Page 23 of Fae King's Secret Baby

I’d heard enough. My blood boiling, I shifted, allowing my suit to tear away from my body, the ripping attracting both of their attention. On immediate guard, they rushed toward where I morphed, black fur sprouting over my bulging back and shoulders, fangs flashing dangerously.

“Alpha!” they gasped in unison, awe shining in their eyes.

As quickly as I’d shifted, I changed back into my fae body, not caring that I stood naked before them. The first guard eyed my nude form and gulped.

“Did you have something to say about the show tonight?” I asked him.

“No, Alpha,” he squeaked, stepping back, blood draining from his face.

“No? I swear you had plenty to say a minute ago.” I glanced at his partner, who hung his head. “You?”

“No, Alpha,” the second one told me firmly. “I thought the dancers were pretty.”

He was off the hook—for now. I turned my full attention to the other one. “And you?”

“I-I have no opinion.”

“You seemed to know a lot about what my father would do,” I pressed, advancing on him.

He backed up, his complexion translucent now. “N-no, Alpha. I didn’t know your father.”

“Exactly!” I whiplashed, showing my fangs again. “Your job here is to guard, not gossip. If you can’t handle that, I suggest you find employment somewhere else, although I doubt that you’ll find it within Steelshire… or anywhere else in Mystara.”

He visibly gulped and dropped his head.

“I can’t hear you,” I hissed. “What did you say?”

“Y-yes, Alpha.”

I stared at him, half tempted to fire him, anyway. But I decided I’d rather keep him around as an example, confident he’d warn other guards should he catch any whispers.

“You’re dismissed.”

They almost tripped over their feet rushing off, and I spun back to find the tattered remains of my clothing, snatching up my cell phone to ensure I texted out this time.

Me:You were wonderful tonight. How about you join me for dinner tomorrow?

I collected the scraps of clothing from the floor, keeping my cell in hand as I waited for Maren’s response. Less than a minute later, the phone chimed, and I grinned as I read the answer.

Maren:Aren’t you sick of seeing me yet?

I shook my head and sighed, wondering how she could think so little of herself. Leaning against the railing of the intricate staircase, I answered her.

Me:I don’t think that’s possible. Send me your address. I’ll be there with a car at six.

The message bubbles appeared and disappeared several times as I stared at the screen in anticipation.

Is she having second thoughts?

Finally, she answered.

Maren:Okay. I’ll be ready.

She followed up with her address, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. Then I bounded up the stairs toward my suite, eager to satisfy myself with thoughts of Maren’s body writhing beneath me.

How disappointing that I hadn’t had the opportunity to take her again that night.

I didn’t sleep a wink.The anticipation of spending the evening and hopefully the following night with Maren kept me tossing and turning in my royal suite. I welcomed the pale, gray light of dawn, indicating that I had, in fact, made it through the night at long last.

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