I want to go to him, so I make myself take a step back, and step on a cushion. It seems likeallthe decorative pillows got tossed around during our fuck fest. I gather the remaining ones into my arms and start arranging them on the bed.
The king is silent for a while, watching me work. Then, “Why do you believe you are not an Omega?”
“Because I’m not. I’m human.”
“What is ahew-man?”
“I’m from another planet. I don’t know why I’m here.” I fuss with a fluffy pink cushion until it’s just right.
What am I doing? I should be packing up, leaving, but I can’t until this room is set to rights. It’s a compulsion.
“Shall I summon thewhispsto help?” Bestian asks.
“No,” I growl, karate-chopping a pillow the way I’ve seen decorators do on HGTV. “I want to do it myself.”
“Why? What are you doing, little Rose?”
“I’m not little.” I smoosh two pillows together. I need the combination of our scents to be balanced perfectly. “I’m fixing what needs to be fixed.”
“Nesting,” he says with satisfaction. “Because you are an Omega.” He puts his hands behind his head, a mountain in repose. “Ulf has blessed me. All the kings on Ulfaria are scrambling to find Omegas, and meanwhile one simply walks into my palace, demanding an audience.”
Something tugs at my thoughts.Ma. Home.How could I have forgotten her? “I need to go,” I mutter.
The Alpha snaps to attention, his purr becoming a deep growl. My core flutters.
“No. Don't do that,” I whisper. His scent, his voice, his growl—they’re all a siren call I can’t resist. I rock forward, taking a step toward the bed before I can stop myself.
“Why not, little Omega? Are you unable to control yourself?”
I take another step, and Bestian growls louder. I’m seconds away from crawling onto the bed and attacking him. Since when am I so sex crazed? True, I’ve had a long dry spell since arriving on Ulfaria, and for all I know, I came to this planet on the tail end of a sex drought, but this is intense.
It must be that estrus thing.
My stomach rumbles loudly.
Bestian stops growling at once. “You need sustenance. I have failed you.”
“Sustenance?” Who talks like that? But the king clambers off the bed, and the room shrinks with his bulk.
“I will leave you to settle. You will eat and drink and settle. When you have finished your nest, I will return.” His thick, long fingers caress my face, and he is gone before I can protest.
The nerve of him.
The door clicks open and Rogue whisks in. The glowing orbs brighten and the room is flooded with light. The little wind brought a tray of Ulfarri delicacies, including my favorite sweet cakes. The air flow freshens the room, and as I watch, Rogue tugs at the silvery comforter until it’s military-grade neat.
My hollow stomach urges me towards the food. I want to eat and drink and nest. Just like the king ordered.
So I will. But he won’t find me here when I’m done. Yes, everything here is magical and ethereal and too damn perfect. And yes, the sex is beyond anything I ever could have imagined. But none of this is real. Participating in the king’s fantasy that I’m hisfated mate, somehow born to be his queen was a fun diversion, but it’s just that. Afantasy. And I don’t like the way my thoughts, feelings, and body are constantly at war with each other when I’m around Bestian. He has way too much power over me. Not to mention the most important thing: I need to let Ma know I’m okay.
I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to leave.
And this time, I’m not going to let the irresistible Alpha stop me. No matter how much he growls.
* * *
Bestian
My lovely Omega eats with a hearty appetite—except for the sweet cakes, which she slows down to savor. She wraps several in a napkin. Hoarding food? She has been living like a peasant. I must make sure she understands that food is plentiful here.
