#81 Getting our Shit Together

Getting our Shit Together
Ryanna POV

I hauled myself out of the throne-like chair Lucien had just ruined me in, my legs shaky, my body humming with a mix of soreness and satisfaction. The bond was still crackling under my skin like live wires. The suite looked like a battlefield, sheets mangled, pillows in exile, the air thick with sweat and sex.

The star etched under my left eye burned faintly, silver light threading through my veins, tethering me to my six men in a way that made my skin feel electric. Syrene purred in my head, smug as hell. "Damn, girl, you’re glowing. Better move before they drag you back into that chair for round two."

Through the bond I felt them, Kaelan’s cheeky afterglow, Lucien’s smug satisfaction, Rhydor’s solid steadiness, Darian’s sharp relief, Dryke’s dragon pride, Aedryos’s unnerving calm. Their wolves and beasts echoed, a chorus in my mind of barks, growls, snarls, roars, even Aedryos’s celestial howl. Pack link on steroids.

I wobbled into the bathroom, wincing at the ache between my thighs. My reflection was a wreck, blonde curls plastered to my head, sweat shining on my pale skin, freckles standing out like constellations. Darian’s ruby pendant lay warm on my chest, Aedryos’s moonflowers clung to my hair, Rhydor’s ring gleamed on my finger. I was a walking jewelry box of my mates’ affections.

Cold water shocked my face back to reality. I scrubbed hard, washing away sweat and Lucien’s shadows, then strapped myself into fighting leathers. Black pants damn near painted on, a fitted top, knives at my thighs and my pistol at my hip. Syrene whistled. "Lookin’ like you could kill a god, babe. Time to test that theory."

When I stepped out, my men were all leathered up too, their weapons strapped, tattoos glowing faintly under skin. Kaelan grinned, his golden eyes wicked. “You good, little wolf? That was one hell of a show.” Lucien’s silver gaze lingered like a caress. “Perfect,” he murmured, his shadows curling at my ankles like they wanted another round.

Rhydor’s grunt was pure possession. Darian’s sharp eyes scanned me like I was a puzzle and a prize both. Dryke smirked, his green eyes molten. “Princess, you’re on fire.”

Aedryos, always calm and steady, his delicious starfire eyes locked on mine. “Goddess. We’re one now.”

The bond thrummed hot, their thoughts brushing against mine: She’s ours, from Rhydor. Fuck, she’s hot, from Kaelan. My stomach growled loud enough to make them snicker. “Lunch first,” I announced, striding for the door. “Then we train. I want this bond tested, stretched and sharpened. And then, we plan how to gut the Directorate and save my mom from those Celestara bastards.”

Agreement buzzed back through the link like a war drum.

Fifteen minutes later....

The castle hummed with life as we walked its halls, soldiers patrolling, new witches reinforcing wards, warlocks tinkering with charms. Halfway down the corridor, Veyra appeared, our resident hybrid wolf-vamp, and my aspiring bestie. Her hair was streaked with blood flecks, and blue eyes were sharp.

“Queen,” she said, fist to chest. “Argon’s useless. Same script, Directorate ran the Hunt, Galrith’s tangled with the gods. Nothing new on Aelthoria.” I looped my arm through hers, feeling her exhaustion like my own. “Take a break, girl. Eat with us.”

Her grin split her fierce face. “Hell yes. Torture’s hungry work.”

The great hall doors swung wide, and the roar hit us.

“Moon-Bound Queen!”

Seven hundred voices, wolves, witches, warlocks, even a handful of wary vampires, shook the rafters. Our star tattoos flashed silver in answer, dazzling the crowd. Maelira raised her fist at the head table, her silver-streaked hair catching torchlight, her nod sharp with approval. The table groaned with food. There was roasted venison bleeding juices, whole honeyed hams, potatoes drowning in cheese, baskets of bread, wheels of sharp cheese, bowls of ripe fruit and tasty foaming ale.

Kaelan piled his plate to ridiculous heights, grinning as he balanced it. “Look at this spread, venison, cheese, bread... it's enough to choke even Dryke’s dragon ass.” He winked. “Bet I can eat more than you, Lucien.”

Lucien snorted, shadows curling around his fork. “Dream on, puppy.” But his silver eyes slid to me, softening with amusement. We dug in, every flavor exploding brighter through the bond. I swore the roasted venison moaned back at me, cheese melted on my tongue like sin. The bread was warm enough to make me hum. Veyra tore into hers, groaning. “Gods, this beats blood bags.”

Kaelan tossed a grape in the air and caught it in his mouth, but barely. The second one fell, but Lucien’s shadows snagged it mid-drop and popped it in his mouth. Kaelan cursed, the whole table laughing, even Dryke smirking behind his ale. Veyra leaned close, her blue eyes daring. “Queen, please train me. I want to see what your shiny new star bond can do.”

I grinned, leaning forward. “Fuck yes. Been dying to see your claws up close, girl. But you’ll bleed. For fun.” She flashed her fangs wickedly. “Bring it. I’ll make you work for the win that's for sure.”

Syrene purred. "Hybrid’s got spunk. Don’t let her bite too hard." I laughed into my ale, my star burning even hotter.

The castle whisked our plates away with a shimmer of silver light, leaving only the tang of roasted meat and spiced wine in the air. Kaelan stretched, rubbing his stomach like a wolf who’d just eaten an entire herd.

“Training field?” I asked, already standing, my fighting leathers tight across my thighs. The bond buzzed with agreement. Lucien’s shadows curled around his shoulders, eager. Rhydor cracked his knuckles, a grunt of approval. Dryke smirked. “Finally,” he muttered.

Veyra wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her fangs flashing. “Lead the way, Queen.” The great hall doors swung wide as we stepped into the late afternoon light. Soldiers filled the training yard, striking dummies, scaling the new obstacle courses. The wards were glowing faint along the perimeter. They paused as we walked by, murmuring, Moon Bound Queen, like it was a prayer.

Veyra cracked her neck, grinning at me. “Let’s see if you’re more than a pretty prophecy.” I smirked, tossing my hair back. “Careful, hybrid. I’ll have you kissing dirt before you can blink.”

She lunged before I even finished the sentence. Blue eyes blazing, claws flashing, she moved with vampiric speed. Her wolf ferocity trailing behind like a whip. I ducked just in time, her strike slicing through the air where my face had been. “Godsdamn,” I hissed, flipping backward. “Fast little bitch.”

She laughed, circling me. “You expected me to play nice?”

I let Syrene push to the surface, silver light flickering across my skin. "Focus, Ryanna. She’s testing you, not killing you."

“Same thing,” I muttered, darting forward. My fist shot out, but she dodged, her body twisting like liquid shadow. She was behind me in an instant, arm around my throat. I snarled, slamming my heel into her shin. She grunted, her grip loosening, and I spun out, silver fire sparking across my hands. The crowd gasped. “Showoff,” she spat, wiping a trickle of blood from her lip.

“Queen,” I corrected, launching myself at her. We collided hard, claws and fists flying. She slammed me against the dirt, her breath hot in my ear. “Pinned.”

“Not yet.” I twisted, used her own momentum, and flipped her onto her back. My knee pressed into her chest, knife to her throat. The silver star under my eye flared, searing bright.

Pinned. The yard erupted in cheers. Veyra laughed breathlessly, eyes blazing with admiration. “Three minutes. Not bad, Queen. Not bad at all.”

I smirked, offering her a hand up. “Next time, hybrid, I’ll do it in one.”

She gripped my wrist tight, her grin feral. “Next time, I won’t hold back.”