Page 32 of Shifted Existence

“She is indeed.”

He rose from the bed with her in his arms and went to the tub, stepping in and making himself comfortable before placing her in the same position she’d been in their bed. This time his cock began to harden and press against her buttocks and back. Bailey sighed and settled into him, allowing him to begin to bathe her.

“I beg your pardon, Alpha,” said Melea. “I will put this over here.”

Bailey could smell the tantalizing dishes Melea had brought with her. “Don’t you dare. I doubt the big bad wolf here will let me out of this tub and I’m starving.”

Melea chuckled. “As you wish, Mistress.”

“That’s the second time you’ve called me that. I thought being his mate was like being married.”

“Shh,” Talon hushed her gently. “It is. The title of mistress is given to the mate of the alpha. It is an honorary term meant to show respect.”

Bailey took the tray from Melea and snuggled back against Talon. “That’s all right, then.”

When she reached for a piece of the honied pastry than she loved, Talon swatted her hand and growled.

“I have not given you leave to feed yourself.”

Bailey laughed. “You really are an over-the-top bastard, aren’t you?”

“If by that you mean that I enjoy the feel of your naked body pressed to mine as you suck my fingers and I imagine it is my cock instead, then yes, I am.”

She splashed water behind her. “Talon, behave. You’ll embarrass Melea.”

“Not possible,” he assured her. “I knew her mate well and she bore him four sons. I doubt there is much I could say that would shock her.”

“Your mate is correct. If you think him keen on using you now, wait until he returns from battle and his blood is running hot. At least my mate was not an alpha.”

“According to Dani, it’s more likepoor thing, your mate’s not an alpha. Dani says being knotted and tied is amazing.”

“If the two of you aren’t careful,” Talon quipped, “I may well be the one who is embarrassed.”

Bailey and Melea looked at each other, at Talon, and then back at each other and began laughing. Bailey stopped short.

“What is it?” Talon asked, concern lacing his tone.

“Nothing bad. I just realized I’ve laughed more since I came through the Void than I have since the Eclipse Province and the New Moon Expanse invaded the Conquered Realm.”

“You like to laugh, don’t you?” asked Melea.

“More than I remembered. And this,” she said sneaking a morsel from the tray and into her mouth, “is divine.” Before Talon could protest or scold her, Bailey popped one of the pieces of fish he was particularly fond of into his mouth as Melea left them, softly laughing as she did so.

He chewed and swallowed before saying, “You are never going to just behave, are you?”

“Probably not,” she answered affably. “But I’m still hungry.”

He chuckled and fed her a piece of the same fish. She closed her eyes and moaned in pleasure.

“I should hate you, you know. And I’m still not all that sure about being your mate…” she let out a small yelp as he nipped her ear.

“But you might be persuaded to stay until you’re fully recovered and can figure out a way to leave.”

“I’m not as committed to that plan of action as I once was. Dani seems deliriously happy, and I recognize that I felt safer, calmer, and less afraid when you were with me. Also, the dreams… no, they weren’t that. They were more like flashes of images of other times we’ve been together or we will be together. It was very confusing, but the one constant was you.”

“I am your fated mate, as you are mine. I will always be your constant.”

“What happened with the Council?”

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