Page 225 of Kingdoms of Night

“But you were gone.”

“Before that, yeah. But I came back. I thought you were up here napping, not hiding in a closet.”

“I… I needed somewhere safe.”

“You are safe,” he promised me as we reached the upstairs landing again. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Riley.” They were the same words he’d said just minutes ago, but they meant so much more now with my name attached to them.

I nuzzled into his neck. “I don’t deserve your kindness.”

His purr increased again. “You deserve far more than just kindness, Riley,” he said softly. He took the water bottles from me when we entered the bathroom. “And now I’m going to show you what a real Alpha wants from his chosen Omega.”

CHAPTERTEN

RILEY

Somewhere in North Carolina

Jonas set me on my feet and proceeded to kick off his shoes.

It was pretty clear to me what he had in mind.

And while I wanted to be annoyed, my wolf was practically weeping with gratitude that he’d changed his mind about knotting us.

I pulled my dress over my head, ready.

But he didn’t immediately grab me. Instead, he turned toward the cabinets and started pulling out soaps and other items.

“Test the water,” he told me.

Frowning, I turned and did what he’d requested. The cool temperature immediately made me sigh, my body begging me to dunk myself in the massive tub of refreshing liquid. “This is a pretty nice bathroom for a cabin,” I commented distractedly.

“Yeah, definitely recently upgraded. The outside doesn’t look like much, but it’s fairly advanced for a cabin with all the energy-efficient tech.” He turned, his zipper only partially done. “I already put some salts in the tub, but you may want more.” He set the supplies on the edge.

My brow crinkled.We’re going to fuck in the tub?

I almost voiced the question aloud, but the sound of his jeans whispering over his thighs had my gaze going right to his groin.

And that very impressive knot at the base.

Jonas caught my jaw and lifted my eyes to his. “Get in the tub, Omega.”

I almost stumbled backward in my haste to comply, which elicited a low rumble of approval from him. But he caught my hip as I nearly fell into the tub.

“Easy, Riley.” His amusement was palpable as he helped me enter the bath carefully.

However, he didn’t just bend me over to fuck me like I’d anticipated—andwanted. He guided me down onto his lap instead.

Not facing him.

But away from him.

With my back to his chest and his arms around me, hugging me from behind. “Relax,” he whispered into my ear. “I’ll take care of you.”

“By knotting me?” I asked hopefully.

He ran his hands up my sides. “By showing you what real Alphas want.” His words were the same from before, but even more intimate now.

I shivered, liking the feel of his body against mine, his palms stroking along my skin, his breath against my ear.

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