Chapter 120 If Glitter Were a Love Language, Forrest Would Be Mated by Now

Chapter 120 If Glitter Were a Love Language, Forrest Would Be Mated by Now
Opal's POV

Opal barely made it into the kitchen before Forrest, Brooks, and Ridge followed, each of them clearly riding the high of driving Ash to the brink of an aneurysm.

Forrest, still grinning ear to ear, plopped onto the nearest stool and sprawled dramatically across the counter. "I have to say, that might've been one of my finest performances yet."

Brooks grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and took a bite, nodding in agreement. "You really did commit. A true artist."

Ridge leaned against the fridge, arms crossed, amused as hell. "You nearly got yourself thrown into traffic, though."

Forrest waved a dismissive hand. "Worth it. Did you see his face? I swear, I saw the exact moment he regretted having siblings."

Opal snorted, shaking her head as she rummaged through the fridge. "You really do enjoy causing problems, don't you?"

Forrest placed a hand over his chest, offended. "Enjoy? Opal, I live for it."

Opal pulled out a leftover plate of food, setting it on the counter before turning back toward them. "So, how long do you think it'll take for Ash to calm down?"

Silence.

Then, all at once—

"Never." – Brooks.

"Oh, he's permanently damaged." – Ridge.

"You may as well start planning the wedding; he'll never accept Kael no matter how much you try." – Forrest, who looked way too excited at the idea.

Opal rolled her eyes, grabbing a fork. "No one said anything about a wedding."

Forrest gasps dramatically. "No one did. But you're thinking about it."

Opal pointed her fork at him. "I will stab you."

Forrest grinned, completely unfazed. "And what a romantic love story it will be. 'She threatened me with a fork while dreaming of her future husband, the Alpha of another pack.'"

Ridge chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. "You should be careful, Opal. He might start writing a ballad about you and Kael."

Brooks took another bite of his apple. "I'd pay to hear that."

Opal groaned, pushing her plate away. "You guys are unbearable."

Before anyone could add more to the nonsense, the kitchen door slammed open, and Ash stormed inside, his expression thunderous.

Opal didn't even flinch. She just turned, leaned against the counter, and smirked. "Feeling better?"

Ash's glare could've set the entire room on fire. "You."

Forrest immediately perked up. "Oh, he's still angry. This is excellent."

Ash ignored him completely, stalking forward until he was directly in front of Opal, his silver eyes narrowed into razor-sharp slits. "You are going to stop this bullshit with Kael."

Opal tilted her head, feigning confusion. "What bullshit?"

Ash's hands curled into fists. "This—whatever the hell this is. You disappearing to his pack. You sleeping in his bed. You letting him get close to you."

Opal arched a brow. "Letting him?"

Forrest whistled. "Oh, she didn't like that wording."

Ash whipped his head toward him. "Do you ever shut up?"

Forrest grinned. "No. And you know that. Which means you're actually mad at yourself for expecting something different."

Ash looked like he was genuinely considering violence.

Opal sighed, pushing off the counter and standing toe-to-toe with her brother. "Ash, you don't get to make my choices for me."

Ash's nostrils flared. "Your choices affect all of us. You think Kael just wants you? He wants our pack."

Opal's stomach twisted.

Not because she believed that. But because Ash did.

He had spent his entire life protecting their family. Their pack. Keeping them safe.

And to him, Kael was a threat.

She exhaled slowly, trying for patience. "Kael isn't the enemy here."

Ash laughed coldly. "Right. Because an Alpha from another pack is definitely someone we should trust."

Opal crossed her arms. "You don't even know him."

"I know enough."

Forrest huffed, shaking his head. "Ash, I'm saying this with love—pull your head out of your ass. Kael doesn't care about our pack. He only cares about Opal."

Ash shot him a deadly look. "And that's supposed to make me feel better?"

Forrest shrugged. "Well, it should. Because if Kael only wanted to align with our pack, he could've courted literally any other she-wolf with status. Instead, he's obsessed with Opal."

Ridge nodded. "And it's not even subtle. The guy looks at her like she's the only thing keeping him alive."

Brooks smirked. "Yeah. It's honestly kind of embarrassing."

Opal ignored the way her heart started racing. "Can we not talk about how Kael looks at me?"

Forrest leaned forward, grinning. "Why? Do you like it?"

Opal threw a roll at his head.

Ash dragged a hand down his face, muttering a stream of curses.

Then, after a long, tense pause, he let out a sharp exhale.

"This isn't over."

Opal shrugged. "It never is."

Ash's jaw ticked, but he didn't push it further. Instead, he just turned and stormed out, leaving a trail of frustration in his wake.

The second he was gone, Forrest collapsed onto a stool.

"Well, that was fun."

Ridge smirked. "For who?"

Forrest grinned. "Me."

Opal groaned, rubbing her temples. "You're a menace."

Forrest winked. "And you love it."

Brooks stretched, tossing his apple core into the trash. "So. What now?"

Opal glanced toward the doorway Ash had disappeared through.

She wished she knew.

Forrest's POV

Forrest knew exactly what he was doing.

Ash stomped toward the training grounds like he was ready to punch the moon out of the sky, his entire body radiating barely contained aggression. The poor ground beneath his boots probably had no idea why it was suffering.

And Forrest?

Forrest was here to make it worse.

He fell into step beside Ash, hands casually stuffed into his pockets, matching his brother's long, angry strides with ease. "So, that went well."

Ash shot him a look that could've peeled paint off the walls. "Walk. Away."

Forrest gasped dramatically. "But I just got here! We never have these little heart-to-hearts anymore. You're always too busy brooding or plotting murder. It's like you don't appreciate my presence."

Ash's jaw ticked. "I don't."

Forrest clutched his chest. "You wound me."

Ash muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a death threat.

Forrest grinned. "Come on, lighten up. Opal's happy. Kael treats her well. He's ripped. Strong. Power practically bleeds off him. I mean, if I were into men, I'd be tempted."

Ash's eye twitched.

Forrest continued, completely unbothered. "And let's not forget—he's obsessed with her. And I don't mean the casual 'oh, she's cute' kind of thing. I mean feral. You saw the way he looked at her before she left, right? Like if he didn't have control, he would've dragged her right back inside?"

Ash's hands curled into fists. "I don't need you narrating their love story, Forrest."

Forrest sighed, tilting his head. "But you do need to face reality. Opal doesn't have time, Ash."

That got him.

Forrest saw it the moment it hit—the way Ash's shoulders tensed just a little more, how his stride faltered for just a fraction of a second before he covered it up.

But it was there.

Forrest pressed on, because someone had to.

"You're waiting for her to find her fated mate, but what if she never does? What if she runs out of time? What then?"

Ash exhaled sharply, his pace increasing, as if walking faster could outrun the conversation.

Forrest just kept up.

"Kael might be the only chance she has to survive this. He's strong, he's smart, and let's be real—he'd die for her without question. If she lets him mark her, it could give her the edge she needs against the witch. Their bond would make her stronger."

Ash's head snapped toward him. "And what if he's not the one meant for her? What if there's someone else out there? Someone she's actually fated to be with?"

Forrest sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Then great. If she finds her mate, perfect. But what if she doesn't? What if we're standing at the edge of a war, and she's still unmarked, still vulnerable?"

Ash didn't answer.

Because he knew.

They all knew.

Opal was running out of time.

Forrest nudged his shoulder. "Look, I get it. You want her to have what we all will have—some magical, meant-to-be romance that locks two wolves together forever. But the world isn't fair. And if it comes down to her having a fated mate or surviving, I think we both know what matters more."

Ash's jaw clenched, his shoulders rising with a slow inhale. Then, finally, he exhaled.

"I just want her to have a choice."

Forrest nodded. "And I just want her alive."

Ash ran a hand down his face, looking up at the sky like he was seeking divine patience.

Then, after a long pause, he let out a low, exhausted chuckle.

"I swear, I feel bad for whatever poor soul ends up as your mate."

Forrest grinned. "Why? She'll be the luckiest wolf alive."

Ash snorted. "More like the most exhausted."

Forrest gasped. "How dare you."

Ash shook his head, finally stepping onto the training grounds. "Go away, Forrest."

Forrest patted his shoulder. "Love you too, big guy."

Ash muttered another curse, but Forrest just smirked.

Because no matter how much Ash grumbled, Forrest knew his brother.

Ash's POV

The punching bag jerked violently with every strike, the chains creaking under the force. Ash wasn't holding back. His fists moved in a brutal rhythm—left, right, left, right, uppercut—pounding his frustration into something he could physically break.

Because right now?

Everything else was out of his control.

Opal.

Kael.

The damn witch creeping closer every day.

Everything.

But this? This he could hit. This he could destroy.

Unfortunately, there was one thing in his life that refused to be punched into silence.

"So, who is it today? The witch? Your feelings? Or is that punching bag supposed to be Kael?"

Ash's fist slammed into the bag harder than necessary. The chains groaned.

Forrest, standing a few feet away, grinned like a menace.

Ash didn't answer. He just kept punching, the impact echoing through the training grounds.

Forrest tapped his chin thoughtfully. "It's Kael, isn't it? You're picturing his smug, stupid, perfectly symmetrical face while you swing."

Ash's jaw ticked. His fist flew forward. The bag swung back with violent force.

Forrest whistled. "Oh yeah, that's definitely Kael."

Ash exhaled sharply, stepping back and rolling out his shoulders. "Forrest. Go. Away."

Forrest ignored him completely.

"You know, I was thinking about it earlier—Kael is really strong."

Ash stilled.

Forrest's grin grew.

"Like, insanely strong. I mean, we're all built like warriors, but Kael? That man looks like he was forged in a war god's personal gym."

Ash threw a punch so hard the bag nearly snapped off its chains.

Forrest beamed. "See? You know I'm right."

Ash turned, finally glaring at him. "Why are you even still talking?"

Forrest ignored the question. "Honestly, I think he might be stronger than you."

Ash's eyes darkened.

Forrest pretended to look concerned. "Like, have you seen the way his muscles flex? The sheer power behind his stance? The absolute dominance in the way he moves?"

Ash clenched his fists. "Forrest."

Forrest sighed dramatically. "Face it, big bro. If you and Kael ever fought, I don't like your odds."

Ash rolled his neck, cracking it loudly. "Say that again."

Forrest grinned. "I don't like your odds."

Ash launched himself at him.

Forrest dodged easily, laughing.

"See?! That's exactly what I'm talking about. You're fast, sure. But Kael?" Forrest jogged a few feet away, staying just out of reach. "He's a monster. You'd probably last—eh, I don't know—two minutes before he slammed you into the ground."

Ash pivoted sharply, stalking toward him. "You think he's so damn great? You go fight him."

Forrest grinned. "Oh, I'd rather not die, thanks."

Ash huffed. "Then shut up."

Forrest tapped his chin. "But let's say I did fight him. Just hypothetically speaking. I'd at least last longer than you."

Ash lunged.

Forrest dodged, barely avoiding getting tackled. "WHOA, WHOA! Calm down, you big, angry Alpha in training!"

Ash snorted, stepping back. "You're insufferable."

Forrest smirked. "And yet, you still hang out with me. That's gotta mean something."

Ash shook his head, wiping sweat from his brow. "I don't hang out with you. You follow me around like a damn stray."

Forrest grinned. "Aw. That's cute. You consider me family."

Ash pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unfortunately."

Forrest perched himself on a bench, lounging like he had nowhere better to be. "So, anyway. Since we're on the topic—how does it feel knowing Kael is stronger than you and sleeping with your sister?"

Ash nearly broke his own wrist throwing a punch.

Forrest cackled.

"I'M KIDDING! I'M KIDDING!"

Ash growled. "You are not."

Forrest grinned unapologetically. "Okay, I'm kind of kidding. But let's be real—if you're this pissed now, imagine how you'll feel the day they actually mate."

Ash exhaled violently. "I am going to strangle you."

Forrest held up a finger. "Ah, but then who would make fun of you?"

Ash paused.

Forrest beamed. "Exactly."

Ash huffed, rolling his shoulders. "I swear, I feel bad for whatever poor soul ends up as your mate."

Forrest smirked. "Why? She'll be blessed to have me."

Ash snorted. "More like cursed."

Forrest gasped, offended. "How dare you."

Ash chuckled, shaking his head. "That poor girl will have to be a saint."

Forrest grinned. "Or deaf."

Ash laughed despite himself. "Now that I believe."

Forrest kicked at the ground, pleased. "See? Now wasn't that a nice little therapy session?"

Ash rolled his eyes. "I still want to fight you."

Forrest grinned. "We both know you'd never actually hurt me."

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Don't tempt me."

Forrest hopped up, stretching. "Alright, alright. I'll leave you to sulk in peace. But, y'know…" He smirked. "If you ever do want to fight Kael, let me know. I'd love to watch."

Ash threw his towel at him.

Forrest dodged and cackled his way out of the training grounds.

Ash shook his head, muttering under his breath.

His stupid brother.

But…

Forrest wasn't entirely wrong.

Forrest's POV

Forrest woke up to the sound of distant yelling and the unmistakable tension of an entire pack preparing for war.
Again.
Someone somewhere was probably training. Someone else was probably arguing about mating bonds. And Ash? Ash was likely barking orders at a wall and brooding about loyalty while doing push-ups shirtless like the noble, angry statue he was.
Forrest sat up in bed and blinked at the ceiling.
"Nope," he said out loud to no one in particular. "Not today."
Today, the pack needed joy.
They needed laughter.
They needed… him.

Forrest flung off his blanket and stood like a man possessed by divine mischief. "It is time," he declared dramatically, "for a morale improvement initiative."
He was going to cheer everyone up.
Whether they liked it or not.

Phase One: Frogageddon

By 8:00 a.m., Forrest stood outside the pack house with a large bucket. In it? Frogs.
A lot
of frogs.
He'd been out since dawn catching the slimy little guys down by the creek. He counted a hundred. Or maybe ninety-eight. One jumped out of the bucket, and he just shrugged.
Close enough.
Each frog had a tiny paper note tied gently to one leg. Some said things like:
"Believe in yourself!"

"Croak less, live more."

"Your hair looks amazing today."

"Ribbit. (That's frog for 'I love you.')"

A few simply said: "This is Ash's fault."

He pushed open the side door of the pack house and gently released his army into the hallway.
The frogs scattered.
Some hopped into the common room. Others took the stairs two at a time.
He closed the door with a satisfied smile and whispered, "Go forth, my sons."

Phase Two: Brooks vs. Bowels

At 8:30 a.m., Forrest found Brooks in the kitchen blending his daily green nightmare smoothie.
It looked like swamp water had personal issues.
"Morning!" Forrest said innocently, all sunshine and fake virtue.
Brooks grunted in return and turned his back to grab a protein bar.
Amateur mistake.

Forrest struck fast, emptying a small vial of high-grade laxative powder into the blender and snapping the lid back on like nothing had happened.
"You doing leg day today?" Forrest asked as Brooks poured the smoothie into a bottle.
Brooks shrugged. "Upper body."
"Bold choice," Forrest said, already walking away, "with what's about to happen in your lower half."
Brooks stared at forrest and just drank his smothie unaware of the chaos that was about to happen.

Phase Three: Glitterocalypse

At 9:00 a.m., it was time for the crown jewel of the morning.
Opal.
She'd been tense all week—carrying the weight of leadership, fate, and maybe feelings she wasn't ready to talk about. So Forrest, being a supportive brother
, decided to lighten her mood.
With glitter.
He rigged her weapons locker using a spring-loaded mechanism, a funnel, and two pounds
of glitter—mixed pink and silver, for maximum effect.
She was in the training yard when she opened it.
There was a moment of silence.
Then:
BOOM.

A mushroom cloud of sparkle erupted into the air. Glitter blasted into her face, hair, chest—everywhere. Even her boots
looked like disco balls.
Forrest was already laughing when she turned around.
But when she locked eyes
with him, his laughter doubled over into wheezing.
Opal looked like a vengeful fairy queen.
Her eyes were pure murder.
Her hair sparkled like a unicorn exploded.
And she was coming for him.

"Forrest Blackthorn!" she shouted, stalking forward, hands clenched into fists.
He tried to run.
He tripped over a frog.
Hit the ground.
Hard.
Still laughing.
"I—you look so majestic—
" he wheezed as she stomped closer, glitter still raining off her like a sparkly demon.
"You GLITTER-BOMBED MY WEAPONS."
"It was a gift!"
Opal tackled him.
They rolled into the grass as Forrest gasped, still laughing too hard to fight back. Opal sat on his chest, pressing a knee into his ribs, and glared down at him.
"Any last
words?" she growled.
"Yeah," he choked out, grinning up at her. "You're welcome."

Later that day, as Seraphina lectured him about hygiene, biological hazards, and psychological warfare via amphibians, Forrest sat with an ice pack on his head and a big dumb smile on his face.
Opal was still picking glitter out of her hair.
Brooks was somewhere in the infirmary, swearing between bathroom breaks.
Kael had threatened to kill him twice
after finding a frog in his bed.
Ash had said nothing, which meant he was definitely
plotting revenge.
It was fine.
They were laughing again. Rolling their eyes again. Living again.
And that?
That was the whole point.