Aiden
ii

(liSTEN THERE IS SORT OF INCEST HERE OKAY LIKE IT'S NOT FULL ON BUT IT COULD QUALIFY I'M JUST SAYING OK)

Aiden had barely left his room in days.
As much as he was trying not to mope…it was too obvious when you lived with werewolves.
Even if he kept his expression perfectly blank they could monitor his breathing – whether or not it was despondent.
Then of course there was always smelling him. Even if the emotion was subtle there were a few that could still smell it on him.
So he was mostly staying in his room.
His dad stopped by to check on him about twice a day, sometimes even working from home just so he could.
"Dad," Aiden groaned as he paused in the doorway again, only partly visible. "I'm not getting any better by you standing there, okay?"
Ross sighed and pressed the door open a bit.
"You're going to meet someone else. You know that."
"Yes, logically speaking, I know that. But I don't want to meet anyone else."
"I know that," Ross sighed. "But what you need to realize is that Genevieve still has the emotional capacity of a child. She never had to grow up because everyone and their brother knew that if it came down to it she would have your protection. I know you never meant to but you created your own monster."
Aiden groaned again and dragged a pillow over his head.
"Go away, I don't like you."
Rather than doing as he asked, Ross entered his room and tugged his pillow away before sitting on the edge of his bed.
"I've been tip-toeing around this for nearly two weeks now. It's time to face the truth Son."
He squeezed Aiden's knee briefly.
"She had time to change. In fact she had a month and a half to change. Rather than admit that she'd been wrong and try to start over – she bolted. She has put herself over you in every single instance. You deserve better."
Aiden blew out a sigh.
His dad was most likely right but it still sucked.
"Tomorrow you're getting up and doing something useful."
It was decided then.
Aiden sighed again as Ross left, leaving the door open.

Nearly two weeks later they opened up once again for their annual visitors.
The mating run was only a week away and as much as Aiden thought he had been doing better, it was inevitable to drag him back down.
He was actually going for a lot of runs.
So far his dad hadn't bothered him about it but Aiden was sure he was going to have to suck it up in the next few days.
He was walking slow, legs feeling a bit slack and stretched like taffy, filling out his lungs as he inhaled carefully and let it back out.
"Hey, can you tell us where to go to get a room?" a light voice called out.
Aiden turned just slightly, something catching in his gut at the girl walking towards him.
Two gold rings glinted over the swell of her bottom lip, shifting as she smiled. Her skin was a dark golden brown, eyes caught somewhere between brown and green.
She was beautiful.
"Yeah," he said belatedly, "uh, yeah. Just go into the big building with the white pillars, talk to Jim."
"Great," she said, tucking a tangle of curls behind her ear perfunctorily.
"I'm Aiden."
"Kia," she said, teeth flashing as she smiled. "This is Kaden."
Aiden felt his eyebrows shift in confusion, looking over his shoulder.
Oh he thought vaguely.
"Twins," he said.
"Good guess," Kaden said, offering his hand, which Aiden moved to take.
"You look very similar," Aiden said, trying to ignore the way his stomach was curling.
If he wasn't careful he was going to start reeking of heat or arousal.
"We're fraternal," Kaden said, "most people don't jump to twins."
"You smell the same," Aiden explained, lifting a shoulder.
Kaden hummed at that, nostrils flaring obviously.
Aiden forced out a laugh.
"Don't do that, I've just gotten back," he said, stepping back.
Even as he got further from them both he wanted to draw closer.
Kaden was so tall, perhaps only shorter than Shane.
His mouth was even fuller than Kia's, eyes a shade or two lighter as the sun caught them.

But Aiden didn't know why they were here.
Twins were rare, especially if they were both wolves – which he thought they were. And they were both strikingly beautiful.
So why were they having trouble taking on mates?
"We'll see you soon," Kia said, taking Kaden's hand and pulling him along.
Kaden's lips twitched at that, just before he turned away.
Aiden watched them go with a strange little tug low in his gut.
He bit at his lip and took a deep breath.
"Weird," he exhaled, more to himself than anything.

Rather than going straight home he dropped into the diner, maybe to try and clear his head.
Chase and Taylor were there, a seat between them and Aiden assumed they were waiting for Aubrey and Brennan.
Aiden dropped into a chair one away from Chase, tugging a hand through his hair.
"What's this?" Shane questioned, one ridiculously large hand resting over his chest, "Aiden Ramsey…out in public? Socializing…with us? What is the special occasion?"
Aiden could feel his lips twitching against his will.
"Oh shut up and get me something to eat."
Shane grinned at him, leaning a hip against the counter rather than moving toward the kitchen.
"What's up?" Chase asked, leaning closer a moment. "You smell different."
"Shut up," Aiden said again. "I do not."
But he was willing himself not to blush at the same time.
"No you really do," Shane said. "You smell…like you're on the hunt."
"I am not," Aiden protested. It was too loud, even to his own ears.
His face was definitely too hot now.
"C'mon then, if you can't tell us who are you gonna tell?"
Aiden rolled his eyes.
"It's nothing. I just met some people coming in."
"Some people," Shane said, unimpressed.
"Twins," Aiden admitted.
He shifted uncomfortably on his stool.
"Twins," Chase echoed, making it sound a bit dirty.
Shane let out a low whistle.
"Twins?" Taylor echoed too, frowning over the word.
Shane and Chase laughed then, quickly and quietly.
"What?" Aiden snapped, knowing if he looked in a mirror just then his cheeks would be stained with blood.
"Twins have been known to take the same mate," Shane said, eyes still amused. "If they're still looking…I'd assume that's what they want."
Aiden snorted.
"Well I met them and they were attractive. That's all."
"Can't lie to werewolves, come on," Chase laughed.
Aiden spared him a very short glare before sliding off his stool and pushing out the door.

Unfortunately, or fortunately – Aiden hadn't decided yet, that wasn't all.

Kia and Kaden weren't everywhere. But they popped up a lot.
Even worse – Sophia was immediately enamored with both of them.
How was he supposed to defend himself against his six year old sister asking him about 'Kia and Kay'?
On one occasion he'd found Kia having a tea party with Sophia on the back porch.
The way she watched him over the edge of her plastic teacup had been anything but innocent.
Then there was Kaden joining him on his runs, keeping pace with him easily – half because Aiden didn't want it to look like he was trying to run away.
He didn't remember when his life had gotten this difficult.
But even worse than that…he wasn't really bothered by it.
It was sort of exciting.
Even if it was sort of horrible too.

Aiden had to admit, even if it was just to himself, that he may be a bit charmed by them.
But he wasn't sure that he wanted a mate – let alone two.

The day of the run, just as the sun was setting, Chase knocked on the door.
"Come on," he said easily, "I'll walk you down."
Aiden had to smile, reminded why Chase was his best friend.
"I don't think I'm going," he admitted, hesitating in the doorway.
Chase frowned at him.
"What are you talking about? Of course you're running. You know Kaden and Kia are interested. You're interested. So why aren't you running?"
"Because I just met them. I can't just- Two mates Chase really? Like I'm not gonna fuck that up?"
"That's why the run is only the first part. You know that."
But Chase stopped, falling quiet and watching him.
"Do you really not want to run or are you scared?"
"If I was just a distraction-" Aiden tried, embarrassed to feel his throat close up. "If they don't-" he tried again, breaking off and shaking his head.
"Hey, that's not gonna happen."
"Don't you mean it's not gonna happen again?" Aiden said, careful to keep his tone light.
There was still a flash of guilt in Chase's expression and Aiden reached out to squeeze his arm.
"You know I don't blame you," he said quietly. "You know it's not your fault."
"It's not yours either."
"Maybe if they come back," Aiden offered feebly.
"C'mon Aiden. How many people come back?"
"It's only a couple months," this was even more feeble.
"Twins," Chase said, arched eyebrows nearly making it a question.
Aiden sighed.
"I think you should run," Chase said, "but it's your decision."
"I'll think about it?"
Chase pulled him into a hug, arms tight enough for Aiden's back to crack under the pressure.
"Jesus," he laughed weakly, "get off me."
"I'll see you later?"
"Course," Aiden said, leaning in the doorway just long enough to watch him go.

Aiden didn't run though.
By the time he thought that maybe he should he realized the chances of finding either Kia or Kaden were ridiculously small – not with all the wolves they had running tonight.
It was pointless really.
So he took a long shower and curled up in bed early, though it was hours before he slept.

The next morning, late the next morning, Aiden dragged himself out of bed and down to the kitchen.
His mother was just setting a plate on the table for him.
He pressed a kiss to her temple in thanks.
It took several bites of egg to muster up his courage.
"So did they claim anyone?" Aiden wasn't sure why he tried so hard to sound casual about it. For one his mother could see right through him. For another he just sounded tired.
"No," she said, one hand resting at the crown of his head for a moment.
"They didn't?" he asked, nearly dropping his fork.
"No," she repeated, moving back towards the kitchen. "They circled the house half the night. You didn't hear them?"
Aiden could have sworn his heart stopped at that.
"They what?"
"You can still smell them if you don't believe me. They must have fantastic focus," she added, offhand.
Aiden felt sick.
His mother returned with a cup of coffee in hand, taking a seat slowly.
"They haven't left yet," she said, lifting her cup to take a sip.
"Do you think I should-"
"Yes," she said, cutting him off.
"Right," Aiden said, abandoning his breakfast.

He went after Kia first – which was a mistake.
She wouldn't even look at him.
A bit disheartened but still needing to at least say something he sought out Kaden.
He was in his borrowed room, folding clothes and placing them in a duffle bag.
Kia's bag was already packed on the opposite bed.
"I'm sorry," Aiden said.
He figured an apology was the best place to start.
"It's fine," Kaden said.
He wouldn't look at Aiden either.
"No really I-"
"It's fine. It's too much, too scary, too disgusting," he said, lip curling. "If you think we haven't heard it before you're wrong."
"It's not that," Aiden protested, chest aching, "I swear. It's me."
Kaden slid a glance to him, more of a glare than anything else.
Aiden shrank back half a step and forced himself forward again.
"My last mating run – my only mating run…the girl I thought-" he paused, swallowing and smiling bitterly, "she laughed," he said very quietly, "and pushed me off. Before going after my best friend." He glanced up to Kaden, who was folding slower, before continuing. "And I thought that if you had changed your minds or if you weren't serious or I don't know-I don't know I thought a lot of things I guess. But I thought if any of them happened that I would die."
"Well you might have turned out right," Kaden said slowly. "But I guess we'll never know, will we?"
And that hurt.
More than Aiden liked.
"Yeah. Alright." He felt strangely disconnected from his body though. From the words he was saying too.
"Stop," Kaden sighed – before he'd even moved. "I didn't mean that." He turned towards Aiden, hands falling to his sides. "Of course we would have claimed you. Of course we would have. But if it wasn't what you wanted then I'm glad it didn't happen. I guess if it wasn't meant to happen then I am doubly glad it didn't."
He was quiet a moment, just watching Aiden.
"We'll keep looking."

But Aiden didn't want that.
Not any part of him.
"Will you come for a run?"
Kaden looked pained but only for half a second.
"I think I've had enough running actually."
"A walk then," Aiden said. "Just come with me. Please?"

They weren't very far from where he'd found Kia when Aiden stopped.
He turned to face Kaden, taking a deep breath.
Kaden stopped too, watching him openly.
Aiden couldn't help shifting restlessly, one hand tangling in the hem of his shirt before tugging at it.
"Do you still want…" but he trailed off, leaving it open – because what if he didn't?
"Not without Kia," Kaden said.
His hands balled at his sides before uncurling and hanging loosely.
"I know that," Aiden said, frowning then.
"Are you sure?" Kaden asked then, sounding just a bit angry about it.
Not that Aiden's timing was ideal.
"Be sure," Kaden told him, stepping closer.
Aiden nodded, breath stopping as Kaden's fingers caught at the back of his neck.
"Kaden please," he exhaled, "I want to – kiss me god kiss me I want to -"
Try he thought, fingertips seeking out the heat of Kaden's body and stopping just short.
"Kiss me," he said again, because I want to try seemed so shallow in comparison.
Kaden's body moved nicely, guiding Aiden back until he was pressed into a tree.
Kaden's hip pressed into his stomach, fingers tightening their hold.
Aiden had to stretch up, toes of his sneakers digging into the earth almost ridiculously, and Kaden still had to meet him.
But his lips were so warm, his mouth so big against Aiden's.
Aiden sighed out and their lips pressed together again.
"I hope he's not forcing himself on you," Kia said, dragging them apart.
Aiden flushed hot, shaking his head and biting at his bottom lip.
Kaden stepped back and Aiden nearly fell off the tree at the separation, catching himself just as his ankle rolled awkwardly.
Kaden gestured to him with one hand, touching his mouth with the other.
Kia launched herself at Aiden, his hands barely catching her thighs, kissing him quickly as if she was afraid to lose her chance.

She was all bite where Kaden was kiss.
The metal in her lip was cool but slick, digging into Aiden's mouth as she bit down slightly, tugging at his lip with her teeth.
"You do know what we need, right? You understand? Because I feel like we should cover our bases here," and maybe it was ridiculous, with her entirely wrapped around him, lips still wet with each other's mouths, but he supposed it was no more ridiculous than a mating run.
"Tell me," he managed, wondering the next second when he'd lost his breath completely.
His fingers stretched over the swell of Kia's hips idly.
"Kaden needs someone he can pin down," Kia said, smile wicked. "And I need someone who can pin me down…but not all the time, understand?"
"And can I ever pin Kaden down?"
"You can try," Kia hummed, laughing. "Still want us to claim you Mr. Ramsey?"
"Yeah," Aiden said, pushing down everything – everything – except the want in his gut.
Kia grinned again, teeth gleaming sharp, before digging them into the meat of his neck.
They tore through skin like paper and her mouth worried at the bite for a few beats before she slipped off him.
Aiden lifted fingers to his neck gingerly, wondering if it needed to be quite that hard.
"That's for making us wait so long," Kia said, reading him easily.
Aiden rolled his eyes and she laughed, one hand smearing a dab of blood still on her lip.
Kaden approached again, slow, looming over him.
Aiden's breathing grew shallow as he looked up at him.
"You're sure," Kaden paused to check, watching Aiden intently.
"I don't want you to leave," he said, "I don't want you to look for someone else. I want you."

Kaden lifted Aiden's shirt up and off, barely needing any help, and Aiden shivered at the cool air and hot press of Kaden's hands.
Next Kaden lifted him by the hips and pressed him into the tree again.
Aiden nearly groaned at the bite of bark at his skin.
His feet weren't even close to touching the ground, legs tangled around Kaden instead.
Kaden bit just at the start of his ribs, nosing under his left arm to do it.
He was gentler than Kia then too.
Aiden sagged a bit, perfectly happy to be boneless and let Kaden do the work.
Kaden lowered him carefully when he was done, one broad hand still helping steady him.
"I know," Kia said, "he tastes so sweet."
Aiden was blushing again, only going darker when Kaden said,
"I wonder if he does everywhere."

No one looked all that surprised when they made their way back, Aiden still smelling of blood and looking so obviously debauched.
And no one seemed as amused as Ross, much to Aiden's horror.
"Really I should have seen this coming," he said, "Aiden and Kaden? Sophia and Kia?" He broke off to laugh. "Somehow this was clearly all planned out."
Aiden was blushing once again, each hand caught in one of his mate's.
Still having Ross' blessing made him feel strangely good about the whole thing.
"You do still have a perfect record," Aiden admitted, sighing even as Kaden and Kia squeezed his hands in sync.

A/N: I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS

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