Wolf Sense

This is unedited, so please mind any grammar mistakes.



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The next morning, I woke up by Ares' incessant howling inside my head. Something was apparently going on downstairs. How he knew that, I would never know. Sometimes he just knew things.

I got up and padded downstairs, not really caring that I was only wearing a tight pair of boxer briefs. Yes, my Pack was a vain and sexual one, but they knew how protective my father was over his children and therefore no touchy and no looky. It was great, since I wasn't too fond of wearing too many clothes anyway, so I got to walk around just as I was very often. At home, I hardly ever put on any clothes.

However, this time I should have, because when I got downstairs I came face-to-face with, guess who? That's right, Regulus. The bruises on his face that Ares had gave him yesterday had faded, but were still there. Our eyes locked and held for a moment, before his gaze dropped and his eyebrow arched appreciatively. I didn't realize that he was staring at the bulge in my shorts until my father growled in exasperation.

"For Luna's sake, boy, go put on some damn clothes!" He snapped at me, though his glare was actually directed at Regulus.

A blush infused my cheeks and I was quick to obey what he said. And...I think I'll also take a shower too. I wasn't in any hurry to return downstairs any time soon.

After taking the longest shower I possibly could before Ares started yelling at me, I dressed quickly in a pair of dark jeans and a white t-shirt-no socks or shoes, of course, it wasn't like I was going outside any time soon-and made my way back downstairs.

This time, instead of being crowded together in the foyer, everyone was settled in the parlor room. And my mother had decided to join everyone as well. Oh, joy.

"Brace yourself, kid."Ares grunted. "I feel something big coming."

"On it."I replied as I made my way to sit in the armchair, the last seat in the room as both couches were occupied.

"Now that all requested are here," My mother began, sharp eyes on Alpha Zane. She really disliked him, for reasons I didn't and probably would never know. "If you could say what you came to say?"

Alpha Zane cleared his throat. "It is not I who has something to say, but my son."

All eyes turned to Regulus, and he shifted lightly. "Yesterday I requested a fight between myself and Adonis, in turn for the release of Erebus, who had been taken in for fighting my men."

"Wait, wait, wait." My father said with a chuckle. "You challenged Donny? And he accepted?"

Regulus blinked. "Yes."

My father's gaze turned to me. "Donny?"

I shrugged. "He had Erebus."

"And Erebus couldn't take care of himself?" He arched a brow.

"Given the fact that he was bound to a chair when I got there," I said archly. "No."

"Very well." He snorted out another chuckle. "Continue on, Regulus."

Regulus dipped his head in a nod. "Adonis surprised me by winning the fight completely unscathed in less than ten minutes. In my anger, I came in a certain close proximity of him-."

I tensed immediately, releasing an unintended sound by accident. All eyes turned to me as everyone had heard, but I was glaring at Regulus. He smirked at me, and continued as he was saying.

"As you know, the New Luna is approaching and therefore Potential sensitivity is risen-."

Ares bubbled under my skin and I unleashed a vicious growl, still glaring at Regulus. My eyes itched, alerting me that they were changing into Ares's form, slit pupils and silver irises. My father was looking at me incredulously, and my mother was arching a brow with a knowing look in her eyes. Regulus' smirk widened as he continued.

"And all it took was our prolonged closeness from me to realize that Adonis was my Potential."

Another growl ripped past my lips as Ares took full control within his anger, shooting to my feet. My consciousness fell back as his came forefront and now it was his body to control. He trembled with rage, and was mere seconds from attacking Regulus and beating the shit out of him when my mother's cold voice rang across the room. She was always the only one who could fully cow Ares' anger.

"Ares, control yourself." She said icily. "As I am sure you are in no condition to retreat, you will be the one to answer my questions instead of Adonis, understood?"

"Yes." He grumbled, sitting down and clenching his hands tight enough to draw blood.

"Why was I not informed about this matter about a Potential?" She began.

Ares took a deep breath, trying to speak without a growl in his voice. "Because Donny was still trying to make sense of the situation. He had plans to tell you this morning, after sleeping on it and making sure that it was not some type of fluke, however the little shit over there got to it first."

My father spoke before my mother could ask another question. "And why didn't he tell me about the fight?"

"Once again, he planned to do it in the morning." Ares looked down. "It was my fault. The Potential situation had angered me and I took full control for longer than I was supposed to. He was exhausted."

"He is right, Theo." My mother murmured. My father's full name was Theseus, but nearly everyone called him Theo. "I saw him last night. His appearance was akin to death warmed over. I suggested that he rested himself."

"Hmm..." My father eyes Ares. "Fine. But watch yourself Ares. I believe your time is almost up?"

Ares dipped his head. "It is, and I have controlled my anger as well. I will now return control to Adonis."

I blinked as Ares withdrew and lethargy made my body sag a bit. I was definitely going back to sleep after all this. My parents eyes were still on me, and I gave them a rueful smile. I should've told them both what happened last night, whether or not I was exhausted. It would've saved us all of this...mess.

"Donny." My mother began once again. "What do you plan to do now?"

Before I could respond, Regulus spoke up. I shot him a glare. I knew exactly what he wanted. In the Zane Pack, they did not have Chosen Mates and were given the freedom to choose whoever they wished to Mate with. As far as I knew, Regulus had not yet chosen anyone. However, with a Potential dangling in his face...

"I have a proposal." He said, grabbing my mother's attention. I knew she would agree with him, as she was dying for me to finally commit to the events that happened on New Luna.

"Yes, Regulus?" She prompted.

He smirked lightly. "As you know, I have not searched for a Mate yet, and I will not become Alpha until I have done so, as per Zane Pack tradition. It is also known that there is tension between Adonis and his Chosen Mate due to certain disagreements, Erebus, and that they have not consummated their Mateship on New Luna. It is also known that Potentials are always perfectly aligned to one another by the grace of Luna. There is also no love shared between the Zane and Trinity Pack. Therefore, I believe that it would be in the best interest of us all if Adonis and I mated. That way I will become Alpha of my Pack, there is no issue of consummation for Adonis, and our Packs will finally have a source of unity. Of course, Adonis will still be able to become Alpha whenever the Trinity Pack tradition allows."

I had to admit, he knew how to present his argument. I'm pretty sure he even had my father, who had wanted to break tradition and keep me from even having a Chosen Mate, convinced. My mother looked as if Christmas had come early-how she managed that without smiling or so much as changing the way she was already looking was inexplicable-which meant that she was convinced as well. My chest tightened. They were going to make me Mate him.

Honestly, I'd actually prefer Erebus to Regulus. No, not because he was much more beautiful-Regulus was actually more of a devilishly handsome type anyway-but because I actually knew Erebus. Since he was Chosen as my Mate on my seventh birthday-the day Ares manifested as well as Ash was Chosen to be my Beta-I've spent everyday of my life with him. On the other hand, I've only seen Regulus in passing until yesterday. How was I supposed to Mate with someone I hardly knew, Potential or not?!

"That sounds like a splendid idea." My mother said with no hint of her usual iciness in her voice.

"It is a good idea." My father said slowly. "However, the decision is ultimately up to Donny."

Attention focused on me and my eyes went wide. My father nodded at me encouragingly and I licked my lips.

"I...I don't want to Mate with Regulus. I hardly even know him."

My mother arched a brow. "Is that it? You don't want to Mate simply because you don't know him?"

Well, when you put it that way..."I also don't like him."

"Easily solvable." My mother waved a hand dismissively. "This is excellent! No one has been Mated to their Potential in the Trinity Pack in centuries!"

My eyes locked with my father's and he shrugged apologetically. His look said that there was nothing he could do. I knew it too. Once my mother got her mind set on something, it was going to happen one way or another.

"May I ask how you plan to solve this issue, Phoebe?" Alpha Zane asked.

She smiled, but it was not a warm one. No, any time she smiled meant that she was about to do something that she knew was going to make you hate her for eternity. It was smile that struck fear in the Trinity Pack, as we all knew that something bad was going to happen to someone because of her.

"It's quite simple really." She began slowly. "Donny has a problem with knowing so little about Regulus? Then let's give them the opportunity to get to know each other. There is a small abandoned human cabin in no man's land between our territories. I say let's have them live together for...oh, I don't know, a month or so? They should be well acquainted by then. And they are Potentials, they cannot dislike each other for long, especially with the approaching New Luna."

Oh she was evil. So, so evil. She should've been named Hecate instead of Phoebe.

Regulus arched a brow. "Wouldn't the approaching New Luna compel us to Mate?"

"Not exactly." My mother explained. "You will have the urge, yes, but the New Luna will not force you, even if you are Potentials. Though, Donny, I do suggest that you lock yourself away if you plan to stay a...virgin."

She said the word with disdain. Most lose their virginity by the time they were sixteen, even in other Packs. And being in a Pack that had a great deal of carnal desires, being a virgin was pretty much looked down upon. My father, bless his soul, was one of the few that were happy that I was still a virgin.

"A virgin?" Regulus looked surprised. Then he glanced at me and his eyes darkened with lust, his lips twisting into a salacious smirk. "How...interesting."

My father growled at Regulus, giving him a warning glare. "Until Donny agrees to Mate with you, you will not touch him inappropriately, boy."

Alpha Zane laughed. "Looks like my boy is more suited to be a Trinity than your own son. I always told him he needed to learn to keep it in his pants."

Oh great. He was also a manwhore. He was just stacking up on things that made me not like him.

"Mother, I am sure that that type of information could have stayed private." I snipped. I did inherit some of her personality, a lot more than I did my father's.

She rolled her eyes. "I do not see why. You will soon be Mated to Regulus and he will become your private matters."

I grit my teeth against Ares' anger. He had went to sleep in order to allow me to regain some of my energy, however he had just woken up in time to hear my mother say that. He really did not want me to Mate with Regulus.

"Let's get out of here."He growled. "They obviously do not care about your opinion on this matter."

"Agreed."

"I do not want to Mate to Regulus, that is final." With that, I stood and exited the room.

Just to almost run into Ash, Erebus, and my little sister Tyche. They stared at me wide-eyed and I did the same. Then I jumped into action, rushing them up the stairs and into my room. They all squished onto my bed, and I stood in front of them with my hands on my hips.

"What the hell were you three doing?!" I hissed at them.

Ash scratched the back of his neck. "Well I saw Ty peeking into the parlor and I got curious as to what she was doing. And then Erebus joined us a bit later."

My eyes narrowed. "How much did you guys hear?"

"Enough to know that you have a Potential." Ty said with a smirk.

She was an adorable little thing at ten, and evil to boot. She inherited all of our mother's features and her sass as well, and on her seven birthday, we were all surprised when Peitho manifested inside her. Typically the secondborn child didn't have a Guardian, but apparently Peitho had taken a liking to Ty.

"And so you also heard that I don't plan to Mate with that Potential." I snapped back at her.

"I don't see why not." She crossed her arms. "He was hot."

"I hardly know him."

"Mother had a solution for that."

"I don't like him."

"Oh please, you'd jump his bone on New Luna faster than I can say Mate."

My face heated and I sputtered. "N-now see here, you brat-."

"Would the two of you quit?!" Erebus snapped. I glanced over to see him glaring harshly at me.

There was no way for me to tell if he was pissed at me for finding a Potential, or pissed because I didn't want to Mate that Potential. Honestly, I didn't even know if he wanted to Mate me in the first place. He certainly didn't act like it. I didn't either, but I wouldn't actually mind all that much. And I really would prefer him over Regulus.

Which also kind of baffled me. I mean, just last night I was telling my mother that I didn't care who I Mated, as long as they took away the pain New Luna and Full Luna brought. And as my Potential, Regulus was the perfect person to Mate with. He was chosen for me by Luna. He was meant to be there for me, and I for him, on Luna Days. So why was I so resistant against him being my Mate?

"I think part of it is my fault."Ares said quietly. "I influence some of your emotions if I feel them strongly enough. My dislike for Regulus has probably passed on to you."

"No, it can't be just that." I said, biting my lip as my brow furrowed. "I can tell when your emotions influence mine. It's like a buzzing in my head and under my skin."

"That's the only explanation I have. Maybe you don't like him because you had to fight him. You certainly resented Erebus for a few weeks after you beat his ass."

"The situation with Erebus was different. That was actually me. With Regulus, it was all you."

He sighed. "Then maybe you randomly just really don't like him. Or you're subconsciously fighting against becoming his Mate because you are so used to the idea of Erebus being your Mate."

I sucked in a sharp breath, snapping my fingers. "Maybe that's really it! I don't want to deviate from what I know, what is familiar to me, so I automatically dislike the idea of Mating Regulus, not Regulus himself."

"So then are you going to follow with your mother's plans and go to the cabin with him? See if you can get past the subconscious dislike once you get to know him."

"I might." My gaze wandered over to Erebus, taking in the confused look he was giving me. He couldn't tell that I was talking to Ares. "But what if...what if Erebus really does want to Mate with me? I don't want to just leave him like that."

"Then...maybe it's time you two finally sat down and talked about things."

I sighed. "I think you're right, Ares."

"Donny?" Ty calling my name and nudging my arm brought me to attention, but instead of turning to her, I looked at Erebus.

"We need to talk." I said seriously. "Now. Ash, Ty, can you two leave for now."

Ash stood, his face set into a worried expression. "Donny, are you sure you-?"

"Acheron!" It hurt when I saw the way his face twisted at his name.

In the eleven years he has been my Beta, I have always respected his wishes and didn't call him by his full name of which he despised so much. But in the end, my Mate was more important than briefly hurting his feelings. It sounds callous and shallow, but honestly my Mate was the person who I was going to have to spend the rest of my long life with, whereas I can easily apologize to Ash and do what I needed to in order to get him to forgive me.

"Please..." I said to him in a softer tone. "I know what I'm doing."

He sighed, then nodded. "Fine. And I forgive you."

I smirked at him. "Thanks, bestie."

"Ugh, don't ever call me that again." He said as he grabbed Ty's arm and dragged her from the room.

When the door closed, I swallowed hard and looked at the floor. Even though this was my idea, I didn't know where to start. Erebus and I didn't talk often, and when we did it was awkward and usually forced by my mother.

"Donny?"

At the sound of my name, I reflexively looked up and locked eyes with Erebus. I eeped lightly, as he was now right in front of me, his head tilted curiously to the side. The corner of his lip twitched at the sound I made, and I scowled.

"What?"

He arched a brow. "What did you want to talk to me about?"

Oh. Right. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down and center my thoughts. I was, for some strange reason, very nervous right now.

"I just...I wanted to know if..." My cheeks heated and I looked away from him, down at the ground. "IwantedtoknowifyoureallywantedtobeMateswithme."

"Way to go." Ares snarked.

"Shut. Up."

A moment of silence passed where Erebus didn't say anything. I was beginning to debate with myself on whether or not I should look up when I felt his fingers lightly grasp my chin and pull my head up. His eyes were soft, and a little sad, as he stared at me.

"I'm sorry, Donny." He began and my heart started to drop. "I didn't realize that I was causing you such strife. I didn't realize that you...that you couldn't tell."

Hope randomly kicked me in the chest, sending my heart back to its original position, and my eyes widened. "Wait, so you mean..."

"Yes, Donny." He said with a smirk. "Of course I want to be your Mate. Who wouldn't?"

My jaw dropped and I stared at him wide-eyed for a moment. Then my thoughts kick-started and I began to stutter.

"Wait-but I'm...w-why would you...I don't understand...y-you—"

He cut me off abruptly. With a kiss. A friggin' kiss. My very first fucking kiss!

Half of me was freaking out by this and the other half was melting into a puddle of goo. By the grace of Luna, Erebus surely knew how to kiss. Before I realized what I was doing, I was attempting to respond to Erebus' ministrations to my mouth. I knew I was sloppy and uncoordinated, but Erebus gently guided me, helping me get used to the movements.

We kissed until I could no longer breathe and had to jerk way to catch my breath. Somehow our positions had changed so that I was pressed tightly against his body, my hands knotted into his shirt, and his arms were wrapped around my waist, holding me to him. With each heaving breath I took, my chest slid against his. My face was flush and my body was hot, the same heat that consumed me during Luna Days. 

I stared up at Erebus with wide eyes, taking in his smirking face and kiss bruised lips. Oh Luna, that just happened. Erebus just kissed me. Wait...

Erebus just freaking kissed me!

Oh shit.