The Nightfall Mates

The Instinct to Claim

The laughter didn’t last.

The moment the three women tried to settle down, the strange warmth inside them intensified.

Remi’s smile disappeared.

She pressed a hand against her abdomen.

“Okay…”

Will immediately noticed.

“Remi?”

She shook her head.

“I don’t feel good.”

Across the room, Rae grabbed the edge of the table.

“Yeah.”

Her voice was strained.

“This is getting worse.”

Del closed her eyes, breathing slowly.

“I feel like I’m burning from the inside.”

The three Alpha wolves reacted instantly.

Will’s wolf slammed against his control.

Mate. Help her.

Trey’s wolf was equally restless.

Mate. She’s hurting.

Elijah’s wolf growled.

Protect her. Now.

The brothers exchanged a look.

They all understood.

The bond was accelerating the women’s supernatural awakening.

And their bodies were struggling to keep up.

Will moved toward Remi.

She immediately leaned into him.

His arms wrapped around her.

The second he touched her, her breathing eased.

Only slightly.

Will’s wolf practically roared.

Mark her.

Will clenched his jaw.

Not yet.

Not like this.

Remi looked up at him.

“Will…”

“I’ve got you.”

His voice was low and controlled.

“I’ve got you.”

Across the room, Trey was fighting his own instincts.

Rae’s breathing had become uneven.

She looked at him.

“Trey…”

He was beside her instantly.

“I’m here.”

The moment his hand touched hers, the bond surged.

Rae gasped.

Trey’s wolf nearly broke through.

Mate. Mark her.

Trey’s jaw tightened.

“Easy.”

Rae stared at him.

“Who are you talking to?”

“My wolf.”

Her eyes widened.

“What is he saying?”

Trey hesitated.

Then Rae heard the voice herself.

Beautiful chaos.

She almost smiled.

But another wave of heat hit her.

She gripped Trey’s hand.

“Okay. Less flirting. More helping.”

Trey’s wolf growled inside his mind.

We need to mate and mark her.

Trey froze.

Rae’s eyes widened.

Because she heard him.

If we don’t complete the bond, her symptoms will continue getting worse.

Rae swallowed.

“Trey…”

“I know.”

His voice was strained.

“My wolf says the bond needs to be completed.”

Rae looked toward Remi and Del.

Both were struggling too.

“What does that mean?”

Trey looked into her eyes.

“It means our wolves believe the mate bond needs to be sealed.”

Rae’s breath caught.

“By marking?”

Trey nodded.

“And mating.”

The room went quiet.

Rae looked down.

Then back at him.

“So that’s why this is getting worse?”

Trey’s wolf answered her directly.

The bond is incomplete. Her body is fighting it.

Rae closed her eyes.

The warmth surged again.

She winced.

Trey immediately pulled her closer.

His wolf fought desperately against his control.

Help our mate.

Trey whispered,

“I will.”

Across the room, Elijah was holding Del carefully.

Her head rested against his chest.

“Elijah…”

“I’ve got you.”

His wolf was equally relentless.

Mate. Claim her. Protect her.

Elijah closed his eyes.

He wanted to give in.

Every instinct demanded it.

But Del was vulnerable.

He wasn’t going to make a decision for her.

Will was facing the same battle.

Remi was leaning against him, exhausted.

His wolf wanted to mark her.

Wanted to complete the bond.

Wanted to make certain every supernatural creature in the Bayou knew she belonged with him.

But Will forced himself to remain controlled.

Remi deserved a choice.

All three women did.

Rae looked at Trey.

“Can it wait?”

Trey shook his head slowly.

“I don’t know.”

His voice was quiet.

“But my wolf believes the longer the bond remains incomplete, the worse this will become.”

Rae looked toward Remi.

Then Del.

Then back at Trey.

Her expression was suddenly serious.

“Then we need to figure out what to do.”

Trey nodded.

“We will.”

His wolf softened.

Together.

Rae heard him.

And despite everything, she smiled.

“Your wolf is sweet.”

Trey smiled faintly.

“Don’t tell him that.”

Rae laughed weakly.

“Why?”

“His ego is already worse than mine.”

She heard the wolf immediately.

Impossible.

Rae giggled.

Trey shook his head.

Even now, his wolf could make her laugh.

But the laughter faded when another wave hit.

Trey held her tighter.

Across the room, the same thing happened to Remi and Del.

Three mates.

Three bonds.

Three women whose supernatural bodies were awakening faster than anyone expected.

And three Alpha wolves fighting the strongest instinct they had ever known.

Protect.

Claim.

Complete the bond.

But before any decision could be made, Rae suddenly stiffened.

Her eyes flashed.

A burst of magic sparked across her fingertips.

She looked toward the doorway.

“Something’s coming.”

Will’s head snapped toward her.

“What?”

Rae swallowed.

Her vision had returned.

And this time, it wasn’t about the attackers.

It was about the bond.

She whispered,

“The Moon Goddess is involved.”

The room went silent.

And somewhere deep inside all three women…

Their powers answered.