Nirvana

Claimed & Called Out

Going back to Salene and Mateo’s wasn’t just what we did after school—it was what we did when the world pressed too hard on our shoulders. It was our safe space. A place where spirit met breath, and wolf met calm. Even when things were chaotic, this house held the kind of peace that soaked into your bones.

So when I walked in and saw Mateo Greyhawk—Alpha, always composed, older than the rest of us by more than just years—pacing by the window with a phone to his ear, I already knew tonight wouldn’t be one of those peaceful nights.

I collapsed onto the couch like a brick dropped in water. “Mateo, please tell me this is just about someone forgetting to pick up firewood and not another boundary breach, rogue wolf, or cryptic elder dream.”

Talon Redbird, perched coolly on the arm of the loveseat, didn’t miss a beat. “Kal, you body-slammed Maren Gold in the cafeteria for trying to crawl into Lennox’s lap. Normal left the building with your last punch.”

I sucked my teeth. “She had it coming.”

“Sure,” said Adolfo, stepping in behind me. His hand brushed against Talon’s as he passed—a small, wordless thing, but loud to those who knew. Their soulbond was new but steady, like a fire that knew how to burn low and warm. “Still the most exciting part of lunch since Mystery Meat Monday.”

“I was calm,” I insisted, crossing my arms.

“You growled,” Talon deadpanned. Your eyes glowed. You were not calm.”

Before I could fire back, a voice rang out from the hallway:

“Kaliska Rain!”

Salene Wrenriver, all righteous energy in a clay-colored skirt and an apron dusted with cornmeal, stood with a wooden spoon pointed at me like she was ready to strike judgment and dinner at the same time.

“I thought we had an agreement this year—no fighting unless someone shifts or bleeds.”

I sat up straighter. “Technically, no one bled. And she put her hands on Lennox again. Tried to sit in his lap. While I was right there.”

Mateo glanced over his shoulder, finally lowering his phone. “Breathe, Kal.”

I inhaled—sharp, shallow, fiery.

“She’s disrespectful. She knows we’re bonded. Soulbound. That’s not something you flirt around. That’s a blood-level connection. She’s lucky I didn’t make her soul leave her body.”

Salene raised a brow but didn’t argue. “You don’t have to prove what you already are, baby. Wolves don’t bark at squirrels.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I mumbled, even though my jaw was still tense.

She turned back toward the kitchen. “Dinner’s hot. Eat before your fury burns through your stomach lining.”

Dinner at the Wrenriver-Greyhawk home was always loud and healing. Venison stew, sweet frybread, squash roasted with herbs, and a lot of teasing between bites. The food grounded us. The noise reminded us we were still teenagers, no matter how many lifetimes lived inside our bones.

I caught Talon whispering something in Adolfo’s ear that made him laugh so hard he choked on his frybread. Talon reached over with a hand on his back, face soft in that way he only ever showed Dolf. It was a small thing, but I felt it in my chest.

Soulmates weren’t all fire and passion. Sometimes they were just that—a hand when you’re choking. A glance when you're unraveling. A stillness that anchored.

That’s when Mateo’s phone buzzed again.

He checked it, then stood. His voice dropped lower, colder. “Mallory Grant didn’t come home after school.”

The table went silent.

“She went hiking,” he continued. “Alone. Last seen near the southern ridge.”

Lennox stood immediately. “That’s past the boundary line.”

Mateo nodded. “Far past. Old hollow trail.”

Talon muttered under his breath. “She went into the dead zone. Just walked into it like she belonged.”

“She doesn’t,” Mateo said. “But we’re still going after her.”

“She’s not even tribal,” I whispered. “What was she doing out there?”

“Pushing her luck,” Salene said from the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. “As usual.”

Everyone scattered. Patrol bands went on. Hoodies zipped. Mateo gave silent nods and paired them off like a coach with battlefield instincts. It wasn’t rushed—it was practiced. Ritual.

I didn’t move.

“Someone’s gotta make sure y’all don’t flunk out,” I said, motioning toward the stack of homework folders. “Enjoy your hunt. I’ll hold down the academic fort.”

Lennox paused on his way out, leaned down, and kissed my forehead. “You’re magic.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

With the house quieter, I stayed behind to help Salene clean. She was calm in a way that felt ancestral—like the air around her was always a little thicker with wisdom. I caught her glancing toward the door once, then twice, even though Mateo hadn’t returned.

They were soulbound, too. Salene and Mateo. But where Lennox and I were storm and spark, they were earth and fire—quiet, deep, unshakable. He led the pack, but she held his center. Their bond wasn’t loud. It was felt.

After the dishes, I tackled the homework spread out across the table. Science quizzes, vocab sheets, a history essay Lennox barely started. Easy work for me. I’d long since accepted that being the brain of the pack was just part of my assignment.

My phone buzzed.

Mom:

Are you okay? You staying at Lennox’s or Salene’s tonight?

Me:

All good. Mallory’s missing. The boys are running. Dolf’s with Talon. I’m going to Lennox’s after I finish.

Mom:

Lit cedar. Cleared the mirrors. Protect your edges.

Around midnight, I heard them.

Soft footsteps. Familiar heartbeats. Whispered voices.

The lock clicked.

They crept in like they thought we’d be asleep. I met Lennox at the door, practically leaping into his arms.

“You’re good?” I whispered.

“Always, now.”

He kissed my cheek. “You tired?”

“Sleep is for the weak.”

“Perfect,” he murmured. “Because I’m ready to be held like royalty.”

I laughed. “By ‘royalty,’ you mean ‘little spoon.’”

He smirked, already pulling me toward the door. “Let’s go, soulfire.”

The ride home was soft. Head in his lap, fingers in my curls, his warmth seeping into my skin like medicine. By the time we got to his house, I was floating.

Shower. Leftover stew reheated. Patrol recap. Kisses. Cuddles.

We didn’t say much.

We didn’t have to.

Because in Lennox Greyson’s arms, with my spirit threaded into his through the ancient soulbond we’d inherited from something older than this town, I didn’t need to explain anything.

Not the fire in me.

Not the fight earlier.

Not even the fear humming beneath it all.

Because here…

Here, I was safe.

And being safe with someone that powerful?

That was the real magic.