Witch in wolf's clothing - Namaari

Chapter 29: Make Them Sweat

I convince myself, no matter how strong the attraction or how much Kaino wants her, that Namaari might not be the best option as a mate. I’ll have to fight this, I can’t reject her outright, and I’m sure my brothers will want her. Maybe if they keep her occupied, I can maintain some distance and keep my focus.

Zyméo steps forward, his voice gentle. "Kaynim doesn’t mean it that way. It’s just... there’s a lot going on. We never expected you to be our mate."

Namaari looks hurt, and it becomes even harder for me not to rush to her and wrap her in my arms. The fact that she’s barely covered, her beautiful body exposed on the ground, makes it even more difficult. I see Tazzym’s eyes flicker black, a clear sign that he’s also struggling with the attraction.

Tazzym, ever the bold one, speaks up. "Don’t listen to these two idiots. I’m glad you’re our mate. But how come we didn’t realize you were our mate before now?"

Namaari, without looking up, responds coldly, "I was seventeen the first time I came here, so the mate bond couldn’t be felt then. And now, I had a masking scent on me, something we use in stealth training, so you wouldn’t smell that I was your mate."

Zyméo’s eyes widen in realization. "So, you knew we were your mates all along, and you didn’t say anything?"

Namaari turns her head away angrily, her voice barely above a murmur. "I didn’t say anything because you’re all dickheads. You don’t deserve me. One of you spends all day with other women, another can’t emotionally connect with anyone, and the last one has already given his heart to someone else. No, thank you."

But I can see the tears forming in her eyes. It’s clear that she doesn’t entirely mean her harsh words. The pain and vulnerability in her expression cut deep. This is all wrong. She’s supposed to be our mate, but everything about this situation feels twisted and complicated.

Tazzym steps forward, his eyes sincere and filled with an emotion I rarely see in him. "Namaari, I’ve always had a soft spot for you. Since you left, I barely slept with other girls. They just didn’t matter. They hang around me, but I often refuse to go home with them. And since you’ve been here these past two weeks, I haven’t had a single fling."

Namaari looks at him, her anger and hurt palpable. "Wow, should I feel better because you went two weeks without a fling? You know, it’s clear I’m not what you want. I’ll make it easy for you. I, Namaari Featherstone, Alpha’s daughter and Princess of the Moonstone pack, reject—"

Before she can finish the sentence, Zyméo and Tazzym are already beside her on the ground. Zyméo holds her as she struggles, and Tazzym places his hand over her mouth.

"Namaari, what are you doing?" Tazzym asks, his voice filled with shock. "You can’t mean that. I will prove myself to you."

Zyméo, still holding her, speaks next. "I just need to figure things out with Seraphina. I’m torn because we’ve been together for so long, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel anything for you. I’ve always liked you from the beginning."

I watch the scene unfold, my emotions a tangled mess.

Namaari bites down on Tazzym’s hand, and he lets go with a yelp. She crawls further away, her expression defiant. “Fine, I won’t reject you — yet. Prove yourselves as much as you want. But I’ll do my own thing in the meantime. I need to think thoroughly about whether I want this at all. And for now, we say nothing to anyone, especially not my brother Nikolaj.”

I huff and say, “Do you need to break up with a few boyfriends first?”

My words hang in the air, and both my brothers and Namaari glare at me.

“Sorry,” I mumble, feeling the weight of their stares. I didn’t mean for that to come out. I’m just still in shock that she almost rejected us.

Kaino, my wolf, growls in my mind. “Well, with comments like that, she’ll definitely reject us, idiot.”

I feel the tension thickening between us, and the last thing I want is to make this situation worse. Namaari's eyes flash with hurt and anger, and I realize how deep my words must have cut.

Tazzym, looks at me like I’ve just made everything ten times harder. Zyméo’s expression is a mix of disbelief and frustration.

“Fine,” Namaari says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Will you give me some privacy and leave now?”

Zyméo hesitates. “We can’t just leave you here alone.”

“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you,” she retorts. “I just need to let Noali run for a bit. I’ll come back to the packhouse later.”

Tazzym smirks and says, “I know you can take care of yourself.”

I nod, trying to keep my voice neutral. “Okay, Princess.”

Tazzym then asks awkwardly, “Uh, are we still supposed to call you Princess Namaari?”

She pauses for a moment, considering. Then, coldly, she replies, “You and Zyméo can call me Namaari, but Alpha Kaynim... has a lot more to prove.”

With that, Namaari shifts into her wolf form, Noali, and runs off. Her parting words sting, and I can feel my anger simmering.

Tazzym grins broadly. “I’m glad you always say the wrong things to her. Makes us look better by comparison.”

Zyméo tries to stifle a laugh, but his amusement is clear.

I glare at them both. “Let’s just get back to the packhouse and make sure she returns safely. But first we have to explain to the Elders on the beach why we returned without Luna. And we can't say that Namaari is our fated mate, because Nikolaj... ”

Tazzym replies, "Let's just say we're still considering our options because we want to make the best choice for our pack. We'll see from there."

“Elder Melville will not be pleased,” Zyméo mutters.

Namaari’s POV

I decided not to return to the packhouse. Instead, I went to Willow's place. I needed to talk to her about everything that had happened— the revelation that the triplets were my mates and my mixed feelings about it all.

Late in the evening, the triplets showed up at Beta River's door, insisting that I come back to the packhouse. I told them I had been staying here for weeks already, and one more night wouldn't hurt. As usual, it quickly turned into a heated argument between Kaynim and me. Eventually, River intervened and managed to calm everyone down. He said I could stay one more night but that he would personally escort me back to the packhouse tomorrow, where I would stay from then on.

I spent the entire night talking with Willow. She believed I should give the triplets a chance — they are my fated mates, after all, and despite everything, they have shown moments where they genuinely cared about me.

"But," Willow added with a sly smile, "make them sweat a little. Make them jealous. Tease them to see how much they really want you. They've always had women falling at their feet without any effort. It's about time they show what they're willing to do for their mate, especially after everything that has happened."

"Maybe," I mused, considering her suggestion.

Willow then had an idea. "You know what? Let's go to the club tomorrow night. We can dance, enjoy the vibe, and forget everything for a while."

I laughed, though the idea seemed daunting. "Yeah, the triplets are definitely going to love that," I said sarcastically.

Willow winked. "Exactly. That's the point."

As I lay in Willow's guest bed that night, I thought about what she had said. The idea of making the triplets work for my affection had a certain appeal. They were used to getting everything they wanted effortlessly. Maybe it was time they learned that some things were worth fighting for.

Back at the packhouse, the triplets have moved my belongings to the guest room on their floor. I rummage through the closet, trying to find something suitable for tonight's outing to the club. As I pull out various pieces, Zephyr, who has taken it upon himself to "help," provides a running commentary on why each choice is inadequate.

I hold up a black dress with delicate lace detailing. "Too safe," Zephyr says, shaking his head.

Next, I try a red crop top and high-waisted jeans. "Boring," Zephyr dismisses it with a wave of his paw.

I pull out a leather jacket and a matching skirt. "Closer, but still too tame," he critiques.

Finally, I settle on a daring outfit that exudes a sexy rave style with a touch of edginess. It's a shimmering, holographic crop top with iridescent scales that catch the light, paired with high-waisted black shorts adorned with silver chains and studs. The shorts hug my curves perfectly, accentuating my figure in a way that's both provocative and empowering.

Zephyr's eyes light up. "Now, that's more like it!"

I complement the outfit with a pair of knee-high, lace-up boots and a choker necklace with a dangling crescent moon charm. For my hair, I decide on two high buns, giving me a playful yet fierce look. I apply makeup with bold, glittery eyeshadow in shades of electric blue and silver, accentuating my green eyes. I add glitter to my cheeks and a touch of highlighter to make my skin glow under the club lights. A sleek line of black eyeliner and a swipe of dark, matte lipstick complete the look.

Zephyr winks at me as I finish getting ready. "Have fun tonight, Namaari," he says with a smirk. "Knowing you, there’s bound to be some drama. I’ll have the tissues ready for tomorrow morning, just in case."

I roll my eyes playfully and reply, "Oh, please. I can handle a little drama." I give him a light kiss on his forehead, grab my handbag, and head downstairs.

It’s 8 PM, and I’m meeting Willow at the club in half an hour. Ebony and Kieko are joining us as well. Girls’ night, just what I need.

As I’m about to step out the door, I hear Zyméo calling from the recreation room. "Finally out of your room?"

Shit, I think, pausing in my tracks. I turn around and walk into the room where Kaynim, Tazzym, and Zyméo are playing pool with River. The moment I enter, the triplets' eyes turn black and they growl in unison. Tazzym is the first to speak. "Where do you think you’re going?"