Page 32 of Brutal Reign (Shadowed Heirs #5)

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“ T hrow another fifty on, I’ll do one more set,” I say as I curl up to sit on the weight bench, wiping the sweat from my brow with a forearm.

Ace steps closer, fighting a yawn as he reaches out to pull the clamp from the bar. “How do you have so much energy right now?”

“Still riding the high of last night,” I reply, smirking at him over my shoulder. “Who needs sleep when things are finally going right for once?”

He rolls his eyes, chuckling to himself as he moves over to the weight rack and pulls off a couple of twenty-five-pound plates, carrying them back over.

We’re both sleep deprived since we got in late last night and had to wake up early for training this morning, but rather than feeling tired, I’m all jacked up. The weight room seemed like a good place to burn off more of this wild energy. Ace is dragging ass today, so he’s here as my spotter rather than lifting himself, but at least the two of us can speak freely since we’ve got the place to ourselves.

“Well, don’t forget that we still have a lot to figure out and not much time to do it,” he murmurs as he slides a plate onto one side of the bar and replaces the clamp. “Her challenge, our packs, marking… not to mention I still think there’s something going on with her wolf.”

I scrub my hands down my face with a groan. “Can’t you just take a second to enjoy how things are right now rather than worrying about what’s next?”

“I could, but ignoring problems doesn’t make them go away,” he murmurs, shifting over to the other side of the weight bar and removing the clamp.

“Neither does fixating on them,” I point out. “None of that shit is gonna get solved overnight, so maybe you should try getting out of your head for once, enjoy the ride while things are good.”

He meets my eyes, giving me a hard look as he slides the other weight onto the bar.

“You need to get laid, bro,” I remark.

He barks a laugh, shaking his head as he secures the clamp. “You think that’s the answer to everything.”

“Worked for me,” I shrug.

He rolls his eyes again, stepping back. “Shut up and lift.”

I chuckle under my breath and lay back down on the bench, reaching up to wrap my fingers around the grips of the bar. With Ace as my silent spotter, I put in another ten reps with the increased weight, chest heaving with exertion by the time I drop the bar back onto the rack.

“Alright, I’m done,” I pant, my ab muscles burning as I crunch forward to sit up and reach for my water bottle. I take a few seconds to catch my breath, gulping down water and using the hem of my shirt to mop the sweat from my face. “It’s not up to you to figure everything out, you know,” I mumble, glancing toward Ace and picking up our conversation right where we left off. “All three of us are in this.”

“Trust me, I know,” Ace sighs, rubbing a hand over his buzzed head agitatedly.

I can’t quite read his expression, but it feels like there’s something he’s not saying. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes on him suspiciously.

The door to the weight room swings open before he can respond, drawing both of our attention that way as Javi and Cam stride inside with their gym bags slung over their shoulders. As far as interruptions go, it could be worse. They’re cool; I’ve been training under them to hone my tracking skills. Cam lifts his chin in greeting while Javi tosses up a wave, the two of them heading in our direction.

I haven’t forgotten my question still hanging in the air, though. I turn my gaze back on Ace, arching a brow. “Well?”

“Dude,” he warns, giving a little shake of his head.

“What?” I scoff, throwing a thumb over my shoulder. “Cam was there the night of the full moon, he knows what’s up.”

“I know your secret, too,” Javi chimes in with a grin. “I’m mated to River’s other cousin, remember?”

Ace heaves a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. “Let’s add that to the list then, shall we? Because you know Alpha Theo is gonna lose his shit once he finds out Riv’s mated to us.”

Cam hisses in a breath through his teeth, grimacing. “Remind me to be somewhere far, far away when that happens.”

“Nah, Ares doesn’t know yet, so the secret’s still safe for now,” Javi remarks, dropping his bag down onto the bench across from mine. “Surprised you two haven’t killed each other yet, though. Isn’t that how these things are usually settled?”

“Yeah, because double mate bonds happen all the time,” I snort.

Honestly, this whole thing would be easier if they did. Then we’d at least have some guidance on how we’re supposed to navigate this rather than just blindly hoping we can make it work. Exchanging a glance with Ace, I can tell he’s thinking the same damn thing.

“So, it’s going well, then?” Cam asks, smirking between the two of us as he shifts his gym bag off his shoulder.

“Actually, things are good right now,” I reply with a confident lift of my chin, turning my attention back on him. “I mean, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before I screw it all up again, but for now, I’m counting it as a win.”

Cam gives me a look of commiseration, blowing out a slow breath. “Trust me, I know a thing or two about screwing up,” he murmurs. “Taking accountability and doing your best to make good on everything goes a long way, though. It isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.”

I nod back at him solemnly, appreciating the gravity of his words. If anyone can understand digging yourself out of a hole of your own making, it’s a former shifter hunter that held his mate captive. The fact that he and Avery were able to work it out after all they went through means there’s definitely hope for me. “Thanks, man,” I reply sincerely. “That’s solid advice.”

The door to the weight room opens again, all four of us glancing toward the entrance and promptly shutting up when we see who it is. Ares Raines drags a hand through his red hair as he saunters inside, a wide grin stretching his lips. Love the guy, but I’m not about to invite him into this conversation. Everyone knows he’s notoriously bad at keeping secrets.

“Party at the old lodge tonight!” he announces gleefully as he makes his way toward us.

Javi arches a suspicious brow. “Since when?”

“Since they just got the green light to start renovations on Monday,” Ares replies matter-of-factly. “We decided we need one last hurrah before we lose our favorite party spot. Andie and I just ran it by Madd and Tristan and they said they’re down and to spread the word.”

“Music?” Ace asks, his interest piqued.

Ares grins back at him. “Why do you think I’m here? I’m swinging by the Goldenleaf bar to pick up a few kegs and bring them to the lodge, figured you could ride with me and grab your DJ equipment.”

“Fuck yeah,” Ace breathes, snatching up his gym bag with a burst of renewed energy.

Ares pivots back toward the door, gesturing for Ace to follow. He starts to, but he only makes it a few steps before he suddenly pauses, swiveling back toward me.

“I’ll tell her,” I say, already knowing what’s on his mind.

Ace nods back at me, throwing up a wave to the others before turning back around and striding toward the exit, disappearing through it after Ares.

“Guess I should probably let my pack know what’s going on so they’re not freaked out by all the activity at the lodge,” Javi sighs, lifting his gym bag from the bench and hauling it up onto his shoulder. His pack has been residing in the cabins on the old ski resort while their territory is built out, so it stands to reason that they should be given a heads-up that their space is about to be invaded. Javi turns to Cam, arching a dark brow. “Rain check on the workout?”

“For sure,” Cam replies, nodding his agreement. “I’d better check in with Avery anyways, see if she needs my help with anything. I’m sure the second she hears about this she’ll be in party-planning mode.” He glances over at me, adding, “Unless you need a spot?”

“Nah, I was done anyways,” I say, easing to my feet and offering each of them a fist-bump. “See you guys tonight.”

Exiting the weight room, I make my way through the hallways of the squad complex, returning to the recruit barracks to change out of my sweaty clothes and take a quick shower. Hayden tells me that River went out for a ride, so I throw on a pair of dark jeans and a black t-shirt before grabbing the keys to my bike and heading out to track her down.

I don’t have to go far. As soon as I round the corner of the building to the parking lot, I find Riv crouched down beside the Chief, brow furrowed in concentration as she tinkers with her motorcycle.

“Damn you look sexy with grease on your hands,” I comment as I approach, my hungry gaze raking over every inch of her form.

She rolls her eyes as she turns to look at me, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face. “It’s leaking oil,” she grumbles, pushing to her feet and wiping her hands off on the legs of her jeans, leaving black streaks across the faded blue denim. “The drain plug must be bad. Gonna have to run into town to pick up a new one.”

“I can take you,” I offer, nodding to my own bike parked a few spaces over. “Hop on, babe.”

“Sure, if I can drive,” she replies sassily, popping out a hip and resting her hand upon it.

I shake my head with a frown. “I’m not riding bitch on my own bike.”

She pinches her lower lip between her teeth, hazel eyes sparking with mischief. “You sure about that?”

“Positive,” I scoff. “You want a ride or not?”

She folds her arms over her chest, staring me down. I mirror her stance, meeting her challenge head-on.

This is one battle she won’t win. Having River Jacobsen on the back of my bike has been a top tier fantasy since before I even got the damn thing, and I’m not about to pass up a prime opportunity to make that a reality.

The longer we stare at each other, the more I feel the bond between us stir in my chest, pulling taut. Copper shimmers bleed into her irises as her wolf rises to the surface, my own pushing forward in response. Still, I don’t back down. Just once, I need to know how it feels to have her legs and arms wrapped around me as we zip down the road, hearts pounding in sync with one another’s as our adrenaline soars.

I’ve thought about it way too many times to count. I need a taste of the real thing.

“Fine,” River grits out, turning at the waist and snatching her helmet off the back of her bike.

My breath stalls, heart taking a flying leap.

Is this really happening?

She trudges in my direction, the breeze ruffling the strands of her long espresso hair. “Just don’t drive like an idiot, or I swear I’ll jump off.”

“Then you’d kill us both, because I’d jump off after you,” I remark, scooping an arm around her waist and yanking her body against mine.

A puff of air escapes her as our chests crash together, River jerking up her chin to maintain our eye contact. “Real smooth,” she tuts, rolling her eyes.

“You wanna see smooth?” I grab her by the chin as she starts to turn her face away, leaning down to smack a kiss against her lips. She tastes like strawberry chapstick, prompting me to lick my own lips as I pull back and grin down at her. “There’s a party at the old lodge tonight,” I murmur. “Ace is DJ’ing.”

She tilts her head in confusion, a little crease forming between her brows. “Since when?”

“Just found out. Guess they’re starting construction on Monday for renovations, so Andie and Ares demanded one last rager.”

“I fully support that,” Riv muses, her plush lips curving in a smile. Then something flickers in her eyes, a thought crossing her mind causing her to snicker in amusement. “God, remember the last time the three of us went to a party there?”

I snort a laugh, rocking back and urging her toward my bike with my arm still slung around her waist. “Let’s hope this one ends better,” I muse.

My pulse kicks up a notch as the two of us approach my bike, securing our helmets before we each toss a leg over and climb on. Riv scooches in close, her thighs bracketing mine and her arms circling my waist. My dick stirs to life, thickening against my zipper as I twist the key in the ignition and the engine rumbles to life beneath us, River’s arms tightening around my waist as I knock back the kickstand and start walking us backwards out of the parking spot.

I twist the throttle, the heat of her body bleeding into mine as she presses herself closer and we take off, the tires squealing against the asphalt and adrenaline rushing through my limbs. I was right; the reality of having her on the back of my bike far surpasses the fantasy. Might tie her up just so I can keep her here as long as I want.

I’d have to cut her loose for the party tonight, though. Because with any luck, I’ll soon be living out another fantasy; one that’s been torturing me for three long years. Ever since the last party at the lodge the three of us snuck into…