Page 9 of Luna's New Reign
Speaking through the mind link shocks my system, pure love radiating through the bond. There’s even a spark of happiness coming from Nepheline, no doubt our Omega figuring out what’s going on up here.
His words are like a trigger and I gladly surrender to the pleasure. My back arches further as I tear my lips from River and cry out, coating Mateo’s hand and the inside of my pants. My entire body shudders as Mateo continues to milk my cock, the squelch of my release aiding the slide. A stray fantasy has me on my hands and knees, Mateo plowing into my ass, River filling my mouth, both of them chuckling. River nuzzles my cheek as his arms go back to sitting around my waist. “Remi, you keep thinking like that and we’ll be late to our own council meeting.”
I manage a chuckle, a sigh following as Mateo pulls his hand from my pants and offers it to River. There’s no hesitation as the Alpha leans over my shoulder and licks every digit clean, his cock thickening against my ass. I do my best not to move but the shallow thrusts against my backside aren’t helping.
“I need another shower,” I mumble, slowly untangling myself from my Alphas. As I stand, I turn to look at them, warm smiles on their faces. There’s so much that needs to be said, to be explained, to tell them what I want, what Ineedbut in this moment, I can only find a few words. “I love you so fucking much.”
Mateo stands and drags me into a firm hug. “Whenever you need something, you come tell us or Asani. Your needs are just as valid as the rest of ours.”
I nod, retreating into the bathroom for a shower of my own. It feels like a weight off my shoulders, that my oldest friends and lovers now know how I feel. It’s just a matter of time before I find the courage to let the rest of our pack.
6
NEPHELINE
I’m not sure what I expected, sitting at the council’s table but this time with people I know and trust. Well, mostly. I’m at the head of the table with Mateo, my back straight, every nerve in my body on high alert. The weight of this meeting feels suffocating and the tension in the room isn’t helping.
Behind me, I can feel Remi and River’s presence, their unwavering support radiating through the bond. Darius sits to my left, his hand brushing mine under the table, reminding me of the support that surrounds me. Across from him, Asani leans back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the room with the kind of cool detachment that only he can manage. Maverick is beside him, quiet but composed, his fingers drumming lightly against the table.
The Sapphire wolves are already seated—Victoria, their Luna, with her mates, Lawrence and Kehlani. Bo sits near the center of the table, his large frame dwarfing the chair. Two other AlphasI vaguely recognize are on the far side, their faces familiar but their names slipping through my memory.
I let out a slow breath, willing myself to calm down, but it doesn’t work. My heart still thunders in my chest, the enormity of this moment pressing down on me. I glance at Maverick, searching for reassurance, but his gaze is fixed on the door. He’s tense, his jaw tight, and that only makes me more nervous.
The door creaks open and every head in the room turns. A new Alpha steps into the space, her presence commanding, almost overwhelming. The air shifts, heavy with magic as it ripples through the room. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the newcomer—tall, sharp-eyed, and powerful. There’s something about her that feels achingly familiar, a resonance of magic that mirrors Maverick’s.
The newcomer steps forward with measured grace, her eyes scanning the room before settling on Victoria. The Sapphire’s Luna rises from her seat, her elegant movements demanding our attention. “This is Ilara,” she says, her words cutting through the tense silence. “Our seer.”
My stomach twists, the blood draining from my face. A seer? Another one? Victoria mentioned that they were rare but then it dawns on me the differences in words. Maverick is anOraculumbut Ilara was introduced as a seer. I wonder what the difference is or if there is one at all. My confusion is mirrored in Maverick’s expression but he just gestures for me to listen.
I swallow nervously, composing myself as Ilara’s gaze sweeps across the table before landing on me. It feels like she’s trying to see into my soul, those sharp eyes of hers both unforgiving and terrifying. She bows her head slightly before speaking. “Luna, I’ve heard much about you.”
“And I’ve heard nothing about you,” I manage, a spark of humor trickling through the bond that has to be either River or Remi but it’s not a lie. I haven’t heard anything about Ilara’sexistence. For the little time that the Sapphire wolves have been here, I feel like they’ve been rationing information, giving it piece by piece. It’s getting on my nerves.
Ilara snorts as she moves closer to Victoria, clasping her hands in front of her. “As it should be. A pack should know the cards they hold but everyone else should only see what they have been given.” Victoria gestures for Ilara to take a seat, the Alpha moving, her movements almost hypnotic. The air in the room feels heavier now, charged with something unspoken.
Darius shifts beside me, his hand brushing mine again. “You okay?” he asks quietly, his voice low enough that only I can hear.
I nod. “Fine,” I whisper back.
But I’m not fine. Not even close. I slide my hands beneath the table, folding them together so that no one can see how much I’m out of my element.
This is my seat. My pack. My place,I tell myself.
Ilara’s gaze locks onto Maverick the moment she sits down with the other Sapphire wolves. Her piercing eyes dissect him like she’s reading every secret he’s ever tried to keep hidden. The weight of her attention is palpable, the room growing quieter beneath her scrutiny. Even Maverick, who rarely shows his discomfort, shifts in his seat, his jaw twitching ever so slightly.
Finally, Ilara looks away, settling into her chair with an air of calm authority. She offers a small smile, one that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “It’s good to see the magic returning,” she muses. Her attention shifts to me again. “And that the Luna of the Nightshades is such a strong woman.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks as I duck my head slightly. “Thank you,” I mumble, my voice softer than I intend.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t really time for introductions and niceties. I was requested to come for a reason.” She glances at Maverick again, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Because your pack has an untrained Oraculum.”
The room tenses. All eyes turn to Maverick, who doesn’t flinch but doesn’t meet her gaze, either. Ilara studies him for another moment before leaning forward, her elbows resting lightly on the table.
“The magic within you is great. Greater than anything we’ve seen in decades. But if it’s not trained, it could be disastrous.”
Maverick scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest. “How exactly do you train something that’s unpredictable?” His eyes flash with annoyance before he reigns in his emotions. For a few seconds, I see beneath the mask he keeps up—the lingering pain and confusion hiding under everything. Those same emotions trickle through the bond before they disappear and I realize he’s been trying to protect me from himself.
I hate it.