Chapter Thirteen
Notalus
When a Titan Wants, He Does Not Stand on Ceremony
“Your alpha has once again refused all assistance… even his bath, Majesty,” Iulien groused as they walked down the great hall toward the grand staircase.
Notalus could only smile because he adored everything about his alpha, even his stubbornness. “He’ll come around, Iulien. Patience, old friend.”
Iulien was a Galin, a descendant of the Greek service god, Galinthias. A people that thrived on services just as the heavenly gods survived on praises and prayers.
“I certainly hope so, my lord. It would be a great honor to serve him,” Iulien said almost wistfully.
Notalus stood at the top of the landing and watched Dustin waiting for him at the bottom. He was staring at one of the many tapestries adorning the foyer that’d been gifted to them by various gods, goddesses, saints, celestials, and other deities that had visited his kingdom.
“He will make a fine lord consort,” Iulien whispered as Notalus watched his betrothed in silence. He was again freshly showered and shaved, his thick beard immaculately groomed, all on his own. He was a sight to behold, wearing his house’s royal colors.
“I believe he will.” Notalus began to descend the stairs with Iulien close behind. “Is everyone in the dining hall?”
“Apologies, my lord, but Prince Theodor has requested the court dine in his private residence this evening. He contends that the alpha needs more time to get acquainted with his new surroundings and with his betrothed.”
Notalus exhaled in obvious relief. His son was always looking out for his best interests, and he couldn’t have been more spot-on with his decision. Notalus and Dustin did need more time alone before he was officially announced to the court and before the ritual that would bind them for life.
Notalus walked straight into Dustin’s outstretched arms and was embraced in a firm squeeze before Dustin reared up and captured his mouth in a hungry kiss, damning whoever was watching.
He allowed his alpha to control the kiss, let Dustin capture his chin and tilt his head at just the angle he wanted him.
No one interrupted them; his courtier and personal guards waited until they finally broke apart with panting breaths.
Notalus was beginning to think that Dustin was enjoying being himself and letting his alpha side out.
Iulien cleared his throat and bowed slightly toward Dustin. “I trust everything in your private quarters was arranged to your satisfaction, Lord Consort.”
“Yes.” Dustin nodded. “I had everything I needed and more. I’ve never seen so many soaps, shampoos, and smell-goods in one bathroom. You don’t have to put all that in my room. Just a simple bar of soap is enough.”
Notalus chuckled behind his fist at the horrified expression on Iulien’s face before he walked away with his head hanging low.
“I have arranged your meal in the Rowan dining hall. I believe the charming room will provide the intimacy you are seeking.” Iulien led them through a maze of walkways, and Dustin continued to gaze at the decoration and flourishes of his autumn oasis.
Iulien slid open the double doors to the Rowan room and announced, “Dinner is served, my lords.”
“Holy shit!” Dustin pushed past Notalus and damn near ran toward the oval dining table that was overflowing with several kinds of meat and countless vegetables and fruits native only to Fhomhair.
The servers were still removing the silver domes from the food platters when Dustin—knowing nothing of ceremony—sat in the first seat he saw and started shoveling seared meats onto his plate. “Is all of this for us?
“Um, my lord, please.” Iulien hurried inside, motioning for the servers lining the wall to quickly come and assist. “We will do that for you.”
“Nah, that’s quite alright.” Dustin licked some juice that ran down his fingers as he added pineapple and Asian pears to one of his several plates. “I got this, my man… trust me.”
Notalus sat in the seat opposite his betrothed and motioned politely for Iulien to prepare his meal.
“I don’t know how much more of this I can bear,” Iulien whispered while he filled Notalus’ goblet half full of wine.
He then began to add some slices of lamb to his plate of freshly gathered vegetables.
Iulien knew just how to prepare Notalus’ meals.
It was an ingrained part of his Galin culture to anticipate his lord’s service needs.
“Dustin has been on his own all of his life. He’s not used to being cared for.
He’s not going anywhere, Iulien. Give him time,” Notalus murmured in answer.
He was sure Dustin heard them with his enhanced hearing, but he didn’t stop tearing through the buffet spread and adding to his plates long enough to comment.
Notalus stared with barely refrained amusement as Dustin ate enough for three titans.
It surprised him that he was content with just watching Dustin eat and be merry while he picked at the few remnants left on his own plate.
Notalus had a hearty appetite for his size, but he had nothing on how much a shifter could consume.
The thought of this man being his for the rest of his days made honey bees swarm in his belly.
No one had touched his heart with what he loved most, until Dustin saw to the true core of him.
He didn’t care of Notalus’ title or his station.
His betrothed didn’t care how much worldly possession he could provide him with.
Dustin had a true heartfelt love for the season of autumn; therefore, he truly loved him.
Notalus smiled when Dustin finally came up for air and noticed several eyes watching him with fascination. He sat back and rubbed his rock-hard abs. “That was delicious. I thought I’d miss Henry’s cooking when I was here, but hot damn. I’ve never eaten that good in my life.”
Iulien smiled, all white teeth and deep dimples. “That is a grand compliment, my lord. I am glad it satisfied the alpha’s needs.”
“What kind of meat was that right there?” Dustin asked, pointing to nothing but pieces of crust he’d left on the platter.
“How is he to recognize it with only scraps left?” Notalus laughed, surprising Iulien. It wasn’t common for him to laugh so boldly and without thought, especially as of lately.
Iulien held his amusement as best he could when he glanced at the remnants left and nodded.
“The master cook informed me that the meat you are inquiring about is pronghorn. Apparently, antelope is native to the northerners in the earthy realm and very difficult to acquire. A delicacy, if you will. The master will be pleased to hear that you enjoyed it.”
“I more than enjoyed it,” Dustin vouched before he downed the last of his cider, then his goblet of water, then the hot tea.
Dustin wiped his mouth with the white cloth napkin and stared at Notalus for a long moment, both of them holding an eye contact so intense that it cleared the room.
The atmosphere became charged from their heated looks until Dustin’s chest began to rumble.
His eyes turned a shade darker as he gripped the armrest hard enough that the wood creaked under the pressure.
Notalus’ head swam with lust as his wind swept into the room and stirred the pleasure around them until Dustin leapt to his feet and yanked Notalus out of the chair and into his arms.
Dustin was definitely no longer suppressing his wolf’s dominant side. And Notalus was glad because he didn’t have to do that here. He allowed Dustin to move them through the palace to his residence in a flurry of hot kisses and burning touches anywhere they could reach.
Dustin
Love and Appreciation
The balcony doors in Notalus’ residence were open, allowing the crisp fall air to fill the room with the sweet smell of pumpkins and freshly bloomed mums. They practically fell into Notalus’ chambers, stripping off each other’s clothes as they did.
“I want you so damn bad it hurts,” Notalus confessed as Dustin rubbed his beard across his sensitive cheeks, scrubbing his dense scruff against his own and sending electrical currents down his neck.
Notalus was naked, his hard body writhing against his and pushing him back to the edge of the bed. He stood there watching Dustin while he positioned himself comfortably on the bed that was big enough for three more titans to join them.
Neither of them bothered covering up with the heavy bed sheet or the gold-and-auburn comforter.
He wanted to see all of his future husband and show him how much he appreciated his masculine physique, and he wanted to see the look of lust in Notalus’ gaze when he saw all of him.
Passion spread down Dustin’s spine, and heat sizzled beneath his fingertips at the first touch of Notalus’ bare chest. Firm pecs were covered with coarse, mocha-brown hairs that narrowed and tapered off between the deep valley of his abs.
Dustin bent down and flicked his tongue over Notalus’ hard nipples, then laved at the firm buds when he arched into the touch.
“I don’t need a goddamn ritual, a formal swearing, or a public ceremony to make you mine, Notalus.”
Notalus
Love and Appreciation
Notalus groaned, palming the back of Dustin’s head as he trailed wet, slow kisses down his chest and torso. “Your mouth is so warm.”
Dustin hummed in acknowledgment but stayed on task with driving him mad.
His alpha growled with fierceness when Notalus turned over and pushed his ass in the air, one hand between his legs as he thrust languidly into the soft mattress.
He was so hard and aroused that he felt delirious with need.
He couldn’t withhold his excitement at being claimed, his heartbeat soaring to the roof.
Notalus remembered hearing testimonies about the thrill of an alpha’s bite, making his blood thrum faster as he began to unconsciously tilt his head to the side.
A wild, feral emotion seeped into Notalus and clear through to his bones.
He could sense Dustin’s beast was close.
His scent was woodsy and wild, making Notalus want to fall to his knees again as he did in the woods.
Dustin lay over top of him, his hot skin causing a feverish lust to spread throughout his body.
He sucked the bend of Notalus’ neck, his sharp teeth grazing the prominent vein on the side of his throat while his alpha teased him with possessive touches.
“I need you inside of me now, Dustin.” Notalus was still grinding his leaking cock into the bedding while Dustin inched down his back until his mouth and hot breath was against his hole.
Notalus thought he would levitate off the bed at the first feel of Dustin’s slick tongue across his ass. He ate Notalus with more vigor than the T-bone steak he had at dinner. Dustin reached beneath him and palmed Notalus’ dick, stroking him roughly with his work-roughened fist.
“Oh gods,” Notalus had never thrashed and moaned so wantonly in his life, and no matter the heat of embarrassment that lit up his chest and the tips of his ears, he couldn’t stop it.
“Dustin, please…” And he’d never begged before, finding the act deplorable and beneath him, but not with his betrothed.
“If you want this, come and get it,” Dustin challenged, grinding his impossibly thick shaft inside Notalus’ crease, the engorged head catching on the rim of his slick hole.
“Yes. Now, Dustin.”
His alpha smiled seductively against his ear, his gritty voice low and full of confidence. “You are a titan, Notalus. If you want my cock… then take it.”
Notalus sucked in a sharp breath, his body trembling with a sudden surge of power.
Hearing his name and title on Dustin’s tongue made him want to show off for his moon alpha.
Notalus summoned his wind, a strong enough gust that he was able to reverse their positions and push Dustin onto his back.
Using his abilities, Notalus floated down onto Dustin’s lap, with that long dick settling against his ass.
Notalus rose just enough to position Dustin’s swollen head at his entrance.
He arched his back, driving himself down slowly, savoring the stretch and fullness.
Notalus had bedded mostly women out of duty to sire heirs.
It wasn’t for love; it wasn’t because he desired them.
What he had with Dustin was all love and attraction.
When he was fully seated, Notalus threw his head back and moaned high to the heavens, his wind howling, his long hair flying tangles around his face.
“Fuuuck yes. That’s it. Take all of me, mate,” Dustin directed, his hips rising and thrusting into him, his rum-brown bedroom eyes glazing over with passion.
Notalus lifted himself up on his knees, his thighs quivering from the effort before he sank back down to the hilt.
He did it again, this time slower so that he felt every inch, every ridge, every bulging vein.
Dustin bowed his back, reaching up and clutching Notalus’ shoulders and shoving him back down with a force that made him cry out.
Dustin bit down on his bottom lip, his gaze intense, his movements tameless as he braced his feet on the mattress and began to thrust up into him with savage ferocity.
Notalus had only given in to his selfish needs a few times in his extended life and enjoyed the strength and heat of a man inside of him.
But not a single one compared to Dustin.
He had a cock that felt tailor-made for him with the way he nailed that magical place inside of Notalus that’d been dormant for a thousand years and had him pleading for Dustin to go deeper.
He could take all that his alpha had to offer and satisfy him in a way no other man ever could.
Notalus held on tight for the ride as Dustin kept him in a controlling grip, his soft brown eyes turning a rich espresso as he did.
His wolf was there, his dominating presence making Notalus’ limbs feel beyond his control and forcing his blood to pulse in his veins.
His head felt heavy, his neck unable to hold his head up as Notalus surrendered and let it fall back and to the side.