Page 82 of The Queen

They couldn’t get through.

I let out the pent-up tension with a sigh, and my nose wrinkled as I contemplated eating more of the nutrition bar in my hand.

Ghost was watching me. “Come on, Doc. I think I remember where some berry bushes were. You can help me carry,” he said to Grey, and winked an ice blue eye at me as if he knew how much I didn’t want to eat the highly portable tasteless ration.

Berries sounded a lot better than the chalky stick of vitamins and minerals I’d been reluctantly chewing. I started to stand, considering the merits of going with them, but my stiff muscles protested.

Ghost noticed my movement and held up a hand. “No, princess, you’ve done enough today. Relax. We’ll be back soon.”

Night pressed against the small bubble of firelight Shadow tended, broken only by flashes from the shield. I didn’t know how they’d find anything in the dark, but if it saved me from the stale meal replacement bar, I wasn’t going to argue.

Grey placed a finger under my chin, guiding my gaze to his. “Be a good girl while we’re gone.” Then he pressed a quick kiss to my lips and headed off into the trees with Ghost.

Warmth rushed to my cheeks and between my legs. Even the most innocent interactions sent heat rolling through my veins.

Shadow snorted. “Needy omega.” A slow, predatory smile bloomed on his face. “You’re filthy.” Calling across the fire, he continued. “Lex, our queen needs a bath.”

Lex had returned from his walk in the dark, and glanced up from where he’d been setting up the sleeping pallets. “Yes, she does. We can’t have you covered in grime when the others get back.”

I set my nutrition bar down on the log beside me and looked between them, trepidation simmering in my stomach. “Wha…”

Shadow’s arms swooped in, scooping me out of my seat and swinging me over his shoulder. “Yep, it’s time for a bath, little omega.”

With my butt pointed straight up in the air, and my face dangling down Shadow’s back, I wasn’t in a position to put up much fight. Indignantly, I grumbled that I wasn’t that filthy against the scratchy black cloth of his shirt.

The warm water did sound very nice, and it would take our minds off the recent unpleasant revelation. My muscles were sore from traveling, I was covered in sweat, and my clothes were still damp from the rainstorm. Okay, maybe I was a little filthy. I squirmed, but a large hand came down on my ass, and I huffed out half a laugh. If that was going to be my punishment, I should wiggle more often.

Before I’d had a chance to put that thought into action, my boots were tugged from my feet and tossed next to the fire to dry. My socks followed, and then we were marching across the creek and up the bank to the steaming stone basins on the hillside.

The closer we got, the warmer and more soothing the air was. If they wanted me to fight back, they were going to have to threaten me with something else.

I was hoisted from Shadow’s shoulder and my bare feet touched down on a smooth rock shelf. Lex was behind me, tugging the hem of my shirt up and over my head while Shadow unfastened my pants and dragged them down over my hips.

I wriggled out of the damp clothes and was immediately pulled back against Lex’s naked body. He must’ve stripped out of his clothes on the walk to the spring. His arms coiled around me. One snaking between my breasts with his hand circling my throat. The other nestled between my thighs.

My night was improving rapidly.

The moon was muted, but between the drifting clouds, it cast Shadow’s amber skin in a misty glow. I was transfixed as he shucked his black uniform, unveiling his rigid cock and the black swirls of his tattoos.

Lex’s fingers strummed over my clit as his voice rumbled in my ear. “Perfect, isn’t he? I must be the luckiest alpha alive.”

My tongue moistened my lower lip, watching Shadow step down into the hot spring. Moonlight reflected off the steaming water onto his naked body in silvery ripples.

The answer to Lex’s question died in my throat, taking in his flawless darkness.

Lex pushed a finger past my slick entrance while rubbing my clit with his palm. “Isn’t he?” he repeated against my neck.

I hissed as he added another one and rocked my hips against the growing hardness thickening against my back. “Yes,” I whimpered, finally managing a weak reply.

“Show him. On your knees.” Lex’s hands slid away, and I was left cold with slick dripping down my thighs, aching at the emptiness.

Shadow was only a few steps into the basin, wading backward into the shallow water. I dropped down and crawled to him. Liquid heat licked at my skin and soothed my muscles as I waded deeper into the pool.

He towered over me with an unaffected air, but his cock pulsed and bobbed, giving away his true feelings. The dim light shimmered on the bead of moisture clinging to the tip, beckoning me closer. He was looking at me with pitch dark eyes. Every move I made, his shaft throbbed and thickened.

Even without Lex’s command, I was drawn to Shadow. I could hear my blond mate close behind me, but my attention stayed locked in front.

The steam from the hot springs coated Shadow’s body, and I sat up on my knees, running my tongue up his length and over the swollen crown, snatching away that smokey pearl of pre-cum. The flavor of campfire and night storms filled my mouth, making me long for more. My lips wrapped around the thick, blunt head, pressing him into the back of my throat. His scent circled me, holding me trapped, and sending goosebumps of anticipation erupting over my wet skin.

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