4. NEPHELINE

4

NEPHELINE

The howling steals my attention from the large pile of pancakes waiting for syrup. Remi tries to reach for me but I skirt around the kitchen island and back into the hallway to see Asani shifted into his wolf. His mouth is open in a nasty snarl as he throws his head back again, responding to a howl that shouldn't be possible. I remember times like that when my brother would respond to my father miles away with an immediate shift. It wasn't even about power or status.

It was about recognition.

Like recognizes like.

Which means…

My eyes widen as I rush over to my Alpha, my hands sinking into his fur. My other mates share warning growls, the sound reverberating through the room. I ignore them as I focus on Asani, trying to understand what just changed and if the man I'm looking for is truly just out there in the space between our packs. "Alpha?" I ask, my entire body responding to the rumbling sound running through Asani's wolf. "He's out there, isn't he?"

His wolf moves forward, his nose rubbing across my cheek. My fingers dig in farther, the need to shift and follow him growing. River is faster, however, as he runs an arm around my stomach and pulls me back. Asani bows his head toward me in an act of respect before rushing out the back door. I open my mouth to protest that Silas is mine when Mateo's body steps into my vision.

"Not today, princess."

"I was just-"

He steps closer, his hands moving to cup my cheeks before lifting my gaze to his. "Nepheline, this has nothing to do with your Omega status and everything to do with the target on your back. You are more precious than you give yourself credit for. We'll figure this shit out and you're going to sit down and eat pancakes." A kiss is pressed to my lips before he shifts and darts out the back door that Asani left through, a door that is now hanging off its hinges in Asani's haste.

River tugs me a little closer and I lean back against his chest, hating that my designation is keeping me from being right there beside my Alphas. As if Maverick can read my mind, he steals me from River and leads me to the living room. "Silas is still yours. You've made it very clear to all of your Alphas that you will be the one to drive the stake into his heart. Now, sit down so we can stuff your face. Remi made you breakfast."

I narrow my gaze at Maverick and then River as I plop down into my makeshift nest on the floor. I will never deny myself Remi's breakfast but I'm still agitated that I'm not out there. A few weeks ago, I would have never listened to anyone about my safety. I would have been out that door before Asani was, racing toward that sound without any regard for my life. Remi returns with a few plates and a mound of pancakes. There's a spread of sausage and bacon as well but my appetite isn't here.

Especially when River reminds me why I'm so special.

"You ready for tomorrow, sweetie?" I steal a pancake and stare at it before frowning. "Tomorrow's your first real day as Luna. You'll meet the council and speak to the pack as Mateo's mate."

My heart drops into my stomach at the thought of leading a pack. It has always been the goal. I've been trained since I was little to submit and give myself over to an Alpha. That was before I found out my Alpha was Mateo. That was before I found out that I was mated to more than just one man. That was before my entire life was turned upside down and I was left with nearly nothing. A week ago when I tore Flynn apart and accepted my position at Mateo's side, it felt so surreal.

It doesn't feel like that anymore.

Because it's not just a pack and my Alphas that I've acquired.

It's the betrayal and the magic returning to the pack lands. It's the wolves that want to destroy this pack for their own selfish reasons and an evil mother-in-law who had a hand in my father's death.

"Nepheline?"

I look up from my seat on the floor and sigh. I've tangled myself up in the blankets and pillows, finding comfort in my mates' lingering scents, one of Asani's old shirts pressed up to my nose. This Omega bullshit is inconvenient. It was much easier with that serum running through my veins when I could lean into my anger and my aggression rather than my need to be surrounded by the men I've fallen in love with.

My gaze meets three concerned Alphas as I drop the shirt and reach for the discarded pancake. I stuff half of it into my mouth, trying to focus on anything other than the looming position. My Omega can't forget, though, and she's terrified we won't do it right. "I told you all I was going to be a terrible Omega, that I didn't know how to be one." I stuff the rest of the pancake into my mouth, every last thought running through my head. My cheeks puff out, Remi about to start giggling. He loves it when I go 'chipmunk' but this isn't the time. "How can I possibly be a good Luna?"

Lead a pack? How can I do that when my entire existence is focused on killing Silas, Calista, and Kylan? I'm sure Mateo knows I'm after his mother but I need them all dead. I need their heads on a stick to show everyone that my pack isn't one to be messed with. I need to be there when they breathe their last to piece together a part of my broken heart. Hell, I even want to watch Pierson's blood spill across the snow.

Silence meets my question but I don't need to hear my mates to know that they completely support me. Maverick gathers me off the floor and into his lap as River and Remi close in until I'm surrounded by their warmth. "You will be the most amazing Luna, kitten. I can feel it. But that's a problem for later. Right now? You're going to let us feed you and pamper you to your heart's content."

"Yeah?" I push out. I try not to focus on the fact that Silas is within my reach and instead on the three willing Alphas with heat in their eyes and hands caressing my bare skin.

Remi nods enthusiastically as he sets up a plate just for me and hands it to Maverick before sitting in front of us on the floor. "Be a good girl, sunshine, and then I'll get my fill." His eyes dip to my knees which are slightly parted as I spread myself across Maverick's lap. A moan falls from my lips as slick gathers between my thighs.

So. Fucking. Inconvenient.

But if Remi is offering, who am I to say no? I open my mouth like a good little birdie, my three Alphas laughing in response. Hopefully, Asani will be bringing Silas back for me to play with after breakfast.