Elowen POV
The portal shimmered behind us, sealing shut with a snap of energy that made the hairs on my arms rise. Stormclaw Keep stood as cold and sturdy as ever, carved from stone and ancient pride, its tall towers casting long shadows in the fading light. I barely made it three steps before I was wrapped in a bear hug by Luna Aelira.
“Elowen,” she breathed, then stepped back to scan my face. “You alright?”
“Been better,” I muttered. “We had a siren situation. But we handled it.”
Alpha Draven strode toward me like the mountain of a man he is, and his gaze was all business. “Raelith’s already breached the fae realm.”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “We noticed when her sea witches tried to drown us.”
“Still mad we didn’t get to eat one,” Lyssira growled.
“You don’t eat undead fish bitches, babe.” I snarked at her.
“You can. Just gotta season ‘em right.” She giggled gleefully.
“Elowen,” Halrik rumbled as he approached. “Glad you’re here. We’ve got a situation.”
“Another one?” I sighed. “Can we not just have one peaceful fuckin‘ breakfast around here?”
Luna Nira chuckled under her breath, and Aelira motioned toward the stone steps. “Come inside. There’s someone else you need to meet.”
And that’s when I saw her. Tall, ash blonde braid swinging over one shoulder like it had attitude, silver eyes locked on me like she already didn’t like my face. Her stance was full alpha, her chin held high, arms crossed, boots planted like she was ready to throw down at any second.
“This is Princess Rivena Darkfang,” Draven said. “Lycan royalty.”
“Of course she is,” I murmured, stepping forward. “Elowen Skye Thorne.”
“Ah,” Rivena said, her voice smooth and sweet like venom on a silver spoon. “The chosen vessel of the Moon Goddess. You don’t look very celestial.”
“And you don’t look very warm and cuddly, but I hear looks are deceiving.”
That earned a few snorts. Luna Aelira was definitely biting her lip. Rivena’s silver eyes sparkled, but it wasn’t friendly. “I just expected more… divinity. Less combat boots.”
“Guess I’m not here to sit on a throne and look pretty.”
“I don’t know,” she said, fake studying my face. “You’d be kinda cute if you smiled more.”
1/3
21:19 Mon, Oct 27
Chapter 205
“Bitch, throw hands or throw compliments, don’t do both,” Lyssira howled. “Oh we’re gonna fight her someday.” She purred.
“Gods, I hope so.” I replied saucily.
“We done measuring dicks yet?” Taya called from behind me. “We’ve got a goddamn mission.”
Draven stepped in before I could launch a lightning bolt for funsies. “We leave at dawn. A fox shifter village was hit. Soria managed to get an SOS out before being taken back to the Crucible. We don’t know what we’re walking into.”
Rivena turned to me again. “Can your magic handle that? Or should I bring extra backup?”
“Oh don’t worry about me,” I said sweetly. “But maybe pack a leash. For yourself.”
“I don’t need one,” she purred. “I don’t run wild. I lead the wild.”
“Oh my gods,” Rylen muttered. “Is this foreplay or a fight?”
Jace leaned to Amaris. “I think they wanna wrestle naked in the mud.”
All five of my mates chucked and I glared daggers at each of them. “I will electrocute everyone,” I snapped.
They quieted down immediately.
“Except Rivena. You like her,” Lyssira whispered.
“No I don’t.”
“You liiiiiiike her.”
Draven cleared his throat. “Anyway. Garron and Seraya have offered full support. Their warriors are arriving tonight.”
“We’ll hit the village, track survivors, and gather intel,” Halrik added. “Stealth first. Force if needed.”
Rivena cracked her knuckles. “I vote force.”
“Of course you do,” I said. “Moon Princess wants a bloodbath.”
“I don’t want one,” she replied. “I just plan for the reality of one. Big difference.”
Taya clapped her hands. “Alright, bitches. Save the claws for the battlefield. Let’s eat, gear up, and be ready to roll by dawn.”
“I call dibs on standing behind Elowen,” Jace said, grinning. “She’s scary and I like it.”
I turned toward the stone stairway, motioning my mates to follow. As I passed Rivena, I leaned in just enough for her to hear. “I bite harder than I look.”
Without missing a beat, she replied, “Good. So do I.”
“Y’all are a goddamn problem,” Lyssira said gleefully.
2/3
21:19 Mon, Oct 27
Chapter 205
And I couldn’t even deny it.
Stormclaw Keep
Dining Hall
Night Before the Mission
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