Chapter Thirty-One #2
Tensing her thighs, she lifted herself before sliding down me again. Our first time had been in the water of a soaking pool, and I’d knotted her too many times to keep track of during her heat, but this time felt different.
I stared into her eyes as she rode me, her movements slow but firm. When her legs began to tremble I took over, lifting and lowering her at the pace she’d set, grinding her against me as my knot started to bulge.
The link between our souls was wide open, filled with the sensations and emotions coursing through both of us. As the pleasure grew, it was impossible to tell where it originated. In sharing it, we turned it into something new. Something that belonged to both of us.
“And I am yours, rethari,” I whispered into the quiet.
We were both panting, both balancing on the edge.
Her nails dug into my flesh, sending pricks of pleasure pain along my nerves that matched what she felt from the tips of my claws digging into her ass.
Our kethra flashed in sync, a blue-violet display, dazzling to the eyes, but I still couldn’t look away.
Tipping her head to the side where I’d placed one of my marks, Elaina watched me watching her.
“I think I need another, so other alphas can see that I’m claimed, no matter which side they’re on.”
My gaze narrowed, locked on the flutter of her pulse beneath her thin flesh. Drugged by her pheromones I hadn’t thought twice about biting her when she’d asked for it, but now, without the influence of our biology, to have her asking for it again…
To feel the certainty that this was what she wanted…
Our release crested the moment my teeth sank into her, bliss pouring through both of us. She cried out, trembling against me as my knot swelled, locking us together as I flooded her womb with my seed.
Mine echoed wordlessly between us as she bit down on my neck, mirroring me. She struggled more with my thick flesh, but my hand came up to cup her head as I encouraged her through the bond.
I wanted it.
I wanted to be covered in her marks.
I wanted anyone who looked at me to know that I was claimed.
Wanted.
Hers.
There was no way to track how much time passed as we came down together. I pulled my teeth from her skin, licking the wound to seal it, and she did the same before placing her cheek on my shoulder.
She was too tired to resist as I reached for the cleansing powder and began washing her. Once I was done with her back and legs I leaned her to float atop the surface once more so I could wash her front.
Her soft curves still mesmerized me. The weight of her breasts, and roundness of her belly.
They promised fertility.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it. I can’t take anymore.”
The words were a quiet demand as she shifted a hand to press over her womb. Unable to resist grinning, I brushed her hand aside and massaged the area with both of mine.
“I was thinking of watching you swell as my luthra grows inside you.”
She groaned as my shaft flexed and released more seed.
“You’re going to watch me rip open from the pressure if your knot doesn’t deflate soon.”
Chuckling, I relented and removed my hands from her belly, giving myself a quick wash with one hand, the other on her hip to be sure she was secure. Even with my knot holding her on my shaft and my tail wrapped around her waist, I wasn’t willing to risk her safety.
Which made me think of our plan and how I hated myself for ever suggesting using her as bait.
“Elaina—”
“No. We have to stop them from hurting anyone else, and your plan is still the best way to do that.”
She glared at me as she sat up, and even though part of me was amused at the fierceness she showed towards someone bigger and stronger than her, another part was terrified that was exactly what would get her hurt.
Sinking my fingers into her wet curls, I held her head still as I leaned forward to press my lips to her frowning ones. I didn’t try to push inside despite the temptation.
“I know,” I murmured when I pulled away.
The thoughts were good for one thing at least, my deflated knot slipping from her moments later.
I finished cleaning up and lifted Elaina from the water before climbing out myself. I would have dried her too, but she shot me a glare and snatched the towel from me, and the feral feeling in the bond made me grin as I backed away with my hands raised.
She fought me over walking too, but only until we reached the base of the stairs where she gave in to me carrying her.
I felt her concern over what others would think, but we only passed a couple betas who carefully averted their gaze.
My people were born and raised with our dynamics, and they knew how volatile an alpha could be, especially when his omega was involved too.
It wasn’t long before I had a platter of food and a table in a quiet corner of the Market. Intellect told me what she would want, but instincts wouldn’t allow me to release her, so I opted for the only other option.
“I would like to feed you.”
I felt her automatic resistance, but as she studied my face, it melted away.
“Okay.”
I settled in the chair with her in my lap, making her eyes narrow. I gave her a grin as I lifted the first bite to her lips, and while she let out a huff first, she opened and let me feed her.
“Explain this to me.”
She made her demand before accepting another bite, and my brow rose. I wasn’t sure how Humans treated their mates, but based on how often they switched partners, it had to be different than the way the Morrak did.
“I know you can feel how strong our instincts are.”
She gave a slow nod but there was still a crease between her brows.
“Alphas are known for being aggressive, dominant, and territorial. Our instincts when it comes to omegas are even stronger. There’s a driving need to claim them, but that comes with a deep-seated urge to protect and care for them.
Providing for you, feeding you, gives me pleasure.
It satisfies the animal part of me that needs to make sure you have what you need to provide me with young. ”
I could only smile at the way her eyes narrowed again, and a soft growl came from her chest before she cut it off.
“One thing at a time, okay? Let’s deal with the rebels before we start talking about making babies.”
I was already hard from having her against me, and my shaft twitched against her leg. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and looked away, but I felt her amusement and the secret desire she was trying to hide.
Still, she was right. The rebels were a threat to the Human omegas, and we could only assume they would be twice as dangerous to any hybrid young that came.
Like the one growing inside Rhydek’s mate. The secret that was bound to get out.
We finished our meal and I carried her up the stairs once more until we reached the High Ledge. She insisted on walking the rest of the way to the Archives, and since the room was empty, we decided to act out our plan.
“Sitting here, I can see this entrance, and the others helping you can see the other, right? You’ll be in the ventilation shaft, so there’s no way they can sneak in and surprise us.”
I nodded as I looked around, reluctant to say what was on my mind, but she needed to be aware of the possibilities to be as safe as I could make her.
“Unless they make another.”
Her eyes widened and I felt her surprise. I hadn’t mentioned that before, because I hadn’t wanted to scare her, but I knew she could handle it now.
“The rebels have explosives.”
She figured it out without me having to explain further.
“Enough to breach the walls, but probably not enough to collapse the cave.”
Her eyes narrowed. I felt the constriction in her chest at that thought.
Or perhaps that sensation was mine.
“They wouldn’t be able to rig that kind of explosion without leaving traces, and I’ll check before I pretend to leave each day.”
The worry in the bond eased. It wasn’t gone, but it wasn’t choking me after that reminder.
“They haven't used weapons or explosives before. Not that you’ve told me about.”
There was a trace of doubt wiggling into my chest, and I didn’t blame her for it.
“They still could,” I said.
We had to plan for everything.
“If they breach the wall somewhere, can they escape into the adjoining passage?”
It was a possibility I’d considered.
“I have someone in the tunnels behind the Archives.”
She nodded, and we went over every part of the plan once more. Where my warriors would wait, how many there would be, and which passages they'd watch.
We decided what signal she would use if she became suspicious, and what signal I would use if the operation needed to end.
“With how sensitive your noses are, are you sure they won’t realize you’re close by? Won’t the ventilation just fill the room with it and scare them away?”
I hated when she used logic against me. It was a smart question, and one I didn’t have a good answer for besides the one I’d given her before.
She must have felt my hesitance because she leaned back and tipped her head.
“Do you have a type of cleanser or spray that neutralizes scents? Removes them or hides them somehow?”
I thought about it before dipping my chin slowly.
“We have shyrek. It’s an oil, but it’s rare and hard to come by.”
She arched a brow, the challenge on her face undeniable.
“Can you get some?”
Nodding with more certainty, I moved to her side and lifted her from the chair. We had gone over the plan enough, it was time to get the rebels’ attention.
“It is the last day of Khavren, and I have heard the winds are calm today. Let’s bait the trap.”
Elaina gave me a curious look but didn’t say anything as I carried her from the Archives and up to the arch on the surface.
My fingers moved carefully on her thavren, arranging it so her mouth and nose were covered but her face and hair were visible.
I even let the fabric droop around her neck, the fresh bite mark and the one that had already become part of her kethra visible.