Page 175 of My Fated Alpha: The Royals

The raw fear in Alexandru’s gaze had Zari placing her hand against his cheek. “But I’m alive now.”

“By the fucking skin of your teeth,” he bit out.

Since she couldn’t argue that, she just said, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I terrified you. I didn’t mean to. Lady Katarina had it under control.”

He shook his head. “What she fucking did was a wild guess,” he said tightly, “and you were just damn lucky it paid off!”

She tried to find something positive to say and only ended up with a cliché. “But Master, all’s well that—-”

Alexandru snarled, “You won’t want what I’ll do to you if you dare finish that thought.”

“—-ends well?”

Both of them froze.

“Zari.” A growl and a groan at the same time.

She threw her arms around him before he could punish her. “Master.” She tightened her hold and pushed her breasts against his chest.

He choked back a laugh. “Are you trying to seduce me out of getting pissed?”

Hiding her face in the crook of his neck, she nodded. She also rubbed her body against him.

His cock became fully erect and he gritted out, “I have to say...it’s working, pet.”

“Master?” She closed her eyes. “Lady Katarina said...” She felt him stiffen, but she knew she had to ask. “She said you chose me.”

Silence.

“I did.”

She couldn’t breathe. “Why?”

Because you own my heart now, and it will always be yours.The words came out of nowhere. He hadn’t planned to fucking say it, but now that he did, he knew he wouldn’t take it back. It was a fucking relief that it was all out now, a fucking relief that everything was finally clear to him.

Katarina was the past. Zari, his pet, was his eternity.

When she didn’t say anything, his jaw clenched.Zari?

Yes, Master?

You want me to strangle the words out of you?

Not a good joke—-

Stop fucking with me—-

Zari suddenly pushed his chest, and when he fell on his back, she climbed over him, bracing her hands beside him. Their eyes met, and he sucked in his breath at what he saw in her gaze.

He had his answer, and she knew it.

Even so, she gave him a tremulous smile as she said, “In case you need to hear it...” She wiped her tears. “I love you, Master. Alexandru. I love you.”

She bent down, and their lips touched.

But they didn’t kiss.

Because she started to see.

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