Page 37 of Luna's New Reign
Kehlani’s jaw tightens, the faintest flash of irritation crossing his face. “My wolves are more than capable.”
“And yet you’re the one who doesn’t want us stepping into harm’s way,” River replies smoothly, his voice calm but laced with steel. “So tell me—are they here to follow orders or are they here to question them?”
The silence that follows is razor-sharp. Kehlani glares at River, his shoulders stiff, but River doesn’t flinch. He holds Kehlani’s gaze, unwavering, and I feel the quiet dominance radiating off him in waves.
“Let’s not turn this into a pissing match,” Bo says, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a hammer. “River’s leading this. If Kehlani’s wolves can help, let them help. If they can’t follow orders, they sit out. Simple.”
River gives him a small nod, though there’s no warmth in it. “They can sit this one out for now,” he says quietly. “If we need additional help, we’ll let you know. But we’re not risking anyone who can’t stick to the plan.”
“And what if the plan fails?” Kehlani challenges.
“Then we adapt,” River answers, unbothered. “Like we always do.”
The room falls silent again, but it’s clear the lines are being drawn. Kehlani is testing me, testing River, and while I know hisconcerns are valid, his constant pushback is starting to feel more like resistance than caution.
River doesn’t let it linger. He straightens, his gaze cool as it locks on Kehlani. “Victoria mentioned that the Sapphire wolves came here to nurture and protect. To help us restore the packlands. Not to fight.” His words hang heavy in the air, deliberate and cutting. “If that changes, let me know.”
Kehlani doesn’t answer, though his scowl deepens.
I push away from the table, letting the scrape of my chair break the tension as I straighten to my full height. “That’s enough for today,” I say, my voice steady but final. “River, start assembling your team. Bo, I’ll need you to coordinate with Asani to make sure the anti-serum is ready to use on a larger scale.”
Both of them nod in agreement, rising from their seats. I don’t wait for Kehlani to speak again. I’m done with his constant push and pull. If he doesn’t want to be part of this, that’s his choice—but I’m not about to let his doubts slow us down.
The others begin to file out, leaving me standing alone at the head of the table, my pulse thrumming with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. River lingers, stepping up beside me as the room empties. “You okay?” he asks quietly, his voice low enough that no one else hears.
I let out a slow breath, dragging a hand through my hair. “I don’t know,” I admit. “Kehlani’s starting to test my patience.”
“He’ll come around,” River replies, his voice steady and certain. “But even if he doesn’t, we’ll handle this without him.”
I nod, my shoulders dropping slightly as I let his calm seep into me. I feel the faint pulse of Nepheline through the bond again, her emotions muted but present—frustration, restlessness, exhaustion. I’ll deal with Kehlani later. Right now, my priority is her.
“Go check on her,” River says, like he can sense exactly where my thoughts are. “I’ll start pulling the team together.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, pressing a soft kiss to his lips before I find myself lingering there, drinking in the warmth that River provides. Some part of me wants to just exist in this moment but there will be time for that.
Right after this next obstacle.
20
NEPHELINE
The living room is a mess of limbs and warmth and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I am right now—sprawled across my mates like I belong to them, like they belong to me. Because theydo.
I’m draped over Remi, my head resting on his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my ear keeping me grounded. His hand is on my hip, tracing small, lazy circles through the thin fabric of my shirt. He’s humming something faintly, his voice soft and deep, like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it.
My other hand curls tightly around Maverick’s, who’s tucked against Asani’s chest like he’s trying to hide from the world. Asani’s arm drapes protectively over him, his long fingers trailing up and down Maverick’s spine, grounding him in a way only Asani knows how. There’s something about seeing Maverick so small, so vulnerable, that makes my heart ache with love.
On my other side, Darius is tangled in the nest with us, his fingers stroking through my hair. It’s rhythmic, hypnotic, and I hum softly in response, too content to move, too tired to care about anything else.
I’ve been more tired lately—bone-deeptired. I know what it probably means, though I haven’t said the words out loud. I’m not ready to think about that yet, not with everything else hanging over us. Not with the whispers clawing at the edges of my mind and Locke still out there.
But here, surrounded by my mates, none of that matters.
Especially when my first love, my Alpha, my first mate returns.
It’s like my body knows the moment Mateo steps into the house. There’s no sound, no announcement, no door creaking open—just the familiar hum of him vibrating through the bond, sparking something deep and primal in me. My body responds to him before my mind does. I shift, sitting up slowly even as Darius huffs a little, his hand pausing in my hair.
“Where are you going?” he asks, his voice soft, tinged with curiosity.