My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate Chapter 195

Dahlia’s POV

The shrill chime of my alarm pulled me from sleep far too soon. I groaned, burying my face in my pillow, wishing for just a few more hours of rest. But I couldn’t complain—not when two adorable little babies were waiting for me. I truly had the best job in the world.

I’d given myself plenty of time to get ready, so I took my time stretching out my stiff muscles, raking my fingers through the tangled mess of my hair as I yawned. My mind was still sluggish, reluctant to wake fully, but as my senses sharpened, I caught the faintest trace of a scent I didn’t recognize. It was subtle but distinct—the warm sweetness of vanilla mingled with the crisp freshness of pine. Strange. Maybe Dad had switched colognes.

Shrugging off the odd thought, I decided, for once, to make my bed before getting dressed. Too lazy to walk around to the other side, I stretched across it, practically lying flat on my stomach as I pulled the quilt into place. That’s exactly how I was positioned—half-draped over the bed, my barely covered backside in the air—when my bedroom door suddenly flew open.

Half-asleep, my groggy brain automatically assumed it was my father. Who else could it be? No one else lived here. And considering my tiny tank top and boy shorts didn’t leave much to the imagination, I might’ve felt embarrassed—if this wasn’t the hundredth time he’d barged in without knocking. If he didn’t want to see his daughter half-naked, maybe he’d learn some manners.

But before I could even roll my eyes, that scent hit me again—stronger this time. Too strong to be from a bottle of cologne.

My whole body went rigid.

There was a wolf in my room.

And though I hadn’t yet turned to look at him, I knew exactly who he was.

Because he was mine.

I sucked in a slow breath, my pulse hammering as I fought to stay composed. Inside my mind, Blue erupted, howling and leaping with uncontained excitement.

“Mate! He’s here! He found us! Go to him! Now!” she cried.

“Blue, calm down! I need to think!” I snapped.

The mate bond was an overwhelming force, nearly impossible to resist under normal circumstances. But with Blue screaming in my head, my control was slipping fast. I knew that once I turned around and met his gaze, the connection between us would snap into place, sealing our fate.

I wasn’t ready for that.

But I had no choice. I had to face him.

Slowly, I turned, my heart thundering in my chest. Terror curled in my stomach, but beneath it, a sliver of curiosity bloomed. The Moon Goddess had chosen this man for me. I had once dreamed of meeting my mate, imagining his face, his voice, the way he would carry himself. But no fantasy could have ever prepared me for the reality standing before me now.

This man wasn’t just a wolf. He couldn’t be.

He looked like he had been sculpted by the gods themselves.

Tall—easily over six feet—his entire form radiated strength and raw masculinity. Midnight-black hair fell in effortless waves, tousled but not unkempt, the sides neatly trimmed to accentuate the sharp angles of his face.

“Let’s run our fingers through it,” Blue purred.

His features were chiseled yet smooth, the perfect blend of ruggedness and refinement. The scruff lining his jaw was just enough to make him dangerously attractive. But nothing, not even his flawless face, compared to his eyes.

Hazel, technically. But calling them that felt like an insult. They were a mesmerizing blend of seafoam green and molten gold, framed by dark lashes so thick they should have been illegal. I could drown in those eyes.

I had to force myself to look away.

Not that the rest of him was any less captivating. His silver-gray button-down molded to his broad chest, highlighting every sculpted muscle beneath. His black slacks fit him just right, accentuating powerful legs that looked made to run—made to chase.

I bit my lip hard, willing myself not to openly drool. Blue wasn’t helping, flashing heated images through my mind, tempting me with thoughts I had no business entertaining.

Then he spoke.

“Mine.”

His voice was deep, rich velvet, and the primal edge to it told me his wolf was speaking, too.

Blue practically melted.

I dragged my gaze back up, half-expecting to find him smirking, reveling in the obvious effect he had on me.

But he wasn’t.

His expression held nothing but pure adoration. Longing.

And that nearly shattered me.

I was one breath away from stepping forward, from throwing myself into his arms and letting the bond claim me.

But before I could, my father’s hand shot out, gripping my mate’s arm and yanking him from my room.

“Get dressed,” Dad ordered gruffly before slamming the door shut behind them.

The momentary reprieve gave me just enough time to pull myself together.

“Shit! I can’t believe I almost caved just because he’s got a pretty face and an incredible body,” I berated myself.

“And don’t forget those gorgeous eyes! Oh! And his scent! We could just sniff him forever,” Blue sighed dreamily.

“Not helping.”

“I don’t get why you’re fighting this so hard! Just hurry up and get dressed so we can go to him!”

My chest tightened. “You know why, Blue. You know what losing Mom did to Dad. You know the mate bond took Finnian from us. I can’t trust the Moon Goddess to decide my fate. I won’t risk that kind of pain again.”

“But we can trust him,” she whispered. “He’s our mate. He would never hurt us.”

I swallowed against the ache in my throat. “No, Blue. I can’t do this.”

She whimpered, her sorrow pressing into me like a dull blade. She was part of me, and I knew I was forcing her to give up something she deeply craved. But I had to be strong—for both of us.

We didn’t need our mate.

We would be fine.

Moving quickly, I threw on the first clothes I grabbed—a fitted blue t-shirt and skinny jeans—then brushed my teeth and raked a brush through my tangled curls. Skipping makeup, I swiped on mascara and lip gloss, shoved my feet into my Converse, and stepped into the hall.

The moment he saw me, my mate’s face lit up, his excitement tangible through the bond. He started toward me, determination in every step.

I had to stop this before it was too late.

Lifting my hands, I pressed them against his chest, halting him just before he could reach me.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Then, like the coward I was, I turned and ran.

I ran for blocks, only stopping when I was sure he wasn’t following. Gasping for breath, I doubled over, pressing a hand to my racing heart.

The bond screamed at me to turn back. My body ached for him in a way I had never known before. Blue howled in agony, the sound echoing through my mind.

“Please, Lia! Just give him a chance!” she begged. “You don’t have to accept him yet—just see where this goes!”

I clenched my fists. “We both know where it goes. We let him in, we love him, and then we lose him. I won’t let that happen.”

We argued all the way to the Winslows' house. As I reached the front gate, I forced myself to breathe, to push him from my thoughts.

Holly and her twins deserved my full attention.

Liam Ashford was nothing more than a distraction.

And I refused to let myself want him.