Page 33 of Luna's New Reign
I huff, crossing my arms as I watch him. “I don’t see why I can’t celebrate. Maverick—”
“Maverick’s body is having a hard time adjusting,” Darius interrupts, glancing over his shoulder with a pointed look. “We’ve had our wolves since we were born. He’s just finding his beast. You, on the other hand, need to relax. That’s what this is for.”
I pout harder, though the steam from the water is already starting to work its magic on me. “I’m relaxed,” I lie.
Darius raises a brow, unamused. “You’re about as relaxed as a cornered wolf.”
I snicker at that, the front door opening and cutting off my response. The deep rumble of Mateo’s voice and the lighter tones of River and Remi filter up toward us, followed by the sound of boots being kicked off and jackets tossed aside.
“Company’s here,” I murmur, a playful lilt in my voice.
Darius rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Stay put,” he warns, pointing at me like I’m some unruly child before he grabs a towel and starts setting it near the tub. It’s not even a full minute later when Remi peeks his head around the bathroom door, his hair tousled from wherever he’s been. His face lights up the second he sees me.
“Well, would you look at this?” Remi drawls, stepping into the bathroom like he owns the place. “Darius hogging bath time again?”
I smirk, leaning back on my hands. “Apparently, I need to relax.”
Darius gives him a look that saysdon’t start,but Remi grins like the devil himself. “Can I get dibs?”
Darius snorts, unable to hide the chuckle that escapes him. “You want in? Fine. You can help her relax.”
I roll my eyes as Remi pulls off his shirt and makes an exaggerated show of stepping toward the tub. “Oh, you’re so generous, Darius,” he says, winking at me.
The water is warm, lapping gently against my skin as I sink deeper into the bath, Remi’s arms wrapped snugly around me. He sits behind me, his chest firm against my back, his steadybreathing soothing in the quiet room. He’s settled into the role he’s perfected—comfort, softness, the solid rock I didn’t know I needed until him.
I lean my head back against his shoulder, the tension in my body slowly unraveling with every minute I spend in his arms. He hums softly, the deep, lazy sound vibrating through me, his lips brushing against the curve of my neck.
“You’re quiet,” he murmurs, like he’s worried I might shatter if he speaks too loud.
I sigh, lifting my hands just enough to let droplets trail back into the water. “I’m sorry, Remi.”
He freezes for a second before tilting his head to look down at me. “Sorry for what, sunshine?” His tone is light, playful, but there’s something else there—concern lingering at the edges.
“For not spending more time with you,” I say softly, the words catching in my throat. “With any of you.”
Remi’s response is immediate, a warm chuckle that vibrates through me as he tightens his hold. “You’re apologizing forwhat?” he teases, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Sunshine, you’re one person. You’ve got a lot of us to deal with. We can’t expect you to be everywhere at once.”
I twist slightly to look up at him, his face still close, his smile soft and teasing. “That’s not the point. I feel like I’m being pulled in so many directions, and—” I stop, chewing on my lip. “I don’t want any of you to feel like I’m leaving you behind.”
His smile softens further and he tilts his head, his nose brushing gently against mine. “We don’t feel that way. I don’t, at least. You’ve got a lot on your plate, sunshine. Alot.And I mean, yeah, we’d all love to keep you tucked away and selfishly soak up every second of your time, but we also know better.” He grins, kissing the corner of my mouth. “Besides, we’re not the jealous type.”
I let out a breathy laugh at that, leaning into him. “But what if I don’t want to be alone?” I whisper. “What if I don’t want to have time to myself at all?”
Remi tilts his head slightly, his gaze searching mine as his teasing fades into something more serious. “Then you won’t be,” he says, like it’s the simplest truth in the world. “We’ll be right here, sunshine. Always.”
The conviction in his voice makes my chest ache and I glance down, watching as my fingers trail idly over his arm, tracing the faint scars and veins. “I used to be fine being alone, you know,” I admit softly, the confession tumbling out before I can stop it. “Months ago, before everything, I was fine doing it all by myself. I thought I didn’t need anyone.”
“And now?” Remi prompts, his voice gentle.
“Now…” I pause, inhaling slowly as I gather my thoughts. “Now I don’t know what I’d do without you guys. I don’t even want to try.” I tip my head back, catching the glint of his eyes. “I’m not the same person I was back then. I don’twantto be.”
Remi’s smile spreads, his arms tightening just a little more as he presses a lingering kiss to the side of my head. “Then you don’t have to be,” he murmurs. “If you want us around all the time, we’re not going anywhere. We’ll be clingy as hell if that’s what you want. Never out of your sight.”
I laugh, the sound lighter than it’s been in days. “I think you already are.”
His lips twitch into a smirk as he nuzzles his face against my neck. “Well, I’m glad to hear it. Because you’re stuck with us, sunshine. No escaping now.”
The quiet settles like a blanket between me and Remi. His arms are still wrapped around me, the warmth of the bathwater barely registering now as I let my thoughts drift. There’s something calming about this moment, this stillness, but I can’tstop my mind from turning, twisting through all the pieces I haven’t been able to put together.