Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Raven’s POV

Being sandwiched between two Kings during a slow dance was an experience I never thought I’d have. I could feel the heat radiating off both of them. Behind me, I could feel the unmistakable bulge of Valen’s hardness pressing against my back, but to my surprise, he wasn't trying to rub lewdly against me. He was just... dancing.

He followed Darian’s lead, swaying his hips in time with mine. I actually admired his self-control. I suppose after spending years trying to stop his wolf from going crazy, his iron-clad control over his own body was a given.

Darian was just as intense. He didn't look away once, his amber eyes locked onto mine as we moved. It felt like I was the only person in the world to them, and despite the weirdness of it, it was a great experience. For a moment, the fear of the future faded, replaced by the warmth of being wanted.

Later on, the music picked up and we started to mingle with the other guests. I noticed a pattern pretty quickly. People would flock to Darian, trying to shake his hand or get a word in about trade and borders. But Valen? People gave him a wide berth. They would step aside when he walked by, their heads bowed in a way that looked more like fear than respect. He didn't seem to care, though his jaw was set tight.

My feet were starting to ache from the heavy boots I was wearing, so I found a quiet stone bench near the edge of the courtyard. I sat down and began massaging my left foot, letting out a long sigh of relief.

A shadow fell over me. I looked up, expecting one of the Kings, but I gasped when I saw the familiar face of Alpha Hilton.

"Alpha!" I exclaimed, quickly moving to stand up.

"You don't have to stand, Raven," he said, his voice deep and gravelly. "Stay comfortable."

I didn't sit back down, though. I stood there, feeling a rush of old affection. Alpha Hilton had always been like the father I never had. While the other kids mocked me for being a late shifter, he was the one who used to play with me in the dirt or bring me little honey treats from the market.

"How are you, child?" he asked, looking me over.

"I’m fine, Alpha," I said.

He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I’ve never really apologized for how Gary treated you. The rejection... it was a disgrace to our pack. You know there is nothing wrong with you, right?"

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. "I know."

"I’ll admit," Hilton continued, looking out at the crowd, "that I wanted a strong Luna to lead the pack when I finally step down and I didn't think it could be you. I didn't think an Omega who shifted late could handle the weight of leadership."

The honesty stung. It was like a sharp poke to an old bruise. But I just nodded in understanding. "I understand, Alpha. It doesn't hurt anymore. Actually, looking at where I am now... it’s looking like a blessing in disguise."

I let out an awkward laugh, glancing toward where Valen was currently glaring at Darian and a Southern merchant.

"See you around, Raven. Stay safe," Hilton said, patting my shoulder before turning away.

"Yes, Alpha. You too."

The conversation left me feeling pensive, but I didn't have much time to think. The ginger Alpha who had been coordinating the summit stepped up onto a platform and held a microphone.

"The hour is almost upon us!" he shouted, his voice booming with excitement. "The sun is setting, and we are going to run and let loooooose!"

Massive shouts arose from the crowd. Traditional drums started to play a heavy, rhythmic beat that made the ground vibrate. Everyone started stomping their feet and clapping their hands in sync. It was the "Wild Run," the final tradition of the summit where everyone shifted and ran as a pack through the neutral forests.

Some people started undressing right there, not caring about modesty. Others had already shifted, their furs of gray, black, and white standing out against the orange sky.

I hurried to a secluded corner behind some thick bushes. I quickly undressed, folding my clothes neatly so I could find them later. I took a deep breath and let the change happen. My bones snapped and reformed, and my fur sprouted. I stood on four paws, feeling a bit self-conscious about my small size.

Finally, a voice echoed in my head.

Eva? I asked. You didn't say anything all day.

I’ve been dying for a run, my wolf responded, her voice sharp and eager. You’re too slow in that human skin.

You could have said something!

You know I don't talk much. You should know these things by now, Eva said. She stretched her front paws out, her claws digging into the dirt. Go to rest, Raven. It's my time to shine.

I felt a surge of mischievous energy that wasn't mine. Don't do anything I wouldn't do, Eva, I warned.

No promises, she grumbled.

Eva took over, trotting out from behind the bushes to join the others. Wolves of all different scents, colors, and sizes were milling around. Some were play-biting each other's ears, and others were chasing their tails. The sun finally dipped below the horizon, leaving the world in a deep purple twilight.

A loud, powerful howl pierced the sky. It was Darian’s wolf—a massive, dark beast with piercing grey eyes. A second later, another howl followed, darker and more concerning. That was Ash, Valen’s ash-brown wolf.

Eva yips excitedly, her tail wagging so hard it hit my shins. Mates!

Every other wolf in the clearing howled in response, a deafening wall of sound. Then, as if a starting gun had gone off, we all took off running into the dark woods.

It was exhilarating. The wind rushed through my fur, and the smell of damp earth and pine was a thousand times stronger than when I was human. I saw a brown pelt with distinctive black spots on the ears coming up behind me. I recognized the scent immediately.

Diane!

She nudged me playfully with her shoulder, and I nipped at her ear. We ran together, weaving through the trees and staying on the outskirts of the main pack. Everyone was pushing themselves, eager to burn off the tension of the last few days.

Then, disaster struck in the funniest way possible. Diane tried to leap over a fallen log, but she misjudged the distance. She tripped hilariously, her legs tangling in mid-air. She landed face-first into a patch of dark, wet ground and let out a muffled whimper.

I crashed to a stop, laughing as much as a wolf can laugh, which sounded more like a series of short, breathy huffs. I walked over to help her up, but as soon as my front paws hit the dark ground, I felt them sink.

It wasn't just mud. It was thick and heavy, a bog.

I tried to pull my legs back, but the suction was too strong. I panicked and tried to shift back into my human form, thinking I’d have a better chance of crawling out, but it was impossible. My body wouldn't respond; the shock was too much. Eva started to whine pitifully in my head, her bravado gone.

Diane! I screamed in my mind.

I reached forward and bit her front paw hard to release the toxin in our saliva that allowed for a temporary pack mindlink.

Raven! Diane responded, her voice echoing tearfully in my head. I’m sinking deeper! It’s pulling me down!

Try to grab the tree root beside you! I told her. Use your teeth! Don't move your legs, it only makes it worse!

I tried to do the same, reaching for a gnarled root just a few inches from my nose. I looked around, but the rest of the pack was way ahead. Their scents were fading, and the forest was growing silent. We were alone.

Diane must have panicked. She made too much movement, thrashing her back legs to get leverage. Instead of moving up, she suddenly sank deeper, the black mud reaching her chest. She let out a terrified, high-pitched howl that echoed through the trees.

I tried to reach for her, but I was stuck up to my knees, and every time I leaned forward, I felt myself slipping. I felt helpless. I let out a howl of my own which was a long, mournful cry for help.

Just as Diane’s head started to go under, a big, dark mass jumped out from the shadows. With crazy, explosive strength, the beast snatched Diane by the scruff of her neck and hauled her out of the mud in one powerful move.