9. Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Greyson
G reyson had never been so hard in his life.
With his entire bloodstream seemingly redirected to his cock, he was having an extremely difficult time remembering why he’d been so angry when Xander suggested this game. Whatever had brought them to this moment where Destiny Duvalle stood in front of him in barely more than her knickers while ordering his pack leader to strip had been a very good idea indeed.
Xander didn’t move for a long moment. Greyson hoped the git was learning his lesson. There was no excuse for the way Xander had treated their guest. He’d called Destiny an ice maiden but, though it wasn’t an entirely unfair assessment, Greyson would’ve called her “poised” rather than “cold.”
And there was nothing but fire in her piercing green eyes now.
She’d outplayed Xander at his own game and now she was challenging him, humbling him. The prince had been a proper sod since the moment the beautiful omega had arrived. It seemed only fitting that he now faced the consequences of his behavior.
There were certainly much worse punishments than taking your clothes off for Destiny Duvalle. Especially when she was already stripped down to a sinfully sexy bra and a pair of pants that fit her full hourglass frame like a second skin. With the stiletto boots setting it all off, she looked like something from a wet dream.
Greyson couldn’t stop trailing his eyes over all the smooth brown skin on display. His mouth practically watered as he noticed the outline of her peaked nipples straining against the lace of her bra. He could smell her arousal in the spicy ginger undertones of her peppermint and cinnamon scent, and it was becoming more deliciously alluring by the minute. Greyson was using a significant amount of effort to hold his place and not pull Destiny into his arms so he could bury his face in her neck and run his hands over her curves.
“What’s the matter, Princeling?” she taunted, tilting her head and lifting an eyebrow at Xander. “Are you that used to people letting you win, or do you just expect them to let you off the hook when you lose?”
Greyson held his breath as Destiny stepped closer to them, until her breasts pressed against Xander’s chest. A muscle ticked in the prince’s jaw, but he made no other move as the pop singer stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear loud enough for them all to hear.
“I’m not one of your courtiers, Princeling, and I hold men responsible for their words. You owe me eight articles of clothing and I intend to collect.”
Greyson’s cock throbbed, and he wasn’t sure if the ache was his or if one of his packmates was sharing their desire through the bond. Probably both. Destiny Duvalle had no idea what she was doing to Xander right now. And to Hunter, for that matter. She’d tapped naturally into their kinks, as if she could sense them.
Slowly, Xander bowed his head. His voice was controlled, but Greyson could hear the rough edge. Destiny was absolutely wrecking him.
“A deal is a deal,” Xander said finally, hands moving to the buttons of his shirt. “I shouldn’t have underestimated you, Frosty.”
“You seem to be having trouble learning that lesson. Maybe this will help it stick.” Destiny smirked, though her breathing was a little shallow. “Start counting.”
Xander exhaled a ragged breath. Greyson would’ve laughed if he could manage any emotion besides raging desire at the moment. If Xander could’ve described the exact scenario that would get him off the most, it would start just like this. It was fitting that a woman the prince was so determined to annoy would be the one to push all of his buttons.
“One.” Xander unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside, head still lowered slightly as he watched Destiny taking in his bare torso. “Two.” He kicked off his shoes.
Greyson watched Destiny step back and lean against the pool table as if she wanted a better view. Her posture was nonchalant, but Greyson could see her pulse fluttering in her neck, her breasts heaving with every breath. She might be in control of the situation, but she wasn’t unaffected. He couldn’t help but wish Xander had managed to pot a couple more balls. He was sure that her panties must be soaked, and he wanted to see for himself.
“Three. Four.” Xander pulled off his socks and belt, then began to unbutton his pants. “Five.”
When his jeans hit the floor, Destiny licked her lips, and Greyson followed the flash of pink tongue with predatory interest. Her pretty green eyes widened at the significant bulge in Xander’s boxers. When the prince paused, Destiny lifted her gaze to his and Greyson could almost feel the air grow taut between them.
The omega grinned and circled her finger in the air, spurring him on.
Xander dropped his boxers. “Six.”
Destiny tilted her head, making a show of examining the prince’s engorged cock. Greyson couldn’t tell if she knew that her pupils were dilated and her scent rising. He could feel his packmates practically vibrating with need.
“Looks like you’re out of clothes,” Destiny said huskily. “By your rules, we need to discuss an appropriate alternative.”
Xander shuddered beside him as Destiny studied him, a finger pressed to her lip in mock thought. Greyson was sure she’d calculated on the deficit, and already had something in mind. His dick throbbed as he imagined the possibilities.
It was sexy the way she’d taken control, turning the tables on Xander effortlessly while simultaneously keeping all three of them eating out of the palm of her hand. Greyson would give this woman anything she asked for right now.
“Kneel, Princeling,” Destiny ordered.
Xander and Hunter growled in unison. This time, Greyson saw Destiny shiver. How was she resisting all the pheromones in the air? Surely, her hormones were telling her to submit, to whine, to let them take care of her. But she stood firm.
Slowly, Xander kneeled. His cock glistened with precum, and his breathing was labored. He was putty in the omega’s hands. They all were.
“Look how pretty you are on your knees,” Destiny purred. Greyson growled with his packmates this time, and she shuddered again. “The future king of Avondale, at the mercy of a bubblegum pop princess who he thought was waiting in his room to suck his cock less than twenty-four hours ago.”
Xander groaned and hung his head, fingers twitching against his thighs. Greyson ran a hand down his face. Hunter hadn’t mentioned that part. Xander was such a bloody idiot.
“Tell your pack to take off their pants,” Destiny commanded. “Then we can consider your debt paid.”
Hunter looked at Greyson, his hazel eyes practically black. While Xander loved to be dominated, Hunter preferred to do the dominating. Greyson was more versatile. But for Destiny, he thought he’d be willing to try anything.
“Grey, Hunt—you heard Miss Duvalle. Your pants,” Xander whispered raggedly. There was no bark in his voice, only raw need.
“Next time, you’ll settle your own debts,” Hunter ground out through gritted teeth. “And you’re going to pay me back with interest for this.”
Xander swallowed hard, a frisson of pleasure sizzling through the pack bond. Greyson fought a smile. It was going to be a wild night.
He didn’t hesitate to comply. He caught Destiny’s heated gaze before giving her a slow, lazy smile and unbuttoning his pants. When she licked her lips again, he could practically feel her pretty pink tongue circling his cock. He dropped his trousers and watched her take in the hard swell straining against his boxer briefs. Her lips parted in a little sigh that made his cock jump as he imagined the way she’d gasp when he thrust into her.
On Xander’s other side, Hunter dropped his jeans in a much grouchier heap. Destiny’s eyes snapped to him, then dropped to the bulge in his briefs. Her mouth dropped open further. Her arousal had become a palpable thing, so strong that Greyson could practically taste it.
Destiny whined, and the three alphas stiffened, the bond going taut and electric. Greyson had never wanted a woman more than he wanted Destiny Duvalle at that moment. Eyes wide, she slapped her hands over her mouth in a gesture that would’ve been comical if his pack weren’t fighting the urge to rut her over the fucking pool table. She tried to step back but only managed to bump the table and send a few balls scattering.
“Well, you’re all paid up. I’m satisfied,” Destiny said shakily.
“I don’t know about that,” Greyson replied, his teeth gritted with the effort of remaining still. “I think you could be a lot more satisfied.”
Hunter growled in agreement, and Greyson watched Destiny squirm in response. For a moment, they all stared at one another, waiting for the next move. Xander stayed on his knees, but his blue eyes were bright and fixed on the omega.
Finally, Destiny pulled herself into a rigid posture, chin lifted defiantly. Carefully, she moved around them, picking up every article of their discarded clothing and folding them into a neat stack. To Greyson’s dismay, she pulled on Xander’s shirt. With the top buttons undone, he could still see the swell of her incredible breasts, but the shirt swamped her, falling to her mid-thigh and hiding her luscious curves.
“Don’t worry boys, I can take care of myself,” she said, backing toward the stairs, her arms full of their clothes. “See you tomorrow.”
With that, she disappeared down the stairs. A moment later, they heard the door closing behind her. No one moved.
Greyson felt absolutely gutted, her absence a tangible, terrible thing. When they first met, he’d thought that Destiny was the kind of woman who could become a man’s north star. He hadn’t realized then how apt the metaphor would turn out to be. Greyson already missed her light and had to resist an irrational urge to follow her.
He released a loud breath. “Bloody hell.”
“Yeah,” Hunter agreed.
“Fuck,” Xander added. He started to rise, but Hunter grabbed a handful of his hair and glared down at him.
“You stay on your fucking knees,” he growled. Xander obeyed.
Sighing, Greyson crossed to the wet bar and fixed himself a drink. It was going to be a long, wild night indeed.
The next morning, Greyson woke up with a raging hard-on and an idea.
Despite their best efforts to take care of themselves after Destiny left, Greyson was far from satiated. Between his vivid memory of her domme behavior and the way her scent lingered in the air, Greyson knew he wouldn’t be satisfied until he had her. Maybe not even then. He couldn’t imagine ever having enough of her.
Because there was something special about Destiny Duvalle. Something that made her irresistible and confounding and entrancing and right . Greyson didn’t want to think too hard about it. He was afraid of what he might discover if he did.
Instead, he decided to take advantage of the popstar’s extended stay and enjoy her company as much as possible, which is how he found himself heading toward her room, carrying hot chocolate and pastries, and hoping it wasn’t too early for a breakfast visit. To his surprise, when he stepped into the corridor leading to her room, he saw that it wasn’t empty. Hunter was approaching from the other direction, carrying a covered tray.
“I knew I smelled your famous steamed buns this morning!” Greyson hissed. “I thought I was dreaming. How early did you get up to make them?”
Hunter smirked, cocking an eyebrow at Greyson’s tray. “Earlier than you got up to raid the kitchens.”
Greyson grinned. “I hope she’s hungry. And that she wants to see us.”
In unison, they turned toward Destiny’s door. Greyson felt better already, just knowing he was near her, about to see her. He could already distinguish her scent in the air, as if he’d grown attuned to it. He gave Hunter a sidelong glance.
“When did you realize she’s our mate?” Greyson asked quietly. As he’d expected, Hunter didn’t look at all surprised by the question. He always saw the things others missed.
“The night she arrived,” Hunter admitted. “It’s another reason I was so furious at Xander. What about you?”
“Last night, when she took the piss out of Xander and handled us all so expertly.” Greyson sighed. “That nitwit certainly hasn’t realized yet.”
Hunter opened his mouth to respond, but cut himself off abruptly, his attention snapping back to Destiny’s door. Greyson had heard it too. It sounded like…a moan.
A moment later, the sound came again, and it was unmistakable. A distinct moan of pleasure. Without thinking, he stepped closer to the door, Hunter right beside him. Now that he was focusing, Greyson could hear a low hum as well.
His cock went rigid for the second time that morning. He’d taken a nice long shower and wanked vigorously to thoughts of the alluring woman who was now making the sexiest sounds he’d ever heard on the other side of that door. Was she thinking about him and his packmates while she got herself off? Had last night left her as wrecked as it had them?
“We shouldn’t listen,” Hunter whispered. But he didn’t move.
Greyson knew Hunter was right, and he wanted to do the gentlemanly thing and walk away, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot. Destiny’s moans had grown steadier, louder, and more ragged. It was all he could do not to tear the door down.
Footsteps snapped him from his daze. Ever vigilant, Hunter was already moving away. With practiced ease, Greyson laughed and clapped his packmate on the shoulder.
“I guess we both had the same idea this morning,” Greyson said, as though they’d only just arrived. Then he turned toward the approaching woman with a wide smile. “Sasha! Don’t tell me you’ve gotten Miss Duvalle breakfast already. Hunter and I are competing for that honor.”
The pretty beta did a cheerful little skip before hurrying toward them. Behind him, Greyson heard the humming stop abruptly. Destiny must’ve realized she had company and needed to put her toys away. Damn. He was pretty sure she hadn’t climaxed yet.
Greyson desperately wanted to remedy that.
Destiny’s assistant looked as though she would burst from excitement. “Oh my gosh, you two are the absolute sweetest! I was just coming to check in with her and make breakfast plans, but I’m sure she’ll be delighted to eat with you. Let me just make sure she’s decent.”
Greyson held his charming smile in place, but beneath it he was ravenous. He didn’t want Destiny Duvalle to be decent. As a matter of fact, there were a great many indecent things he’d like to do to her.
The door opened a crack, and the object of Greyson’s lewd desires peered out at them. Her tawny brown skin was flushed, and her dark waves were mussed. Destiny’s eyes widened when she saw them gathered there, her lips parting in surprise.
God, she was stunning. Greyson couldn’t believe he hadn’t immediately recognized what she was. The tug in his chest, the pull of his north star, it all made sense now. Greyson wanted to take her face in his hands and kiss her until her knees were weak.
“Good morning, sunshine! Look who I ran into on their way to bring you breakfast!” Sasha gestured at Hunter and Greyson like they were game show prizes. “Isn’t that so thoughtful? Let me help you get ready!”
Without giving Destiny a chance to respond, Sasha wriggled through the door and shut it behind her. Greyson released a heavy breath. That glimpse hadn’t been enough. He felt anxious and unsettled, which was highly unusual. Greyson’s levelheaded calm in high pressure situations was part of what made him such a valued advisor to the monarchy. It was how he’d landed himself in such a prestigious position at only twenty-four years old.
But Greyson didn’t feel levelheaded or calm. He felt like a man who’d finally felt the sun on his skin after a lifetime in darkness. Destiny Duvalle was a winter sunrise. He wanted more of that light and warmth. He needed it.
“Take a deep breath,” Hunter commanded quietly. “We don’t want to scare her off or make her uncomfortable.”
Greyson shook himself, obediently slowing his breathing. His instincts calmed. Hunter had said exactly the right thing, of course. Greyson would never do anything to scare Destiny. She was his to please, to protect, to praise and provide for. He felt his calm returning.
“Thanks,” Greyson whispered. “So, I suppose we don’t mention the whole mate thing to Destiny or Xander?”
“It seems like the kind of thing you have to discover for yourself,” Hunter replied with a shrug. “Let’s give them some time.”
Greyson sighed. “We don’t have much time to spare. Thank God for the snowstorm giving us a few extra days. Xander better not cock it up. She’s perfect for us. Exactly what we need.”
“I know.” Hunter turned his attention back to the door.
A few moments later, it opened again, and Sasha beamed at them. Destiny was seated on a sofa next to a low table, looking like a dream brought to life. She’d slipped a soft-looking robe over her nightgown, a flimsy, satiny thing that stopped just below her knees. Her feet were bare, and she wasn’t wearing any makeup.
She was the most beautiful thing Greyson had ever seen.
“You kids have fun!” Sasha exclaimed, waving goodbye as she left.