"Jasper, are you really going through with this?" Kieran asked, his brow furrowed with concern after I had told him.
"Of course," I replied, smirking. "Think about it, I'll have her power, and I'll be taking her right under Liam's nose. It's perfect."
"Whatever you say," Kieran sighed, not sharing my enthusiasm.
As I stood outside the doors to the suite, my heart pounded in anticipation. I had worked tirelessly to create a space worthy of Erica, my future queen and the key to unlocking untold power. When Verity, that small blonde warrior, had stepped forward with her invaluable insight into Erica's preferences, I knew we were on the right path. With Grayson Thompson's endorsement, I trusted her completely. I remembered carrying Erica's limp form into her new room, laying her gently upon the soft white sheets of her new bed. The room was immaculate, a testament to Verity's keen attention to detail. Every inch of the space had been tailored to accommodate Erica's favourite brands and styles.
I stood outside the room, taking deep breaths to compose myself before entering. I couldn't let my anger ruin this moment, not when I had so much at stake. As I remembered the scent of her arousal from this morning, my dick sprang to life, eager for the day it would finally claim her.
"Slow down, Jasper," I muttered under my breath, recalling Verity's warning about Erica's history with Alphas. I knew I had to be patient, but damn, it was hard. The weasel of an Alpha who had hurt her a few years back, his head would make a fine gift for my queen. With Kieran's help, I'd ensure that the bastard paid for everything he'd done. As soon as Verity told me about his trafficking ways, I knew exactly who she was talking about, and I knew that Kieran would gladly help me since he also had a history with the creep.
The moment the security scanner turned green, I pushed open the doors and was immediately assaulted by the most intoxicating scent of citrus. Though I knew it was Erica's scent, it had never been this potent before. Perhaps her cleanliness now allowed her true fragrance to permeate the room. I scanned the room quickly, finding Erica sitting on the sofa, just finishing her meal. She looked clean and refreshed, wearing a baggy black t-shirt that couldn't hide the pink flush of her skin beneath. An image flashed through my mind of taking her from behind, gripping that light red ponytail as I drove my cock into her tight pussy, while she screamed my name in pleasure.
I forced my most charming smile. Her glare only made me want her more. Anger surged through me, but a glance from Verity reminded me that I had to tread carefully for now.
"Verity, you can leave us," I told her and watched the fear cross Erica's face as she realised she would soon be alone with me. The door clicked shut behind Verity, and I allowed a devious grin to slip onto my face.
As I sat down next to her, Erica growled at me when I tried to move a strand of hair from her face. How sweet, I thought, amused by the idea that she believed she had any real choice in the matter. I leaned back on the sofa, my eyes never leaving hers, basking in the discomfort that radiated from her. I wanted to draw out this moment, but I knew we needed to get to the point. Finally breaking the tension and silence, I said, "It's time we talked about our mating ceremony."
"Our what?" she exclaimed, her green eyes wide with shock and disbelief. The sight fuelled me, feeding the twisted satisfaction I felt.
"Darling Erica," I began, savouring each word as it rolled off my tongue, "we will be mated, and I will mark you as mine. But before we can do that, you need to renounce that wretched pack of yours and reject Liam, your so-called fated mate." Laughter bubbled from her lips, a sound so unexpected that it caught me off guard.
"Are you on drugs? There's no way in hell I'm mating with you. Not now, not ever." My blood boiled at her defiance, but I managed to keep my composure until I heard a snort of laughter behind me. Turning, I saw Grant smirking, obviously amused by Erica's words. He must have slipped in when Verity left. His presence only served to fuel my anger further. My anger surged, uncontrollable and primal. I whipped my hand out, gripping Erica's ponytail tightly. She yelped in pain as I yanked her closer to me, her eyes wide with shock.
"Listen closely," I growled, exposing her neck as I pressed my lips against the tender flesh there, which would soon bare my mark. Her pulse throbbed beneath my touch, the heat of her skin inflaming my desire. I wanted nothing more than to bend her over the sofa and rip off her leggings and claim her right here and right now. The thought that Grant was watching us fuelled my lust even further.
"Erica," I whispered into her ear, hot breath ghosting across her skin, "I've spent my life searching for you, dedicating everything I have to the pursuit of your power. It's just as much mine by birthright as it is yours." As I spoke, I slid my free hand up her legging-clad thigh, pressing against her pussy. I pushed the fabric of her leggings and whatever delights that lay underneath against her roughly. I could feel her squirm and try to resist, but the scent of her arousal began to fill the air. Her breath hitched, and I knew I was getting to her.
"Wh-what are you talking about?" she managed to choke out, her voice strained with anger and desire. My crude thoughts swirled, unfiltered, I had never felt so powerful, so turned on in my life. How easy it would be now to sink into her hot wet cunt, taking her as my own, and claiming the power for myself. She might protest but I knew that she would enjoy it and I would have her pussy squeezing the cum from me before long. But I knew it would be that much sweeter when she gave herself to me willingly.
"Your power, darling," I murmured, smirking at her confusion. "It's time you learned what you're truly capable of. What we're capable of together."
"Get your hands off me," she snarled, attempting to shove me away. But my grip on her remained unyielding, and I revelled in the heady mix of seduction, arousal, and need coursing through my veins.
"Give it time, love," I whispered, my tone laced with arrogance and smugness. "You'll come to see the truth of our connection."
My frustration bubbled to the surface as Grant's cough interrupted the moment. I mentally made a note that he needed to be occupied elsewhere in the future.
"Um, she doesn't know," Grant said, and I stopped, looking up at him. Could he be serious? Did Erica really not know who or what she was? Releasing her hair, I watched her scoot down to the other end of the sofa, confusion and fear etched across her face.
"Erica, sweetheart, is this true? Do you really not know who you are?" I asked, unable to hide my disbelief.
Chapter 22
Erica
Confusionswirledwithinmeas I glanced between Jasper and Grant. What the hell were they talking about? My power?
"Seriously, what are you going on about?" I asked Jasper, my voice laced with frustration.
"Ah, so you really don't know?" Jasper moved closer, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "What a shame."
"Cut the bullshit, Jasper," I snapped, growing more irritated by the second. "What. The. Fuck. Are. You. Talking. About?"
"Your power, Erica," he said, drawing out each word as if it pained him to explain. "You have no idea what lies dormant inside of you, do you?"
"Stop speaking in riddles!" My hands balled into fists at my sides, anger boiling up from deep within.
