Chapter 188: Good Morning, My Human

Riley

I insisted on opening my mind to establish a connection with Nia. My wolf had been so quiet lately, conserving her strength to protect our babies—our four babies.

Nia, I whispered into our shared mental space. If you can hear me, we love you... you need to be strong, my wolf. I miss you.

Kieran's low rumble vibrated through both our mental connection and Kairos's chest, where my ear rested. The sound was comforting, protective—a wolf calling to his pack mate. I felt a flicker of response from Nia, so faint I might have imagined it.

I would spend however long my mate needs to regain her strength, Kieran's voice echoed in our shared consciousness. His words were directed at Nia, gentle in a way I hadn't heard from the typically fierce wolf. "You need your strength, my love. I want to feel you in my mind again too."

I smiled against Kairos's chest as I felt Nia stir weakly in my mind, laying down in a corner of my consciousness. Kieran moved closer to her in our mental landscape, curling his massive form around her like a living shield. The image brought tears to my eyes.

As we approached the packhouse, I was surprised to see what looked like the entire pack gathered outside.

Finn and Vesper stepped forward from the crowd. The newly mated pair looked happy.

"I sent warriors to confirm Ryder's dead and dispose of the body," Finn said.

"Good," Kairos said, his voice clipped.

The pack parted as Kairos carried me toward the entrance. He paused at the top of the steps and turned to address everyone.

"I want to thank you all for coming together so quickly and for handling Ryder with the efficiency he deserved," Kairos said, his deep voice resonating across the yard. Through our connection, I could feel his pride and love washing over me. "Luna Riley has turned this pack into what it always should have been—a family."

My heart swelled at his words, and I squeezed his arm gently.

"Now," he continued, "our family is growing."

Carefully, he set me on my feet, supporting me with an arm around my waist as his free hand moved protectively to rest on my stomach. The gesture wasn't lost on anyone.

"Our Luna is pregnant," he announced.

Cheers and howls erupted from the pack, their excitement nearly deafening. Kairos raised a hand, silencing them.

"With quadruplets."

The sudden silence was almost comical. I watched their faces transition from joy to shock to disbelief.

"We believe this is why Nia remains silent, though Kieran and I can feel her very faintly in Riley's mind," Kairos explained, his hand still splayed across my abdomen, warm and protective.

Finn was the first to break the stunned silence, a grin splitting his face.

"Oh please, please, can I be the one to tell Alpha Hayden?" he asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

Kairos fixed him with a stern look that didn't quite hide his amusement. I couldn't help but laugh at Finn's enthusiasm.

"In light of Luna Riley's condition," Kairos continued, addressing the pack, "there will be times when she may need to rest in bed, and I will be even more overprotective than usual."

"When are you not overprotective, my love?" I teased, drawing chuckles from the pack.

He shot me a look that was half exasperation, half adoration, before turning to Talon.

"By tomorrow morning, I want your pick for Luna's guard detail. From now on, I want two guards with Riley."

"Luna and I have already begun discussing this, Alpha," Talon replied.

"Good," Kairos nodded. "Tonight, I intend to celebrate with my mate. If the pack wants to celebrate, begin planning a party. Coordinate with Beta Vesper and Finn."

Without waiting for a response, he carried me into the packhouse.

I rested my head against his shoulder as he climbed the stairs to the Alpha floor.

"You mentioned giving me everything you can give, holding nothing back?"

"Do you think you can handle it?" he asked, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper.

"I was made for you, Kairos," I answered, my fingers trailing along his jaw. "I can handle everything you can give, just as you can handle everything I can give."

He pushed open the door to our bedroom and carried me inside, placing me gently on our bed. His eyes, usually so fierce, were soft as he looked down at me.

"Thank the Moon Goddess I can't get you more pregnant than you already are," he joked, then froze, horrified. "I can't, right?"

I laughed, reaching for him. "No, you can't."

"Then yes, love of my life, I will give you everything I am, everything I have."

His lips met mine, and our minds opened completely to each other. There was no holding back this time, no barriers between us. I could feel how I drove away the darkness inside him, how I brought him a happiness he'd never known before me. Even after his powerful release, he maintained his state and continued slowly, deliberately, pushing me through wave after wave of pleasure.

Our happiness and pleasure wove together, strengthening with each passing moment until I was overwhelmed by the intensity of our emotions. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I clung to him.

'I love you, Riley. I have always loved you. You are my everything. My life. My love. My future. My family.' His voice filled my mind, more intimate than any spoken words could be.

Fresh tears spilled over as I sent my love coursing back through our bond, completely lost in him.

Much later, when we separated physically though our minds remained entwined, he pulled me against him, spooning my body.

"I will never, never tire of basking in your love, Riley," he said, his voice the calmest I'd ever heard it—no edge, just relaxed happiness.

"That's good, Kairos, because I plan to love you for the rest of my life," I replied, feeling his smile against my shoulder before he pressed a kiss there.

We fell asleep that way, wrapped in each other's arms and minds.

When I woke the next morning, I felt emotionally drained from the night before, yet energized in a way only Kairos's love could make me feel. Then I heard it—a very weak voice in my mind.

Good morning, my human.

I froze, joy surging through me. You're back!

Yes, Nia replied, her mental voice barely audible. Kairos and Kieran's love gave me enough strength to come back.

I added that to the long list of reasons why I loved my mate, feeling his steady breathing against my neck as he slept on, unaware of the miracle that had just occurred.