Azrael’s POV

*****

Truth or dare.

Millenia of existence and twenty years of renewed freedom on this planet didn’t prepare him for playing such an adolescent game tonight.

He’d slipped into a black robe—not because of any reasons the European Alpha might have in mind, but merely because for once he wanted to feel comfortable.

Quite frankly, he was beginning to get comfortable.

Especially around the other men in his mate’s life.

And the bond pulsed warmer and more peacefully because of it.

Anyway, when it got to his turn to dare Celeste... He didn’t hold back.

Why would he?

If they were going to play something so mundane they should at least make it lively.

And gods of lust, did it pay off beyond what he expected!

Azrael’s lips curved with a smirk, feeling the tension that burned as Celeste picked Atlas to sit on his lap. Luther and Silas were basically boiling with jealousy while the poor witch seemed like he didn’t know what to do with the fine woman sitting on him.

In all, Azrael could at least secretly praise Atlas for his undying restraint.

He wasn’t sure he’d be so patient if that were him.

"Hey, look at that." Luther cackled, forcing Azrael back to reality. The young Alpha pointed at the bottle while tapping his brother. "Looks like Azrael’s getting all the fun tonight."

The bottle’s bottom faced Azrael. And the head?

Silas.

Well, well, well...

With a neutral expression, Azrael adjusted his glasses, gaze pinned on the younger Hale brother. "Truth or dare, Beta?"

The latter blinked once, glancing first at Luther before his hazel orbs flicked to Celeste.

Hesitation.

Then—some decisiveness.

"Truth." Silas nodded, folding back the sleeves of his long-sleeved white shirt. "Don’t hold back, Vaelmont."

Oh, little wolf.

He didn’t plan to.

Without wasting a second, Azrael let it out. "Do you regret that she’s ours and not just yours?"

Thunder crackled through the cloudy night the second that loaded question dropped.

Simultaneously, the air around them seemed to thicken, Silas’ calm front faltering.

There it is.

If there’s anything he’s found some form of entertainment in, it’s breaking the ’calm’ ones. Showing them that in the right condition, they too can become feral beasts.

Ironically, he had a feeling Silas knew that about himself already.

"Well..." The Beta finally coughed, light brown hair cascading over his left eye. "... I–I think—"

"There’s not much thinking to be done, Silas." Azrael deadpanned, tapping his index rhythmically on his lap. "Just state the truth. Plain and simple."

Seconds passed with Silas saying nothing.

All that silence did was make Azrael scrutinise him curiously.

What’s taking the young wolf so long?

"Y–Yes," Silas stuttered out with a shaky inhale. "I mean, I’m happy with this dynamic now. Or rather... I’m fine with it. Because of her. But I’d have preferred if I didn’t have to share."

A small, knowing smirk played on Azrael’s lips. "Wasn’t so hard to admit, was it?"

Silas didn’t answer that and Azrael couldn’t care less.

He’s already gotten the reaction he wanted.

Unhurriedly, he spun the bottle, sitting back on his chair. "Is anyone getting tired yet?"

It was a general question but his eyes fixed on Celeste when he asked it.

She lowered a glass of vodka, eyes fluttering slowly. Not exhausted.

Intoxicated.

To Azrael that meant a time bomb waiting to pop.

"I’m all in for continuing." Celeste clapped, brushing back her hair. "Gods, I feel alive! Far better than I’ve felt in a long, long time."

Even as the bottle slowed, Azrael couldn’t peel his eyes off her. He noticed the others staring at her as well. Concern. Desire. Protective possessiveness.

Those emotions swirled past the bonds between them, active and dangerous.

The bottle gave one final wobble before surrendering.

Bottom to Silas.

Head to Celeste.

Azrael’s brows lifted faintly.

How poetic. The Beta was going to question or dare Celeste after revealing something about his true feelings.

Silas inhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for battle. "Truth or—"

"Dare." Celeste cut in before he could finish.

Too quick.

Too eager.

Azrael’s tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek. ’Reckless little miss...’

Silas blinked, clearly not expecting that. Then something softened in his expression. "Alright then." He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I dare you... to kiss each of us the way you actually want to."

Silence fell like a blade.

Luther straightened immediately. Atlas went rigid. Even the storm seemed to hold its breath.

Azrael did not move.

But his pupils dilated.

Celeste stared at Silas for a long moment. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. The alcohol had painted her cheeks pink, but her eyes were lucid—aware.

"That’s..." She let out a small breath. "...dangerous."

"Only if you make it so," Silas replied gently.

A pulse tore through the bond.

A hungry one.

Celeste rose slowly from her seat.

Azrael’s attention sharpened instinctively. Every detail of her movement imprinted itself against his ancient senses—the slide of silk against her thighs, the faint tremble in her fingers, the rise and fall of her chest.

"Why do I have to choose?" she muttered under her breath.

Soft.

Almost to herself.

But he heard it.

And then—

It happened.

Her scent shifted.

It wasn’t just vodka and spring anymore.

It sharpened into something much sweeter. Lush. Intoxicating.

Like honey warmed over flame and something darker beneath it—something ripe and beckoning.

Azrael’s spine stiffened.

His fangs pressed painfully against his gums, aching to descend. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Gods.

It seemed the others felt it too. Luther’s jaw clenched. Atlas’s fingers dug into the armrest. Silas’s breathing deepened.

But Azrael understood it for what it was.

This wasn’t a simple desire.

These were instincts rising:

Primal. Seductive. Claiming.

The air thickened, heavy and electric as lightning fractured the sky above them.

Celeste took one step forward.

Then another.

Her eyes glowed faintly violet under the storm’s illumination.

Azrael’s voice, when it came, was lower than usual. "Careful, little miss."

Because whatever she was about to awaken...

It would not be easily restrained.