Page 17 of Consort

“Durin, you won’t simply be nobility. You shall beroyalty. You will serve me not only as a soldier of my kingdom but also in my bed as consort. Folas,” she says, turning to the fae, “have him fed, bathed, and brought to my chambers.”

I’d hoped for a way to gain the queen’s trust, but this is not at all what I’d had in mind.

Chapter 7

Rue

After Cirro left last night, my mother came rushing in. I told her about my plan to escape. She agreed that it was the only way out of becoming Luna after what happened. Even if someone else presented tomorrow, I was first. I doubt he’d say never mind to me and take it all back.

I knew my mother would help me, but she shocked me by saying she’d come with me. I tried to talk her out of it, but she said there was nothing keeping her here. I see her point. A mate who’s continually hurt and betrayed her? A deranged pack leader? Packmates who find this all acceptable? No, there’s nothing worth staying for.

I’ve barely dragged myself out of bed when Bock barges into our tent. He throws open the flap and fills the space with his tanned, beefy body. I’ve only just pulled on my leathers when his broad chest appears in front of me, blocking my mother and everything else from my sight.

A little warning would have been nice. Or a damn invitation.

His short, brown hair is slicked back, like he often wears it for mating ceremonies and other formal occasions. Is he trying to impress me? He’s already decided that I’m his mate. Does it really matter how I think he looks?

And what about all the other Alphas I’m to be indirectlymated to? Where are they with their stupid hairdos and extra-tight leathers?

I must look a mess after my restless night. Definitely not up to a Prime’s standards, I’m sure. Not that I care about impressing him. It actually feels like a small victory, standing here unkempt and uncaring as the mighty Prime visits his prize.

My satisfaction is squashed as his power pulses out at me. It surrounds me, wrapping me in an unwelcome and suffocating hug. Mother grits her teeth as it affects her too, pressing her back against the tent frame. If I weren’t so disgusted by Bock, I’d absolutely be shaking in fear of him right now.

“Good morning, mate,” he rumbles, stepping directly in front of me.

His bare, hairy chest is already covered in sweat. The drops make their way through the forest on his pecs, and my Omega perks up at the scent. But my rational mind recoils. This is the scent that he plans to force on me for the rest of my life. And his wouldn’t be the only one.

Think you’ll be as giddy over all the other Alphas’ scents, too, Omega?

Bock is so much taller than me. He’s barely able to stand up straight in our tent. I’d have to crane my neck all the way back to see his face right now. He’s not worth the effort in the slightest. Luckily, I’m supposed to be submissive, so I keep my head where it is and avoid his gaze.

“How I pray the moons pass quickly,” he rumbles, inching his thick fingers toward my face.

I fight the urge to gag as his calloused skin brushes beneath my chin and down my throat. He doesn’t care that my mother is here. He continues to touch me in front of her, purring as he loosely wraps his hand around my neck.

I’m too furious to let my instincts swoon at the Alpha sound. How dare he disrespect my mother like this? She’s been stuckwith an unfaithful mate for years because of his fucked-up rules. Now, he shoves her aside in her own home, threatening to take her daughter from her as well.

Will running really be enough? I no longer feel any trace of my feeble Omega as I seethe beneath his touch. I want to tear each of his fat fingers off my neck and crush them into tiny pieces. I want to slice off the nose he’s burying in my neck and shove it up my father’s ass. And his giant, bloated head would look more appetizing on a pike, roasting in the sun with the rest of the meat.

But I endure his foul touch and play the part of demure Omega. Better to stroke his ego than provoke his anger. Omegas have always gotten time to adjust before they’re taken as mates, but Bock could easily break that tradition. Giving him any reason to speed things up would work against me. I just need a little time to find the chance to slip away.

“Such a good Omega,” the Prime mutters against my neck.

He doesn’t need to be standing this close for me to notice his slimy cock rising in his creaking leathers. That’d be like missing a golem crashing through our camp. That monstrous thing isnevertouching me.

“How quickly you’ve taken to your designation,” he whispers, giving my collarbone a lick.

His touch feels corrosive, like my skin is burning away beneath it. I have to shut down my instinctsandmy anger to keep it together. They’d only lead to a slick undergarment or murder. Neither option would get me safely away from this pack.

I try to imagine the sweetest, most adorably pathetic Omega smile and paint it on my face. It’s there waiting for him when he finally pulls away from my neck. His growl of approval does nothing for me, but I keep smiling. It’s a smile I’ll have to wear until we can get away. I might as well get used to how it feels.

“No more work for you, Omega,” he says, running the backof his fingers down my cheek. “Relax today. I’ll return later to escort you to the evening meal.”

He gives my throat a light squeeze and flashes out of my tent. A show of his power I’m supposed to be impressed by, I guess. I’m simply relieved that he’s gone. But his scent remains, hanging in the air to taunt me. I grab my pillow and fan it around the tent, urging the stink to follow him out.

When I’m able to breathe again, I toss it onto my bed and flop down beside it. I expect my mother to rush over and comfort me. Instead, she begins fumbling around the tent and throwing a few things into her market sack. I notice her hands shaking and her face reddened, as it does when she’s angry.

“We leave now,” she says.

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