The Alphas’ P**n Star Mate

"Chloe?" It was Mick's voice that spoke as I felt their presence entering the rec room. I was sitting on one of the old couches, and Lenny had gone to stand near the door.

I didn't look up, though I felt both sets of eyes on me. I don't know if it was from nerves, guilty, or lingering resentment, but I just couldn't meet their eyes.

If I looked up and saw that cold stare again, I don't think I could get through this without breaking down, and I really don't want to show any more weakness than I already have.

"Baby...." This time it was Miles, and I could feel the pain in his voice. It caused me to reluctantly look their way, and my insides immediately crumbled.

Miles no longer had that cold demeanor. He looked so incredibly sad that it tore me up. Mick was so concerned, I could taste it.

I was dreading this. Hearing why they didn't want to have kids with me was going to be painful, but I could see they were in pain right now too.

With a weak smile, I fidgeted on the couch, wondering what to do now.

"I'm going to be right outside, Chloe," Lenny said loudly, "Babysitting. If you need me, just yell."

Both of my mates tensed when Lenny said babysitting.

"Cara mia, we didn't," Mick dropped to his knees in front of me. "I mean, we knew you were being guarded, but we didn't-"

"I know," I said softly, staring at his hands on my knees. There were sparks there, and I tried to focus on that pleasurable feeling through all this cloudy pain. "Lenny told me that Rodger asked him to watch me."

"We didn't want to hurt you," Mick said, resting his chin on top of one of his hands. "We just wanted you to be safe."

I smiled sadly, understanding what he was saying, but still not able to shake the feelings of betrayal. In comparison to the pup thing, does having me guarded in secret even compare.

Miles stood back, just watching, that same pained expression on his face. Mick noticed me staring at his brother, and looked back with the same level of concern. His face tensed, then he slowly swept his blue eyes back to mine. "Miles told me what happened."

I tried to shrug it off, looking away as the sting of rejection hit me again. It made my breath catch, and I had to quickly cover my mouth to prevent the sobs from leaking through.

"Baby," Miles moved, quick and decisive, to the spot beside me and pulled me into his lap. My body craved his warmth, and my arms wrapped around his neck as the first tears broke free. His large hand on the back of my head was so tender. So were his soft kisses as he tucked his nose in the crook of my neck.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry." His warm breath was wrapping around me, his scent intoxicating me until my head started to feel light and fuzzy. "Please. Please don't cry."

"I'm not crying!" I wailed.

Mick started to chuckle softly somewhere behind me, and then I felt his hands on me too. He rubbed soothing circles on my back. His scent started to mix with Miles's, which just made my head more muddled with overwhelming emotions.

"Chloe," Miles husked, kissing away the tears as he tried to get a look at my face. "Please don't cry," he begged again.

"I'm not," I tried to turn my face away.

"You are, cara mia," Mick pressed up against my side. "Instead of denying it, just tell us why."

"You know why," I growled, jerking my face free from Miles's hand and hiding it in his chest.

"We have an idea," Mick said gently, "but I want to hear it from you."

My hand fisted in Miles's shirt, my nose pressing on the fabric as I took long inhales. Why do these assholes have to smell so damn good when they piss me off so much? I hate crying like this. I hate feeling weak and helpless. "You're both jerks," I said, my voice coming out muffled through the shirt's fabric. "I fucking hate this."

"What do you hate, baby?" Miles's cheek pressed to the top of my head was seeping warmth through me.

"I hate that you didn't feel this warm when you told me you didn't want me to have your pups!"

Miles stiffened, and Mick sighed. I latched on tighter to Miles's shirt, embarrassed I had just said that out loud.

"That's not what he meant, cara."

"It's what I heard," I muttered darkly.

"What you heard wasn't exactly it. If you hadn't run off with Lenny, Miles would have told you that."

I turned my head to glare at Mick. "How was I supposed to know that when you both never tell me anything?" My lip started to quiver, and I had to bite down on it hard to get it to stop. "This is no different from before." "Before what?" Miles asked, but I could see the realization in Mick's eyes.

"Fire Moon," I whispered roughly, then scoffed. "I guess it is different. Cameron was desperate to impregnate me."

The low growl in Miles's chest was enough to shock me into realizing I had just said that out loud. I turned my head into his shirt again, taking deep breaths, trying to hide my face so I could hide my shame.

"That's why we didn't want to get you pregnant just yet, Chloe," Mick drew closer, hugging his arm around me. "I would knock you the fuck up right now if it was solely up to me. The second we think you are ready, it's game on. Miles and I will make it our sole mission to get a pup inside of you. Morning, noon and night. All night long. Whatever it takes."

"What a sacrifice," Cortina scoffed, rolling her wolfish eyes.

I was still confused, even though it made my chest ache less hearing him say all of that. "Why would I not be ready?" I asked in a hushed whisper. "Is it.... Is it because of all the stress I've brought to you both and the pack?"

"Chloe," Miles cupped my chin and forced me to look at him. "Stop. Please." His sharp eyes were swimming in so many emotions. "You, you, Chloe, are our everything. Everything. I would burn every pack to the ground if it would keep you safely in my arms."

"We don't need an heir, cara mia. All we need is you," Mick added. "Until you realize that, we're not going to get you pregnant. This isn't going to be like your first pack, where that was your top job as Luna. Here, your only job is to be safe. To be happy and healthy with us. Nothing else. matters." His eyes were saddened as he added, "We were so focused on keeping you safe, we forgot to prioritize your happiness too. We're sorry for that."

I bit my lips, all my jumbled thoughts and doubt from the past few days racing through my mind. "What happened the other day? The day that you had Lenny lock me in our room."

Mick's eyes flashed, Rome watching me for a moment, and I felt Cortina stir to go see him. She suddenly felt on edge, and I wanted to know why.

"Someone tried to get on to the pack. They ran off before we could get to them. We've been searching for them ever since."

"Searching?" I knit my brow in confusion. "Was it the pack from before?"

"No," Mick said darkly, his lip curling in a snarl. "It wasn't."

"It was your previous mate," Miles said in a dangerous tone. "The fucker found our pack."

My blood ran cold. "Cameron was here?"

"Seems so," Mick said coldly. "We haven't been able to find him since."