27. MATEO

27

MATEO

The cold hits me first—sharp, cutting straight through my skin like blades of ice. I don’t think I’ve ever moved so fast in my life, but when Darius’ growl echoed through the bond, when the raw panic hit me like a punch to the gut, I knew.

Something was wrong.

By the time I burst through the door and out into the night, the darkness stretches around us like a living thing, swirling and alive. It clings to the edges of the world, swallowing everything whole. And there—right in the middle of it—is him.

The figure looming in the shadows, larger than life, his wolf form bleeding into something monstrous. His golden eyes glow, burning into me like he knows every secret I’ve ever tried to bury. A suffocating energy radiates from him, raw and ancient, dark magic curling through the air and sinking into my bones.

For the first time in a long time, I feel fear.

I don’t even register my other mates at first—they’re there, circling like predators, their wolves brushing against the surface as growls ripple through the air. But my focus stays locked on him. The First Alpha.

Pure darkness.

Nepheline’s body is limp in Asani’s arms, her white hair catching faint light from the moon and my heart slams painfully in my chest. “ Neph. ” The word comes out as a whisper, almost drowned out by the wind howling through the clearing.

She doesn’t move.

Rage surges through me like wildfire. My wolf claws to the surface, snarling in my chest, demanding that I end this—whatever this is. I take a step forward, ignoring the warning shouts from River and Remi, and the figure tilts its massive head like it’s amused .

The darkness behind him shifts, rippling , other wolves surrounding him. Dozens of them. Maybe more. Their eyes gleam red in the shadows, bodies twisted and monstrous like something pulled from the pits of hell. Silas’ wolves were bad, but these? These are something worse. They step closer, low growls spilling from their throats, their teeth bared, claws scraping against the ground like they’re preparing to tear us apart.

I don’t think. I move .

“Get her out of here!” I bark, my command hitting them like a slap. I lunge forward, my body already shifting, but as I close the distance, the wolves vanish. Just— gone . The shadows peel away like smoke, pulling back into the figure standing there, still grinning that awful, jagged grin.

River and Remi are at my sides in an instant, their wolves barreling forward, but I throw my voice through the bond, sharp and commanding.

Stand down! Don’t engage!

They halt mid-stride, growls ripping from their throats as they skid to a stop. I turn back to the shadows, my chest heaving as the figure begins to fade —melting into the night like he was never there. His eyes are the last thing to disappear, burning into me with something ancient .

Something final .

And then he’s gone.

The parking lot is still. Silent. But it doesn’t feel empty. The darkness lingers in the air, heavy and alive , like it’s watching us from the shadows, waiting.

My breath is ragged as I turn back toward the others. Asani stands near the edge, his eyes wide, Nepheline cradled against his chest. Her head rests limply on his shoulder, her pale hair spilling like silk over his arm.

“Is she breathing?” I demand, my voice hoarse as I stalk toward them.

Asani nods quickly, though his face is pale, his brow tight with worry. “She’s breathing, but she’s out cold. We need to get her back.”

“Now,” I bite out through the bond, sending the command through to everyone. I’ve never spoken to the entire Nightshades pack before but this is needed. Everyone needs to be aware just how dark things are becoming.

Get to the heart. Immediately.

No one argues.

Darius steps up to take Nepheline, his movements careful as he scoops her from Asani’s arms, holding her like she’s the most fragile thing in the world. He doesn’t say a word, his focus locked on her as he starts walking. Asani follows close behind, his shoulders tense as his gaze flicks to the trees, always watching for another threat.

River shifts seamlessly into his wolf form, taking point ahead of us as Remi moves to my side, his expression grim.

That wasn’t just magic. It wasn’t just evil. The weight of his presence, the raw force he carried, was something I’ve never felt before. It made Silas look like a petty tyrant. It made Calista’s chaos seem like child’s play.

This? This was something older. Something worse.

We make it back to the heart of the packlands in record time, the energy between us thrumming like a live wire. Wolves are already gathering as we emerge from the tree line—Nightshades and Sapphire wolves both, their faces pinched with worry as they sense the tension in the air.

Asani moves ahead to open the door to the packhouse and Darius strides inside, Nepheline still cradled in his arms. Her head lolls faintly, her face pale, but she’s breathing. That’s all that matters.

The heart is full of people—all of them waiting for answers.

The sky hangs heavy with the weight of the evening, the moon a pale crescent hiding behind streaks of clouds. I stand at the head of the packlands’ heart, looking out at the crowd gathered before me—wolves of all ranks and houses, Sapphire wolves mingling with the Nightshades, a fractured force desperately trying to become whole.

I step forward, letting my presence roll over them, my voice cutting through the murmurs like a blade. “The magic is tainted.”

Silence.

The words land heavy, each wolf turning their gaze toward me, waiting for more. I let the moment stretch, let the truth sink in as I scan the crowd—Bo, Elias, River, Asani, Remi, all standing near the front with their heads held high. The rest of the pack watches me with wide eyes, the Sapphire wolves lingering along the edges like they’re waiting for permission to breathe.

“There’s a new darkness trying to overtake the packlands,” I continue, my voice calm but firm, low enough to settle into their bones. “It’s not a myth. It’s not a whisper. I’ve felt it. Some of you saw it tonight and for those who didn’t…” I pause, my gaze hardening as I sweep the crowd. “Trust me when I say it’s real. And it’s coming for us.”

Murmurs ripple through the pack like static, wolves glancing at one another, uncertainty twisting their expressions. I don’t let it fester.

“And it’s not just us it wants,” I add, my voice dropping to something darker, something raw. “It’s trying to steal away our Luna. The Luna. ”

At that, a ripple of outrage runs through the pack—growls and snarls vibrating in the cool night air. I can feel the tension snap like a cord pulled too tight. Good. Let them feel it. Let them understand . Let them see that Nepheline isn’t just meant to bring back the magic but she’s the very legend that so many of us need right now.

“The Pack of the Forbidden’s light wasn’t truly snuffed out,” I continue, driving the truth home. “They’ve been hiding, waiting, building something we still don’t understand. Silas was only a piece of the puzzle.”

A loud voice cuts through the noise. “Then why let any of their wolves in? Why risk it?”

The question rings out like a challenge, but I don’t flinch. I turn toward the voice, a sharp grin curling at the edges of my mouth. “Ah. Should we throw out everyone who followed Calista, then? How about those who followed Kylan?” My gaze sweeps the crowd again. “Do we tear our own apart because of who they used to be? Or do we judge them for who they are now ?”

A beat of silence. No one moves.

I let the words hang before I continue, my voice carrying. “Every wolf has a choice. Loyalty isn’t born—it’s given . And I don’t care where they come from, who they used to follow, or what mistakes they’ve made.” My tone hardens, leaving no room for doubt. “What matters is where their loyalty lies now . Every wolf willing to pledge themselves to this pack, to stand with us against the darkness, will be welcome here.”

The murmurs don’t stop completely, but I see the way the tension begins to break—reluctant nods, wolves exchanging looks that say more than words ever could. It’s not an agreement. Not yet. But it’s acceptance .

I’ll take it.

As the crowd begins to disperse, I keep my gaze steady, my expression vacant of my emotions. But just as the last of the crowd starts to fade, Kehlani steps forward, Victoria and Lawrence at his side. I already know this won’t be a pleasant conversation.

Kehlani folds his arms across his chest, his golden-brown eyes sharp as they meet mine. “Why didn’t you announce it?”

I arch a brow, not in the mood for games. “Announce what ?”

Kehlani’s jaw ticks, his frustration barely restrained. “Nepheline. Her pregnancy. You know the pack would rally behind her. It would give them something to fight for.”

Beside him, Victoria lifts her chin slightly, her calm tone somehow more unsettling than Kehlani’s sharp one. “It’s not hard to notice,” she says softly. “Her scent has changed. A pregnant Omega has a signature that’s… unmistakable to another Omega.”

A growl vibrates low in my chest before I can stop it. The idea of anyone—especially Victoria—scenting that change makes my wolf snarl possessively, but I shove it down, keeping my expression blank. “If they’re not already fighting for the pack,” I reply, “then the presence of new life won’t change anything.”

Victoria tilts her head, studying me like I’m some equation she’s trying to solve. “It wouldn’t just inspire them. It would unite them.”

I laugh under my breath, though there’s no humor in it. “If they need an unborn child to unite them, then we’ve already failed.”

Kehlani looks like he’s about to argue, his mouth opening to push back, but I don’t have the patience for this. The bond flares in my chest—hot and wild, almost feral —and I freeze for half a second, my heart pounding as I feel her. Nepheline. Awake. Awake and struggling .

“Conversation’s over,” I growl, already turning away. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Mateo—” Kehlani starts, but I’m done.

“Figure out where you stand,” I snap, not bothering to look back at them. “But right now? I have a Luna to take care of.”

I push past them, my other mates falling into step beside me as we head for the packhouse. The closer I get, the stronger the bond flares, the tension in it almost unbearable—like it’s vibrating out of control.

“Is she okay?” River asks, his voice tight.

“She will be,” I reply, though I don’t know if that’s true.

Maverick sighs as we reach the pack house. “We need to get Kehlani tested. If there’s even a chance he could be infected with the serum, he needs to know. The least we can do is give him a choice.”

There’s not going to be a good choice. Either he loses his wolf after using the anti-serum or he lets it fester and then we have to kill him. One is a death sentence to himself and the other is a death sentence to his mates.

Just another problem that I have to add to everything else.