Page 22 of The Princess and the Pack

Logically, I’m aware I have no reason to be nervous. At the risk of sounding immodest, I’ve beenfortunatein many regards. It’s just that I’ve never been naked with anyone before. That my first time doing so is at the request of my flawless, scent-matched mate—the moment feels important in a way I can’t articulate.

Pushing past the panic threatening to ruin the momentum we’ve built, I swiftly untie my laces and let the material slide from my hips to fall to the floor. I’ve been hard as a fucking stone for what feels like hours, and I hope my omega isn’t put off by the mildlyaggressiveintroduction.

Ivy’s eyes widen as her gaze travels below my waist—her perfume blooming so beautifully, I fucking throb. The scent of my mate’s desire awakens something powerful and primal inside my chest. Paired with the sight of her spread thighs wet with wanting me—I’m riding the edge of a rut. I can’t even fight the need to squeeze my already swelling knot.

“Gods,” she exhales.

My mate falls back against the mattress with a dramatic flair—adorable. Is this moment meant to be so painfully precious?

“Are you displeased?” I ask, crawling back atop the mattress. My weight now presses against the heat of her skin, caging her in, as we share breath.

“Heavens, no. Your cock is—well, you know what it is, Cillian. You brought that beast into bed with us. I’m merely concerned about being able to walk tomorrow.”

More laughter. More smiles that leave my cheeks aching. How she can make the preamble to sex both intoxicating and silly is a wonder to behold. I kiss the tip of her nose, her cheeks, her lips.

“I’ll be gentle with you, darling. If you’ll be patient with me.”

Ivy regards me, confused about what I could mean. Though it shouldn’t matter—it doesn’t—I want to tell her just the same. I feel so out of my depth, surrounded by her scent. She smells so eager for her alpha to fill her. But what if I can’t satisfy her? She is my first in all things carnal. And while I’ve had an entire year to envision every way I want to touch her, in practice, I’m lacking.

“I’ve never been with an omega before,” I confess. A half-truth. Less than she deserves. “No, that’s not right. I’ve never been withanyonebefore.”

Ivy’s grin is instantaneous. “You are too sweet, husband. But please don’t lie because you feel as though you must protect my pride. I wouldn’t expect an alpha like yourself to remain celibate all this time.”

Frowning, I shake my head. She doesn’t understand. I would never lie about such a thing. Beyond the information I’m currently keeping from her, I would never otherwise deceive her.

“Ivy.” I grasp her thighs and tug her legs securely around my waist so she’s anchored to me. Her wetness is a welcome warmth against my skin, and my eyes roll back as I imagine the sensation of finally sinking into her. “Fuck, Ivy. You will be the death of me. I’m certain of it.”

My mate blushes, arching her back so her tits thrust toward me in anticipation for my touch. We’re both similarly affected by this connection we share—by what our scents do to each other. But I need her to hear me and know what I say next is true.

“There’s been no one before you. And there will be no one after. I swear it.”

A beat of silence. She offers me a tender, tentative glance. It’s as though she wasn’t expecting this emotional intimacy between us so early on. But she will soon learn the many ways in which I desire her. Some of which extend far beyond the call of our pheromones.

“Truly?” she asks, cautious in her acceptance of this vulnerability I’ve offered.

Precious. To me, she is all that’s good in this world. I want to make her every moment blissful. I’m aware I can’t achieve such an ambitious end on my own. When the time comes—soon—she will find similar devotion in the arms of my packmates. Together, we will aim to give her everything.

“Cross my heart.”

Ivy hums, smiling up at me with heated interest. “I think we’ve both waited long enough then, alpha. Wouldn’t you say?”

Anticipation wraps its silken fist around my cock, readying me for the unleashing to come. “I’d say so,goddess. I’m quite desperate to continue with my worship, if you don’t mind.”

I’ve never seen a naked man before. Though I can hardly imagine they all look the way Cillian does. As if his dark curls and eyes like fresh frost did not set him apart from others to begin with, he also had to be equipped with this perfectly proportioned body.

Well, mostly proportionate. His cock is the stuff of legends—a fabled longsword forged for the purpose of conquering worlds.

It seems unfair for the king to be so devastatingly beautiful—so marvelously constructed in every way. But who am I to complain when Fate has giftedmethis tantalizing specimen for a mate? Better I enjoy the spoils of his attention.

After tonight, I’m acutely aware of how much Cillian desires me. More so, the effect his hunger has on my own body can’t be ignored. My thighs are a mess, wet with the growing need to feel my alpha inside me. Especially after his most recent admission.

I’ve never placed much importance on my maidenhood, and I don’t intend to start now. I waited simply because the hyenas of the Lucernian court and their loose lips ensured no tumble in the sheets would remain private.

None of the nobles tempted me enough to deal with the scandal that would surely ensue. And dalliances with some handsome palace guard, while enticing, presented a version of reality too far out of my reach. While my most secret wish has always been a pack of my own, that life was for the guards, the staff, all the common,normalpeople and never me.

But now, knowing Cillian and I will be experiencing this together for the first time, I’m gleeful over having waited. It pleases my omega heart that my alpha will only have memories of me.

Of course, I wouldn’t have thought less of him for exploring before our marriage. With his stunning face, good nature, and a rather spectacular cock, I can’t imagine he didn’t have options. But tonight, I won’t dwell on the men or women who might have tempted Cillian into bedding them. I want only to focus on the sensual banter my new husband offers me, the feel of his skin on mine, and this union of our bodies.

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