Page 27 of Luna's New Reign
From the corner of the room, Asani smirks, his sharp gaze flicking between us. “I can do a thorough examination later if you’d like.” He springs a wolfish grin, desire filling the bond. Mybody responds immediately, my scent sweetening, each of my mates leaning forward.
A frustrated groan leaves my lips as I throw my hands up in the air and then march up the stairs, hoping that I can sleep off whatever is happening to me. I make it three steps before I return to the living room and drag Darius with me. Everyone bursts out laughing as I throw them the middle finger.
16
MATEO
The kitchen is dimly lit, shadows clinging to the edges of the cabinets, the hum of the refrigerator the only sound as Asani and I step inside. I lean against the counter, letting out a slow breath as I roll my shoulders, trying to shake off the tension clinging to me like a second skin.
Asani heads for the sink to pour himself a glass of water and I watch him silently, the weight of everything hanging heavy between us. The changes in Nepheline, the threat of another Alpha, the possibility of Locke being alive—it’s too much, too fast. And yet, here we are.
“You alright?” Asani breaks the silence as he sips from his glass.
I snort softly, shaking my head. “Not even close.”
He smirks, though the humor doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Didn’t think so.” He sets the glass down, leaning against the counter opposite me, his dark gaze steady. “You haven’t said much since the forest.”
The memory of earlier—of running with Remi and River, of feeling the wind in my fur, the bonds between us strong and alive—unfolds in my mind. For a little while, things were simple as we loved each other. We werefree. Just us, just the quiet rhythm of paws on the earth and hearts beating in sync as I claimed my mates.
“It was good,” I admit. “Needed it. Remi especially. I think we all need a heavy dose of normalcy.”
Asani hums, pushing himself up to sit on the edge of the counter. His broad shoulders are relaxed, but there’s an edge to him, a coiled tension I can feel even from here. “It’s her, isn’t it?” he says quietly, and I don’t need to ask who he means. “Nepheline.”
I glance up at him, nodding slowly. “She’s changing. I see it every time I look at her.”
“Same,” Asani mutters, running a hand through his hair. “Staring into her eyes… it’s like staring into magic itself.”
“It is,” I admit. “She’s…” I trail off, searching for the right words. “She’s beautiful. Powerful. She doesn’t even realize it yet, but it’s there. I can feel it.”
Asani’s gaze sharpens, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “And terrifying,” he says softly.
I flinch slightly becausehe’s right. Nepheline is beautiful and powerful, but behind that beauty, there’s fear. I see it in the way her hands tremble when she thinks no one is watching. I hear it in her voice when she talks about Locke and the pack of the Forbidden. It’s happening too quickly for her to process.
“She’s terrified. I don’t blame her. Who could?”
The room feels smaller than it should, the kitchen shrinking with every unspoken word hanging between me and Asani. The tension is thick, a live wire crackling through the air as he sits across from me, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
“But she has all of us. Look, Mateo, if we’re not on the same page as a family first,nothing else is going to work,” Asani says, his voice steady but sharp, like he’s trying to rein it in.
My wolf stirs immediately, pacing beneath my skin, the hairs on the back of my neck rising at his tone. I don’t know if he’s challenging me or something else entirely, but it cuts too close to the bone. My eyes narrow, the primal part of me inching closer to the surface. “Weareon the same page,” I snap, my voice low, a dangerous edge curling around the words. “Or we wouldn’t still be standing here, would we?”
Asani shakes his head, frustration flickering in his dark eyes. “You’re hearing me, but you’re notlistening,Mateo. I’m saying—”
“Iamlistening,” I growl, stepping closer, the dominance in my voice rising involuntarily. My wolf is pushing forward, restless, claws just beneath the surface.
Asani doesn’t back down. “Step down,” he says softly, the words calm but firm.
That’s all it takes.
A growl rips from my chest before I can stop it, the sound reverberating through the room. “What did you say?”
Asani’s face shifts almost immediately, regret flashing in his eyes. “Shit—” He lifts his hands slightly, his voice calmer now. “I overstepped. I didn’t mean it like that.”
But it’s too late. My wolf is clawing for control, furious at even the hint of a challenge, and I’m already crossing the room before I register moving. Asani doesn’t step back, doesn’t even flinch.
I pin him against the wall, my forearm pressed hard against his chest, teeth bared, growl still rumbling low in my throat. My wolf snarls for dominance, for submission, forsomethingto satisfy the simmering rage. Asani meets my eyes, his breathing steady but fast, like he knows exactly what’s happening and doesn’t care. His calm only makes my wolf push harder.
“You think I don’t know what I’m doing?” I snarl, my face just inches from his. “You think I’m not putting this family first?”