Page 17 of Own to Obtain

The turquoise gaze on her sharpened. “So youdowant the bond.”

Shaya gazed at him, her smile widening. “I used to be so nervous of that look,” she mused. “On the ship, I was so self-conscious of having that gaze on me when you would make sure I was working properly.”

“I wasn’t checking your work,” dream-Kardos said, his voice softening for first time. “It wasn’t a choice to look at you, Shaya. It couldn’t be helped. You are gorgeous.”

Heat rushed up the back of Shaya’s arms and neck, as the tingle in her stomach became more pronounced.

“You shouldn’t be away from your Alpha,” he continued. “You are too special. Do you understand? You need to be protected.”

Shaya pressed her lips together before nodding. “I understand. I must be protected from everyone except him.”

The Alpha’s agitation returned. “No one else is important but me, Shaya.” Finally, he yanked at her panties. “I will come every night and continue to lay claim to you until I have you back,” he warned. “You cannot escape me.”

Shaya ran her hands along his chest as he continued his threats, tuning out his words while still enjoying the viciousness of them. She marveled at the determination in his eyes, the hunger of his kisses, and the power in every stroke that plundered her.

He was truly a beast, like he always had been, but this time she was seeing it up-close—no Haze or potion to mellow or distort the experience.

And she fucking loved it.

***

The next day, Kyus sat in bed, eating lunch with Shaya when she suddenly straightened—her head whipping toward the door.

Before Shaya could even react, a heavy knock resounded through the room. Kyus moved quickly and quietly, sliding her hand down the side-table as magical orbs materialized either side of the door, but just as she raised her hand, the door opened and her Alpha, Elion, stepping in.

He didn’t look much different; shoulder-length brown hair with golden streaks, brown eyes, tanned skin, and a neatly trimmed beard. The one thing that was different was the seriousness of his expression and the strange look of longing and sorrow in his eyes as he looked upon Kyus. Although he was large, Elion was usually playful and charming, sometimes even quite boyish—Shaya didn’t even think of him as an Alpha most of the time.

Shaya almost choked with relief, while Kyus jumped off of the bed, her whole body tense. She dropped her weapon and the orbs dissipated. “What are you doing here?”

Elion’s gaze drifted to Shaya and then back to Kyus. “This is my house, Kyus,” he said evenly. “Just because I have allowed you to have your space here doesn’t mean that I won’t visit when I need to. I’ve visited regularly since I moved to the castle; you haven’t been here.”

Kyus’ face soured. “What do you want?”

“I came to warn you,” he said. “To warn you both. Shinno Kardos has arrived unannounced at Eiros castle.”

Shaya gasped, her heart jumped into her mouth.

“He arrived within the last hour, but Malloron hasn’t been able to see him yet. I wasn’t sure what it would be about, but I could only guess that it had something to do with the Omega he had taken.” He glanced again at Shaya. “And I knew that you would want to know about it,” he said to Kyus. “I never guessed she was here.”

“Quick!” Kyus exclaimed, putting their plates down and hurrying to grab Shaya’s clothes. “We need to go.”

Shaya blinked, her mind unable to process the words quickly enough.

“Let’s go, Shaya,” Kyus said, gently taking her arm. “It’s only a matter of time before they search for you here. King Malloron knows this is where you used to live. He will check here first.”

Shaya got up, trying to move as quickly as she could. She grabbed a buttoned tunic dress and pulled it on, fumbling a little as she did. “Where are we going to go?”

“There is someone we can talk to about the bond and a place to hide,” Kyus said.

“Who?”

Kyus hesitated and then turned to look at Elion. “Why are you still here?” she asked roughly.

“Kyus…,” Elion said, his eyes turning soft, as they always did when he looked at her. “Let me help you.”

“No,” Kyus said firmly, shaking her head.

“I can take you wherever you need to go.”

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