Sold To The Alphas I Hate - Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Sleeping Together
Kael’s POV

She stood at the edge of the water, staring at her reflection as if she were memorising each strand of fur, each curve of her new form. The silver of her coat caught the moonlight, the sacred red mark glowing faintly like a flame against the shimmer of her brow. She was breathtaking. And she must have known it too—the way she lingered, silent and still, taking it all in.

We didn’t disturb her. One by one, we moved back a little, giving her space. This was her moment, not ours.

She lifted her head then, golden eyes rising to the sky. Her gaze locked on the full moon above, and she closed her eyes. In that stillness, with the cold breeze combing through her fur, she looked like she was praying—soft, serene, a wolf offering her heart to the Moon Goddess for reasons only she knew.

When she opened her eyes again, she turned from the water, walking slowly and gracefully around the pool. Her paws barely made a sound on the grass as she moved, lost in her own world, her senses awakening to everything she had been denied. She lowered her muzzle to sniff the grass, the wind, the earth—every detail of her freedom tasted and savoured.

She stepped onto a wide patch of soft grass and sank down, stretching her body with a fluid, feline-like grace. Then, to our surprise, she rolled. Rolled onto her back, onto her side, kicking her paws at the air, twisting and curling like a playful cub. A low rumble of something like laughter left my wolf’s chest without my permission.

We stared at her in disbelief. She—our Eira—rolling in the grass like a happy child set free from chains. None of us spoke aloud.

After a while she stopped, lying flat on her stomach, her head resting on her front paws. Her tail curled around her body, fluffy and warm, like a silver scarf. Her eyes drifted closed, her breaths long and even.

“Is she sleeping?” Roman asked through the mind-link that pulsed between us. We rarely used it unless it was necessary—combat, secrecy, or moments like this when we were in our wolf form.

“Looks like it,” Lucian’s voice came, softer than usual. “She’s free after so long. She’s doing everything she needs to do.”

“Sleeping on grass, the starry sky above, cold and soothing breeze…” Rafe added, his tone half wistful, half teasing. “What more could a wolf want? How I want to just lie next to her now.”

“You dare?” Lucian asked sarcastically.

“With you between her and me, it should be fine,” Rafe countered, sarcasm coating every word. “With one stinky wolf as a barrier between us, I won’t go close.”

They went on, voices like background noise, but I had already started moving. My paws carried me toward her before my mind even caught up. The instinct was too strong, too simple to deny. She was mine. She was right there.

I lay down beside her, stretching my front paws forward until my muzzle nearly brushed hers. Her calm breath touched me like a cool breeze, carrying the scent of musk from her fur—the same scent her hair had in human form, only stronger, purer.

I dared to edge closer, moving one paw around her in a protective curve. In response, even in sleep, she shifted and pressed against me, snuggling closer, her tail brushing my flank. My heart skipped a beat.

I lowered my head over the curve of her neck, our fur mingling, my wolf’s chest vibrating with a low, steady rumble of contentment.

Her warmth pressed against me, her breath steady and soft as she slept, curled into my chest. I thought for a moment it would stay like this—just her and me under the night sky—but then I heard the rustle of paws approaching.

Lucian came first, his molten bronze coat glowing faintly under the moonlight. His steps were slow, measured, and his eyes softened the moment they fell on her. He lowered himself gracefully to the grass, pressing close on her other side until she lay nestled between us. A soft growl left his throat, as he rested his head near hers.

As he was my mate brother, and we will be her mates, it was acceptable to my wolf. But, if we hadn’t shared that ancient mate bond, I would have killed him the next moment.

Eira shifted faintly in her sleep, but she did not stir. She accepted him. Maybe she was enjoying the warmth she was blanketed in between us in this cold weather.

Rafe padded up next. He circled us once, before finally laying down beside me. He pressed his weight lightly against my flank, as if saying he was a part of us with her.

Roman followed Lucian’s lead, his warm grey fur brushing against Lucian’s side as he lay down, his posture protective, steady. He cast one last glance at her before lowering his head onto his paws.

And finally, Jason. He hesitated at the edge for a moment before stepping in. He curled down at our feet in a protective manner, as if saying he was there to protect us while we slept.

Five of us.

And in the centre, her.

The silver wolf with the sacred red mark.

After what happened these days, it was impossible to think we would be having such a moment even. Her wolf seemed to not hate us, or it just want to focused on the freedom and comfort it was getting finally, rather than focussing on the pain she got.

Eira shifted in her sleep again, stretching faintly, her fluffy tail brushing over Lucian’s side before curling back toward me. She looked utterly at peace, the moonlight pooling over her silver coat like a blessing.

One by one, our eyes grew heavy. The sounds of the night—water rushing over stone, the soft whisper of the wind through leaves—lulled us. My wolf rumbled low in his chest, comforted by the warmth pressed against me, by the unbroken line of my brothers at my back.

I let my head sink lower, resting it over her shoulders. Her breathing steadied, and soon, so did mine.

In that sacred circle, with her at the heart of it, we drifted together into peaceful sleep.

Only hope I had, the next day it wouldn’t change once she was back to her human form.