The Game Of Quadruplet Mates
Jeremy

The Games

"Tell me again why I have to go to the Games like I'm participating?" I asked my Alpha as I was a little put off that I was joining such a ridiculous event that the city pack practically owns. "Why can't we just go there and burn it all to the ground?" "Because there are innocent people in the Games." The Alpha reminds me with a placid face. "We only want the city pack, not the innocents."

Years and years of being with the man they called a monster have made me realize that he's not at all like what he paints himself to be. What kind of monster cares for innocents? What kind of monster changes his plans to cater to the needs of small folk that don't matter to him?

Only our Alpha.

And I admired that.

Moira flutters her long eyelashes at the Alpha then, her hands on his arms, gripping him tight. "I'll stay back with you?"

He recoils from Moira, quickly shrugging her off like he always does, a look of disgust on his face. The Alpha hates being touched and most certainly hates being touched by women. "I'm staying behind to take care of the pack. You may go if you wish." "I want to stay with you." She pleaded with her big eyes. "I should be here..."

I scoffed, annoyed that she was interrupting our meeting. She was in charge of the welfare of the pack, not this. She didn't have to be here. "Can we cut the crap, Moira? We're planning an attack here, not your fantasy honeymoon."

The Alpha waves her away, his patience thin and shoots her a dark look that silences her from fighting me. "Leave."

It was all he had to say before she bolted away. I watched her go, unimpressed with this Delta that didn't really do anything. "Why do you keep her around, Alpha?"

The Alpha didn't look like he wanted to talk about Moira anymore and just when I thought he wasn't going to share, he did. "Long before I met you, I met her along the way in the farm lands. She needed my help, a survivor like everyone else, and at first she reminded me of someone. I quickly learned that she was not what I thought she was."

This was the longest he had spoken and I understood that I poked a very sensitive topic. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I don't mean to pry."

No one knows anything about the Alpha. They say he's from the city pack but I've never seen him before. And I know all of them. Maybe he's a bastard but who really knows? He'll never confirm anything.

I doubt anyone knows.

That was his allure.

His mystery and brutality.

No one could touch him because he had nothing to lose.

The Alpha merely frowns, his eyes on the map in front of us. "That's all. Go to the Games. Report back to me and we'll see how it pans out."

I consider myself loyal to a fault, the Alpha's words the law, and I always gladly follow it, but this, going to the Games to pretend I'm participating, is the first and only time I'll ever say: why me? Everyone I hated was there.

Cora and Konstantin and the rest of their goons.

Not to mention my uncle, the charismatic Alpha who has murdered millions.

And I wasn't even there to kill them yet.

But like always, I follow and I do so happily, bowing my head respectfully to the man that saved me and trusting his command. Our Alpha has never disappointed us before and he won't start now.

With another bow, I leave him to gather the people going to the Games. He watches us from the window of his office on the second floor of his empty house as we prepare. Just before we left, I stared up at him, this man, this monstrous man who had saved us all, was going to give us the revenge that we all deserved.

Our eyes locked, blue to amber and I knew at that moment that I couldn't go home without doing everything I physically could to make him proud of us. To make this mission a success.

I don't know how long it took to arrive at the Games but I knew we were there when I started to hear soft instruments playing in the background and that high pitched laughter of champagne drunk attendees.

Already, I can feel my mood turning sour. Everything about the city pack has my stomach twist.

There are so many memories there that I never want to relive.

The girl in front of the mansion sits up right at the sight of us walking towards her. She fumbles with her papers, trying to see her list of attendees knowing we aren't there.

We were, after all, 'nameless'.

Her eyes were wide as she looked all of us up and down, our numbers too big for just any normal party goer. "Uh, good morning, can I-?"

"You know who we are." I said with finality, shoving past her to get to the gardens.

She tries to run after us. "But,"

"We're here to play the Game."

The girl stops, her lips parted as she watched us walk away. We continue on until we make it to the famous garden of the Assembly. It's beautiful as it should be. Everything that was promised and more.

I don't let it distract me, knowing all of it was a hoax. The Assembly was supposed to be to replace love, to replace mates and partners in life, but since it has now turned into the Games, it is all about business deals now. Money above love. Power above emotions. And I didn't want any part of that.

I scanned the crowd, assessing how many 'innocents' were there, so I could report to the Alpha when I stopped, my eyes locking with another. It was a girl with soft eyes and a smile that filled the entire dreary area with light.

My chest tightened and for a second I thought I was having a heart attack. She was in a pretty white dress, her shy expression tugging at my heart.

Girls often looked at me. But none were like that, like her.

It wasn't flirty, it wasn't opportunistic.

It was genuine.

It was deeper.

I shook my head, attempting to push away the feeling, but the longer that I looked at her, the more I couldn't resist and I found myself completely enamored. My lips uncharacteristically pulled into a smile, feeling a warmth at the sight of her. Unable to help myself, I brushed against her shoulder and felt an immediate rush, blood rushing to my head. I couldn't look away, holding her stare until I no longer could.

At the tent, I curiously looked back through the small opening and continued to stare. The girl was looking around at her surroundings, enjoying the sights. She wasn't even looking at the other men in the vicinity, her attention on the mansion and then on the food. Her smile is a shy one, her eyes almost always looking from under her thick eyelashes.

It felt like a piece that I didn't know was missing was filled and my heart pulled at me. I wanted to have a better look, my entire being begging for me to come closer, but the Alpha was already asking for updates on the situation, so I stayed where I was and watched from afar.

Many approached her and each time someone did, I nearly leapt out of the tent to run towards her. Thankfully, no one was with the girl long enough for me to abandon my post, but it did hurt to see how her expression fell every time someone left her. She looked so positive, so excited that seeing her suddenly hurt had my teeth grinding together.

Their loss.

From where I was standing, I could tell she was the most beautiful and the nicest person around. I saw her in a crowd of hundreds, thousands, her smile grabbing my attention easily.

After a while, the girl stood by the lake, away from the men that ogled at her and sat by the swing. She kicked her little dangling legs, her eyes on the blue water.

I wondered what she was thinking. If I could only talk to her and replace out more...

The group of fighters I brought circled around me. "Jeremy, the city pack Alpha is here. It's the perfect time to attack."

It takes a while for me to get myself out of my thoughts and back to the present. "Yes. He never parts with his daughter."

"I count fifty guards." They added. "All assigned to Cora's tent."

Was this the girl's first year? It must be with how young she looked. What's her name?

"Jeremy?" They inquired uneasily. "Are you listening?"

"Yes." I confirmed distractedly. "Fifty guards."

When I glanced back at the girl, I noticed how she wasn't alone anymore and I suddenly choked up, seeing who had found her.

I was out of my seat before I could think, rushing out of our tent.

This can not wait.

I know Konstantin well and I know from first hand experience what he does to girls that fall for his charms. He is a player, a man addicted to one thing and one thing only.

And there was no way I was going to leave him alone with her.

"Jeremy, where are you going? The Alpha wants-"

I didn't wait for them to finish what they were going to say, pushing my way through the crowd until I was by the lake, listening to Konstantin smooth talk the girl.

A city pack guard who obviously knows me stops, his hand attempting to reach for me before he thinks better of it and steps away. He will not be challenging me today. Because I wasn't their Beta who had a fake background drawn up for him, his supposedly won battles and such.They knew I had all of that and this time it was real.

Their Beta doesn't even leave their lands. He prefers to stay within the pack and has never joined in any battles or incursions with the farm packs. His hands were kept clean and have continued to be clean.

I heard Konstantin call the girl by name.

June.

It sent a shiver down my spine.

Her name becoming my new favorite word.

The girl doesn't notice me at first, but when she finally does, it's like I've been shot with adrenaline to my spine.

Her eyes were wide, taking me in, and I gladly complied. She looked at me like she couldn't believe I was here right now and I was greedy for more of her attention, more of her.

It was alarming.

I didn't understand it.

But I couldn't get enough.

And when she laughed, her eyes squinted so prettily that I stopped to stare at her for a while, stunned in place. I wanted to hear the sound of it more and more.

When Konstantin finally leaves us and I'm alone with her, I replace myself at a loss for words. I tried to play it cool as I was acting like a teenager fumbling with my actions, but she didn't seem to care. June was nervous and fumbling just like I was. We were like bobble heads shaking about. There was a warmth about June, like I had been cold all my life until her and I'm beside myself, unable to calm down.

With all my plans to keep to the tent for the entirety of the Games, I replace myself asking her to have lunch with me. And I hated how she hesitated, telling me of her blood ranking as if it mattered.

Has everyone been reminding her of that?

Is that why she was upset?

The immediate need to hit something tingles at my knuckles but I force it down, holding myself back. This girl, I barely know her, but why did I feel like I should protect her? Was it her innocent face? The hopeful expression? Whatever it was, she seemed to suck the air out of my lungs with every smile, with every look.

I think I'm going crazy.

Before I know it, we're walking through the gardens, heading for the tables where everyone is. I could feel a thousand pairs of eyes on us but I did not mind, keeping close to June and pretending like it was just the two of us. Because it felt like it was just the two of us.

My hand was holding her wrist, her skin warm to touch. I wanted to pull away as it had already past the appropriate time to touch, but I didn't. My hand stays where it is as we make it to the table full of food.

I shoved people out of June's way as some of them looked like they were going to say something they were going to regret. My eyes focused solely on her, the way she nervously looked around, the small smile lingering on her pink lips.

And when she asked me if I was playing in the Games, I found myself smiling and, for the first time ever, I thought of the Games as a possibility. "We shall see about that."

Annoyed by how so many people were trying to listen in, to get between us, I offered to take her far away from them. And selfishly, so very selfishly, for a little privacy.

I know that June, this girl, wasn't part of the mission. There were other things I was supposed to do, things I was supposed to handle and look out for, but June made everything else fade into the background. My Alpha's orders, our plans of revenge, are out of my mind.

It was so unlike me.

I always followed.

I always prioritized.

But apparently not today.

Not when everyone from the pack was trying to call me, to bring me back to the tent, to remind me that this was everything I had wanted to do, to fight the city pack, to see their demise, but I ignored it all for this girl, who was like a rainbow in the sky. We sit down on a bench somewhere in the maze of flowers and as we sit next to each other, our shoulders touching, I feel an unexplainable comfort with having her close.

In my life, with what I've been through, I've never thought about a future with another. I have thought of a future with my Alpha, commanding his pack with him as his Beta and doing so until my dying breath, but never a future where I'm settled down. Never with a mate, a possible family. Those were never on my mind.

Until now.

My mother... she made me realize in her loveless ways that I would never want a family. At least not the one she provided. I was taught at a young age that I only have myself in the world. And that everyone else is d e a d weight.

So no.

I didn't think about ever having a mate.

Or anyone.

I've slept with women.

A few.

But I never saw any woman before and thought, yes, I would want to wake up to that everyday. They were releases, a passing feeling, never anything lasting like how I was seeing June now.

I could picture it so clearly that it was frightening. I can imagine holding her hand through the valley, taking her to see the sights, having her meet the people we've saved and smiling at her every day. Looking at her now, small and timid, the bright look of excitement with a hint of nervousness, it just made me want to keep her close forever.

June didn't even notice how deep I was in thought, thinking only of her. She was staring at the chocolate on her plate like it was something she had never seen before.

"You like chocolate?" I asked, eyes widening as I saw the pure joy that swam in her beautiful eyes.

Her face turned red as she hid behind her hair. "I do. But I didn't know there were so many kinds."

She wasn't used to eating chocolates.

Without needing to ask, I know chocolate wasn't something she ate regularly. Judging by the way her fingers gingerly touched the chocolate, it didn't seem like she had seen much of it.

I didn't want to offend her by saying something wrong or by asking her about it, so instead, I looked down at my plate and pointed to the different variations of chocolates that I had. "This white one. It's my favorite. And this,"

She listened to me with those wide eyes, taking everything in. I never thought chocolates would be such an interesting subject, but with June, it was like we were talking about the secrets of the world.

June blushes again, looking down at her hands. "We will likely never see each other again after this."

That was true if she was just a random girl.

If we were just two people at the Games.

But June wasn't just some random girl, nor are we just two people meeting at the Games.

"You sound sure of that." I meant to tease, but I knew better. I knew that if I was ever coming out of these Games with a mate, in another life or this one, it would be June.

And then just when I thought we were getting somewhere, an announcement to gather in the mansion echoed through our little escape. I didn't want to leave yet, wanting to continue to talk, but June, the ever obedient girl, doesn't waste a moment. She stands from her seat and I, who was ever enchanted by her, followed June's lead.

June and I walk back together, away from the beautiful maze of flowers and vines and towards the noise of attendees rushing to the mansion. I was mindful to keep her close, but a girl blocked my way and it was someone from the city pack.

I feel myself frowning, my teeth grinding together.

"Hey, Jer." The city pack girl lifted an eyebrow, a smile playing at her lips. "I didn't know you were coming this year. If I did, I would have made myself much prettier. I was thinking about..."

My hand reaches for my side, expecting to feel June, but to my disappointment, was only met with the air. Tuning out everything else, I looked around the crowded halls, searching and searching until I saw her. June was across the way, standing alone and watching

us.

I replace myself smiling easily, feeling myself relaxed from just seeing her. "There you are, June."

There was a frown on her face as she looked between the girl and I. The need to prove to her that she was more important than anyone else overwhelmed me and I pushed past the girl still talking in front of me. I barely heard what she was saying to my back. My focus was all on June as I made my way to the one that only mattered.

But my hopes are quickly squashed when June looks around the halls and quietly says, "I should replace my pack members."

I tried to cover up my disappointment by nodding my head. "Of course. Foolish of me to try and steal you away for the entire weekend."

The blush on her cheeks made my chest tighten once more.

I took her hand in mine, my thumbs running over her skin. "I'll see you later, June."

Worried that I might lose my self control and just take her with me, I turned away first and walked away only to be blocked by another girl and this one had my blood pressure skyrocketing.

"Hello, cousin."

At the sight of Cora, my stomach turns and my skin prickles with distaste, warning me of the real monster that has appeared. Living in the city pack, we are told that the monster is Ajax, but I know better. I know that the true monsters are the ones that pretend they're not.

She presses me about my Alpha as I had expected. Her obsession for even more power and fame blinds her of the fact that he hates her and that he would soon throw himself off the highest mountain rather than be mated with her. Cora had a way of just sucking the life out of people when she spoke and when she was finally done acting tough, she tosses her hair back and walks away really slowly so that people can watch her.

"Jeremy," A pack member waves me over. They were all in a dark corner of the room. "Over here."

"Look who's here." They pointed to the front of the stage and I shook my head.

The Alpha of the city pack was all smiles, standing in front of us like he was the King of the world. He wasn't supposed to be here. No Alpha, unless unmated, should enter these lands but here he was, governing over us like he was our lord and breaking rules because he could.

I did not miss how his eyes briefly landed on me, his perfectly practiced smile disappearing only for his true colors to show.

He was not happy to see me.

He never was.

I was a disappointment. The living, breathing mistake. I represented the impurity in his family that he wanted out of his life.

And then, as if nothing happened, he went on and on about whatever lies he decided to spin. He spoke of the Games like it would redeem us all by mating with the best and the purest. And even mentioned his mate, who I doubt he even remembers the look of. She was a breeder to him.

The moment she gave birth to Cora, she was all but forgotten by the dozens and dozens of girls that he took to bed. Hearing him talking about how she is the best thing just made me roll my eyes.

This was all a Game to him and it was disgusting. Talking to these people like he wasn't responsible for most of their problems, to the people that he put in the horrible situations that they have on their lands?

Seeing him only reminded me of our goal here.

And just as I'm about to rally my people, I see June leaving the ballroom and following right behind her is Konstantin.

Fuck.

"Come." I changed direction, feeling numb as we joined the crowd that rushed out of the mansion. "Let's see where everyone is going."

The pack stirs from behind me. "To the clearing? Are you joining the feats of strength?"

I paused mid-step. "The what?"

They gesture to the excited crowd. The girls fluffing their hair and the boys flexing their muscles. "That's where they're going. The competition."

Shit.

But Konstantin already had his hands on June, bringing her to the clearing. "Yes. Let's check it out."

The pack doesn't question me but they do look on with confused stares. This wasn't like me. But what was I supposed to do? Let Konstantin do whatever he wants with June? Make her another one of his girls that are left abandoned right after?

He's a player.

He will use her.

I can't let that happen.

The mission will have to wait.

In the clearing, I watch Konstantin grin down at June, showing off and doing his best to charm her. Cora was looking at them, her eyes burning holes in June's face. She would never say it out loud, but she has a long standing crush on Konstantin. Before she knew my Alpha, all she wanted was Konstantin.

He was a handsome guy, even when we were younger. He was the one with the smoothest smile and the clever words. And it didn't help that he is the wealthiest family in the city pack. Wealthier than Cora even.

Konstantin, with all his faults, never found Cora attractive. I doubt he even knows that Cora likes him. But I know because I remember how she followed him everywhere, begging her father to keep Konstantin close.

It's why he's Beta.

Konstantin's father wanted a solid position in the ranks and Cora begged to have Konstantin under her feet to stomp on and control his every move in the process. He was essentially trapped.

Forever.

And I would pity him if not for the way he treated me in the past.

Our childhood was all about who was the best, the Alpha making sure to force us against each other. Both of us were repeatedly reminded of the other's faults. Konstantin lacked the skills and I lacked the purity. All day, every day. There was no winning.

But we hated each other regardless.

If Konstantin knew that I had taken an interest in June, he would do anything to ruin her. But seeing him now, seeing the way he made an effort to speak to her... it made me wonder if there was much more happening.

I just didn't want to risk it, so when challengers were asked and he stepped forward, I presented myself as well.

The moment he sees me, he knows he has lost.

He's never won before.

He is reminded of that constantly by the very people that put him in his position.

We are asked to choose the lady we want to represent and my eyes automatically go to June, standing by herself and holding her arms close. She was so small amongst the crowd.

Konstantin, who has only ever chosen Cora because of his responsibility, chooses June and I tried not to look too surprised by this. He would never. He shouldn't.

But he does and I can already feel Cora's wrath coming towards him.

She will not let this go lightly. Not only did she get embarrassed, but to be rejected by a man she's had a silly crush on forever hit her hard.

Konstantin doesn't care, stepping closer to June.

My chest constricts, the blood draining from my face.

What was his deal? What was he playing at? Did he like June or was he trying to get back at me?

Not waiting to replace out which it was, I intercepted him, coming to stand between them. Whatever his agenda was, I had to keep June safe from him. Nothing good can come from the city pack and when Cora is breathing fire from her mouth, it was too risky. "I would also like your bracelet, June."

I didn't realize what I was doing when I did it but with my hand on June's, holding her identifier and staring into her eyes, I felt... I felt impossibly more drawn to her, thumbing the fabric.

I knew then what I wanted, what I was prepared to do.

If she accepted, if she wants me too, then I would claim her.

"Jeremy," She whispered softly, never breaking eye contact. "I choose Jeremy."

It shakes me to my core and I am left too happy and too stunned.

'Alpha,' I whispered in my head. 'I want to... I want to claim someone. I want to be with her!