Amity's POV
The air was still thick with the lingering energy of the bond spark, but Amity had already pushed it down, locking away the flutter in her chest and the heat that threatened her composure.
She stood straight, her red eyes calm, sharp—Alpha.
"Guards," she called without looking, her voice cold steel. "They're coming with me. All of them."
The border patrols snapped to attention. Even the one who had bowed earlier straightened, trying to look composed despite the nervous grin on his face.
"Yes, Alpha!" they answered in unison.
Amity turned on her heel, gently helping Coral to her feet. "Lean on me if you need to."
Coral blinked, cheeks warm, clearly still overwhelmed, but she didn't argue. Her hand slid around Amity's wrist—hesitant but trusting.
Behind them, the group of four stood frozen for a beat longer. Then—
"Well," Clot muttered, running a hand through his black hair, "I guess this is happening."
Ashen raised a brow. "Did we just get adopted? Is that what this is?"
Onyx exhaled slowly, eyes locked on Amity's back. "I don't think she does adoption."
From the rear, a voice piped up with a hint of laughter.
"Never seen four people get claimed that fast," Drake muttered, arms crossed, leaning against a tree. "And not one of you had a clue? Seriously?"
Beside him, Cedric chuckled. "The way she just snatched Coral like she was picking up groceries—damn. Should we call her Mommy Lucid now?"
"Don't," Electra said sharply, stepping forward, her eyes full of concern as she moved to Coral's other side. "She's still bleeding. Enough jokes."
"I'm fine," Coral insisted, though her knees nearly buckled again.
Amity caught her instantly.
"You're not fine," she said simply. "But you will be."
The calm confidence in her tone made Coral's breath catch.
"Damn," Clot muttered to Ashen, "she's scary-hot."
"Shut up," Onyx hissed, shoving him lightly in the shoulder.
Up ahead, one of the guards whispered excitedly to another.
"Did you see that? She called them hers."
"They're her mates, aren't they?" another guard whispered. "That's insane. All four?"
"I can't believe the Alpha finally found her mates. And they don't even know what they've gotten into."
"They're screwed," the last one said, eyes wide.
"In the good way," the first replied.
Amity's ears twitched, catching every word—but she didn't react. She never reacted to chatter.
She just kept walking, Coral steady in her arm, her steps echoing with purpose. Her scent radiated strength, safety, and a warning: Touch what's mine, and I'll bury you where you stand.
And the strange part?
Every one of them behind her… was completely okay with that.
The moment Amity stepped into the clearing, the world realigned itself around her.
The pack guards snapped to attention, eyes wide with reverence and surprise, yet they knew better than to question her presence. A strange tension hung in the air, coiled tight like a drawn bowstring. The energy was thick, electric, as if the very forest could sense the shift in fate.
She was a storm cloaked in silence.
"Alpha Lucid," one of the guards, a tall red-haired wolf named Ryker, bowed deeply. "You felt them?"
"I did," Amity said, her voice steady, calm, but cold with purpose. "Permission was temporary. I'm making it permanent."
Ryker blinked, trying not to smile. "Yes, Alpha."
The other guards exchanged glances, and then subtle grins broke out across their faces. Excitement buzzed through the pack link. She found her mates, someone whispered telepathically, awe bleeding into every word. The Alpha actually found them.
Wait till the Council hears about this.
Amity ignored them, gaze locked on the group ahead—four newcomers and their seconds, gathered by the edge of the shield line where the scent of blood still lingered. A golden haze shimmered faintly where the barrier had let them in, but now it pulsed slightly with Amity's aura. Her claim was setting roots already.
Ashen, Onyx, Clot, and Coral stood frozen.
Or rather, three stood frozen. Coral was slumped in Electra's arms, barely conscious, face pale, bleeding from a gash along her ribs. Electra looked up sharply when Amity approached, her worry overriding any hesitation.
"Please—help her," Electra said. "She shielded me. The witches"—
Amity stepped forward without a word, hands reaching. Coral stirred at the shift of air, her crimson eyes fluttering open.
"Don't move," Amity said softly. "You're safe now."
Then, effortlessly, Amity scooped Coral into her arms like she weighed nothing, holding her against her chest with an unshakable gentleness that stunned everyone.
The forest seemed to breathe in unison.
Even in pain, Coral managed to whisper, "You smell like moonflowers…"
Amity's lips twitched. "You smell like fire and lilac."
Ashen, Onyx, and Clot watched with awe, confusion, and something primal that was quickly blooming into knowing. Their hearts pounded as their bond to her finally clicked—tangled threads once silent now howled through their souls like a song they'd never known they missed.
"Why now?" Onyx murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
They hadn't been able to sense their mate before, despite everything. Despite searching. But now… standing on her land, in her power… it was undeniable.
Their wolf, dragon, vampire, and demon sides stirred with restless yearning, snapping into alignment with hers.
Mate.
Her wolf chuckled inside her, full of smug satisfaction. Told you they'd be hot.
Her vampire licked her lips mentally. Mmm… Onyx's neck looks so biteable. Bet he tastes like red wine and danger.
Her dragon rumbled, sensual and amused. Ashen looks like he could set a whole castle ablaze… I'd let him.
Her demon purred with wicked delight. Clot. That's a demon prince, baby. Can I keep him chained in our room?
Her witch sighed dramatically. They're all tall, dark, and ready to worship you. Finally, some good choices.
Amity exhaled slowly through her nose. "Get your hormones in check. We have a wounded mate."
We're multitasking, they all said in unison.
She smothered a laugh before it could escape and snapped her focus back to the group.
"Ryker," she called to the guard nearest. "Prepare the infirmary. Alert the healers."
"Yes, Alpha!" He barked and disappeared in a blur of fur and speed.
Electra stepped forward nervously. "Thank you, Alpha. I… I didn't realize—"
"That I was the Alpha?" Amity said calmly.
Electra flushed. "No. I mean—yes. But also that Coral was your mate."
Amity glanced down at Coral's face, softening. "Neither did I. Until I saw her bleed."
Behind them, the second-in-commands stood stunned. Drake, Ashen's right hand, broke the silence with a low whistle. "Well. That's one way to meet your fate."
Hermit, Onyx's second, grinned. "He's been searching for years, you know. He said he'd know the moment he saw them. Guess he was wrong."
Cedric, Clot's friend and fellow demon, chuckled darkly. "He also said he wanted someone who could 'end him with a glare. 'Guess he got that wish too."
Electra didn't laugh. She was still watching Coral, worry etched deep in her brow.
Amity touched her shoulder. "She'll be fine. I'll make sure of it."
Electra blinked. "You promise?"
Amity's eyes flared silver for just a moment. "I don't make promises. I make things happen."
Then, without waiting for more questions or reactions, she stepped forward, and with a pulse of power, summoned her teleportation circle. Runes flared beneath her feet—white and crimson, old as the stars—and wind whipped around them as the energy surged.
"Everyone hold still," she ordered.
And then—they vanished.
They appeared in a flash of light and crackle of heat at the Pack House gates.
The guards there were mid-conversation but immediately halted, stunned.
"She teleported—"
"With the whole group—"
"Wait, is she holding—"
"That's her mate."
"No way—FOUR mates?"
The whispers rippled like wildfire across the inner guards. Amity ignored them all, walking forward with Coral cradled protectively in her arms, expression unreadable.
She didn't walk. She commanded space with every step.
Onyx followed closely, eyes flicking to the guards and territory, assessing every angle like a general arriving at a new battlefield. Ashen's violet eyes stayed locked on her back, stunned admiration mixing with confusion. Clot's lips were twisted in what might have been amusement—or awe.
And all of them felt it.
The way the very land itself reacted to her presence. The way it whispered to her like an old friend. The way it embraced her… and them.
This was her domain. And now… they were part of it.
At the infirmary, healers rushed forward as Amity gently laid Coral down on a glowing treatment bed. As they began tending to her wounds, Amity stepped back, expression steely again.
"She's stable," one healer said quickly. "The blade was coated with a dampening curse. It's already fading."
Amity gave a slow nod, but her aura remained coiled, fierce, and alert.
Only when the healer confirmed again, "She's going to be okay," did Amity finally breathe out and let some tension leave her shoulders.
Ashen moved to her side first.
"You didn't say your name," he said quietly.
Amity tilted her head. "You didn't ask."
Clot chuckled low. "Oh, she's sharp."
Onyx stepped in next, gaze steady. "So… you're the Alpha."
Amity nodded once. "And you're my mates."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Ashen smirked. "This is going to be fun."
And for the first time since arriving, Amity allowed herself the barest hint of a smile.
"Welcome to the Blue Angels," she said. "Now let's see if you can keep up."
She turned slightly, her red eyes glittering with something wicked and amused.
"Oh, and one more thing," she added, her voice casual, but the smirk said otherwise. "You all still have one more mate."
Four jaws dropped.
Amity's grin widened as she turned on her heel.
"Try not to freak out when you meet them."