Killian took him by the arm and led him to the orchard path. Pink and white blossoms arched overhead. Scout gazed up in awe. It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen in the entire territory.
“It’s lovely,” Scout murmured. He took in a deep breath. “It smells amazing, too.”
Killian let out a low, playful growl. “Not as amazing as you.”
Scout blushed. “Hey.”
Killian grinned and leaned into his neck, taking a deep drag of his scent. “I’m serious. It’s unbelievable.” Killian closed his eyes and gently pressed his lips to the soft flesh of Scout’s neck. Scout gasped and froze. The warm press of Killian’s mouth against his neck was incredibly sensual. It sent a shudder up his spine.
“Killian, we’re in public,” Scout murmured.
The alpha let out a growl against his skin. “I don’t care. You’re my omega. You belong to royalty now, and that means I can claim you wherever I want.”
Scout’s face turned bright red. A knot of pleasure bloomed below his stomach, sending tendrils of numb warmth seeping through his body. Hearing Killian claim him like that ignited a fire in him that he’d never felt before. He craned his neck, allowing Killian more access. But to his disappointment, Killian teased him with one quick kiss and pulled away.
“No fair,” Scout muttered, shivering.
Killian smirked at him. “We have lots of time for that later.”
They strolled along the cobblestone path, enjoying the fresh spring air and gorgeous scenery. Up ahead the trees fell away and were replaced by a huge collection of beautifully manicured shrubs and bushes. As they drew closer, Scout noted the dizzying array of pinks, reds and oranges.
Scout gasped. “Are those roses?”
“Yes,” Killian said. “It’s our rose garden.”
Scout stopped and kneeled at a rose shrub. The petals were plump and bright. He stuck his nose in the center of the flower and took a deep breath. “Nothing beats the smell of roses,” he murmured. He smiled up at Killian. “In terms of flowers, I mean.”
Thanks to the nice weather, the garden was popular today. Other shifters from the upper ring had gathered for picnics or were taking pictures.
Scout stood up where a small crowd had gathered. “Oh, are those white roses over there?”
“Yup,” Killian said.
In his excitement, Scout scampered over to the white roses and kneeled down, his face buried in them, while Killian chuckled and lagged behind. He slowly made his way over to his precious omega when he overheard something from the shifters in front of him that made him stop in his tracks.
“Oh, I know what you mean,” someone muttered. “I can’t believethat’swho he chose.”
“Right? I mean… I could understand an omega from the middle ring, at least, but this is just ridiculous!”
A third shifter with a slightly more gruff voice chimed in. “My concern is what the other packs will think. I’ve never heard of an alpha choosing such a low-ranking omega before. What if they think our pack is so weak that we don’thavestrong, high-class omegas?”
The first one gasped. “I hadn’t even thought about that. You don’t think Silvercreek will hear the news and use it as a chance to attack us?”
Killian watched Scout slowly remove himself from the roses. His shoulders sagged and the look on his face was heartbroken. He had heard everything.
The hairs on the back of Killian’s neck rose. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He cleared his throat loudly with a hint of a growl. The small group in front of him turned around and gasped.
“Prince Killian!”
“What an honor to see you here!”
“The roses are just lovely, aren’t they?”
Their faces were the picture of bright enthusiasm, but their sunny smiles were underscored by the horrified realization that their prince had heard everything they just said.
“So, you have a problem with my mate?” Killian asked, his eyes narrowed into furious slits.
The horrified shifters threw up their hands and shook their hands, scrambling over each other to apologize or deny it. Killian was barely listening to their attempts at quelling his anger. Hearing his own pack members talk that way about his mate had pushed him over the edge.
