Page 60 of How to Keep a Fae

It’s going to require patience. But I can already feel this is working, that it is the right way for her—edging her until she tips over into heat.

Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. It wouldn’t be granted if we did ask. If we want her, this is the only way.

“I’m sorry, love,” I say, although I’m not actually sorry, at least not in the obvious sense. I absolutely wanted him to come without getting her off, but I also hate that she’s going to have to suffer for the greater good. I like making her come. It makes me feel like a fucking king. But this has reached an impasse, and something has to give. “This is the only way if we want to force your heat.”

Chapter Eighteen

August

I’m pretty sure I’ve knotted her. I mean, it’s not like I’ve ever knotted someone before, but it feels extra tight in there, and every time she squeezes, I come again.

Sweat breaks out across the surface of my skin. She’s not in heat yet, but she is definitely close.

She whimpers, her pussy fluttering over my length, but I hold her still and force her to endure.

Jayga is a pushy bastard. Sometimes, I appreciate this trait, but more often, I do not. Oh, I’m equally committed to claiming Adaline as ours; I’d walk through fire for this woman. But I also hate the thought of doing what one needs to do to tip an omega into heat.

My father said that Jayga would know. And he does. His words are not an endorsement. Nor is this sanctioned. I’m an imperial or at least becoming one. Maybe this is reckless on my part. Imperials have choices, after all—at least, I presumed thatthey do. Maybe if I could only wait, all I want might be mine without forcing her heat.

Only my father is an imperial, and he never got what he wanted. Instead another warrior swooped in, and now it is too late.

The thought of Adaline claimed by someone else—fuck that would destroy me.

And waiting, what would that even entail? Her suffering through her heat alone?

I can still remember how it felt when I found she had gone into heat. Feeding from another omega’s wrist, impersonal, taking only what I needed and knowing Adaline was hurting without us.

There are risks. We still must walk into danger—every day in this life is a risk. But I take comfort in knowing we are not the first warriors to step over the forbidden line. It will be kept quiet. Maybe they will punish us. If they do, I’ll take my dues. But they won’t be able to take her away from us—not if we’re mated.

Not if we bite her and take her blood during her heat.

Better to have three tools for the cause than none, right?

There is a darkness in Jayga’s eyes, one I’ve seen before. It lights up an echo inside me.

I’ve wanted this—craved this for so very long. The way my dick keeps spewing cum tells me we are already on the path toward her heat, and nothing can stop it now. No more waiting. My mind was in turmoil, but now my vision is clear.

“But it’s forbidden.” Her soft voice and the honesty of her words only tighten my resolve.

My dick flexes inside her. It’s wreaking havoc with my capacity for rational thought. How the fuck to alphas cope with this every time they fuck? “Do you think we care?” My words come out harsher than I intend, but I’m teetering on the edge ofpanic that I’ve actually knotted her, and it shows no signs of going down.

How long does it last for Jayga? Doesn’t it soften a bit reasonably soon?

Her pussy clamps over my dick. She moans, throwing a look back at me that nearly undoes my resolve to edge her into heat. It’s a look of undiluted longing, lust, love, and hope all rolled into one.

“You want this, Adaline?” Jayga demands, redirecting her pretty eyes at him. “You want us to do this, to tip you into heat? No more being locked away alone, suffering through a heat under the foul herbs they give you to cloud your mind. We’ll take you there, with us, and only us. We’ll rut you through your heat. Mate you. Maybe breed you, too.”

“Goddess, yes,” she whispers.

I tighten my hands on her hip to keep her still, frightened she might not realize I’m knotted, and try to pull off. My concentration is shot with her constant milking of me—my balls fucking ache.

“You know what we have to do, don’t you?” Jayga says. “I’d bet you talk to your friends about it. Whispered, forbidden conversations about alphas forcing their omega into heat.”

“Oh, I’m going to…”

“No!” My low snarl cracks like a whip, holding her on the edge. “You don’t get to come until I say.”

Jayga

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