Twisted Fate Book 2: Longed for Mate

ANOUD

I wrapped the blanket around myself and headed to my room, which was conveniently next to Ralph’s for protection purposes. A small glass of whiskey and a note from him greeted me, wishing me a good night and asking me to wake him at seven o’clock. I took a sip of the whiskey.

It was delicious, with a smoky peat flavor that surprised me. I was tired from my run and satisfied from my time with my mate. The blanket he’d given me smelled just like him—warm and comforting.

I couldn’t identify the exact scent, but it was intoxicating. I decided then and there that he wasn’t getting this blanket back. It was mine now.

Sleep came easily. I woke to my alarm and hurried through my morning routine and shower. I usually didn’t wear makeup, but today I applied a light BB cream and some blush.

I would have loved to use mascara to accentuate my eyes, but we had training after breakfast. Just before seven, I went to wake Ralph. I knocked on his door, told him the time, and then headed to the breakfast room.

Most of the pack—about two hundred fifty people—ate their meals together here. There was a slight nervous energy in the room, which was to be expected when royalty was present. But there was no sense of danger, so I relayed this to the team leader.

Ralph came down a few minutes later with Beta David and Gamma Roads, his primary protection team. The alpha met them at the door, and they all took a seat at a central table. The room bustled as several omegas brought drinks and took orders.

The efficiency of this pack filled me with pride. It was silly, but I couldn’t help but smile as food started coming out of the kitchen almost immediately. The seat to my mate’s left was empty, waiting for his luna.

Waiting for me. I allowed myself a moment to admire him, but the sight of the deep purple mark peeking out from his shirt collar made me falter. I felt his gaze on me and couldn’t resist meeting his eyes.

I was on guard duty again today, my back against the wall. His eyes ignited a fire within me as they roamed over my body. I saw them narrow as he took in my high-collared shirt.

Was he upset that he couldn’t see his marks? The thought sent a thrill through me, and I was acutely aware of my body’s reaction. I needed to stop thinking about the way his mouth had felt on me yesterday.

My thoughts were interrupted by the blonde from last night. She sauntered over to my mate and took my seat. Jealousy and pain surged through me.

Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty. Was this the longest breakfast in history? I was on the verge of snapping if she touched him one more time.

The only saving grace was that he hadn’t fed her. That would have been akin to announcing her as his chosen luna.

“Anoud, can you come to the table please?” Ralph’s voice echoed in my mind. I chastised myself for not explaining the situation to him earlier.

I hadn’t even told him that the alpha was my mate, let alone that he was planning a rejection. I quickly walked over and stood to his left, following convention and placing me next to my mate.

“You called, Your Majesty,” I said.

Ralph started discussing training and shifting our timelines. He wanted me to check out the training space for the pups first.

As I was about to leave, I felt a warm hand slide down my leg from my thigh to the back of my knee. Keeping a straight face as I said goodbye to the table was a challenge as the hand moved back up my leg.

As I walked away, I was aware that my mate had risen and was following me.

“Get in here,” he commanded, opening a bathroom door and pushing me inside. Before I could react, he had me against the wall, his lips on my neck, and his hand tugging at my zipper.

“You covered up my mark, mate. Did you do that for the prince?”

What? I bit my lip to keep from responding as he continued to kiss my neck.

“I heard about your new position. He’s making you luna queen next year, huh? He must really like this hot little pussy to take you as a chosen mate.”

His hand slipped into my underwear, fingers moving roughly over my sensitive skin.

“Fuck,” he groaned against my neck. “Tell me this isn’t for him. Tell me you are this wet for me.”

“Yes, you, only you, my mate,” I managed to say before he pushed inside me. I cried out at the sudden intrusion and grabbed his hand.

“Ah, stop. It hurts.”

“Hurts?” His fingers began to move gently over my G-spot, and his thumb shifted to rub my clit.

“Is this better, love?”

I let out a shaky breath as my body adjusted.

“Yes. Oh, that feels so good. Please don’t stop.”

I had never built up this quickly or fallen this hard before. Only a minute later, I had to bury my face in his neck as I came against his hand. The intensity of my orgasm left me breathless.

It took a few moments to recover, but then I remembered what he’d said.

“That rumor. It’s not true.”

“He told me himself.”

“No, it’s not true. It’s just a test, to see how your pack can handle sensitive information. To see if the information gets back to the palace or to our enemies. We’re friends, so it’s not a stretch to anyone observing us closely. Did he tell you when you were alone? Did he ask you to keep it secret?”

“He did. It’s a lie?”

I nodded, and he let out a sigh of relief, pressing his body against mine.

“Thank the Goddess.”

“I wouldn’t thank her just yet. You did fail the test.”

He looked up and laughed, but I wasn’t joking. He had failed. Then his expression turned serious.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you earlier. Are you okay? My wolf was a bit possessive.”

This was embarrassing.

“Oh, uh yes, I’m okay. I just—I haven’t been touched like that before.”

“Touched like that?”

“Uh-huh, like, inside. Or outside. Damn, that came out wrong. I’m just saying, no one’s ever touched me like that before, and it was a bit of a shock.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the heat of embarrassment creep up my cheeks.

“Shit, I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want to take that from you. Damn it.” He pulled back, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. “We should talk later. You can find me in my office after your shift.”

I gave a small nod in response, and he yanked the door open. Once again, he left me with a clear understanding of what he was feeling. Rejection.