Chapter 9 EIGHT
\[RIVEN’S POV\]
“She's my mate," I state calmly, taking a sip of whiskey from the glass in my hand. “I felt the bond way back in the forest. That was what led me to her."
My brothers stare at me like I just revealed that the sky was pink or purple or anything but blue.
I wasn't lying minutes ago. Nyra is my mate. The instant her scent crashed into me like a tsunami back at the forest, I couldn't stop myself from tracking her down, just to find her on the verge of collapsing.
I didn't bother shifting back to my human form, I let Maddox carry her home. Then Keiran assigned Kade as her babysitter and I was sent to deal with some cross border relations. Fucking Keiran!
I lean back into the chair and fold my arms. “You all stop looking at me like I just said the world is ending soon.”
“She's our mate," Keiran says leaning back in his chair. “Not only that, she is also the Luna heir.”
" What!” Kade and I say in unison, exchanging confused glances.
Keiran nods. " She is the Luna heir. That's definitely the reason why Jackson is chasing her.”
" I think Jackson is the least of our problems.” I shift a folder towards him with a single finger. He casts me a suspicious look before opening it. He's so not ready for what he finds in there.
The smaller packs at the border have been under frequent attacks. They all give one complaint; a man with no shadow and an army that looks lifeless. Most of the villagers have escaped their homes and found refuge in the human cities close by.
I knew who it was the instant I got the reports from the border guards. There's only one person who fits said description.
“What's this?" Keiran asks looking up at me.
" This is proof that the Dark Alpha isn't just some myth, Kade, Zoya and I made up.” I explain folding my arms. For years now I have been trying to convince Keiran that there's a force that'll end us before the Dark Moon does. But Keiran being the asshole that he is demands I back up my claim.
There, I have. Let's see if he still doubts me now.
“Our main focus is protecting Nyra right now," he says, pushing the folder back to me. I groan, and Kade raises his hands in defeat.
“Man,” Kade begins with a sigh. " Nyra is not being protected if that man or spirit or whatever he is keeps roaming out there. We know that the light wolves are definitely after her.. that's a problem that can be solved. But how do you expect to solve the issue of the Dark Alpha if ee don't even know what he looks like?”
" He could literally walk right up to her and she wouldn't know her life's in danger,” Lucien murmurs.
“Fine," Keiran says in defeat. “So what do you all suggest we do then?"
" First things first, we train her,” Kade says. " The highest person who's going to protect her is herself. Thus, we need to ensure that she's well trained both magically and physically. I'll gladly take on the physical part, Lucien can handle the rest.”
I have no doubt he'll be glad to train her in physical combat. He'll definitely enjoy pushing her to her limits and watching her break. But my girl's not one to break that easily, and Kade is in for the surprise of a lifetime.
“That's settled then. Kade will handle her physical training, Lucien will help her master her powers and Riven will assist where necessary," Keiran concludes.
Lucien looks like he wants to object, but thinks better of it.
He's trying everything possible to stay away from Nyra. Ever since she came here, he's been acting like she doesn't exist. It's going to be real fun watching him fall for her.
“If no one has any objections, and there's nothing more to say, I'll head to my room to get some rest before dinner," I say rising to my feet
I push my chair back and stand, but before I can take a single step, Keiran’s voice stops me.
“Riven.”
I stiffen. Of course, he won’t let me leave that easily. I turn slowly, arching a brow. “What now?”
His jaw ticks, and I already know he’s about to piss me off. “You should try to keep your distance from her.”
Kade and Lucien both look between us like they’re watching a bomb about to go off.
“I don't get you?” I reply, shrugging one shoulder. “I don't think I can abide by your wish.”
“It’s not about what you think,” Keiran says.
My stomach knots at his calm tone, like asking me to stay away from my mate is something simple. But I keep my expression calm. “So what? You want me to cling to avoid her like Lucien's doing? Pretending I don't notice her presence when she walks into a room?” I scoff. “Not a fucking chance, Keiran!"
“Don’t you think what might happen if she pisses you off and you snap? Or if you lose control of her and hurt her? Don't you fucking think about that?” Kade yells, rising to his feet as well.
“It’s been a long time since I had an episode, “ I bite out, hating the fact that they're using my disorder as a means to keep me away from her.
She's my fucking mate!
“You call two weeks again, a long time?"
“Enough,” Keiran growls, the Alpha tone rumbling through the office. Lucien lets out a long bored sigh. “I need you focused, Riven. Focused on protecting her, not putting her in more danger. We can't afford you snapping and hurting her. “
I grind my teeth.
If only he knew how close I was to snapping when he assigned Kade to watch over her while he sent me off on some stupid mission
I can't snap in front of her. My demons seem to shut up when she's near and that's a good sign.
But telling them that is pointless, so I nod, and give them him simplest answer. “I’ll do my best to keep her safe.”
Keiran studies me, like he’s peeling back my skin to see what’s underneath. I hold his gaze , not looking away.
After a long, tense moment, he nods once. “Good. You're dismissed.”
I turn and walk out of the office, shutting the door behind me.
The hallway is empty, dimly lit by flickering torches. Their shadows stretch across the stone walls like skeletal fingers. I drag a hand through my hair and exhale.
Finally, some peace.
But it barely lasts three seconds.
Because the moment I round the corner, I crash straight into someone, soft, small hands bracing against my chest, a gasp slipping through familiar lips.
Nyra.
Great! Fate really is a bitch.
She’s staring up at me, eyes wide, pupils blown like she’s caught between shock and… something else. Her robe hangs loose around her body, the scent of Jasmine and wild moonflowers waft to me uncontrollably. It takes all my self control not to grab her right here.
Fang purrs inside me and I have to take in a deep breath to control myself.
“Riven…”
Fuck! The way she says my name, soft, breathy, makes something inside me unravel.
“Nyra, you should watch where you're going.” My voice comes out tight and filled with restraint.
She fucking smiles and I swear, my cock is rock hard in a second. “I… I just wanted to get some water.” She holds up the jar.
My gaze falls to the jar and I freeze…her robe is almost transparent showing off the black sheer nightdress she has on beneath it. Fang groans this time.
“You're tempting me, little one. You shouldn't dress like this when I'm around. You won't like the consequences of tempting me," I wanted to say. But for some reason, the words don't find their way out.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” I say instead, voice colder than Antarctica. “You could have asked one of the servants to fetch the water for you."
She smiles, and looks up at me. " Well, I…I also was hoping I'd run into you. I didn't get to thank you for saving me. You know, in the forest."
"You shouldn't be thanking me,” I tell her, voice softer this time. " I'll do it again in a heartbeat.”
She looks hesitant, like she wants to tell me something but isn't sure how to put it. She inhales deeply, then whispers, “I spoke to Keiran. About the prophecy… about my true identity. ”
My pulse stops.
“What exactly did you two talk about?”
Her gaze flickers over my face. “Enough to make me aware that the fate of this entire realm is in my hands. Enough to understand that if I fucked up, we're all screwed.”
I school my expression. “He shouldn't have told you that.”
Her lips twitch in annoyance. “On the contrary it's a good thing he did. No one is going to protect me better than myself.”
That feisty attitude. That's what I was talking about.
She takes a step closer, and another, until she’s close enough that I can feel her warmth seep through my shirt.
“Riven,” she drawls, eyes locking onto mine. “Tell me the truth. You are my mate too, aren't you?”
My throat goes dry. “Nyra…”
“I know you are, ” she says softly. “And Keiran and Lucien and that asshole dickhead, Kade.”
I take a step back this time , deliberately, forcing the distance.
“But you are not ready, ” I say quietly.
“Not ready for what?” she pushes.
I open my mouth, but before I can speak, a deafening crash echoes from outside, and the ground trembles under our feet.
A chorus of terrified howls splits the night, and from the corner of my eyes, I see shadows streak across the courtyard, too fast, too wrong and too cold to be normal wolves
Nyra gasps, clutching the wall for balance.
I bare my teeth, my wolf clawing for an outlet.
No.
Not now.
“Riven… what was that?” she whispers, her breath ragged
I slowly turn my head toward the window, where a tall,distorted silhouette stands under the moonlight.
I pull her closer, wrapping her in my arms.
“That is a Temri or better still a soldier of the Dark Alpha's army.”