Page 25 of Brutal Reign (Shadowed Heirs #5)

25

“ Y ou gonna be in a bad mood all night?” Ace asks, coming up alongside me and bumping his shoulder into mine.

I grunt in discontentment, still staring off across the barracks at River smiling and laughing with her friends by their bunks. She never smiles at me like that. “I’m not in a bad mood,” I mutter.

He snorts a laugh, not buying my bullshit for a second. Slinging an arm around my shoulders, he leans in, murmuring, “Just talk to her, bro.”

“It’s not that easy,” I huff, shrugging his arm off.

“Yes, it is. You’re overcomplicating it.”

“Not everyone’s good with words, alright?” I snap, whipping my head around to face him.

Ace’s brows shoot up in response to my harsh tone, eyes widening.

“Sorry,” I grumble, heaving a sigh and scrubbing a hand over my face. “But see what I mean? I suck at this.”

“Maybe, but you’ve gotta start somewhere,” he quips. “And just trying to talk things out will go a long way. Trust.”

I do trust him– it’s myself that I don’t fucking trust right now. I grind my molars as I stare back at my best friend, wishing things with River were half as simple as he’s making them out to be. They’re easy for him; he’s great at communicating. Me, not so much.

“Just… don’t be an asshole,” he adds, a smirk creasing his lips.

I roll my eyes, grunting as I push past him to go for my cubby. Trading my gym shoes for boots, I grab the keys to my bike before stepping back around to find Ace still chuckling to himself. “If this goes bad, don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I grit out, giving him a pointed look.

“You’ll be fine, Alpha,” he barks, clapping a hand down on my shoulder. “And hey, if you piss off our girl, just send her my way. I’ll be happy to smooth things over.”

I narrow my eyes on him as he grins smugly, winking.

“Fuck off,” I grumble, giving him a shove before turning to start across the barracks.

River’s now messing with something in the cubby at the end of her bunk, and every step in her direction makes my heart rate spike higher. Despite the erratic beat, I keep my cool as I approach her, casually leaning a shoulder against the frame of her bunk bed.

“Hey, can we talk?”

She pauses rummaging through her cubby, eyeing me suspiciously as she twists to face me. “Uh, sure,” she breathes, running a hand through her dark hair as she darts her hesitant gaze around the crowded recruit barracks. “Did you wanna go outside or something?”

I hold up my keys, jangling them in invitation. “How about for a ride?”

Her hazel eyes light up with excitement, a genuine smile splitting her face. She tries to hide it by turning back to her cubby and bending down to grab her boots off the bottom shelf, but that smile has already seared itself into my memory. It’s been too long since I’ve seen it. And like the greedy asshole I am, I’m already craving another.

Just wait ‘til I get her on my bike.

Stuffing her feet into her boots, she grabs her leather jacket off the hook inside her cubby, slipping it on and reaching back in for her keys.

“You don’t need those,” I say as she slides them into the pocket of her jacket.

“I’m not riding bitch on your bike,” she deadpans, pivoting to face me. Our eyes lock, and her lips tip into a smirk. “But feel free to hop on the back of mine.”

I clench my jaw, biting back my retort as River flips her long hair back and shoulder-barges past me, boots clomping against the floor as she heads for the exit. My fists clench at my sides. I suck in a deep, steadying breath before turning to start after her, my long stride allowing me to catch up easily.

I’ve been wound up tight all afternoon– ever since I caught River and Ace making out in the woods during war games. I would’ve hopped up on that platform and stolen a taste of her for myself if it weren’t for my teammates running up behind me and Riv wanting to keep this whole thing under wraps. I get why she wants to keep it from her old man, but the secrecy around training camp is bullshit.

I want everybody to know that River Jacobsen is mine .

Not publicly staking my claim goes against my Alpha wolf’s possessive nature, but then again, so does sharing my mate with someone else. If it were anyone but Ace, it’d be a deal breaker. I’d just take the other guy out of the equation and keep her all to myself.

We push through the double-doors of the squad complex side by side, making our way over to the gate and passing through it to head for the parking lot. My shoulders are bunched with tension, posture stiff and movements jerky. And if the side-eyed glances she keeps sliding my way are any indication, she’s clearly picked up on my mood.

“So what’s up?” Riv asks as we round the corner of the building and tread the path alongside the parking lot. My bike’s parked down at the far end, and I still fully plan on getting her on the back of it. She’s just being stubborn, and I’m no stranger to this game of push and pull between us.

I flicker a glance in her direction, unsure how to even begin to articulate what’s going through my head. “Have fun with Ace today?” I grumble.

She grinds to a halt, forcing me to stop and swivel around to face her. “I did,” she replies curtly, folding her arms across her chest indignantly and cocking out a hip. “Jealous?”

“Fuck yeah, I’m jealous.”

She shakes her head, eyes darkening and lips twisting in a scowl. “I’m not doing this,” she mutters, whirling around and stepping off the curb into the parking lot.

Shit, how did I already screw this up?

“Riv, wait,” I grunt, reaching out to snatch her arm.

She shakes my grip off angrily, cutting me a glare over her shoulder. “See, I told you this wouldn’t work,” she huffs, her dark hair whipping in the breeze as she snaps her head back around and takes off across the parking lot.

I throw my own head back in exasperation, dragging my hands down my face with a groan. This is not how I wanted this to go.

“Would you just stop and listen to me for a damn minute?” I bark out, lowering my chin only to realize that she’s heading for her bike.

Oh hell no. She’s not about to run away from this conversation before it even starts.

Hopping down off the curb, I jog in her direction, but not before she manages to shove her helmet on and throw a leg over the seat of her motorcycle, shoving the key in the ignition.

“Riv, don’t you dare!” I snarl, rushing toward her to thwart her escape.

I’m not quick enough. She cranks the engine, flipping me the bird as she hits the throttle and takes off, leaving me in her dust. I just stand there blinking after her for a second, stunned at how this went so wrong, so fast. Then I wake the fuck up and stomp across the parking lot toward my own bike, pulling on my helmet, firing up the engine, and peeling out of the parking lot in pursuit of my runaway mate.

I already know exactly where she’s going, and she must be driving like a bat out of hell, because I don’t manage to catch her until we’re halfway up Pine Mountain. Even once she comes into view up ahead, she doesn’t allow me to gain any more distance on her and close the gap. She takes the winding turns at speed, driving almost as recklessly as I do. I’m actually fucking impressed by how smoothly she can maneuver on that dinosaur of a bike. Just when I think I couldn’t be any more attracted to River Jacobsen, she once again proves that she’s my fucking dream girl.

If only I could get her to stop hating my guts.

The road bottoms out as I reach the peak of Pine Mountain and I immediately hit the brakes, throwing down the kickstand and hopping off my bike. Riv’s still sitting astride her own with the engine rumbling beneath her, not even glancing my way. I yank my helmet off as I stomp in her direction, eating up the distance between us in long strides.

I reach her right as she’s pulling her own helmet off, snapping out a hand and wrapping it around her throat. She sucks in a startled gasp as I yank her backwards, leaning over her menacingly and lowering my face to hover just inches above her own.

“You can’t run from me, River,” I seethe, chest heaving as I flex my grip around her neck and stare down into her wide hazel eyes. “You’re mine , damnit!”

Any self-control I was trying to muster takes a flying leap off the cliff of Pine Mountain, carnal instinct taking over as I dive down to crush my lips against hers. I claim her mouth fiercely, possessively, swallowing her little gasp of surprise and showing her exactly what it means to be mine. Because I’m done giving her space to decide whether this is worth it– I know it is, and I’m not giving up until she wakes the fuck up and realizes that we’ve always, always , belonged to one another.

This is how it was always supposed to be.

River’s fingers grip the fabric of my shirt, twisting in the material as she drags me closer and parts her lips to let me in. As much as she tries to fight it, she wants this just as badly as I do, our mouths melding together seamlessly and our tongues twisting in a battle for dominance. The world around us ceases to exist as we kiss as if our very lives depend on it; like we’re trying to consume one another.

It ends as abruptly as it started, River flattening her palms against my chest and shoving me off her. She jerks upright on the seat of her bike as I stumble backwards in a breathless daze. Reaching down to shut off the engine, she smooths her windblown hair and twists to hop down from her motorcycle, stomping purposefully in my direction.

“I’ll never be yours,” she declares, stabbing a finger into the center of my chest and glaring up at me defiantly. “Not if this is how you react every time Ace kisses me. I’m bonded to both of you.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I snap, snatching her wrist. “I don’t give a shit that you two kissed. It was pretty fuckin’ hot, if I’m being honest.”

Her scowl deepens, brow furrowing. “Then why’d you say you were jealous?”

“Because I am!” I admit, raising my voice in frustration. “Not that he fuckin’ kissed you, that he got to spend time with you today when I didn’t. That you’re actually giving him a chance at this, but you keep pushing me away. Can’t you see I’m fucking trying here, Riv?”

The breeze kicks up, espresso strands tangling in front of her face as it ruffles her hair, a tense pause settling between us. She stares back at me, our panted breaths mingling in the space between us.

“I stuck around to watch the wolf tournament for you, you know,” I mutter, grasping for something– anything– to show her I’ve been putting forth effort.

Apparently that’s the wrong thing, because her expression immediately shutters, lips turning down in a frown as she asks, “What do you mean, for me ?”

“I watched how Jake fought, took notes for you,” I mumble.

She narrows her eyes on me suspiciously. “Why?”

“Because I want to help you take that fucker down.”

“Since when do you want to help me do anything?” she scoffs.

“Since you’re my goddamn mate, River!” I groan, throwing out my hands in exasperation. “Seriously, are we doing this again?”

She shakes her head, folding her arms tightly across her chest and averting her gaze. “I don’t need your help,” she mutters, kicking the toe of her boot against the dirt. “I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.”

I heave a sigh, stabbing my fingers through my hair. “Why do you keep pushing me away?” I bite out, a hollow ache taking root in my chest. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“You really wanna know why?” she snaps.

“Yeah, I do.”

Her hazel eyes ping up to meet mine. “Because it’s easier to hate you than open myself up to being hurt by you again.”

Her admission lands like a damn gut punch, forcing all the air from my lungs. I blink back at her, struggling for how to respond. Words alone don’t seem like enough.

“What do you want me to do here, Riv?” I rasp. “Get on my knees and beg for a chance?”

She rolls her eyes, scoffing, “Well, that’d be a start.”

“Fine,” I huff, my knees hitting the dirt in an instant. “Happy?”

A flicker of amusement crosses her face as she folds her arms over her chest. “Yes.”

I reach out, hooking my hands behind the backs of her thighs and pulling her in closer. “Please, River,” I growl, tipping my head back to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry for all the shitty things I’ve done. I’m so fucking sorry . Now are you gonna let me make it up to you or what?”

She cracks a smile, obviously enjoying this little powerplay. “Okay, okay,” she breathes, waving a hand and chuckling softly. “Get up.”

I slide my hands down the backs of her legs, the corner of my mouth lifting in a smirk as I nudge them apart. “But I’m already down here,” I murmur, leaning in to run my nose along her inner thigh, drinking in her sweet scent like oxygen.

“What are you doing?” she squeaks, her muscles tensing beneath my touch.

“I think you know,” I drawl, bringing my hands around to the front of her legs. I glide my palms back up them, her breath hitching when my fingertips brush her bare skin at the waistband of her leggings.

“Seb,” she warns.

“Tell me to stop, Riv,” I murmur, hooking my fingers into her waistband and darting my gaze back up to hers. “Dare you.”

She doesn’t voice a single word of protest as I slowly drag her leggings down her hips, taking her panties with them. A growl rumbles in my chest as I tug them down past the curve of her ass, licking my lips as my eyes zero in on her bare pussy.

“Fuck,” I whisper, pushing her leggings past her knees before reaching down to adjust myself in my jeans and leaning in to nip her inner thigh. “You know I’ve never gotten on my knees for a chick before,” I murmur against her skin, kissing and nipping my way up to the apex.

“Hey Seb?” she breathes, fingers sinking into my hair.

I peer up at her, my eyes half-lidded and lips curving into a grin. “Yeah baby?”

“Shut up.” Her fist tightens in my hair and she pulls my mouth to her center, a breathy sigh leaving her lips as I dart my tongue out and lick into her.

The moment I get my first taste, I’m a fucking goner. I grab her by the backs of her thighs, forcing them apart to give myself better access to devour my mate, flattening my tongue and licking her from opening to clit. Her legs wobble, her grip on my hair unrelenting as I suction my lips over her sensitive bud and flick it with my tongue.

River’s knees buckle, and I come up for air just long enough to pick her up and carry her back over to her motorcycle, settling her on the seat before leaning over to dive back in. I spread her legs wide, feasting on her pussy as her thighs tremble and she cries out.

Yeah, this may be my first time, but I’m obviously fucking great at this.

Her fingers claw at my hair, chest heaving as she fights for breath. Right when it feels like she’s about to come undone, I back off her clit, licking my way down to her opening and spearing my tongue inside. Her thighs quake, a ragged moan falling from her lips as I fuck her with my tongue, my rock-hard cock straining painfully against my zipper.

She yanks on my hair again in demand and I chuckle against her flesh, returning my attention to her clit with a sweep of my tongue. River cries out as I flick and nip it with my tongue and teeth, savoring every moment of her pleasure as she grinds her hips and starts riding my face.

I think I just discovered my new favorite hobby.

Her moans increase in volume, hips bucking mindlessly as she races closer to release, tumbling over the edge of bliss with a scream. My wild girl falls apart spectacularly on my tongue, body shaking as she rides out the waves of rapture and I lap up every drop.

River’s body goes slack against the seat of her motorcycle, chest heaving as she fights to catch her breath. Laying one last parting kiss on her mound, I rock back, rising to my full height and wiping off my mouth on a forearm.

Fuck, she looks so goddamn beautiful like this– sweaty and spent, panting and sated. I drink in her appearance like I’m dying of thirst, my hand dropping to squeeze my hard shaft through my jeans. “You gonna let me fuck you now?” I murmur.

River makes a scoffing sound in her throat, pushing upright. “Why do you ruin everything by talking?”

“C’mon,” I drawl, stepping between her thighs.

She reaches out to grab my dick, but not quite how I want her to. She narrows her eyes on me, squeezing the throbbing muscle harshly as she pants, “In your dreams, Walker.”

I fight back a wince, thrusting my hips forward in invitation. “Yeah, right there, baby.” My taunt only makes her grip tighten. I grimace, gritting my teeth against the pain. “Oh yeah, just like that.” I grind out. “I love it when you get rough with me.”

“Ugh!” River groans, shoving me away and hopping down from her bike to yank her leggings back up. She stoops to scoop her helmet up off the ground, pulling it on before twisting to toss a leg over the seat of her bike and climbing on.

“Where are you going?” I laugh, still on cloud-fucking-nine after making my girl come all over my face. “Don’t I even get a thank you?”

She turns to meet my smug grin, flipping me the bird as she cranks her key in the ignition of the Chief and fires up the engine.

“Riv!” I shout over the roar of her motorcycle.

“Fuck you!” she calls back.

“Dare you!” I laugh, stumbling back as she hits the throttle, circling her bike around like she’s going to hit me.

I know she won’t actually do it. To a random onlooker, this scene might seem a teeny bit toxic, but this taunting game of push and pull is kinda our thing. Always has been. And it just got a whole lot more fun now that orgasms are on the menu.

I throw up a wave as her tires kick up dirt and she speeds away, but even though my girl’s running from me for a second time, I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face right now if I tried.

She’s falling in love with me and she doesn’t even know it.