Owned by the Alpha and his Betas

Isabella 'Izzy' Garcia's mornings are always the same - it is a comforting routine that helps her navigate her life as a werewolf. She wakes up before sunrise, slipping out of her bed and into her running shoes. She prefers the air to be crisp and cool. She finds it a perfect complement to the quiet stillness of her world.

Every morning, she begins her run at a brisk pace while she navigates the forest. Her surroundings is alive with the sounds of howling wolves, but Isabella doesn't feel threatened. She is one of them, a predator in her own right.

As she runs, she greets her pack members, who are also doing their exercise while in their human form. She exchanges nods and smiles with anyone who would come her way. The werewolf pack she belongs to is a close-knit community to a fault. Everyone is ready to lend a helping hand or offer a listening ear. Unfortunately, they also love to gossip about everyone in the pack - like who are their mates, who had a child, who cheated, who recently activated their mate bond.

Mate Bond.

Now that she is reminded of it, she pauses and takes a deep breath. She loves everything about being a werewolf, BUT the mate bond is the only thing that makes her anxious. Everything else is perfect - the strength, the power, the family.

And now that she remembers about the mate bond, she turns around to return to the pack house, her mood has soured.

Arriving at the house, she sees Aria and Chloe in the kitchen, sipping on cups of hot coffee. Isabella joins them, her heart heavy with anxiety for the upcoming mate finding ceremony.

"Hey, Izzy," Aria greets, her eyes bright with curiosity. "How was your run?"

"It was not so good," she replies. Izzy is a name that her closest friends call her, a pet name for her.

Chloe looks up from her coffee, her brow furrowing with concern. "What's wrong, Izzy? You seem distracted."

Izzy sighs, her shoulders slumping. "I can't stop thinking about the mate-finding ceremony. What if I actually receive one today?! I am pretty sure that the massive desire for my mate will activate... And what if I kiss him in front of everyone? I don't know how I will be able to face anyone of you out of embarrassment!"

Aria laughs, and Chloe reaches out to her hand. "You don't have to worry about that. No one will be disappointed if you make out with your mate the instant you find him. Everyone will understand."

"Actually, I want to see you smother your mate with kisses," Aria says, still laughing. "Heck, I want you to have sex in the middle of the field during the ceremony!"

"Aria!" Chloe scolds.

Izzy takes a deep breath. There is a feeling of unease... of something that will soon be out of her control. She always wanted to have control of her life, and this mate bond - it is the opposite of having control!

And so, she can't help but feel apprehensive. She has bigger aspirations beyond a traditional mate bond. She wants to explore the world every time she earns enough money. She wants to learn and grow as a person. She doesn't want to be tied down to a mate, especially if it's something destined or something that she did not work hard for.

Despite that, she is aware that her pack values tradition above all else. But even if she loves them, she just cannot CRAVE for a mate bond. Maybe she should have left the pack and worked in the city, even if her job allowed her to work at home.

"I should have left this place," she murmurs.

Erase that. She thinks that working at home is good because she can be with her family. It is beneficial for her. Well, that is, except for the mate bond thing.

"Even if you are far away from the pack, the mate bond will still activate, you know," Aria says matter-of-factly.

"It's something that you can never escape from," Chloe pipes in.

"I heard some female werewolves never got a mate bond," she adds.

"It only happens once in a hundred years," Chloe says. "Or more."

She sips her coffee as she starts to resign to her fate. Maybe she can beg the Moon Goddess not to give her a mate? That way, she will still have peaceful living as one of the pack members.

"What if you activate a mate bond with Miles during the ceremony?" Aria points out. "That won't be too bad. You guys are very close. I'm sure that's not too scary? He's also good-Ouch! Hey! Why are you pinching me?!"

Chloe shushes Aria and looks at her. "I apologize for this insensitive idiot, Izzy. She still doesn't know."

"Doesn't know what?!"

Conspiratorially, Chloe says, "They fought during Izzy's thirtieth birthday. Miles confessed his feelings for her and, well, she felt betrayed."

"Wait, what?! Why didn't I hear about that?!"

"Because you are busy flirting with Carter's friend," Chloe says.

"Why did you reject him?! He's the total package!" Aria exclaims, ignoring what Chloe mentioned about her flirting.

"Aria," Chloe starts, but Aria cannot be stopped anymore and so Izzy looks away from her and continues sipping on her coffee.

"Miles is attractive! He is also very sweet! Moreover, you've been friends since he came into the pack! I don't know why and how that guy will ever get rejected by you!"

Miles is Izzy's closest male friend in the pack. Since five years ago, their friendship has grown. She thought their bond was strong and unbreakable, but things had changed the instant he confessed that he loves her. And what did he say to her?

'I will always love you, even if you get a different mate. Even if I have become the second man in your heart, what I feel for you will stay.'

Izzy groans as she remembers her reaction. She slaps him hard and then she leaves. Her friends have always pointed out that Miles has some romantic feelings for her, but she always dismisses the idea. She enjoys her friendship with him. She enjoys thinking of him like a younger brother, or a younger cousin, or a friend that she needed to look out for. She doesn't want to taint their friendship with all those annoying romantic feelings.

"I think you should just shut up, Aria," Chloe suggests. "You might just disappoint yourself. It's uncommon for outsiders to become a mate of someone in the pack, if you remember. That's why he has no choice but to confess already, even if-"

"-even if our dear friend Izzy is becoming a blockhead about it!" Aria completes for her.

"I thought I was very clear about my feelings for him..." Izzy defends. "I didn't give him that idea that there's a chance for us to become more than friends."

"I still think you should have given him a chance," Aria insists, jabbing a manicured finger in Izzy's direction. "He adores you Izzy, and you know it."

"You are not being a help, Aria," Chloe interjects. "Just let her be."

Izzy takes a deep breath and gets up. "Well, other than Miles and the mate-finding ceremony, I still have work to do."

She has enough to worry about without adding Miles to the mix. Besides, even if he's the only male whose presence she can stand, she is planning to travel again soon, and the life she wants to lead... It's not very traditional as what is expected of someone with an activated mate bond.

"Still, thank you, guys," she says, smiling a little. She feels a little lighter now after talking to her friends. "I really don't know what I would do without you."

"This is why I am advising you to say YES to Miles already! That's one thing off your mind."

"Aria!" Chloe scolds, but Aria just answers it with a shrug.

The mate finding ceremony is about to start. A sense of anticipation hangs in the air, excitement palpable amongst the crowd. The grassy field is filled with pack members, their eyes all centered towards the makeshift stage at the middle where the ceremony is being held.

Izzy finds herself getting anxious by the second. She feels her palms becoming clammy and so she takes a deep breath. There's nothing to worry about, she reminds herself.

Every year the mate-finding ceremony happens, and every year, no one is deigned for her. It's all good, she doesn't want a mate. However, now that she is already thirty, her chances of getting a mate are higher.

Then Izzy's eyes find Miles. He is a few feet away from her, freshly groomed and wearing a necklace, signifying that he's still unmatched, just like her. His eyes meet hers in the crowd and for a second they hold each other's gaze. Izzy breaks it off first, turning away before he can think of something stupid again.

A drum roll begins, which quiets down the chatter. The sound echoes throughout the field and the elders start their chant. They are asking the Moon Goddess' blessing for the night; asking for a peaceful ceremony and; asking for more healthy werewolves.

After the matching, it is customary for the matched werewolves to find a private place for them to have their first night of procreation. Customary, because sometimes, they start making out in the field as soon as they are announced, without waiting for the ceremony to end - something that Izzy is afraid of doing.

"It's okay, Izzy, you don't have to be afraid," Chloe whispers as she squeezes her hand.

Like her, both Aria and Chloe are standing amidst all the unmatched female werewolves.

"Thank you," she whispers back. Chloe doesn't know how much it helps to have her by her side.

"Look," Aria whispers. "Miles has been staring at you for the longest time. You should meet the poor guy's gaze. Have pity on him."

Izzy tries her best NOT to look at him, even if she feels guilty. She doesn't like the feeling of hurting him. He is a dear friend. Someone she cares for a lot, but the romance in it, it is something that she never entertained.

The chant grows louder. It is intense and starts vibrating in the air. Aria holds her hand and then, by instinct, her gaze falls on Miles. Aria is correct. He is gazing at her. And then, slowly, when he realizes that she is looking at him, he smiles - that charming smile that he always reserves for her.

As the chant reaches its crescendo, Izzy can't help but feel all the more guilty. She doesn't want to give him any false hope, and yet, she cannot take her eyes off of him.

The chanting comes to a sudden halt. She breaks away from him and watches as the elders bow their heads and perform a final blessing before announcing the start of the ceremony.

"May the Moon Goddess guide us in finding our destined mates tonight!" they proclaim in unison.

The crowd erupts in cheers as the first pair of matched werewolves take center stage. Izzy's eyes flicker towards Miles again. He is watching the couple with a bittersweet expression on his face. She can sense his longing for the same kind of happiness - a mate to call his own.

The second pair is announced and Izzy, Chloe and Aria cheer for them. This time, Izzy can feel Miles' gaze burning into her as another round of cheers fill the air.

Without a choice, Izzy looks at Miles again - to scold him with a look. But then, without any warning, he stands up from where he was sitting and walks in her direction. Her heart starts to race with fear as she watches him approach her with determination in his eyes.

"What is he doing?" she hisses, her eyes wide in shock. She is clinging to both Aria and Chloe's hands.

"He probably can't wait any longer," Chloe replies with a knowing smile.

"It's been five years of pining for you, girl," Aria adds in a teasing tone.

But before Izzy can respond to their comments, Miles is already standing in front of her with a hopeful expression on his face. He takes her hand gently, and bows down on one knee. So, he's resorted to this!

"Izzy, will you do me the honor of being my mate?" he asks sincerely, looking up at her with love in his eyes.

Izzy stares at him in disbelief. She doesn't want to hurt him by rejecting his proposal, but the thought of being romantically involved with him makes her feel uncomfortable.

"I know that it will be uncomfortable at the start, given our history as friends, but I want you to see me as a man, instead of a younger friend that you need to care for."

Before she can say anything else, the crowd around them falls silent as all eyes are now on them. Everyone is waiting for her response.

**************

And then Izzy's mind goes somewhere else. She finds herself reminiscing about the good old days, when she and Miles would spend hours together, talking about everything and nothing.

And then that night, during her thirtieth birthday. She and Miles are sitting on the kitchen counter. Her head comfortably leaning on his shoulder as he sips on his drinks and she hugs his arm to her.

"Izzy, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Izzy looked at him, a bit dizzy from the alcohol. She had no idea what was coming, but she could feel a sense of tension in the air.

"Izzy, I... I'm in love with you for a while now," Miles whispered.

Izzy felt like she had been punched in the gut. She didn't know what to say or do. She had always thought of Miles as a friend, a confidant, a brother. She had never thought of him in a romantic way.

"The mate-finding ceremony is coming and I am afraid that you will finally find your mate without me telling you what I felt for you."

She withdrew from him and scowled. He must have gotten an idea on the way she looked at him.

"I will always love you even if you get a different mate," he said back then. "Even if I have become the second man in your heart. Even if I become just an alternative, you will always have my heart."

Then she answered him with a slap.

**************

"Izzy," Miles whispers, bringing her back to the present.

His voice is filled with love and longing. Despite not having a prior relationship, Izzy is not emotionally challenged not to sense it, which makes it all the more harder for her to say no.

"Izzy?"

The drum roll sounds again, and Izzy is grateful for it. It will give her time to think about the proper way to reject him, in a way that won't hurt him... so much.

"Isabella Garcia, can you please come up front?"

OR MAYBE NOT.

"Me?" Izzy asks a bit loudly, confused why she is being called by one of the elders on stage, when Miles is kneeling in front of her.

She looks at Miles and sees the fear in his eyes. And then, her eyes find Chloe, as if seeking her help.

"Isabella Garcia, please come up here," the elder repeats, as if getting impatient.

This time, Izzy takes a hold of Chloe and Aria's hands. Now, she realizes why she is being called on stage.

"Don't let me go. Help me escape! I cannot have a mate!" she says in panic. "I don't want to lay my eyes on my mate!"

Chloe squeezes her hand and stares at her as if saying, 'You can go through this'. As for Aria, she is chuckling. She even has the gall to blink playfully at her!

"Miss Isabella Garcia!" the elder screams this time.

Izzy's heart is racing as she stands frozen, trying to think of a way out of the situation. She can feel the stares of everyone and they are waiting for her to make a move. Aria is looking at her with amusement, clearly enjoying the drama unfolding in front of her. And Chloe, she just looks worried for her.

Without a choice, Izzy walks towards the center, towards the elder. She is walking as if in a gruesome procession where she is offering her entire life to an unavoidable prison and torture.

Izzy stands at the center of the spectacle called the mate-finding ceremony, her most dreaded part of being a werewolf. The entire ceremony ground is a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds that assaults her senses.

The elder stands beside her, takes a hold of her necklace and roughly breaks it. The fire turns red, green and yellow as the elder reads the sign. Then he frowns, and his eyes go to someone in the group of unmatched males.

Izzy clenches her jaws and stares at her feet. She cannot, she can't possibly have a mate now, after all those years!

"Ah, this is strange," the elder whispers.

'Yes, I am strange for not wanting a mate. I know that already!' she thinks. All the female werewolves want it, even Chloe and Aria, except her!

"Ah, I apologize, but Alpha Landon Hayes, will you please step forward?"

Izzy's lips tremble. The sound of his name is already pulling at the strings of her heart, so she ensures that her eyes are fixed on the solid ground. But, the alpha?! The widowed alpha Landon Hayes?! He's still in his early thirties, a few years older than her, but does that mean that she will become the pack's Luna?! Fucking NO! That will destroy her future to irreparable damage! She'd rather have Miles!

But then, she made the mistake of looking up and her eyes meet alpha Landon's eyes. He is standing before her, resolute and with a bit of amusement in his eyes. He is taller than her, more imposing, and her heart is beating wildly as she stares at him, at her mate. HER OWN MATE. HERS ALONE.

Izzy takes a step back, trying to distance herself from the alpha. Landon's intense gaze is making her feel uncomfortable and she can't help but feel a stirring of desire and possessiveness towards him. It's confusing and overwhelming, considering she has always been against the idea of a mate.

Landon takes a step forward, closing the distance between them. "Isabella," he says in a deep voice, his eyes never leaving hers.

She swallows hard and looks away, trying to compose herself. "Alpha Hayes," she responds stiffly.

He chuckles softly. "Please, call me Landon."

"No, there must be some mistake," she whispers, shaking her head stubbornly.

Alpha Landon Hayes is a man who exudes power and strength, with broad shoulders and a commanding presence. His gaze is intense, almost piercing, as if he can see right through her. He has short-cropped dark hair and deep blue eyes that seem to hold many secrets.

His lips twitch into a small smile as he looks at her with amusement. "Suit yourself," he says before turning to address the rest of the pack.

"As most of you already know, I have been widowed for a few years." His voice is strong and commanding, making everyone pay attention. "I think it's about time that we assign a new Luna."

"Wait, no!" she steps forward and holds his arm to stop him. However, the contact made her squeal. It is hot, as if her body is on fire - for him, she fucking desires him! Like right this very instant!

He looks at her and whispers, "It's better not to touch me. The desire for a mate is overwhelming, especially in the first few days of matching."

It's too late for a warning. To remove the feeling of desire, she wipes her hand on her clothes, hoping that the trembling in her body would be gone.

"Do-don't announce me as your Luna..." she whispers. She's a little breathless. "I can't be your Luna."

When Landon turns his attention to her, he raises his brow, which makes her cheeks heat up. She tries to hide her blush by looking down at the ground.

"Alpha Hayes," the elder interrupts. "The mate-finding ceremony is not yet done."

"I am aware of that," he says, his eyes still on Izzy. "There are more matches for the other werewolves, right?"

"I mean... I am not yet done calling the names of this match's mates. It's not a one to one mate this time."

This time, alpha Landon turns his eyes away from Izzy and asks, "What did you say?"

"There are multiple mates."

"I've just been widowed," he responds, clicking his tongue in frustration. "I can't handle multiple mates. Isabella is already enough-"

"For her, Alpha Landon," the elder explains. "Isabella Garcia has multiple mates."

Landon's jaw clenches as he stares at the elder. "What are you talking about?!" he growls.

"The mate-finding ceremony has revealed that Isabella has multiple mates," the elder repeats, not fazed by the alpha's tone.

Landon turns to look at her. She is staring at him with wide, scared eyes. He might be seeing the panic and confusion written all over her face.

"Izzy," he says, using her nickname for the first time. "Do you know anything about this?"

She shakes her head, still unable to form any words. Her mind is reeling from the shock of finding out that she has multiple mates. Still, it doesn't escape her attention that alpha Landon has just called her in her nickname.

The next she notices is when the pack members start to whisper amongst themselves. Some with a tone of excitement, while others with disapproval.

"Who is it?" Alpha Landon asks, his deep blue eyes scanning the sea of faces. It is silent now, the tension building with every passing second.

"Carter Grayson, please step forward."

At the mention of the name, Izzy feels smaller than ever. Carter is a womanizer beta who is included in her circle of friends. She doesn't think highly of him, but in her pack, even if she doesn't like the man, she has no choice. In their pack, there is only one circle of friends and everyone is friends with each other.

"My beta is also my mate's other mate?!" Landon growls.

Izzy hears someone laugh, and at the way her heart leaps at the sound, she knows it to be Carter. The annoying, flirty laugh belongs to no one but him! Unfortunately now, it sounds music to her ears.

"Come on, Alpha Landon. Don't be so angry. You are the alpha. Maybe the Moon Goddess thinks you will be too busy to have the time to properly care for our Izzy here."

NOOO!! Izzy screams inwardly as she feels rooted to the spot. She shuts her eyes close and wishes to be woken up from the nightmare.

"Be grateful that you are my beta!" Landon threatens, which Carter only answers with a laugh.

"Now, should we get this over with?" Alpha Landon asks, sounding irritated by the second.

"That's the problem," the elder adds. "There is still one more."

Alpha Landon groans and Carter chuckles.

"Who the fucking else?!" Alpha Landon snarls. "How many else is there?!"

"Miles Bennett, please step forward."

Izzy trembles. This time, her eyes opens wide with shock and disbelief. This can't be right! She is definitely in a grim-joke-type of a nightmare. This can't be happening!

"The mates for Isabella Garcia are..." the elder announces. "Alpha Landon Hayes, and his two betas, Beta Carter Grayson, and Beta Miles Bennett!"

Landon grumbles, Carter laughs, and then there's the sound of Miles' footsteps. And then she cries. Three mates... She doesn't even want a single mate! A very, very cruel joke!

Carter takes a deep breath and softens his tone. "Izzy..."

She can smell Miles even before he comes forward. "Don't touch me!" she screams at him. "This can't be..."

Izzy hugs herself. The presence of her three mates is overpowering, her body is quivering with desire for the three of them. This cannot be!

Landon's voice echoes on the field. "Continue with the ceremony," he says, his voice firm.

Izzy continues her quiet crying, only trembling as she tries to reel herself in. This is not happening. This can't be happening. She feels like she's living in some kind of nightmare.

"The four of us, let's talk somewhere private," Alpha Landon suggests.