Ever Cynical

Chapter 72🌶️- Last Pack Run

Anais POV

I had the barest little bump showing at eight weeks along. Tonight was a full moon, and probably my last chance to shift normally. I was feeling weirdly antsy, and sweaty. It was November, I should not be so freaking hot. Western Washington is pretty temperate, so it's not like it's snowy or freezing during the day, but it's not the kind of weather that makes you sweat. The feeling only seemed to intensify as we neared the ceremony to add all of our new members. The moon goddess had called another fifty Immortals to us, so our pack was edging close to four hundred members.

We still needed to call as many home as we could, but hesitated to put any sort of public message out until all the major threats were averted. Hopefully.

Kieran would need me for my blades, though we had opted to use a goblet rather than cut every time, which would allow many more inductions all at once. Mirgadok and Ekezeic had left to prepare for the council meeting, now that they had warriors here. It had been an emotional moment, as Ekezeic was still having trouble trusting everyone could adequately keep me and my babies safe. It had become clear that for all the s**t he gave my mates, he loved them just as much as he would sons of his own. Mirgadok just watched indulgently as his mate mothered all of us.

My Demon King father insisted on giving me a protective amulet, one made of platinum with a large oval moonstone, with both a hematite and black tourmaline cabochon, all designed so that the stones made direct contact with my skin. I was told, under no uncertain terms, to never remove it. Mirgadok had gently kissed my forehead and whispered to me to take good care of his cute sons. I was really, really going to miss my godparents. They'd become such a fixture within the pack in the last two months... I hoped they would come back after the council meeting.

Cressida had been teaching Jothan and me all things Luna, and it was surprisingly easy to grasp and pick up. Except for the whole party planning stuff. Ironically, it was Jothan that was better with the more feminine aspects of the job. Not because he himself was especially feminine. He might be a bit of a pretty boy compared to Erik and Kieran's rugged masculinity, but he was not lacking in male assertiveness or energy. I blushed thinking of his tender ministrations. We were both sitting in the Luna office, and he shot me a look that was both heated and the tiniest bit annoyed.

I understood his annoyance. There was so much to be done today, and we didn't have time for afternoon delight. That didn't mean he didn't want to. Hence his annoyance. He wanted me badly, like always, when my scent exploded with arousal. They all did. As much as they also pleasured each other, I never once felt neglected or left out. We kept our walls down emotionally so that we always knew what we were feeling. With the amount we felt from each other during s****l encounters, we had to be careful.

If I was enjoying Jothan's attention and Kier or Erik was training, they could get hurt because the sensations were distracting. And so on. And so, as much as we all wanted to just, have our way with each other, we tried to be judicious. Not to mention again, we had s**t to do. Jothan huffed, and I'll admit, it did hurt my feelings a bit. It wasn't like I could help it.

"My Queen, as much as I would love nothing more than to indulge you, please try to keep your desire under wraps." It was Nexus speaking, his eyes blacked out and voice raspy. "Tonight is very important for our people."

I was proud he was calling our pack his. This had taken a few weeks to come about, but it was clear that the Elemental took our role very seriously, indeed. I nodded.

"I will do my best, Nexus." I said, more than a little embarrassed at being called out by my most elegant and well-mannered mate, trying to focus on something constructive. I struggled to stay on task for the rest of the damned afternoon, much to my chagrin.

By the time the ceremony rolled around, I felt like someone had put something in my kool-aid. Kieran eyed me as we stood on the platform preparing the cup of blood. I was stiff from my attempts to stay engaged with the task at hand. Erik laid a soothing hand on my shoulder, and Jothan kissed my cheek. I wanted them! s**t. I tried to focus on the smiles and vows as each of the around eighty new members came forward and happily swore their allegiance to us. Once the ceremony was done, it was time for the pack run.

I felt like I had ants crawling all over my body and I was so hot I thought I was going to explode. I felt like I really had been drugged, and my core ached with raw need. The thought crossed my mind that it would be totally fine if I just climbed onto Erik and f****d him regardless of audience. He was wearing this silky black dress shirt, rolled to his elbows that was begging for me to rip it off. Couple with his black dress slacks and bare feet... he oozed gothy sexiness with his hair hanging in his face.

Kier wore the same outfit he had for our mating ceremony, and I was equally sure I could just have my way with him too and people would get over it. He was as hot as ever, his man bun crying to my fingers to release his dirty blonde curls from their confines as I ravaged his mouth.

And then, there was Jothan. Ethereal yet not Jothan. He wore the same burgundy button-up and gray slacks he had when he arrived, though like our other mates, the sleeves were rolled to his elbows. Their veiny, sexy forearms were driving me insane with lust. I wanted to beg him to tease me with his tongue until I screamed his name.

These thoughts were so rampant I felt more than a little bit insane, trying to disguise my panting and sweating. Thankfully my hair was in a braided coronet, making the sweat less obvious. I wore my Luna dress, which also fit just loosely enough that I was not completely transparent in my insane need to mate with my men.

We all got into place to shift. Everyone was naked except for me and my mates. Now that we could retain clothing, it was exponentially easier. Claire was clawing at my mind to be let out, even over Xinglong's bid to run instead. It was rare for Claire to dominate either Xinglong or me, she was like the big sister that kept us both calm. Something was not right.

Before Kier could finish his little speech, Claire forced me back and ran off in the direction of her favorite bestial mating spot.

Erik POV

Therus was losing his mind over the strength of Anais' scent. I could feel Jothan and Kieran's concern as I struggled to keep him from going into rut as we all chased Claire through the woods. Honestly, if he was truly smelling what he thought he was, I was not going to be able to do anything. Frankly, we needed to get her somewhere safe before any unmated males caught a whiff. Queen or not, they'd be equally wild to mate her. It would be nobody's fault, but could be very traumatic for all.

We finally caught up to her at our special little spot. Geoff and Ritsu were leading the other members, and charged with keeping them well away from Anais. Kier immediately pinned her as I tried to hold Therus off. He was not happy and roared his displeasure. Nexus helped with some vines, knowing we needed to figure out what was going on. What we were smelling was our Queen in heat, and that couldn't be right... could it?

Kieran POV

I had to be smelling incorrectly. My nose found Clare's weeping core and Ri'dubh sighed. I was absolutely smelling exactly what I'd guessed. She was in heat. Again.

Why is she in heat Ri? I asked him. This did not make sense at all.

I honestly have no idea. She's pregnant, and it hasn't even been three months. Standard wolf heats are every six months, so this isn't normal at all, besides the fact that they definitely shouldn't happen while she's already got pups in her. He sounded confused and worried. Beneath me, Claire was desperately trying to wiggle enough that Ri'dubh would mount her. A growl ripped out of our chest as his control snapped, and he frantically pumped his erect member in and out of her at a lightning quick pace, making them both snarl in overt but pleasurable aggression.

Nexus, do you know anything? I asked. The mating was distracting and felt nearly euphoric through the bond, but I needed more information.

I'm struggling to keep Therus back, Kier, Eric piped up. At this rate, he might try to mount your wolf since he's in the way. His words, not mine.

Don't worry, I've got a hold on your bear, Nexus purred. As far as this heat, I'm not entirely certain. All of us have mated and marked her, so it's not that.

Wait, I said. I actually think... As I tried to speak, Ri'dubh roared his release and lifted his nose at Therus. Ah, s**t. It was rare our beasts totally ignored us. Therus broke free from Nexus and took his turn.

Well that's not embarrassing or anything, Erik mumbled.

It's fine babe, she's in heat, nobody is judging you, I tried to reassure him.

He's right, Erik relax, Jothan piped up.

Yeah babes, you're just taking care of me. It was Anais. I sighed.

Are you alright, mo chridhe?

Yeah Claire pushed me back and took over, I'm not sure what's going on.

Have you... felt another presence lately? I asked. I could feel Erik and Jothan snap their attention to me. I could feel Anais' confusion as the bear completed his rut and made way for Nexus. Despite having more restraint than the other beasts, his primal self could not resist such a sight before him, and his root was quickly sheathed inside his queen's body. I just, I think you have an elemental, Anais.

Hang on, let me see if I can tell? She was silent and suddenly Nexus was shouting in our minds.

SHE IS HERE, MY TRUE QUEEN IS HERE! Just as abruptly, vines were reaching out and seeking Therus and Ri'dubh, still in beast form. But they weren't Nexus' vines. They were our queen's. Oh damn.

Uh, yeah, Kier, you were right. Came Anais' sheepish tone.

Her name? I asked breathlessly.

Tetra, was said by a distorted voice much like Nexus', but dark sexy, and feminine. I am Tetra. Ready yourselves, my oh-so-worthy mates. The vines wrapped around our c***s and slipped inside our tight rosettes, much as Nexus had when he mated us. Nexus moaned deeply, as his root was still pumping Anais' core. At some point she'd shifted to her human form. Only now, a rainbow of what I could only assume to be elemental energy radiated around her, undulating like the Northern Lights.

Well, I was not expecting that, not at all.

But damn it felt good.