Triple Alpha's Threat

(GN) Ch. 132 - Need

River POV

I stormed out to the garden, my boots kicking the flowers lining the walkway. Kiera had me fuming, and I knew that little act was all Lizzy's doing. Those two can't hang around each other. It pissed me off that Kiera could even be friends with her, not that Lizzy was a bad person, but because her wolf should be wanting to rip her throat.

I stopped in my tracks when it occurred to me that maybe Kiera didn't want us as badly as we wanted her. Was her love not as strong? She was able to reject us, and I knew I could never say the words. She was all buddy-buddy with my ex-girlfriend when all I could think about was killing anyone who ever touched her. Even that Beta of hers, Devon, pissed me off. He was dead, and I was still jealous he was there for her. I knew it was wrong, and I would honor that man for saving her, but it didn't mean a deep hatred wasn't buried inside me. I needed my mate to only need me.

I shook the thoughts from my head, knowing they would lead nowhere good. One week, we will mark her, and in one week, all this tension inside my chest will subside. It wasn't natural to be close to your mate and to remain unmarked. The magic messed with us too much, twisting our thoughts and desires to either give in or give up.

I was worried about giving in, though. I was marking her, but I did fear of getting her pregnant. I wanted children; more than anything, I wanted a family, but not if they would be cursed. That wasn't the father I wanted to be. I would do anything to protect my pups, even if that meant ensuring they were never born.

By the time I made it to dinner, everyone was halfway done. I sat beside Drake and only glared at my mate. She ate while laughing alongside Elizabeth, and it irked me to no end. She played me, and she did it with my ex.

"Are you going to brute all night, brother?" Chase asked.

"Leave me alone."

"You are more pissed off than when you left." Drake scolded me.

"Yes, I am." I looked Drake in the eye. "Only one thing will calm me, brother." My lips turned upward, and Drake chuckled.

"We need to go a little slower with her. Kiera is strong-willed and not used to all the... attention." Drake suggested, but he was wrong.

"Then we should help her adjust." I picked up my mug of beer and chugged it down. A little alcohol would help me stay on course.

"Kiera is going to be pissed at us if we spend the next four hours torturing her. We all need to rest." Chase added, but I didn't care.

"We can't last that long. One hour will be enough." I said. "Make sure she is in bed soon," I ordered them, then stood, scraping my chair behind me.

Kiera looked up at me and swallowed hard. She knew I was pissed, and I wasn't letting it go. I turned from her and headed to our new bedroom. I added a chair in the corner and sat, waiting patiently for her to arrive.

Twenty minutes later, I heard her laughing with Chase down the hall. I grinned, knowing that smile wouldn't last forever; no, she would be crying and pleading for us. Everything inside me was rattling to dominate her.

"River!" She shouted in shock when she noticed me sitting in the dark.

"He is in a mood, Doll. Best not to speak to him." Drake warned her, but it was too late for warnings.

"A mood?" She smiled at me. "Hmm, I wonder if I would make it better or worse?" She said as she walked towards me. Her hands kicked off her shoes. "Are you mad at me, mate?"

"Mate?" My eyebrows raised at her.

"Yes, you are my mate, right?" She asked, her long legs straddling my lap. She wore a short cotton dress that raised to her waist as she planted herself nicely over me. "Mm, my strong, handsome mate." She teased, her fingers tracing my face. It felt amazing, and I could sense my anger washing away.