Last night was the most beautiful night I’d spent in my life.
I woke up feeling the weight of Kaius’s arm across my waist, anchoring me to this new reality–he was King now, and somehow, impossibly, I was his Queen.
I turned carefully to face him, studying his features in the soft morning light. In sleep, the hard lines of his face softened, making him look younger, almost vulnerable. Without thinking, I traced the line of his jaw with my fingertips, marveling at how this powerful wolf had become mine just as truly as I had become his.
His eyes opened at my touch, amber and alert even as he woke. “What are you doing, Elowen?” His voice was rough with sleep but held a note of amusement.
“Nothing… it just. I think you are really handsome.” I said.
“Hearing this from you is a different feel. But I am the more lucky one; I think you look unique,” he replied, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from my face.
“Good unique or… weird unique?” I asked, half–teasing.
“Sexy unique. His eyes darkened as they traveled over what he could see of me above the sheets.
That wasn’t part of the options, but I’ll take that,” I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in months.
He pulled me closer, his intentions clear in the heat of his gaze. I didn’t hesitate, pressing closer. My hand slid down his front, mapping the hard ridge straining against his sleep pants. I hooked my fingers beneath the loose waistband, freed his cock into my palm, and closed them around his thick length, beginning a slow stroke.
Kaius growled low in his throat. “Ignore it,” he murmured against my neck.
The knock came again, more insistent this time, followed by Thalia’s voice. “Alpha King, we need to discuss your return journey.”
Kaius sighed, reluctantly releasing me. “One moment,” he called, his voice controlled despite the frustration evident in his expression.
We dressed quickly, though Kaius took the time to steal kisses as I tried to make myself presentable. By the time we opened the
door, Thalia’s face had set into a mask of barely concealed impatience.
“So… the new King is only interested in one Queen?” Thalia said by way of greeting, her ageless eyes glittering with barely concealed malice. “We’ve arranged the convoy back to Ravenhollow as instructed. The pack members are already preparing for merger. Yet here you two are, still enjoying your private little honeymoon?
I stiffened at her tone, ready to defend our right to privacy, but Kaiu merely regarded her with cold amusement.
“Did my rejection of your ‘gift‘ of women last night upset you that much?”
Thalla’s face tightened, her ageless features twisting with indignation. “That has nothing to do with me! I was merely fulfilling tradition by offering them to you. Every King before you has accepted such tributes gratefully.” She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. Or perhaps you’re just playing devoted mate for now, until your position is secure?”
“Did my rejection of your ‘gift‘ of women last night upset you that much?”
Thalia’s face tightened, her ageless features twisting with indignation. “That has nothing to do with me! I was merely fulfilling. tradition by offering them to you. Every King before you has accepted such tributes gratefully.” She stepped closer, her voice
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Chapter 122
dropping to a hiss. “Or perhaps you’re just playing devoted mate for now, until your position is secure?”
Kaius’s expression changed instantly.
I moved forward, unwilling to let this escalate further.
“You could leave; I and Kaius would be there when we are ready,” I said dismissively, making it clear I considered her presence
unwelcome and unnecessary.
Thalia’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You forget your place, pup.”
Before I could retort, Kaius stepped forward, his presence suddenly filling the doorway with quiet menace. “And you forget your manners, elder. She is right, please leave; I really do not want to see your face for the time being.”
“Alpha King Kaius. Do not ever forget that I made you; without me, you would have died in the hands of the elders, a long time ago, so when you speak to me, you watch it.” Thalia’s voice rose with each word, her composure cracking to reveal something ugly
beneath.
In a movement too fast for me to track, Kaius had Thalia by the throat, pinning her to the opposite wall of the corridor. “You need me, Alpha,” she choked out, her eyes wide with fear despite her defiant words.
“No. I had never needed anyone before,” Kaius replied, his voice deadly calm. “We might have made a deal, but it gives you no control, no power till it is completed; you dare not threaten me ever again, Elder Thalia.”
He released her, and she slumped slightly against the wall, one hand going to her throat. Without another word, she straightened and walked away, her dignity somewhat restored though her defeat was clear to anyone watching.
Kaius turned back to me, his expression softening immediately. “I apologize for the interruption.”
“What was that about?” I asked, still processing the violent exchange I’d just witnessed.
He drew me back into our room, closing the door firmly behind us. “Thalia believes she has more leverage than she actually does. common misconception among those who mistake usefulness for indispensability.”
“Kaius… what is this deal you made with Thalia?” I couldn’t help asking, needing to understand what could create such tension between them.
“She has ambitious expectations,” he said carefully, his voice low as if concerned about being overheard. “She provided essential support at a critical time, with the understanding that her service would be generously rewarded.”
“What kind of reward?” I pressed, unsettled by the way his amber eyes had darkened.
“The kind that would dramatically elevate her position.” He moved to the window, his back to me as he looked out over the Ironvale compound.
“And she’ll come to collect eventually,” I said, understanding dawning
“Precisely.” He turned back to me, his expression unreadable, “But that’s a problem for another day. What matters now is that we’ve achieved what we came for. We should prepare to return to Ravenhollow.”
