Fun facts: Marmaduke and Chow Chow are names of dogs.
NIA’S POV“Oh, pardon the interruption. This little gathering just looked so warm and welcoming, I couldn’t resist dropping in. Mind if I join?” I said sugary-sweet, slowly glancing around the room with a forced smile to veil my anger.Stunned and irked, the atmosphere thickened with unspoken tension as papers rustled, and the conversation halted abruptly around the agape, pentagon-shaped table.Dalton’s surprised face was so scratched up like Lykoan's claws had sketched tic-tac-toe on it. Since he wasn’t fully healed, small, crimson patches were scattered on the white bandages that wrapped his left upper arm, disappearing under his gray dress shirt.Disgust flowed through my body like a tidal wave when my death stare settled on his devious cobalt blues. My wolf snarled, canines bared out as she paced around in my head out of outrage.“I’m here to see Dalton, in particular.” Keeping my eyes locked on my ex-mate, I continued, “Won’t you spare him for a few minutes? After all, clarity i
NIA’S POVThe weight of Dalton’s actions and the depth of my feelings carried me at lightning speed down the busy street. The sun warmed my back as the odor of exhaust and hot concrete filled the air. Engines roared and tires hissed against the asphalt beside me.My nostrils flexed, searching for that neroli scent and letting it guide my sprint to confront Dalton.The last of that phone call replayed in my head:“Your reception is bad, Nia. I can't hear you. Do the test, and if you want to talk…pillow talk, that is, come to my room later. Don’t keep me waiting,” Dalton laughed and hung up the phone.Questions buzzed around my mind. Test? On what grounds?Turmoil brewed inside my bowels.Julius’ footsteps pounded behind me, getting closer with every furious stride I took, but I refused to slow down—my fists clenched, heart racing, and eyes blazing straight ahead on the green traffic light, because nothing he said now could douse the fire roaring in my chest.“Where are you going, Nia?”
LYKOAN’S POV From my right side, Julius stuck out a gray envelope with the Boulderfist seal over the table. “You really need to see this. Gamma Layton and Elder Kweston made the delivery very early this morning, before the first cochin cock could crow.”Agitation instantly flooded the bond.I swallowed the hot liquid in my mouth and lowered my coffee, taking the item. Seeing Nia’s name on the back, I handed the envelope to her, and our curious gazes met.She motioned for me to do it, saying with her mouth full, “Open it.”Nia chewed and put her half-eaten sandwich down on the plate as she watched me rip the letter open and pull out the thin, white paper. She leaned sideways to read the content with me.Kourtney scowled deeply, shaking her head in dismay. “Apparently, Dalton will grant your request for the Alphas’ conference in exchange for Nia to do a medical assessment. He wants the report before the hearing is held.”“My request? It wasn’t a request,” I snapped, eyeing her hard, and
LYKOAN’S POV“We’ll be out soon,” Nia yelled, slamming her hands on my chest, urging me to withdraw and get up. “Lykoan, get moving.”Just great. No shots for me today. I stifled a groan and drew out my slick-coated length, hauling my body from hers.Rolling onto my back, I stared in disappointment at my ten-pole cock. I scrubbed a hand over my face and forced any notion of finishing out of my head. My shaft shrivelled, going flaccid painfully slowly while I tried to get Sultan’s pheromones down.Nia chuckled before sitting up, stretching her limbs, and yawning. My Lycan whined, already missing her skin against ours, especially since we’ve got to deal with that ex-crock of hers."Gawain has arranged breakfast for us in the dining room. We shouldn’t be late. I want you to eat properly. It's going to be a long hearing afterwards," I mumbled, rubbing my nose down the nape of her neck.With a small nod, she yawned again, and I sensed her panic. I gazed at her for a long moment, and saw th
LYKOAN’S POV Incessant hums of low voices woke me from dreaming of me and Nia, cuddling in a beautiful meadow, watching the sunrise.“You do it,” came a whisper from the doorway that caused my ears to twitch.“No, you do it,” said the second voice in a hushed tone, sounding like Kourtney.The sun streamed through the open balcony and glass windows as the sleeping beauty stirred beside me.Nia curled on her side with her back pressed to me and her head lying on my extended arm. The sheets skimmed across her small waist, leaving only her wavy, raven hair splayed over the rest of her exposed golden skin.The sight of her lying bare in my arms had my muscles flexing hard, stoking up my morning wood. My love for her grew stronger day by day in a spiralling blaze.Leaning down, I pressed a kiss on her shoulder. I despised the idea of waking my mate and pushing her out of bed. My mate who held a blade at my heart. The mate I never thought I would have or was deserving of after everything.“
LYKOAN’S POVThough the predawn whispered promises of closeness, I remained adrift in a bittersweet longing, plagued by the discrete wish that our bond would blossom into mutual love.“Must you call me Alpha, Nia?” I pouted with a thumping ache in my chest, piercing deeply into her eyes. “Are we strangers?”Her dark brows flew up as she gazed at me. Stunned and confused by the question, her voice faltered a bit. “Um, you are my Alpha.”“I am much more.” My hands coasted down past the curves of her hips, stopping at the light brush of the hem of her chemise, pulling it haphazardly up as I squeezed her thighs. “Your body knows it. I don’t even need to feel you to know that you’re desperately wet.”She gasped, taking in a large breath when I moved my hands to the supple roundness of her bottom, cupping her buxom cheeks.“Nia, you don't have to love me, but for goddess' sake, don't insinuate that I'm nothing to you. It's not acceptable.” I released a deep growl as she touched my chiseled c