Page 37 of Tortured Royals

My nostrils flare, her words cutting into me. The last time I’d seen West, he’d talked about finding a way out of the order of the Drozac. He’d said he only needed to take care of one last target, and then he could be free. When I’d discovered he was killed by King Dalton while on the job, I’d been so focused on getting revenge for my brother, that I hadn’t thought about anything else. And when the order offered me West’s place, and a chance to get my revenge, I’d accepted.

My stomach hardens. But no, it isn’t what he would have wanted for me. West had always been telling me that I should find a female to warm my cabin in the mountains. That I should have the big family I always wanted, and when he was out of the order, he’d build a cabin not far from mine where he could start his own family. But the moment he was taken, I’d forgotten all of that. And as much as I hated the demon king for taking my brother from me, Princess Blake was right. West would have known the risks of trying to assassinate a demon leader.

I stare at the demon princess before me. My mate. Because she’d always been mine, even when I struggled to accept it. Honey and cinnamon swirls around me, and her golden eyeswatch me. We’re a mess—Princess Blake and her mates. And I realize why I’ve been so afraid. Because finally, I’ve found my mate, and that’s something West will never get to have. For so long I’ve seen demons as the enemy, but it wasn’t their kind that I hated. I hated that West was taken from me. And I hated the Order of the Drozac for sending West to Seral. I wonder now, if the order would have even kept to their agreement and let my brother go if he had succeeded.

Blake’s throat bobs against the blade as she swallows, and there’s not a trace of fear in her eyes. Reaching up with my free hand, I run my fingers through her dark locks, tucking her hair behind her ear. “West would have loved you,” I rasp, and the truth of the statement vibrates through me. I’ve always like fiery females, but none of them have been as headstrong and stubborn as Blake. West would have loved having Blake in our family. In fact, I’m pretty sure West would have liked Mason and the others as well.

For the first time, the pain that’s been in my chest since my brother’s death shifts. It’s still there, but it’s not as noticeable. And that desire for revenge I’d held on to for so long—the hate, the anger—it starts to fade. I’d thought I was dishonoring my brother by not being able to kill the demon king and his daughter and get revenge, but I finally realize, that to honor West, I have to live. I have to finally give in to my fate and let myself have the family West and I had both dreamed of. Dropping my blade, I claim Blake’s mouth, my tongue stroking against hers, as I finally let go.

Blake claws at me as I push her hard against the tree, my thigh pressing between her legs. A moan hums from her, and I groan as she rubs against me. I’d been so worried I couldn’t have her. That I would have to kill her, and relief washes through me as I finally let myself give in to the she-demon.

“So, I’m guessing this means you don’t want to kill me again?” she murmurs, an edge of humor in her voice as my lips tingle against hers.

I growl at the thought of her being taken from me, even by my own hand. “I’ve known I wouldn’t be able to kill you from that first time you fought me,” I rasp.

Her lips curve. “Yeah, because I kicked your ass.”

My hand closes around her neck, and she gasps.

Leaning closer, I brush my lips against the side of her head. “I knew because when I was close to you, instead of desiring vengeance, all I wanted…was you. And it was torture.”

My thigh presses harder between her legs, and her mouth falls open even wider.

“You always were the sweetest with words,” she teases.

“But it was only torture because I was afraid I could never have you,” I growl under my breath.

“Alaric,” she says softly, and I reach down, freeing my aching cock. Gripping her ass, I lift her higher. She’s not wearing anything beneath the shirt, and when the fabric bunches at her waist, I growl at the sight of her.

“Like I’ve said before,” she pants, “You’re mine. Just as I am yours.”

I tease her with the head of my cock, and the next time she says my name, it’s a plea from my enchantress, and I’m helpless to resist. I thrust my cock into her, one hand still on her throat, and her mouth falls open in a silent scream.

“Fuck,” she gasps, and her lips twist. “Guess you’re a grower then, huh?” Before I can respond, she snorts with amusement. “Then again, I guess it makes sense considering you’re a giant.”

Of course, my cock when I’m in my actual giant form is way bigger than now, but I don’t mention that. “Don’t tell the shifter,” I rumble at her. “He seems sensitive about these things.”

She laughs outright at that, but her laughter dies off when I squeeze her throat tighter and start pumping into her. Her body stretches to accommodate me, and I let out a tortured sound.

Her bottom lip trembles as I hold her firmly. “See? Isn’t this better than fighting it?” she pants.

I snarl, fucking her harder until she’s screaming, her mind only focused on the pleasure I can give her. Fuck, I never want to stop hearing that sound.

When I pull my cock completely out and thrust it in again, she falls over the edge, screaming my name as her golden tattoos light up on her skin. I slam my lips to hers, swallowing the sound, and my balls tighten before I spill into her, my own release crashing through me.

My enchantress.

Mine.

Despite all my doubts, the she-demon fits perfectly against me, and we shudder through the aftershocks together. When she stops jerking, I gently move my hand from her throat and set her on her feet.

“Alaric, you’ve been holding ou—” Princess Blake pants, but her words abruptly stop when we both hear it at once. The sound of a cracking twig comes from close by, and I shield my mate, grabbing a smaller blade from my boot and sending it into the darkness.

The blade connects with flesh, and there’s a grunt as someone stumbles forward and comes into view.

Princess Blake peers around me. “Dante?”

The demon grins, his tail flicking as he watches us. “What?” he says, giving Blake an innocent look. “We voted that someone should keep an eye on you in case this prick was up to no good. It’s not my fault I was the lucky one chosen.” He smirks. “Of course, that may have also had something to do with my abilities.”

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