

I was so distracted by my pup giggling and flapping in his blanket, lost in his happy eyes that were more of a double of his mother's every day, that I almost forgot the parcel laid on my palms. It wasn't until my fingertips hit the soft touch of material that I paid attention to what I was opening.

Evies smirk broadened as I held up the unfurling, baby-blue t-shirt to reveal why it had been folded specifically to hide the design on the front. It was a large cartoon llama with * Drama Llama written in sequins.

“Very funny.” I spun it around, interrupting Astennu from opening his present.

“Put it on” Evie looked mighty pleased with herself. “You have no idea how hard it was to find that in an Alpha size”

“Yeah, Ru? My twin held back his laughter. “Put it on I grumbled and rose to my feet, stripping off my sweater and pulling on the ridiculous t-shirt. There was no one here to see me in it anyway. “There, happy?”

Astennu took out his phone, pointing its lens right at me.

Cata will love this.”

“Not” I dove for it before he could capture the evidence and send it to the enemy.

“Ym not refereeing this” Evie jumped up out of the way with Luka, who babbled away merrily at all the big movements. “What is it about wolf siblings and play-fighting?”

“someone needs reminding who the Supreme King is around here! Baniti flexed as I got the upper hand and caught Astennu ina headlock.

I tightened my forearm when he tried to tap out. He knew the rules and what to say. We both did. “Say it”

“I didn't even take a picture. I was joking!"

“Good to know. But not it"

“Fine!” He choked in defeat, tapping against my bicep. “I give, Supreme King."

I released him, and we panted in a heap from the brief but draining exertion.

“You do know I'd never embarrass you with anyone?”

Astennu untangled his legs from mine. “That's my job, and my job alone.”

“Let me pretend to send something, like a picture of you on the toilet, to Adrian, and we'll see how quickly you panic”

By the shadow of dread that passed over my twin's features, he got it, and the message sank in.

“Yeah, that's what I thought."

“You might just have that chance." Evie sat back above us and nudged Astennu's partially opened present with the tip of her toe.

He reached for it and began where he had left off. “Now I'm worried.”

Just as I did, he held up the t-shirt and let its weight unfold itself.

“I should've expected something to do with horses,” he chuckled as he turned it around to show it off.

it was a creamy yellow shade with a golden horse ~ not too dissimilar to Satan's beast, who had been less of an asshole in recent months ~ and written underneath was’ Pony Princess’ in pink glitter.

Without needing to be asked, he removed his long-sleeved shirt and pulled on his t-shirt. “Are these to go with our Goober’ and “Nugget’ shirts for our birthday?"

“Mm-hmm,” our mate hummed. “I don't know how I'm gonna top these next year, though."

“You know, my nour el-ain. You're making us regret getting you a thoughtful present.” I knelt between her knees and slowly swept my hands up to her hips.

astennu slid up on the couch and over to her, taking the envelope out of his back pocket. “Technically, we haven't gotten it yet because it’s something we want your input on.”

“Colour me intrigued, even though I don't like surprises."

My brother took Luka so that our mate's hands were free.

Evie opened the envelope, taking the photo out as if either glitter or a fist would come hurtling out.

“Its... a photo of a puppy?” A cute little crinkle formed between her brows as she figured out its meaning. “You got me a dog?!”

Her face lit up like a pup on their first run, her eyes glistening and her smile unbridled

“Not yet” I took out my phone and played her the video of the litter we had visited a few weeks ago. “We didn't want to bring a puppy all the way up a mountain with a newborn.

“They're Borzois, kinda like a Russian greyhound,” Astennu explained. “Their personality seems to fit best with you."

“The one we thought would be perfect for you” - I zoomed in on the picture of the silver and white female puppy, who curled up on my brother's lap the second he knelt down ~ * is her. When we get home, we can go see her, and you can choose for yourself if she'll be the best addition to our family.”