Spend The Night Together

The drive back to the Ironclaw pack was filled with an awkward silence. River, who was quite the chatterbox, tried her best to fill the quietness with stories about her plans for the restaurant she wanted to establish at Gonzalo’s pack. She aimed for the productive topics, to at least, allow him to see how resourceful she could be.

Yet, only disappointments were met with her efforts.

Gonzalo remained mostly unresponsive. His gaze was fixed on the road ahead unwaveringly. His silence chewed at River, making her second-guess everything she'd said.

However, every now and then when River would steal a glance at him, she’d forget all about her doubts after getting captivated by the sharp angles of his jaw and the way his brow furrowed in concentration.

Finally, the iron gates of the Ironclaw pack slid open when they arrived, revealing a sprawling network of wooden cabins cradled amidst tall pines. As they pulled up to the central building, River spotted a familiar figure standing outside, deep in conversation with a few pack members.

“Echo!" River exclaimed, flinging open the car door before Gonzalo could even park completely.

Echo turned with her smile widening at the sight of her sister. But before River could reach her, Gonzalo was there first, pulling Echo into a surprisingly tight hug.

What the—?

River's jaw dropped. All this awkwardness towards her, yet he greeted Echo with such warmth? Her heart tightened in jealousy until she reanalyzed it.

Gonzalo was being so awkward around her because he liked her beyond the platonic. He probably was carefree with Echo now because he saw her as just a friend.

That made much better sense.

"Gonzalo! It's so good to see you again," Echo greeted with a voice both strong and clear. "You're doing a fantastic job with the Moonstone pack."

Gonzalo, who seemed fleetingly mortified, stammered a reply. "Likewise, Echo. I've heard nothing but good things about Ironclaw under your leadership."

After the pleasantries, the conversation between Echo and Gonzalo flowed effortlessly. They kept on discussing about the rogue wolves, the pack’s politics, and all other stuff that bored River who had been relegated to the role of an observer now.

Here, with Echo, Gonzalo seemed relaxed, his stoic demeanor had abruptly been replaced by a genuine smile.

River swallowed a lump down her throat.

"Since our dear parents all decided to take a vacation to the afterlife together," Echo said with a wry smile, referring to the pack leaders (their parents) who died during a rogue attack years ago, "it's up to us to carry on their legacy. This time, though, we win."

If the case were different, River might have turned pink with pride for her sister, but nah. Something else was burning inside of her right now. Her potential mate seemed more comfortable talking to her sister than he was with her.

That didn't seem like a good thing to her no matter how much she'd tried to find another fitting excuse for it.

“Firecracker, just like I remember," Gonzalo chuckled with admiration sparkling in his eyes. "You're Luna material, Echo. That's for sure."

River felt a wave of heat creep up her neck. If Gonzalo saw her strong sister as ‘true Luna Material’, where did that leave her who wasn't as physically strong as Echo?

This wasn't how this was supposed to go! She cleared her throat pointedly.

"Ahem, well, I think it's getting a bit late. Maybe I should show Gonzalo to his room now?"

Echo glanced at the darkening sky. "You're right, River. It's almost nightfall. Get settled in, Gonzalo. You must be tired after the journey."

Gonzalo nodded his thanks, and River, seizing the opportunity, led him away from Echo and into the heart of the packhouse.

The halls were bustling with activity as pack members scurried about, greeting the duo and stealing admiration glances at the good-looking Gonzalo. River felt like a proud bride seeing all of the stares.

The walls were decorated with paintings depicting past battles and legendary wolves, family portraits, and hunting trophies. River, who was looking for every excuse to talk to Gonzalo, pointed out a few of the more impressive ones to him as they walked past.

Finally, they reached a comfortable guest room which apparently was closer to River's own room than any other (credit to her inner mischievous self). "This will be your room for the night," she announced, trying to ignore the nervous drumbeat in her chest.

"Thank you, River," Gonzalo said politely. "I appreciate it."

He looked weary, River noted to herself. There was a dark circle smudging the skin under his eyes. Concern began to replace the jealousy in River's heart.

"Maybe you should get some rest," she suggested gently.

"Perhaps you're right," he agreed and a smile graced his lips for the first time that day. "It was a long journey."

Did he just s– smile perfectly?!

Gonzalo looked a thousand times better when he smiled. River suddenly wanted to see more of it. She lingered for a moment as her fingers twitched with the urge to touch him.

Yet, he created a gap between them that she didn't want to bridge. Very soon, she would get other chances to do more than just touch his hands.

Finally, she muttered a goodbye, turned, and left him to his solitude.

Back in her own room, River changed into a silky nightgown, sensual enough for the mission she had under her sleeve. After a refreshing bath, she paced the room, awaiting the right time to strike.

Yes, she had a plan.

Echo would always come to her room every night to kiss her goodnight after she returned from her duties. However, there were exceptions on days when her sister might have to stay all night out.

Perhaps, this was one of them.

With a last determined sigh, River exited her room and headed for her destination– Gonzalo’s room. She snuck her way there, ensuring that she was seen by no one.

The paintings on the walls in the hallways seemed to leer at her, judging her audacious plan or maybe it was her conscience at play.

“This is crazy," she whispered to herself, hoping she wasn't making a mistake.

But then again, from what she had gathered, Gonzalo seemed to have a perk for strong women. If Gonzalo saw Echo as the ideal Luna, then River wouldn't just claim him, she'd prove she was more than capable.

Tonight, she'd awaken the desire within him. It would be a desire strong enough to show him that she could be anything he desired.

Reaching the door, she couldn't help but to hesitate.

What if he rejected her?

The thought sent a jolt of fear through her. But then, she remembered his stretchy gaze earlier, the hint of a smile he had on his lips when she mentioned getting rest. Maybe there was hope after all.

Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door with her master key and gently pushed it open. She opened it a fraction at first, then wider as the room's darkness greeted her. However, she could see enough to know that Gonzalo wasn't in the room.

She tiptoed towards a sound that was coming from the bathroom, her nightgown whispering against her legs. The bathroom door was slightly ajar with a flake of light escaping from within.

Was Gonzalo in there? River wondered.

Taking a deep breath, she peeked through the crack in the opened door but what she saw rendered her breathless.

Gonzalo stood under the spray of the shower, his defined back and powerful shoulders, gracing a seductive outline against the cascading water.

Steam swirled around him, creating an almost ethereal image in front of her. River felt a blush creep up her cheeks and a mix of heat and possessiveness swirling within her.

This was her soon-to-be mate and he was so goddamn… sexy.

Just as she was about to form a plan, maybe hide, a sudden movement startled her. Gonzalo's head snapped up, the sound of the water ceasing. His eyes, which were sharp and alert, scanned the room and landed on the sliver of movement by the door.

Damn.

Not only was he able-bodied and handsome, but he was also very observant and fast, River thought.

"Who's there?" he barked, his voice rough with frustration and surprise.

His retort made River yelp. Instantly, she forgot her carefully rehearsed line. "G-Gonzalo! It's me, River!"

The tension in the room sizzled like electricity. Gonzalo's wet figure tensed and his hand instinctively reached for something by the showerhead that River couldn't quite see in the dim light.

"River? What are you doing in my room?" He asked, bewildered.

River cursed her own impulsiveness. She'd gotten so caught up in the moment, the thrill of the plan, that she hadn't considered how it might appear to Gonzalo.

Now, almost standing here half-naked, it looked like an unwelcome intrusion.

Taking a deep breath, River decided to damn all consequences. She straightened her spine and forced a smile onto her face. "Well, you see," she began, her voice sounding a little too chipper, "you are my betrothed, aren't you? And what better way to spend the night than with your intended mate? I came to mate with my betrothed.”