Page 224 of Filthy Royal

“Agreed. But”—this time, she added some weight to her push against his chest— “first, I’m going to feed us.” Her stomach rumbled as if to emphasize her point.

Damien sighed, but it was playful. “My prime omega. So demanding.”

She gave him a mock warning glare.

He grinned. Then, palms resting on the mattress on either side of her, he pushed up in one motion and hovered over her, his biceps bunching. “I’ll get it.” He nuzzled her nose. “Whatevermyprime omega wants, she gets.”

“No.” It was kind of him to offer, but she wanted to take care of him too. “You stay here.” She pressed a kiss to his jaw, then the corner of his mouth, before shimmying out from under him. “Keep the bed warm.” She winked as she stood. “If we’re lucky, we’ll manage a few more stolen moments.”

He studied her, and there was no missing his inner conflict at the idea of her leaving.

“I’m fine, Damien.” They’d need to find their new normal after the doc’s diagnosis, and her Alpha lord would have to learn to keep his natural caretaking protectiveness in check enough to let her give back to him too.

“This is what you want?” He was still debating.

“Yes, Alpha. We take care of each other. That’s the way this goes.”

He nodded. “Okay. Hurry back.” He dropped back to the mattress, eyes sinking shut, body sprawling out once again.

So easy. Like them. For however much longer they had, she knew it would be thisgood.

“Of course.” Smiling to herself, she tiptoed from the room and into the hallway.

The crystals in the ceiling lit her way as she headed toward the galley.

Quietness reigned. It was early enough that everyone else was either still in bed or at least in their rooms.

But they’d all be up soon and—

She bumped into something solid and stumbled back a step before righting herself.

What in the blazes?

Her gaze shot to the space in front of her.

There was nothing there.

Nothing but wall and the faintest of smudges.

Then it clicked. Maxheim’s cloak.

She opened her mouth to scream, her legs tensing to run. But it was too late.

An arm shot out, a tranq blaster gleaming silver.

Something sharp punctured her throat.

Her legs crumpled, and everything went dark.

* * *

Damien

Damien prowled along the hallway, stomach grumbling, his chest even more so.

He wanted back in bed with his female now.

He suspected she’d gotten waylaid by family when she’d snuck down to the galley to fetch food.

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