Chapter 162
Kassak's POV
I stretched on my bed, relishing the unfamiliar sensation pulsing through my veins. Never in my thirty-three years as a wolf had I experienced this profound sense of... completion. It surpassed the thrill of a successful hunt, eclipsed the power rush when I claimed the Alpha mantle, and dwarfed even the satisfaction of watching our enemies retreat.
My fingertips traced the mark on my neck where Riley's teeth had broken skin just hours ago. The bite still tingled, a pleasant burn that radiated through my entire body. When we had marked each other, it wasn't just flesh connecting to flesh—it was something deeper, something primal. Our souls had intertwined in that moment, creating a bond I'd always dismissed as weakness.
Havoc lounged contentedly in my mind, a stark contrast to his usual restless prowling. "Mate. Ours now. Forever."
I closed my eyes, savoring the word. Mate. Such a simple term for something so transformative.
"Admiring my handiwork?" Riley's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
She was half-reclined at the foot of my bed, gloriously naked except for the gold chain around her ankle—my first gift to her. Her skin glowed golden in the late afternoon light filtering through the high windows of my chambers. The mark I'd left on her neck stood out proudly against her fair skin, already healing into the permanent scar that would identify her as mine.
"Perhaps," I replied, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice.
Riley's lips curved into a smile as she unfolded a map across the bed. I recognized it immediately—a detailed topography of Moonshade territory.
"Ethan keeps most of his forces concentrated here and here," she said, her finger tracing the northern and western boundaries. "But the eastern forest, particularly this northeastern quadrant, is barely patrolled."
I studied the area she indicated—dense forest covering a gradual slope, leading to a clearing that would provide an excellent vantage point into the heart of Moonshade territory.
"We could send twenty warriors tonight," I mused, already mentally selecting the fighters. "Establish a forward outpost before Ethan realizes the vulnerability."
Riley's hand glided up my arm, her touch igniting small fires under my skin. Through our new bond, I could feel her calculating assessment, so at odds with her seductive touch.
"Ten," she countered. "Your ten best. Moving at midnight when the moon sets. A smaller group moves more quietly, and silence is crucial." Her eyes met mine, steady and certain. "Trust me on this. I know every patrol schedule, every sentry position."
I felt a flicker of hesitation. Twenty warriors had been my initial instinct—enough force to hold the position if discovered. But through our bond, I could sense her absolute confidence, her intimate knowledge of her former pack's weaknesses.
"Ten, then," I agreed, watching her face brighten with approval. "Under Rovak's command."
She nodded, folding the map with precise movements. "Perfect. Rovak is methodical. He'll secure the position without unnecessary risks."
The moon had long since set when I led ten of my most lethal fighters through the dense forest. We moved like shadows, silent despite the carpet of autumn leaves beneath our feet. Every wolf had been selected for stealth rather than brute strength—this mission required hunters, not brawlers.
I inhaled deeply, tasting the night air. No trace of Moonshade scent lingered here. Riley had been right—this area was neglected.
"She knows them well," Havoc observed, his satisfaction mirroring my own.
We reached the clearing Riley had identified, establishing our position with military precision. Within an hour, a small outpost had been constructed—hidden and perfectly positioned to observe Moonshade's central territory.
"No patrols detected," Rovak reported, his voice barely above a whisper. "The position is secure, Alpha."
I nodded, satisfaction warming my chest. "Maintain radio silence unless absolutely necessary. I want daily reports at sundown, delivered by your fastest runner."
By the time I returned to Bloodclaw headquarters, dawn was breaking over the mountains. Exhaustion tugged at my muscles, but victory pulsed stronger. The operation had gone flawlessly—exactly as Riley had predicted.
I found myself eager to tell her, to share this success with the mate who had made it possible. This feeling—this desire to share thoughts rather than simply issue commands—was foreign but not unpleasant.
Charles, my head healer, awaited with his morning report.
"Lyra's condition has improved," he stated, eyes fixed at a point just over my shoulder. "The... wolf pup seems to help. She's eating again, even resumed light training yesterday."
I nodded, pleased. Lyra was one of my strongest fighters, and her breakdown after losing our child had been... inconvenient. Her recovery would bolster our forces at a critical time.
"Continue to monitor her progress," I ordered. "And the pup as well."
"What pup?" Riley's voice cut through the room as she entered, wrapped in a crimson robe that marked her as Luna of Bloodclaw. Her approach was silent, a testament to her own skills, but through our bond, I felt her presence moments before the door opened.
Charles's eyes flickered briefly to Riley, then back to me, uncertainty evident in his scent. "The young one staying with Lyra," he answered carefully.
Riley's gaze shifted between us, curiosity evident. "And who is Lyra?" she asked, her tone casual, but through our bond, I felt the first prickle of something sharper—jealousy, perhaps.
Charles looked to me, waiting for permission to speak further or be dismissed. I waved him away with a flick of my wrist, and he departed with obvious relief.
"Lyra was my companion before you arrived," I answered once we were alone, watching Riley's face carefully. Through our newly formed bond, I could sense the ripple of emotions—understanding, then jealousy, then a determined push to suppress it.
"A lover," she clarified, her tone impressively neutral despite the emotions I could feel surging through her.
"Yes." I saw no reason to lie—she would detect it through our bond anyway. "She's also one of my finest warriors."
Riley nodded slowly, processing this information. "And now?"
I moved toward her, closing the distance between us. "Now I have you," I said, bringing my lips to her ear. "My only."
I felt the jealousy recede through our bond, replaced by satisfaction and desire. She leaned into me, her body molding against mine.
"The operation was successful," I told her, changing the subject. "Exactly as you predicted. No patrols, no detection."
Pride bloomed across her face. "I told you. Ethan is predictable in his strategies."
I ran my thumb across her lower lip, savoring the way her breath hitched at my touch. "We'll have his territory within a month if your other intelligence proves as accurate."
She kissed my thumb, then slowly drew it into her mouth, eyes gleaming with promise. A sharp rush ran down my back, making heat spread through my body. On purpose, she guided my hand down to her breasts, pressing my palm against the warmth beneath her crimson robe. My breathing stopped for a second, my body going stiff as her heart beat hard against my hand.
"Oh, it will be," she purred, her heartbeat quickening beneath my touch. "I know all of their secrets."
Havoc liked this in my mind, wanting me to take what belonged to me. I tried to stay in control, though the tightness of my pants showed how my body felt right away. Power and want mixed together strongly, almost making me lose control.
"Perfect mate," Havoc rumbled in approval. "Makes us stronger."
Yes, I thought, as I pulled Riley against me. Perfect indeed.