Chapter 16 The Mark Of Fated Mates

• The quiet of the room settled around us like a thick, comforting blanket. My mind was reeling, yet somehow, a strange calm settled over me as I glanced between Grey and Blue. Everything that had happened seemed so surreal—finding mates, discovering that they were the Twin Princes of Lycans, and now, this… a marking. It felt like I was walking through a dream I hadn’t dared to imagine for myself.
• Grey must have noticed the lingering doubt in my expression because he gave me a reassuring smile. “You still look like you have questions, Amelia,” he said softly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. The gentle touch sent a shiver down my spine, grounding me, yet stirring a warmth I hadn’t felt in so long.
• “I do,” I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady. “I… I don’t understand how this is even possible. I mean, for a werewolf to have Lycan mates… It’s rare, isn’t it? Or… is it even allowed?”
• Blue exchanged a glance with Grey before he answered. “Yes, it’s rare,” he said thoughtfully, his voice soothing yet firm. “But it’s not unheard of. The bond doesn’t always follow rules, Amelia. Fate… it has a mind of its own. When it comes to choosing mates, destiny doesn’t follow the boundaries of species or status. What’s meant to be, will be.”
• I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, embarrassed at how little I actually knew. Growing up, I’d always been fascinated by stories of Lycans, but that had been it—just stories. The reality, this reality, felt so much bigger than anything I’d ever prepared myself for.
• “I… I don’t know a lot about this world,” I confessed, biting my lip. “About your world. The rules, the customs… I barely understand how the bond works, let alone what’s happening now.”
• Grey’s expression softened, and he reached over, taking my hand in his. “That’s okay. You’re not expected to know everything. We’ll show you, teach you everything you need. Right now, all that matters is that you trust us.” His voice was a promise, an assurance that I wasn’t alone in this strange, new path my life had taken.
• I nodded, breathing a little easier. The twins were patient, understanding in a way I didn’t expect. It was like they could sense the remnants of hurt and fear lingering inside me, and somehow, they knew exactly how to put me at ease.
• Grey and Blue exchanged another look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, Blue cleared his throat, his gaze steady and warm. “Amelia,” he began gently, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my heart stutter. “Are you ready?”
• I blinked, not quite understanding what he meant. “Ready for what?”
• “For the marking,” Grey said, his voice dropping to a whisper that seemed to resonate through me.
• The word hung in the air, filling me with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. I’d heard of marking before, had grown up with stories about it—the bond between mates, the connection that was said to bind souls together. But I’d never allowed myself to think it would happen to me. My first mate had rejected me before I’d even had the chance.
• A thousand thoughts raced through my mind. But standing here, looking into their steady eyes, something in me softened. They were giving me a choice, allowing me the space to decide. And despite the scars of rejection that still lingered, I knew that this… this felt right.
• “Yes,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I… I think I’m ready.”
• The twins’ eyes softened, and in their shared look, I felt the weight of their commitment. Slowly, Grey moved to one side of the bed, and Blue to the other. They reached for my hands, pulling me gently onto the soft mattress, and I followed, my heart racing with a blend of excitement and nerves.
• I could feel my pulse quicken, the anticipation sparking a rush of adrenaline. My breathing grew shallow as Grey moved closer, his gaze filled with warmth and patience. He lifted a hand, trailing his fingers lightly along my cheek, a touch so tender it made my chest ache.
• “You’re safe with us, Amelia,” he murmured, his words a quiet promise.
• Blue mirrored his brother’s movement, brushing a hand over my shoulder, grounding me with his touch. “We’ll take this slow, okay? Just breathe.”
• I nodded, trying to follow their guidance, to sink into the moment. They held my gaze, and it was like I could see something deep and raw within them, something as vulnerable as the emotions swirling in my chest. Slowly, they both leaned in, pressing soft, lingering kisses to either side of my neck. The warmth of their lips sent tingles down my spine, and I felt myself relax under their touch.
• Time seemed to slow, each moment stretching, pulling me deeper into the connection between us. Their hands held me securely, steadying me as they moved closer, the intensity in their gazes making my heart race even faster. They were here, fully present with me, and somehow, that made all the difference.
• “Are you okay?” Blue’s voice was barely above a whisper, a gentle murmur against my skin.
• “Yes,” I breathed, nodding as my fingers tightened around theirs. “Yes.”
• Their teeth brushed against my neck, and I braced myself, trying to steady my heartbeat, to let go of the lingering doubt and fear. And then, in a synchrony that seemed almost instinctual, they bit down, marking me, and in that instant, a powerful wave of warmth surged through me, a feeling of connection that was overwhelming, yet oddly calming.
• The pain was sharp but brief, quickly giving way to a sensation I couldn’t put into words. It was as though I could feel them, feel the bond taking hold, knitting something unbreakable between us. Their presence filled me, wrapping around my heart like a protective barrier, sealing away the hurt and loneliness I’d carried for so long.
• When they pulled back, their gazes were filled with something fierce, something that felt like devotion, as if this bond was as significant to them as it was to me.
• “How do you feel?” Grey asked, his eyes searching mine, concern flickering across his face.
• I took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle around us. “I… I feel different. Like… like I’m whole,” I murmured, reaching out to touch their hands, grounding myself in their warmth. “I didn’t think… I didn’t know it could feel like this.”
• Blue leaned closer, his expression softening. “You’re one of us now, Amelia. Forever.”
• A tear slipped down my cheek, and I laughed softly, feeling the warmth of their bond, the strength of their presence wrapping around me. “Thank you,” I whispered, meaning it with every fiber of my being. “For making me feel… like I belong.”
• Grey brushed a hand over my hair, his gaze filled with pride. “You do belong, Amelia. You’ve always belonged.”
• And as we sat there, the three of us intertwined, a quiet certainty settled in my heart. This was real. This was mine. And for the f
• irst time in my life, I felt like I was finally, truly home.