22.2

Nuri groaned, dropping back into her sit-ups while Cameron turned to Kalmin. “How long did it take you?”
“Almost three months. You?”
“Nearly a year,” Cameron muttered, glancing between them both, shaking his head in disbelief. Training a wolf to sleep while their host stayed awake was something most never mastered. That Nuri and Tempest had done it in weeks was nothing short of unheard of.
He could understand how the alpha managed such a feat in so little time—but a lowly omega hybrid? She didn’t seem to be lacking in potential, not from what he’d seen. Every day with her earned a little more of his respect.
‘A year? He must not have been trying very hard,’ Tempest sniffed, wrinkling her nose at Cameron.
‘Get off your high horse, Tempest. What we’re not going to do is start turning our noses up the same way they’ve always done to us’. Nuri scowled. ‘He took longer, yeah—but he still learned.’ Tempest's ego had been swelling fast over the past few weeks, and Nuri didn’t like what it was turning her into. That haughty tone? That judgment? It sounded too much like the purebreds who'd made their lives hell.
“What’d she do to tick you off this time?” Kalmin asked, falling into step beside her after saying goodbye to Cameron.
“She’s getting a big head. It’s starting to seriously irritate me.”
Kalmin smirked. “If this is you now, you're really not going to like what beating Gael does to her ego.”
Nuri stopped walking. Her eyes shimmered with sudden tears, and her lip trembled.
Kalmin’s heart dropped. “Oh no, what did I say?”
“Nothing,” she whispered, voice tight. “It’s just… you say it like it’s a given. Like you know we’ll win. Do you really believe in us that much?”
“It’s not belief.” Kalmin met her gaze, steady and sure. “It’s certainty. I don’t think you’ll win—I know you will.”
He took her hand, guiding her to her car, and opened the door for her. She tilted her face up, silent for a long second.
“We’re not going to disappoint you,” she promised, then leaned in for a kiss. “I’ll see you at home.”
“I need to swing by the office to print some things. I won’t be more than an hour.” Kalmin hesitated, glancing up at the street. “Be careful, yeah? That party just let out, and there’s a lot of wolves out driving tonight.”
“I will.” She watched him head to his car, then climbed into hers with a deep breath.
The silence on the drive home stretched comfortably until Nuri broke it.
“Hey, Temp? Any chance you could go back to sleep for a little while?”
‘I just woke up. Why would I want to go back to sleep? Rian and I are supposed to train soon, and I’d rather not roll straight from a nap into sparring.’
“I don’t think you’ll need to tonight.” Nuri chewed her cheek, her heart pounding. “I, um... I want to do it with Kalmin. And no offense, but I don’t think I’ll have the nerve with you watching.”
‘You want to do what with—OH.’ Tempest’s voice hitched with realization. It took her a beat to recover. ‘Well. I can go back to sleep... but if your emotions spike too much, I’ll wake up.’
“I’ve gotten good at controlling myself,” Nuri murmured. “Kalmin and I’ve had… intense moments lately. You didn’t wake up during any of them, right?”
‘No,’ Tempest agreed slowly. ‘Not since that first morning you woke up next to him.’ She paused, cautious. ‘But sex isn’t the same as kissing or sparring.’
“Are you saying I shouldn’t do it?”
‘No. If you’re ready, I’ll respect that. Just… if I wake up, don’t think it’s on purpose.’
“I won’t,” Nuri said gently. She slipped into the bathroom, tugging her hair out of its ponytail. “Actually… would it be asking too much to have your help getting ready?”
‘How dare you even ask. Of course not.’
“I love you so much.” She smiled at her reflection, placing a hand against the mirror where Tempest’s eyes gleamed back. “Anyone who says I’m imagining you is just jealous. There’s no way no one else has ever done this.”
‘This must be that extra special wolfy power of ours.’ Tempest laid her head on her paws, watching Nuri sift through her closet. ‘But seriously, you care way too much about what you wear. Kalmin’s going to care a lot more about taking it off you.’
“I know! But I can’t help it. I feel like the right outfit could… You know… help me ease into it.”
‘If that’s your goal, you may as well walk out there naked. Nothing’s going to say ‘take me now’ louder than that.’
“Do you think so?” Nuri held up a white lace bra and matching panties, tossing them onto the bed. Then she grabbed a soft purple silk babydoll dress and laid it next to them. “What about this?”
‘Perfect. Are you going to shave? Your legs are hairier than mine.’
“I am now,” she muttered, eyeing her legs in exasperation. “He said less than an hour, so I’d better hustle.”
‘Are you going to ask Rian to sleep too?’
“I wasn’t planning to. That’s not my call—it’s Kalmin’s.” She lathered her legs, her heart thudding in her chest. “God, I’m nervous.”
‘I’m nervous for you,’ Tempest admitted with a soft laugh. ‘But not in a bad way. Just… are you sure you’re ready?’
“I’ve been wanting to for a while. Not just in that fated mate way, but because it feels right now. Like our relationship’s finally where it’s supposed to be.”
They both froze as the sound of the front door echoed through the house. Kalmin’s keys clattered onto the kitchen table.
Nuri squealed. “Crap, he’s home already!” She frantically rinsed shampoo from her hair.
‘He’s not going to leave just because you take five more minutes,’ Tempest said, trying to soothe her nerves. ‘I’ll try to drift off, but if you need me, you know how to reach me.’
“Goodnight, Temp.” Nuri slid into the tub, curling her knees to her chest. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, waiting until Tempest’s presence began to fade into sleep. Only then did she rise, finish her shower, and dry off.
She stood frozen in front of her bed, staring at the white lace lingerie like it might bite.
‘What if he doesn’t want me?’ She thought, chest tight.
A knock on her bedroom door made her jump.
“Nuri? Are you ready for dinner?”
“Not exactly,” she called, her voice strained. She pulled the silky dress over her head, then yanked it back off again, hissing under her breath. ‘Get it together, Nuri. You’re either ready or you’re not. Decide.’
“What do you mean ‘not exactly’? Are you okay? Can I come in?” Kalmin’s voice was low with concern now. He was about to push the door open when she beat him to it.
She flung it open, cheeks flushed, hands behind her back—and Kalmin’s eyes dropped straight to the delicate white lace.
His jaw clenched. “Go to sleep, Rian. Now.” He stepped forward and shut the door behind him.