Page 35 of The Princess and the Pack

But I need more.

The pale stone walls of Castle Ancaire are cool against my heated skin—a small reprieve from my racing pulse and unforgiving thoughts. It clears a path in my foggy mind, revealing the need to find a small, dark space in which to hide from the world.

Yes.That sounds lovely.Nest.

Though I have no nest to speak of, I trip over my own feet, searching the halls foranywhereto go.

A familiar door comes into view, the memory of a dark-stained desk forming at the edges of my consciousness. I can hide away in my alpha’s study, at least until this wave of delirium passes.

After that, I’ll confront my husband with what I’ve discovered.

I don’t have to be like my father: concealing truths for the simple fact they may be uncomfortable to hear. I respect Cillian and truly believe we can weather any storm that may brew in light of this new knowledge.

He is my scent-matched mate, blessed by Fate to be mine through all life brings. Having room in my heart for more than one alpha doesn’t diminish the unique love growing between him and me. He deserves my honesty, as I deserve his understanding. But first I need to lie down, make myself small, and shield myself from all this blinding spring daylight.

The safety of Cillian’s study is a welcome reprieve. His desk is sturdy, safe, and big enough for me to curl up beneath. It would be better with blankets, with soft things smelling of earth, sea, and fire—elemental comforts to sate this primal need raging within me. For now, I’ll have to reach for memories made in this very room to tide me over.

Echoes of panting breaths and heated touches. Alphas—my alphas—adoring me, whispering praises, and stealing kisses in the pale light of the moon. My guardian watching over us while the others pleased me. What I wouldn’t give to have all of them with me now. Surely they would be able to fix this ache between my thighs—their hushed promise to fuck and fill me would soothe this unending emptiness.

Over and over I relive these moments of carnal bliss until darkness washes over my heated skin, blanketing me in dreams of my Fate-blessed alphas.

Hardly an hour ago, Cillian came crashing into my quarters with urgent information and a new plan to win our omega’s love. Right away, I could sense a change in him had occurred. He’s spent years carrying the burden of guilt over the injustices that befell his mother. But one night with Ivy, and the weight of the world did not seem so heavy upon his shoulders.

Not for the first time, I envied my king’s access to our mate. That he can shower her with affection so openly, that she has so clearly accepted him as her alpha; the list is as numerous as it is defeating.

Regardless of my petty discontent, I truly believe no one deserves Fate’s gift as much as Cillian. His pure heart and dedication to the service to others make him the perfect mate for Ivy. He can give her things I could never dream of—most important being an open heart not jaded by the cruelty of the world.

Still, the hope to which I foolishly clung swelled when he spoke of her family leaving. I allowed excitement to take root, thinking I too might experience some of the healing magic that comes from being in Ivy’s presence. And much sooner than we intended.

I held on to that small joy, silently, as he and I gathered Sloan and our closest comrades to strategize our next moves.

But the closer we venture toward Cillian’s study, the more I can’t shake the feeling something is amiss. Urgency presses against a primitive part inside me, propelling me down the hall with determined steps. Not even Cillian rambling on to Tiernan and Fiona could cut through the single-minded focus I have to seek out this wrong and right it at once.

Sloan trails behind us, speaking in hushed tones with Sir Liam, Cillian’s captain of the guard. Where Lord and Lady Dempsey go, the captain is never far away. Like Sloan, he is common-born and blessed by Fate with an omega of his own.

It’s been just over a year now since he secretly bonded with Fiona. An entire year of watching as Tiernan gets to love her in the open while he remains in the shadows. I don’t understand how he can manage being kept a secret. But watching the way he and Tiernan have come together to serve their omega is awe-inspiring to say the least.

I’m pleased the king has brought our dear friends in on his mission to change the world; truly I am. But at this moment, their easy conversations grate on my nerves.

Something is wrong.How can they not sense this?

Acrid, burnt sugar lingers in the air. It reeks of desperation and turmoil, and my heart pounds with feral rage over what could have caused such distress.

My Ivy was here. Beneath the layers of unpleasantness I can taste her crisp apple settling on my tongue. Without my permission, anxious thoughts invade my mind, setting my teeth on edge.

Is she hurting?

Does she ache for me?

How quickly can I ease her suffering?

If I find her, I’ll make it all better. I can take her in my arms, touch and tease her—have her begging for my teeth in her pristine, unmarked throat. Perhaps if Ivy were to experience this obsession I harbor for her, she could love me in return.

Maybe then she would deem me an alpha worthy of her precious heart.

But my sweet love eludes me now, just outside the reach of my care. Frustration like I’ve never known rips a sound from deep within my chest. An animalistic growl to silence the happy chattering around me.

“Oran,” someone calls out.

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