Page 5 of Fated (The Bonded Legacy #1)

CHAPTER FOUR

LENA

T he crackling sound of the fire echoed through the quiet forest, its warm golden glow casting shifting shadows across Lena’s face and the relaxed forms of Ryker and Jace seated on either side of her.

Pine and wood smoke mingled with the earthy smell of damp soil and leaves, filling the air with a rich forest scent that clung to her skin and hair.

Above the clearing, the trees creaked in the breeze.

Their branches swayed like nature’s own lullaby as cool night air carried whispers of the coming spring.

Lena’s gaze fixed on the flames as she stretched her legs forward, thoughts wandering back to the discussion of mates.

Her destined mate wasn’t a son of Moonshadow—a bitter pill that had taken years to swallow—and the thought of leaving home made her chest tight.

Regardless of Elara’s protests, choosing a mate who would keep her in Moonshadow didn’t seem so unappealing.

Her gaze drifted over to the pack’s training grounds, now empty in the gathering dark except for memories of countless sparring matches and training sessions.

She could almost see the warriors there still—their broad shoulders and lean builds, the way they moved with deadly grace.

She’d fought alongside them enough to appreciate more than just their combat skills.

Bonding with one of them—having a strong mate who would fight beside her, not just for her—wasn’t the worst future she could imagine.

At least then she’d know exactly what she was choosing, instead of waiting for fate to decide.

Her mind settled on Ryker and Jace next. The two constants in her life alongside Cian. They’d grown up together, training and causing trouble in equal measure.

But as mates?

Heat bloomed beneath Lena’s skin, prickling outward until her cheeks burned.

Her pulse quickened at the thought of them, that familiar tug beneath her ribs whenever they laughed or touched her.

She’d yearned to mate with them when they were younger, but would choosing either of them now fracture what they’ve built?

Was it selfish to want to maintain something already so perfect?

“You’re awfully quiet tonight.” Jace lounged against a log, poking idly at the fire with a stick.

Firelight danced across his features, making his rust-colored hair look like living flame against fair skin.

He looked both ruggedly handsome and boyishly charming even in repose. “What’s on your mind, Thing 1?”

Lena rolled her eyes at the familiar nickname. “Just thinking.” But she knew better than to expect that would satisfy him.

“About what?” Ryker shifted closer, wearing that particular expression that meant he wouldn’t let go until he had something to gossip about.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, weighing her words. “I talked to my dad today. I’ll be attending the summit this year...with Cian.”

Ryker shot to his feet. “No way! That’s awesome!

You’re going to love it. The meetings are boring as hell, but the parties are incredible!

You’ll get to meet wolves from all over the region.

And Cian and I can show you around. Trust me, it’ll be great.

” He bounced on his toes, practically vibrating with possibility.

“Oh! And if Alpha’s not coming, I might finally get in on some of that orgy action everyone always whispers about! ”

Jace groaned, throwing his head back with a mock-suffering sigh. “Fantastic. Ryker gets to live his best degenerate life while I’m stuck here holding down the fort.” His grin undermined his complaint.

“Someone has to keep the pack running while we’re gone.” Lena’s lips quirked into a smile. “Who better than the future gamma?”

Jace sat up, tossing his stick into the fire with theatrical flair.

“It’s a travesty, really. Gammas get no respect.

We’re the backbone of the pack—training warriors, organizing patrols, keeping everything from falling apart.

” He spread his hands wide in exasperation.

“And what do we get? No invitations to summits, that’s what. There should be a summit just for us.”

Lena and Ryker burst out laughing, and even Jace cracked a smile.

“Don’t worry.” Ryker clapped Jace on the shoulder. “We’ll bring you back a souvenir. Maybe a nice ‘World’s Best Gamma’ mug.”

“Gee, thanks.” The corners of Jace’s mouth twitched despite his flat tone.

Their laughter rang through the clearing, but Lena’s smile faded as she gathered her courage.

“There’s more,” she continued, voice softening. “Dad...said that if I didn’t find my mate at this year’s summit, I could choose a bond. Maybe with someone in the pack.”

Jace’s eyebrow shot up. Ryker, however, looked like he’d just swallowed silver.

“Like who?” Jace asked, leaning forward.

“He said there are plenty of warriors who’d make excellent mates, but he also mentioned…” She glanced between them meaningfully.

Ryker’s jaw dropped with dawning horror. “Oh, no. No, no, no. He didn’t.”

“He did.” Lena bit back a smile. “He suggested I could consider pursuing the chosen mate blessing with one of you—if none of us found our fateds, of course.”

Ryker dragged a hand down his face. “I can’t believe this. My dad is probably in on it too. They’ve been plotting our arranged marriage behind my back.”

“Relax,” Lena said with a laugh. “It’s just an option. And honestly, you should be flattered. My dad thinks you’re good enough for me, and you know I would be a kickass beta-female.”

“Flattered?” Ryker’s eyes bulged comically. “Lena, I love you. But as a mate? No offense, I’d rather be shackled in silver and sent to wrestle a rogue.” His grin turned wicked. “Or have you forgotten the Incident?”

Lena groaned, burying her burning face in her hands. “Goddess, don’t remind me. I had a complex for years about how you laughed at my lopsided nipples!”

Ryker doubled over cackling as Jace smirked, clearly enjoying her mortification.

“Hey,” Ryker gasped, “I wasn’t laughing at you. I was laughing at the logistics. I mean, how were we supposed to—”

“Do. Not. Start!” Lena snapped, but the memory flooded back anyway.

Lena had been breathless, flushed with excitement, adrenaline singing in her veins following their run. The scent of pine and damp earth clung to the three of them, mingling with something headier—the raw musk of pheromones thick in the air, a primal undertone that set her skin ablaze.

She’d drank in Ryker and Jace, seeing them— really seeing them—their naked bodies a novelty, a secret treasure she was privileged to behold.

She’d been mesmerized by their lean muscles.

How sweat trailed down their skin like rivulets of moonlight.

How their chests heaved with ragged breaths.

By the obvious arousal hanging thick and heavy between their legs.

Lena was so convinced that Selene had destined her for both of them. Elara had stalked beneath her skin that night, whining with anticipation, almost frantic with the need to claim what she’d believed was theirs.

At sixteen, she and Ryker had recently received their wolves, while Jace was nearly eighteen—the age when fated bonds were revealed.

Lena couldn’t fathom waiting two more agonizing years for fate to confirm what she already knew in her heart.

That they were meant to share her, to claim her, to be hers .

She’d been shocked by her own boldness. One second: marveling at their sweat-drenched bodies.

The next: grabbing their wrists, dragging them toward the packhouse and into her suite like a female possessed.

“We’re going to fuck,” she’d declared with awkward determination, voice cracking on the last word.

The scene had been chaotic—overly aggressive kisses, her clumsy hands struggling around Ryker’s erection, and Jace’s inexperienced mouth fumbling between her thighs.

Ryker couldn’t stop laughing—about her nipples, about the way Jace’s cock curved slightly left, about how the mechanics would even work.

Jace, however, had been fully committed. His pupils blown wide, cock engorged and dripping pre-cum as he took charge. “Ryker, lie down,” he’d ordered. “Lena, you on top.”

She straddled Ryker, back to Jace, but he’d halted her with a hand on her hip. “No, keep your back to him.”

Lena frowned. “Why?”

Jace cleared his throat. “So, he doesn’t have to, um…stare directly at your—uh…” He gestured vaguely. “Very… assertive nipples.”

“Oh, come on, Jace.” Ryker snorted.

“I swear to Selene, I will murder you both,” Lena growled, though the fire in her cheeks made her threat less intimidating.

What followed could only be described as a train wreck. Limbs tangled, angles misjudged, and at one point, Lena’s knee ended up somewhere that had Ryker letting out a strangled yelp and curling into the fetal position.

Just as they were both positioned at her entrance and started arguing about whether to thrust at the same time or take turns, the door slammed open so hard the windows rattled.

“What in Selene’s name is going on here?” Cian’s roar nearly took the roof off.

Lena screamed, scrambling for a blanket. Jace fell off the bed in his haste to not be there anymore. Ryker, who had been mid-laugh at Jace’s misfortune, choked on his own breath upon meeting Cian’s gaze and flailed, knocking over a lamp.

“Cian— get out !” Lena shrieked, dignity already in tatters.

“What the actual fuck are you doing?” Cian’s face was a storm cloud, golden eyes ablaze with disbelief, rage, and what looked suspiciously like deep psychological distress. “Are you—are you trying to run a fucking train? On my sister ?”

Lena groaned, pulling the blanket over her head. “This is the worst night of my life.”

Ryker, ever the peacemaker, held up a hand from where he was half-draped off the bed. “For the record, we never got that far. We’re still sorting out the uh…technical difficulties.”

Jace, still on the floor, covered his face. “Kill me. Just kill me now.”

Lena pulled herself from the memory, firelight dancing at the edges of her vision.

The aftermath of the Incident had been..

.interesting. Lena’s emotions had been a tangled mess of anger and mortification.

She’d been furious with Cian for bursting in—for stealing what she’d believed was rightfully hers—but her anger had crumbled when she saw his face, looking every bit as mortified as she felt.

Ryker, shameless as ever, had brushed off the entire ordeal with his usual nonchalance.

He’d laughed and joked—especially about her nipples: “They’re like a little team.

One’s just a little more ambitious than the other!

It’s inspiring.” Lena had been grateful for his efforts to diffuse the tension.

Jace, however... Something had shifted between them.

Until she turned eighteen and they’d realized they weren’t fated, an unspoken tension had lingered, a spark of attraction that had never quite fizzled out.

Even now, Lena couldn’t help but wonder what might have been if Cian hadn’t interrupted them.

If they’d been given the chance to explore the desire that had simmered between them.

Yes, the night had been a disaster, but also a turning point. She’d been trying to force destiny’s hand, to reshape their friendship into something it wasn’t meant to be. What they had now—this unshakeable bond that didn’t require fate’s blessing—was too precious to risk.

Jace cleared his throat, breaking her thoughts.

“Look, Lena. I know Ryker’s an obvious choice—alpha-smart, beta-strong, blah, blah, blah.

.. But don’t sleep on your other option.

” He waggled his eyebrows with a wicked grin.

“Sleep with me instead.” He leaned forward, purring into her ear as he added, “The only thing better than raising our smart, diplomatic, and gorgeous pups would be making them. And trust me, you’re going to love making them. ”

Lena barked a laugh, scooping up a pinecone and chucking it at his head. “Goddess, you’re impossible!”

Jace dodged it with ease, catching the pinecone mid-air and tossing it aside.

“I’m just saying,” he continued, grin widening into something entirely too smug, “don’t close the door on greatness, darling.

” His voice softened, teasing giving way to sincerity.

“Seriously, though. You’re going to be fine, Lena.

Whether or not you find your mate, you’ll make the right choice.

And we’ve got your back, no matter what. ”

Lena shook her head, laughing despite herself. The earlier tension melted away, replaced by the warmth of their friendship. Ryker grinned, recovered from his mock horror, while Jace watched her with that steady certainty that always made things better.

They sat in comfortable silence as the fire burned low and night deepened around them. Their pack bond embraced them like the forest itself—strong, unspoken, and as natural as breathing. The future might be uncertain, but with these two and Cian at her side, Lena knew she’d never truly be lost.

Some bonds, she realized, were stronger than fate itself.