CHAPTER 5

The bonfire party seemed to sneak up on us. After staying up late watching movies, I woke up just after midday. I somehow still managed to get to the pack house early and spend some time with River before we needed to get ready.

Guests wouldn't start to arrive until around 6pm and my stomach was growling in hunger when River greeted me at the door. Celeste and I shared a car, so when I'd stay at the pack house she'd often drop me off or River would pick me up. After a bonfire party he'd usually always drive me home the next night since we'd both down a few drinks and sleep-in until noon, lazing around in bed for most of the day. And doing a little more than sleeping—his drive was always higher after a full moon, his animal side taking the lead.

River waved at my sister from the door as she drove away. Despite our conversation, she smiled back with a small wave like she usually would. I was worried that she might have some newfound hesitation towards him after last night but was relieved that she didn't, or at least didn't make it obvious.

"We need to get my angel fed, ASAP," he chuckled when he heard the rumble that came from deep within my body.

I lifted on my tippy toes to give him a kiss. "Yes please." I smiled sheepishly at him and he immediately scoped me up, walking me inside and to the large open kitchen. I took in his familiar scent and the warmth of his large biceps curled around me. He set me down at one of the island stools and began rummaging through the fridge. He was in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, leaving his brawny back and defined bulky muscles on display for me to ogle at like I so often did. His golden bronze skin was illuminated by the light that seemed to always fill this kitchen.

The table was full of vegetables, cheeses, flour and sausages within a few minutes, River rolling out dough to make pizzas. If he was sexy normally, covered in flour and tossing up pizza dough was a whole other level. It was unfair really—the moon goddess or whoever they believed in blessed him well.

We played music and laughed and sang as we made our lunch. I chopped up the toppings and sauced the bases while Riv cooked the sausages. I tried—and failed miserably—to throw the dough like he had but that only resulted in more laughter. And River took great pleasure in putting flour all over my nose as punishment for dropping our food. I was good at cooking and loved to eat but he was definitely the talented one out of the two of us.

While the pizzas cooked in the oven, River leaned over the kitchen bench, his durable arms pushing him forward so he could reach my lips. He kissed me passionately.

"Are we okay, angel?" He asked when he eventually pulled away. His eyes, so full of concern, bored into me.

"Perfectly." I smiled up at him. I would tell him how I felt, but not now. We had other things to worry about today, and I didn't want to bring down the mood for the bonfire—for either one of us. It was meant to be a night of pure, unadulterated celebration and fun. A night to honour pack and belonging. To let go of your inhibitions and be free.

So that's what I'd do tonight, no worrying about things outside of my control. Especially ones that had nothing to do with me.

The smell of dough and sauce filled the space when River opened the oven not long later. As the mouthwatering aroma filled the air, I was reminded just how hungry I was. It was mid-afternoon now and I hadn't had anything all morning except for coffee.

Riv cut the pizza up and transported it onto a wooden board which he carried to the dining table. I followed like a starved puppy, salivating at the mouth. The large circular dining table was made from a light oak, and like the rest of the house it looked out to the surrounding pines.

I pulled up my chair directly across from my perfect wolf and we dug in eagerly. It was probably his third meal for the day but with that appetite of his, he ate it as if it was his first and he was starved. I sat with one leg up on my chair, the other casually swinging as I lowered the slice into my mouth. River laughed at me with a twinkle in his eye and we fell into our normal effortless conversation as we lazed around the table and grazed on our food. Soon we'd have to get things started for tonight but for the moment, it was just him and I. Content and happy—like we didn't have a care in the world or a million things lingering between us.

???

There was a slight evening breeze as I walked up to River with a platter of meat to cook. When I reached him, I kissed him on the cheek and he wrapped his free arm around me, the other holding the tongs he was using for the barbecue

"I really need to get you that ‘Kiss the Cook' apron," I smiled up at him.

He grinned back at me wholeheartedly. "I wouldn't be opposed to it."

Zander who was by his side flipping patties cut in, his dark curly hair falling carelessly over his eyes as his focus remained on the food. "I wouldn't be opposed to one from you either, Vee." He chuckled to himself. "I think I'd look pretty good in nothing but an apron. These buns are too good to keep to myself. And I don't mean the ones I'm currently cooking. Don't you think?" He looked up and beamed at me.

"Watch it," River growled as he swatted his arm which only caused Zander to grin wider, pleased that he had succeeded in annoying his friend.

Zander was an extremely attractive guy; tall, broad, athletic and charming, with beautiful mixed features given his Korean and English ancestry. But he thoroughly embodied the jock/frat boy vibe. So, I learnt to ignore his antics most of the time.

I could unfortunately picture him in only an apron, butt out, all too clearly and I did not need that image in my mind. The thought sent shivers up my spine, and not the good kind that would have danced across my skin and through my body if it was River I was imagining.

Putting the thought away, I slowly turned away from them, surveying the guests that had arrived. Some were at the table picking at the array of food and filling their plate. Some flocked around the bonfire, the amber embers warming them while gilding their faces in gold. Some danced, flaying their limbs and swaying their bodies mindlessly to the acoustic music that sounded from a small group of musicians gathered in a circle. Others huddled and communed in deep conversation, drinks gracing their hands as they socialised.

Everyone had a place. Everyone belonged. Not one person was left on their lonesome. And that was what I loved most about the pack. That was the beauty of it.

But while I was never alone, I did sometimes wonder where exactly my place was. There was only so much I could do as a human dating the alpha. They wholeheartedly accepted me. But I didn't really have a purpose.

It was something that I was sure we'd figure out along the way.

I spotted Axel walking towards us, two beers in his hand as he approached, his arm swung over the shoulders of Aubrey. He had found his mate last summer, a pretty, petite blonde who was nice but basically the opposite to Axel in almost every way. She was a tad high-strung and possessive where he was chill and easy going. She was also a little self-centred and had been that way as long as I'd known her. But thankfully Axel was like a loyal puppy dog and was the perfect match for her; trustworthy, empathetic and patient. She had grown up in the neighbouring town where a few other packmates were from, so she didn't go to school with us but we crossed paths quite often. Being a few years younger, the mate bond didn't kick in until she shifted last year.

We got along fine but she wasn't the type of girl I'd have a movie night with or take on a shopping spree. She was a little too preppy for me, but nevertheless we were on friendly terms.

She gave me what seemed like a slightly forced smile as they approached.

Axel didn't seem to notice as he pulled away from her and handed his second beer to Riv.

"I come bearing gifts for being late. Hope I'm forgiven, Alpha." He smiled effortlessly, everyone grinning back at him. He had a way with people, always making them feel comfortable. I loved the lightness he brought to the party, which was part of the reason I enjoyed hanging out with him so much.

He embraced River in a bro hug and fist bumped Zander before pulling me in for a hug. "Vee, so nice to see you as always."

"Likewise, Axel." I smiled warmly at him and then went in to hug Aubrey. "You too, Aubrey." I felt like I needed to try a little harder with her.

We settled into conversation and I stood by Aubrey's side for a good thirty minutes while she talked about the dinner she was having at the country club for her upcoming birthday. I couldn't have been more uninterested but I pretended to be for her sake—but mostly for Axel's. He was too sweet to ever let down and I knew it meant a lot to him when I made time for her.

The boys continued to cook and eventually, to my relief, Skylar joined us, taking some of the pressure off me. When the guys had finished cooking and the barbecue had been cleaned, everyone gathered around the bonfire. Skylar and I had bought out some cushions and blankets and we layered them around so everyone had a place to sit and relax. The guitarists continued to play their sweet melodies and the hum of chatter and laughter filled the toasty air. We made smores and told stories and before we knew it midnight, creeped up on us.

River got up and dusted himself off, standing before his pack and their loved ones. Zander and Axel flanked each side. With a beer in hand Riv's smooth voice traversed across the clearing. "My pack, thank you for joining me tonight." He flashed his charming, effortless smile. "It's always a pleasure getting to spend this time with you all and I look forward to it every month. Thank you for the company, the laughs and the bonding. As the full moon reaches its apex, I invite you all to shift with me. Join me for this pack run to solidify our bond, and in turn make this unit stronger." He tipped his drink towards them and joined them in taking a final sip for the night before they handed over control to their beasts.

With that, he pulled off his shirt. When he was fully unclothed, his eyes found mine at the back of the crowd and he gave me a soft smile and nod before his body visibly quivered. The quick momentary goodbye had become a ritual between us before a shift.

His eyes changed first, similar to his normal golden honey colour but elongated with a dark amber glow. Within seconds the fur that started to cover his arms engrossed his whole body and he bent over. I heard the subtle snapping of bones and peeled my eyes away, not wanting to see him in pain, even though he'd mastered his shifting and hardly felt a thing anymore. By the time I looked back, I was staring at the largest, most beautiful wolf—one that I'd never tire of seeing. He was more than half my height, just a tad larger than an average wolf and his dark coat starkly contrasted the warm light in his eyes.

His deliciously silky fur reflected the same tonal shades of his hair, somewhere between black and brown with each sleek strand a variation in colour. From first glance it mostly appeared black but when the light hit it, just like his luscious locks, it shone with a few hues of warm brown—particularly in the markings around his eyes, chest and legs. I thought about how many times I'd run my fingers through it over the years and longed to do so now. Unfortunately, it would have to wait until he returned.

The others began to follow suit. Nudity was so normal amongst wolves but it still always made me blush so I subtly lowered my gaze to the ground as they all undressed and one by one called on their wolves.

Coats of all different shades and tones filled the clearing, from grey to red and everything in between. As always, I looked on in awe with a few other humans like me who were just as bewildered. I didn't think it was something we'd ever truly get used to. It would never lose its wonder.

Beside River stood his loyal Beta and Delta. The trio looking powerful and majestic.

Zander's large human form and build were mirrored in his red and brown wolf, the autumnal colours warm and fiery. Most of his coat was a medium brown with red tones sprinkled around his ears, eyes and back. Darker brown contoured his face and body while the underside was a mix of sandy beige and white. His eyes transformed from his usual dark brown to a light orange that seemed to stare into your soul. He was brawny and strong looking—a defender to his alpha. Tough and capable; the enforcer.

Contrastingly, Axel's sandy wolf was more lithe in stature, keeping him fast and nimble. In addition to being the third strongest in the pack, Axel was the tracker and messenger. He protected with his strong instincts, even temperament and ability to hunt. And his speed didn't hurt when it came to running messages between their pack and others.

In his wolf form, his eyes were a liquidy citrine mix but his natural human blue appeared in a ring just around his pupils, making them look striking and unique. White markings flecked his fur and somehow his wolf still gave off that same charismatic, friendly energy, especially in comparison to Riv and Zander whose wolves had more of a dominating presence. Axel felt more like a domestic, loyal pet that you wanted to pat. But he knew when to be serious and focused.

Aubrey stood close to her mate as an Eta warrior in training; her fair blonde and white coat a beautiful match to Axels', her eyes a mesmerising greenish olive.

Not too far off from her pack leaders was Skylar's gorgeous multi-coloured wolf. Her slender form was adorned with a muted contrast of brown, grey and cream fur, the lighter patches mostly on the lower half of her snout and along the underside of her belly and legs. The colours matched the mousey brown shades of her hair. To no surprise, her wolf"s eyes were the same striking shade of sky blue. She was beyond stunning; the war general. A Zeta wolf; fierce and domineering.

River's wolf momentarily locked eyes with mine, making sure he knew where I was and that I was safe. He held my gaze for another beat and then his head snapped up towards the moon. The unified howl of the wolves sounded; both chilling and magical, sending goosebumps along my arms and all down the length of my spine.

And then they were off, disappearing in a rapid blur through the thick brush of the pines.

???

Just over an hour later, River's magnificent wolf trotted back through the treeline and straight for me. I watched him eagerly, not taking my eyes off him as I sat on one of the cushions, chatting to a few stragglers and a couple of wolves that had returned earlier. River was always the last to return, making sure everyone got back safely.

Once he approached, he nuzzled my neck with his nose. And on that cue, everyone made themselves scarce, leaving us to have a moment to ourselves.

I twined my fingers through his soft fur as he continued to nestle himself closer to me. After a few moments, his body quivered again and I was face to face with the man—in all his naked glory.

I wasn't complaining.

He rested his forehead on mine for a beat, taking in a few breaths. Then he grabbed my face, cupping both sides, and kissed me intensely. I kissed him back. Giving him my all.

If I didn't remember that people were still around, I had no doubt that he would have undressed me right there on the cushions. Shifters often lacked the same decency that humans did, and honestly no one else would have cared. But I pulled away momentarily to check who was still around. So attuned to me, River knew exactly what I was thinking. He gave me a few final kisses as he continued to hold my face. And then he scooped me up and carried me into the pack house and directly to his room, laying me down on the rug before the fireplace.

It didn't take him long to get my clothes off.

We made love on the rug; passionate, amorous and so full of emotion.

It was everything we needed in that moment.