Page 44 of The Princess and the Pack

Ivy’s hand is so delicate—a perfect fit in mine as I thread our fingers together. My heart is fit to fucking burst at how easily she accepts my touch.

Soon after she accepted my request to spend the night together, I convinced Ivy to go on a bit of an adventure outside the castle. Under the cover of darkness, we have less of a chance of being spotted together. Though we might come across a guard or two, I have no worries about their discretion as someone who’s long worked beside them. Besides, they aren’t the ones we have to convince about the merits of pack living.

“How soon until we’re there?” she asks, squinting to see in the darkness. Her gown drags, likely heavy, as we trudge through the clover fields.

“I offered to carry you, little omega. Are your legs getting tired?”

“Perhaps I would have agreed to being carried if I’d known we were walking to the end of the world.” Her indignant huffing and puffing brings a smile to my lips, though I dare not laugh for fear of her tiny fists. She seems the type to use them when teased.

“You have quite the active imagination,” I remark, peering down at her with a sly grin.

“An exceptional quality, if I do say so myself,” Ivy quips, and I’m so tempted to throw her over my shoulder for the short remainder of our walk. Not only to save her the unnecessary steps, but I’d love to hear her cursing me while her sweet cunt is so near to my face.

I’m only human and I’ve been hard as fucking stone ever since my mate rubbed herself all over me in the nest.

“Youareexceptional. There’s no denying that.” I laugh, kissing her knuckles. Her lip quirks when she squeezes my fingers, and I can’t help the pride swelling in my chest. After such a spectacularly awful start to the night, I’m glad I could make my mate smile.

After a few minutes longer, we reach our destination: a secluded pond meant for the king’s private use. The calm water shines like sparkling silver under the light of the pale moon. Water lilies float atop the crystalline surface, perfuming the crisp air with their light sweetness.

Such beauty lies before us, but all of it pales in comparison to Ivy. She is otherworldly—a shooting star I’ve wished upon for countless nights.

Ivy regards the scene before us with wonder in her eyes, as if I’ve presented her with something precious. Though it may not be some grand ballroom, the night sky serves as a perfect backdrop for romance.

Luckily, I had the good sense to grab some of the blankets from Ivy’s nest before we left. I let her look her fill as I spread them at the base of the grand oak tree near the water’s edge. Whatever comes next, be it holding her under the stars, talking for hours on end, or…something more, I want my omega as comfortable as can be.

“Is this where you take all the omegas you mean to woo, alpha?” Ivy’s tone speaks to lightheartedness, but I know a trap when I see one.

Under no circumstances will I be talking to my scent-matched omega—especially one on the verge of her first heat—about any intimate experiences I’ve had before her. They don’t matter anymore.

Since I knew Ivy existed, the rest of the world ceased to. She gives me a sense of purpose, a reason to go through life. All I want is to care for her, pour love into her, and watch in awe as she binds her alphas together. Our omega is the one who will make us a family, and nothing is so precious as that.

“You think so little of me, do you?” I chuckle as I settle onto our makeshift nest. Resting my back against the trunk of the oak, I hold a hand out to her in invitation.

“Hard to think little of you when you’re so large.” Ivy giggles, amused by her own wisecrack. “I’m simply a realist. An alpha like you—I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of entanglements.”

More traps.

I lean forward, grabbing her wrist to encourage her to join me. I’ll endure all her teasing so long as she lets me hold her close. “Whatever I’ve had before pales in comparison to you.”

Ivy’s answering smile is soft, her body lax as she drops to the blankets and allows me to pull her into my embrace.

“That was rather sweet,” she mumbles. With her back against my chest, I can’t see her face well. But I can hear the shy smile in her voice.

“Must be your scent rubbing off on me.” I kiss the top of her head, taking in the fragrance of sugar, cinnamon, and honey-soaked apples. She smells of something I could sink my teeth right into.

Ivy turns her head to regard me, a question in her eyes. “I’ve wondered, alpha…why does it feel so easy around you? It’s as though I’ve known you five years—not five minutes.”

Be still, my heart.

My little omega doesn’t even realize how her words affect me. What a gift she’s given me by admitting her spirit feels at ease with me.

“Would you prefer it to be difficult? I can try to be less charming if that suits you better.”

She scoffs, fighting a smile. “You’re teasing me.”

“That I am, my sweet omega. Could tease you more, if you ask nicely.”

Ivy gasps, lust entering her lidded stare. I could kiss her now; I know she’d let me. I could touch her pretty cunt and make her come apart on my fingers. Her scent is so telling of all the things she craves—of all she’s yet to explore that I could give to her. But as much as I want her naked and beneath me, there’s time for that yet.

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