Page 42 of Fated
Before he could step away, she looped her pinky around his, golden-brown eyes soft and searching as she tilted her face toward his. The moment stretched as she rose on her toes, lips pressing softly against his cheek. The kiss lasted a few heartbeats, the warmth of her touch spreading through him like wildfire and softening the tension in his body. Orion’s contented purr vibrated from his chest to his throat, the wolf surging forward as their mate’s scent wrapped around them like a tangible caress.
She pulled back, voice barely a whisper. “I’m glad dinner happened. Being close to you makes my wolf, Elara, and me so happy. I can’t wait to have more time with you. To share my home with you.”
Kai was paralyzed, lungs refusing to work as she turned and joined her packmates near the Jeep. As she climbed in, she glanced back at him, smile gentle and sweet.
“Goodnight, mate,” she called softly.
Kai stood rooted to the spot, the ghost of her kiss still burning on his cheek. Orion preened in his mind even as Kai’s chest ached with the futility of his fight. He exhaled shakily, thoughts spinning. “I’m fucked,” he muttered as he made his way towards the limo.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LENA
The banquet hall blazed with energy. Warm lighting cast a golden glow over mingling leaders and heirs. Crystal clinked like wind chimes while laughter echoed off high ceilings as Lena’s fingers tightened around Ryker’s arm. They entered together, Elara stirring restlessly beneath her skin, scanning for one scent among the many.
The beta-heir looked unusually composed—for now—though mischief danced in his eyes as they reached the bar. Champagne fizzed in their glasses, tiny bubbles racing to the surface. Elara huffed with impatience, the wolf’s excitement barely contained beneath Lena’s polite veneer.
“To surviving your first summit.” Ryker raised his glass with that trademark grin and wink that always preceded trouble.
Lena laughed, the sound genuine despite the constant ache in her chest—the hollow space that seemed to pulse whenever Kai wasn’t near. She clinked her glass against his. “To surviving you.”
They wove through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries that felt both diplomatic and sincere. Pride swelled in her chest at how well the summit had unfolded for Moonshadow.
Her thoughts scattered as they approached a small group where a striking blonde female stood laughing. The sound was musical as she responded to something a tall, dark-haired male had said.
“Tessa!” Ryker’s grin widened impossibly. The way his body gravitated toward her caught Lena’s attention—there was something almost magnetic in his movement.
The female turned, sapphire-blue eyes lighting up at the sight of him. “Ryker,” she breathed, her voice warm as honey dripping from a comb. Elara perked up at the scent of affection between them, a pleased rumble vibrating through Lena’s chest.
“Miss me?” He slid an arm around her waist with practiced ease, but there was something different in his touch—a tenderness that made Lena’s chest tighten. When he leaned into whisper in Tessa’s ear, the shiver that ran through the female was visible. It was clear how lust had matured into something more over the last few days. How being in Tessa’s orbit had smoothed the edges of Ryker’s usually frantic aura.
Lena watched them with a mixture of delight and longing to know how it felt to have that kind of connection.
“Tessa, I don’t know how you tolerate him,” she said, extending a hand to the Redridge Beta’s daughter. “I’m Lena.”
Tessa took Lena’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.” She beamed. “Ryker hasn’t stopped singing your praises all week.”
“Hasn’t stopped singing yours either,” Lena quipped, lips curving into a knowing smirk. “Some of them not quite appropriate for the breakfast table.”
Tessa laughed while giving Ryker a playful shove. His hand traced the slit of Tessa’s dress, lips brushing her ear as he whispered promises that made her flush crimson.
“Ryker,” she gasped, voice catching with both embarrassment and clear desire.
“You’ll make a perfect beta-female.” His grin turned wicked. “You have no idea the things I want to do to you—the ways I want to love and worship you, how I’ll keep you filled with my pups.”
Before Lena could decide between rolling her eyes or applauding his boldness, Aiden appeared, expression caught between amusement and exasperation.
“Ryker,” he said, lips twitching despite his firm tone. “Cian’s waiting. Rounds.”
Ryker groaned dramatically and pressed a lingering kiss behind Tessa’s ear before following. “Did you have to take lessons to become an epic cock-block, or does it just come naturally?”
Tessa covered her mouth, nose scrunching as she giggled. Lena couldn’t help joining in, the levity of the moment a welcome distraction.
After Ryker disappeared with his father, Lena turned to Tessa. “So, is this just a summit fling, or are you hoping for more?”
The smile slipped from Tessa’s face, shadows of pain darkening her features. “I found my mate when I was eighteen,” she said quietly, hands wringing together. “One of our warriors. We had so many plans…” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard. “He died in a rogue attack before we could complete our mating ceremony.”
Something shriveled in Lena’s chest, a physical ache spreading beneath her ribcage. Elara’s whimper resonated through their bond, the wolf’s grief vibrating through her marrow. She reached for Tessa’s hands, feeling them tremble against her steadier ones.
