Page 74 of Stargazer

“But it’s pitch-black outside?” Carter protested from where he refused to get off the sofa.

Griff, pausing at the sliding door, levelled his friend with a withering glare. “Well then, it’s a good thing you have better eyesight than an average human. And that you’ll be with a Knight who has the Sight, as well as not one, but two, wolves. I doubt you’ll have much trouble. You could use the extra practice in the dark anyway.”

“Always such an ass,” Car grumbled as he forced himself up and ambled towards the door, his movements tired and lazy.

Raven let out a huff of agreement at Carter’s diss, still not the captain’s number one fan even after weeks of working together.

I felt for Carter. With how comfortable I was on the couch, there was no way I would be joining. And I was relieved Griff didn’t push that I do.

Not long later, Skylar and Zander migrated from the kitchen with a few bowls of what looked and smelt like a Spanish rice dish, which they proceeded to hand out, placing River’s bowl on the coffee table in front of us when they saw his sleeping form. Sky plonked herself beside me, taking Griff’s previous spot, and we resumed the last half of the movie.

When the ending credits came on, Zander decided he better head out to join Bear before the brooding male made it his mission to hunt Zander down for leaving him alone. Sage mentioned something about needing to get up early to receive a delivery for her store in the morning, so she and Raven said their goodbyes too and left to their respective homes.

Sky and I used the opportunity to discuss some of our favourite shows and current reads. Not that either of us had much free time for hobbies these days, but we’d been watching an animated fantasy TV show based on a book series we’d both read about twin wolf shifters whenever we got the chance.

Deep in conversation about it, our attention caught on River when he stirred in his corner.

He stretched his arms wide as his eyes fully adjusted to being awake with slow blinks. The gesture made me smile to myself. He looked so at peace, so serene and carefree.

“Good morning, sleepy head,” I cooed with a quiet chuckle.

“Mmm hello, beautiful.” His soft, sleepy smile made my stomach flip.

“Nice nap?” Sky asked.

“The best.”

“There’s some food for you. It’s probably cold now, though,” she gestured to his waiting bowl. “Zan and I didn’t realise you’d fallen asleep.”

“Thanks, Sky.” He shuffled on the couch, grabbing his bowl, and then nestled in beside me. He didn’t bother heating it up before digging in. “How long have I been out?” He asked groggily.

“About an hour and a half. Maybe longer,” I answered.

“Geez.”

“You needed the rest,” I stated, giving him a no-nonsense look.

“Yeah, you’re right. You’re always right.” He chuckled, nudging me with his shoulder. I nudged back with a soft smile.

Sky and I continued with our previous discussion while River quietly ate by my side, enjoying just being in our company.

When he was finished with his food, he got up and strolled over to the guitar stand in the corner of the room, casually picking up the instrument before finding his spot beside me again and quietly strumming in the background. The sound was a soothing comfort and familiarity to me.

Eventually, Sky couldn’t contain her yawns and excused herself, leaving me alone with her Alpha. The boys were still out training, or whatever it was they were doing out there, the occasional laughs travelling through to us from outside.

I rested on Riv’s shoulders, curling myself against him, and he repositioned himself so the guitar lay casually on his lap as he picked at the strings. I watched, fascinated by the seamless and expert way his fingers moved.

After a few songs, River shifted down the couch so his head was laying on my lap, and I mindlessly ran my fingers through his silky, tousled locks as he played a quiet, sombre tune. The notes seemed to tell a story. And it felt a lot like ours.

His gaze was no longer on the guitar, but fully focused on me.

I indulged in the way the sounds and his beautiful honey eyes entranced me, making me feel light and airy and warm inside, despite the melancholy melody.

We stayed like that for some time. Neither of us saying a word, just letting the music do the talking.

His fingers paused their deft movements, moving from the guitar strings and snaking their way into the ends of my hair where they played with the strands instead.

Impassioned eyes—so full of emotion and unsaid words—continued to hold mine.

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