Three Alpha Bikers Wants An Open Marriage

Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Riley’s POV

I turn slowly toward Cane, my throat clogged, my ears still ringing from everything that just happened.

"What is the Rite of the Borrowed Moon?" I ask him.

The question leaves my mouth before I can stop it.

Cane freezes.

He looks like I slapped him.

For a few long seconds, he doesn’t say anything. He looks away from me, his jaw tight, his shoulders stiff, like he’s fighting with himself. The silence stretches so long it starts to scare me.

Finally, he turns back to me, his eyes hard.

"Don’t even think about it," he says firmly. "It’s a death wish. Even males don’t survive there."

My stomach drops.

He steps back, putting distance between us like my question alone is dangerous.

"No," I say quickly, my voice breaking. "You have to tell me. Please."

I hear how desperate I sound now, and I hate it, but I don’t stop.

"No, Riley," Cane says sharply. "I cannot do that. Get your mind off it. This isn’t some human thing you can push through. That rite is death."

"I deserve to know," I whisper, my hands shaking. "They’re talking about my life like it’s nothing. I need to understand what they’re threatening me with, I want to get back at Ethan for this."

Cane opens his mouth like he wants to argue again.

"I’ll tell you."

The voice comes from my left.

I turn instantly.

It’s Gunnar.

He steps forward, closer to me, his presence heavy, commanding, and my breath catches without permission. His face is calm, cold, composed, every sharp line of it controlled. I swallow hard as my eyes meet his, unable to look away from his intricate, handsome features even though fear is crawling all over my skin.

"Gunnar," Caden says sharply, a warning in his voice. "Don’t."

Gunnar doesn’t even look at him.

He lifts one hand slightly toward his brothers, a silent command.

Enough.

They go quiet.

He turns back to me fully now, his gaze steady, piercing, like he’s about to carve something permanent into my mind.

"So you really want to know?" he asks. frёeωebɳovel.com

I nod.

Tears blur my vision, but I blink them away, forcing myself to stay focused. I refuse to look weak right now.

"Alright," Gunnar says slowly. "Listen attentively."

His voice drops, turning cold, chilling, making my skin prickle.

"The Rite of the Borrowed Moon is a ritual," he begins, "performed for werewolves to awaken their wolves."

My breath hitches.

"It’s ancient," he continues. "Older than Obsidian Veil itself. It forces the body and soul into a state where the moon’s power is borrowed violently, not given willingly."

I wrap my arms around myself.

"In most cases," Gunnar says calmly, "even werewolves don’t come out alive."

My heart slams painfully against my ribs.

"They bleed. They break. They lose their minds. Some survive, but they’re never the same."

He pauses, then looks straight into my eyes.

"But in the case of a human being," he says, his voice turning deadly quiet, "being sent there can only mean one thing."

I barely breathe.

"Death," he says flatly. "Because death is already there waiting for them."

The words sink into me slowly, horribly.

"I hope this sinks in, Riley," Gunnar adds, adjusting his cuffs like he didn’t just describe my execution. "Because my father didn’t suggest it to test you. He suggested it to eliminate you."

My head spins. freёwebnovel.com

My knees feel weak.

I stare at the floor, swallowing hard, my thoughts racing so fast I can’t grab onto any of them.

So this is it.

This is how little my life means here.

Before I can say anything else, Caden steps closer, his voice gentler now, almost careful.

"Come," he says. "Let’s take you out of here. Father already ruined the wedding."

My heart twists.

"Let me take you back to Crescent Hollow," he continues. "You can go back to your husband now, Riley."

My head snaps up.

Fear floods me instantly.

"No," I say quickly. "No."

All three of them look at me.

"You don’t understand," I continue, my voice trembling. "I begged to leave earlier, and you wouldn’t let me. And now you’re telling me to go back to him after what just happened?"

Caden frowns slightly.

"You’re human," Cane says seriously. "You cannot stay here for long. This place isn’t made for you. You’ll suffocate."

"I don’t care," I snap. "I don’t want to go back."

The words feel heavy but true.

"I don’t want to see Ethan," I say, my voice breaking. "Not now. Not after everything."

They exchange looks.

"Riley," Cane says, softer now, "this isn’t safe for you."

"Please," I say, my voice honest, raw. "Just let me stay a few days. Just a few. I promise I’ll go back willingly after that. But right now, I can’t."

Silence falls between us again.

They study me, weighing something silently, their expressions unreadable.

Finally, Gunnar nods once.

"Fine," he says. "A few days."

Relief crashes through me so hard my chest aches.

They turn and begin to walk away, expecting me to follow.

I take a few steps after them, then stop.

"Wait."

They all turn back to me.

My heart pounds violently as I force the words out.

"I would like to meet your father."

The air shifts instantly.

All three of them stiffen.

Cane’s eyes narrow. Caden looks shocked. Gunnar’s gaze sharpens, dangerous and intense.

"Why?" Gunnar asks slowly.

I lift my chin, even though fear is crawling up my spine.

"Because he thinks I’m weak," I say. "Because he thinks he can decide whether I live or die without even looking me in the eyes."

My hands shake, but I keep going.

"And because if he’s going to threaten my life," I finish quietly, "then I want him to see exactly who he’s threatening."

The silence that follows is heavy and unsettling.

Gunnar stares at me for a long moment, his eyes searching my face like he’s trying to decide something important.

Then, slowly, a dangerous smile touches his lips."This," he says calmly, "just became interesting."