My gasp betrayed me. I wished more than anything I could’ve remained aloof in that moment. Like I didn’t need him on much more than a physical level. “Why not?”
“This was before Adalai claimed Zelene. Alphas and omegas couldn’t be together.”
“Don’t worry about trying to sound virtuous. If you claimed me, everyone would’ve known what you really are, and you would’ve lost everything.”
He nodded. “And I would’ve never been able to give you the life you deserved. I would’ve been disgraced, and your quality of life could’ve been worse than it was before.”
“Like that was possible.” I scoffed.
“You worked in the castle. I don’t know what your life was like beyond city walls, but you held high status if you were allowed to work with the royal family. The King didn’t let just anyone work in his home.”
“He had a funny way of expressing his gratitude.”
Solen’s hand was on my chin. That delicious livewire current flowed between us once again. “Stop focusing on things you can’t change. That’s the past. Your future won’t look anything like that.”
“What happens next?” I was already salivating just from his touch, my need bubbling below the surface. One time with my mate was not enough to satisfy my heat. But we had inconveniences such as a revolution and a potential traitor to deal with. Good thing I had plenty of practice pushing my desires to the back burner. “You kind of destroyed my clothes, so that’s an issue.”
He gave me a wicked grin. “I like you like this. And it wouldn’t bother me if I kept you naked in my bed for your entire heat.”
A whine slipped out from between my lips. I’d grown so accustomed to suppressing it, to being ashamed of what I was because it was lesser, dirty, stupid...but this man, this omega, smashed all my misconceptions about myself. I could be strong and respected. I could lead.
“Let it out, my little spitfire,” he said, his voice raspy. “Let it all out.”
But was that what I wanted? For so long, I’d only longed to be taken care of, but Solen had given me permission to dream bigger.
Zelene, Tavia, Rielle, and Charolet all had a mission once they found their mate. It had been in their heart all along. But I was the one who’d accepted what I had, who made it through the situation one day at a time, and didn’t have the audacity to dream. How could I, when there was so much despair around me? It felt greedy, like I was taking more than my fair share.
But I’d think about it later because Solen’s mouth was crushing mine. His body was hard and warm, and his hands were everywhere. I let myself savor the sensations of his exploration.
It wasn’t long before my hands were on the thing I wanted most. His cock. It was hard and as ready for me as I was for him. There was no way he didn’t know that, as he stroked between my legs, his fingers soaked with my desire.
I stroked his length slowly, taking my time, really getting to know my mate. I had this crazy idea that I could set the tone of our time together. Not like I’d ever forget our first time. But it was frantic with need. I wanted to remember the way he felt when my inner muscles throbbed against him.
A horn or an alarm or whatever it was, a horrible noise separated us. My heart pounded and my pussy throbbed with need.
“What the hell was that?” I hastily pulled the sheet around my body. In the process, I’d uncovered Solen, but he had clothes here. I did not.
“It’s a message from the King,” he said, jumping out of bed in his hard, naked glory. I appreciated his round, firm ass and the two dimples at the base of his spine.
I sat up, only following him into his office with my eyes. He hunched over a laptop, frantically punching the keys. His eyes widened and lips parted, but then he shook his head and frowned as he typed some more.
“What’s happening?” I asked. Sweat beaded along my hairline, and ran down the middle of my back. Whatever it was, I hoped he could solve it from here. In this moment, I needed him more than the King did.
Solen didn’t answer as he returned to the bed, his expression distracted and concerned. I tried to clamp down my whine long enough to figure out what was wrong at the castle, but the need was rising again to nuclear levels.
Solen jerked his gaze to me, those golden eyes knowing exactly what I needed. The concern about the king’s message disappeared as his body pressed into mine to sate my heat once again.
Solen
Chapter Nine
I awoke in a tangle of limbs, unaware of how much time had passed. Ashla was draped across my chest, peaceful at last. I planned to let her sleep. She must be exhausted after the constant mating her heat required. I’d knotted in her more times than I could count, but maybe that was because I was out of my mind with pleasure, my inner wolf pushing me to satisfy her.
My mate.
My chest clenched just thinking about her. Something was happening to the walls I’d built around my heart. Something dangerous. Ashla was opening me up to a lot of feelings I’d avoided for so long.
I smoothed my hand up her bare back, pushing her tangled hair out of the way so I could watch her sleep.
Dangerous. The word described her perfectly. She was an unassuming warrior. Quietly
