Chapter 166: Luna of All Wolves
Vivian’s POV
I stirred awake to the softest touch brushing down my cheek, barely there yet unmistakably real. A slow drag moved from the corner of my eye, skimming along my jaw, then pausing at the corner of my lips before gliding teasingly over my bottom lip. The pattern was all too familiar.
Without opening my eyes, I parted my lips slightly and nipped playfully at his finger. The sharp inhale I earned made me smile. When I finally blinked my eyes open, Zaliver’s face was just above mine, his electric blue gaze soaking me in with a look that made my heart stutter. There was a rare softness to his features, like I was something precious.
"Morning," he said, his voice low and full of warmth.
I ran the tip of my tongue over the pad of his finger before releasing it with a sly grin. He narrowed his eyes with mock warning, but the amused sparkle dancing in them gave him away.
Grinning wider, I looped my arms around him and pressed myself closer.
And then wait.
"You’re naked, idiot," my wolf chimed, her voice blissed-out and lazy like she’d just woken from the world’s most satisfying nap. She was sprawled in my head, one hind leg twitching every few seconds in total contentment. Even the beast was unusually quiet, still and completely satisfied.
That’s when last night’s memories hit me like a sudden flash flood.
My mouth dropped open, but before a single word could slip out, Zaliver leaned down and kissed me thoroughly, stealing my breath and with it, any coherent thought. When he pulled away, my pulse was racing, skin tingling, and I was officially awake.
"Yup," I whispered, completely dazed. "Definitely awake now."
I kissed his broad chest and curled straight into his warmth. He wrapped his arms around me like I was something he never wanted to let go of, then gently rolled me right on top of him.
"I’m glad to hear that," he murmured.
I shifted slightly and felt him against me.
"I can tell," I muttered under my breath, my cheeks heating up fast.
His laugh vibrated beneath me, deep and delighted. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, then smiled up at me like I was his whole world. And honestly? In that quiet moment, it felt like I truly was.
Yeah... it was going to be a good day.
"Scratch that. Screw this day. No, seriously screw everything," I grumbled, shuffling down the driveway like I’d been hit by a massive freight train. "Especially you."
Beside me, Zaliver smirked, entirely too pleased with himself for someone who had absolutely ruined my ability to walk normally. He reached the car way ahead of me of course he did and held the door open with mock gallantry.
I gave him a scathing look as I took slow, deliberate steps, every single muscle in my lower half screaming in absolute betrayal.
"Oh, sure, you’re happy," I muttered. "You’re not the one walking like a busted marionette after getting jackhammered into oblivion."
His grin turned downright wicked. "It wasn’t a jackhammer. Just me."
My glare intensified. "Not helping."
He closed the door gently behind me like the proper gentleman he pretended to be, then slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. His hand found mine almost instantly, fingers lacing together like we’d been doing it for a thousand lifetimes. He brought our joined hands up to his lips and kissed the back of mine so softly.
Since last night, he hadn’t stopped touching me. It didn’t matter where we were in the kitchen, brushing past me at the sink, or now in the car he always found a subtle way to connect. A hand resting on my waist. Fingers gently brushing my cheek. His touch was constant, grounding... and really, really distracting.
"I am sorry about the walking part," he said, clearly not sorry in the slightest, "but I can’t lie. There’s a certain pride in knowing I gave you that kind of pleasure... over and over again."
At the red light, he turned to look at me, and those piercing pale eyes locked directly with mine.
My stomach flipped upside down.
Even after everything after all the battles, the doubts, the heavy weight of who and what we were he still had the absolute power to make me completely breathless with just one look.
And I knew without a single doubt: whatever severe storms were ahead, we’d face them together.
Still limping or not.
"You really think you can charm your way out of everything, huh?" I teased, giving Zaliver a mock glare.
His answering grin was far too pleased with himself, the bright morning sunlight catching in his eyes and making them look almost transparent like glacial crystal.
"I mean... I did, didn’t I?"
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He was utterly impossible.
Today, Zaliver was just dropping me off at the pack training field. He’d promised to pick me up in a couple of hours, enough time for me to do some light stretches and ease the lingering tightness in my limbs from yesterday. Goddess knew I desperately needed it.
The drive there was quiet, but not in a bad way. There was just something... slightly off. Not between us no, that bond felt stronger than ever after last night. It was something deep inside me.
A low, strange buzz had taken residence at the back of my mind, like I was standing right in front of a locked door I didn’t know I had, and something incredibly powerful was knocking from the other side. It wasn’t painful. Just frustrating. That nagging feeling when you know you’re forgetting something crucial, but no matter how hard you try to grab at it, it keeps slipping right through your fingers.
Only, I knew I hadn’t forgotten anything.
When we pulled into the training field, I stepped out of the car and immediately noticed something very strange.
Instead of bowing normally, every single wolf present dropped to one knee. All at once.
I froze, my eyes darting over to Zaliver for some kind of logical explanation. He didn’t say a single word. He just stared straight ahead, his expression completely unreadable, his large hand tightening reassuringly around mine.
I turned back to face the field and inhaled sharply.
Each of them slowly raised their heads... revealing glowing silver eyes.
The air stilled around me, thick with ancient purpose.
And then, as if one single breath moved all their mouths together, they spoke in powerful unison.
"We bind our lives and loyalty to Luna Vivian. We fight, breathe, and shall bleed for the Luna of all wolves."
My knees nearly buckled under the sheer weight of their oath.
Their emotions crashed into me like massive waves fierce loyalty, unshakable faith, a devotion so raw I felt it settle deep into my very bones.
It was overwhelming, but something inside me something ancient and deeply instinctual rose up to meet it.
I didn’t hesitate for even a second. The words flowed out of me as if they’d lived in my chest all along, just waiting for this exact moment.
"And I, in return, promise to you that I shall protect and cherish our pack our family."
The collective howls that followed sent a profound chill straight down my spine. Dozens of powerful voices rising high into the open sky, claiming me, honoring me.