27. Ivy
W hen I awoke in my nest, cradled in the arms of my bonded alpha, I worried I might regret my reckless behavior the night before. But my mate kissed the spot where he’d marked me, and I vowed I’d never let fear ruin the beauty of being his.
I only met Sloan, officially, yesterday. Within hours, I let him have my body, allowed him to fuck me in the open where anyone could have seen us. More than that, I offered him my throat— my entire life —and begged him to bond with me.
As soon as my alpha bit me, his steady, sun-soaked warmth settling in my soul, I knew love in its entirety. When he spoke of his ardor being like a seed that needed watering, he was not quite forthcoming. The bond allows for little secrecy, and within it, I saw the garden he grew with his love. Bright, exciting—each bloom a different facet of his devotion—I could be nourished daily by the reverent affection he offers me.
As for my feelings…Sloan is so very easy to love in return. Bonding with him has given me an insight to who he is at the deepest, most essential level, and I adore the gentle, soft-hearted protector I see.
Soon after waking, we spent a lazy morning in my nest dozing and making love. He then took me to the massive marble bath in the connecting chamber. There he took his time to clean my skin, knead my sore muscles, and wash my hair.
Well, he attempted to wash my hair. But my alpha is a fine specimen—not to mention masterful in handling my body. I couldn’t resist the pull to settle on his lap, slide myself down the thick, throbbing length of him, and ride him until we both came undone. Only after he gave me the gift of his mind-numbing knot did I allow him to continue pampering me.
“Fuck’s sake, omega ,” my massive alpha moans. “If you keep wiggling like that, I’ll die.”
I giggle, entranced by his fingers scrubbing my scalp. Warm water sloshes around us as I rock on his swollen knot. The little sparks of pleasure blooming in my body are too tempting to refrain from. Never has a bath been so luxurious, so pleasure-filled, as this.
When Sloan rinses the suds from my hair, I send my growing love and appreciation through our connection. A seed, as he said—I’m watering it now, tending to this love we’re growing so it can flourish.
“You’re so good to me, alpha,” I whimper. Gripping his shoulders, I lean back so my breasts rise above the water; a move intended to entice him to rut into me. I’m not willing to let go of this pleasure, and not quite ready to face what awaits us when we leave our little bubble.
“And you seem to know how to get what you want from me. Do you like knowing I’m wrapped around your finger? Hmm?” My bonded’s deep voice sparks need right at the center of me. His large hands grip my thighs, maneuvering me against the edge of the tub. There, he grinds his knot into me until white spots dot my vision and I’m shaking with the promise of release.
“ Yes ,” I admit, gasping when sucks his bond mark. The rapture that stems from his claim radiates through every part of me. His own lust—how his release builds at the base of his spine—sends my bliss skyward. It’s a marvel how well we fit together, giving and taking until we both burst.
My cunt spasms around him, my nails clawing at his back when the fizzling frenzy of euphoria washes over me. Sloan moans into the skin of my neck, rutting harder until I feel the warmth of his release inside me.
“ Fuck ,” he exhales. His hands roam my body, taking inventory and soothing me until my shaking subsides. All the while, Sloan pours adoration into me. Through the bond I sense his gratitude and wonder over this gift Fate has given us.
Sloan continues to hold me, kissing me gently and whispering sweet praise in my ear until his knot releases us. When he retreats, I’m tempted to distract him with my body all over again so we can avoid reality a while longer. But my skin is pruning and my alpha is all too aware of my inner workings now.
“I think that’s enough stalling now, don’t you?” His arched brow and lazy smirk are maddening. He’s too handsome and too apt with his observations.
“Forgive me,” I scoff, wading through the water to step out of the sunken bath. “I didn’t realize my stalling was such a hardship for you. Let’s never do it again.”
I reach for a linen, tucking it around my body when the sounds of my mate splashing around bring a smile to my lips. The wet slaps of his footsteps are soon followed by the dripping, naked mass of him wrapping around me from behind.
“Wild horses couldn’t drag me from between your thighs, my sweet mate.” His thumb strokes the juncture of my throat—a reminder of the permanence of our union. “Besides, we both know you couldn’t resist me for long either.”
Cocky, arrogant— correct . But he doesn’t need to know that.
“You’re getting me all wet!” I laugh, wiggling from his embrace. I’ll need to dry off all over again.
“Already?” He chuckles, pulling me into another damp hug.
My cheeks ache with all the smiles this alpha has put on my face.
“I can’t believe I’m bonded to you,” I scoff, teasing.
But the kiss Sloan buries in my hair leaves no room to question his sincerity. “Neither can I, petal. Neither can I.”
* * *
After we dry off and dress, Sloan leads me back to the bedchamber I share with Cillian by way of a hall I’ve never seen before. Apparently Castle Ancaire is full of secret passageways that I will absolutely be exploring in the near future. My need to snoop requires it.
Sloan appears so at ease, sitting on the edge of the bed while I pace.
I’m not ashamed of what’s happened. Nor do I fear retribution from Cillian. I just don’t care for the uncertainty of it all.
Will we have to lie to others about my bond mark? My gut tells me yes, but it seems wrong to deny my bond with Sloan. We’re fated-blessed, after all. I challenge anyone to deny the pull of that connection. Myself included.
After last night, I don’t see any other option but to give Cillian and Oran a chance. I’m terrified to trust them again, and not sure they deserve my forgiveness yet. But Sloan’s surety in his packmates is a constant, anchoring presence in our bond.
Besides, if being with my other alphas is anything like being with him, I don’t see how I could fight that for long. Scent matches are not so simple to ignore. Even with my anger, I miss Cillian and the way his affection satisfied an instinctual need to be cared for. I miss his sweet words, his handsome face, the way he kissed me like I was precious.
But given my history with lying kings, his deception cuts me the deepest. Perhaps it’s unfair of me to punish him for the actions of my father, but I couldn’t help but to draw parallels between them. From what I’ve seen of Cillian, and his heart is good, his affection appeared genuine—both very unlike the alpha who sired me. Still, I need to know more before I can move on.
With Oran, my head’s a mess. I can’t yet decide the severity of my disappointment. I recognize that, like Sloan, he was in a precarious situation. Though he’s of noble birth, he had little power to assert his claim on me when I was betrothed to his future king. Still, he ignored me as Cillian did, and my heart still pangs with the perceived rejection.
I’ve wanted him so desperately for so long—convinced myself I would never again know the feel of his lips on mine—and now we have a chance to see how we work together. I don’t believe I can give up such an opportunity, despite everything.
Head spinning, I blow out a breath and stop my pacing to stand in front of my bonded. “Are you nervous?” I ask, although I know the answer.
He grabs my hand, tugging me to stand between his spread thighs. I can feel his smug alpha pride when he gazes lovingly upon the visible bond mark on my throat.
“This was inevitable, Ivy.” His easy nature and the reassurance pulsing down the bond soothe my pounding heart. “I’m honored you bear my claim. I only wish I could wear yours in return.”
Sloan grabs my hips, bringing me to perch on his thigh. Instant comfort washes over me, my body recognizing the safety that comes with his embrace. No matter what, he will protect me. Mind, body—heart. Telling Cillian and Oran of our bonding isn’t so daunting a task with him nearby.
I huff, kissing his bearded cheek in thanks. I can’t let the opportunity to tease him pass, however. “Yes, that does seem quite unfair. Perhaps I want some mark on you to ward off any omegas hoping to catch your eye. Maybe a brand or?—”
Sloan laughs, tickling my waist. His contentment spreads through me like the warmth of the sun.
“Cheeky, omega. I’m happy to tell the world that every part of me is yours and yours alone.”
My heart squeezes with the magnitude of his love, and I know for certain I never want to be apart from him. He deserves to be shown off to my new court—at my side, on my arm, my mate in every regard.
“Will we have to lie to others about us?” I ask, forlorn.
Sloan shrugs, as if it matters little—he knows what’s true and that’s what counts. “Not for long.”
I still hate it, but when I go to voice my distaste at hiding him, a knock rings out. My alpha gives me a gentle smile and a soft, lingering kiss for good measure.
“That’ll be Cillian and Oran.” He lifts me from his lap and makes his way toward the chamber door.
My heart is racing again, but with Sloan’s steady assurance, I steel myself for what’s to come. All will be well, I remind myself. My alpha has promised it.
Only, when he opens the chamber door, it’s not Cillian’s or Oran’s voice that greets him.
“ Oh . Well, hello. And you are?”
I freeze at the familiar cadence. Surely this can’t be happening.
“Sloan, Your Highness. Please forgive me. I thought you were?—”
“The king?”
“Aspen!” I shout unintentionally —rushing toward the door. I have no earthly idea what will come out of my mouth next. All I know is that I’m not ready for him to know the truth. “What a nice surprise. Sloan and I were discussing plans for hydrangeas along the western garden wall. Do come in.”
My brother’s answering scoff speaks volumes to my skills of deception. Still, he enters the chamber, eyeing my alpha with interest. “And you take all your staff meetings this early, in your private bedchambers , do you, Ivy dear?”
My cheeks are burning hot, my pulse pounding. I hate lying. I’m quite shit at it, to be frank, and Aspen is a master at sussing out information. The longer he stays, the worse this will become. “Well, this is only my second day as queen so I haven’t yet made a habit of anything. But your concern is noted,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
Sloan stands sentinel at the door, eyes wide—the picture of guilt. For someone who’s normally calm, this demeanor and the anxiety spiking in the bond are unexpected. But then, so is this visit.
Aspen squints, regarding me with skepticism. I do my best to square my shoulders and appear as though everything is aboveboard. But when his eyes fall to the fresh bond mark on my throat, he gapes in shock. His gaze swings to Sloan and then back to me before a dark chuckle pushes past his lips. “Well, that’s new.”
Fuck .
Bad. This is going very badly and I need to put an end to this.
“Did you need something, Pen? Or are you really so bored you felt it pertinent to disrupt my morning?”
Aspen arches a brow, likely debating calling my bluff, but instead—“I’m here to escort you to my chambers for breakfast with Lily and me. It seems we have quite a bit to catch up on.” His tone brokers no room for argument; his smirk is devious.
Sloan’s shoulders sag with the release of a deep breath. Lucky for him, he seems to be off the hook for now. I, on the other hand…
“Fine,” I say with a shrug meant to disarm my brother. It won’t work. Aspen is too perceptive. But if I can stonewall him enough over breakfast, perhaps he’ll get bored and move on. “Lead the way, brother.”