“My people,” King Adalai began. “It is my greatest honor to present to you my son, the future of the Weren throne, future ruler of the kingdom of Luxoria… Raddix the First. May he rule with fairness and equality.”
The crowd shouted their approval.
“May he lead with honor and virtue.”
Another shout of encouragement.
Adalai turned to his mate, his eyes softening. “May he find love no matter which path it drags him mercilessly down.”
Applause erupted as the king carefully took his son from Zelene’s arms and held him high for all to see. The oohs and ahhs were deafening.
Raddix, future King of the Weren, was already breaking hearts and taking names.
I laughed, dragging Ashla close and kissing her happy smile away.
Ashla
Chapter Twenty Two
I could get drunk from Solen’s kisses and that was exactly his plan. To get me addicted to his lips against my skin so I couldn’t live without him.
I wasn’t complaining. It was exactly what I wanted, and I hoped I could do the same for him.
He rested his forehead against mine. “I think it’s time to continue this celebration in quarters, my little spitfire.”
The muscles between my legs pulsed in response to his suggestion. I couldn’t be close to my heat, could I? I usually kept meticulous track so I couldn’t be caught off guard, but these last few weeks had been a whirlwind.
I brought a hand to my forehead, and I was indeed hot. But my animal was sated. Maybe because this was the very first heat that I wouldn’t have to worry about my safety and soon, no omega would ever have to worry again. The bunkers in the Badlands were getting a facelift, so they were all as comfortable and well stocked as Solen’s desert hideaway. It would be my responsibility to inspect and approve every single one of them. It was a great honor to be trusted with this project, and I’d do every omega wolf proud.
But tonight, we still had so much celebrating to do.
“Let me say goodnight to the girls.” As much as I longed to be with my mate, I wanted to collect as many memories from tonight as I possibly could and keep them inside my heart, so I could recall them often. Someday, we’d have a little one, a pure omega general by birthright, and I would happily share this moment with them so they would always appreciate how good they had it.
Solen nodded, and I pulled myself away from his warm, hard body. The gala was packed, and so many people wanted to wish me well. I graciously accepted all of them.
Zelene held Raddix, rocking him softly in her lap. She looked down at him with absolute wonder. Tavia kneeled beside her, making animal shapes with her fingers and laughing at her nephew’s reactions. Charolet and Rielle looked on.
“Come to join us, our little lovebird?” Charolet waggled her eyebrows at me. She and Tavia would never look right in the fancy dresses we had access to, but they’d worn them to honor their queen.
“Actually, I came to say goodnight. Solen suggested we—”
“Go back to your quarters and rut like you’re in heat?” Tavia grinned at me.
“Something like that.” Warmth rose in my cheeks. “We’re all safe this cycle. It’s amazing.”
Zelene rose from her throne and handed Raddix to Tavia, who quickly got back to work entertaining him.
“Our heat is what brought us here. If we ever doubted how powerful we are as omega females, that’s all the proof we need.” Zelene wrapped her arms around me. “And you were always the strongest of all of us. Don’t ever forget that. The army marched on your shoulders.”
“I never thought of it like that.”
“Because we weren’t allowed to recognize our own power, but that ends now. I can’t wait to see what omegas will accomplish.” She pulled away from me and wiped tears from under her eyes. “Go be with your mate. Soon we’ll be celebrating your babies being born.”
“I can’t wait.”
Giving the other girls a hug, I said goodnight with a strange sense of nostalgia. Nothing would ever be the same, and surprisingly, I was a little sad about that. As much as I was excited about the future, our struggles had made us strong and brought us together in a way that got the attention of a king.
Solen’s lips curled into a smile when I approached. He stood with Cassian and Evander, who both looked so handsome tonight in their formal military uniforms. Both generals kissed my cheek and congratulated me.
And now, it was time to be alone with my mate.
He pushed me against the wall of his quarters as soon as he shut the door, his lips falling to my neck, and then to my collarbone. I grasped his shoulders, pulling him in tighter against my body.
“You were the most beautiful woman at the party,” he breathed against my skin. “But all night long, I’ve been fantasizing about getting you out of this dress.”
“Don’t rip it. It’s too pretty.”
“No, my little spitfire. I don’t have to do that anymore. Tonight I get to savor your body for as long as I want.” He took a step back. “Turn around, let me undress you.”
Something about the way he said it made my knees turn to jelly. I did as he asked.
“Put your hands against the wall,” he instructed.
“Yes, mate.”
“Oh, I
