Chapter 1
David
David smelled her long before he saw her. The air of the normally boring find-a-fated-mate mixer almost crackled with the scent of chard wood, lilies and a warm spring day. His head was on the swivel as he began to frantically search the room. His body shook in anticipation as he searched for her through the throng of single shifters, all hoping to be blessed with the unique scent that would lead to a soulmate.
He felt like he had been waiting to meet her for an eternity, while month after month, he flew all over the world, attending these stupid parties. He had hoped that one day, she would appear. In all that time, he had never given up, having faith that one day he would be united with his unknown queen.
He pushed through a group of young shifter wolves that stood in a group, when he finally spotted her. Even with her back turned, he knew without a doubt that she was the woman of his dreams. Her blond stacked pixie cut popped off her soft yellow satin party dress. Her silver strappy heels showed off her long legs and simple curves.
David’s heart felt like it was trying to beat out is his chest as he was gently pushing people aside so he could clear a path to her. He knew the moment she scented him because her whole body stiffened. Her right hand, donned with a small simple chain bracelet, tucked a small strand of hair behind her ear as she turned. Her green eyes searched as she turned to face him.
To his utter surprise she looked exactly as he had expected her too. She had the face of the same woman he had been dreaming about for months. They were the same curious eyes he knew would pierce through all his resistance. She had the high cheekbones he had dreamed of running his snout along. She was sniffing the air with the cutest little ball nose, and she was biting those soft supple lips he had dreamed of kissing a million times.
“MATE” He cried as their eyes locked. He saw her smile widely as he rushed to her and enveloped her in his arms.
His arms snaked around her as he pulled her firmly against his chest and inhaled deeply. He ran his nose along her bare neck and buried it into her hair. Beyond the unique scent of her mate bond, he smelled a mystery. His mate didn’t smell like any magical creature he has encountered before, and she definitely wasn’t human.
She was oddly silent as he embraced her. Her body and posture was inviting. She snuggled against his chest like she had just found her favorite pillow at the end of a long day. Her body relaxed with a perfect trust and she shivered against him.
Curiosity got the better of David and he lean back so he could look her in the eye. He could see his reflection as she stared up at him. His warm golden flawless skin and medium length sandy waves looked back at her as she searched his chiseled face and intense yellow eyes. She smiled and reached up to trace his jawline.
“Mate?” He said again almost as if her were asking a question. Although she had accepted his affections, she had yet to accept the bond by acknowledging him as her mate.
She smiled and nodded her head at him. Almost as if she were very far away, he heard her softly whisper “Mate.”
He pulled her to his chest again and felt their emotional connection snap into place. He let out a sigh of relief. Even though it had been unlikely, he knew that there had been the slightest chance that she might reject him, but that possibility passed when she openly accepted him.
David was acutely aware when a foreign hand brushed against his mate’s arm. His instincts to protect her were strong. He immediately stiffened and found himself growling at a small brunette.
The woman with her hand on his mate looked to be in her mid-twenties and about the same age as his mate. But he knew with many shifters, looks could be deceiving. She had medium length straight dark brown hair and oversized brown eyes. She looked his mate in the eye and seemed to just ignore him completely.
“Hey Stormy, I’m getting another round. Do you want another drink?” She asked his mate, who shook her head and gave what was obviously her friend a thumbs up and waved her away. The brunette shrugged and disappeared into the crowd.
“Stormy? Is that your name?” He asked as he rolled it around in his mouth. He said it a few times quietly and realized he already loved the way it sounded.
Stormy smiled widely and nodded her head. She silently placed her hand against his chest and cocked her head to the side slightly. She looked up at him like she was waiting.
“Hi, I’m David.” She again simply nodded. She reached up and traced the outline of his lips with her finger. He hummed under her touch.
David leaned in to kiss Stormy again when he sensed his brother running wildly towards them. He felt her stiffen in his arms and saw goosebumps raise on her arms.
“Don’t worry, Sweetness. That’s just my younger brother, Daniel. He’s probably coming to congratulate us.” He said as he tried to reassure her.
He glanced up to watch six foot of slim muscle bounding across the room. Daniel was shorter and lighter than David was. They had completely different coloring despite being brothers. Daniel had the look of Asian descent with pale skin, and blueish-black hair that was cut short. He’s eyes were narrow and almond shaped. They were a rare grayish-blue that reminded him of the color of ice. The brothers were opposites in almost every way, each with their own rugged handsomeness and distinguished personalities.
David focused back on her as she shook her head and slowly turned to look at Daniel. He was running straight at her with a crazy lopsided grin. He looked past David like he didn’t even exist.
Suddenly Daniel’s arms enveloped Stormy as he practically ripped her from David’s arms. “Mate!” he cried. She chewed her lip nervously as she stared at Daniel.
“That's not funny,” David said glaring at his brother and pulling Stormy back into his arms. Daniel moved with her, essentially sandwiching Stormy between them. She was breathing hard and her eyes were wide in surprise.
“I wasn't trying to be.” Daniel said as he began sniffing Stormy’s neck and hair enthusiastically from David’s arms.