Chapter 6

ARIANA

Heat coursed through my skin, pooling in places it shouldn't. I shut my legs, trying to stop a disaster. My action didn't escape his eyes; his lips curled into a grin.

“What's wrong? Want to talk more?”

It was official. I was going mad for blushing; I was even madder to imagine us going for another round—to see him on his knees, his face buried in between my legs, while I begged for every inch of his tongue.

I shuddered.

All my life I had thought the tongue was for eating, but today I knew there were hundreds of wild, passionate things it could do.

He leaned in, his hot breath fanning my cheeks as his scent gushed into my nostrils. My lungs clung to it greedily. He brought his hand close, shifting the strands of my hair that fell onto my face.

“Remove your hands. I want to see what's mine,” he said, still tucking my hair behind my ears.

“I… I… I need to go.” I shifted, crawling out of the bed while he stood, watching me.

I knew I was stark naked, but at this point, I couldn't care less. I needed to leave.

What the hell was wrong with me? I had come here to talk to him, to tell him I accepted our mating bond, and here I was naked, trying to leave before I gave in again to the desire. I picked up my dress, my gaze hovering over the floor, searching for my undergarment.

He strode over and crouched down, kneeling in front of me, his hot breath grazing my stomach. For a moment, I thought he was about to stick his head in between my legs and—fuck. I parted my legs, ready to accept him.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, little mate,” he half-laughed. My gaze dropped to him as he held out my thong.

Shit.

I stayed like a fool while he put it on me. His movements were slow; every slight graze of his hand on me sent sparks of desire through my spine. He clipped my bra on, but not without giving my breasts a slight squeeze.

After ten minutes, I was all dressed up and looked less rough and more decent, and so did he. He had worn his trousers and his shirt hung loosely.

“I… I will be on my way.”

“We can have that talk later.”

“Huh?” was all I could say before my mind finally decided to turn back on. “Yes. I… yes.”

He nodded, yet a smile ghosted his lips.

“I will take my leave.” I bowed, turned, and scurried out. Only when I was in the hall could I let out my breath.

Reality dawned on me.

We had—

I shook my head and walked out. But as I stepped out, the maids couldn't stop taking peek glances at me. They had the same knowing look.

Was it written on my face?

Did they hear my screams?

My cheeks reddened with embarrassment. I walked out and into the car.

~~~~~

Breathe! You are okay. You went to talk to Levi, you couldn't see him, and nothing else happened.

I whispered the same line throughout the journey back home.

Anxiousness gnawed at me. Thousands of questions flooded my mind. What if they find out? What if I blurt it out to them?

I won't! I was meant to uphold the honor of the pack and not let a man fuck me. He might be my mate, but it didn't change shit.

I groaned and tossed my head back.

This was going to be difficult.

“Greetings, Princess.” The guard bowed as I glided my way through the door and into the palace. My head was held high, my chest out, while I tried to hide the fear I felt.

I made my way to the stairs when my mother's voice halted my steps. I shifted my gaze, and there she was with my father.

“Greetings Father and Mother.” I bowed.

“How was the talk with Alpha Levi?”

“Talk?” Memories of me on his bed, naked and sweaty while he tongue-fucked me, flashed through my mind. “Yeah. Uhm—he was busy with meetings. I couldn't disturb him. I was ready to go when he came out, but it was already late, so I left. Although, we will talk later,” I rushed, and they just stared, their expression hard to read.

“Okay, dear,” Mother spoke, breaking the silence that stretched between us. “You must be tired. Go have some rest.” I nodded, then turned to my father, who also agreed.

If they suspected something, they didn't show it. Plus, my story was convincing—not like they could smell him on me.

I paused.

Double fuck!

~~~~~

“Our mate smells so good,” Raven purred as I laid on my back, swinging my legs in mid-air. It had been three hours, and she hadn't stopped talking about Alpha Levi; it was a new thing about him every second.

“Our mate loves us.”

I bit down on my lower lip. “Maybe he does.”

“Our mate is so handsome and sweet.”

“Knock it off,” I snapped, yet I couldn't help but blush at her words. I gripped the fluffy pillow to my chest, my eyes shut, while I let myself imagine it was him—that he was here with me, in my bed.

“Our mate loves me,” I purred, finally giving in to the darkness that hovered over me.

I slept.