Page 88 of Crown of Chaos

“Let’s not pretend we all haven’t heard how much you enjoy what he does to you, Peasant. I’ve heard you screaming for him to—what was it you said? Oh, that’s right. ‘Please, Knox, fuck me like a dirty little bitch and make my pussy so sore it weeps for days.’”

“I have never said such shit before in my entire life, Greer. If anybody has a weeping pussy, whoever it may be, they should get to a doctor and get that shit checked out. She probably has gonorrhea or some shit.”

He chuckled. “Or maybe she’s just filled with her lovers—”

“Nope, don’t go there,” I warned crossly, knowing he was about to point out how Knox had oozed his scent into my vagina. His hands lifted in acquiesce as he conceded.

Pain shot through my head, and I jumped, only just now realizing that Brander was working on my injury. He paused, but then his fingers began sliding over my scalp again. It made my teeth snap closed, and I couldn’t hold back my wince of pain.

“She’s got a pretty deep laceration on her scalp. Her skull is tender, but she did take a few nasty blows from the mace. It’ll need to be sewn closed so it can heal properly. I’ll go get my med kit from the other room,” Brander stated, pointing at the bed before saying, “You should lie down. It’ll lessen the amount of blood you’re losing.” He handed me a cloth, and I pressed it to the wound before allowing Greer to help me lie back onto the bed.

Esme screamed in pleasure, and Greer smiled. “Your friend is rather vibrant.”

“Who’s making her scream like a banshee?” I asked him.

“That would be by her fingers. Esme’s unwilling to allow the men to help ease her ache. While she has let them watch, she’s been very clear that she’d rather choke on a Minotaur’s knotted cock then to betray you with them. That girl’s loyal to you, Aria. That’s something you’ve earned from her, I’m sure. I don’t suspect she would deny alpha cock for just anyone—gods know, I wouldn’t for you.”

“That’s an asshole thing to say, Meat Suit,” I muttered, closing my eyes. I felt the pressure on the bed easing as he left it. It surprised me that Esme was refusing them in her moment of need. The bed dipped again under additional weight, and my eyes slipped open, finding Knox in the spot Greer had vacated.

“Relax, Aria.” He adjusted the top of my shirt, which caused my heart to thunder dangerously. His touch had my nipples pebbling with anticipation.

My core tightened, and I exhaled a shaky breath. He knew exactly what his touch was doing to my insides. Specifically, that it was turning them into the hot liquid that moved south toward my pussy. Knox pushed the fabric up and clamped his mouth around my nipple, sucking the puckered flesh. A whispered moan slid from my throat as his teeth scraped against the raised tip. Sucking hard, he pulled it deeper into his sweltering mouth while his tongue lavished it erotically. A moan reverberated in my chest, but his hand covered my lips, stopping the noise from escaping.

Knox’s head moved, slowly kissing the valley between my breasts before he traveled lower. My core clamped down with need, forcing arousal to heat the junction between my thighs. My leg lifted, and he drifted his fingertips against the back of my thigh, drawing my scent deeply into his lungs. His heated palm covered my exposed breast a second before Brander appeared in the open doorway.

Brander paused, silently watching us, and Knox sat back, pulling me into his arms and settling my back against his body. Something about the action soothed me and sent warmth down the connection we had. Knox rattled, but it was to warn Brander to tread carefully, and I could feel Lennox’s claws holding my stomach. His breath fanned my shoulder, raining soft kisses over it with the promise of teeth. Brander expelled the air from his chest, moving into the room.

“You’d think a head wound would cool your ardor,” Brander muttered while placing the bag on the bed. His gaze slid between us, and Knox snorted, as if to say that a little blood never bothered him.

“It’s been a while since I’ve fed my other needs, and they’re starving,” I replied, feeling Knox tensing behind me. His hands lowered, wrapping tightly around my waist as Brander guided my head to the side.

“You’re not the only one starving, Little Monster,” Knox purred against my ear, catching the lobe between his teeth before he rattled softly.

Brander cleared his throat before giving Knox a pointed look over my head. “Unfortunately, I used all my pain medicine on Esme, unaware that you weren’t healing swiftly. So, I can’t numb the pain, Aria. I’m sorry.”

“That’s fine, Brander. Pain is quickly becoming the only constant thing in my life,” I whispered before biting back a cry as he pushed the needle into the flesh of my head and then tied a knot in the nylon thread.

Knox’s arms tensed around me as he held me still while Brander continued to add stitches to the wound. Tears swam in my vision, and Knox’s soothing purr erupted against my ear. I allowed him to take away the sensation Brander was creating as he tried to fix the damage I’d sustained. I sank into his heated embrace, feeling my wet lashes brushing against my cheek.

One brother gave pain while the other offered comfort. It was a push and pull, and each fought to come out on top. At least, that was what I was focusing on instead of the sound of Esme’s moans hitting a crescendo. Her sultry rattle and whimpering caused Brander to pause and glare at the wall.

“At least she’s able to self-soothe during her heat cycle. I’m not that lucky anymore, or so it seems,” I muttered under my breath. Knox’s purring changed octave for a moment, as if he were laughing at my expense, and I rolled my eyes.

“There’s a vast difference between you and Esme,” Knox informed while stroking his fingertips against my sides as Brander went back to stitching me up. “She’s a beta, and you’re an alpha. You’d be considered a unicorn, which is fitting considering you dressed like one to wage war.”

“I’d be a unicorn?” I asked, wondering if they were about to give me shit about my battle gear again.

“Yes, because alpha females are rare and always have been in our world. Back when the realms were ruled by the hierarchy in which packs abide by, alpha females were prized and coveted. Alpha’s protected the pack, betas were the brains, and omegas were the ones they depended on to provide numbers to the pack. Alpha females were hard to tame and had to be earned. Either by hunting, taming, fighting, or fucking them until they offered the male alpha their throat,” Knox stated, keeping me mesmerized with his raspy tone while Brander sewed the wound close.

“Ember is a prime example. I had to fight her before I could fuck her, and even then, she continued to challenge me.” Brander made a strangled sound in his throat, forcing my brow to push together until Knox continued. “Betas were sought after for their sharp minds, willingness to trust an alpha, and their focus on details. They are always the eyes, ears, and cunning companion to an alpha. However, they’re not sought after for breeding because they tend not to want the offspring a union produces and would often leave them with the father or an omega.”

“Omega?” I asked, genuinely curious, and interested in what he was telling me. But, I was also aware that he was giving me the information as a way to distract me from the pain.

“Omegas were needed and desired by those not wanting to settle for one woman. Unlike alphas and betas, omegas merely wanted to spend their time being bred. It was common for packs to capture and enslave omegas. Of course, they didn’t mind it much. They were worshipped and showered with gifts, protection, and food. In return, they took many lovers to their beds and produced children for them often.”

“How did they tell who the father was?” I questioned, picturing it inside my head. “I mean, not judging here, but what the fuck? I don’t think I’d be able to do that. I’d want to know who had planted my babe, and I’d go insane not knowing.”

Knox released a raspy rumble of approval at my musing.

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