Page 39 of Luna's New Reign
He’s on me in seconds, barreling into my side until I stumble, laughing as I twist to recover. He growls softly in triumph, his massive frame towering over me for a moment before he nudges me with his muzzle and bounds off ahead again. I chase him without thinking, my laughter mixing with the whisper of the wind.
We keep running, the bond between us thrumming with warmth, until Mateo suddenly slows near the edge of a clearing. I pad up beside him, my breathing steadying as I take in the sight before us. A brook cuts through the center, water bubbling softly over smooth, glowing stones. The water looks almost ethereal, shimmering faintly in the light like it holds a secret.
Mateo shifts first, his human form emerging effortlessly as he steps toward the brook, his bare feet sinking into the soft moss at its edge. He turns to look at me, his hand outstretched as he smiles. “Come on,” he murmurs, his voice low but inviting. “We found this a few days ago when the others and I were running. It’s warm—like a little piece of paradise just for us.”
I hesitate for only a second before I shift, the cool air brushing against my skin as I return to my human form. I stand there for a moment, admiring the scene as Mateo steps into the water. He disappears beneath the surface, his broad shoulders sinking outof sight before he bursts back up with a gasp, water streaming down his dark hair and the sharp lines of his jaw.
And just like that, I’m staring at him—the Alpha I first fell in love with.
He looksunreallike this, the water catching on his muscles, droplets tracing down the scars he wears so proudly. My chest tightens at the sight, my heart thrumming as I remember how far we’ve come.
My fingers drift to the necklace hanging against my collarbone—a gift he gave me before I even truly knew him. I twist it idly between my fingers, the memories flooding me. I’m not that same girl anymore—the one who thought she had to carry the weight of the world alone. The one who didn’t know what it meant tobelongto someone, to let someone belong to her.
“Are you just going to stand there, or are you getting in?” Mateo teases, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I smile faintly as I step closer to the edge of the brook, dipping my toe into the water. He wasn’t lying—it’s warm, almost impossibly so, like the earth itself is cradling this place. I take a step in, the water lapping gently around my ankles as I watch Mateo.
His arms open as he smiles at me. “Come here, Luna.”
The name sends a shiver through me as I wade in fully, the water rising to my waist. He’s watching me like I’m the only thing in the world worth looking at, his eyes filled with warmth and something deeper, something that wraps around my heart and squeezes.
When I reach him, he pulls me against his chest. The water presses softly against us, but all I feel is him—his heat, his strength, the solid reassurance of his presence. We stand there in the quiet for a long moment before I finally speak. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
He tilts his head slightly, his brows drawing together with concern. “What is it?”
I hesitate, my fingers curling against his chest as I try to find the words. “The whispers,” I say finally, my voice trembling just slightly. “The ones in my head… they’re getting worse. I hear them clearer now. They’re telling me to listen, to obey, tocome to them.”
Mateo’s arms tighten around me, his jaw clenching as he processes my words. “Princess,” he murmurs, his voice rough with worry. “It doesn’t matter how hard he tries, he’ll never take you from us. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You also have mates and an entire pack standing behind you. If he thinks it’s going to be that easy to take you, he doesn’t know you at all.” Mateo swallows my next protest in a kiss, reminding me yet again that I don’t have to do this alone. The darkness might have found a way into my head but that doesn’t mean it owns me.
I let myself fall into Mateo, let him drown out my worries with soft kisses and touches, one of his arms wrapped firmly around my waist, his first hand disappearing into my hair. “You are so fucking beautiful, princess. I wish we could show you each and every day just how much.”
A laugh bubbles up from my throat as Mateo bends me backward, his lips moving down to my jaw. “We’d never get anything done with the six of you always whisking me off somewhere.” And yet, it’s not a fantasy I hate. I’d get bored of my nest eventually but spending forever with my mates where nothing else mattered, where my brother was safe and my pack was well again?
Yes, please.
“I’m going to worship you tonight, princess.” He pulls away, meeting my gaze, something tortured beneath the surface. “You have no idea how many times I thought you were gone for good.Some part of me wanted to believe that you were still out there even after I buried you. Because I knew that my Omega, my Nepheline couldn’t be so easily killed.”
His words send a thrill through my body, Mateo’s adoration as his lips continue their path south making me feel like a goddess, worthy of his devotion. He guides me into shallow water, the coolness of the air contrasting with the heat of the water and the fire building between us.
He takes his time as his hands begin to roam, first at my shoulders before cupping my breasts in his palms. He squeezes, the pressure making my thighs tremble, slick gathering between them. My scent sweetens just slightly, a possessive growl tearing from Mateo’s throat. I hold onto his shoulders as he continues, feather-light touches that leave a fire in its wake.
My back arches as I offer myself to him, a silent plea on my lips as a gasp follows. Each of my mates take care of me in their own way but Mateo was my first and he will always hold a special place in my heart. One of his hands is replaced by his lips, his tongue circling my nipple as he demands my pleasure. “Mateo, please,” I whine, digging my fingers into his shoulders.
“Patience, princess.”
He suckles and nibbles, his breath against my sensitive flesh, driving me wild with desire. It feels like the night I ran to him just before the ceremony—the ceremony that never happened, the ceremony—
“Stay with me, baby. Right here with me. In this moment.”
He gives the same attention to the other breast, worshipping me every flick of his tongue. My magic responds to his touch as does my Omega. I can feel the change slowly overtake me, the power lingering around us, pulsating as if alive. Mateo hums his appreciation as he continues to explore my body before returning to my lips.
I writhe against him, needing more, Mateo chuckling as he drags two fingers down my stomach before they disappear into the water and plunge inside of me. A yelp tears from my throat as he fucks me with his fingers, my head falling back as I shatter. Before I can even demand more, Mateo is guiding me toward the bank and laying me down at the edge.
My lower half is still covered by water, Mateo hovering over me as his cock runs through my folds. I weakly grab for him, my first orgasm still barreling through me, my Alpha gladly giving me what I’m so desperate for. Had anyone told me years ago that I would be finding my pleasure with more than one man, I would have thought they were crazy.
Now, I can’t imagine a life without my six men.
Mateo surges forward, filling me with one thrust, the water lapping around us. I cling to him as he kisses my neck before sucking his bond mark between his lips. A cry tears from my lips as he picks up a rhythm, his piercing hitting just the right spot to bring me to the edge again.