I had no reason to stay any longer, my challenges were complete. Yawning as the sun peaked over the horizon, I stretched my arms high in the faux leather seat. I let Prudens drive back to our land. Sitting shotgun made me sleepy.
He was an efficient and careful driver. I was anxious and excited to see my sister. I'm going to be an aunt to two pups! I really hope she is doing better...
My body ached from Rex's embrace. Every time I thought of his mouth on me, my cheeks heated and my inner thighs became slick.
*What's your ETA?* Ignis asks.
The clock on the dashboard reads 6:03 A.M.
*Go back to bed.* I yawn.
*You've got a full day scheduled today starting at 10.*
*I'm not doing anything until I see my sister.*
*Understood.*
I cut the link and tried to sleep. Last night Praesul kept me up wanting to talk about what we should do with Rex.
*You heard him! The Coordinator has to give you whatever you want!*
*I don't want anything.*
*Except his dick to make you squirt like you did up against the wall...*
*Praesul!* I flush and she laughs.
*For our first time with Rex and with Nocte, I'd say it went pretty well.*
*I'm sore...*
*In a good way!*
*Who's side are you on anyway?*
*I mean, if he continues to make us feel that way...*
*Praesul...* I warn.
*Fine, are you at least going to go live with him on his land?*
*Absolutely not!*
*Our pack would understand...*
*He can live with me on our land if he wants.*
*When are you going to tell him?*
*I don't know.*
*What is our game plan tomorrow?*
*Praesul, it's 6 AM. Let me fucking sleep!*
She lingered for a moment before letting me rest my eyes.
Obviously nothing had gotten accomplished talking to her.
I left the tournament with my spoils but without bidding Rex farewell.
My phone rang in my pocket. It was 8 A.M. and we were almost home.
"Hello?"
"Where the hell are you?" Rex. His voice was livid.
"On my way home."
"The hell you are!" He screamed into the receiver. "You are my mate and I don't want to be far from you. You need to get your ass to my pack house."
"Look, I've got a pack to run. If you want to see me, you can get your ass to MY pack house."
"You're going to regret saying that." He hung up on me.
I sighed and noticed Prudens glancing at me. "Can I help you?"
"Alpha Rex is your mate?"
My jaw dropped as I kept my eyes on Prudens. "Why would you ask that?"
"Your heartbeat increased drastically when he called and you've been spending more time with him. I was just curious."
"While I like you kid," he was only a year younger than me, "that's between me and the Goddess."
He nodded thoughtfully, clearly uncomfortable having asked the question in the first place.
We pulled up to the pack house and Ignis was waiting on the front porch.
I made my way toward him as Prudens got the bags. "What?"
"Glad you're home Alpha."
"Glad to be home." I grinned at him. My heart felt a familiar tug, not nearly as intense as Rex's though.
*He's still our mate.* Praesul reminded me. *I just don't think he's our right now mate.*
*What does that even mean?*
*I'm not quite sure...*
*Great.*
He hugged me when I was in arm length. His smell calmed me but I pulled back before I could fully inhale his scent.
"Stella is in the recovery wing. Want to walk there?" He motioned to the hospital a few homes away.
"Sure." I led the way and walked briskly to the hospital.
"Here to see Stella." Ignis told the receptionist.
"You know your way darling."
Clearly he had been to see her multiple times.
"How is she?" I ask nervously.
"Doing much better, she can be released in a few days."
I smile at the knowledge. "Thanks for finding her and bringing her back safe to me."
"Always."
Caelum was in the chair asleep next to Stella. His hand held hers tightly. She was awake and sitting up. Quickly she put a finger up to her lips as if to shush us. I rolled my eyes and pulled her into an embrace. She let go of Caelum to hug me back.
"What...who?" Caelum woke with a start then calmed at seeing us. "Welcome home, Alpha."
"Sis, I can't breathe." Stella pushes me off her.
"Sorry." I mumble and still hold her at arms length. "How are you and the pups?"
"We're doing well! I can't wait to get out of here and have some real food though. I'm craving some pickles, sweet potatoes, and peanut butter."
"Hopefully not all together..." I laugh.
She shrugs, "Who knows!"
Ignis lingers by the door and I can feel his eyes on me.
"Now, tell me about your mate." Stella looks at me, eyes shining with curiosity.
"What?" Ignis interrupts, and Caelum pushes him outside.
"Sorry Gin." Caelum waves apologetically as they leave.
"Of course Caelum told you I went into heat." I rolled my eyes and covered my face with one hand. "It's a long story Stella."
"I've got time. They're not letting me out for a couple days."
"I've got a meeting at 10." I glance at the clock, it was roughly 9:15.
"Tell me about him."
"Technically, I've got 3 mates." Her jaw drops but she quickly recovers. "The Alpha of the Silver Pack Basileus Rex. The future Alpha of clan Caeruleus Genus, Indicum. And our beta, Ignis."
She clasped her hand over her mouth. "How is that even possible?"
"The necklace." Stella noticed for the first time I wasn't wearing it. She traced her fingers by my collar bone and looked into my eyes. "It made mates times 3 basically. Praesul thinks there's an order to them though. She's discovered Rex is our current mate. The others must have some role though."
Stella nodded but I wasn't sure if she was comprehending.
"So did you and Rex...?"
I could feel my face flush and I pull away a little.
"You did! Oh my goodness, how was it? How is he? The Silver Pack...wait that rings a bell..." Her face when from excitement, amusement, to horror. "He's the most deadly Alpha!"
"Shhhh!" I shush her, not wanting any medical staff to gossip. "Yes. It was amazing. He's an interesting character but I don't know him all that well."
"We've met him before, as a child. Our packs visited each other a few times." She says and I nod, vaguely remembering.
"Look, I'll come back later and give you more information but right now I've got to eat and go to my meeting." I pull her in for one last hug, making sure not to unplug her IV.
"You'd better be back!" She warns, her hands already resting on her protruding stomach. Wolf pups are born in 3 months instead of 9 like humans.
"I will."
As I exit the building I almost trip at the sight before me. A caravan of black SUVS are all parked at the pack house. There are about 50 people from another pack mulling around outside.
Hurriedly I make my way into the foyer. "What in the..."
Rex sits at the breakfast table. He motions for me to sit by him. The rest of the pack is on edge. Ignis and Aqua were sitting at the table with Aqua's mate talking to Rex. I don't sit, instead I grab a cup of coffee and stand by the counter. His eyes narrow.
"We were just talking about your terms from our challenge. Your beta and gamma have some good ideas." Rex nods thoughtfully. "Except none of their terms will suffice."
They look at him confused. I shake my head, knowing he won't keep his mouth shut.
"Are you going to tell them, or should I?" My eyes change yellow orange and stare at Rex in anger. His eyes turn black and he stands up. "Don't test me Praesul."
"Wouldn't dream of it Nocte." I shake my head and take over control. "The terms won't suffice because Rex is my mate."
Ignis stands up from the table and walks away. As he passes me he whispers, "You and I both know that isn't the full truth."
I sigh loudly and Rex's eyes narrow. He must've missed hearing what Ignis said but his wolf didn't like the interaction. Ignis left the room.
"We will discuss these matters privately." I emphasize the last word to Rex. "Can I please just have a stack of pancakes and eat my breakfast in peace?"
"Two stacks of pancakes sounds good." Rex says and he motions me to sit down.
I take my seat next to him and he rests his arm on the back of my chair. His hand rubbing my shoulder. Aqua's mouth snaps shut after being open for the majority of the conversation.
Our pack chef hurried around the kitchen like a bat out of hell.
"So, how did you two love birds find out?"
"In The Dome." Rex smiles and tells an abbreviated version of our fight.