CHAPTER 171 - DOVERY FALLS

-RAINA'S POV-

Distraught and caught up in my own world as I sat on a cherry log by the punchbowl waterfalls, I stared mindlessly at the crashing stream across from me. It channeled from a narrow hanging gorge, shooting over a ledge and roaring straight into the round plunge pool below.

The scene was so glorious that I was fixated on the sky’s sultry reflection that emblazoned onto the clear diamond water surrounding it.

The tumultuous ripples robbed me of any hopes for a eureka moment, and more of my not-so peaceful life. The elders gave me the creeps. I couldn't help the awry inkling that churned in my gut.

How much did they know?

Drawing in a deep breath of the sap, sweet air of citrus, I exhaled lengthily, trying to clear my mind.

Venus was right, though.

It was a splendid idea to have our lunch picnic on this shallow cliff and to go swimming later at Dovery Falls.

Not too long ago, I wandered away from the vivacious group to think about me and Valen, and our future. Only to miss him more, which made my heart ache like a lovesick puppy. The bond crimped with a pressure in my chest. Oh, why didn't I just go to his parents' home? He was still there. Or was he ignoring me?

Lost in thought, I did not notice when my sexy heart-throb teleported in front of me, closing all gaps between us and bringing his lips to brush mine. The sudden contact was startling, and I gasped, frozen in place.

“I've been thinking about you,” he whispered affectionately.

Before I could process what his intentions were, his lips found mine again. Soft, yet firm, his kiss was not surprisingly gentle. He sat on the log and hoisted me into his lap before my lips met his, returning the kiss so naturally and eagerly.

His hand moved from my cheek to the back of my neck, deepening the kiss. My hand coasted up his chest, earning a deep growl of approval that caused a tightening in my core.

As quickly as he started, Valen pulled back with a final light kiss, leaving me breathless and my heart racing. He gazed down at me with his eyes flickering between their regular emeralds and streaks of a deep red.

Snap!

The sound of a twig breaking barely registered before Valen shot up, protectively taking me up in his arms as he confronted the intruder. I wrapped my hands around his neck, staring in the same direction as him.

Valen released a low warning growl.

"Hey, Val.” Devin pushed the slim branches out of his path and approached us. “I figured you'd be out here with my little Luna roaming these woods or should I say roaming her?”

Hating the disruption, another growl left Valen as he picked up a twig and chucked it at Devin's head. He ducked, grinning from ear to ear, but Benji, who was right behind him, caught it with one hand.

Benji's eyebrows raised, worriedly.

"Can't take a joke, Alpha?" Devin scratched the back of his neck and flashed me a knowing smile as his eyes zeroed in on the love bites on my neck from our love-making session this morning.

Blush burned my face and I dropped my gaze. Did he have to pick up on everything?

"You of all people should know better than to sneak up on an Alpha and his mate," Valen snarled, sitting us down on the log.

Devin was completely unfazed. "In all fairness, I tried to give you a heads-up, but I couldn't get through the link." He tapped his temple and grinned. "Now I see why."

"What do you want?" Valen griped with annoyance clear in his voice.

"Well, Mama Vee sent me to get Raina. Everything is ready, and we are missing both of you. Unless you’d rather feast on each other," Devin teased, mischief dancing in his Prussian blue eyes.

Benji nodded along with him. “I bet they do.”

“She didn't need both of you to come looking.” Valen scowled. He wanted us to be alone. I did too, but our friends insisted on unwinding from all the stress and hanging out together.

Not wanting to prolong this grumpy exchange any longer, I tapped Valen's chest for him not to argue.

“Baby, I'm famished.” I smiled at him and kissed his jaw. “Let me feed you.”

Valen sighed in defeat. Rising to his feet, he headed towards them with me cupping his cheeks.

"Lead the way," I said to Benji, hoping to dodge the question marks in his eyes. However, I glimpsed a hint of sadness in them and I wondered what was going on.

Benji stared at me a moment, his eyes asking if I was okay. I gave him a quick assuring smile and nodded. Thankfully, he turned to lead us back to the picnic.

Before we even made it down the little slope of the woods, the barbeque aroma hit my nostrils, causing my mouth to water. Devin and Benji chatted in front of us, but Valen's hungry eyes remained on me during the short walk.

“It's my day-off. We should be by ourselves.” Valen grumbled.

“We will— tonight.” I promised, and won a faint smile from him.

Isaac had beers waiting for the guys by the time we joined them at the picnic site. Valen lowered my feet and separated from me for a bit. The girls had laid out all the baskets on the red and white mat and were now arranging the plates and cups. Venus coordinated everything.

Heidi gave me a proud look as she handed me a cup of coke. I blushed under her scrutiny, which apparently answered her question as she broke out in a triumphant smile.

I gladly took the drink, chugging half of it right off the bat and earning a hearty laugh from her. Hoping my blush would be gone by the time everyone sat on the picnic mat, I found a cozy spot where I could rest my back against a tree bark, under its cool shade.

A moment later, Thaines and Venus shared platters piled high with barbecue ribs, chicken wings, roasted potato, and all sorts of food. The spread was impressive. Fit for royalty.

Zack and Benji padded over to me, setting their drinks down on either side. Before they could sit, a barely audible rumble permeated.

Gulping, Zack snatched his drink and sat down next to Venus on the opposite side of the mat. “Sorry, Alpha. She's all yours.”

Valen relaxed and sat next to me while Benji scooted around to take a seat between Thaines and Penn.

As Isaac and Heidi got the last dishes, they glanced from Valen to the empty head of the mat, landing back on me, questioningly.

"Take a seat, Isaac. It's not a formal dinner," Valen permitted. Alphas usually sat at the head of the table and had to start eating first, before the others.

With that, Isaac and Heidi settled at the spot to eat. Thaines and Theo sandwiched Azara.

Devin sat beside Valen. Penn scrambled over and bumped Peaches out of the way to grab that single spot between Devin and Benji.

Aggravated, Peaches glared down at Penn, releasing a growl. Unperturbed, the cheeky witch clung to Devin's muscular bicep, smirking deviously back at Peaches, who had to relent.

"You've outdone yourself." Valen smiled approvingly at his sister. "Mom put you up to this, didn't she? We might need to do this more often." He finished with a chuckle as everyone dug in.

“I don't mind.” Venus replied, smiling from ear to ear at her brother's compliment.

With that, lunch commenced, and a lightness settled over the picnic as easy conversations and laughs pervaded.

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