12. RIVER

12

RIVER

The clearing is nearly empty now, the energy still clinging to the air like static.

In the chaos that followed, I barely registered my mates surrounding me. Asani was a wall of muscle and fur at my side, his wolf bristling with tension. Mateo stood just ahead of me, his sharp gaze scanning the thinning crowd like he was ready to pounce on anything—or anyone—that posed a threat. Remi hovered close, his hand brushing against mine every so often as if to make sure I was still there.

But Nepheline, Darius, and Maverick were nowhere to be found.

The bonds are chaotic with fear and confusion, a sort of unease hanging in my chest.

The meeting ended on a sour note, with Victoria stepping forward at the last moment to request a private word with Nepheline. It was the kind of thing that should have felt routine, diplomatic even, but it didn’t. Not tonight.

It wasn’t until Mateo dismissed her request and turned to us as the last of the wolves dispersed, that I felt like I was able to breathe again. “They’re safe,” he says, letting out a heavy sigh. “Darius moved her to the pack house before anyone could blink. Maverick followed.”

I hadn’t even seen Darius move. It was like he’d sensed the shift in Nepheline before anyone else and acted on pure instinct. The protective bond between them isn’t just strong—it’s almost feral.

I can feel her emotions now, chaotic and sharp, tugging at the edges of my own composure. There’s no doubt in my mind that she’s pacing in the living room, her voice raised, demanding answers. Demanding to know what Kehlani’s problem is.

My attention snaps back to the present as Asani shifts beside me, his human form towering and unapologetically confident. He doesn’t bother grabbing clothes, the moonlight casting shadows across his bare skin and the sharp planes of his face.

Before I can say a word, his hand cups the back of my neck, pulling me forward, and then his lips are on mine. The kiss is hard and insistent, his teeth grazing my bottom lip before he pulls back just enough to whisper against my mouth. “Are you okay?”

I chuckle softly, the sound rough and slightly panicked as I rest my forehead against his. “I’ll always take a protector if you’re offering.”

His grin is wolfish, his fingers tightening on my neck. “Always.”

I can feel Mateo’s watchful gaze from a few feet away, his silent approval as the tension in my chest begins to ease. Remi moves closer, his touch gentle on my arm, but it’s Asani who commands my full attention. This night feels like it’s the true start of something, being declared Mateo’s voice. None of the wolves from the Nightshades even balked at the command. It was only a few of the Sapphire wolves in our midst and Kehlani.

In fact, not even Victoria or Lawrence seemed to take up issue with that.

Needing a sense of distraction, Mateo’s words from this morning remind me of his promise to Remi. Still in Asani’s arms, I press another kiss to his lips before asking. “What do you say we go for a run?”

“A run?” Confusion runs through his face at the same time his cock thickens against my leg. He’s obviously interested, even more so when his gaze locks onto Remi’s. “Does Biscuit need a little attention?”

Remi lets out a little playful growl just as Mateo wraps himself around the smaller Alpha. I laugh, nodding. “We just want to show him how much he means to us and I couldn’t think of a better Alpha to join us. Let Maverick and Darius take care of our Omega so we can take care of Remi.”

Asani wholeheartedly agrees, eagerly shifting back into his wolf. I don’t wait—I follow, letting the shift take me, my wolf stretching and settling into the rhythm of the night. Together, the four of us run, the packlands stretching out before us, the tension of the meeting left behind as the moonlight guides our path. Tonight isn’t about the Sapphire wolves or the unease they bring.

Tonight is about us.

It’s about love, loyalty, and the bond that holds us together.

And as the wind rushes past, I know one thing for certain—there’s no one I’d rather run with, no one I’d rather fight for than the wolves who stand at my side.

One day it’ll be all of us.

The cool night air rushes past me as I bound through the crystal forest, my wolf’s paws pounding against the earth in perfect rhythm with the others. Mateo runs ahead, his black coat cutting through the shadows like a blade, while Asani and Remi flank him, their coats brushing against each other in playful nudges.

I follow close behind, my eyes locked on the way they move together—fluid, instinctive, connected. My wolf huffs a quiet breath of satisfaction. This is where I belong, with them, in this untamed, sacred space. The moonlight filters through the crystal forest, tree branches glowing faintly as if imbued with the magic of the packlands. The energy here is alive, pulsing, wrapping around us like a comforting embrace.

I push forward, catching up to the others just as Asani lets out a sharp bark of amusement. He nips at Remi’s hind leg, earning a startled yip and a playful growl in return. Mateo slows, allowing Remi to press against his side, their fur blending together in the pale light.

You’re perfect just the way you are. Mateo says through the mindlink, his voice full of warmth and love.

Asani’s voice follows, smoother, softer but no less certain. We see you, Remi. You’re everything this pack needs.

Remi’s energy shifts, his playful movements slowing as he leans into Mateo and Asani, their presence anchoring him. My wolf lets out a quiet rumble of approval and I feel a pang of relief.

I’d been worried about Asani at first. Worried he wouldn’t pick up on the subtleties, on the unspoken need Remi has to submit when the world gets too loud. But I shouldn’t have been. Asani saw it before any of us did. Remi has always gone to him when he needs quiet strength, when he needs grounding. And Asani, for all his sharp edges, has always given it without hesitation.

We keep running, our bodies moving as one, a blur of fur and limbs as we skirt the edge of the packlands. The magic of the veil shimmers faintly in the distance, a thin film of energy that pulses with a quiet hum. My wolf stirs, the pull of the magic both comforting and strange, but I push the thought aside.

The forest begins to thin as we reach the outskirts of the territory, the trees giving way to open spaces and scattered rocks. I slow, the scent of fresh water catching my attention. I round a corner, my paws skidding slightly as I come to a sudden halt. Before me is a brook, the water shimmering faintly under the moonlight. It’s small, tucked away in a curve of the forest, and yet it feels… different.

I shift back into my human form, my feet sinking slightly into the soft earth as I crouch beside the water. The others follow, their bodies morphing seamlessly as they join me.

“What is it?” Mateo asks as he steps closer.

I shake my head, dipping my fingers into the brook. The water is warm, almost unnaturally so, a faint glow radiating from the small stones scattered along the bottom.

“I’ve run through this area for years,” I say, my voice tinged with confusion. “I’ve never seen this before.”

Asani crouches beside me, scanning the water. “It’s warm,” he murmurs, his hand brushing against mine as he tests the temperature. “And the stones…” He trails off, his fingers brushing against one of the glowing rocks.

Mateo kneels beside us, his brows furrowed. “The magic here feels different. It’s faint, but it’s… alive.”

“It feels like it’s calling to something,” Remi says softly. He steps closer, his arms wrapping around himself as he stares at the brook.

My chest tightens, a strange mix of curiosity and unease settling over me. I scoop a handful of water into my palm, letting it trickle through my fingers as the warmth seeps into my skin. “We’re bringing Nepheline here. All of us. One of us. Fuck this place is beautiful.

Asani’s lips quirk into a faint smile. “She’d love it.”

Before I know it, I’ve slipped into the brook, the water coming up to my chest. It feels like a breath of fresh air, magic coursing through my veins as I dip my head below the surface and then stand up again. My mates aren’t far behind, each of us enjoying this little piece of paradise. Mateo swims over to Remi, capturing him in his arms.

“You are so precious, Remi,” Mateo whispers before kissing the smaller Alpha, drawing a moan from Remi. A shiver runs down my spine as I watch them together, everything else forgotten until Asani roughly wraps an arm around my waist and drags me back against his chest.

He slides his free hand down my stomach and grabs my cock, firmly pumping my length a few times. “You didn’t think I was just going to watch, did you?” Asani purrs in my ear, nibbling on the lobe. I sag against him, pleasure already shooting through my limbs as his cock thickens against my ass. Those piercings remind me of the first time Asani took me and I can’t wait to feel him inside of me again soon.

Mateo is just as rough with his touches, Remi getting lost in our pack Alpha’s embrace. It isn’t long before he has Remi braced over the edge of a large rock, his hips wildly driving forward. There’s no pain in Remi’s expression but I can’t imagine that’s comfortable. Asani laughs behind me, his lips moving to the side of my neck and then to the bite on my shoulder. “Mateo’s not inside of him, pup.”

My face heats at the pet name, one that Asani hasn’t mentioned in a while. Granted, we haven’t had a moment like this and I’m torn between loving it and hating it. Then the rest of Asani’s words register as a groan falls from my lips, my hips jerking to meet Asani’s hand.

He’s not inside of him.

I crane my neck to see that Mateo’s cock is driving in between Remi’s thighs, Mateo’s hand firmly wrapped around the smaller Alpha’s length, both of them finding their pleasure in this brook. Fucking hell, that’s hot.

Asani’s laughter continues as he grips the front of my neck, slowly rocking his hips against my ass. His cock begins to slide between my cheeks, catching the edge of my hole before moving between my thighs. His tip stretches me out just barely before sliding away, making me feel empty and angry at the same time. Unfortunately, without lube or spit or something other than water, there’s no fucking way I’ll be able to take him.

My release comes suddenly, warmth spilling against my back soon after. Asani kisses my neck again before I stumble forward, needing a moment. Remi doesn’t though. His face is torn up in bliss, two Alphas surrounding him and giving him everything he needs. My best friend and lover looks beautiful like this, those precious moans falling from his lips.

I’ve missed them—didn’t even know how much I did—and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us as Remi finds where he belongs best. Images of Nepheline pregnant fill my mind, Remi making the perfect daddy, the same way Ilsa did in private. Ilsa was always all hard edges and Alpha for the pack but at home, with Mateo? I’ve never seen a sweeter parent than him and Gael.

A brief sadness sweeps through me before it disappears, Remi crying out under the moonlight as he comes. Asani and Mateo continue ravaging him, touching, caressing, and kicking until he’s squirming for relief. He slips from between them, making a beeline over to me as if I can save him. He tackles me into the water, landing a fat kiss on my lips, both of us laughing as we try to escape the Alphas prowling toward us.

We all have our animalistic instincts, wanting to chase but Asani and Mateo’s are on another level. We don’t make it very far into the grass, Asani grabbing my ankle and dragging me back against him. This feels like a game, one I’m not determined to win as Asani places his hand in front of my face, wiggling his fingers. I snort at the obvious demand, darting my tongue out to lick his palm.

His growl vibrates against my shoulder as I give in, liberally coating his palm with spit. Asani nibbles on my shoulder as I push up onto my hands and knees laughing when I see Remi in nearly the same position. He’s still blissed out, his lips parted as Mateo roughly fucks him open, our Alphas seemingly racing each other to be inside of us first.

My face contorts as two fingers soon make their way to three and then four, the tip of his cock pressing against my hole seconds later. “Spit again, pup,” Asani growls, easing the slide before he thrusts into me. Each and every last piercing slides against my channel, his knot pulsating against my ass. Fucking hell, it’s been too long since my Alphas have fucked me.

The pain gives way to pleasure as I look up to see Remi gasping into the night air, his eyes nearly glowing red, the same as Mateo’s. The energy is supercharged as our Alphas fuck into us, every last thrust seemingly more powerful than the first.

Asani grips my hips for better purchase, his claws extending slightly, digging into my flesh just enough to send shivers down my spine. I love the feeling of his claws, a reminder of the wild beast within the both of us. His full balls slap against my ass every time he sinks inside of me, my need for him to fill me growing.

The primal lust swirling in the air grows as I look up to meet Mateo’s gaze. He’s claiming Remi, demanding the smaller Alphas’ submission. Everything about this moment makes me want to howl at the moon, to let the world know the pleasure running through my body. As Mateo's pace quickens, so does Asani’s, my own release building.

I reach down to grab my own cock, using pre cum to jerk myself off.

And then I feel it. Asani’s cock thickens inside of me, his knot swelling as he pushes it forward, stretching me forward. He lets out a deep, guttural howl, the sound echoing through the night. His claws dig further into my hips, leaving small marks on my skin, as he comes, filling me up. The sensation is overwhelming, my own orgasm taking me by surprise.

And that’s when I realize this moment is more than just showing Remi how loved he is. It’s a reclaiming of power. A howl releases into the air, followed by another, Mateo half-shifting before my very eyes. His hips are still rocking against Remi’s but they’re locked together, even as fur sprouts down the back of Mateo’s spine and his eyes turn that deep red.

Asani is changing too. I can feel the way his cock thickens further, his heavy breaths turning more into soft growls. It feels like magic is coursing through my veins, mixed with pleasure even as I’m on my knees, knotted by a beast.

Their howls grow louder as they lose themselves to their wolves, Remi and I sharing a silent moment before we throw our heads back and join in the howl. The partial shift overtakes me as well, the strength of my wolf present in this human form. Asani’s hips start moving again, fucking me even as we’re tied together, ramping me up to another release.

I’m not sure I’ll survive another but the strength of our bond and the magic makes me want more.

The magic is changing , I push out, unable to find my words. Asani is going to split me in half if he shifts. Fuck, I’m not into that.

There’s a hearty, animalistic laugh behind me, Asani’s cock jerking inside of me as I come again.

Remi grins up at me, his fingers dug into the earth as he rocks back against Mateo. He’s enjoying every last minute of this, being stuffed full by our Alphas. I wouldn’t mind watching him be knotted by both our Alphas one day.

The moment passes, Asani and Mateo maneuvering us onto our sides but the silence remains, adding to the little paradise we’ve found. I make a note to keep this to ourselves for the time being—a solace just for us.