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"Mum and Dad aren't here anymore. They can't judge what we do or who we are mated to. The first step in this is admission, which you have done. Now, you need to address and work through your feelings. Tell me, how do you feel about having two mates?"

I glare at my sister from across the room. "Did you go and get a psychology degree while you were away or something? You're not my shrink, Mel."

She ignores my tone completely and remains calm, which is irritating enough in itself. "How do you feel about having two mates?"

I grind my teeth and reluctantly reply. "Conflicted."

"Care to expand?"

I glare some more. "Part of me is glad that Asper is my mate. Part of me is attracted to Felicity and wants to get to know her." I pause and drag my hand down my face. "I would say that half of me is excited at the prospect of two mates and getting to try this whole mate thing out together."

"And the other half?" My sister probes.

"The other half..." I trail off and try to find it in me to be honest. This is my sister; she's not going to judge me. "Is scared. Scared that people will judge me for having two mates, judge me for being gay. I'm scared that I'm disappointing our parents...and the pack."

Mel gets up from the armchair she is sitting in and comes to sit by me on the sofa. She puts her arm around my shoulders which is a struggle considering the size difference between the two of us. I have to lean down a little to help her.

"Our parents, as lovely as they were and as much as they loved us, were fundamentally flawed in their beliefs," she says firmly. "Look at me, Altus. You have nothing to be scared or ashamed about. I'm not just saying this because you are my brother, but I know you will be a brilliant alpha for this pack."

She lets her words sink in and then continues, "The fact that you haven't taken on our parents homophobia alone is already a good start. I know you wouldn't shun a pack member if they were gay. Nor if they were mated to more than one person. So why are you applying those judgements to yourself?"

I'm scared of disappointing my parents, but it makes no sense because I don't share their views on homosexuality or polyamory. In one minute, Mel has shown me the irrationality in my own feelings.

Why am I putting these judgements on myself when I wouldn't with others?

"I don't know," I mumble. "I guess I never thought I would turn out to be gay."

"Why must you label things, Altus?" She persists. "You have a male mate; it doesn't make you inherently gay. You also have a female mate. What does that make you now? Bisexual? Pansexual? Who knows! Why do you need a label? Love is love. Mates are mates. Stop overthinking and just accept it. The pack could care less about who your mates are, as long as their future alpha is happy and strong."

An alpha is strongest with their mate beside them.

I am at my weakest without Asper and Felicity. I need to sort my shit out and I need to make things right with them. I need to be a good mate to them because Goddess knows I've been a shit one up until this point.

"Thanks, Mel." I twist my body and embrace my sister. "You have no idea how much you've helped."

"Who's joking about the psychology degree now?"

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My palms are sweaty as I knock on the door. I hate feeling nervous. I'm never nervous. My friends would say I'm arrogant...if I had any. I've been keeping everyone at a distance for the last few years, scared that they'll see through the façade I've worked so hard to put up.

I tried so fucking hard to pretend I wasn't missing Asper. To pretend a part of my soul wasn't missing from my body every damn day that he wasn't on the territory. I had to smile and act like everything was perfect with Mare, that we were making the right choice. It was exhausting and I never let anyone close as a result, I was worried they would see the cracks.

But it's done now. I don't have to fake it anymore. The pack is going to see who my mates are and they're going to have to accept it and deal with it or else. I'm going to be their alpha whether they like it or not, although, it would be great if it were the first one. I could do without any more drama this year.

Now, as the first step of being a better mate, I have asked both of my mates out for dinner. Asper texted me to let me know that he would go round to Felicity's, and I could pick the both of them up from here.

The door opens and Felicity is the one that has answered it. Her curls are tied up on her head with a couple loose and framing her face. She's wearing make-up that accentuates her beauty and her lips are coated with deep red lipstick. She's wearing a white evening dress that shows off her dark skin. She looks fucking incredible.

"Wow," the word tumbles from my lips. "You look incredible."

She grins widely. "Thank you so much. You look very handsome."

Asper appears behind her and smiles. "Yes, Al, you do."

I suddenly feel fucking shy at their compliments, and I cough to dispel the emotion. I've not had a guy compliment me before and having Asper do it makes me real nervous.

"Thanks," I reply gruffly. "Ready to go?"

Felicity locks up and I get into the Drako. She ushers Asper towards the passenger seat and gets into the back behind me. Asper gets in next to me. He's wearing a grey shirt and black slacks. I'm wearing the exact opposite, which is completely unintentional.

I've booked us in a private club above the bar I saw the two of them in the other day. It made me burn up with jealousy to see the two of them dancing like that. I know they were putting on a show for me. Whatever they wanted to accomplish, it worked. Even Mare noticed the change in my mood that night.

"I've booked Lucio's," I tell Asper, knowing that he has been to the place.

"Very nice. How did you get in at such short notice?"

I smirk at him, feeling my confidence returning. "Alpha perks."

"Future alpha," Felicity mutters in the back.

I narrow my eyes at her through the rear-view mirror and she smiles mischievously back at me, her eyes fiery and challenging. It seems my mate is a little minx; I'll have to keep my eye on her. If she's looking for a punishment, I'm more than happy to put her in her place.

I park up and the three of us head up the stairs. I state my name at the entrance, and we're lead inside. The server, at my previous request, takes us to the private dining room at the back.

I'm not quite ready to show off my mates to the pack and, seeing as this is our first date, I thought we all might appreciate some privacy as we learn how to navigate this dynamic. I'm still adjusting to this whole thing; I need to be confident before I can start announcing my thruple status.

We're seated around an intimate circular table next to a one-way window that overlooks the high street. There is a pleasant piano concerto playing in the background and the smell of good food, wine and spiced candles fills the room. The lighting is low enough to create an ambiance but not so low that you cannot see your food.

I come here often, so when my mates browse the menu, I watch them. Asper has slicked his hair back and is wearing cologne, which is unlike him from what I can remember. He is making an effort and I like that. I, too, am wearing cologne tonight for the first time in a while.

My eyes drift over to Felicity. She rubs her lips together, spreading out her lipstick. Although the dark colour makes her lips look very tempting, I want to rub it over so that I can taste her sweet mouth. Being the pervert I am, my eyes drop to her breasts. Her white dress cuts into a low-V which shows amble cleavage.

It isn't enough to be considered tasteless but is definitely enough to have my slacks feeling tight around my crotch. There is no doubt in my mind that I am certainly attracted to women, specifically, Felicity. It is strange how my body is equally drawn to and attracted to both of my mates. There is no way to choose or have a preference, my feelings for both are totally equivalent.

Despite knowing Asper for longer and having a history with him, I am drawn to Felicity as much as I am to him. Everything about her intrigues me and I loved the hint I got of her fiery personality earlier. I like being challenged; it makes it all the more fun when I dominate.

Oh, yes, I think I'm going to have fun getting to know my mates. Let's see where the night takes us...

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