Page 28 of The Princess and the Pack

“We arenotdone. Ignore him.”

My alpha kisses me swiftly, sliding his tongue into my mouth and driving into me with brutal, precise strokes. Ecstasy fizzles at the corners of my consciousness once more—Cillian’s mouth stealing the sounds meant for him and him alone.

Further banging, more insistent this time, rings out. Whichever prince is outside is apparently unperturbed by our earlier dismissal, as he continues to knock until Cillian is forced to reply.

“Fuck off, Cal!” my alpha roars. “I’m indisposed.”

Now, he stills his hips, no longer fucking me like the world is ending. I don’t bother to fight the whimper that appropriately conveys how much I hate being robbed of release a second time. Cillian’s contrition is obvious as he kisses my forehead and pulls out of me slowly.

“Yes, I can hear that, thank you. Unfortunately, I must cut your rutting short,” Prince Callan replies with what sounds like mirth in his tone. Luckily for him, the door is keeping him secure from my wrath.

“I’m sorry, darling. It must be rather important if?—”

“Cillian!” Another knock. Another interruption. This time, annoyance has morphed into anger on my husband’s handsome face. “You and the queen can fuck to your knot’s content later. Put your cock away and get out here.”

“Watch your mouth, you vexatious little shite!”

The king’s cheeks are ruddy with the restraint of not throttling his brother, and I can’t help but laugh at their antics. Having seven siblings myself, I’m quite familiar with the unique ways they get under one’s skin.

Cillian huffs. “He really has no manners, that one.”

I hum in acknowledgment, meeting my alpha’s gaze with heated intention. “He’s right, you know?”

“Is he?” One perfectly arched eyebrow marks his skepticism.

I nod. “There’s plenty more lovemaking to come.”

Cillian grins—a wicked thing full of mischief and promise.

“I look forward to it, wife.”

Before last night, I often pondered over how my brother Callan could be so spectacularly uninterested in his duties to this kingdom. Knowing what I do now, I understand better in the light of this new dawn: he’s been having sex.

I too would rather be fucking my wife than rushing off to deal with whatever emergency awaits us. Ivy’s glowing smile and hand in mine helps soothe the irritation of the earlier interruption.

Before we enter the throne room, I pull Ivy against my chest, not quite ready to be the responsible royal just yet. Perhaps if I were to have one more taste…

My omega meets my mouth with equal vigor, stealing breath from my lips and offering her saccharine whimpers in return. Truly, she is the most perfect woman in the world—someone I could lose myself in entirely if I’m not careful. But being a good alpha to my mate means I must accomplish certain things in order to protect her.

Things that extend beyond offering her my physical devotion.

Withimpeccableamounts of self-control, I break away. “You have enchanted me, my darling mate,” I whisper, bending to press one last kiss to her beautiful throat. “I fear I’ll never be the same.”

“Cillian,” she breathes. “Is this real?”

We are of the same mind, she and I. This feels too wonderful—too perfect to be true. After all the hurt and the loss we’ve suffered, can such euphoria truly be ours?

“It feels real to me, Ivy.”

For a moment, we simply allow this unspoken emotion to settle between us. I don’t give a damn if it’s too soon.I love her—will love her for eternity—and when I lay my claim upon her throat, she will feel it for herself. Through the unique magic shared between Fate-blessed mates, she will know every inch of my heart, and I hers.

“Come now.” I sigh as I grab my wife’s delicate hand once more and brush my lips against her knuckles. “Time to face the day.”

When we enter the throne room, I notice Callan, who so gleefully interrupted us, has conveniently fucked off to gods-know-where. I wouldn’t be surprised if he volunteered to fetch me the morning after marrying my scent-matched omega. He does revel in being irritating.

Instead, we find Ciaran and the rest of Ivy’s family waiting.

“Did something happen?” my wife asks. Her concern is not unfounded, given Cal’s insistence we were needed at once.

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