Page 12 of The Princess and the Pack

I would never admit this secret desire aloud.

Not to anyone. But especially not to Cillian. He wouldn’t truly consider sharing his bride with another—best friend or not. We were all simply caught up in the heat of the moment at such a late hour.

Still, in the secrecy of my private fantasies, I imagine both Cillian and Oran eager for my body once again. Even more shameful, I sometimes envision the imposing alpha who interrupted us as well. Instead of running away when he arrives, I beckon him to join us. In my dreams he enthusiastically ravishes me with the others until I’m utterly satiated.

It’s terrible, I know. He was a stranger—a handsome, hulking stranger who had a curious comfortability with entering Cillian’s study. It was as though he knew he had the right to be alongside us. As if his presence was expected, and mine was the surprise. Oran even assured me I had nothing to fear.

In my heart, I knew the sentiment to be true. But we’d been caught in such a compromising position.

So, regardless of the torrid night we shared, and no matter how often I reminisce on it, I’m well aware it can never happen again. It will remain my deepest held and most treasured secret. That’s all it can ever be.

What I can look forward to without shame, however, is the prospect of sharing a bed with my soon-to-be husband. The way he kissed me, handled my body, and spoke sinful words into my ear has me eager to see what else he is capable of once we have the privacy we so clearly desire.

“Ivy,” my sister calls from the bed, interrupting my overeager thoughts. “Off to sleep with you. Can’t have you looking like a hag for your precious king tomorrow, can we?”

Typical Rose, never without a jab at the ready. She isn’t one for seafaring and travel—or for alphas either—and has been in rare form since we arrived at Castle Ancaire.

“Your usual charm hasn’t yet returned, sister. Lost at sea, perhaps?” I retort with a grin.

My sister cackles, delighted to have a proper partner to spar with. Our brothers have long since learned better than to go toe to toe with her, and our younger siblings are frankly intimidated. Not me, though.

Rose has been more of a mother to us than our own ever was, but she will always be my best friend first and foremost. I trust her more than anyone else in the world, even if I don’t agree with her views on alphas and marriage.

Her distaste is not unfounded, given what we have experienced.

My parents did not love each other, no matter what lie they told the rest of the world. Much like my union with the king, theirs was arranged for political gain, and my siblings and I saw firsthand how deep their discontent ran. Had my father not been such a flawed, selfish alpha, perhaps their marriage could have turned out differently. But even with his many transgressions, my mother continued to welcome him into her bed.

One would think with eight children to raise and a country to run, a man would be too busy to be a philandering pig behind his bonded’s back. But my father, the former king, did not let the restraints on his time stop him from doing just that.

How could a man who chased beauty so recklessly not appreciate the omega he had in front of him? The mother I remember was young and vibrant. She was widely regarded at court and throughout the western kingdoms for her great beauty, until the illness and my father’s infidelity took their toll on her.

I vowed to never wed a man who would dare treat me with such little consideration. I would sooner run off and live in the woods than go through the same pain he inflicted upon her and, in turn, us all. It was clear to me, even as a child, that my mother’s affection for my siblings and me didn’t run nearly as deep as her resentment. We were a painful reminder that no matter how many healthy children she bore my father, he still would not love her.

For that, she could never forgive us.

Our parents’ failings and untimely deaths didn’t break us, however. Hawthorn, Sage, Aspen, Rose, Lily, Oleander, Daisy, and I formed an unbreakable bond in spite of them. My impending wedding is a bittersweet reminder that while I’m embarking on a new journey, my previous life with my siblings is coming to an end.

They’re all I’ve known by way of companionship, as those in our court seemed more interested in bedding my brothers than genuine friendship. I suppose they hoped to gain access to them by way of me. Foolish, fruitless endeavors which strengthened my resolve not to closely associate with anyone outside of my family.

Rose is similar to me in that regard, except she is also steadfast in her mission to never fall in love. If it were up to her, I suspect the lot of us would be spinster omegas for the whole of our lives.

She continues to confirm said suspicions—having offered to save me from my impending nuptials no less than five times since we arrived in Namara.

While I’m happy to know she will go to any lengths for me, I’m very much looking forward to being Cillian’s wife. I have spent my life preparing to rule beside him as Namara’s queen, and I will bear my title with great pride.

Still, Rose remains skeptical.

“Get in bed, will you?” She beckons again. “If you insist on getting married tomorrow, you’ll need all the rest you can manage.”

“Yes, Mother,” I reply too sweetly, crawling under the covers beside her.

“Hush.”

Our younger siblings, Lily, Oleander, and Daisy, retired to their chambers hours ago. All the commotion and social interactions have been overwhelming for our reserved Lily to handle. Hawthorn suggested Daisy and Oleander join her when the young men of the Namarian court began falling all over themselves for their amusement. While the twins are not strangers to an alpha’s attention, they are too young and, like the rest of us, promised to others.

“Come here,” Rose coos, opening her arms so I can snuggle closer.

Now that my omega senses have developed, I’m able to perceive her lemon-custard scent, faintly anyway. Like all omegas, it is sweet and pleasant—truly a comfort to experience. It’s no wonder alphas are so eager to be near unmated omegas. I’m told our perfumes are intoxicating for them, even without the full potency only a scent match can experience.

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