He’d pulled it off.

Wilhem would have to give his brother credit for this. Christoph would also remind him of it later, when they were drinking after the festivities. He smirked. The asshole never let him live anything down. Tonight, wouldn’t be any exception. If anything, Christoph brag about it for years to come.

Wilhem glanced around the glass and wood pre-fab venue situated on a parapet of a castle vineyard. Three evenly spaced heaters circled the inner wall, along with a small grouping of tables. Six strategically placed hinges along the back wall concealed a surprise for the guests. At midnight, the enclosures would unlock, and the walls would be pushed open, turning the indoor conservative gala into a midnight rave.

His heart pounded. Anticipation raced through his veins. He’d smack his brother on the back if he stood behind him. Wilhem stepped inside. The string quartet played a soft melody near the stage where the DJ would be in a few hours. Around him, men dressed in tuxedos and women wearing classic ball gowns dazzled in the muted lights. His cock stiffened. Though he doubted this would work, it didn’t stop the hopeful thrum of need working through him either.

Christoph stood near the bar across the dancefloor from where he stood at the entrance. Wilhem strode past people he knew, saying a quick hello, while nodding to those he didn’t recognize. His brother laughed at something an older woman said, before placing a kiss on her cheek.

“Brother,” he said stopping beside him. “You outdid yourself.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Christoph stated, handing him a mixed drink. “Relax and enjoy your night.”

“And you?”

“I’m already having fun, brother.” He smiled. “This is for you.” He squeezed Wilhem’s shoulders. “Father is counting on you.”

He shook his head. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I’m practical. I understand what this night represents. We have to finish this for you.” His brother spread his arms wide. “You have the pick of the women here. Take advantage.”

Wilhem took in his surroundings. “Yeah, sure.”

“Gentlemen.” A lithe, brunette with mocha colored skin and honey-colored eyes, approached them. Her curly hair had been piled on top of her head, allowing some of the tight curls to frame her face. The plunge of her gown drew Wilhem’s eye as did the mite of a woman behind her.

“Hello,” Wilhem answered, stepping forward. Power radiated off the woman, along with a hint of feline. The scent of sage and jasmine drifted from her and went straight to his head. His cat sat up. “I’m Wilhem.”

A sensual smile slide across her lips. “I know.” She glanced over her shoulder at the other woman who smelled of scared hyena. “Happy birthday, king of the jungle.” She winked before gliding away.

“Who is she?” Wilhem all but growled out. His lion wanted her. Wanted to strip her bare and rut with her. He yearned to hear her scream his name while her claws dug into his back. Mate. Hell yes.

Could it be this easy? He shook his head, shocked by the prospect of finding, ‘the one,’ so quickly. It felt odd. Too simple. Wasn’t that what this was for? A mate? To appease their father while also gaining something he wanted? Craved? The games were nice. The women were a perk, but after so many years it’d grown boring for him, now… he had his eye on his prey, and he’d find her.

“I don’t know. Sandy sent the invitations out. She’s got a great eye for women,” Christoph replied. “She is amazing though. Did you smell it. Sage and jasmine.”

He nodded. “Yes.” Wilhem tried to track her through the crowd. However, as quickly as she appeared, she’d disappeared. It didn’t make sense. He gulped down the drink his brother handed him then went on the prowl. He had to find her.

Wilhem never obsessed over women, yet he couldn’t get her scent out of his head. He swore it surrounded him. Every time he took a breath, it lingered just out of his grasp. He followed it. Lifting his head, Wilhem inhaled. He could almost taste her. He groaned. Never had a woman affected him as much as the secretive beauty. Hell, she didn’t even tell them her name. Other than to say happy birthday. Even her voice oozed sex, and what was to come if he could find her.

“Wilhem,” a man said, stopping his hunt.

He glanced up and pasted a smile on his face. “Edmundo, it’s good to see you. Did you bring some of your best wine for us to sample?”

“I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t.” He chuckled. “I see your brother has another one of his schemes working here.”

He shrugged. “He’ll do whatever he can to help me out. I am grateful.” He tapped his foot, impatient to get back out there and search for the woman wearing a dress barely decent enough to be called clothing. When she stepped away from him, he’d glimpses mocha skin and the curve of her hip. Shit. He had to keep a level head.

“Yes. Brothers.” He took a sip of his drink. “Happy hunting.”

Edmundo strolled over to the buffet, allowing Wilhem to continue his quest. A part of him felt horrible for being so intent on the woman rather than the guests who’d gathered there for him. This, as much as it would help him find his mate, was also a birthday party. He had to accept it as such and mingle. Still, he couldn’t stop thinking of her. He’d never felt so out of sorts, or been so twisted over a woman.

Damn it. Get yourself under control. You’re the alpha, they come to you. He snorted, not going to be happening any time soon.

 

Christoph watched his brother take off after the woman who’d dried the spit in his mouth and caused his groin to hurt as though he’d been left hanging after the most incredible blow job. He cursed everything, confounded by his reaction and what it could mean for he and Wilhem.

He’d never been the one the pride expected anything from. Yes, he’d been Wilhem’s twin, but as the second in line, things were different. He’d had fewer restrictions placed on him. He could come and go as he wanted and no one cared. Whereas Wilhem had the best education and went to the best schools, Christoph chose where he wanted to go to school, and most of the time, he couldn’t stand the idea of being parted from his twin.

They had a bond. Most called it a metaphysical reaction. The idea of any distance between them made him anxious. Physically sick. He didn’t sleep well and didn’t eat. His parents figured it out when they were eight when Wilhem had been sent to England for school and Christoph stayed behind.

Two weeks later, he and Wilhem were reunited. This though. He didn’t understand it. The minute the woman stepped up to them, he scented sage and jasmine and felt this insatiable need to keep her near and fuck. It turned his lion inside out. Clawed at his gut, made his heart pound. His knees weak.

This hadn’t been for him though. He pushed the feelings aside and tried to figure out the best way to help his brother find the woman who stole even his breath. Afterwards, he would take the time he needed to understand why he’d been drawn to her and why it was a bad idea to pursue it.

He shoved through the crowd in the general direction of where he’d seen her disappear, but found nothing. She’d disappeared. Evaporated in front of them. He heard a tinkling laughter behind and spun. A petite blonde gasped, startled by his quickness.

“Sorry.” He grimaced. “Have you seen anyone go this way?” Christoph pointed in the direction of the castle.

“No,” she answered. “But, I can pretend I went that way.” The flirtatious edge to her voice was bitter to his senses and he recoiled.

“Not tonight,” he answered, sidestepping her. “Thanks.”

He spotted his brother doing the same as him. He waved to Wilhem and pointed to the bar. They needed to regroup. Take a moment to think about what they were doing. Right now, they were acting like a couple of roosters without their heads.

“Anything?” Wilhem asked.

“Nothing,” Christoph replied.

“Shit,” Wilhem placed his hands on his hips. “She’s the one. I can’t explain it. The urge to mate is strong.”

Yeah. He got it. The same emotions she brought out of his brother were welling inside Christoph, but he wouldn’t put them out there. They never shared bed partners, though the offer had been put out there to them several times. It wasn’t something they even thought about. This woman though… could they?

“We’ll find her. I promise. The night is young. Have fun. I’m sure when you least expect it, she’ll return.” He raised his hand. The bartender approached him. “Two waters.” They had to keep their heads. Drinking could make them sloppy, miss something important.

“Sure. You’re right. Enjoy myself. I can do that.” Wilhem smirked. “Tons of beautiful women. Good music.”

“Now you’re getting it.”

Wilhem laughed. “What about you?”

He shrugged, trying to push away the craving for the woman his brother was meant to mate with. “I’ll find someone.”

“Good. You don’t need to be alone anymore.”

He shrugged. “I’m not the one in charge.”

Wilhem sighed. “You’ll do fine. We’ll do this together, brother. An alpha needs his second. You’ll be mine, and the women will flock to you.”

He didn’t want them. He wanted the beauty who smelled like jasmine and sage. “True, brother. Let’s find your mate.”