Page 74 of Filthy Royal

Only this time, it’s not for pleasure.

It’s for punishment.

2

SCARLETT

Scarlett’s hand clenched into a fist as another wave of heat rippled across her skin with the same frenzied madness as the screaming crowd below.

This could not be happening. Not here. Not now.

Thinking about Damien, allowing herself to imagine for even one heartbeat that she could scent him in her lungs was far too dangerous.

Especially when everything hinged on staying focused on the task at hand.

The situation was already tense enough with Brock missing.

“If you wanted to see me without my shirt, you could have just asked.” A wall of muscle crowded at her back, the heavy scent of spirits indicating who’d followed her to the front of the box.

Fixing a smile on her face, she turned.

With its backdrop of golden paneling, glittering chandeliers, and plush seating, the luxury box appeared to be an oasis of beauty and wealth. But things were seldom as they seemed.

“Forgive my clumsiness, Prince Jai.” Scarlett had to nearly scream to be heard. Though not as crowded as the regular coliseum seats, at least one hundred elites and their entourages were packed into the box.

But Prince Jai L’erk was one of the wealthiest Federation princes in the galaxy. He was also a sadist who got off on causing extreme pain—and the special guest of her Alpha lord, Kadon Stormhart, for this fight.

Making it all the more problematic that she’d just spilled top-shelf ale all over him.

Two drunk Alphas in sumptuous robes staggered by, pawing at the near-naked giggling omegas slung over their shoulders and almost knocking over one of the poor betas holding a serving tray.

The prince didn’t notice.

Scarlett pretended she didn’t either. She’d become even more of an expert at pretending these past few planetary rotations.

Slap.The prince’s palm slammed onto the crystal wall by her head. “I know exactly how I’ll exact payment for the loss of my garment. Give me a private showing. I want to see what all the fuss is about.”

He wasn’t the first to make such a demand.

Her innocence and her enticing gift—the ability to create shimmering colors across her skin while she danced—had made her a favorite among the fighters who came to the dome.

“What’s underneath that barely there dress must be the fucking sweetest, tightest pussy in the galaxy.” His liquor-soaked breath whispered across her cheek. “Because if an Alpha of Stormhart’s stature and reputation chose an orphaned, penniless, Consortium-owned omega with no real bloodline as not only a short-term fuck-toy but his prime omega, the official breeder of his bloodline, then that must be one magical cunt and ass—and I want in.”

Rage flared. She shoved it down.

“A tempting offer.” Scarlett forced her fingertips to trail across the swell of her breasts. There wasn’t much to the dress she’d been told to wear, just a few scraps of fabric across her breasts and a short skirt that scarcely skimmed her bottom, but it had its uses. “But my Alpha lord expects me to return to him once the fighter Mercurius wins.”

“Mercurius? No.” The red streaks of lust cleared from the prince’s eyes, his gaze flicking to the fight below. Hers followed, her brother Luc and the fighter he was coaching were little more than a smudge from this height. “I got a tip and put my money on Thanatos.”

“Oh, I overheard some fighters whispering that Thanatos has a thigh injury, but what do I know?” She let her lashes flutter downward. “An omega’s expertise lies in other areas.”

“Obviously.” But the prince’s nervous gaze, and fingers, strayed to the wrist comms she’d made sure he received at the private box’s entrance.

Three breaths later, he was tapping away, placing a large sum on the fighter Mercurius—right before the buzzer sounded and all bets closed.

Just in time.

“Thanatos comes from behind to win it all!” The announcer’s shout boomed through the stadium, barely audible over the screams of a crowd shocked by the sudden upset and an enraged Prince Jai.

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