Page 222 of Filthy Royal

But Scarlett felt far too happy to be sad.

For so long, she’d wanted to be Damien’s in every way. Every night for the past four planetary rotations, she’d thought of him and wished. Never once believing it would happen.

Now it was real. And more beautiful than anything she’d ever imagined.

“Nothing in this world could keep us apart,” he growled, his tone as ferocious as she’d ever heard, “and nothing ever will.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Do you believe me, love?”

“I do.”

“Are you mine forever?”

“Always and forever.” She held him just as fiercely. “And you, are you mine?”

“Forever and always.”

A tear rolled down her face.

“Don’t cry, baby.”

“These are happy tears.” In a moment of inspiration, she lifted a fingertip to the wetness on her face. She turned his palm over and glided her damp fingertip across his skin, familiar strokes forming a word they both knew well.

M I N E

Her gaze found his. “We’ve made these marks in dirt, blood, cum, and now tears. They may wash off, but the claim is enduring.” She curled his hand into a fist and grasped it as best she could. “I will always be yours. You will always be mine.”

Nikolai stepped forward. In his hand, he held a different small screen with a new contract, this one written in an elegant, glittering script that sparkled like the ice peaks of Abzal. “Let’s make it official.”

Damien raised her hand to his mouth. Gaze locked with hers, he carefully, gently, pierced the pad of her thumb, growling low as the blood welled on her skin.

“Worth it,” she murmured.

Together, they placed her thumb at the bottom of the contract and smeared her acceptance.

Next—far rougher and faster—Damien did the same with his own blood.

“It’s done.” Nikolai’s gruff pronouncement carried across the room.

Cheering erupted from the dais.

“Finally.” Damien’s smile was as wide as she’d ever seen.

“Always and forever.” She rose to her tiptoes, face tipped up, expecting a kiss as his head descended toward hers.

Except his lips kept right on going, along with the rest of him, until the top of his head sat even with her belly, and then, before she could fully register what was happening, he tossed her over his shoulder.

“Damien!” She pressed her palms into his back to give herself some leverage.

“Sorry, baby. But once I start claiming that mouth, I’m not stopping.” He strode toward the doorway while his brothers chuckled, Luc scowled, and the titter of knowing omega laughter echoed through the room. “You guys celebrate. Tomorrow, we take action and trap our enemies. Tonight”—his palm covered her ass cheek— “Scarlett and I will be busy making memories enough for a thousand lifetimes.”

41

SCARLETT

Scarlett’s eyes fluttered open. She was fatigued, experiencing twinges in muscles she hadn’t realized she possessed, but she was also happier than she’d ever been.

As quietly as possible, she slipped from the bed, her taming chain—Goddess, she loved how Damien used that thing—settling comfortably around her hips.

Exhaustion tugged at her, and the sudden motion made her dizzy, but she shoved it aside. Refusing to think about the doc’s words, she focused on the beauty of the previous night instead.

---